by M A Comley
“Let’s not be negative about this, Nelson. That’s not going to help. Come on, we should question the staff, see what they can tell us about the incident.”
Hero led the way in through the shop’s entrance. Five members of staff were standing around, nursing cups of coffee and looking shell-shocked. Hero and DI Pitt flashed their warrant cards and introduced themselves to the manager.
“I’m Will Drake. My staff are pretty shaken up. Can we make this quick? I’d like to send them home.”
“Of course. We want to thank you all for hanging around to speak with us, and I apologise for what you were forced to go through this morning. Can I ask the obvious question first? Did anyone recognise the suspects?”
An older woman sniffled. “No, they were just babes in arms. How do teenagers get hold of guns like that? I hope their parents are suitably ashamed of them.”
Hero sighed. “If they’re the same suspects we’ve been tracking, I have to inform you that we believe the two teenagers are being forced to carry out these crimes.”
“Forced? You know these two? Why haven’t you picked them up by now?” Mr. Drake asked, his brow wrinkled in confusion.
“We know of them. We’re in contact with their families and we believe they’ve been kidnapped by the main suspect in a few other robberies that have taken place in the area. He’s using the kids to carry out the crimes now, probably threatening their families. Was anyone hurt?”
The staff all shook their heads.
“What a dreadful situation,” Mr. Drake said. “But surely, if you know who these people are, why haven’t you apprehended them yet?”
“We’re doing our best to do just that, I can assure you. Yet another two of our colleagues were killed in the incident outside. That’s what we’re up against here.”
“I see. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. Can you supply us with any CCTV footage you have of the incident as evidence?”
“Of course.” Drake called across the shop to a young brunette woman, “Jill, can you sort that out for the detectives?”
She left the shop and walked into a back room, she returned five minutes later, carrying a DVD case. She handed it to Hero with a taut smile and went back to stand with the rest of the staff.
“That’s very kind of you. Hopefully, we’ll have news on your jewellery soon. We’ve put out an alert to other jewellers and pawn brokers in the area to get in touch with us if any of your goods end up in their hands. Can you supply an inventory of the stock you’ve lost to one of the uniformed officers ASAP?”
“I’ve already started gathering the details for you. Once I’ve finished, I’ll do just that. I hope you find the culprits and return our stock soon.”
Hero and Pitt left the shop, had a quick word with one of the uniformed officers standing guard outside, and instructed him what to do next. The officer headed inside the shop while Hero and Pitt made their way back to Gerrard.
“It’s always nice to see you, Gerrard, but it’s happening all too often for my liking. Another two of our guys you’re gonna have to deal with.”
Gerrard nodded. “Isn’t it about time you caught this chap, Hero?”
Hero’s arms flew out to the side and dropped again. “We’re doing everything we can to get him. He’s using the kids to do his dirty work now, and the incidents are occurring far more frequently than we can cope with.”
“In other words, he’s got you by the short and curlies?”
“We’ve even drafted in another team to help us. Not a lot we can do if he keeps hitting us from every angle.”
“I can understand your situation. Maybe you need even more teams to join you in the manhunt.”
“Maybe you’re right. We better get off. Look after our lads, Gerrard.”
“Don’t I always?”
Hero and Pitt walked back to the car, scouring faces in the crowd for Myers or the kids.
“I suppose we’d better organise someone to go and inform the officers’ families.” Hero withdrew his mobile and rang his partner. “Julie, has anyone contacted the families of the two killed officers yet?”
“Not that I know of, boss. Do you want me to get on with it?”
“Thanks, Julie. Can you go round there in person?”
Julie tutted. “I wouldn’t do it any other way, sir.”
“Good. We’re going to stick around out here for an hour or so. Any news of the CCTV footage?”
“Jason is still working on it. He’s located the car at several points through the city, but then it seems to disappear.”
“Maybe he’s dumped it again. In which road did he last see the car? We’ll nip over there and see what we can find.”
“Just a moment.” Julie left the phone and returned within a few seconds. “Knoll Street off Bury New Road.”
“We’ll get over there now. Julie, sort out another press conference for this afternoon. Someone must know where he’s keeping these kids.”
“I agree, sir. I’m checking into Myers’s address. I know we couldn’t locate one before, but I’m searching under his wife’s name now.”
“Excellent thinking. What about his prison mates? Anything there?”
“Sally and I are going down that route, too, sir. Nothing has surfaced as yet.”
“Keep me updated. The priority has to be to get the conference organised. Thanks, Julie.”
Hero ended the call and started the engine.
“What if he had another getaway car lined up? We’re never going to find him,” Pitt complained.
“He’s a slippery bugger but he’s bound to make a mistake somewhere along the line, especially if he has the three of them to consider now. That’s my reasoning behind calling the conference—the likelihood of seeing two or three of them together far outweighs seeing only Myers and not recognising him, if you get where I’m coming from.”
“I do. I still think we’ll be wasting our time out here, though. But it’s your call.”
“Maybe I’m going on my instincts, so bear with me on this one, for the time being. I wonder if French and Powell have any news on Baldwin.”
Pitt withdrew his mobile. “I’ll check in with French, bring him up to date and see what’s new at his end. “French, you’ve been a bit quiet. I take it you have nothing to report?”
As Hero listened to Pitt’s side of the conversation, he pulled away from the kerb and into the diverted traffic, leaving the grisly scene behind.
Pitt hung up and sighed heavily. “Nothing. He said Baldwin left for work as normal this morning at his usual time and took the same route into work.”
“Interesting. Another gut feeling is telling me it’s only a matter of time before we get some action there. Myers can’t keep hitting places. He knows the whole city will be on high alert after this, right?”
“I guess. It depends how much fun he’s having toying with us.”
They drove up and down Knoll Street and the roads on either side numerous times but found nothing of interest. They did another circuit of the adjoining roads before they decided to call it a day and return to base.
Chapter 21
“Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, sir. I wanted to check and double-check the address I managed to locate,” Julie said as soon as they walked into the incident room.
“First things first, Julie. The press conference?”
“Actioned for this afternoon at two, sir.”
“Thanks for that. Now, what have you found out about this address?”
“We believe we’ve found Myers’s main residence. A house out in Darley Grove, Farnworth. Do you want me to send a car out there to have a look, sir?”
“Send an unmarked car to survey the residence from a distance. The last thing we want is to scare this bugger into hurting those kids. Don’t forget we’re dealing with a double hostage situation here, Sergeant.”
“I’m well aware of that, sir,” Julie replied brusquely.
“Sorry. Of course you
are. Just emphasise the need for them to be discreet.”
“Will do, sir.” Julie walked back to her desk and picked up the phone.
Hero and DI Pitt grabbed a coffee each from the machine then made their way around the room and their individual team members. Hero checked the clock: two hours until he had to go before the TV cameras again. He only hoped they would have something positive to share with the media instead of just having to put out yet another plea for assistance.
Myers decided to return to his house. Not only did he need to feed Tiger but he also needed to hide the stolen jewellery. There was no such place at the other house suitable to store the stash. Once the fuss died down, he would fence the stuff with his contacts on the street.
He was a few hundred feet from the property when he noticed a car parked twenty feet away. Inside the vehicle were two men in uniforms.
“Bloody idiots, as if I wouldn’t recognise a cop car when I saw one. He stopped and reversed into a driveway before he was spotted. “That means they’re on to me.” He struck out at the steering wheel with his clenched hand. “Damn, I should have taken care of Tiger, brought him back to the other house. Sorry, mate. I hope they look after you.”
He drove back the way he’d come. His mind worked overtime, searching for a way out of the mess he’d suddenly found himself in. Only one thing came to mind: to contact Baldwin. He drove far enough away from the house, checking behind him in case the coppers were tailing him. Thankfully, they weren’t. Tucked into a lay-by, he dialled the number that was the last call he’d made.
Baldwin answered on the second ring. “Hello?”
“It’s me. Have you got the money?”
“Not yet. I’m hoping to hear back from my bosses about a loan today.”
“Don’t you value your kid’s life?”
“Yes, of course I do. Vicki is our world—”
“Yeah, you told me that shit before. You know what: there’s a fucking difference in saying it and meaning it. Words are cheap, after all, right?”
“No. That’s not the case. We love our daughter. The time restraint you gave us to work with has been very limited. There are only so many hours in a day for me to keep pleading with my bosses.”
“Why do you need them? Sell your goddamn house! That must be worth a packet.”
“It is. Don’t think I haven’t looked into that, but the housing market is in a mess right now due to Brexit. Plus, selling the house could take weeks, so the money still wouldn’t be available in time.”
“I ain’t stupid. That’s not what the reports on the news are telling us.”
“I’m not trying to wriggle out of this. The lower-price houses are the ones the reports take into consideration, not huge mansions like ours. Where the Russians used to be on the millionaire pads in a flash, now they’re running scared of investing in places like this. That’s not bullshit—it’s fact! You have to believe me.”
“I don’t believe you. If you thought anything of your daughter, you would move Heaven and Earth to get me that money. If you value your daughter’s life, you’ll get me that money by the end of the day.”
Baldwin sighed. “Believe me, please, I’m trying my hardest to get the money for you. What if you swap me for my daughter? My company would pay up without hesitation. I’m perceived as being a valuable asset in their eyes, but my daughter isn’t. That’s the problem.”
“No can do. I’m keeping the girl. I bet you never had ‘must try harder’ on a report at school. Well, that’s what you’re going to have to do today…try harder.”
“Seriously, I can’t.”
“My old mum, bless her soul, used to tell me there’s no such word as can’t. Stop making excuses and work your butt off for a change to get me my money. Meet me at Park Grove, Levenshulme, under the railway tunnel, at eight this evening. That gives you eight hours, give or take half an hour, to come up with my dosh. Either that, or I will end your daughter’s life, and I assure you, it won’t be a pleasant death. You see, I love to see the terror in their eyes when I’m torturing them. Hearing them plead for their worthless lives really turns me on. Am I getting across how important it is for you to find that money today, Baldwin? Or do you want to hear all the gory details of what I have lined up for your daughter?”
“No, please. Don’t hurt her. I’ll get you your money, I swear.”
“Make sure you do. Oh, and if I sniff out the scent of any coppers, I’ll kill her on the spot. Am I making myself clear?”
“Yes. You have my word—”
Myers ended the call before Baldwin could finish his sentence. His heart was pounding, and the idea of torturing and killing the girl in front of her father gave him a hard-on. He laughed all the way back to the house. He was still chuckling when he walked through into the lounge.
The two kids eyed him in puzzlement.
“No point telling you. Before you ask, it was one of those occasions where you had to be there to appreciate how funny it was. I’ve bought some fish and chips. Anyone hungry?”
The kids looked at each other then back at him.
“I’m hungry,” Dale replied, almost salivating.
“No. I don’t eat that crap,” Vicki said, screwing up her nose in disgust.
“Hey, no skin off my nose, babe. That’s all that’s on offer. Take it or leave it. You can frigging starve for all I care.”
He threw a portion of the wrapped takeaway at the boy then settled down in the easy chair opposite and unwrapped his own food. He switched on the TV and flicked channels until the news popped up on the screen. He sat forward and turned up the volume when the inspector dealing with his case appeared.
“We have reason to believe that although these two teenagers carried out this robbery, they are being forced to commit these crimes and are being held against their will somewhere in the Manchester area.”
The two teenagers sitting opposite him gasped when their pictures filled the screen.
“My God!” Vicki said. The colour had drained from her face.
Myers sniggered. “What’s it like to be considered fugitives?”
“I think I’m going to be sick.” Vicki leaned over the side of the bed and threw up on the carpet.
“Nice company you’re keeping there, laddie. Enjoying your fish and chips, are you?” Myers laughed.
Dale wrapped his lunch up and placed it on the floor in front of him.
Vicki wiped her mouth and offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t hold it in.”
“No problem. I understand. I wasn’t that hungry anyway,” Dale said, smiling.
Myers stopped listening to the kids and returned his attention to the TV. Watching the detective, Myers almost felt sorry for forcing him to plead. His plan had worked: hit them hard and fast, rock the policing world in Manchester, and have them turning in every direction, chasing their tails. His stomach constricted a little, seeing yet another appeal being aired. He’d been cautious when ferrying the teenagers to and from the house. He hadn’t noticed any twitching curtains, but that didn’t mean someone in the vicinity hadn’t spotted them.
The conference ended with a telephone number on the screen. He was very tempted to ring the number, to taunt the inspector even more, but in the end, he resisted the temptation. For the next few hours, Myers paced the lounge, wondering if he should move the kids to another location.
The evening was drawing in. He went out into the back garden and placed another call to Baldwin to heap on the pressure.
“Well? Have you got the funds together?”
“Nearly. I’m two thirds of the way there. Please don’t hurt her.”
“What about the other third? Is that imminent?”
“Yes, I should hear whether it’s forthcoming by seven this evening.”
“That’s taking it to the wire. Is it really worth the risk? I can’t half or three-quarters kill your daughter, but I will if necessary. In other words, it’s all or nothing. Either all the money is delivered to
the drop-off, or I kill her in front of you.”
“You got that point across earlier. I’m doing everything in my power to get you this money.”
“Don’t let me down.” He ended the call again before Baldwin’s whining voice could piss him off any more.
Chapter 22
Hero hadn’t been home long at the end of a tiring and frustrating day when he received a call on his house phone from Jason back at the station, who had agreed to man the phones up until midnight.
“Boss, I thought I’d better ring you to say that we’ve had an interesting call from a lady who reckons she has identified the two teenagers as the ones who have just moved in next door to her.”
“That’s excellent news. Just a minute, Jason. My mobile is ringing.” He answered it. “Hello, DI Nelson.”
“Sir, this is French. I’m part of the Liverpool team—”
“I know who you are, man. What’s wrong?”
“Sorry, sir. I’m at Baldwin’s house, or at least I was. Baldwin has just left the residence and jumped in his car. Do you want me to follow him?”
“Jesus, okay. Is he alone?”
“Yes, sir. He left carrying a holdall, a pretty heavy one by the looks of things.”
“This could be it. Right, I’m on my way. Keep me informed of the route you’re taking; follow him at a distance. The last thing we want is to scare the bugger.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hero ended the call on his mobile and picked up the house phone. “Jason, did you hear that?”
“No, sir, couldn’t quite hear at this end.”
“Right, Baldwin is on the move. I was going to say that I’ll make my way over to the caller’s house, but I don’t think there’s any point if Baldwin is on the move. He’s obviously on the way to meet Myers.”
“Yes, sir. Want me to send a car out to the neighbour’s address to keep an eye on things?”
Hero thought over his suggestion for a moment or two. “No, I’ll ring Julie. She can handle things there. I’ll get her to arrange an ART hit on the house while I see what Baldwin is up to. Hang fire on things until Julie gets there, you hear me?”