by steve higgs
I had taken some from inside her shower as those would be the ones in current use. I had then emptied all other toiletries from the cabinets above and below the sink for good measure. I looked through the bag until I spotted the right one, it was a cheap supermarket brand and mostly empty. The bottle had been dry to the touch though because Kimberly had not used it in more than a day. If the intruder had touched it, his fingerprints would still be on it.
‘Well, it won’t take me a moment to just check this one.’ Simon admitted. The old dusting for prints method was long gone in the modern lab. Now they pass a scanner over the object and it reads the prints off instantly. Of course, I have no idea how it works, and everyone still says they are dusting for prints when they perform the task.
Less than a minute later the three of us were crowded around a screen watching the symbol on it rotate while it spooled information. It was comparing the fingerprints it had found to the National database. It was instantaneous in theory, but it still had millions of records to check.
The computer beeped and there was Bartholomew. His record from the alleged stalking case meant his prints were forever in the system.
‘Harper, what are you doing here again?' CI Quinn's terse voice cut through the quiet air of the lab and ruined my moment. ‘Why is she here?' he then asked Simon and Steve, essentially dismissing me.
‘Well…’
CI Quin cut Simon off the second he started speaking. ‘Have you completed the work on the Hopkin’s murder yet?’ He was utterly calm as always. Annoyingly so.
‘I did say that it would take a lot of hours to get through all the…’
Ci Quinn cut him off again. ‘Then why are you wasting time with Miss Harper.' He hit the Miss extra hard to make sure I noticed. In his eyes, I was already a civilian. I could hardly argue against his point, but he didn't need to be such a dick about it.
I was starting to feel bad about sweet-talking the guys into helping me. When Quinn next opened his mouth, I cut him off. If I was a Miss now he had no further rank or power over me.
‘What I want you both to d…’
‘Hey, Quinn. Shut up for a second.’ He looked stunned. Like I had slapped him. ‘If you give these chaps a little leverage they may just deliver you the Magdalene King.’
He had been about to shout something back at me when I said the name I knew he would pay attention to. CI Quinn was all about career. He wanted the big busts, he wanted the limelight and went after it at the expense of lesser cases where the victims got no justice. He had been after the Magdalene King for years. No one could prove he existed, but someone was peddling drugs in the area and everyone that ever got busted said they worked for the Magdalene King and then never said another word.
It could all just be a legend, but CI Quinn did not think so. I had his attention. ‘My latest client has been targeted by a man that has been referred to by others as the Magdalene King. The voodoo link is there, I have witnessed it for myself. He has a large following and he is a chemist, so the drug connection is also present. I need more time to gather evidence, but this is a great lead.'
‘A great lead.’ He repeated slowly. ‘How would you know to define such a thing?’ and there was the old CI Quinn back. ‘Show me what you have.’ He demanded.
I went into a deeper description of what I knew. However, as I was talking I realised how thin my case against Bartholomew was. Not only that, all the evidence that pointed towards him being the Magdalene King was highly circumstantial.
‘This is the man?' Quinn asked, pushing between Simon and me to look at the screen. ‘Huh.' He snorted. ‘Harper the Magdalene King case was opened almost thirty years ago. This man looks barely twenty.'
‘Is it not possible that the title has been handed down or even that what started out as a legend has become real because someone, Bartholomew, assumed the role.’
He stood back and put some space between himself and the rest of us. He was rubbing his forehead in a bored or disappointed manner. ‘Harper, I want you to listen to what I have to say and to believe that I am saying it for your own good. You were never any good as a Police Officer. When you decided it was time to move I was pleased for you because you were never going to succeed in uniform, but the role you have moved to is worse. Working for that charlatan Tempest Michaels with his ridiculous paranormal cases. You have no investigative skills with which to solve his cases, but no doubt he hired you for your looks rather than any other attribute.'
‘Are you quite finished?’ I asked between gritted teeth.
‘No, Harper, I have not. You need to leave the detective work to those with some ability for it. Recognise that you are wasting your time chasing around after criminals or, in your case, fake ghosts, and find something that you can actually do.’
‘Such as?’ I really wanted to hear what he had to say next.
‘Have you thought about the retail sector?' I was seriously considering kicking him in the nuts. ‘I can see that I am not getting through to you, so I will make it easier for us all. You are banned from the station. I do not expect to see you here again unless you are handing over your ID card and uniform. As for you two.' He addressed Steve and Simon. ‘If I catch you processing her rubbish I will have your wages docked.'
I was raging inside, but I was trying to emulate his calm exterior, the one that never got ruffled. ‘Are you going to ignore my leads on the Magdalene King case?’
This time he laughed. ‘Harper you have no leads. Have you not heard a word I was saying? You don’t know what you are doing. Now get out and give up this foolish game.’ Then he turned and went, only he didn’t go at all. He merely went to the door to hold it open for me.
I glanced at Steve and Simon, whispered an apology for dropping them in it and I left. I couldn’t think of anything else I could do. But I wasn’t leaving it there. Not on your life. I was going to solve this case and the next one and the next one and even though I knew that CI Quinn would never acknowledge my success, I would know that he had always been wrong. Caring about his opinion was beneath me, that was what I was telling myself as he had one of my former colleagues’ escort me out of the station.
Arresting Bartholomew. Monday, November 1st 1541hrs
With Bartholomew's fingerprints on the shampoo bottle, I had probable cause for arrest. I could place him in the victim's house. He had worn a balaclava, so I could not identify him as the man that had fled but I was going to arrest him anyway. To hell with CI Quinn, let's see how Bartholomew holds up under some questioning.
I called Patience. ‘Hey what's up, girl?' At least she was awake.
‘I need you to come with me to arrest someone. I can place Bartholomew King in Kimberly's house. I have his fingerprints on her shampoo bottle. I think he was tampering with it.' What I most needed was to have the lab guys work out what was in the shampoo or toothpaste, so I could prove my hunch was right. That avenue was closed off to me now though so later I would need to rescue Kimberly's toiletries and take them somewhere else for analysis. Unfortunately, that would cost money, but It felt necessary.
‘Amanda, I don’t want to mess with no voodoo priest. What if he curses me?’
‘Patience it is not voodoo. There are no curses being levied. He is just a clever man using trickery to fool people. His only weapon is superstition, he uses it against people. Like you. I am going to drop the loan car off, get my car from my place and will pick you up in half an hour. Put your uniform on.' It was best when dealing with Patience to give her no option.
‘Aren't you all Miss Business today. What if I don't want to? What if Patience has other things to do with her Tuesday afternoon?'
‘If you do this I will make sure that Big Ben breaks his once only rule for you.’ I had no idea how to make him do such a thing, but I also knew that I had her now.
‘Dammit, girl. Why didn’t you just start with that? I’ll see you in thirty.’ She hung up.
Thirty minutes later I was pulling up outside her building. Her mecha
nic had been just as lecherous the second time, grinning and chewing gum while not even trying to make contact with my eyes. I threw the keys at him and power-walked back to my place. I debated going inside to change into my uniform, but it seemed just as easy to change at Patience's place. I had never thought I would put it on again, but here I was carrying it into her place.
Patience opened the door as I got to it. ‘I saw you coming. Does your car smell like snake?’
‘What does a snake smell of?’ I asked as I laid out the uniform and started getting undressed. Patience was already in her gear.
‘Huh. Good question.'
‘The car looks the same as always, but I do want to get it valeted none the less.’ As I tied the laces on my boots, Patience asked what we were doing.
‘We are going to his house in Bearsted to speak with his parents. If we get lucky he will be there, and we can just arrest him. If he is not, I intend to have his parents tell me where he is. Once he is in custody, and away from the security of his friends, I expect he will stop his ridiculous pretence and answer my questions. Maybe he will even admit to spiking Kimberly's toiletries. The aim is to stop him from stalking her, but if I can provide proof that he has caused her harm she can pursue a civil case against him and seek compensation. The family certainly have the money and I think she deserves it.’
‘Okay.’ Patience replied as I stood up and checked everything was in place. ‘But if I see one voodoo doll, you are on your own.’
The drive to Bearsted took nineteen minutes from Patience's place. Traffic was slow due to school-run mums clogging the roads. I parked right in front of the house again, but this time, through the fence I could see the same flash Japanese car that had been outside Mason's house yesterday. On the way, I had called Brad Hardacre, confirmed he was out in a squad car and had him come to our location.
I rang the doorbell and waited for it to be answered. I had described the house and Bartholomew’s parents to Patience on the way over. She was stood back from the front door taking the property in now though, looking around appreciatively.
‘I wish I had paid attention in chemistry class.’ She said. ‘Why couldn’t the teacher just have said that I could have this if I just learned the boring crap he was saying. I would have done my homework then instead of watching cartoons.’
I heard a noise behind the door just before it opened. This time it was Mr. King senior in the open doorway. The jovial, convivial expression he had greeted me with last time was still there in the background but losing its battle for dominance with annoyance because there were now two police officers on his doorstep.
‘Is your son here, Mr. King?' I asked, not giving anything away.
‘Yes. He arrived home just a few minutes ago.’
‘Can you take me to him, please?'
‘I must insist you tell me why you wish to see him first.’
Patience came to stand by my right shoulder. ‘We have evidence that places him inside the property of Kimberly Kousins, the woman I came to see you about yesterday. Her claim against your son has been substantiated by physical evidence and further evidence is being analysed at this moment. It will greatly help your son's defence if he willingly accompanies us to the station.'
‘Who is it, dear?' asked Mrs. King, appearing by his side. ‘Amanda is that you? Surely you are not back here to bother Bartholomew again?'
‘I'm afraid I am, Mrs. King.'
‘They claim to have evidence that he was stalking the young lady she told us about yesterday.’
‘I can’t believe that.’ She replied.
‘Nevertheless, I can assure you it is true.’
‘He isn't here.' She lied, which came as surprise.
‘Your husband said that he had just arrived home.’ I replied, making it clear that I did not believe her.’
Just then I heard a door slam deep within the house and seconds later the sound of footsteps running across the gravel around the side of the house.
The car!
Patience was already running, I followed, rounding the side of the house a few paces behind her. Ahead of us, by his car, Bartholomew was fumbling in his pockets for his keys. He pulled them triumphantly from his back trouser pocket and checked where we were just in time to see that he was too late. Patience barrelled into him, knocking him to the gravel.
‘Bartholomew King I am placing you under arrest for the crimes of harassment and of breaking and entering. You do not have to say anything, But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.' I finished the caution just as Patience was ratcheting the cuffs onto his wrists.
‘Oh dear. This is most unfortunate.' Said Mr. King.
'Will you be alright, Barty?' asked his mum.
‘Your son is under arrest, Mrs. King.' I wanted to add that this could have been avoided if they had helped more yesterday but I wondered if they even knew what he was up to. ‘He will be taken to Maidstone police station and processed, where after he will be questioned in connection with several crimes.'
In the road, Brad pulled up in the squad car.
‘Young lady.' Mr. King was calmly addressing Patience as she hauled Bartholomew off the floor. ‘You are a woman of colour, just like us. How is it that you dare to turn against us? This is not acceptable behaviour.' Mr. and Mrs. King were literally the calmest, nicest people on the planet.
‘Sir I suggest you move out of my way so that I do not have to arrest you for obstruction.' Patience was also being remarkably calm, normally she would have roughed Bartholomew up a bit in taking him down and would have given Mr. King a mouthful. Perhaps it was the calm demeanour that Mr. King projected.
‘This will not be forgotten.’ He warned.
‘That sounded like a threat.’ Patience thrust Bartholomew into the back of my car and shut the door. ‘Was that a threat, Mr King?’ she asked turning back to face him.
He remained silent, just staring at her.
‘Let's go.' I grabbed the sleeve of her uniform and tugged her back towards the street. I didn't think it had been a threat, but I also didn't know what he meant.
Brad was waiting by the car with Robbie Fischer, a new guy that was twenty-two but looked more like seventeen.
‘Brad, can you follow us back to the station in my car?'
‘Err, sure.’ He said. ‘Everything okay? Didn’t you hand your uniform back already?’
‘I didn’t get the chance yet. I guess this will be my last arrest though.’
He nodded. ‘Come on, Robbie.’ I threw him my keys.
We left Bearsted with Bartholomew in the back of the squad car. Before we had gone around the first corner he started talking.
‘You are in far deeper trouble now than you can possibly understand.’
‘Are you threatening a Police Officer, Mr. King? Patience, please takes note of what he is saying.'
Patience pulled out her issue notebook, but Bartholomew carried on as if I had not spoken.
‘How are you enjoying the snakes and spiders? There is no hiding from my curse. It will find you wherever you go. This latest insult though deserves some special treatment I think. I shall leave that as a surprise though. Not so for you, I’m afraid.’ He said, turning his head to address Patience. ‘My father was right. You have betrayed your own people. I shall make you my slave for that.’
‘What?' Patience squealed. ‘Your gonna make me your what? Boy, you ought to know better than to use the S word around other black people. What is wrong with you?'
‘You will not have to wait long. The ceremony is planned for Friday night.’
‘Huh? What ceremony?’ I asked.
He clammed up then. Refusing to say another word. The remainder of the journey to the station was conducted in silence.
I dropped Patience and Bartholomew off and parked the car. By the time I had made my way through the station, she was already at the front desk with him getting rea
dy to hand him over to the duty Sergeant for processing. In less than thirty minutes, I would have him in an interview room and be able to show him the evidence that proved he had been inside Kimberly's house.
‘Harper!’
‘Oh, nuts.' Quinn's shout had caused the entire room to go silent.
‘Harper, what the hell are you doing in uniform again? Take it off and get out.' He was storming across the room, his face incandescent with rage. ‘Woods. I might have known you would be involved as well.'
He was staring down at both of us, once again holding all the cards.
‘Why is this man in restraints?’
‘Sir he…’
‘Be quiet, Harper. I was asking the Police Officer.’ He didn’t even look at me when he said it. He was staring at Patience.
‘Well, um. He ran when we went to arrest him.’ she managed, her voice betraying how unsure she was.
‘What cause did you have to arrest him, Woods?’
‘Well, um.’
‘His fingerprints were found inside the house of a woman that has reported him to be stalking her.’ I said quickly before he could silence me again.
‘I told you to be quiet. Since you insist on talking and believe you know how best to proceed, why don’t you tell me why you think that gives you grounds for arrest?’
I was confused now. I could place him inside the property. He had no right to be there. It was an open and shut case.
‘Struggling for an answer, Harper?’
‘No, I.’
‘Enough. The person you have arrested was in a relationship with the supposed victim, yes?’
‘They went on one date.’
‘So she claims. I have had the family lawyer on the phone. He claims that Mr. King has been involved in a long-term relationship with Miss Kousins. His fingerprints will be all over her apartment. Anything else, Harper? A shred of evidence that you could use to justify arresting this man?'
My mind was racing. I could feel the ground shifting beneath me like it was tipping and threatening to throw me off.
‘I thought not.’ He concluded. ‘Takes this man’s cuffs off.’ He indicated to the desk Sergeant who scurried across the silent room to perform the task.