Mickey's Way

by Karen Clow

  “Maybe you’re right, but it’ll need to be done by the book for any charges to stick, should it actually happen. If it’s a hoax it could land me in very hot water.”

  “Darling you’re the best detective I’ve ever known, so tell me, do you think it was a hoax?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Best get your arse down the station then!”

  “If I’m wrong it could make me look bad.”

  “You could never look bad to me because I love you.”

  Taking his jacket from the back of the chair and then looking at his watch he left. Driving towards the station, he knew he would have to convince his superior that it wasn’t a hoax, but he couldn’t use the information about the twins kidnapping, because the first thing he would be asked was why he hadn’t reported it.

  It was just after midnight when he parked his car; he was relieved when he noticed that Jeff Black’s car was there because he would need to speak with him.

  Back in Kent and unaware that George had taken the call from Lenny seriously. Mickey and the other men were still up. They talked about what Lenny had said after the ladies went to bed.

  “Looks like my holiday in Kent could be shorter than we expected,” joked Shaun “especially if Lenny’s plan does work.”

  It was half twelve when Mickey’s phone rang. It was Lenny. Everyone stopped talking and listened as he spoke to Lenny. He ended the call saying it sounded good and he’d speak to Lenny soon. Closing his phone, he told the others George had gone to the station, they all knew then that George was taking the call seriously. Lenny had told Mickey he was going to try and watch from outside Davy’s house and he would let them know as soon as anything happened. Mickey joked with the others it was going to be a long night and suggested playing poker to pass the time.

  “Can we make the stakes twenty pence a hand,” said Billy grinning “only I’m saving up to buy my first club!”

  “Aye sonny, but if you lose will your dad mind giving you some more pocket money?”

  Mickey said twenty pence a stake sounded good to him. Then looking over at his dad he joked and asked if he could lend him two quid as he only had notes, unless anyone could change a tenner for him.

  Den fumbled in his pocket and finding three pounds and ten pence placed it on the table in front of Mickey.

  “There you go son have that, but don’t tell your mother. You’ve already had this weeks pocket money.”

  Back at the station, George was having a hard time convincing Jeff Black to give him the manpower to follow through on the anonymous call. Finally Jeff agreed to run with it, but if nothing happened by four o’clock he was calling it off. George thanked him and said he knew it was a long shot but he had a feeling about it.

  “So I can see George, although I must agree catching them in the act would be the only sure fire way to get a judge to sentence them, which is why I’m prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt. I can let you have two regular officers along with two armed response officers. That’s the best I can offer at such short notice and due to the unsociable hour. George thanked him; he knew that technically Jeff was going out on a limb for him as this type of operation would normally be subject to weeks, if not months, of planning.

  It was almost quarter to two by the time they left the station. George and one officer left in a plain car, while the others drove in an unmarked police van which was equipped with the latest technology in surveillance equipment. George was relieved when they arrived at Davy’s house and it appeared that they had got there before him. They didn’t notice Lenny’s car parked just down the road; he had been there since half one.

  George sat watching the house. For the first time since receiving the call from Lenny he was having doubts. What if it had been a hoax, he would certainly be made to look a fool.

  Davy and Danny finally turned up just before three o’clock; they obviously hadn’t noticed anyone watching the house. While George waited and nothing happened, the reality that it could be a hoax still playing on his mind. He felt relieved when at just after half three, Davy’s front door opened. He watched as the two men carried out what could be described as a body rolled into something. George could feel his adrenalin pumping as Danny popped open the boot then helped Davy pick Seb up. They simply tossed his body in.

  Suddenly they were confronted by the two armed officers, one on either side of the drive way. George and one officer had moved round behind them to block them from running back into the house. Davy rushed at George in an effort to get past him, but George tackled him to the ground where they struggled for several minutes. Surprisingly, Danny didn’t resist. George cuffed Davy and dragged him to his feet then read him his rights and told the officer to watch him. A few moments later he was radioing through for a police wagon to take the pair back to the station. With Davy and Danny secured, George walked over with one of the armed officers to the boot of the car.

  Using a pen, George carefully lifted the corner of the duvet up, so as not to disturb any evidence. As he looked down, he could clearly see the face of a young man. Within fifteen minutes the street was crawling with police. Lenny had seen enough to satisfy him that George had followed his instructions to the letter, so he drove back to his office where he phoned Mickey. He was surprised how quickly he answered the phone, especially as it was almost four in the morning.

  “Just thought you’d like to know Mickey; everything went like a dream. Your detective friend came through for you. I’ll call you tomorrow when I’ve found out more.”

  They talked for a few minutes then ended the call. Mickey quickly told the others, before suggesting that they go to bed.

  CHAPTER 64

  Jeff Black had remained at the station. When he heard what had happened, he was the first to congratulate George and the other officers. George was happy to tell him both men were in custody downstairs, but Davy was refusing to say anything until his solicitor arrived.

  “I expected that so tell me George, did everything go by the book?”

  “Absolutely, right down the line no mistakes!”

  “Let’s see young Sheridan talk his way out of this one then.”

  Davy’s brief was Oscar Gelding. He was well known for taking on local mob cases; he had a knack of finding a small loophole. Unpopular with the police and prosecutors, but never underestimated by them, he was a tricky old bastard. Over the years, he had represented several nasty characters, including some who worked for Dave senior and on one occasion Dave senior himself. He had only actually met Davy once when his granddad’s will was executed.

  George returned to his office to start on his report, only stopping briefly to call Monica. He wasn’t surprised that she wasn’t asleep. The moment she heard his voice, she asked if he was ok. Although she never said Davy’s name over the phone, she was thrilled to hear everything had gone well, but it now meant he’d probably be staying at work for a few more hours.

  Jeff Black tapped on the office door before poking his head round it. George told him he was just calling Monica to tell her he’d be late. Jeff had come to tell him that Sheridan’s solicitor had arrived.

  They left the office together and made their way to the interview room. Davy had been brought to the room by another officer.

  Oscar Gelding sat stony faced as George and Jeff entered. Oscar had been practicing law for over thirty five years and very successfully. Now in his sixties, with greased back grey hair and thick rimmed glasses, he didn’t look classy. Considering what he was worth, he always had a slightly dishevelled look about him as if he had only just got out of bed. Although on this occasion he probably had, as it was the early hours of Sunday morning. Almost immediately he looked at George and in a derogatory manner asked if he was the arresting officer.

  “That’s correct, George Davage senior detective.”

  “So Detective Davage, can I ask you what you were doing at my client’s property?”

  “I received a call. The caller told me that Mr Sheridan
and Danny Monk would be removing a body from Mr Sheridan’s house. From there it was to be taken to waste ground behind the old gas works and dumped.”

  “Who was the caller?” asked Oscar wasting no time.

  “I don’t know he wouldn’t give me his name.”

  “How many hoax calls do you think the police get every year detective Davage?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “Well let me enlighten you, it’s thousands and based on that fact alone, one would assume to respond to these calls would be a waste of resources and the taxpayer’s money? Therefore I would ask you, Detective Davage, why you saw fit to pursue that particular call? Could it be that you had already been watching my client, which, without just cause as you know, would be illegal?”

  Jeff Black went to say something, but Oscar immediately silenced him when he said, “As the entire operation had been orchestrated by Detective Davage. I will be directing my questions at him and only him.”

  George could tell by Jeff’s expression he was concerned, but George had waited a long time to bring Davy Sheridan down, especially since he became aware that he had kidnapped the twins. He was not about to let some bumptious, jumped up, fat over paid fancy solicitor change that.

  “Mr Sheridan was not under surveillance Mr Gelding.”

  “Had anyone called in legitimately with information that my client had in fact got a dead body in his house? Or was his arrest based solely on this presumed anonymous call?”

  “I’m not aware that any other information had been received.”

  “Then please tell me why, you believed this particular caller to be genuine? Before you answer, let me tell you why I think you wanted to believe it. Firstly, my client is a very successful business man, who, because of the type of business he runs, such as night clubs, he has to employ certain individuals, who may in some cases be known to the police. Therefore, you see my client as someone who may, without a second thought break the law. Did it occur to you Detective Davage that whoever placed that call may well have put that body into my client’s house, while he was out working, then by calling you made my client the perfect scapegoat?”

  Jeff looked at George, it was the type of look that said, be careful.

  “Obviously Mr Gelding, you are free to assume what you like. Although like you said Mr Sheridan is a very successful man. So I would imagine that like most very wealthy people, his house would have alarms and security devices, yet there were no reports of a break in, or any reports that someone was seen carrying anything onto Mr Sheridan’s property. So I personally think, rather than speculate as to who may or may not be guilty, we should simply wait to see what the evidence tells us. Of course there’s also the belief that had your account actually happened, one would expect that if he was innocent Mr Sheridan would have simply called the police to report it? I know I would, had I found a dead body in my house.”

  “I agree,” interrupted Jeff “we do intend to hold Mr Sheridan here for as long as legally possible. Hopefully by then we will have all the evidence in front of us to either charge Mr Sheridan or release him. In fact the anonymous caller told Detective Davage he would be sending him more information regarding Mr Sheridan.”

  “May I ask what this information might be?” asked Oscar.

  “We’re unsure at the present time, but rest assured as soon as we know we will pass the information on to you if it proves to be accurate.”

  For the first time since entering the room, George noticed that Oscar seemed less confident. In fact he looked decidedly concerned. Jeff asked an officer to take Mr Sheridan back into custody. When Davy protested to his solicitor, Oscar explained that there was nothing he could do, although he promised to have him home within a few hours. George just looked at Jeff and grinned, they both knew that if the evidence was good, Davy wouldn’t be going anywhere except prison.

  George left with Jeff; walking along the corridor towards Jeff’s office the men refrained from talking. Once inside, Jeff complimented George on the way he had handled Oscar.

  CHAPTER 65

  Lenny had gone home to sleep for a couple of hours before returning to his office just after eight that morning. The first thing he did was make a copy of the conversations from Davy’s office. Whilst drinking his coffee, he decided to take it to George’s house, rather than sending it to the station. Slipping the disc into a plain brown envelope, he was very careful not to leave his finger prints.

  He drove to the street next to the one George lived in and walked towards the house. Spotting a paper boy walking along the road, Lenny stopped him.

  “Do me a favour son,” he said handing him the envelope “post this for me, that’s the house there,” he pointed at George’s place, “I’ll give you a fiver.”

  The lad was only too happy to post it for him.

  Lenny watched as the boy walked up the steps and dropped it through the letter box then he waited until the boy walked away. Lenny returned to his car and drove back to his office. He knew Monica wouldn’t have left the house early that morning as it was Sunday. Worried that the kids may pick it up, he decided he would call George and tell him about it. Using the muffler again he called his mobile. When George answered, Lenny told him the information he’d told him about was at his house. Then he hung up.

  George looked at Jeff and told him what the caller had said.

  “Call Monica, George just in case one of your boys find it. We don’t want anyone touching it.”

  George called her and explained that a uniformed officer would call round to collect it; he knew that as a good detective she would have the good sense not to touch it. Because she had heard Jeff’s voice in the background, she never asked how things were going.

  A short while later a young officer knocked on the office door. As she entered, she handed Jeff a file and said they’d made a positive ID of the body.

  The officer left. George wasn’t surprised when Jeff opened the folder and said, it was Sebastian Arnold and they’d need to inform his family.

  George would do it as there were some questions he wanted to ask.

  “I really need you here George, we need to charge Sheridan before Oscar Gelding comes back.”

  George agreed, but said he’d like to speak to the family at a later time.

  Jeff rang through to forensics and told them to give the case priority. Although he knew that Sheridan would probably refuse to give a DNA sample. George grinned and suggested that maybe it was time they had a chat with Mr Monk. They made their way to an interview room. Jeff had called ahead for Danny to be brought there.

  Danny Monk just stared at them as they entered the room. George asked the officer who had brought Danny to be interviewed if his solicitor was coming. The officer replied the court had appointed him one, but he was tied up downstairs at the moment, however he shouldn’t be long.

  George pulled up a chair and sat opposite Danny while Jeff remained standing. Looking right at him, George asked if he was going to talk to him or wait for his solicitor. Danny had a smug look on his face as he shrugged his shoulders.

  “Fine,” said George “but I’m curious to know why you’ve been appointed a court solicitor Mr Monk. How come Davy hasn’t told Oscar Gelding to represent you?”

  Danny just shrugged his shoulders again and said they’d have to ask Davy.

  “I won’t bother Danny; I’ve got my own theory on that one!”

  “What the fuck do you mean by that?”

  “Think about it Danny, we’ve got you two bang to rights, someone is going down for this and my betting is it won’t be Davy Sheridan”

  He could see what he said had an effect on Danny. Thick he might, be fucking stupid he wasn’t.

  “We’ve got divers out at the pond behind the old gas works. My feeling is they could find something that could look very bad for you Danny. Along with what’s happened to Mr Arnold, I would say you could, with forensic evidence, be looking at fifteen to twenty five years. Can you see Davy doing that?”<
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  Still Danny remained silent, but George wasn’t about to give up that easily.

  “Why did you kill Mr Arnold, Danny?”

  For the first time, he got a response from Danny.

  “I didn’t fucking kill him, I just helped move the body.”

  “Well that’s your account; no doubt Davy will have a different one.”

  There was a tap on the door, another officer handed Jeff a piece of paper then left. As he read it, he told George the evidence had arrived and they should check it out. George looked at Danny and said they’d finish the interview later.

  They made their way to another office. A young police technician was making a recording of the disc that Lenny had sent to George. He played the disc and they listened. George said it was definitely Sheridan’s voice. They listened to the conversation Davy had with Jake and Pinky, also the phone conversation with the Turk, although they didn’t know who Davy was actually talking to. Finally came the conversation about Seb, they listened as they talked about dumping his body, along with Davy’s admission of killing him.

  “We’ve got him” said Jeff as the disc finished, “shall I tell Oscar Gelding or will you?”

  “I’ll let you have the pleasure sir.”

  Jeff placed a call to the main desk, asking if Mr Gelding was still in the building. The desk sergeant hadn’t seen him leave so he would send someone to find him and ask him to return to the interview room.

  Ten minutes later, George played the disc to Gelding.

  “As far as we can tell it’s authentic,” said George “but obviously it will be checked.”

  Oscar waited for the recording to end then said he needed to speak with his client. Jeff nodded.

  Oscar left the room.

  “He knows we’ve got him” said Jeff “I think it might be an idea to make several copies of that disc, just in case it gets lost. Sheridan will pull out all the stops to try and wriggle out of this one. How are you doing regarding your obvious lack of sleep George?”