Two Victims

by Helen H. Durrant

  “Coffee? And take it easy.” A hand reached out and helped her to her feet. “You had a skinful last night.”

  “Elwyn? What the hell are you doing here?”

  What had she done? She had definitely not planned on spending the night with Elwyn. What had happened? Rachel racked her brain, but for the life of her, she couldn’t remember.

  “I live here. This is my sister Ffion’s place. You got into a slanging match with one of the waiters. I told them not to give you any more wine and you lost it. I must say, Rachel, you were on cracking form.”

  “What happened to Jed? Didn’t he try to stop me?”

  “Oh, you were too much for him. He took off with that woman, Clare. He was happy enough to leave me to deal with you.”

  Rachel looked down. She was wearing one of Ffion’s nighties. “My stuff?”

  “On the chair over there.”

  “Where did I sleep?”

  “Not with me,” he said hastily. “My sister got you sorted and we left you on the sofa.”

  “I hope I didn’t make too much noise. Are your nieces here? I’d better explain myself.”

  “They’re both away at uni, so you’re alright.”

  “Is Ffion still here?”

  “She went off to work a while ago.”

  “I have to apologise. She must think me a proper headcase.”

  He grinned. “You’re right on that score,” he grinned. “But forget it. She’s fine.”

  “I’ll get her some flowers or chocolates. What does she prefer?”

  “No need. Stop fretting.”

  Rachel shook herself. It was gone eight and they should both be at work. “Where’s my phone?”

  Elwyn tossed it to her. “I know I shouldn’t have, but I turned the thing off. Mine too. They were pinging half the night. Don’t people ever leave you alone?”

  “You’re right, you shouldn’t have. You above all people know the score. I need to be contactable at all times.” Rachel checked the missed calls and texts. There were several from the girls — she’d ring them shortly — but there was also one from Amy that had come in a couple of hours ago. Early for her. Must be important. But before she rang her back and got embroiled in the day, Rachel needed a wash and a mug of strong coffee.

  Even after a long hot shower, Rachel still felt pretty rocky, so she let Elwyn drive the short distance from Ffion’s home to the station. On the way, she phoned Amy.

  “Not like our Amy to bother folk so early,” Elwyn said. “She tried me too, so she’s worried about something.”

  Amy answered almost at once. “What’s so urgent?” Rachel asked.

  “Ma’am, I’ve been going out of my mind,” Amy began. “I didn’t know what to do.”

  “Calm down and explain,” Rachel said.

  “Earlier, when I checked my texts, there was one from Jonny sent late last night. He was on his way to a club in town called Leo’s. He’d got a tipoff that Ruby hung out there. Now I can’t raise him. His phone is dead and he’s not been home. His dad’s worried stiff.”

  “Have you sent anyone to this club to have a look?” Rachel asked.

  “A couple of uniforms did that earlier but the building is locked up tight. It’s a nightclub, so they open late.”

  “Can’t you get hold of a key-holder?”

  “I can’t raise anyone to ask,” Amy said.

  “Do we know who owns the place?”

  “A company called Lion Enterprises,” said Amy.

  That name again. Lion was the company that had previously owned the buildings on the site where Agnes and the unknown had been found, and whose director happened to be Ronan Blake. It was more than mere coincidence. Rachel had suspected that Blake was dodgy from the start.

  “Elwyn and I will go and take a look. Have a patrol car meet us there. We might need back-up.”

  “Jonny is missing,” Rachel told Elwyn. “Amy’s been trying, but she can’t raise him. He took off on his own last night, looking for Ruby at some nightclub.”

  “There’ll be a simple explanation. His battery will be dead. If he was out until the small hours, he’s probably sleeping it off. Lucky sod. I could’ve done with the morning off myself.”

  “I hope you’re right, Elwyn. But I have a feeling he’s in trouble. He’s gone to a club owned by the Blakes — that pair at the do last night. I didn’t like either of them much. How about you?”

  “To be honest, I hardly spoke to them.”

  * * *

  When Jonny came to, he found that he was bound to a wooden chair. All he could think of was the photo of Akerman on the incident board, tied to a chair just as he was now. This couldn’t just be coincidence.

  The giant of a man from the night before was circling his chair, slapping his face periodically. A scar running the length of his left cheek made him look even more menacing in the daylight.

  “Ah, it lives.” He bent down and thrust his face close to Jonny’s. “You are going to tell me what you’re doing here. If I am happy with what you say, I may leave you relatively unharmed.”

  Jonny’s head hurt where he’d been hit, and his limbs felt like lead. “I’m a police officer. You are in deep trouble as it is. Don’t make it worse for yourself.”

  The man laughed. “You don’t frighten me. You might be the law, but you don’t have any power here.”

  “People will be looking for me,” Jonny protested. “You won’t get away with this, you know.”

  This time the laughter was cut short by the sound of a woman’s voice.

  “Vasile! What the hell is going on? What are you doing?”

  Both men looked towards the door. The woman standing there was smartly dressed in a trouser suit. Her dark hair hung loose, reaching as far as her waist.

  “Madam!” Stuffing a rag in Jonny’s mouth to stop him speaking, Vasile backed away. “This is a troublemaker from last night. I am teaching him a lesson.”

  “I will not tolerate insubordination,” she said. “You do not do this sort of thing without clearing it with me first. Attract the wrong people and we all suffer the consequences.”

  Jonny had no idea what she was talking about. He squirmed, doing his best to free his hands and rid himself of the rag, until finally he managed to spit the thing out. “I’m a police officer!” he yelled. “So, I’m very much the wrong people! This moron knew that, but he still did this to me.”

  The woman turned her eyes on the big man, eyes that blazed with fury. “Is this true, Vasile? Is he really police?”

  Vasile took Jonny’s warrant card from his pocket and tossed it in her direction.

  “You bloody fool! Release him at once.”

  Relief surged through Jonny. He saw the hate and rage in Vasile’s eyes. He was furious at having to let him go, and he didn’t like taking orders from a woman. Jonny wondered what hold she had over him.

  Minutes later, he was free, and his warrant card and mobile returned to him. His head thumped but apart from that, he was no worse for his ordeal. “Is this how you treat your new customers?” he asked the woman. “All I wanted was a drink and to meet up with a friend.” He thought it best to stick to his story for now. This was no time to mention Ruby.

  “Please accept my apologies. Bring your friend another time, have the night on us. My colleague here can be a little too enthusiastic when it comes to security.”

  Time to cut and run. “Which way is the exit?”

  “Do follow me. I can’t apologise enough. You see, we’ve had a deal of trouble of late, and I have to say, some of the troublemakers were as smartly dressed as you. Vasile takes his role a little too seriously at times. He can be a fool, but being where we are, we need him.”

  He followed the woman through the bar area. Staff — young girls in the main — were busy cleaning up from the previous night. One or two looked his way. One girl in particular stood out, a blonde, teetering around in high heels. What stopped him in his tracks was the outfit she wore — a bright pink short skirt
and matching top. The same as their unknown, and the very clothes Ruby had been wearing when she approached the DCI outside the health centre.

  “Why is this place called Leo’s?” Jonny asked the woman. “Is that your husband’s name?”

  “Heavens no. It’s mine.” She smiled. “My first name is Leonora but my husband always calls me Leo.”

  * * *

  Jonny reached the end of the street just as Rachel’s car came bombing around the corner.

  “He’s there!” she shouted, and with a screech of brakes, Elwyn came to a halt.

  “Am I glad to see you lot!” Jonny said, sliding onto the rear seat.

  Hiding her relief at seeing him, Rachel said, “What d’you think you were doing, Jonny? You do not go off single-handed for any reason. You know that.”

  “I didn’t, not really, I left a text for Amy. But I admit I shouldn’t have. I had a pretty grim time of it in there. The place purports to be a club, but it doesn’t welcome visitors. Soon as I showed my face, a brute of a security guard tied me up and slung me in a room. I’ve been there all night. He smacked me across the head as well. If the owner hadn’t come along, who knows what would have happened.”

  Just then, a patrol car roared onto the street.

  “Stay put, Elwyn,” Rachel ordered. “We’re going back to arrest the bloody lot of them.”

  “No, ma’am!’ Jonny said. ‘We should wait. Think about it.”

  “There’s nothing to think about. They imprisoned you — you, a detective. We come down on them hard.”

  “There’s girls in there wearing the same outfit as the unknown, the pink number,’ Jonny said. ‘I think the club is where Ruby worked, perhaps the unknown girl too. I helped the folk from the hostel feed the homeless last night, and one of them knew Ruby. He told me that she was working here a few weeks ago.”

  “Good initiative, Jonny, but you don’t put yourself in danger again, understand?”

  “The boss is right. It must have been some ordeal. You look dreadful,” Elwyn added.

  “I’m not surprised. I reckon I’m lucky to have made it out of there.”

  Rachel thought about what Jonny had said for a few minutes. He could be right. If they went in mob-handed, they’d get nothing. But on the other hand, the people in there had assaulted and imprisoned a police officer.

  “Give me a minute.” Rachel got out and went over to the patrol car. “Ring for another car to take one of my officers home,” she said. “The rest of you wait here. My sergeant and I are going to have a word with the owner of the club, and they don’t like strangers.” She smiled. “PC Connor, I’ve got you on speed dial. Any nonsense and you lot come in quick sticks.”

  Back in her own car, she questioned Jonny. “Tell me everything you know.”

  “The place is called Leo’s. It’s named after the woman who owns it. I didn’t get it all, but her first name is Leonora.”

  Just as she’d thought. This dive belonged to the Blakes. “You’re going home, Jonny. Take the day off, recuperate. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “A strong cuppa and I’ll be fine, ma’am,” he said.

  “I’m not arguing with you. I’ll arrange a lift and then you get on your way.” Rachel was already on her mobile. “Stella, I want everything we’ve got on Ronan Blake and his wife, Leonora. When you have it, text me the info. I also want a warrant to search a place called ‘Leo’s Club,’ and I need it urgently, like right now. Get a PC to pick it up from the court and bring it to me here.”

  “I should come with you,” Jonny said.

  “You’ll do as you’re told. You’ve taken a knock to the head and you need to rest up.”

  Chapter Twenty-four

  “Police!” Rachel shouted, and banged her fist on the locked club doors. “Open up.”

  “Someone’s coming,” Elwyn said. “How do we play this? You do remember that last night we were drinking with this woman?”

  “Makes no difference, she’s dodgy. I sensed it when I was talking to her and after what happened to Jonny, it seems I was spot on.”

  A man answered the door. Tall and wearing a suit, he was definitely not the brute Jonny had described.

  “We want to talk to Leonora Blake.” Rachel flashed her warrant card at him.

  “She’s not here,” he said, beginning to shut the door.

  “Oh yes she is,” Rachel said. She had spotted the fancy car parked a few metres further up the road. A car like that round here could only belong to the Blakes. “Get her now or suffer the consequences.”

  “Darling! I didn’t realise.” Rachel recognised Leonora’s voice. “You’re Jed’s friend. Do come in.” Leonora came to the door, a wide smile painted across her face. “Can I do something for you?”

  “For starters, you can tell me why you thought it necessary to assault and imprison one of my officers.”

  “That was a mistake,” Leonora said.

  “You’ve got that right,” Rachel said. “I could have the lot of you arrested.”

  “The employee concerned has issues. His command of English isn’t good. He misunderstands things, and takes his duties far too seriously. It won’t happen again,” Leonora said.

  “Go and find him,” Rachel said.

  “I really don’t think that’s a good idea. Vasile has a quick temper. He forgets himself.”

  Rachel folded her arms. “We aren’t leaving until we’ve spoken to him.”

  Leonora Blake turned and nodded at a young woman sweeping the floor nearby. She too was wearing the pink outfit.

  “Do you employ a lot of girls like her?” Rachel asked.

  “They’re students mostly. They need the money and can stand the late nights.”

  “Do you know a young man called Nicu?” asked Rachel.

  Leonora laughed. “I know a lot of young men, but the name isn’t familiar.”

  “What about a young girl called Ruby? Jess Darwin? Ever employed either of them?”

  Leonora Blake looked at each of the detectives in turn. “What is this? What do you imagine I have done?”

  “Apart from what you did to my officer, we’re investigating murder, Mrs Blake. It appears that the people you employ here are not averse to using violence with little or no provocation. Plus, one of the victims was wearing your work uniform.”

  “I’m sure you’re wrong. Those little pink outfits can be bought anywhere on the High Street. It’s a coincidence, that’s all.”

  “Okay. Your employment records,” Rachel demanded.

  Leonora Blake looked surprised. “I’m sorry, but you can’t do this. We have rights. You can’t barge in here and demand to see anything you choose.”

  Rachel moved a little closer to the woman. “Have it your way. But be warned, I’ll have a warrant in my hand within the hour, and then my people will tear this place apart.” She gave Leonora a moment or two to consider this. “Sure we won’t find anything? No contraband or drugs, for example?”

  “What sort of place do you think we run here?” Leonora asked indignantly.

  “That’s what I intend to find out.”

  “Wait here. I must let my husband know what has happened,” Leonora said.

  “Where is your husband?” Rachel asked.

  “Out on business. This place belongs to me. I’m perfectly capable of running it without him under my feet.”

  “Watch her, Elwyn,” Rachel ordered. “We don’t want them clearing the place before the search.”

  Rachel peered in through the door. She saw a large bar area with a number of tables. Tucked in a far corner, she spotted a young girl who appeared to be trying to keep out of sight.

  “Are you alright?” Rachel went inside and approached her. “We’re not here to do you any harm. You’re quite safe.”

  The girl who emerged from the shadows was painfully thin. She was dressed in the familiar pink uniform.

  “My English is not good,” she said.

  “Where are you from?”

  “Ro
mania.” She glanced furtively around the room, her dark eyes fearful. “Mrs Blake will not like me talking to you.”

  Rachel smiled at them. “Mrs Blake is in trouble, so don’t worry about her.”

  The girl backed away. “I must go. I have work to do.”

  “How did you find this job?” Rachel asked.

  “Vasile arranged everything. He said there was work in the UK and brought me to this club.”

  “Do you know his full name?”

  “Vasile Danulescu.”

  “What’s your name?” Rachel asked.

  “Back to your duties!” Before the girl could reply, Leonora Blake came and stood between them. “Take no notice of her, Detective. Her English is patchy, apart from which she’s a liar.”

  “She looks half-starved to me. How hard are you working these girls, Mrs Blake? Or perhaps she’s an addict. Is that it?”

  “I have no idea. What my staff do in their own time is their affair,” Leonora said.

  “Keeping your girls hooked on drugs is one way of maintaining control. Is that the case here?”

  Her face twisted in anger, Leonora Blake stalked towards Rachel. “You know nothing about this business. We offer a good night out. The punters like the girls, they are happy to spend money, buy them drinks. Everyone wins. Alright? I want you to go now.”

  “You win, you mean,” Rachel said. “I doubt the girls get much out of the deal. I’m waiting for the warrant, and then my people will go through this place until they find what I need.”

  “I will not allow that to happen.”

  Rachel spun round and saw a man standing at the entrance, arms folded, filling the doorway. This had to be the one who’d terrified Jonny.

  “I take it you’re Vasile, the brute who assaulted my officer.” As she spoke, Rachel pressed the alert for PC Connor. It was time to wrap this up. They needed to get this pair down to the station for questioning before things got nasty.

  Vasile walked closer. “You know my name, I see. Well, you would do well to forget it and leave now. That way no harm will come to you.”

  Elwyn was at her side immediately. “Threatening an officer is a serious offence,” he warned.

  “You do not scare me,” Vasile said.

  PC Connor and four officers stormed into the club. Rachel breathed a quiet sigh of relief. “Arrest him,” she said to Elwyn. “And her. Make sure she’s cuffed.”