Hidden

by Roger A Price

  ‘Perhaps she wondered who might be watching her,’ Christine asked.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Amal replied.

  ‘Nothing, Amal,’ Vinnie cut in. ‘Thanks Christine, I’ll take it from here.’

  She took the hint and shut up, but mused what had been said.

  As they were nearing the end of her chronology of events, Amal dropped a bombshell. She told them that she had been sickened to her stomach to learn that her husband ran a brothel for Babik, how throughout his trial he had insisted to her that he had not known the true nature of the premises he had been in charge of, until the police raid. She had believed him — until she overheard Babik talk of it. Clearly, Mohammed was guilty as hell. She explained that Babik had warned her not to speak to the police on her release, or he would have her husband killed in prison. Babik had clearly believed that this threat was sufficient. She said that she reassured Babik and went along with it, even begging him to leave Mohammed alone. She was confident she had been convincing.

  But she didn’t love him.

  ‘In fact, I’ve never loved him, just made do with my lot,’ she said.

  ‘Was your marriage an arranged one?’ Vinnie asked.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Was it a forced marriage?’ Vinnie further asked.

  She hesitated slightly, then said, ‘No, but I would have been cast aside by my family had I not gone through with it.’

  Christine shuddered. She could only imagine how it must have been for Amal, and for many young people of Asian heritage.

  Then came the real bombshell.

  ‘During Babik’s, or whatever his name is, phone conversations with Mr Boldo it was clear that they have a further premises in Preston. Another mill of some kind and it is their “premier gold card” premises, to use those monsters’ words.’

  Christine exchanged looks with Vinnie, as Amal drew breath.

  ‘And they intend to open many more similar premises across the north west. Apparently, it’s getting harder in London as the authorities get to grips with the problem, so they seem to think; and notwithstanding your recent inroads, they believe this region is ripe.’

  ‘How did you manage to pick up all this?’ Vinnie asked.

  ‘I played the submissive Asian female, I behaved as they expected. But there was a large gap under the door to my room and I put my ear to it whenever I heard talking in the other rooms. They nearly caught me — more than once.’

  Christine’s respect for this plucky woman was now off the scale. She could also feel her story taking off again. The wider public had a right to know the potential scale of this modern day horror, and the authorities needed press pressure to get a grip. But she kept quiet; she’d get her chance to talk with Amal on her own once the police had finished.

  ‘And I want to help you any way I can to catch these animals,’ Amal added.

  ‘You already are, Amal, considering what you have been through you are a remarkable witness, one that any jury would believe instantly,’ Vinnie said.

  ‘I mean any way proactively. Remember, I’m the only one who knows what they sound like.’

  Vinnie didn’t correct her concerning Susan Grady, for obvious reasons, but she had a point about Babik. Then, she added something fascinating. ‘And this Mr Boldo, wherever he is, is on his way to Preston.’

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  ‘Where is she now?’ Harry asked, as soon as Vinnie had closed their office door.

  ‘She’s still with Christine. They seem to have formed quite a bond,’ Vinnie replied.

  ‘Good, we can use that. It certainly seems that there can be no doubt about Grady’s culpability now.’

  ‘None,’ Vinnie agreed. ‘I’ve asked the intel unit to maintain an OP on her home address.’

  ‘What have you told them?’ Harry asked.

  ‘Just that there is a threat against her, and that she’s gone to ground. We’re not sure who she is still friendly with on the inside.’

  ‘We’ll have to come clean soon and circulate her as wanted.’

  Vinnie knew that Harry was right. If the OP didn’t spot her returning by close of play this evening, then they would have to treat her outwardly as a wanted person.

  ‘At least we know now about this other mill. Which is interesting, for more reasons than the obvious,’ Harry said.

  ‘Why’s that, Harry?’

  ‘I’ve just had a reply from HR, who have been doing a systems analysis dump from yesterday, and it appears that when Grady called in she searched the databases for “known brothels in Preston”.’

  Vinnie knew that, apart from confirming what Amal had told them, this was excellent evidence against Grady, proving her duplicity with Babik.

  ‘But what about this Boldo character?’ Harry asked.

  ‘Bad news and worse news, I am afraid,’ Vinnie replied.

  ‘I’ll have the bad first.’

  Vinnie told him that no one of that name was known overtly or covertly on any databases, either locally or nationally. Harry sighed, and then asked for the worse news.

  ‘His existence has just cost me £50.’ Vinnie then explained his bet with Christine and Harry burst out laughing. ‘Call it a fine for your earlier misdemeanours in front of the judge,’ he said.

  The fact that Harry was laughing about his earlier porkies was a good sign.

  ‘In fact, we should pay Sadiq a further visit — in prison, that is,’ Harry suggested. Vinnie nodded, and then his mobile phone started to ring, it was Christine. He answered it and noted that she was talking in little more than a whisper.

  ‘You should sign me up as a special,’ she started.

  ‘Why are you whispering?’ Vinnie asked.

  ‘Just took Amal to the canteen and the TV news is on. Just popped into the corridor to ring you.’

  ‘Why, is the food that bad?’

  ‘Shut up, idiot. No, the press release about the motorway bridge murder has just gone out, with the deceased’s details and photo.’

  Vinnie knew that the body had now been positively identified by his wife and a prepared press appeal for witnesses was to be broadcast. But not why Christine was so excited. He asked her why.

  ‘Because I know who killed him!’ she answered.

  ‘Say again?’

  ‘It must be Babik, or on his orders.’

  ‘How do you reckon that?’

  ‘Because I recognise the victim. He’s the perv who accosted me down by the docks. The one I lost on his way to the second premises — obviously the new mill.’

  ‘You sure?’ Vinnie asked, without thinking. He knew that Christine wouldn’t make a mistake like this, it was just an involuntary comment born of incredulity. ‘Sorry,’ he quickly added, followed by, ‘of course you are.’

  ‘Oh, and there is something else,’ she said.

  Vinnie asked what, though he couldn’t imagine.

  ‘You owe me 50 quid,’ she said, before ending the call.

  ‘I know…’ he started to say in reply, but she was already gone.

  Vinnie quickly told Harry, who appeared delighted and shocked in equal measures. ‘It’s all coming together nicely. We will find this mill; and we’ll pull it all together.’

  ‘Let’s go and see Mohammed Sadiq before he gets shipped out of Preston prison. But first, get an all ports warning out for Boldo and Grady. Just in case he’s coming from afar, or she’s aiming to swap places with him.’

  *

  Babik had just finished sloshing petrol all around the terraced house where they had kept Amal Sadiq hostage. He had meant to do it earlier, after Sue dropped the woman off, but that was before Boldo rang again. The delay didn’t matter too much, as he was confident that the woman had no idea where she had been held. The delay was caused by Boldo announcing that he was indeed on his way to Preston. Babik had expected as much, but the confirmation had prompted him to pay the mill a quick visit, while he knew the manager was there, just to satisfy himself that all was well. He knew it was, but the
last thing he needed was Boldo finding something to moan about.

  Sue also rang, asking where to meet him. This was a little trickier. He wanted to keep Sue at a safe distance while Boldo was in town, it would certainly be safer if they never met. No need to, so why add to the risks? He told her to keep her head down for a couple of days and explained why as sparingly as he could. She wasn’t happy. So he arranged to meet her in the car park of the Capital Centre retail park, where he could take her for a coffee and explain his plans better.

  Now, he stood by the back door and checked that there was no one about before striking a match and putting it into the box of unlit matches. He quickly threw the box through the doorway before the rest of the box ignited, and hurried away at some pace, in the direction of London Road.

  It only took Babik 10 minutes to walk to the retail park, where Sue was waiting in the blue motor. They headed into Walton-le-Dale, a small place on the southern outskirts of the city, and found a quiet coffee shop. Several fire engines and cop cars dashed past them in the opposite direction.

  Once settled with their beverages, Babik made small talk, asking how the freeing of Amal had gone. Sue replied that Amal would be no trouble, adding, ‘She knows nothing and seems very timid in any event.’

  She then asked about Boldo. He knew what was coming.

  ‘I thought you were the top man. You’ve never mentioned this Boldo before,’ Sue stated.

  ‘I am in charge, round here, but he arranges the women. Most are brought in from eastern or southern Europe. Once they are here, we take over.’

  ‘And anyway, aren’t we supposed to be partners? I’d like to meet Boldo.’

  Babik could feel his temper edging forwards. He felt like reminding Sue that he was, in effect, her boss, but he didn’t want a row with her. He knew his feelings for her ran way beyond that relationship. ‘Let’s just say it’s safer for you, if you are not too exposed.’

  ‘I’m guessing he doesn’t know about me, then,’ she said.

  ‘Not as such.’

  ‘Is that because I’m a cop?’ she asked.

  ‘It might complicate things; he doesn’t know you, and can be an over-cautious man.’

  ‘Don’t tell him I’m a cop, then.’

  ‘He knows I have contacts in the police.’

  ‘If you don’t tell him I’m I cop, he won’t know it’s me.’

  She had made a fair point, he could certainly do with some help running Boldo around and keeping him entertained. He was sure Boldo would expect him to do that. but the man could become a little tiring after a while.

  ‘Aren’t you due back in the cop shop?’ Babik asked.

  ‘I’ve gone sick, didn’t want to run into Amal in the police station whilst she is being debriefed. She only has to overhear me…’

  ‘Fair point,’ Babik said. ‘Look, keep your head down for the next 24 and if Boldo is still here, which I hope he won’t be, then I’ll give you a shout to help with the babysitting. And you’re right about not telling him you were a cop.’

  ‘No problems,’ she said.

  Babik felt the tension lift and noted that Sue was smiling again. It could actually work out for the best; he knew how mentally draining Boldo’s company could be.

  ‘When’s he due in town?’ Sue asked, as she drained her coffee cup.

  ‘Not sure yet, but it’ll be very soon.’

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  ‘Good of you to let us see Sadiq at such short notice,’ Harry said to the guard at the security gate at HMP Preston. The man just nodded and pointed at a colleague who stood back, waiting. That man led Harry and Vinnie to the room where they had previously interviewed Sadiq. As soon as they were seated, the cell door opened and a prison officer brought him in.

  As Sadiq took a seat facing them at the metal table, the officer said he would be outside in the corridor whenever they were ready and promptly left, closing the door without waiting for a reply.

  ‘You’re cutting it fine; they are shipping me to Strangeways in Manchester later on.’

  Ignoring the comment, Vinnie said, ‘No chaperone this time?’

  ‘Now I’m convicted, Babik is obviously happy that I haven’t talked.’

  ‘Don’t worry; we’ll make a point of saying what a waste of time out visit has been as we leave.’

  ‘Appreciate that,’ Sadiq said.

  ‘But we just had to risk speaking to you in here as time is of the essence.’

  Sadiq nodded.

  ‘We know about the other mill,’ Harry said, before sitting back in his chair and letting the ensuing silence go to work. One, even two minutes passed, and no one spoke. Vinnie could see that Harry’s blunt approach had taken Sadiq by surprise, and that he was wrestling with it.

  ‘Well?’ Harry eventually asked.

  ‘Well, what?’ Sadiq replied.

  Vinnie saw Harry glance at him so knew it was his turn. ‘The nice brown envelope your parole board will see in 17 or 18 months’ time?

  ‘What about it?’ Sadiq said.

  ‘Well, it can also be a not-so-nice brown envelope. Just as easily.’

  Vinnie noticed Sadiq hide a grimace. OK, I know about the mill.’

  ‘So, tell us.’

  ‘I’ve never been there, but I knew of it. It hasn’t been there too long and is supposed to be premier league, for the more discerning clients.’

  Vinnie shuddered inwardly before he asked, ‘Discerning by way of perversions, or quality?’

  ‘Both,’ Sadiq said, adding, ‘and therefore the cost is far greater. They also restrict the number of clients that are permitted.’

  ‘Just tell us where it is,’ Harry said.

  ‘I don’t know. Like I said, I’ve never been there.’

  ‘Bollocks!’ Vinnie said.

  ‘Envelope contents…’ Harry added.

  ‘Look, straight up, I want you to catch that bastard as much as you do.’

  Vinnie doubted that very much.

  ‘Would it help if we told you that Amal is now safe and in our care?’ Harry added.

  ‘Thanks be to Allah,’ Sadiq said, as he threw himself back into his chair. ‘Thank you, thank you; but why didn’t you say so straight away?’

  Vinnie could see how relieved Sadiq was, and hoped their delay would work. They’d discussed strategy on the walk over from the police station and had jointly agreed to ask about the mill before they told Sadiq the good news. It would give them a control sample of what he was prepared to tell them, allowing them to better judge whatever came next, hopefully.

  ‘We just wanted to ask you about the mill first. But now you know Amal is safe, we need to know where it is,’ Harry said.

  ‘Don’t understand what game you’re playing, all I can tell you is that it is somewhere in the north or north-eastern part of the city. But I swear, that’s all I can tell you. How is Amal towards me? Does she know…?’

  ‘Still being debriefed, so we don’t know what she was told about you whilst she was abducted. But it’s fair to say it wouldn’t have been all good,’ said Vinnie. He hoped this would add to Sadiq’s dislike of Babik.

  ‘I really hate that bastard for abducting Amal! So believe me, I’ve told you all I can. The only addresses I ever visited are all now up in smoke.’

  Vinnie and Harry glanced at each other. Sadiq must have seen it as he quickly added, ‘we get the news in here too, you know.’

  Fair point, Vinnie thought.

  ‘You still prepared to turn Queen’s?’ Harry asked.

  Vinnie was half expecting Sadiq to start backing out, now he knew that Amal was safe, but he didn’t. On the back of his reply Vinnie looked at Harry, who gave him a wink. Vinnie then dropped the Boldo bomb.

  ‘Boldo? Never heard of him,’ came Sadiq’s expected reply.

  As rehearsed, Harry scrapped his chair loudly backwards as he stood, closely followed by Vinnie. Sadiq looked slightly stunned.

  ‘No more games,’ Harry said.

  ‘No nice envel
ope,’ Vinnie added.

  ‘Have a nice sentence,’ Harry said, as he turned towards the door. Vinnie hesitated a moment.

  ‘What about giving Queen’s?’ Sadiq said.

  ‘It’s the here and now that’s important. You can’t give Queen’s against people we haven’t found,’ Vinnie said.

  ‘I thought this was all about Babik, the bent cop and my bent brief?’

  ‘It was, it is, but things change,’ Vinnie said.

  Harry walked to the door and said, ‘Come on Vinnie, time to go.’

  ‘Just a minute!’ Sadiq said.

  ‘What?’ Harry and Vinnie said in unison.

  ‘You don’t know what you’re asking!’

  ‘So, enlighten us.’ Vinnie said.

  *

  Twenty minutes later, Vinnie and Harry were clear of the prison and heading back towards the police station.

  ‘What do you reckon?’ Harry said.

  ‘Too vague; he’s definitely met him, or at the very least, seen him.’

  ‘He looked shocked to hear the name,’ Harry said.

  ‘Shocked that we knew it, and scared in equal proportions.’

  ‘At least we now know Boldo is the one responsible for bringing the women into the country in the first place.’

  ‘Granted,’ Vinnie said. ‘I reckon Sadiq only said that bit because he thought we already knew it.’

  Harry nodded, and said, ‘Come on let’s get back, it’s getting late.’

  *

  A further twenty minutes later and Vinnie brought two steaming plastic cups of coffee into their office. Harry was coming off the phone.

  ‘Only machine stuff available now, I’m afraid, so give it a day or so to cool down,’ Vinnie said as he handed one cup to Harry.

  ‘Powdered milk doesn’t help,’ Harry replied, as he took it.

  ‘How’d you get on?’

  ‘Jim Day is over the moon that we have a named suspect for him, and that it’s their original target from the failed raid.’