‘Amy, look at this,’ she said, pointing to the banner behind the headline on the home page. The banner was a collage of photographs of some of the escorts in different settings with their ‘clients’ facing away from the screen. One of the photographs showed a happy couple enjoying an intimate candlelit dinner for two.
‘Who is that?’ she asked of Amy, pointing to one of the shots.
Amy looked closely. It was a small image and it was not well-lit. ‘Oh, gosh,’ she said. ‘Is that Stella?’
‘I think it is,’ agreed Laura. ‘I didn’t think they would still have Stella’s page on their site, but they obviously haven’t changed their home page for some time or they’ve just re-used this image.’
‘So Richard could have seen this?’
‘Yes, he could. I’ll make us some coffee while we think about the next step.’
When Laura returned a few minutes later, Amy was sitting staring out of the window.
‘What I can’t work out is how Richard got all of his information,’ she said. ‘I can understand it was all there, probably on the internet, but Richard’s a caretaker and he doesn’t seem interested in computers, and some of this information would be really well hidden.’
‘I was thinking along the same lines,’ said Laura. ‘I think Josh must have been involved.’
‘That’s what I was coming up with as well,’ said Amy. ‘The other thing that bothered me was that this might be the tip of the iceberg. Richard could have had lots more victims.’
‘Yes,’ agreed Laura. ‘And any one of them could have killed him, or maybe the police are right and it wasn’t anything to do with this.’
‘So what do we do?’ asked Amy despondently.
‘I need to talk to Josh’, said Laura. ‘But I’m not sure how to engineer that. I think I need to sleep on it.’
Chapter Twenty One
In fact Laura didn’t sleep on it. She struggled to sleep at all. So many thoughts were going round and round in her head. If anything she was more shocked by the revelations of Richard’s life than by his death. She had always considered herself to be a good judge of character but she had got this one badly wrong. The only thought that consoled her was that Richard had done this in an attempt to provide for Shirley, but she realised that she was probably wrong. He had seen a way to make a quick buck and had gone ahead without a thought for the consequences. Poor ‘Juliette’ had suffered so much already at the hands of her attacker. How could anyone with an ounce of compassion make her live through all of that again?
And, if one of his victims did kill him, it was probably someone Laura knew, and that meant she knew a murderer. Who could it possibly be? Who could wield a baseball bat and kill another human being? She couldn’t think it was an accident. They’d said a single blow, so it was obviously a massively powerful attack. To think that only a few days ago her biggest worry had been whether she would manage to appoint a good mathematician before next September.
If she was to find out any more, she knew that she had to talk to Josh. He had to be involved, but she had no good reason to speak to him, let alone question him about a crime that possibly led to Richard’s death. And poor Shirley. If Laura felt that she hadn’t known the real Richard, how was Shirley going to feel? Unless she knew, of course? She had computer skills. But no, Laura dismissed that thought. It was just too preposterous.
And then, on top of everything there was this business with Arthur. She was so cross with him. How could he be so foolish? She knew what it would be. He would be so wrapped up in his own importance as ‘school photographer’. Perhaps she had let him become too involved. How she was going to tell him, she didn’t know. He would be mortified, and so embarrassed. But she had to tell him. There was no doubt about that. And he had been so concerned about how the parents would react to the news of Richard’s murder, surely he should have thought how they would react to this. She really hoped that Jen had done a good job with Tilly, and that none of the parents complained. That would be almost too much to bear at the moment.
In the half-light as the dawn started to enter the bedroom, she looked at Robert, sleeping peacefully. An occasional snort interrupted his breathing and he turned to find a more comfortable position. She was so lucky to have found him. He was an absolute rock. She knew he would be there for her, no matter what. And the next few days were going to test that to the limit.
***
In another bedroom three miles away, Dave Jenkins was also struggling to sleep. He was on the verge of solving the biggest case of his career, and was so excited. He would finally have something his son, Jamie, could be proud of. He bitterly regretted not making a better job of his marriage. He had loved Susan so much, and he’d worked hard to provide for her. When the baby came along he thought all his dreams had come true, and he really thought she was happy. Yes, he worked long hours, and he supposed he’d let her down a couple of times when they were supposed to be celebrating something or other. But she’d been a bit unreasonable about that. After all, he was a copper and he couldn’t control when some idiot would take it into his head to murder another human being.
And if he wanted promotion he couldn’t afford to upset the top brass. Except, of course, he had done. He wasn’t sure when it had happened, but he gradually realised he was being passed over when it came to promotion. He knew he would have made a better Chief than Manton, instead of which he was still just a DI. But now all he had to do was to crack this case, and everything would be all right.
He imagined himself calling to pick Jamie up the next time he saw him. He couldn’t remember when that was, but he was sure it must be soon. He wouldn’t have to tell Jamie about the case, because it would have been all over the papers and the television. Jamie’s dad would be famous. And Susan would be smiling at the door, seeing once more the man she had married and she’d invite him in for a drink.
Dave Jenkins pulled himself back to reality. First he had to solve the case. He knew he was on the right lines. There were too many links for it just to be a coincidence. And Logan was the key. Tony Banks was a friend of Richard Hart, and also knew Andy Logan. Banks had suggested Hart should borrow money from Logan, in other words he had engineered their meeting. Banks and Hart were regulars at The Crazy Lady, owned by Logan’s sister. Harry Westbury was also a regular at The Crazy Lady. And mention of Jason Burton had caused Banks a real problem. Jenkins smiled as he recalled Banks’ reaction. He was looking forward to pursuing that tomorrow. He glanced at the digital display of his alarm clock, and he corrected himself. He was looking forward to pursuing that later today.
***
Tony Banks wasn’t sleeping either, but he wasn’t in bed. As dawn broke he was sitting in his favourite leather chair with a glass of whisky in his hand. He’d been there all night, and the contents of the bottle of whisky had gradually diminished. Tony was a worried man, and he didn’t really know what to do.
The inspector had been right in his earlier assessment. He did wonder just how much Jenkins knew. And he did want to save his own skin. He should never have got involved with Logan. If the police knew half of what Logan was up to, they’d lock him up and throw away the key. He was an evil man. How he managed to persuade people that he was so honest and above board, Tony would never know. But Tony could set the record straight. The question was, was he brave enough to do it?
Logan had links everywhere. Even if he was locked up he could arrange for someone else to pay a visit. Tony Banks knew that if he grassed up Logan he would have to leave the country. Luckily he did have his nest egg. He hadn’t been entirely honest with Inspector Jenkins. He’d done more than break even with his gambling, he’d won a lot of money, and he’d salted it away knowing that one day he would have to disappear. And one thing that could be said about Logan, he paid his people well. Logan knew he was as vulnerable as anyone, and the last thing he wanted to do was to upset the so
rt of people who worked for him. Banks had saved most of the money Logan had paid him for doing the jobs no-one else wanted to do. And he’d worked for Logan since he first arrived in Newcastle.
Tony had never been a big spender. He lived a very frugal life. He knew that the life he was leading was dangerous, and that he might need money in the future. And it was his retirement fund. He had always dreamed of living out his days in a better climate than the one he had endured in the north-east for the past fifty odd years. A friend had helped him to set up a bank account abroad and most of the money was in that. He also had cash in a security box in a bank in Amsterdam with close on eighty thousand pounds and he had a few thousand in cash at home for emergencies. All told he had nearly half a million. Amsterdam was a convenient location with its daily ferries. Schipol airport gave him access to most of the world, and he could reach most of Europe by car. So, yes, he could live very comfortably if he could just get to Amsterdam.
Richard was his friend, and Richard’s death would have to be avenged. If that meant putting himself in harm’s way, so be it, but if he was clever he could do it and then just vanish into thin air. He didn’t know if Logan had killed Richard, but he knew he, or his men, were more than capable of it. When he’d been to see Logan he’d denied it but he would, wouldn’t he? He’d gone to Sparkle to warn Logan that the police were asking questions and that they knew there was a link because of the loan Logan had given Richard. Logan had said it was good of Banks to let him know, but he wasn’t worried because he wasn’t involved. But he wouldn’t admit it, would he? Not knowing Richard and Banks were friends.
Tony knew that the police would want to see him again, and he knew what he had to do. He had to show them the video. After he’d taken the video he’d paid a visit to Frankie Lessing. He had to prepare his escape route. Frankie had provided him with a couple of fake passports and identities that would pass muster with the most stringent security checks. He knew that Frankie’s work was good because Andy Logan had used him for years. Andy had two or three IDs that Banks knew about, so if Lessing was good enough for Logan he was good enough for Banks.
And when the police had finished with him he would head for the ferry to Amsterdam. He was not worried that the police would hold him. After all they couldn’t prove he had done anything wrong, and they would be keen to get after Logan. He reckoned he would have a good 24 hours. But he needed to make himself scarce because Logan would not be a happy man. And he was sure Logan would finger him for the jobs he’d been involved in.
He would catch the Metro to the Meadow Well. His mate Pete lived in Meadow Well, and he had put a holdall in Pete’s shed after the first police interview. Good job really as he’d seen that car parked outside his house all last night. They were obviously watching him now.
The holdall contained all he needed for his new life, the remainder of the cash and his new identities. He daren’t have them on him when he went to the police station, but he did risk keeping the security box key in his wallet. Then it would be a quick walk past Wet ‘n Wild to the 5 o’clock ferry. He hoped the police would make an early start. He really wanted to catch that 5 o’clock ferry. He’d get to Amsterdam as the banks opened the following day to collect the contents of the security box, and then Tony Banks could disappear for ever.
Chapter Twenty Two
Of the three of them, Jenkins was the only one looking forward to the day. The lack of sleep did not affect him as he showered and dressed. He struggled to find a clean shirt and ended up wearing the same one as the day before, and he splashed on plenty of cologne to mask the slight smell of body odour. If the day played out as he hoped it would he might have to find time to nip out and buy a couple of new ones. He’d want to look his best on camera!
As there was nothing in the fridge he went straight to the station and ordered himself a bacon sandwich in the canteen. Twice in three days was unusual, but this was a bit of a celebration. He had telephoned Todd before he set off and told him to bring Banks in again. There was no point in hanging around, was there?
And half an hour later he and Todd faced Tony Banks for the third time in three days.
‘Good morning, Mr Banks,’ said Jenkins cheerily.
‘This is getting a bit much,’ said Banks. ‘People will start talking about us.’
‘Very funny. If you’d been upfront with us the first time we wouldn’t need to keep bringing you in.’
‘Do I need a brief?’
‘Have you done anything wrong?’
‘No, but you lot might fit me up.’
‘We just want to talk to you about Andy Logan. It’s your choice.’
Tony Banks knew that Logan would get him a solicitor but he didn’t want anything to get back to Logan. He hadn’t done anything criminal, this time. In spite of his nerves he had seen the glint in Jenkins’ eye as he thought he might get Logan for Richard’s murder. Banks reckoned he was safe enough at the moment. He could always stop it later if things got out of hand.
‘No, I’m fine.’
‘OK then. Let’s pick up from where we left off,’ Jenkins said settling down in his chair and taking his time to peer at his notes.
Eventually he continued, ‘Did you kill Richard Hart?’
‘No, I told you. He was my friend.’
‘But you do know who did, don’t you.’
‘No, I don’t,’ replied Banks. That much was true. He didn’t know, but he had his suspicions.
‘And did you kill Harry Westbury?’
‘I don’t know any Harry Westbury. Who is he?’
‘He’s a regular at The Crazy Lady.’
‘I suppose I might have seen him there, but I don’t know the name and I certainly didn’t kill him.’
‘Do you know who did?’
‘I don’t know this guy. If I knew who killed him I’d know the name, wouldn’t I?
‘And did you kill Jason Burton?’ Jenkins continued.
Banks hesitated slightly before replying, ‘No, I didn’t.’
Jenkins realised Banks had not denied knowledge of Burton. ‘So you did know him then?’
Another hesitation before Banks said, ‘I came across him a couple of times.’
‘Where?’
‘I can’t remember.’
‘Was it at Sparkle, perhaps?’
‘Why would it be there?’
‘Why not?’ asked Jenkins. ‘Look, Mr Banks, we know that you went to Sparkle on Monday night to speak to Logan. We know that it was obviously not your first acquaintance. Why don’t you save us all a lot of time and tell us what you do know?’
Banks considered his options again. It looked as though this inspector knew more than he thought. Unless he spoke now it would be too late and he might get caught up in Burton’s murder, and he wasn’t involved. Not really.
As he continued to think, Jenkins asked, ‘Do you know Andy Logan?’
‘Yeah,’ agreed Banks.
‘Do you work for him?’
‘I have done. Once or twice,’ Banks replied being a little economical with the truth.
‘Doing what?’
‘Delivering stuff.’
‘Stuff is a lovely word, isn’t it?’ said the inspector. ‘It covers a multitude of sins. What stuff?’
‘Dunno. I didn’t ask.’
‘Where did you deliver to?’
‘Once to The Crazy Lady, and once to a bar in Amsterdam.’ Banks was saying as much as he thought he needed to, without admitting too much.
Jenkins ears pricked up and he looked across at Todd, who seemed to have picked up the same idea.
‘Amsterdam? What did you deliver?’
‘It was a brief case. I don’t know what was in it?’
‘And did you bring anything back?’
‘The same brief case.’
‘How do you know it was the same one?’
‘It looked the same.’
&
nbsp; ‘And what did you deliver to The Crazy Lady?’
‘A brief case.’
‘The same one?’
‘Maybe.’
‘Was it at the same time?’
‘No, a couple of weeks apart.’
‘And you’ve no idea what was in it?’
‘No, I told you.’
‘But weren’t you suspicious? You know what Amsterdam’s famous for.’
‘Drugs and diamonds.’
‘Precisely.’
‘I just got paid to deliver. Mr Logan wouldn’t have taken kindly to me prying into his business.’
‘No, I bet he wouldn’t,’ agreed Jenkins. ‘So, why did you go and see him on Monday night.’
‘I told him you’d been asking about him and Richard.’
‘And what did he say?’
‘He said he wasn’t worried because he didn’t do it.’
‘And did you believe him?’
Banks hesitated again, ‘Dunno.’
‘Do you think Logan killed Harry Westbury?’
‘I told you I don’t know Harry Westbury.’
‘But you do know Jason Burton. Did Logan kill Burton?’
This was it. This was the crunch, the point of no return. A knot grew and twisted in Banks’ stomach. Beads of sweat ran down his face. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
‘Yeah,’ he said eventually.
When the answer came, Jenkins wasn’t prepared for it. He had expected Banks to prevaricate further.
‘Yes?’ he repeated giving himself time to think. ‘That was a very definite answer. Why are you so sure?’
‘’Cause I was there.’
Jenkins suddenly realised his dream had come true. He had a witness to a murder, a murder committed by Logan. He was going to put Logan behind bars for a very long time.
‘You realise if you were there you’re an accessory?’ Jenkins asked.
‘Well, I wasn’t really there. I mean Logan didn’t know I was there.’
‘So, you’d better explain.’
‘Burton was a bit of a gambler and he lost a lot of money. He went to Logan for a loan, but Logan offered him work instead.’
‘What kind of work?’