Chapter 73
The sun streamed through the window making it difficult for him to see the screen. Degsy wandered in.
“Derek, do us a favour, pull them blinds down will you, please?”
“Yeah, no probs.” Job done he sat down. “Area sent us back the case file on the kidnappers. I’ve arranged a production order to bring one of them to Copy Lane this Thursday and the other for SAS the same day. Which one do you want to take?”
Thurstan stopped typing and leaned back. “I’ll take McArdle. Which station’s he going to?”
“Copy Lane.”
“Fine.”
“Do you think we really need their evidence?”
“I think it’s best. If McAvoy and Sharon go bandit on the interviews it’ll be the cherry on the top of the cake. If they’re going to give Queen’s evidence they’ll have to stay remanded in custody whilst the kidnap job sits and waits out the outcome but I don’t think they’re arsed about that. It’ll go towards time served and the probable reduction in sentence for their co-operation will be worth it for them.” The phone rang. As he picked it up he said, “I’ll take Sammy, you take Alison.” Degsy nodded and left.
Thurstan listened intently to the information he was being told. “Well, ok then, if he’s the only one you’ve got who can make the enquiry, so be it, but I’d appreciate it if he gets onto it as soon as he gets back. That’s right, Kamiński. Hirek. Yeah. Not at all. Same to you.” Handset back in the cradle, he began typing once more.
Several minutes went by then the phone rang again. “DCI Baddeley. Oh, hello Tim. No, she’s not arrived yet. Her phone’s off? Yeah, she does that sometimes. Can I take a message? No? You have to talk to her. I’ll tell her to call you as soon as she gets here. Oh, you’re going the gym. So, what time? After one? Ok. I’ll let her know. Bye.”
A thoughtful look at the phone on his desk and he began typing again.
He glanced at the clock on the wall. She should be here soon. They’d have a quick bite to eat in the canteen then he wanted to get out and give Hirek a quick visit, maybe get him a few things to help him out. He wasn’t answering his phone so he’d just pop out there and play it by ear.
Lizzie seated herself in the comfy chair and took a folder from her bag. “Sorry, I’m late. They’re digging the world up out there. I had to go all round the place to get here and I couldn’t phone you because my battery’s conked out. I think I’ll have to go and get another after lunch.”
He told her about the phone call from Tim.
“Did he say what it was about?
“No.”
“I’ll phone him when I’ve got the new battery.”
He leaned forward on the desk. “Ok. What have we got?”
“A goldmine. An absolute freekin’ goldmine,” she replied excitedly as she laid the folder in front of him.