Chapter 76
On a beautiful sunny afternoon, the teams gathered for the annual five-a-side competition. A day of festivities and frolics for some but one of serious endeavour for others.
Degsy stood, occasionally taking a swig from the sports drink in his hand. The others were seated and sprawled before him on the grass. “What were you thinking? Why didn’t you pass it to Sammy? It was a cert.”
“He was offside,” Thurstan replied.
“Offside? There’s no offside in this game!” Degsy spread his arms out in wonderment.
Thurstan looked puzzled. “When did that come in?”
Sammy shook his head in disbelief and interjected. “It’s always been that way as far as I can remember, Boss.”
Degsy nodded confirmation. “Never mind, you know now. Luckily, Chalkie banged in those last two.” He paused. “Right, the semi-finals. We’ve never got this far before, so let’s keep it tight. No fancy stuff. Attack, get back, attack, get back. We’ll catch them on the break. Keep it simple. They’re a bit physical this lot but don’t let yourselves be intimidated, skills-wise we’re better so don’t be afraid to get stuck in. Fred, Devon, if we get any problems I’ll bring you on early. Just the size of the pair of you should be enough to make them back off. Right, on your feet, warm up and let’s be ready.”
They stood up and began all manner of stretching exercises. Sports drinks were passed around.
The Strolling Bone drove into the grounds and parked up. He wandered across the field then stopped to ask where the MIT were. After several misdirections, he found them just about to take to the pitch.
“Boss, can I have a word?” he called as he approached Thurstan. “There’s been a body found in some bin bags in Walton. They think it might be the missing prostitute. I wasn’t sure who the on-call DCI is so ...”
Thurstan turned and shouted to Degsy and Chalkie, waving them over.
“What’s the problem?” Degsy asked. The Bone explained again.
“Well, I’m the on-call so it’s down to me. Sorry Degs, I’ve got to go.” Chalkie shook his head sadly and patted the DI on the shoulder.
Thurstan interrupted. “Look, Chalkie, you’re a better player than I am. Everyone on the team is better than me, apart from Taffy, but you’re one of Derek’s star players. I’ll take this one.”
“Who you going to take for a DS?” It was Degsy. “Mike Patterson’s on leave and to be brutally honest, I need Sammy and Spud.”
The DCI grinned. “I’ll take Taffy. He won’t be heartbroken; he’s more of a rugby man.” He turned to the Bone. “I take it you’re still up to your eyeballs with the exhibits issue, Robert?”
He nodded. “Yep, I’ve got to crack on, Boss. If Eddie and I get stuck in we can have it bottomed this afternoon and be open for business again.”
“So be it.” Thurstan smiled. “Derek? Do we still get a medal if you lot win in the final?”
****
The alleyway was hot. It was like walking into a tropical greenhouse and the stench almost made him retch. He covered his mouth.
“The neighbours first noticed the smell yesterday and it looks like something’s already had a nibble.” The Area DI pointed at a couple of bags, his other hand holding a handkerchief to his nose. “This one’s got a leg in it and that one has what we think is a torso. I told them to stop opening the damn things, too many health risks. They’ve been stacked up waiting for the binmen. The pile at the other end got picked up yesterday. Different collection day, for some reason.”
Thurstan nodded and indicated a return to the street. “You said her car’s here?”
“Yeah, further down. The old dear whose house it’s outside saw it arrive and swears it hasn’t been moved since. Didn’t see the driver though.”
They wandered away from the entrance. “What’s the score with this one?” Thurstan squinted at his colleague, hand shielding his eyes.
“Reported missing by the family five days ago. Drug addict turned to prostitution but if she’s going to be late home she usually phones. Got a little kiddy. It’s all on the Misper system.”
“Well, we can’t deal with the bags here. They’ll have to go to the mortuary as they are and be sifted through in the yard whilst everyone’s wearing the right protective gear.”
He gazed up and down the street then strolled back to the entrance of the alley to stare at the habitation it served; old, terraced, three-storey houses, probably now mostly divided into flats, alley gates top and bottom.
He turned to the DI. “If her car’s not been moved and the alley gates weren’t open then whoever did this has a place in there somewhere.”