Authors: David Lowe
‘I’ll have the warrant sorted in the next hour. I’ll also sort out uniform support. Firearms will do a reccie to maximise the safest entry. Make it back to our HQ and I’ll meet you in the Branch office. I’ll get a couple of Andy’s team to keep a watch on the place before we hit it later with the warrant.’
* * *
After having been with Cheshire’s chief constable to update her on the developments regarding Alec Harvey, George called back into Harvey’s office to see David. ‘I’m going back over to Manchester now. I just wanted to make sure you were OK before I left. I had one of two choices. One was to leave your friend Mister Edge with you here to run things or for you stay in touch with the DI working with Steve in Merseyside.’
‘I hope you’re going for the second option.’
‘Don’t worry, I am. Before you do anything, consult DI Walsh. They’ve housed the guesthouse the six targets are staying at and moving in on it in an hour or two, so he’ll be having a late night as well.’
‘No problem. Where’s Edge?’
‘I left him to suck up to Julia Hudson. You never know, if they get on, he might fancy transferring to Cheshire and that would solve a lot of our problems. I think it’s time to call him back so we can make our way to Manchester.’
‘What’s happened to Alec Harvey?’
‘The CPS gave us the green light to charge him and he’s remaining in custody until court on Monday morning.’
‘So they’re definitely not going to bail him to help us catch the mole?’
‘No. I still find it hard to believe he could have done that. It goes to show, you never know, do you? It’s like you finding out Steve’s bent and you’ve got to deal with it.’
‘I know, I’d fucking hate it if that ever happened. Let me know how it goes tomorrow morning.’
‘I will. I intend to be back here by early afternoon. Tim Johnson’s the SIO on our side of the Al Qaeda job, but I’m needed there for the raid. That’ll give me a chance to see what this new boy’s like that’s joined your team.’
‘You kept that quiet, who is it?’
‘Greg Swanton. He’s got six years service and passed to sergeant. He’s been an area jack for ten months and he got the posting to the ISB.’
‘That’s good going. He must have proved himself in the area.’
‘Not quite, he’s Paul Edge’s cousin’s son! On the way here Edge was extolling Swanton’s virtues and skills as a detective. His version contradicts the area DCI’s views on him. He was close to being kicked out and put back in uniform for his incompetence. I’ll give you three guesses why Edge put him on your team.’
‘I assume to keep an eye on me?’
‘In one, but don’t worry. We’ll deal with that after this investigation’s over. For the moment he’s helping Alex or should I say, hindering her on that Al Qaeda job. I’ll see you later.’
* * *
In the late evening David was still working in Alec Harvey’s office when his attention was brought to a call Murphy was making that was picked up from the listening devices in Murphy’s business office in Runcorn.
‘Rory what is it?’
‘Just to let you know one of the boys is on his way up from London. He feels his job’s done and he’s going to join us in Liverpool. He wants paying off and I wanted to know if you’ve got the money.’
‘Tell him to contact me once he gets up here. If we wait until the other jobs are completed, I can pay you all off then. What about Trevelyan?’
‘He’s coming up to Chester either tomorrow or Monday. There’s no way the boys down there can get a crack at him. He’s too heavily protected. Never mind Trevelyan, Danny and I have organised a diversionary move for tonight. While the Brits are dealing with this, they’ll take their eye off our friends who arrived today.’
‘OK, let me know how it goes. I’ll speak to you later,’ and Murphy terminated the call.
Once the call ended, David radioed Gary Baker to check he had monitored the call. ‘I did,’ Gary said, ‘and I wonder what the diversionary move is?’
‘Keep Tony and a couple of the others at Murphy’s place and come back to the office. I’m using Alec’s office at the moment. It’s more private. We’ve got to work out what they’re up to. In the meantime, I’ll let Merseyside know.’
‘I’ll be with you in roughly half an hour.’
David contacted DI Walsh. As he had not heard the conversation between Murphy and O’Byrne, David told him what had been said between the two targets and the DI said, ‘Thanks. I’ll put a couple on O’Byrne and his mates to see what they get up to. By the way, we’ve got everything ready for a raid at the guesthouse in Shiel Road for later this evening. A few of the targets have gone out to the local pubs. If they don’t go back soon, we’ll pick them up while they’re in the pub. Where are you now?’
‘I’m using Alec Harvey’s office, it’s more private here. The Cheshire DS I’m working with is coming in so we can see how best to use the few resources we’ve got left, especially after that phone call between Murphy and O’Byrne.’
‘If you can, stay there until we’ve executed the warrant. Once we’re in, I’ll let you know and you can finish off for the day. We should be moving in on the guesthouse in the next hour or so, so it won’t be too late when you finish. Regarding tomorrow, I want you watching Murphy’s house from around six in the morning as he’ll most probably will have had word that we’ve lifted the six in Liverpool by then.’
‘Will do, thanks and I hope it goes well at Shiel Road.’
As David finished his call to Mark Walsh, he received a text message from Jenny Richmond to contact her straight away. ‘Hi Jenny, it’s David Hurst.’
‘Thanks for getting in touch. We agree with your analysis and we also got the latest between Murphy and O’Byrne. I assume you were talking to Merseyside about it?’
‘I was, as George had to return to Manchester to help with the Al Qaeda job that Craig MacDonald’s co-ordinating.’
‘George spoke to me earlier. I see that DCI’s not the mole, just a very greedy boy.’
‘Yes, but at least I’ve got the use of his office and it gives me a bit of privacy. It’s murder working here not knowing which one is the traitor.’
‘I can imagine.’
‘But at least things are on the move in Liverpool. This distraction that O’Byrne refers to worries me a little bit.’
‘Don’t worry too much, if you told DI Walsh, I’m sure he’s on top of whatever it is they’re planning. Where’s Debbie?’ Jenny asked, ‘Isn’t she helping you out in Chester?’
‘She’s gone over to Liverpool. It’s my sister’s birthday and Debbie’s joined her and few of our Siobhan’s friends for a night out.’
‘That’s nice. Do you know where they’re going?’
‘No, but knowing my sister, she likes to go to the expensive restaurants and bars in the Albert Dock.’
‘Very nice too. I hope you won’t be too lonely in your hotel room tonight. I’ll speak to you tomorrow.’
* * *
The custody officer at Deva Road police station was carrying out the hourly check on the detainees in the cells. As the only detainee was Alec Harvey, it was not too arduous a task. Looking through the spy hole of Harvey’s cell, he saw the once proud DCI sat on the edge of the bench with his head in his hands. The sergeant pulled down the hatchway on the door and said, ‘I’ve a message for you sir. It’s from DI Byrne. He asked me to tell you that he had a word with the CPS and they wouldn’t entertain your suggestion. I assume that makes sense to you sir.’
Alec Harvey stood up from the bench and slowly walked over to the door. Bending down slightly, he looked through the hatch at the custody officer and with a resigned tone in his voice said, ‘There’s no need to call me sir any longer and I understand what that means. Thanks for passing the message on. I’m grateful.’
‘Is there anything I can get you? A cup of tea?’
‘No thanks sergeant. I’ll get some sleep. Hopefully you won’t be too busy and if I get any neighbours tonight, I hope they’ll be quiet so I can get some rest.’
‘I’ll see you later on the next hourly visit. If you change your mind and you want a drink, use the buzzer.’
‘Thank you sergeant,’ Alec said with a wry smile. Flinching at the heavy clunking sound of the hatch being put back in position, it reinforced in his mind this was the life he was to expect in the next few years. He listened as the custody officer left the cell area. Slowly, but steadily, the custody officer’s footsteps faded away followed by the slamming of the cell passageway gate shutting. Alec Harvey heard the clanging of the heavy keys as the custody officer locked the cell passageway gate. Being the only detainee, it added to the eerie silence that befell the cell area. The message the custody officer passed on to him confirmed his fears. Even though Edge flatly declined the offer he suggested, he knew George would make a call to the CPS without Edge’s knowledge. He hoped the CPS would allow him to do that one last thing as a police officer before it would all be over. Knowing stealing from the public purse would result in a lengthy prison sentence, he trudged back to the bench in his cell and sat down, reflecting on what would happen to him.
Up to his arrest he commanded a degree of respect from officers of all ranks in a number of forces. He knew he could not defend his case and would have to plead guilty. Running through his mind was the fact he would need protecting from other prisoners He knew that meant the prison authorities keeping him on rule forty-three and that meant sharing a wing with the likes of sex-offenders. That was bad enough, but the thought of other prisoners finding out he was an ex-police officer frightened him. He knew other inmates would enjoy taking some form of retribution out against an ex-police officer, especially a high ranking one. The thought of having to spend years in the company of paedophiles and other forms of the lowest of the low in prison society while on rule forty-three began to fill him with dread. Thinking of his future life in prison, he stood up and took off his trousers. He walked over to the cell door and tied a noose with one of the trouser legs, attaching it to the hatch of his cell door. Placing the noose around his neck, he slid down onto the floor. As he did so, the noose tightened around his neck. As he started to gasp for breath, he felt a pain as the pressure of the noose forced his adam’s apple back into his throat. He tried not to panic. He wanted to be as dignified as he could, right to the end. It began to go dark and all he could see were speckled bright white lights. He could still hear sounds but it was as though his head was in water. Suddenly there was no pain, only serenity as his body went limp and lifeless.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Diamonds night club,
Albert Dock, Liverpool,
00.40 hours, Sunday,
7
th
July
Sitting with Siobhan, Mary and a few of Siobhan’s friends, Debbie was surrounded by empty and half full glasses on the table as she looked around the night club David’s sister had decided to go to celebrate her birthday. The bright flashing lights reflecting on the chrome work decorating the club along with the continual pounding of the bass line of the dance music was giving her a headache. As she was not drinking, it seemed to affect Debbie all the more. Because of what happened to David the weekend before Debbie wanted to stay alert. As a result, she only had the one glass of wine earlier when they went for a meal at Siobhan’s favourite restaurant, an Argentinean steakhouse in the business centre of Liverpool. Although she dearly wanted to join Siobhan and her friends in drinking more wine, Debbie stayed on soft drinks telling Siobhan and her friends she needed to have a clear head due to her having to be back at work early in the morning. ‘What’s this place called again?’ Debbie asked in a raised voice to Siobhan so she could be heard over the loud music.
‘Diamonds, nice isn’t it,’ Siobhan said slurring her words. She took a slurp of her drink and said, ‘Lots of footballers and local celeb’s come here. It’s a bit pricey, but it keeps the dickheads out. Are you having a good time?’
Seeing Siobhan drunk, Debbie smiled as it was clear Siobhan was making the most of her birthday celebrations. ‘It’s been great fun. More importantly are you enjoying your birthday?’
‘I always enjoy myself on a night out,’ Siobhan said finishing her drink, slamming the empty glass hard, her drunken state affecting her hand and eye co-ordination.
‘Your Mum makes me laugh. She’s quite a mover on the dance floor. She knows how to have a good time.’
‘That’s the way it should be. If you work hard, you should play hard,’ Siobhan said looking at the table examining the glasses on the table. Getting up suddenly, Siobhan swayed a little and shouted, ‘It’s my shout. Same again everyone?’
‘Yes please,’ Debbie said.
‘Are you sure you don’t want anything stronger?’ Siobhan asked.
‘No thanks, I really do need to have a clear head as I have a lot to do at work tomorrow,’ Debbie said.
Seeing that Mary had not heard her, to catch the attention of her mother, Siobhan leaned into her face and shouted, ‘Mum, I said same again?’
Mary looked at her daughter, raised her empty glass and shouted back, ‘Another port and lemon please.’
With a slight stagger, Siobhan walked over to the bar. Mary leaned over, took hold of Debbie’s hand and shouted, ‘You’re such a lovely girl. I can see why David loves you.’
While Mary was talking to her, Debbie wasn’t listening. Nodding intermittently as Mary spoke, she kept watching Siobhan. Standing at the bar, a man walked up to Siobhan and stood close to her. Even though the lowly lit bar area made it hard for Debbie to make out the man’s features, she noticed something familiar about him.
‘Are you going to be working with David tomorrow?’ Mary shouted in a drunken slur down Debbie’s ear.
‘Yes,’ Debbie replied abruptly, not taking her eyes off the man next to Siobhan. She turned to Mary and said, ‘I’m sorry Mary, I don’t want to appear rude. I’ll go and give Siobhan a hand with the drinks.’ Debbie picked up her handbag and as she stood up to walk to the bar, the man turned to one side to talk to Siobhan. Recognising his profile, she could see it was O’Byrne. Pausing for a moment, she looked around the club. Two tables from the right of the bar she saw what she presumed to be two Special Branch officers being confronted by McElvaney and Pickup. Quickly, she looked back at O’Byrne who, with an unlit cigarette in his hand, was now talking to Siobhan.