Simon Kernick - The Crime Trade

‘It’s not that,’ I said, ‘it’s just that Panner was telling the truth about that armourer. His name’s Anthony Cross. He was raided at the beginning of this month by Acton CID. Paul Vokerman was one of the men on the raid.’

He stared at me aghast. ‘You’re joking?’

I shook my head. ‘I wish I was. I really, genuinely wish I was.’

‘You think he lifted the gun on the raid and supplied it to Murk?’

‘I don’t know,’ I said. ‘I’ve been sitting here for the last twenty minutes thinking about it. Someone supplied the information on that deal at the hotel to either Nicholas Tyndall or Strangleman Grant, using O’Brien as a go-between. O’Brien was then shot using a gun we believe was once in the possession of an armourer whose home was raided by one of the undercover officers involved in the Heathrow op. The gun never showed up in the inventory, so, yeah, it seems very likely he lifted it.’

‘Where does that leave us? That both of them were involved? Stegs and Vokes? Because Vokes got killed on that op, which is why he’s always been above suspicion. If he was behind the robbery, why would he have set it up like that? He was in the room effectively as a hostage. He would have known that when the dealers went to get the gear and Stegs went to get the money that the robbery would occur, as planned, and then his life wouldn’t be worth anything. Why would he have done it? It would have been suicidal.’

‘But you remember when we were in the control room last week, watching it all unfold, Vokes didn’t want to be the one left behind. In fact, he was adamant. He even suggested that it would be best if Stegs was the one who stayed.’

‘That doesn’t mean he’s guilty of anything, though. I wouldn’t want to stay in a room with a bunch of armed drug dealers, even if SO19 were next door.’

‘Maybe he is innocent, but that still leaves a huge coincidence where that raid on Cross is concerned.’

Malik nodded. ‘I know. Two of them. It doesn’t bear thinking about. I didn’t think even Neil Vamen was capable of that sort of clout.’

‘I think we’ve been underestimating him.’

‘I’ve got to go and see Jack Merriweather this afternoon. We reckon he’s got some information on the whereabouts of the body of a thief who’s been missing for the last five years. When I talk to him, I’ll see if he knows about any involvement Stegs and Vokerman, and even Murk, might have had with the Holtzes or Vamen.’

‘We’re going to have to bring Stegs in now,’ I said. ‘His name’s coming up far too many times.’

‘I spoke to Woodham about ten minutes ago. He’s trying to get search and arrest warrants organized for him now.’ Malik put the papers he was holding into his briefcase, and locked it. ‘Listen, get on to Woodham. He’s down at Scotland Yard this afternoon, giving another press conference on the inquiry. Tell him about what we’ve found out about Vokes. And do me a favour.’

‘Your wish is my command, my lord.’

‘Sorry, I’m not trying to order you around. I’m just in a hurry, that’s all.’

‘What’s the favour?’

‘Can you give me a call and let me know as soon as you’ve got hold of Stegs? I want to be in on the questioning.’

I nodded. ‘Sure. Are you going to see Merriweather now?’

‘That’s classified information, John,’ Malik said, with only the barest hint of a smile.

‘Well, if you are, be careful. It strikes me that if Vamen is hoping to be out and about again, then he could do a lot worse than bump Merriweather off. Remember, he’s already tried twice.’

‘I’m sure he’d send some goons over to Merriweather like a shot if he knew where he was, but that location’s even more tightly guarded than the jury’s going to be at Vamen’s trial. Me, Flanagan and maybe three other people are the only ones who know where he’s being kept.’

I laughed. ‘Famous last words.’

We said our goodbyes, and I picked up the phone and dialled Woodham’s mobile. Although the press conference was still nearly three quarters of an hour away he was already at the New Scotland Yard building where most major Met Police press briefings take place. I told him what I’d found out and what had been discussed with Malik, and he told me he was still awaiting the warrants for Stegs.

‘I’ll chase them when I’ve finished the conference. I didn’t want to arrest him, particularly as he’s a copper, but I don’t see we’ve got much choice. The more we dig up on this case, the more shit there is sticking to him. Vokerman can’t talk, but he can.’

‘What are we going to do about Vokes? Raid his place too?’

Woodham made some tutting noises down the phone, and for a moment I thought he was admonishing me about something, but then I realized it must be a habit of his when he was thinking hard. ‘I don’t know. Not for the moment, no. Not until we’ve talked to Stegs. It won’t look too good raiding the home of a recently deceased officer who’s had a long and unblemished career. We’re going to need to be very sure before we go knocking on his wife’s door.’

‘But Stegs we can go for?’

‘We have to go for him. And the sooner the better. I’ve got DCs Wrays and Farland keeping an eye on his place at the moment. Apparently, he hasn’t shown his face outside all day.’

‘Are we sure he’s there?’

‘No, that’s the problem. DCS Flanagan didn’t put anyone on him last night so he’s only had surveillance since this morning. But from now on, it’s twenty-four-seven. When he shows, we’ll pull him in and do the search of his house simultaneously.’ There was a commotion in the background. ‘Listen, I’ve got to go now. There are a couple of people I need to talk to before the briefing. I’ll be in contact later.’

‘I’ll be on my mobile.’

After the call I sat there for a few moments on my own. Was it possible that both Stegs and Vokes had been corrupt? The evidence seemed to point that way, yet there were still unanswered questions, loose ends amid the theories, and it made me wonder whether or not some of them would ever be answered.

It also made me wonder whether I’d be able to control myself when I came into contact with Stegs Jenner.

I got to the hospital at ten to six, having fought my way through the tangled and frustrating rush-hour traffic. Tina was in the private room they’d set aside for her, propped up in a half-sitting position. Her leg was heavily bandaged, but otherwise she looked healthy enough considering her ordeal of only a few hours before. Her eyes were shut, but they opened when I came in and she smiled, struggling to get herself more comfortable. I was carrying chocolates and a bunch of flowers I’d picked up on the way, and I put them on the chair before moving in to kiss her softly on the cheek.

‘Jesus, you gave me a scare today,’ I said, trying hard not to get too emotional in her presence as once again the sense of relief flooded through me.

‘It’s all right, John,’ she whispered in my ear. ‘I’m OK.’

I let go and sat down on one of the other chairs, bringing it closer to the bed. I wanted to lecture her about her recklessness that morning, but resisted the urge, knowing that it wasn’t what she wanted to hear. Instead, I told her how good her detective work had been. ‘You’re the toast of the squad at the moment. I think you’re going to end up getting used to champagne.’

She smiled, and it was one of the nicest sights I’d seen in a long time. Tina Boyd was a survivor, that was for sure, but only just.

‘So, what’s the latest news?’ she asked with a yawn.

‘Something you’ll want to hear. We’re bringing in Stegs.’ I briefly explained his relationship with Trevor Murk.