Bridge of Doom (6 page)

An hour later, Jack was back in the JD Investigations office with his partner for the first time in six weeks. He eased himself in by checking through their email inbox, before announcing, ‘that was quick, Annie. This one’s from Andy Walsh. He's got a couple of possible leads on your iPhone thief. He’s had one of his slaves trawling through databases, cross-referencing mobile phone thefts for the last twelve months, where there has been a follow-up attempt to extort money from the rightful owner, with street muggings and thefts of high powered motorbikes.' 

'Did they get anything on the partial number plate?' said Annie.
 

'The number plate on the motorbike was false, no surprise there. But Andy's guy is pretty sure that the bike they were using is a top-end Kawasaki model and there have been twelve of them stolen in the Glasgow area in the last year. Apparently anti-theft security on them is pretty good, for a motorbike. So because they're not easy to steal, it's possible that the same guy was responsible for all of them and he might be an associate of the phone thief. It's another angle and, if we could find the biker first, that might give us the link we need to the guy you’re really after.'
 

'Anyway, all of these ifs, buts and maybes were fed into the wonderful new Police Scotland 16 computer system, otherwise known as the magic mixer, and it eventually spat out two possible names who might be worth a closer look. We have last known addresses for both of them. The deal is that, in exchange for this confidential information, we are being permitted to make some very discreet enquiries to try and either rule these guys in or out. That's all. If we find anything solid, that might link either of them directly to a crime, we have to pass it straight back to Andy for follow-up action.'
 

'Does he say anything specifically about not kicking the shit out them?' said Annie sourly. 

Referring back to the email Jack smiled and said, 'funnily enough, he doesn't say anything about that. Why?' 

'Good, because this is
personal
,' replied Annie, with a steely glint in her eyes.
 

'I don't have a problem with that. Speaking from long experience as a serving policeman, I can confirm that occasionally resorting to an outburst of righteous violence is very therapeutic. But some sensitive souls take the alternative view that it reduces you to exactly the same level as the thug in question.'
 

'I don't care. I can't stop thinking about the state of poor Jamie's face. He could have been left brain damaged or dead because of what that animal did to him. And all for a stupid bloody phone. I'd really love it, boss, if we could nail the scumbag. Okay, so what do we have?'
 

'Right, the first prospect is Frank Young, age thirty-one. He's a career criminal, who deals mainly in stolen electronics, such as laptops, tablets and premium mobile phones. Basically anything that isn't nailed down is fair game for this character. But he's nothing if not versatile and his last recorded conviction eighteen months ago was for stealing a Kawasaki motorbike. And he also has previous for mugging drunks in the street, for their wallets and phones. So he’s a bit of an all-rounder and seems to tick almost all of the boxes, in terms of the profile for your thief.'
 

'Okay, what about the other one?'
 

'Let's see, this joker’s name is Danny Duff, aka Fazzo, age eighteen. He has a juvenile record as long as your arm, mainly for vandalism, gang fights and trying to burn down his primary school, all the usual stuff. Obviously he’s a nasty wee bastard but, surprisingly, there are no crimes recorded against him as an adult. Yet. But his father Tommy is a whole different proposition. He’s a long time drug dealer, who has serious anger management issues. He’s been charged twice with attempted murder, although charges were later dropped in both cases, due to key witnesses conveniently suffering last minute memory lapses, just before the court cases were due to start. More recently, he did a four year stretch for possession with intent to supply class ‘A’ drugs, specifically heroin and cocaine. But since he was released from prison three years ago he's kept a low profile, and the latest intelligence reports in his file mention only low-level cannabis dealing. So, although he’s definitely on the cops’ radar, they only have a watching brief on him. He’s not a high priority target for Police Scotland at the moment, as long as he doesn't make too many waves.' 

'Let's check out this Duff character first,' said Annie, nodding decisively.

'But why? Surely this other guy is the better bet.'
 

'Look, I've spoken to the thief twice, remember. Once on the phone and then in person at the bus station. It was definitely the same guy both times and he sounded young and cocky. A typical Glasgow thug and you could just sense that he runs on a short fuse. I don't know for sure, but I also got the impression that he was fairly thick and maybe just following instructions from somebody with more of a brain.' 

'Okay, it’s your call, Annie. Although back in the day, this is what we used to call adopting an
HBFA
strategy, as described on page one of the rookie detective's training manual.' 

'What's that?' 

'A hunch, based on fuck all.' 

'Hilarious,
not
.' 

'I'm just saying …' 

'Well don't bother. Just print off that email with the address and get your jacket,' said Annie, picking up her bag and car keys. 

'Yes mam,' said Jack, executing a smart salute, with an accompanying click of the heels.

Sitting in Annie's car, watching the Duff family residence through binoculars, Jack observed, 'you don't see the old twin horse’s heads plonked at entrance gates so much these days. They used to be quite fashionable at one time.' 

'Really, where was that?' said Annie. 'Palermo?' 

'But you must admit, they are a kind of crude statement, aren't they?'
 

'Yes, they are. They state quite clearly to the world that the person who lives in that house has absolutely no taste.'
 

'Agreed. But, trust me, when the people who live around these parts look at the two big four by fours with the blacked out windows, parked outside that house, they have a pretty good idea how the people who live inside make their dough. Tommy Duff is saying loud and proud to the local community, I have money and I have power. And do not dream of fucking with me or laughing at my big fake stone horses, or you will get a very sore face.'
 

Yawning widely, Annie replied, 'I'm so glad you're with me, otherwise I'd be missing all of these fascinating insights into the criminal mind.' 

'There's no extra charge for it, Annie.’

'By the way, aunt Peg sends you her best wishes and she has an idea to try and cheer you up.' 

'Really?' said Jack, hopefully. 'Don't tell me, is it free beer and pies for a whole year?'
 

'Not quite. She thinks that you need to get out of your flat more and start socialising with new people, instead of the gang of boring old farts you usually hang around with at the Royal Bar. She reckons you're at an age where, outside of work, it's very easy to get stuck in a rut and end up doing nothing but sit in front of the television. I think she's absolutely right.'

'So what's she suggesting?' asked Jack warily. 

'Online dating. Everybody's doing it apparently. All ages, shapes and sizes. It's gone totally mainstream.'
 

‘Are you mad? That's just for old saddos, who couldn't score in a brothel with a hundred-pound note.'

'I think
that
was her point,' said Annie, nodding her head and smiling.   'Anyway, think about it and, if you want to give it a go, I'll help you get started.’ 

'No, I don't think so.'
 

Annie then made a clucking chicken noise and said, 'Look, boss, if you're scared to try it, just say. It's really not a big problem.' 

'Don’t be ridiculous, I'm not scared,' said Jack, rather too quickly.

‘Listen, it’s not like thirty years ago, when you were prowling around pubs and discos, looking for women. Now you can check people out without the embarrassing business of actually meeting them first. You can see what they look like, find out what their interests are and start to narrow it down that way. I mean for some people the fact that you smoke would be a complete deal breaker right from the get go. But some of the more desperate ones probably only care that you’ve still got some hair, one or two of your own teeth left and a pulse.’

‘Yeah, I think I should maybe start with some of the desperate ones and try to work my way up.’

'Look it's simple, boss. Just get out there with an open mind and try it. Re-join the world and have some fun. Worst case scenario, you'll meet some new people, have a laugh and socialise a bit. But the main thing is not to have unrealistic expectations.' 

'What do you mean?'

'Well, no offence, but at your age it's not likely that hordes of leggy eighteen-year-old blondes are going to be queuing up to take you out clubbing, is it? So maybe just readjust your sights slightly and try to date some of the hot Glasgow cougars. There's plenty of them around, you know.' 

'You mean the old bags?'

'Shaking her head, Annie said, ‘you're impossible. No, that's not what I meant at all. I'm talking here about mature independent women who are roughly in your own age group. Most of them will have probably managed to get rid of the total waste of space they married, when they were far too young to know any better. And now they're a bit older and wiser, they want to make up for lost time and have some fun on their own terms.' 

'I don't know, Annie. It just seems so …'
 

'Listen, what's the worst thing that could happen? You'll meet up with somebody new for a drink, or go for a nice meal and have a friendly chat with the woman. And things maybe progress from there, or maybe they don't. But the point is you're actually doing something different from your normal boring routine
and
you've got something completely new to think about. The theory is that you can then, maybe, start to look forward in your life and start to leave behind some of the other bad stuff that's best forgotten, you know. I think you could do that.'
 

'Mmm … maybe,' sighed Jack, stretching to ease the stiffness caused by an hour and a half spent sitting in the car, watching precisely no-one come or go from the Duff family home. ‘Anyway, this stakeout is turning out to be a complete waste of time. I mean we don't even know if there's anybody inside the house.'

‘So?’
 

'So we need to shake the tree and make something happen. Remember you’ve also committed us to the shoplifting job and there are probably one or two of my regular clients waiting for me to get back in the saddle. So we can’t take our eye off the ball here for too long. Being busy is good, but we just need to be a bit smarter and keep all the plates spinning at once. I mean we're sitting here waiting for this young guy to come out of the house, but you haven't actually seen his face yet. So even if he did come out and walk right past the car, you couldn't be one hundred per cent sure if he was the iPhone thief. Am I right?' 

'I suppose so. Are you saying I should just let this thing go?'
 

'Absolutely not, I know this is important to you and your friend. But we have to be realistic, Annie, and remember that that the clock's ticking on the iPhone. The probability is, that it's been sold on already and there’s no way of ever getting it back.’ 

'Okay then, what do you suggest?'
 

'Well you could just go over, knock on the door and ask if Fazzo can come out to play.' 

A deep sigh accompanied by a trademark withering look from Annie.
 

'Or, we could try something different and drive round to that little parade of shops we passed on the way here. You know, a couple of streets back.' 

'Why?' 

'Well, from memory, hidden behind the security shutters and the graffiti, I’m pretty sure there's an off-licence, a bookie's, a chip shop and a tattoo parlour. Trust me that row of shops, which are closest to the Duff house, will have almost everything a wee ned like Fazzo needs. So he will be known there for sure. And, if it's like all the other scheme shops in Glasgow, there will be a group of no-good bums permanently hanging around outside. Mainly the young team, they'll be arsing around scratching their balls, playing with their mobile phones and talking shite. Of course, at the same time they’re keeping an eye out for any old age pensioners with a limp that they can rob.' 

'Okay, you're right. It's worth a try, better than sitting here.'

Five minutes later they were parked opposite the shops. Five young men were standing shuffling around outside an off-licence, constantly checking their mobile phones and laughing loudly. 

'So that's the young team, as predicted. What do we do now?’ said Annie.
 

'Well let's say a good looking young woman was to sidle up to these fine upstanding young lads and start to make nice with them. If she was smart, she might be able to get hold of Fazzo's mobile number. That would be the break we need, because, even if you haven't seen his face, if you hear his voice again you'll be able to confirm he is the iPhone thief.' 

'You're not as daft as you look, boss,' said Annie. 'Okay, give me one of your cigarettes so I can blend in.'
 

'Oh, and slip on your beanie hat as well. If Fazzo hears on the bush telegraph that a young woman with short blond hair has been asking for him, he might put two and two together.' 

'So how do I play it?'  

'Ignore the boys and just walk past. Go into the off-licence, buy some booze and on the way back out, stop and ask one of the neds for a light. Your back-story is that you're crashing at a friend's house in the area. Have a moan and say that you've split up with a boyfriend, or been thrown out of your parents' house, some crap like that. Anyway, you're temporarily off your home turf and want to score some good weed and you've been told that Fazzo has the best stuff in the area. Ask if they have his mobile number.'

'Okay, is there anything else I need to remember?'

'They’ll be suspicious because you’re a stranger, but try not to get bogged down answering too many awkward questions. And if you think it's not working, just walk away. I'll be watching from the car in case we have a problem. Are you sure you’re okay doing this?’ 

'Yeah, I'm cool,' said Annie confidently, pulling on her woolly hat before slipping the cigarette behind her left ear. 

'Nice touch, and remember to slouch a bit and scowl. And I know it's not in your nature, Annie, but try to act grumpy, as if the whole world's against you.' 

'I can do that and, believe me, today I'm not acting,' said Annie forcefully, as she got out of the car and slouched off towards the shops. Behind her back, she gave Jack the middle finger salute.
 

Jack watched apprehensively from the car, as Annie walked past the small group of neds and entered the off-licence. He was too far away to hear what was being said, but a chorus of admiring wolf-whistles, accompanied by an outbreak of massed crotch grabbing and pelvic thrusting signalled that the group were favourably impressed by his young partner.

Ten minutes later, when Annie was nearly back at the car, she remained in character by flicking her cigarette end at the backside of a passing cat. Jack smiled as she got into the driver’s seat and handed him a half-empty bottle of the aptly named
Ersitall
vodka, before driving off.

‘That seemed to go well. Did you get the phone number?’

‘Well they’re obviously leery of strangers, so it was a struggle at first. But they didn’t stand a chance, once I pitted all of my womanly wiles and superior intelligence against them.’

‘And?’

Annie smiled, then said, ‘and when
that
didn’t work, I offered them all a drink from my bottle of vodka, in exchange for Fazzo’s phone number. And, before you ask, I did check the contacts list on the guy’s phone, to see that he was giving me the correct number. Actually I got the impression that the boys aren’t big fans of the Duff family. Something to do with an unpaid debt. I didn’t get the full story, but I think there’s definitely some unfinished business pending there.’

‘Well done, Annie. Now you can try phoning the little prick and see if it’s the same voice that answers.’