Christmas Killing (13 page)

‘Not at your home I understand.’

‘Nah. Well the wife doesn’t get on with him. Not since ... well you know that.’

‘Not since when?’

‘Not since he got done for nickin’ stuff. It was a case of mistaken identity, you know. He was fitted up for it.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘He got fitted up. Your lot wanted to find someone guilty and he got done for it.’

‘So who was it then? Who really was stealing stuff?’

‘How do I know?’

‘Perhaps it was you? Perhaps you were the guilty one and he served time for you?’

‘Hey, who are you accusing? It weren’t me. I was let off.’

‘Let off were you?’

‘Found innocent then. What’s this got to do with anythin’?’

‘Where is Dickie living? Exactly where?’

‘How do I know?’

‘You know it all right. Is he staying with your lady friend?’

‘Dunno what ya mean.’

‘Oh I think you know perfectly well. We know you have a second home apart from your poor wife. I gather your daughter looks after her and you come and go as you please.’

‘A bloke’s entitled to do what he likes, ain’t ‘e?’

Ted spoke for the first time in a while.

‘Must be hard living with someone as disabled as your wife. Very difficult for you.’

‘Yer, well it is. She don’t do nothin’ all day and she’s useless at night as well, know what I mean?’

‘Very difficult. So you have someone else to go to?’

‘She’s bin a good friend to me, has Sylv.’

‘Sylv ... Sylvia who?’

‘She’ll hate me for tellin’ you. Sylvia Edwards her name is.’

‘And where does Mrs/ Miss Edwards live?’

Selby Grove. Number six.’

Ray spoke again.

‘Thank you. And is Dickie living there? Temporarily of course.’

‘Well, he needed somewhere to stop, dint ‘e?’

‘I’m surprised you trusted him to stay with your friend.’

‘He’s all right is Dickie.’

‘She must be very trustworthy to have him stopping there. Especially after him being incarcerated for what was it? Four years?’

‘What are you hinting at? Sylv wouldn’t do nothing with him.’

‘That’s what I was thinking. Double negative, you understand.’

‘Dunno what you mean.’

‘You had three days off recently. Where were you then?’

‘I was took bad.’

‘And where were you?’ Ray repeated.

‘At home of course.’

‘No you weren’t. We went round several times and you were never there.’

‘Oh no. That’s right. I stayed at Sylv’s place. Real bad I was. Sorry, I didn’t remember for a minute.’

‘You stayed there with your brother? Must have been nice to see him again,’ Ted said.

‘Yer, it was good.’

‘Did you go to the pub while he was there? Have a few beers.’

‘Yer, that’s right.’

‘Before you were ill, I presume.’

‘Oh.’ He paused. ‘Yes.’

The interview dragged on, with Ted playing good cop and Ray being bad cop. Slowly, they gleaned some information out of him, not least that Dickie had been staying at Sylvia’s home for the past couple of weeks and also that he was still very bitter about being sent to prison.

‘He worked at Foredyce’s too didn’t he?’ Ray asked.

‘Yer. It was them bastards wot accused him of nickin’ stuff.’

‘Not without good reason.’

‘But everyone was at it. Everyone found ways of cheatin’ them. Crikey, even my girl is findin’ ways of makin’ an extra few quid.’

‘Really?’ asked Ted. ‘How does she do that?’

‘Pockets the odd bit when someone pays to see Santa.’

‘I thought they had it all sorted with tickets and so on.’

‘Nah. It’s easy. She lets them into the queue and takes their money directly like. Oops. I should never have said that should I?’

‘And where else do you know of staff cheating the store?’

‘Everyone does it. I sees ‘em. Some folks borrow dresses for an evenin’ out. Nick the odd handbag and say they were damaged and had to be sent back. Nobody ever checks up on invoices.’

‘I suppose it was easy for you in Goods Reception. You simply had to say things had never arrived. I can see that. So, Dickie became more and more frustrated that he was caught.’

‘Yer, I s’pose he did.’

‘So much so that he really wanted his revenge on the company that had put him in prison?’

‘S’pose he did.’

‘And did you help him?’

‘Dunno what ya mean.’

‘Oh but I think you do. Did you suggest he killed the elf? Make a space for your girl to get the job?’ Bert looked very apprehensive and began to bluster his way out of it. Ray straightened up.

‘Bert Pryce, you are under arrest on suspicion of being connected with the murders of Julie Bennett and Jimmy North.’ He then gave him the usual caution and instructed Ted to take him away. ‘You can’t do this. You ain’t got nuffink on me.’ But Ray wasn’t listening.

*

‘Let’s go round to Selby Grove, wherever that may be,’ said Ray. ‘We’ll bring Dickie in and see what he has to say. I’m not sure Bert actually killed either of the victims but he certainly knew about his brother’s probable involvement. And I certainly wouldn’t put it past Dickie. He was always the stronger of the two.’

‘But why choose an elf and Santa?’

‘Maybe he hoped to ruin Christmas sales here. We know he wanted revenge and this was a good way of doing it, in his mind.’

‘Come on then. Let’s go find Dickie Pryce and hope he’s in at Mrs Edwards’s place.’

Chapter Fourteen

As they drove to Selby Place, the two officers were silent, thinking about the case and people involved.

‘Shouldn’t we call for back up?’ asked Ted.

‘See if he’s there first.’ They parked outside number six and saw the curtains twitch. ‘We’ve been seen. You go round to the back make sure he doesn’t do a runner.’

Ray got out and went to the front door. After a moment, he rang the bell. It was a rather run down looking bungalow, despite it sounding quite a decent address. Well overdue a coat of paint on the door and windows. He rang the bell again. Eventually, a woman came to the door.

‘Yes?’

‘Mrs Edwards? Mrs Sylvia Edwards?’

‘Miss to you. What do you want?’

‘Detective Chief Inspector Jones,’ he said showing his warrant card. ‘May I come in?’

‘What do you want?’

‘I understand you have a Dickie Pryce staying here. We need to see him.’

‘We? There’s only one of you here.’

‘My colleague has gone round to the rear of the property to make sure he doesn’t leave through that way.’

‘Ain’t nobody here with that name.’ She made as if to shut the door but his foot was in the way. ‘What you doing?’ she protested.

‘I can send for back up and also get a warrant to search this place. If you let me in now, I won’t need to do that.’

‘Please yourself. You won’t find he’s here anyway.’ She held the door open to admit him, looking slightly anxiously behind her.

Ray walked in and went straight to the back door. He opened it and let Ted inside.

‘This is Detective Sergeant Ted Wilkes.’ Ted produced his warrant card which she glanced at briefly.

‘As you can see, nobody else here.’

‘So where has he gone?’ asked Ted.

‘Dunno what you mean. I said he wasn’t here.’

There was a sudden noise from one of the bedrooms across the landing. Ted swung round and went to look. There was the sound of a gunshot and Ted fell down to the floor, groaning.

‘Ted,’ yelled Ray.

‘Get away from him or I’ll shoot you too.’

‘Okay, okay. Calm down Dickie. I was just going to look at him, make sure he’s all right.’

‘Go over to that chair and sit down. Sylvia, get that roll of gaffer tape. The silver one that’s really tough.’

‘Dickie, are you sure?’

‘Do it, I say. Unless you want a bit of the same.’ She went to the drawer and produced a roll of gaffer tape.

‘Peel off the end and wrap it round his legs. Go round the chair as well. That’s it.’

‘Miss Edwards, don’t do this,’ begged Ray. ‘Was it you who killed the elf and Santa?’ he asked.

‘Shut up,’ snapped Dickie, hitting him round the head with his gun. Ray almost passed out but felt his arms being pressed against the arms of the chair and tape was wound round so he couldn’t move. Tape was then wound round his mouth so he couldn’t speak. He sat there, totally helpless. Ted moaned and he glanced over to him. He couldn’t even offer him any comfort and didn’t know where he’d been hit. What a mess. He cursed himself for not calling for back up. In fact, nobody even knew where they were. What the hell did Dickie think he was going to do with them?

‘What money have you got in the house?’ he asked Sylvia.

‘About sixty quid.’

‘Get it and give it to me. What about your bank? Where’s that?’

‘In town. I don’t have much in my account though.’

‘I’m sure it’ll be better than nothing. Get your cash card and come with me. Come on woman. Do it. Get his keys out of his pocket. We’ll take his car to save time.’

‘What are you going to do with them?’

‘Nothing. Get on with it. Come on then.’

Sylvia did as she was told and looked anxiously at Ted, lying as he was on the floor, blood pouring out of him.

‘He looks bad. Shouldn’t we call someone?’

‘Forget it. Come on. Oh, you can get their phones too. Go on, look in their pockets. They must have them.’

She found Ray’s phone and resisted his look as she took it. She handed it to Dickie who crushed it under his foot.

‘I don’t want to look for his phone,’ she told him, indicating the blood.

‘Well, never mind then. He’s in no state to use it. And our other friend couldn’t use it either. Got your bank card? And give me the money.’

Sylvia ferreted in her bag and produced her wallet. He snatched it from her and stuffed it in his pocket.

‘That’s got my cash card in it too.’

‘Good. Now I know you’ve got it with you. Come on.’ He threatened her with his gun and she walked out in front of him. She glanced back at Ray and actually looked apologetic.

‘Do you think the other chap’s going to be all right?’

‘What’s one more death to add to my score?’

‘You’re a hard bastard. Why not leave me behind? I don’t want to go with you.’

‘I need you to draw out money.’

‘I could tell you my number.’

‘Shut up and get outside. Go on with you.’

They went out and he heard his car start and drive away. He struggled to move but between them, he’d been fastened very securely. He couldn’t even ask Ted how he was feeling not that it would have done much good ... he was obviously semi-conscious. What a predicament. As he sat there so helpless, he felt his blood boiling. He couldn’t think of any way he could escape and Ted was lying there, probably dying. Why the hell hadn’t he told anyone where he was going? His stomach rumbled. How could he even begin feel hungry at a time like this? He looked round the room for a clock. If he was feeling hungry, it must be well after lunch time. Feeling somewhat resigned, he tried to relax and hope that someone would come and find them.

It soon got dark and so he knew it must around three-thirty, four o’clock and still he sat there cursing. Perhaps Sylvia would come back soon and maybe she would release them. Small hope of that but one could never tell. Someone at the office must realise they were missing. Perhaps Bert would tell them where they were or where he thought they might be. Ted made a different noise. He made a sort of squeaking noise. He stirred and tried to get up. Obviously he was in a lot of pain as he tried to move. It was very dark and he couldn’t even see his colleague. He struggled to sit up and eventually almost managed it. He felt in his pocket for his phone and dialled the office. The light from his phone showed him where Ray was.

‘Help,’ was all he could manage before he dropped his phone and passed out again.

‘Good man,’ breathed Ray. Someone could identify where the call had come from and hopefully, they would target it and find them. He almost found himself praying for that to be the case ... him who hadn’t prayed for many a year. He looked at Ted’s phone lying there and believed he could hear someone talking on it. ‘Get on with tracing us,’ he said inside his head. He wondered where Dickie and Sylvia had gone to. He’d filled up with petrol recently so he’d get quite a long way. Had he taken the woman with him? Perhaps he’d dropped her somewhere and left her. He could speculate all he liked but it meant nothing. His mouth was beginning to feel painful under the tape and his nose started to run. If it became blocked, he’d be suffocated. He had to let it run down his chin.

Still Ray sat there, helpless to do anything for himself. Helpless to assist his colleague who was lying wounded. He positively hated Dickie Pryce. He would catch him and make sure he really suffered. He’d throw the book at him and Bert too. He’d be made to suffer as well.

After what seemed like another lifetime, he saw some lights outside and then someone knocked at the door. He saw someone looking in through the window and finally a flash light was shone in. Thank heavens, he thought, certain he’d been seen. Another knock at the door and he heard someone calling out.

‘Bang through the bloody door,’ he was thinking. ‘Don’t hold back but break it down.’

Then came the sound he’d been waiting for. A loud crash of the door thundering down.

‘Sir? Are you there?’ Two uniform branch officers came in.

He mouthed several squeaks and banged his feet up and down. The lights came on.

‘Bloody hell. Are you all right?’ one of the officers asked. He leaned down and gently removed the tape from his mouth.

‘Ouch,’ he said. ‘Look at Ted. He’s been injured. Shot. Hope to god he’s all right.’

‘Looks pretty bad, sir. I’ll call for an ambulance.’

‘Do it. Number six Selby Grove. Tell them to hurry and then for heaven’s sake, let me go.’ The policeman called the hospital and ordered the ambulance and then turned to Ray.

‘I need to find something to cut through this tape. What on earth happened?’

Ray told him the gist of it while he sawed through the tape. As soon as he was free, he went to kneel beside his friend and colleague, wiping his nose on his sleeve as he did so.

‘Are you all right matey? Don’t worry, the ambulance is on its way.’

‘Ray? You all right?’ he whispered.

‘Course I am. Take it easy now and don’t try to move. They’ll soon fix you up in hospital.’

‘Dickie?’ he mouthed.

‘He got away. Bastard even pinched my car. Come to think about it, he took all my keys so I now have to work out how to break into my flat.’ He paused, really wanting to keep talking to his injured friend to keep him awake until the ambulance arrived. At long last, there was a flashing blue light stopping outside. ‘Thank goodness. The ambulance is here. Not long now before they’ll make you better.’ He kept his fingers crossed as he spoke, not wanting to tempt fate.

Soon, Ted was being taken to the hospital and he cadged a lift in the police car.

‘Can you drop me at the hospital? I want to be there for Ted. I need to know he’s all right.’

‘You might want to get looked at yourself. You’ve got sores all round your mouth. I’m sorry if it was my fault taking that tape off.’

‘Thanks a bunch,’ he laughed. ‘Seriously, thank you both for coming when you did. I doubt Ted would have a chance if we’d been there all night.’

‘It was Ted’s phone call that alerted us. He left the phone switched on and we were able to track it. Lucky for you. Right then. Shall we go?’

‘How about the broken door?’

‘We can put something across it to keep it safe, though I don’t s’pose you’d care all that much if someone broke in.’

Soon they were driving to the hospital where there was a long wait for news. Ray went to get a sandwich while he waited. It tasted like cardboard but solved his hunger problem. At last a doctor came out to speak to him.

‘Unfortunately he’s lost a lot of blood and he’s very weak. We removed a bullet from his chest. Fortunately, it missed his vital organs. I think he’ll be all right but only after a fairly long recuperation.’

‘Thank you so much. Can I see him?’

‘You can see him but he’s well out of it now.’

He followed the doctor into the recovery room and saw his colleague looking so pale as to be almost unrecognisable.

‘I’ll get that bastard,’ he promised. ‘He won’t get away with this. I’ll guarantee it. Thanks doctor.’

‘Go and get some rest now. You need it.’

‘I’ll borrow Ted’s phone if you don’t mind. I need a taxi to get me home.’

It was fortunate that Ray had a ground floor flat and he broke a small window to gain access. He was shivering with cold and turned the heating up high. Totally exhausted, though he didn’t quite know why, he slept solidly till the next morning. He called headquarters and asked for someone to collect him. While he waited, he called the hospital to enquire about Ted. Evidently he had spent a quiet night and was heavily sedated. Relieved, he went to work to discover where the wretched Dickie had gone and what had happened to Sylvia.

There was news about the female very quickly. She had phoned a police station near Birmingham to complain that she had been left at a service station.

‘He dumped me after we stopped to fill up with petrol. Made me go and pay and then drove off. Never known anything like it,’ she told them.

This was reported to DCI Jones and he asked where she was now.

‘I think someone’s organised a train ticket for her. She should be at the station sometime soon. Do you want us to meet her?’

‘Oh yes please. Bring her straight here. I need to know where he’s gone or at least if he told her where he was planning to go.’

‘And what about the chap you charged?’

‘He’ll have to be seen by the magistrate. Let him decide if he needs to be imprisoned. Personally, I think he should be but who am I to say? Now then. I need to borrow a car till mine’s found. Not that I much fancy it after Dickie’s driven it.’

‘Do you want me to see if there’s a pool car you can have?’

‘Good idea. Organise someone to collect Sylvia and then do that. Thanks.’ Suddenly his life seemed even more complicated. His phone rang.

‘Are you coming down to the briefing?’ he was asked.

‘On my way.’ At least he could now say who had killed the elf and Santa.