Death Marks (The Symbolist) (13 page)

'It's always the same with hospitals, the car park's full.'

Dove saw a couple walking toward the middle of the next row of cars. 'Those people, they're going for their car - the grey Ford. Quick, that car over there is trying to get it first.'

'Then I'll just flash the warrant card.'

The walk to the research laboratories took them through grass edged footpaths, past A & E, the Maternity block and X-ray. The block consisted of low-lying buildings.

The reception looked newly decorated with a black marble-topped desk manned by one receptionist, a young woman, brown hair in a smart bob, suiting her elfin features and slim figure.

'Can I help you?'

Redd showed his ID. 'Yes. We have an appointment with Mr. Rees Trewitt, Office Manager.'

'Ah yes, he is expecting you. If you go through those two main doors over there, follow the yellow arrows straight down the corridor, then turn left, his name is on the first door.'

Following her instructions, their footsteps echoed over a highly polished floor, past walls painted the obligatory magnolia with framed pictures of various white coated researchers, posing over microscopes and petri dishes. A faint smell of antiseptic and other chemicals purveyed the air.

They saw Mr. Trewitt waiting for them; an affable smile on his apple cheeked face. 'Ah you found me then. Nice day isn't it? Goodness knows we've had enough rain.' He pointed to the chairs already placed in front of his desk. 'Do take a seat. Now how may I help you?'

Redd crossed his legs, noticing a picture of Trewitt shaking hands with the Mayor at what must be the celebratory opening of the unit.

'Detective Chief Inspector Redd and Detective Sergeant Dove. We are actually here to inquire about the whereabouts of two of your workers.'

Trewitt pulled the lapels of his tweed jacket, adjusting the collar of a fine checked shirt. 'Oh I hope everything's alright.'

'We hope so Sir, a Miss. Jeannette Walker and Mr. Neil Bennett appear to be missing. Their families are unaware of their whereabouts. Are they at work?'

'No - that's strange ... I had a note from Mr. Bennett saying they'd received an urgent message from a close relative. It would entail a week's absence - perhaps more. He
apologized for the inconvenience, and said he would let us know when they were returning to work.'

'Did he give any idea of where they were going?'

Tapping at his intercom, he said, 'No. I will get my secretary to bring in his note. Ah ... Sandy, could you bring in Neil's letter please.'

Within two minutes, the door opened to admit an elderly woman of sturdy build, her iron-grey hair almost a crew cut, wearing a spotless white blouse and brown linen skirt. Trewitt turned to her. 'Thank you Sandy. Err ... have you heard from Neil or Jeannette?'

Her blue eyes sharp, she smiled. 'No Sir - are they alright?'

'I hope so - I hope so.'

Frowning Trewitt said, 'I must say I was surprised. Neil didn't explain, and he's such a talkative young man you know. Isn't he Sandy?'

'Talk the hind leg off a donkey he would. Jeannette's just as bad. Lovely couple.'

'So could you tell me a little about them - work and so on?'

'Exemplary, very responsible youngsters, considering their age. I was pleased to offer them permanent positions on their graduation. They both hold upper second-class honours and Jeannette excelled in her research project, whilst Neil is keen on going into genetics. So, they are an asset to the teams here, aren't they Sandy?'

Redd said, 'How does Neil receive his mail? I found a note in his flat - hospital internal mail - informing him, he'd received a prize, two tickets to 'Two Blues' Night Club. However, it is unsigned. How do you receive post here?'

'Well, we all have a small cubby hole in the main entrance here. One of the young post lads collects them and delivers them to the staff morning and evening. We do get a lot of mail don't we Sandy?'

The lady drew up a chair. 'Excuse me; it's my back, can't stand for long.

Trewitt
said. 'It's osteo-arthritis, nothing they can do.'

Sandy said, 'I've got it in my hand as well.'

Redd murmured. 'I see; I'm sorry.'

Dove spoke up, '
My mother has arthritis in her thumb and wrist; I know how painful it can be.'

Sandy nodded. 'It's so painful. I had to cut my hair off - can't manage it anymore. But there is a new operation you know.'

Dove said, 'Yes, they take the bone out from the thumb to the wrist, and put in a plastic stent, then they put the hand in plaster. The flesh grows over forming something like a memory foam cushion, works very well, as you get full use back of the hand and thumb.'

Sandy became quite animated. 'I'm going to ask to have it done, although I am terrified of the
anesthetic. Those steroid injections do not last with me; the arthritis is much too advanced.'

Redd's eyes widened; it was like a tea party, next they'd bring in the tea and cakes. He partly rose from his chair. 'Mr
. Trewitt thank you for your time. We must be getting along now.'

Trewitt rose to his feet. 'No - no; you can't leave without a cup of tea, and we do have some nice cakes, a little treat you know in the afternoon.'

To Redd's horror, Dove grinned. 'That would be very nice, thank you.'

He had to give in, and watched numbly as a girl dressed in a pink striped uniform, served tea, a huge smile on her freckled face.

As Dove bit into a jam donut, Mr. Jenkins leant forward, putting his cup carefully on the saucer. 'So I hope you don't mind me saying, Jeannette and Neil's parents must be so worried.'

Redd swallowed a piece of coconut cup cake. 'They have made enquiries, but I am sure we can clear it up.'

Jenkins nodded, his kind eyes now concerned. 'Have you had any news on that killing of those two youngsters? Terrible wasn't it?'

'Our officers are working day and night Sir.'

'Must have been shocking for the parents, now come to think of it, they worked in a lab didn't they? Chichester - not far from here. ? We're quite a close-knit community here in the labs. I try to create a friendly atmosphere. We have trips out you know, theatre, the beach. We have a coach organized for Saturday coming - Mystery Tour. Neil and Jeannette booked up for that.'

Dove smiled, picking up the last bit of her iced cake. 'Sounds really nice, wish we had some of that.'

Trewitt nodded then almost whispered, 'Do you think they might be going after people who work in the labs?'

Dove said. 'You have a point there - it crossed our minds.'

Redd turned to glare at her; why on earth did she say that? It was obvious Trewitt was itching for some gossip.'

Jenkins frowned. 'Oh dear me. Hadn't you better warn people? '

Redd shook his head. 'At this point, it is only conjecture. I'd appreciate it, if you would both keep this to yourselves - don't want to cause a panic.'

'But people should be warned?'

'They will be when we are sure.'

As they walked to the car, Dove murmured, '
Boss, I didn't mean to - just slipped out.'

'Just watch it next time. Trewitt got that in very neatly - knows how to manipulate the conversation. Let's hope he keeps his mouth shut.'

Engrossed in Tessa's report, Redd realized if they didn't contain this, there would be full-scale panic, heads would roll. She didn't hold back, as she outlined the atrocities involved in the Druid rites. How could they break this? They were up against great minds, but twisted.

When killing their victims, these monsters discarded modern day values and morality. They say that half an inch of fur separated the amiable retriever from the wolf - same with humans only it was a lizard underneath. Going to his espresso machine, he poured a coffee; he could do with a single malt in there as well. Once back at his desk, he pressed the intercom. 'Hi Michelle, get the investigating team together, I want them in my office in thirty minutes. No excuses. All of them, if they're out on the street, call them in. Oh and get Jack in here.'

He sat opposite the homicide team, watching their faces, how were they going to take it? Jack sat by his side, his lips usually wreathed in a smile, now grim.

'Okay people, you have copies of the report from our profiler - symbolist I should say. You already have a rough outline of the Druid rites, so let's take Dr. Davies's report one step at a time. But first, let's start with bones
.’ He looked over to Bessie Owens and Jim Crosby. 'You were assigned to search the churchyards. No success I see. Maybe you could go outside the area?'

Bessie flushed. 'We have guv; we've searched the churches around here and Littlehampton, Felpham, Bognor Regis, right up to Kingley Vale, but nothing. No sign of any grave being disturbed. We need more time boss
—'

'The vics' didn't have that privilege. Remember that.'

'Now Williams - Papworth - nothing yet on the websites. I guess you've covered all of them?'

Papworth wiped the grit from his eyes, the grey bags beneath showing the hours he'd spent on the computer. 'Yes boss, as you instructed Williams, and I got IT officers from Worthing, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis to form teams as well as our own officers. Addresses checked, owners, visits to the sites. It's been difficult, because none of them wanted to own up even though the drug is legal. Some of the websites have gone out of business - others are mushrooming up, but so far no luck.'

'Don't talk about luck Papworth - there's got to be something.'

'Some of them websites refuse to give out details, but I'm compiling a list of those - I've put in for a warrant, but the judge's secretary says it will take a few days.'

'Then go to his chambers - the pair of you. Don't wait for fucking secretaries and the post.'

He turned to Amanda Green; she was one bitch, but by God did she do her job. 'Right Green - go with them, see the Judge and get those fucking warrants, the case could hang on them.'

Green straightened her spine, the boss noticed her. Papworth cast her a furtive glance, and was surprised to see her steel green eyes softening as she caught his look. However, he didn't want pity; he wanted to be her knight in shining armour, not a wimp with limp dick.

Redd now faced the group. 'Let's get on with the Symbolist's report. I take it, you have all read and studied it. First, we have reason to believe the unsubs are re-enacting ancient Druid rites. Second, you've read about the drugs. These could be addling the unsubs brains. Third, we're dealing with a group of big brains - intellectual, highly qualified. We have to start thinking of a surgeon, professor of mythology, a research chemist.' He paused for their attention. 'Now we have something extremely confidential, keep it within the team; it must not go outside of this room. We have reason to believe there could be a couple of rogue officers accepting bribes to leak information... I hope it isn't something more sinister. So do not discuss the case with anyone.'

Mack O'Connell raised his hand. 'Getting back to the perps boss, what about a businessman - they need premises - isolated. Somewhere where no one can hear the screams.'

'Good point. I think we should also have a look at the mansions on the Downs, well screened from by-passers.'

Fiddling with a long lock of black hair Bessie Owen spoke up, 'Sir those rites - any idea why they tear up the vics?'

'It was in the report Owen, why the hell do you think you had a copy?' We have no time for losers here - get reading that report now.'

The room went silent; the Chief might have been away a year, but he certainly hadn't lost his bite, in fact, he'd grown fangs.'

Owen muttered. 'I haven't had time, it's been so
—'

'Make time Owen, like the bloody rest of us.'

He glared at Owen, as she sat back. 'Sorry boss.'

'Don't apologi
ze to me, apologize to these kids. We need to bring them justice, cage their killers - fast.'

Turning to the group, he said, '
You're all aware of the injuries of the first vics. The unsubs followed every bloody step of the Druid rituals. The priests used the death throes of a human body to predict the future. The body is opened up; the flesh ripped from the sternum to the pubis. They saw through the ribs to take out the entrails, each organ separated - marked. But here's the hit, the vics were alive for the first process.'

DS Price groaned, 'Christ; we've gotta catch these buggers - they're fucking sick.'

Sid Tomkins frowned, his thin striped pink shirt contrasting with navy suit. 'We haven't got much in the way of exhibits yet - nothing to go on.'

Redd nodded. 'We've got some flimsy leads though, we have reason to believe they're celebrating the pagan festivals, but also moving in the direction of the ancient druids who not only observed the great festivals, but also everyday rituals. Pagans prayed over every action in their daily lives - it's all in the report.'

DS Williams muttered, 'Feel bloody sick just thinking about it. They haven't got an ounce of compassion or mercy in them.' Scratching his shaggy head, he said, 'They ain't got any morals - none at all. How can they live with themselves?'

Jack leaned forward, his face earnest. 'Williams, they have no morals such as we adhere to. They're acting out the beliefs of the ancient Druids - whose morality system was based on balance, not good and evil but, having said that these bastards live in today's world and they're bloody savages.
’

Tomkins brushed off a fleck from cuff of his shirt, the sophisticated cufflinks giving off a dull glint. '
Why are they doing it? Fucking sordid.'

Dove said, '
Yeah and why the drugs? I mean they must be out of their minds - maniacs. How come they can carry out these crimes - they're planned so carefully?'

Redd shuffled his papers. 'Forensics are working on it. I surmise these damn chemicals are somehow damaging the brain. Our Symbolist explained they could affect the limbic system, the seat of pleasure; the emotions are out of control - they're giving in to the prehistoric urges - the reptilian brain.'

Amanda Green straightened the sparkling white blouse. 'Maybe the leaders are playing safe with calculated measures of the drugs. I think they make sure their followers are drugged out of their minds when they attend the rituals.'

Redd nodded, dislike her or not; the woman did make some astute points.

'Good point Green. It also appears they give drugs to the victims, so they willingly take part in the rite; even endure the first stages of pain that is until they begin to die.'

He paused, looking at the faces whitening, the eyes wide with shock.

He went silent for a moment, and then said, 'We've entered the world of the Druid.'

Sid Tomkins raised his hand. 'How can a group become psychopaths? I mean surely some of them would be sickened with the rites?'

Redd agreed. 'Yeah, good point. I think they are terrified to go against the leaders. They may well end up as sacrificial victims.'

Ted Papworth said, 'God no - we're dealing with demons.'

DC Watkins barked, 'Or the devil himself.'

Even Papworth glowered. 'This is fucking weird - evil.'

Redd held up his hand. 'So let's find the buggers - put them away in a cage for good.'

Bessie recovering from the onslaught with Redd, murmured, '
Crucify them upside down.'

Redd nodded. 'Now Green - Connell; I want two of you to go to the original site and search for an oak tree nearby with mistletoe growing from it. You should also find that a branch of the mistletoe has been cut through.'

The phone bleeped, picking it up and placing it to his ear; Redd's face tensed as he listened. They could see it was not good news. 'Okay folks, we've got another one, same place, Kingley Vale. Green - Crosby, Owen - O'Connell, I want you all there.'

As they rushed for the door, Redd tapped Owen's arm, his expression softening. 'Read the bloody report in the car, you're gonna need it.'

She gave a hesitant smile. Watching her, he sighed. She was a first-class detective, should be upgraded to Sergeant, but at times she lacked focus.