Everything to Lose (25 page)

"Question
is will they want to tear you apart limb by limb or just slit your throat as you walk along the street?" Toni said to Gavin and Zoe smiled at her.

"Well
they'll need to get in line behind Barscadden's people."

37

Reagal
Close
,
Cosham

Somehow it always seems to happen this way when you're waiting for a knock on the door. If you want the knock, it's a long time coming. If you don't want the knock, it arrives before you know it. At least that's how it seemed to Gavin Shawlens and Zoe Tampin.

She
wanted the knock so she could face her punishment; get it over and done, move on. He didn't want the knock ever. He knew he'd caused trouble for others. He felt intense guilt and worry that he'd ended Zoe's career. He didn't want it confirmed.

When
the doorbell rang Zoe leapt up from the settee and hurried to open the door. She walked back to the living room followed by Alan Cairn and his driver, Steve. They looked an odd couple. You always expect a bodyguard to be the same height or taller than the subject.

Steve
was a full three inches shorter than Alan. Still he was armed, mean looking and capable. The mood from Alan Cairn was sombre as he took off his leather gloves, silk scarf, and warm looking dark blue cashmere coat.

Steve
stood at the entrance to the hall as if he was there to stop anyone leaving. His stance irritated Zoe and worried Gavin. Alan followed Zoe and sat down opposite her in an armchair. She sat forward, knees together, eyes alight, hands clasped as she waited for the verdict. She couldn't wait.

"Am
I burned?"

"Ordinarily
this would have been a high profile bust and the celebrations would last for weeks. But since no one can take the credit it has lapsed into a kind of limbo. That does make it a tad easier for me to manage," Alan said.

"The
Home Office should take all the credit."

"Believe
me Gavin I've thought about it. But the media are all over the story. I can't risk any publicity drawing attention to this Lambeth Group investigation," Alan said ruefully.

"Please
sir I'd rather have it straight."

"Fortunately
Zoe you didn't use a weapon. People like Sidney McVickin fall over and break their necks every day. Mind you the doorman is a bit of a medical mystery. Massive heart attack, massive stroke and massive pulmonary embolism all at once. Interesting possibilities but I've ordered the pathologist to record the death as a heart attack. None of the rescued people saw anything. So there's no murder to investigate," Alan said and his expression reassured Zoe.

"Thank
God!" she let out a huge sigh of relief and threw herself back in her chair.

"The
fire and rescue bods are willing to call the blast a gas explosion. They'll write up faulty gas cylinders, even though they blew in rather than out. Again lucky no one was killed by the explosion. There is a question over who called the major accident response using my authority code but I can deal with that."

"What
about the police?" Zoe asked.

"Oh
the police have no option but to play ball. Jim McVickin had the locals by the balls for some time. Apart from the extensive corruption it's now clear the McVickins were getting away with murder. They're in no position to make waves. They've got plenty to keep them busy with all these bodies in the sewer."

"Bodies!"
both Gavin and Zoe said simultaneously.

"Tokai
took police officers to the cellar to show them where the drug stuff was stored. Tokai also showed them an access cover to the sewer. In the sewer they found eight adult skeletons and three teenage skeletons. One of the poor souls was no more than thirteen years old. Obviously it's only the remains after sewer rats. Eleven bodies so police have got a lot of catching up on their plate."

"Tokai
will be able to give them all their details."

"Unfortunately
Gavin he won't," Alan said sadly.

"What
happened to Tokai?" Zoe asked.

"After
the sewer he seemed to have some kind of seizure. Hyperventilating, sweating, shaking, it looked bad. The medics were quick to stabilise him but sadly he died in the ambulance. His frail body was too badly damaged. Given the number of old and new broken bones he had it's incredible he was still alive. Pathologist looking at the x-rays told me he was literally a bag of broken bones. He must have been in severe chronic pain."

"At
least he'll not end up in the sewer," Gavin said.

"There
is that I suppose."

"Any
sign of the McVickins?" Zoe asked.

"There's
an all-points out. Media is getting full access to the victim stories. The whole evil story will run in the press. Journalists are after them. They'll find they can't hide their faces anywhere. Good news is their sudden departure means we have seized almost £12 million in cash accounts with another £36 million identified in investment accounts. The largest amount we've ever seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act."

"That'll
keep the politicians happy for a minute."

"Quite
so Gavin. Our political masters in the Home Office are beside themselves with glee. Happy times."

"Looks
like you might be the least of their worries," Zoe said to Gavin.

"What's
happening to the kids?" Gavin asked Alan.

"Ah
the children. I contacted Barnado's as you suggested. They do have experience with trafficked children. But with massive press interest and Social Services tripping over themselves I am certain they'll get well looked after."

"Thanks."

"Quite frankly Gavin. I have to admit. I thought you were mistaken but apparently not. Children as young as twelve, caught by drug squads during raids, have been charged, convicted and sent to young offenders. Please be reassured. That will not happen to these children. You have my word."

"What
about their families back in Vietnam?" Gavin asked.

"I
invited officials from the Vietnamese Embassy to support the police interviews and the collaboration is very effective. All of the victim statements have been passed to the National Police in Hanoi. I understand they moved quickly to arrest nine agents and their families. The British Embassy in Hanoi will handle resettlement and clear all overhanging debt in Vietnam. They'll also provide start-up funds for the families from the Proceeds of Crime seizures. A joint UK-Vietnam task force will examine how to stop this evil trade."

"I'm
very grateful for all of that," Gavin said.

"I'm
grateful to you for bringing this to my attention. I will ensure that Drug Squads receive new guidance on how to deal with vulnerable victims in future raids," Alan said.

"That's
a good result," Zoe said to Gavin.

"Sadly
neither of you can receive public acknowledgement for this outstanding work. Privately the Home Office will add commendations to your files and provide a dinner in your honour. Unsung heroes I'm afraid. I could swing an OBE your way in the New Year Honours if that would please you."

"I
would rather have another research technician for my research group."

"Well
I suppose we should do something. Toys are easier to fund than staff. Choose some new toys and I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks."

"Get a smart 3-D printer," Zoe suggested.

"How
much bench space would it need?" Gavin asked her excitedly.

"Back
to the matter in hand please. What did we get out of this ugly mess?"

"Oliver
Mansole and Buzzwall purchased chemicals and equipment through the University purchase order system to manufacture of illegal steroids," Gavin said.

"What
evidence do you have?" Alan asked.

"Ask
Elaine to get all the departmental orders over the past seven years. I'll identify what can be used to make steroids. Some of the equipment is still under warranty. I have paperwork from the factory. If we match up what was ordered through the University with what's at the factory we have a slam dunk."

Gavin
handed over a pile of invoices, purchase order copies, warranty documents and delivery notes taken from the factory. Many had been signed by Buzzwall.

"Buzzwall
will say Mansole was free to order what he wanted when he wanted and he just signed off expecting it was all for University business. We need Mansole to make this stick on Buzzwall," Alan said.

"McSwann
knew about this arrangement. He can implicate Buzzwall," Zoe said.

"I
think we should leave him out of it. Buzzwall has already sent thugs to scare McSwann's wife," Gavin sounded concerned.

"I
need more before I can close in on Buzzwall. McSwann will be interviewed and his family put in protective custody. If necessary he'll testify against Mansole and Buzzwall. He'll do it or he'll be charged with conspiracy. Is there anything else?"

"No
sir."

Alan
Cairn got up to leave. His driver Steve held his coat open for him and showed off the shiny dark blue silk lining in the coat before he moved to the door and waited.

"Good
night Dr Shawlens," Alan said as he buttoned up his coat but Gavin said nothing and didn't return a parting expression.

Gavin
tried hard to think about what Buzzwall would do. Would he risk sending his thugs back to threaten the McSwanns?

"Thanks
sir for squaring all of this off."

Zoe
saw a twinkle in his dark blue eyes. An old rogue's grin broke onto his face through the craggy pit marks under his cheekbones.

"Shit
happens Zoe. We have to deal with it as best we can. I'm pleased that you made the right calls. None of the shit is on your shoes. I can tell you that your star is shining brightly in Whitehall. Political masters are delighted with you, I'm delighted. In fact you're the talk of the tearoom in the Home Office. Relax and have a good night," Alan said as he glanced back at Gavin but didn't receive a response.

"Good
night sir."

"Oh
Zoe I almost forgot," Alan said as he extracted a jewel case containing a DVD from his coat pocket.

A
broad smile played on his face as he handed it to Zoe.

"This
is the original and only copy of the Club CCTV footage covering the car park. It shows Toni setting up the explosive charge. Please don't wind Toni up by telling her something naughty like, the police have released a CCTV video of the Old Bards Club bomber."

"I
wouldn't dream of it sir," Zoe replied and smiled at the DVD.

When
Zoe closed the door behind Alan Cairn and his bodyguard she turned and punched a hole in the air.

"Yessss!"

She sat down to call Toni and Scott to let them know the good news. For a minute she toyed with the idea of winding Toni up about the video. Instead she decided on a ceremonial destruction of the DVD.

"Get
me a glass of wine will you," she said to Gavin.

"Doesn't
he realise he's putting Bob McSwann's family in harm's way?"

"Of
course he does," Zoe said as she accessed her phone.

"I
think it's wrong."

"If
the police ignored every frightened witness they'd never get any convictions. People have to stand up for justice. McSwann can't be an exception. Cairn won't let anything happen to the McSwann family."

"I
suppose so," Gavin sounded defeated.

"If
you don't like it. Do something about it."

"What
can I do?"

"Get
Cairn something better so he doesn't need McSwann."

"How?"

"Get inside. Stir the shit up. Make it smell," Zoe said.

Gavin
walked through to the kitchen, opened a cupboard and uncorked a bottle of Shiraz. He poured two glasses and thought
I
know
how
to
cause
trouble
.
I
can
do
this
.

38

Department
of
Sports
Biology

At the scheduled three p.m. tutorial slot Gavin Shawlens paused before he entered seminar room. In the room his tutorial group sounded as if they were having an intense discussion. He knew someone in the group had told Suzie Griffan that he was looking for Oliver Mansole. He ran over in his mind what he wanted to unfold in this tutorial. He planned to stir up the shit and cause a smell.

"Okay
just a reminder that the deadline for your reports is fast approaching. They must be handed into the office so they can be date stamped on receipt," Gavin announced.

Rachel
Boyd gave her ten-minute presentation on 'Eating Disorders in Sport' and bravely answered two questions despite a strong attempt by Fran Ottobondi to put her off. When she sat down she was pleased and relieved. Laraine had told Gavin that Rachel was the only one in the tutorial group prepared to defy Fran. So he decided not to ask for the next presentation.

"Okay
I want to use the rest of the tutorial to discuss ergogenic aids, pros and cons," Gavin announced.

Gavin
started the discussion and the students kept quiet to show him they didn't want to participate. Just when he was thinking the tutorial would turn into a lecture. Laraine asked if the topic could come up in the open exam paper. Gavin said it was very examinable and as a biochemist he was interested in the topic. The discussion took off and everyone shared what they knew, voiced their opinions and made notes.

In
fact the students knew a good deal about ergogenic aids. Rachel seemed to be the expert on herbs and she told the group all about astragulus, ginseng, St John's wort and guarana. Ronnie DaSilvon told them a lot about clenbuterol a steroid substitute available on the black market drug network. He said he wasn't a user but admitted some of his mates were users. He said he knew some used it when they came off steroids before a match. He explained clenbuterol minimised muscle loss and increase fat loss to give a strong 'cut' look.

Fran
Ottobondi told them about human growth hormone and tried to make it seem legit by saying it was a natural way to increase bone and cartilage growth, muscle volume and strength.

Tyler
Wattsin turned up for the tutorial. He was unsure what to do or say. He had to think for himself and it was turning out to be a slow process. He kept quiet. Laraine talked about legal supplements and told them about vitamins, amino acids and glucosamine supplements.

As
Gavin listened to all their stories it became clear to him that all of their information and understanding had come from 'black market' suppliers who told them all of the benefits they wanted to hear and none of the side effects or risks.

He
switched the discussion to danger and risks. None of them had any understanding or concern about these issues. He asked them if they knew the purity of the material they were buying. They all looked blank as if they had never heard of the word purity.

He
told them some manufacturers didn't spend money removing harmful residues. He told them about the side effects of steroids. He told them that as many as twenty competitive cyclists had died from taking blood boosting hormones to increase their blood volume.

Gavin
tried to tell Fran about some 'black market' products that were extracted crudely from the organs of human cadavers. Other supplements were extracted from meat condemned not fit for human consumption. He told them about products found to be contaminated with viruses and bacteria. The more he said the more he saw their eyes glaze over and doodling replaced note taking.

He
stopped lecturing them when Ronnie argued back and said he didn't know of anyone who died taking clenbuterol. Fran joined him and said she didn't know of anybody who grew two heads taking growth hormone.

In
their minds if you don't fall over and die while taking a supplement then it's safe enough. They didn't care about liver damage, viral infections, brain impairment or hormone imbalance.

"I
know one boxer wit severe mental troubles. His brain is total mush. He can't talk sense no more. He'd to give up boxing an like, get a lesser job," Ronnie said.

"Wot
kinda job?" Fran asked.

"Got
took on as a professor."

They
all laughed and Gavin laughed with them. The period was almost over and their feet were starting to get restless. They scanned their mobile phones. When Fran starts twirling her finger in her hair and looking at the ceiling she's telling you to wind up. Fran and Ronnie felt smug. They thought they had deflated Gavin Shawlens by turning a deaf ear to his preaching about health and safety. In fact he brought them to the exact point he wanted.

"Closer
to home. I'm sorry to tell you some bad news. The promising cyclist Jemard Edmond is dead."

The
student's mouths gaped open and inhaled sharp breaths of shock. Gavin watched all of their faces light up. They all knew Jem, he had demonstrated in their classes and they all knew he was a user.

"How?"
three of them asked at once.

"Run
off road by some rich pig in a four-by-four," Ronnie said.

"When?"
Laraine asked.

"Apparently
it was liver failure from contaminated drugs," Gavin said.

"That's
dreadful," Rachel said.

Ronnie
and Fran's eyes snapped together with shocked expressions on their faces.

"Whit
drugs we talkin 'bout, man?" Ronnie asked.

"Forensic
labs are testing his liver and the drugs he had on him."

"Will
the University be doing anything for him?" Laraine asked.

"Poor
Jem," Rachel looked upset like she'd lost a brother.

"There'll
be a memorial service. A notice will be put up on the board."

"I'd
like to go to that," Laraine said.

"Remember
the deadline for your reports. Okay off you go."

Normally
the tutorial group hurried out the seminar room but this time they crept out as they recovered from the initial shock and discussed what they had just heard about Jemard. Some noticed a perverted smile on Gavin's face and felt it was disrespectful. In fact he was pleased he'd managed to tell them a pack of lies and keep a straight face.

On
the way back to the flat that evening Gavin drove to a bar that was three minutes walk from the flat in Reagal Close. He needed to think things through before he told Zoe what he'd done. He planned to have a few drinks before walking back to the flat.

He
parked in the usual car park space and headed straight for the bar. The bar looked much better inside than outside. New carpet, fresh modern paper on the wall, new fifty inch plasma in a corner with a small gathering of men watching the replay of a football match. It sounded like their team was losing.

He
didn't notice the female bartender watching him walk to a seat away from the TV. He approached the bar and ordered a bottle of cold Budweiser. She was a mature student working part-time and knew he was academic staff. She's seen him around the campus. She waited for him to speak first and sensed he didn't recognise her. She relaxed and served his beer.

"Looks
like you've had a hard day," she said.

He
looked at her more closely. She was a slender and cheerful brunette, early-twenties, with a petite round face but he would forget it twenty minutes after leaving the bar.

"I've
had much worse."

"See
you work at the Uni," she said as she nodded to his ID card hanging from a lanyard.

"Well
spotted."

"It
must be fun with all the wild parties and hot hook-ups. Guy like you would be in pole position for a hot hook-up."

"You
think so?"

She
leaned forward over the bar to look closer at his face and winked at him.

"Oh
I know so."

He
smiled at her, lifted his beer to go over and sit down. She watched him walk away while thinking
academic
,
single
,
lonely
,
good
money
,
car
,
nice
smile
,
nice
bum
,
worth
another
hit
.

As
he walked to his seat he glanced back at her and thought
confident
,
nice
looking
,
husky
,
smoker
,
one
-
nighter
,
Chlamydia
,
STD
clinic
,
shame
.

When
he sat down he looked back to the bar. She was still smiling at him with a 'come on take a chance on me' smile. He smiled back and took a swig of beer.

Zoe
had told him to mix things up. He was sure he had just done that but he couldn't think through what the consequences might be. He wanted to think more about that before he faced the power of Zoe's analysis.

His
mobile phone rang. It was Christine Willsening calling from Kinmalcolm.

"Christine
how's things in the lab?"

"Everybody's
fine Gavin except you know who."

"Sharon?"

"Exactly she hasn't put in a single day's work since the day you left. She's …"

"Christine
..."

"It's
unfair on everyone else the way you let her off the hook when the rest of us have targets to achieve. The group is not happy I can tell you," Christine said with her voice stepped up a few notches.

"I
know. I ..."

"I've
called her umpteen times in case she's ill or something but she refuses to answer the phone. There must be twenty messages on her answer machine. I've done my best."

"She
came down here to see me."

"What
did she say? What has she told you?"

"I
think something tragic has happened at home. She's very upset. I think she's gone back to New York."

"What
happened?"

"She
didn't say. She was in a hurry to catch a plane."

"Well
she could have told me something or sent me a text or something."

"I
know. I expect we'll hear in due course. Everything else okay?"

"Fine,
well, one teeny little approval required. I've already cleared it with Prof Crawford but he says you have the final say."

"About
what?"

"I
told you Simon got promoted at the Glasgow Herald, Deputy Editor."

"Yes.
Good for Simon."

"His
features editor woman is doing a series on the backbone of university research, a.k.a. the research technicians of course. She wants to do a piece on me to represent life sciences. How I got into it, what I do, what I enjoy, you know. Prof Crawford thinks it'll be good PR for the University. What do you think?"

"Sounds
good; go for it. Did you remember what I asked you to do for me?"

"Of
course. I've put fresh flowers on Emma's grave. It’s pretty. I'll send a picture to your phone."

"Thanks."

"No problem. Okay got to go John has sent me a text."

"Good,
are you two back together?" Gavin asked.

"Not
back together but we're keeping in contact."

"Look,
if you want to go on holiday with him, fine. Just let me know that's all I ask."

"I
know it was silly of us but John wanted to keep it a big secret. He thought it would be much more romantic to just up and go, tell no one. Like climbing out the bedroom window, down a ladder and running away into the night."

"Well
if you'd text me then I wouldn't have come over and sounded all worried. Just let me know when you'll be away on holiday and I won't worry."

"We
have to get back together first," she replied.

"I'm
sure you will. Okay thanks for calling, bye, Christine."