Go Out With A Bang! (7 page)

They
didn't see the huge grin on his face as he stormed out on his way
to see the Chief.

Chapter 19

'That's
a relief,' said the Chief, as Andersen told him what had happened.
'The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced my sister has
something to do with this.'

'At
least we know he's still alive and kicking,' said Andersen, pleased
to be the bearer of good news. 'What do you want me to
do?'

'Nothing. Not about Ducket, anyway. Just get on with business
as usual. Ducket will turn up when he needs to.'

'Right.
I'm off to a brainstorming session with Morris and Crowe. We can't
help feeling this explosives gang aren't going away anytime soon.
We are looking at all the possible targets they might be
considering. See if we can beat them to it.'

'Sounds
like a shot in the dark. Good luck with that. I'm about to call
Poppy and give her the news.'

'At
least it's positive. Back to work.'

With the
inspector gone, the Chief called his niece. 'Poppy. We've just had
some contact with Fred.'

'You've
seen him?'

'No.
Sorry. He downloaded all his stuff from his computer here and then
told us in no uncertain terms he wanted us to keep out of his
office. Nobody will be going in there until he comes
back.'

'He'll
be getting a real ear-bashing from me when I see him.'

'Something for him to look forward to. Poppy. He's going to
be alright. I feel that.'

'This is
the last time he puts me through this. He has responsibilities,
now.'

'He'll
understand that. Take care.'

* * *

'What we
got?' asked Dale.

Morris
said, 'We found three possible targets, assuming they stay in our
neck of the woods. The new cathedral, almost finished. Then there's
the Cloud Tower. A high value commercial building.'

'But
it's occupied,' said Andersen. 'I can't see that being a
target.'

'Because we wouldn't, might
mean
they
would,' said Crowe.

'True,'
said Andersen, doubtfully. 'What else you got?'

'My
personal favourite,' said Morris. 'The Stargas
Refinery.'

'We need
to talk to the owners and check out their security. They need to be
aware of the situation.'

'Way
ahead of you,' said Morris. 'They're expecting us.'

'Well,
what are we waiting for? Let's go.'

Chapter 20

The
Cloud Tower was first. It was a two hundred and fifty feet iconic
landmark building. The top was a revolving restaurant with
spectacular city views, and below that, the casino. Designer label
stores, a gymnasium and spa made up the rest. The detectives were
greeted by Theo Lipton, general manager and Charlotte Tyrone, chief
of security. They were in Lipton's office.

'Thank
you for seeing us,' said Andersen, after the
introductions.

'Our
pleasure,' said Lipton. 'You'll be pleased to know we already
beefed up our security systems after what happened to the Petrolex
building.'

Tyrone
said, 'We think we have it all covered, but we'll be happy to take
on board any suggestions you may make.'

'Good,'
said Andersen. 'Right. Am I correct in thinking the Tower is a
twenty four hour, seven day operation?'

'Yes,'
said Lipton. 'The stores on the ground floor are open from seven in
the morning, until six in the evening. The gymnasium and spa from
eight until six. The restaurant is a twenty four seven operation
but only serving from ten in the morning until three the following
morning. The rest of the time is cleaning down and food
preparation.'

Morris
said, 'Public access from the main street only?'

'Yes,'
said Tyrone. 'Straight off the street into the stores. Three
elevators go up to the other levels. We have four emergency
exits.'

'Car
parking?' asked Crowe.

'Multi
story across the street,' said Lipton.

'Surveillance?' Morris asked.

'I can
show you,' said Tyrone.

'Lead
on,' said Andersen.

'I'll
leave you in Mrs Tyrone's capable hands,' said Lipton. 'She'll
report back any suggestions to me later.'

'Thank
you, Mr Lipton,' said Andersen.

Tyrone
led the way to an impressive dedicated surveillance room. Two men
in smart pale blue uniforms were monitoring a bank of twenty CCTV
screens.'

'Mike
and Smithy,' said Tyrone. 'We have a three shift system, covering
twenty four seven. We get a very well heeled clientèle to the
casino and restaurant. Not much cash changes hands in this day of
plastic. Probably no more than between twelve and fourteen thousand
per night in the casino. The stores obviously more between
them.'

'All
floors covered by CCTV?' Morris asked.

'Yes.
Every angle covered.'

Crowe
said, 'I don't think inside is an issue. My concern would be the
outside. A few well placed explosives, the whole lot could come
tumbling down.'

'I
couldn't agree more,' said Tyrone. 'That's where we beefed things
up. Smithy?'

'The top
row of monitors are dedicated to the exterior,' said Smithy. 'One
on the roof of the multi car park aimed at the front
entrance.'

'That
could be a weakness,' said Andersen. 'That one could be taken out
by a determined individual.'

'It has
its own alarm,' said Tyrone. 'Anyone messing with it and we would
know about it. And in case of a malfunction, we have another on a
completely separate circuit, fixed to the Tower aimed at the car
park entrance. Those two modifications are new ones.'

Smithy
said, 'Other cameras cover all of the Tower from every angle, all
over lapping.'

Andersen
smiled. 'I'm impressed. Obviously a very professional operation
here. You run a tight ship, Mrs Tyrone.'

'Thanks.
No suggestions?'

'Not
from me. Stanley? Vince?'

'All
good,' said Morris.

'We can
cross this one off,' said Crowe.

'Thank
you for your time, Mrs Tyrone.'

Chapter 21

The
cathedral was a different story. When the old cathedral had been
destroyed by fire, the modern glass and steel, multi denominational
offering to any God interested, was built by funding from most
major religious institutions. It was close to completion, with
minor exterior work to finish off. The whole building was
surrounded by security fencing. The construction crew were busy at
work and Andersen had to shout above the noise of a
jackhammer.

The
foreman told his men to take a tea break and he lit up a smoke as
he talked to the detectives.

'Security?' said Bill Toddy. He hitched up his jeans so his
beer belly overhung even more.

'Yes,'
said Andersen. 'Do you have any?'

Toddy
slapped the fencing. 'Yep.'

Andersen
rolled his eyes up to the heavens. 'And you think that's adequate,
Mr Toddy?'

Toddy
shrugged. 'Not my problem. I couldn't give a shit about the
building. At the end of each day, we get all the gear in the truck,
lock up the fencing and go home. That's all I'm responsible
for.'

Morris
said,'Mr Toddy. Didn't you see the news reports about the Petrolex
building?'

'Yeah.
Hell of a mess.'

Crowe
said,'We wouldn't want the same thing happening here now, would
we?'

Toddy
shrugged. 'I couldn't care less if it was blown up. Look at it.
That's a cathedral? Gotta be the ugliest bloody building I ever had
to look at. God must have pissed himself laughing when some pot
head dreamed this crap up.'

Morris
said, 'So, if not you, Mr Toddy, who would be a good one to talk
to?'

Toddy
scratched his bald head and ground out his smoke with his boot.
'Try head office. Nothing to do with me. And if you can get
anywhere with that tight fisted lot, you're a better man then me.
Here's the number. Good luck with that. Are we done?'

'Might
as well be, Mr Toddy,' said Andersen. 'Thanks for...not a lot,
really.'

'That
was depressing,' said Morris.

'Can't
blame Toddy,' said Crowe. 'He's just a construction
foreman.'

'I'll
take that on board,' said Andersen.

'Going
to call their head office?' Morris asked.

'Nope.
Nothing like the personal touch.'

* *
*

Flexicorp Construction had a unique shabbiness and air of
neglect that was reflected by the indifferent attitudes of the
staff working inside.

'Mr
Jenkins is tied up at the moment,' said a middle aged woman in a
front office. Piles of overflowing folders were stacked up on every
available surface. 'Care to make an appointment?'

Morris
and Crowe could feel the tension building up in Andersen, like
crackling static electricity.

'I do
not care to make an appointment. Call Mr Jenkins now and tell him
Detective Inspector Andersen wants to see him and I don't mean
tomorrow.'

The
woman went over to a door, knocked on it and entered. She was out
again a few seconds later, not too happy.

'Mr
Jenkins says he'll be available in about half an hour.'

'Ooops,'
said Crowe, guessing what was coming next. He was right.

Andersen
didn't bother knocking and he was followed by Morris and Crowe into
the room. Four men in suits were around a large table.

'What's
the meaning of this?'

'I'm
Detective Inspector Andersen. We'd like a word.'

'I could
think of a few words myself.'

'We
don't have time to waste. Are you all managers of this
company?'

'Yes.
I'm C E O,' said Jenkins. 'I take it this is important?'

Andersen
said, 'We have identified the new cathedral as a potential target
by the gang who destroyed the Petrolex building.'

The four
men round the table stared at Jenkins, hoping for a display of
leadership.

Jenkins
said, 'Why would anyone blow up the cathedral?'

'Because
its aesthetically repulsive?' Crowe offered.

'Extortion money from the owners,' said Andersen, shooting a
chilly look at Crowe. 'What's the place worth?'

Jenkins
shrugged. 'Thirty five million, give or take a bit.'

'And who
actually owns it at the moment?'

'The
consortium,' said Jenkins. 'That is made up of five denominations.
With falling congregations, they decided on a combined
operation.'

Andersen
said, 'Anybody in charge of the consortium?'

'If
you'd ever had any dealings with them, you wouldn't think so. A
bigger bunch of procrastinating buck passers I never met
before.'

Andersen
bristled. He didn't like Jenkins and it showed. 'You. Give me a
name and hurry up about it.'

Jenkins
looked at Andersen's glowering expression and the huge Crowe by his
side. 'One moment, gentlemen,' he told his colleagues. He went out
of the boardroom to the overworked woman in the office. 'Margaret.
Have you the contact details for the cathedral consortium,
please?'

'I have
it here, somewhere. Here we go. I'll get you a copy.'

'Thanks,' said Andersen, taking the copy. 'We'll be in touch.
Good afternoon.'

Outside
as they went to their car, Andersen grunted, 'It might do that lot
some good, having a bomb under them.'

* * *

Bishop
Tory Thomlinson at least made the detectives feel welcome,
providing coffee and biscuits. Other than that he was less than
helpful.

'Detectives. I appreciate your concern. I really do. We have
the building fully insured, and there is security fencing all
around the site.'

'Nothing
like adequate security,' said Andersen. 'That fence couldn't even
keep a cat out. And I would double check your insurance to see if
you are covered if the gang decided to blow it up. I doubt if they
would shell out extortion money. It's actually still under the
terrorism heading. Just have a think about it. Perhaps consider
hiring a private security to do patrols at night. I'll see if I can
have a police patrol keeping an eye on the place, but we can't be
everywhere. This is only until we have apprehended the
gang.'

'I'll do
what I can,' said the bishop. 'But it also depends on what the rest
of the committee agree on. Leave it with me, I'll see what I can
do.'

'Thanks,' said Andersen.

The
Stargas Refinery was chalk and cheese to the mishmash management of
the new cathedral. Like the Cloud Tower, it had dedicated security,
and state of the art technology. They spent time with the security
manager, had a guided tour and went briefly over the internal and
external security procedures. Apart from being advised to be extra
vigilant, the detectives had nothing to recommend. By the time they
had finished and got back to police headquarters, it was time to
call it a day. Andersen had an extra patrol for the cathedral
approved and organised before he went home.