Chapter 76
Chapter 76
‘These two men hold the key to finding out what happened to Naomi Watson and Mia Davies.’
Helen placed a mugshot of Graham Armstrong next to the photo of David Reynolds that was already fixed to the board. The team had returned to base to hear the latest developments, all that is except DC Jennings and DC Reid, who had apparently gone rogue, busting heads on an industrial estate across town in pursuit of the Freemantle shooters. This blatant act of rebellion made Helen’s blood boil, but she couldn’t afford to let herself get distracted by it now. Every second counted in the hunt for the missing girls.
‘Having thought that Naomi’s abductor was a lone wolf, it’s now my belief that David Reynolds is part of a wider paedophile network. If we can break Reynolds, if we can locate Armstrong, then I think we find Naomi and Mia.’
‘We’re sure we can make that link based on a bank note alone?’ DC Malik queried. ‘Jackie Reynolds could have got it out of a cashpoint; we can’t prove that it was payment from Armstrong.’
‘Not yet ,’ Helen counselled. ‘But to me the coincidence of the connection is too great to overlook. I spoke to Armstrong’s probation officer earlier, turns out he’s been off grid for upwards of a year, no contact at all. We can assume, I think, that’s he’s not honouring the terms of his licence in any way and that he’s gone underground for a reason. PC Reynolds is a different animal, he prefers hiding in plain sight, but I believe he has a secret side too, a secret life that’s entirely concealed from the world around him – his colleagues, his neighbours, perhaps even his wife too.’
‘As evidenced by his manipulation of Malcolm Cartwright,’ Charlie overlapped, sticking a picture of the blue Mazda 5 on the board just beneath Reynolds’ picture.
‘Could Cartwright be in on it too?’ DC Edwards asked. ‘Is he an offender?’
‘We don’t think so,’ Charlie replied quickly. ‘There’s no history of criminality and no evidence that he has an online life. There’s no internet connection at his house and his phone is from the ark, so for now we’re saying he’s just a gullible stooge.’
‘Obviously Meredith and her team are poring over the impounded Mazda now, to see if there’s any forensic link to Naomi Watson. In the meantime, we need to pin down the Mazda’s movements on the night she was abducted. DC McAndrew?’
The loyal officer stepped forward, taking her place in front of the team.
‘The traffic cams at the tunnel exit show the Mazda leaving the tunnel at 9.51 p.m. Impossible to see who’s in it because of the angle, but we do pick it up again later. I’ve sent a couple of officers out to do a major CCTV trawl, as we’re really just getting to grips with this, but currently we have two more shots of the vehicle. First on Marine Parade, and then again on Chapel Road. After that, nothing until it reappears the following day on Endle Street on its way back to Malcolm Cartwright’s house in Itchen.’
‘So we’re saying he stashed it in Midanbury for the night?’ DC Wilson suggested. ‘That that’s where Naomi is being held?’
‘That’s certainly a strong possibility,’ Helen concurred. ‘That she, and maybe Mia too, have been imprisoned in the eastern part of the city. That obviously doesn’t narrow it down very much, but I’ve asked uniform to do a sweep of that area, looking for any locations that might fit the bill. If I’m right that Armstrong is involved, that there is a wider global audience for Reynolds’ horrific crimes, then that suggests to me that he needs a discreet base, away from heavily residential areas perhaps, with a decent internet connection, electricity and so forth. So it’s not going to be somewhere totally derelict, nor some shack on waste ground. Perhaps a building that’s awaiting renovation, or due to be sold.’
‘Or some tasteful suburban semi with a bloody dungeon,’ DC McAndrew offered bitterly.
‘Possibly, but Reynolds is very careful, very cautious, and I think he’d be wary of any location where the girls might be heard. DC Edwards, I’d like you to take point on this, please, running the rule over possible locations and liaising with our colleagues in uniform.’
‘Of course, boss.’
Nodding her thanks, Helen was about to continue when the door banged open. Looking up, Helen saw DC Jennings and DC Reid strolling towards them, oozing self-satisfaction. On her ride back to Southampton Central, the news had broken that the pair had scrambled tactical support to an industrial estate in Townhill Park, unearthing a drugs factory and the two Main Street members who Brent Mason alleged were responsible for the Freemantle shooting. No wonder Jennings and his sidekick looked pleased as punch.
‘Ah, DCs Jennings and Reid. How nice of you to join us.’
Jennings nodded, but said nothing, his eyes sparkling and shrewd.
‘If you could perhaps apologize to the rest of the team, then we can get on?’
‘Apologize?’ Jennings blurted, confused and wrong-footed.
‘The team summons was not a request. It was an order. You’ve shown considerable disrespect to myself, DS Brooks and the rest of the team by electing to ignore it. I think we all deserve an apology, don’t you?’
‘But you know where I’ve been, what we’ve achieved,’ he pushed back, bristling.
‘Yes, you’ve been out playing cops and robbers.’
‘I’ve been out doing proper policework,’ Jennings fired back. ‘Catching dangerous criminals, busting drug rings, pulling in street gear that’s worth more than half a million quid.’
Helen broke into a smile, giving him a sarcastic round of applause.
‘And I bet the Chief Super is thrilled. It’ll play well with the press for sure. And who knows, you might even get a little medal for it.’
Jennings glared at her, enraged by her mocking tone.
‘But I’m not impressed,’ Helen continued, stern. ‘And neither is DS Brooks. When a superior officer gives you a direct order, I expect you to follow it.’
‘Even if those orders are wrong-headed, misguided?’ Jennings countered aggressively.
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘This whole unit is back to front,’ Jennings continued, un-deterred. ‘It’s priorities all wrong. I’ve said it from the off and I know half the officers here agree with me. The senior leadership team need to take a long hard look at themselves. Or step aside and make way for those who know how to run a Major Incident Team.’
It was so preposterous, so jumped up, that Helen could have laughed. But it was a serious challenge to her authority, however, and had to be dealt with.
‘Well, I’m certainly impressed by your ambition. Perhaps you moved to this station, this unit, specifically to shake it up?’
‘That’s about the size of it,’ Jennings replied, standing taller.
‘Well, that’s odd because I had a private word with your old boss last night. DI Bentham, down in Dorset. Turns out the reason he gave you such a good testimonial, the reason he bigged you up so much, was that he was desperate to get rid of you.’
Jennings glared at Helen, suddenly looking less cocksure.
‘Apparently when you worked for him, you were … now, let me get this right … yes, you were “lazy, arrogant and entitled”. Those were his exact words. Good to see things have changed, DC Jennings.’
‘You’ve got no right to talk to me like that.’
‘I’ve got every right,’ Helen cut in angrily. ‘You’ve been nothing but trouble since the moment you got here. Ducking your responsibilities, resisting authority, taking credit for other people’s work. But it stops today, otherwise you’re out. Is that clear?’
He stared at her, his eyes blazing, but he said nothing.
‘I said, is that clear?’ Helen continued, raising her voice still further.
Reluctantly, Jennings shrugged, backing down.
‘DC Reid?’
‘Ready and willing to serve, ma’am. And apologies for earlier, apologies to you all …’ he piped nervously.
‘Well then, let’s see if we can make use of you. DC Reid, you can assist DC Edwards, and as for you, DC Jennings, I’ve got a special task that will suit you down to the ground: Graham Armstrong, retired firefighter and known paedophile. I’d like you to find him for me, before the day’s out, please.’
‘On my own?’
‘I’m sure an officer of your unquestionable gifts won’t find it a problem. The rest of you will accompany DS Brooks to the Reynolds’ residence to assist with his arrest and the subsequent search operation. So, game faces on please. We’ve been too cautious, too respectful up until this point, now it’s time to get serious. It’s time to shake the tree.’