Chapter 39
Okay, folks, I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
Another early morning, and Chris Hudson’s murder squad is assembled, in various stages of dishevelment.
Chris has brought in Krispy Kremes from the petrol station garage, and they are doing brisk business.
He goes through what he’d discovered from the Thursday Murder Club, and what Donna had told him about the file, after she’d buzzed on his door at eleven p.m. They’d talked about it over and over, and then watched the first episode of Narcos season two with a bottle of red.
Donna had invited herself over, and Chris had wondered if this was just what constables were like in London these days.
You had to hand it to her, she knew how to make a quick impression.
“Ian Ventham, Tony Curran’s business partner, broke some bad news to Curran less than two hours before the murder.
He was cutting him out of a development that would extend Coopers Chase, a retirement village out near Robertsbridge.
This would have cost Curran a lot of money, and his death has made Ventham even more money.
Over twelve million. The two men were seen having an argument shortly before Curran returned home.
Did he threaten Ventham? Did Ventham decide it was better to be safe than sorry and send someone round?
We know that Curran was killed at three thirty-two last Tuesday, but when did Ventham leave Coopers Chase that day? ”
“Where’s this info from?” asks a young DI, Kate something.
“Sources,” says Chris. “Where are we on traffic cameras, Terry? You’ve got Ventham’s reg number?”
Donna’s phone buzzes, and she looks down at a message.
Good luck at the briefing this morning. Love, Elizabeth x.
Donna shakes her head.
“Got the number, but nothing yet. Still looking,” says DI Terry Hallet, shaven-headed, muscles bulging from underneath a white T-shirt. “There’s a lot of traffic. It’s a fun job.”
“That’s why you get doughnuts, Terry,” says Chris. “Keep it up. And where are we on our other friend in the photograph, Bobby Tanner?”
“They’ve talked to the police in Amsterdam,” says Kate something.
“Bobby was working for some Scousers there after he did a runner. It didn’t end well, as far as we can tell, and no one’s heard of him since.
No records, no bank details, nothing. We’re still asking around, to see if he’s come back under a different name, but it was a long time ago; there’s not many of the old faces left. ”
“It’d be nice to chat to him, rule him out at least. Anyone with anything positive for me?”
A junior detective sergeant puts up her hand. She’s been sent over from Brighton and is eating carrot sticks instead of a doughnut.
“Yes, DS Grant,” says Chris, taking a punt on her name.
“DS Granger,” says DS Granger.
So close, thinks Chris. There are too many officers on this team.
“I’ve been looking at Tony Curran’s phone records. He gets three calls on the morning of the murder, all from the same number, doesn’t pick them up. A mobile, untraceable, probably a burner.”
Chris nods. “Okay, good work, DS Granger. Email me everything you’ve got, and get on to the phone company, in case they can help. I know they won’t, but one of these days they will.”
“Of course, sir,” says DS Granger, and treats herself to a carrot baton.
Donna’s phone buzzes again.
We are having a little Thursday Murder Club road trip, in case there was anything you wanted to pass on?
“Okay, gang, let’s get back to it. Terry, anything from the traffic cams, let me know straightaway.
Kate, can I team you up with DS Granger and see what you can learn about the phone calls?
And keep tracing Bobby Tanner—wherever he is, alive or dead, someone must know.
Anyone who feels they’ve got nothing to do, come and knock at my door and I’ll find something boring for you. One way or another, let’s get Ventham.”
There is a final buzz on Donna’s phone.
PS, my sources saw Chris buying doughnuts this morning. You lucky thing. Also, Joyce says hello xx