Chapter 39
THIRTY-NINE
Gina parked in front of a newsagent’s shop alongside a busy road.
She dashed out of her car with Jacob close behind, then she glanced at her watch again.
Twenty-two minutes left before Craig’s face went out to the press.
The three-storey building next door with its slightly dilapidated warehouse attached to the right had a sign pointing to the car park around the back but Gina didn’t want Fabien to see them coming.
She glanced at the main space at the front and a Mercedes parked in the space marked up for the managing director.
Fabien’s number plate partially spelled his name. ‘It looks like he’s in.’
Gina watched PC Smith pull in behind her and then another two police cars followed.
It was too late to stay hidden. One glance out of any front-facing window, and Fabien would know they were coming.
She looked at the warehouse, knowing how easy it would be to hide two people in there.
The main house also had a cellar. She could see boxes piled up through the tiny strip of a window below.
‘Head around the back,’ she called to PC Smith, ‘and you two go with him.’ She nodded towards uniformed officers. ‘Make sure you cover the back of the main building and warehouse.’
She then nodded at Jacob, PC Benton and two more officers.
‘Can you all cover the front and side of the buildings?’ She pressed the buzzer and waited with Jacob on the front step.
Two bay windows overlooked the frontage but the rooms seemed empty of life.
Gina spotted a large boardroom table that seemed to be covered in archive boxes and crusty-looking mugs.
The other bay window appeared to be an unsupervised reception with a dead spider plant on the windowsill.
Eventually the intercom system crackled and a girl’s voice came through it. ‘Hello.’
‘Hello, we’re here to see Fabien Stone.’
‘Who are you? He doesn’t have any meetings booked.’
‘Damn,’ Gina whispered under her breath. She had no option but to disclose who she was. ‘I’m DI Harte and I’m with DS Driscoll. We’re from Cleevesford Police. We need to speak to Mr Stone.’
She paused and then spoke. ‘Err, he’s about to go out. Can I get him to call you later?’
‘I’m sorry but this can’t wait.’
‘Who the fuck is on the intercom.’ The loud voice of a man crackled through.
‘Police,’ Gina replied. ‘Hello, hello. He’s hung up on us.’ She pressed the call button again before nearly being swept into the entrance room as Fabien pulled the front door open.
PC Benton ran over to assist. ‘Fabien Stone. I’m arresting you on suspicion of the murder of Kain Pickering and the kidnap of Lindy Pickering.
You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court.
Anything you do say may be given in evidence. ’
Gina went to cuff him. He jabbed her in the jaw with his elbow and crashed past her, knocking her to the ground.
PC Benton and Jacob ran towards the road where Fabien was heading.
A stream of cars stopped him crossing. Jacob tried to tackle the bulky man to the ground but Fabien was built like a truck.
Between Jacob and PC Benton, they just about managed to cuff him.
PC Benton’s hat fell off into the road and she almost stumbled.
Gina opened and closed her mouth a couple of times and prodded her throbbing jaw.
There were no broken bones or loose teeth but her chin ached like mad.
She walked over, taking her time. ‘Fabien Stone. I’m further arresting you on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
’ She glanced up at PC Benton who had now retrieved her hat as a police van pulled up. ‘Take him to the station.’
She and Jacob stood on the roadside as it took another two PCs to get Fabien into the van. He kicked and spat as he seethed and swore at the top of his voice. ‘Let’s get a spit hood on him,’ another PC said as they forced it over his head while trying to avoid his kicking feet.
‘We’ve got our work cut out with this one. He easily has the strength to manoeuvre Kain and hoist up Zavier,’ Gina said to Jacob. He held his arm up and a flap of material hung down where Fabien had ripped his coat.
They watched as the van pulled away, taking Fabien Stone with it.
Gina addressed PC Smith and the officers that were still left. ‘Right, we need to search this building. We’re looking for Lindy, or any sign that she’s been here.’
A girl who looked to be about sixteen came to the door. ‘What’s going on? I’m meant to be leaving to go to the dentist but there’s no one else in the office and Mr Stone won’t be happy if I leave the building empty.’
Gina headed towards her. ‘Mr Stone is under arrest and we need to search the property.’
‘Okay, I best cancel the dentist.’ Her blonde ponytail swished as she turned away to make a phone call. ‘I think I should call my mum, too.’
‘Do you work here?’
‘Yes, I’ve only been here a couple of weeks. I’m an apprentice.’
‘How old are you?’
‘Seventeen.’
Gina let out a sigh. They also had a minor to interview – great.
They’d have to wait for an appropriate adult to be with her before they could conduct an interview.
She called one of the PCs over and she jogged towards Gina.
Keeping the girl safe was also a priority. ‘What’s your name?’ Gina asked her.
‘Keri with an I on the end.’ She bit the inside of her cheek.
‘Keri, could you please stay outside here with PC Stainton until your mum arrives? We’ll need you both to come to the station then. It’s nothing to worry about, okay.’ She hoped she’d reassured the girl.
Keri nodded.
Gina called Jacob to the front door. That’s when she spotted the pale-blue men’s puffer jacket on a hook. ‘There’s a streak of blood on the sleeve of that coat, and it’s fresh.’