The Reaper

at the carton then up at Noble until he shoved the straw in his mouth and proceeded to suck. ‘Mmmm. Delicious.’ Noble finished his drink and handed the carton to Brook. ‘Sir? What’s wrong with Jason doing an appeal?’

Brook paused and thought for a while, the merits of long-life orange juice forgotten. ‘It will cause embarrassment to the Force and whoever organises it, John. I want you to promise me you’ll speak to McMaster and get her to block it.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Promise.’

‘Tell me why.’

Brook paused. ‘I think Jason was involved in the murder of Annie Sewell.’

Noble raised an eyebrow. ‘Annie Sewell?’

‘The old woman in the sheltered housing.’

‘You’re joking?’

‘There were traces of cocaine in Jason’s system. There was cocaine in Annie Sewell’s flat. She was forced to take some before she was killed.’

‘How do you know that?’

‘I sneaked a look at her autopsy.’

‘That’s Inspector Greatorix’s case.’

‘So what? He wasn’t interested in it. Has he made an arrest?’

‘It could be anyone. A burglary gone wrong…’

‘It was a contract killing.’

‘What? Who’d put out a contract on an old woman like that?’

‘Good question.’

‘Are you saying Jason was paid to kill Annie Sewell then stole drugs and money from her?’

‘He stole nothing. The tablets and cash were his payment.’

‘Someone hired him?’

‘Not Jason directly. I suspect his participation was a mistake. He was supposed to be at home, remember. One of his lowlife friends probably asked him along for the ride.’

‘Why, for Christ’s sake? Who’d put a price on a harmless old girl’s head?’

Brook paused, aware of the effect his words would have. ‘The Reaper.’

‘The Reaper? What would The Reaper want with Annie Sewell? It doesn’t make sense.’

‘It only makes sense if it is The Reaper. Think about it, John. Two sets of murders in one night. In Derby! The first, Annie Sewell, takes Bob Greatorix away because he’s on duty. I’m on call so the Wallis case falls into my lap. Coincidence? I don’t think so. But there’s one screw-up. Whoever The Reaper hires to kill Annie takes Jason along to help, when he should be at home eating drugged pizza and getting his throat cut. You see?’

‘So killing Annie Sewell saved his life.’

‘Ironic, isn’t it?’

Noble was silent for a moment, casting his eyes around, trying to find an objection. ‘Why not just kill the Wallis family on a night you are on duty?’

‘You’ve got me there, John. But I think her death serves some other purpose. I think she was punished for something-some skeleton in her cupboard. Like the others.’

‘What exactly?’

‘No idea.’

‘I don’t buy it. And even if I did, you’re saying whoever had Annie Sewell killed, had a thorough knowledge of our duty roster.’

‘Mmmm,’ nodded Brook. ‘Interesting, eh? But not too hard. What with all the leaks we had last year on the Plummer rape, and Brian Burton spilling the beans on the Wallis deaths.’

‘Can you prove any of this?’

‘I could do, given time.’

‘That’s why you asked about forensics on Jason’s clothes?’

‘Right. If he was involved there might be fibres or hair samples on them.’

‘And if not?’

‘There’s the cocaine. Have it analysed. If both samples are the same purity it might be enough to have him in and lean on him. But he’s a cool customer. He wouldn’t crack. We’d need more.’

‘You think he’s a killer yet you don’t sound too bothered he’s still out there.’

‘It’s essential, John. We can’t arrest him. Greatorix thinks he’s in the clear…’

‘I don’t believe it…’

‘It’s not professional jealousy. You should know me better than that. He could have the collar if I was sure he’d put Jason away for a lot of years. But he wouldn’t.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Suppose Jason’s clothes are clean and you tell Greatorix about the cocaine. He hauls Jason in but he toughs it out. What do you think Bob would do, given there were multiple assailants?’

Noble thought for a second, running his tongue over his bottom lip. He eyed Brook with a quizzical look. ‘Offer him a deal?’

‘Exactly. Possible reduced sentence, maybe even immunity, for putting his friends in the frame. Which stinks, you’ll agree. No, Jason deserves what’s coming to him. So he’s best left for the moment. Wait for Forensics. He’s under virtual house arrest as it is, afraid to go out, afraid to sleep with the light off. The Reaper’s out there, remember, waiting to finish the job.’

When Noble had left, Brook gathered a few things for his own journey. Finally he descended the cellar steps to retrieve the folder from where he’d taken the necklace belonging to Laura Maples. He debated whether to put it back in but decided to keep it handy. Then he emptied out all the papers to get at the remaining artefact, small and slim and tightly wrapped in clear plastic. Without disturbing the plastic shroud, Brook placed it in his breast pocket and returned to the flat upstairs.

Brook finished dialling Noble’s mobile and returned his eyes to the white lines of the M1 flashing past him in the dark.

‘Hello.’ The voice sounded weary and under huge strain.

‘Charlie. It’s me.’

‘Brooky!’ There was a pause. ‘I haven’t much time…’

‘I know. I’m coming tonight.’

There was a noise of muffled emotion from the other end.

‘Bless you, Damen. You’ve always been…I didn’t want to be alone.’

There was silence for a moment then Brook said. ‘Leeds was a washout. Telfer’s flat’s been bulldozed.’

No reply from Rowlands so Brook rang off. He didn’t want to miss the call from Noble. Not that he needed it. It all fitted together now. Not for a court of law perhaps, but that was never the final destination in Brook’s mind-or The Reaper’s.

He thought of Terri for the first time since he’d seen her on the pier. Fathers and daughters. The things they do to each other. And yet the things they do for each other. He thought of Tamara Wrigley and what she’d done for her father.

What had Laura Maples done for hers? And Kylie Wallis? Fathers and daughters-a love that burned at both ends. Until girls became women. If they lived that long.

Half an hour later Noble’s mobile rendered its tinny version of Volare. It was the owner. Brook listened. ‘When did Telfer move to Leeds, John?’ He nodded. ‘And what about Petr Sorenson? Well, keep trying. Anything else? I’m sorry to hear that. Did you tell McMaster I was against it? I see. As a friend, my advice is to be elsewhere. You don’t want to be sat next to Jason when they’re filming it. Find a way, John. It’ll be played again and again if the shit hits the fan.’