‘Maya’s number. Is it in your phone?’
Spence was in too much pain to comprehend the question. He nodded mutely as he clutched his face. Lurch held his hand out without further comment and without question Spence handed him his phone.
‘Code?’ Lurch demanded.
Spence reeled off the six numbers without protest as he tried to stand. A kick to his stomach winded him and sent him sprawling back onto the pavement. Accepting that he was no match in a fight against the big man, Spence instinctively curled into the foetal position. He hoped this would be enough to protect him from the vicious kicks Lurch continued to rain on his body.
As Spence lay lifeless at Lurch’s feet, he pocketed the phone before running towards his parked car. Tears streamed down Lurch’s face as he pulled away and caught a final glimpse of Spence in the rear-view mirror. There was no sign of him moving.
70
Maya’s day had been incredibly busy. She’d spent all her shift at the local high school following an arson there. She arrived back at Beech Field tired, hot and stinking of the fire. She also unwittingly walked a trail of ash from the grooves of her work boots along the corridors of the police station.
It was only once she was sat at the computer with a cold drink, updating her exhibits, that she had a chance to check her phone. She had received a text message from Spence letting her know he had seen his solicitor and that things were looking positive. He had invited her for a drink so they could have a proper catch-up. Her heart had lurched at the sight of his name although she was still uncertain about whether she could trust him. She replied non-committally that she was pleased for him but couldn’t meet for a drink as she was on call, which was a lie. She felt guilty that she was not more engaging.
Dismissing any further thoughts of him, she concentrated on updating her paperwork. She decided to go and see if she could get access to the cleaner’s cupboard, so she could vacuum the mess up off the carpet.
‘I can smell you a mile off and I’m guessing it’s you that’s walked the charred remains of St Patrick’s High School throughout the nick?’ said Jack.
‘Afraid so,’ Maya said with a sheepish grin. ‘Don’t worry, I’m going to clean it up. I’m just going for the vac.’
‘You’ll be lucky. The cleaning cupboard is kept under lock and key. The only way you’re getting in there is with a wham-ram.’
‘Hmm, maybe I’ll just slip a note of apology under the door instead. Hey, I’m glad I’ve seen you. Is it true that Aiden Donnelly is on the missing list?’
Jack frowned. ‘Where did you hear that?’
‘Elaine mentioned it this morning. I assumed it was common knowledge. I thought he was under surveillance.’
‘Well, the budget doesn’t always stretch to twenty-four-hour surveillance. We do the best we can with the resources we’ve got. I’d rather not discuss it,’ he said quite sharply, avoiding eye contact as he spoke.
‘Have I said something out of turn,’ Maya asked, confused by Jack’s guarded reaction.
‘No offence, Maya, but I’d rather not discuss a person of interest with you.’
‘Oh really? And can I ask why?’
‘Let’s just say it’s the company you keep. Like I said, no offence.’ He still wouldn’t look her in the eye.
‘Oh, I see. Like that, is it? Fine. In future I can see no need for us to communicate with each other unless it’s on a strictly professional basis. And personally, I’d rather keep that to a minimum.’ She sniffed derisively before turning away from Jack and storming back to the office. To say she was fuming would be an understatement. There really was no end to the man’s sheer arrogance.
She was suddenly struck yet again with the sickening thought that maybe Spence wasn’t as innocent as he seemed. She could be completely compromising herself by associating with him. She was even more relieved now that she had been vague with him on the phone. Although part of her was desperate to meet him and discuss the situation face to face. How had life suddenly got so complicated?
She found the whole situation so confusing. She was torn between someone who she liked and believed was a genuinely decent person, and a seasoned detective who was clearly good at his job but was renowned for being duplicitous and arrogant. But what if it was Jack who had something to hide? It was common knowledge that someone from within the force was leaking information relating to Operation Chrysalis.
It had to be someone who was close enough to the investigation or who had access to the police computer. And who fit that bill better than Jack Dwyer? He had been late to meet her at Celeste Warren’s because of an urgent phone call. Could he have tipped Wainwright off? Was it coincidental that his transfer to Beech Field occurred around the same time that the latest information was seemingly being leaked to the likes of Donnelly and Nowak? Perhaps he was even responsible for Spence being set up for the McCluskey stabbing.
After all, the exhibits seized from his house had to have been planted by someone in the know. Maya racked her brains to recall the conversations between her and Jack. Had she at any point inadvertently hinted towards her relationship to Naylor? Was he responsible for setting up her early morning wake-up call? He’d been to her flat after all and knew the layout. At that moment, Maya knew she had no facts to support her theories, but one thing she did know was that Jack Dwyer was a loose cannon. He couldn’t be trusted.
Maya grabbed her bag and car keys ready to leave when she collided in the corridor with DI
