Vanishing Point Read online

  Adamson straightened his thick, dark burgundy tie as he cleared his throat, allowing the tension in the room to build. The air soon became electric as the team waited for Adamson to speak.

  Eventually he nodded, acutely aware that he had them. ‘The assailant knew exactly what they were doing when they cut her – otherwise Simone Henderson would already be dead. The incision that was made across her abdomen was carried out by a skilled hand. The knife missed the inferior and superior vena cava which saved her life as these branch out into the femoral artery and vein. If he’d cut any of these major vessels then she would have bled to death in a matter of seconds. The heart pumps about eight litres a minute and given the average adult roughly has four to five litres … well I’m sure you can do the maths. The question we need to ask is why did they want to risk her being found alive?’

  Brady was too aware that the room was silent, a few heads shaking. The same thought would be going through everyone’s mind – that even though Simone Henderson was found alive, she’d been left in a condition which guaranteed she would never talk. These were hardened officers used to dealing with the worst possible crime. But this was different. This was one of their own.

  ‘We know from the forensic evidence that …’ Adamson cleared his throat as he looked back at the gruesome images ‘… that Simone was attacked at another location and then dumped in the toilets.’

  Adamson shook his head at the gravity of the attack but Brady couldn’t help but get the feeling that he was loving every minute of this. All eyes on him. Everyone waiting for his next word.

  ‘You can see that her left breast was also burnt during the attack. And the word ‘PIG’ slashed across the other breast. We’ve run the image through our national database but no matches have come back.’

  Brady looked at the image of Simone’s burnt left breast. He could make out the raised mark of the letter ‘N’ that had been burnt deep into the flesh.

  Two victims on the same night. Both branded; flesh burnt. Both found yards away from one another. One in a nightclub, savagely cut up, and another headless, washed up on a beach. But even Brady had to admit to himself that the burnt ‘N’ on Simone’s breast bore no similarity to the branding of the scorpion and the letters ‘MD’ found on the murder victim.

  ‘We know from the nightclub’s security tape that Simone was with two men,’ Adamson paused and pointed to the whiteboard. ‘This is the best image we have of them. As you can see, there’s not a lot to go on. But we’re hoping that the bar staff who were on duty last night will be able to help us with a photofit.’

  Brady looked at the grainy freeze-framed images. Adamson was right, all you could make out was that they were both dark with short hair. Nothing more. Brady had replayed the scene of Simone with the two men over and over again in his head but he still couldn’t come up with anything that would be of any use. His problem was that he hadn’t seen their faces – they had both had their backs to him. If he had, then he would have had no qualms in sharing it with the investigating team, despite Adamson.

  Nothing had been mentioned of Brady’s presence in the nightclub. He would have known by now if they had caught him on the club’s surveillance camera. But Brady had come in through the back door of the club used by Madley and his men. Brady knew there was no camera covering that door. Madley was too clever for that. He ran his affairs from his first floor office above the nightclub and liked the assurance that he could come and go unnoticed. And that included his business associates. The last thing they or Madley wanted was footage that could fall into the wrong hands – especially the police’s.

  It was from there that he had spotted Simone standing at the bar with the two men. She had turned and caught his eye and in that one look had said enough. So he had left. The only person who had known he had been there was Simone. And now she was … Brady couldn’t bring himself to think about the consequences of him turning and discreetly leaving.

  ‘Simone left at approximately 1am and then two hours later we get a tip-off call from an unregistered mobile to say she’s been attacked and left in the gents’ at the Blue Lagoon …’

  Brady looked at Adamson.

  Adamson paused. For effect. Brady was sure of that.

  Brady narrowed his dark brown eyes as he watched Adamson, knowing what was coming next.

  ‘The very same nightclub owned by Martin Madley. A local businessman who, we have been led to believe from certain sources, is connected to drug dealing. But as of yet, this is something we haven’t been able to prove. Whether Simone’s attack has anything to do with Madley is something we have yet to determine.’

  Brady was certain that Madley had nothing to do with Simone’s attack. This wasn’t his style. In all the years he had known Madley he had never hurt a woman, let alone a copper. Aside from that, he was too clever to leave one of his victims in his own nightclub. Brady couldn’t figure it out. All he knew was that his gut feeling was telling him that Madley had been set up. Someone was sending him a very clear message. But who and why were questions that only Madley could answer.

  ‘We have already taken a statement from Martin Madley and he has a watertight alibi proving that he was nowhere near his nightclub last night.’

  Brady looked at Adamson’s expression which clearly showed that he didn’t believe Madley.

  ‘We also have Simone’s blood results back and there are strong traces of Rohypnol. Whoever did this to Simone knew exactly what they had in mind.’

  Rohypnol was effective at wiping the victim’s memory and removing their inhibitions. Brady had dealt with numerous rapes where the victim’s only memory was of drinking in a pub or nightclub and then coming to the next morning, completely unaware of what had happened over the past four to even twenty-four hours.

  ‘It’s crucial we find the identity of the caller,’ Adamson continued. ‘We’re releasing the tape at the press conference later and seeing what results we get. Hopefully, someone will recognise the caller’s voice.’

  Brady watched as Adamson caught Amelia’s eye. Brady couldn’t help but notice that something passed between them.

  ‘This is all we have to go on,’ Adamson said. ‘But someone out there will know him.’ He turned to press play on the emergency call.

  ‘A female police officer is locked in the gents’ toilets in the Blue Lagoon nightclub … If you don’t get there in the next few minutes she will bleed to death.’ The voice was low and muffled, as if the caller was holding a gloved hand over his mouth. But there was no question that there were traces of an accent; a Geordie accent.

  ‘Sir? Can you elaborate? Can you give us your name and address? Sir?’ The phone line clicked dead.

  Brady inwardly recoiled. He clenched his hands as he steadied himself.

  No … It can’t be …

  He could feel himself starting to sweat as his mind raced.

  It’s not possible …

  Brady closed his eyes as he tried to block out what he was thinking.

  The voice, despite being distorted, sounded like someone from his past. Someone who had been very close to him. Brady quickly discounted the possibility as being too incredible.

  It was just a distorted Geordie male voice. One that no doubt sounded like any number of men in the North East.

  He breathed out and opened his eyes, only to meet Amelia’s inquisitive look.

  He quickly composed himself and focused on Adamson.

  ‘We’ve gone through the surveillance footage in the Blue Lagoon from the point that she left with the two men she was seen with, up until when she was discovered attacked in the nightclub. But how she ended up in the gents’ is beyond us. There’s nothing on the security tapes. Forensics are currently examining the toilets to see whether it was possible that she was brought back in through the window in there which faces out on to the back of the premises.’

  Adamson stopped and looked around.

  ‘All we have to go on is the anonymous caller and these two men seen
with Simone two hours before she was discovered. It’s crucial we find these men and the male caller. As you can see, we’ve got our work cut out. But it’s our job to find out who did this to her and why.’

  The room bristled with agitation. Everyone more than eager to get started.

  ‘Thank you, DI Adamson,’ said Gates, resuming command. He stood and deliberated as he looked around the tense room. ‘I don’t need to add that this isn’t just any ordinary investigation. I’m sure there’s a lot of you here who remember Simone for the hardworking, capable officer—’

  Suddenly Gates’ voice stopped. Something or someone had caught his attention.

  Gates’ dark brown eyes were now unnervingly fixed on Brady. They belied the cold, detached intelligence of a man who would never allow himself to be compromised.

  Brady waited for Gates to address him. He was dressed in his typical black uniform with gold braid, as befitted a man of his rank. Brady looked at the heavily etched lines on Gates’ hard face; a testimony to his dedication to the job. His skin was covered in harsh, pitted acne scars, some partially hidden by a permanent five o’clock shadow, but there all the same. Irritably Gates pulled the cuffs of his expensive white shirt down past his black uniform as he glared at Brady.

  ‘Can I help you, Jack?’

  Brady tensed. He now realised that he had made a mistake coming in. What had he been looking for? He didn’t know. But the last thing he wanted was disapproving glances from colleagues who had heard the rumours about his relationship with the victim.

  But worse than that, he was certain he had recognised the caller’s voice, despite the attempt at disguising it. He cleared his throat, aware that the entire room was watching him.

  ‘I was just waiting until the briefing ended so I could have a word, sir,’ Brady answered, inwardly cursing.

  ‘My office in ten minutes.’

  ‘Yes, sir,’ Brady answered.

  ‘If that’s all, you can leave,’ Gates ordered. ‘I’m sure you’ve got enough work to do.’

  Brady caught the mocking stare of DI Robert Adamson who was clearly enjoying his downfall. Brady held his breath as Gates shot him a cold, penetrating glare before he turned to Adamson and quietly muttered something. Adamson nodded in response as he shot Brady a dismissive look.

  Brady turned and left the room, feeling more certain than ever that his career was shot to hell.

  More so, if he was right about the identity of the caller.

  Chapter Eight

  Brady walked downstairs and careered straight into DS Tom Harvey.

  ‘Bloody hell, Jack! You look like shit,’ Harvey confided.

  Brady just looked at him. He didn’t need Harvey pointing out the obvious.

  ‘Are you OK? What with …’ Harvey mumbled, realising that he’d obviously heard.

  Brady nodded as he ran his right hand through his hair. He was trying his best to keep his head together. ‘Yeah,’ he muttered. ‘Just … you know? It’s hard to believe that anyone would want to … to hurt her like that …’

  Harvey simply nodded, at a loss for what to say.

  Brady had known Harvey for years. They went way back to the early days where they both had worked long hard shifts followed by equally long sessions over too many pints. Harvey was a good copper and a long-standing friend. And most importantly, he was someone Brady could trust.

  Brady had gone on to get promoted to DI whereas Harvey had stayed as a DS. The fact that Brady was now his boss had never come between them. Harvey was more than happy with his role and had no intention of furthering his career. He liked the job too much to get involved with the politics that came naturally with a more senior role. Not that Brady could blame him. If Brady had known how the politics of the role got in the way of the job itself, he wasn’t so sure that he would have ever taken on the role of DI.

  Brady shook his head as he met Harvey’s eyes. ‘The worst thing is I wouldn’t trust Adamson to wipe his own arse never mind head something as crucial as this …’

  ‘I know,’ agreed Harvey. ‘He’s one fuck-up if ever I’ve met one. He’ll screw up big-time, Jack. Just wait.’

  ‘The problem is I don’t want to be proved right about him with this case. Christ, this is Simone we’re talking about.’

  ‘I know …’ Harvey mumbled awkwardly.

  Brady looked at Harvey, realising he wasn’t the only one who had been deeply affected by what had happened to her.

  ‘There’s nothing we can do, Jack. How about we get started on this investigation and leave Adamson and his team to find out who’s responsible for attacking Simone?’

  Brady’s mute reaction told Harvey he didn’t agree.

  ‘Jack?’ warned Harvey, recognising the look on his face. ‘Leave it, will you?’

  ‘Tell the others I want to hold a briefing at 1pm, will you?’ ordered Brady, changing the subject.

  Brady needed time before the briefing. He had too many questions that needed answering first.

  ‘Where?’ asked Harvey.

  ‘I’ll tell you that after I’ve talked to Gates. I need to see what kind of resources he’s allocating us, which includes where we can set up the Incident Room.’

  Harvey nodded, relieved that Brady was now thinking about the murder investigation.

  ‘And, Tom? I want a list of every girl that’s been reported missing over the past year between the age of sixteen and thirty.’

  ‘Why the past year and not more recent reports?’ Harvey asked, puzzled.

  ‘Just trust me, will you?’ replied Brady. ‘And make it a national search. I have a feeling that this is bigger than the North East.’

  ‘You seriously want us to search through all that data?’

  ‘That’s what I said,’ answered Brady. ‘And given the fact I want that information ready for the briefing you better get a move on.’

  ‘You’re the boss,’ accepted Harvey as he turned and started to make his way up the stairs to the first-floor computer room. He turned and looked back at Brady. ‘Despite the fact I think Adamson’s a fool he will get whoever did this to Simone.’

  Brady looked as unconvinced as Harvey sounded.

  ‘Look, regardless of Adamson, his team will,’ Harvey continued. ‘I know most of them and I can guarantee that not one of them will rest until they catch whoever’s responsible. And when they do, God help him!’

  Brady didn’t argue with Harvey.

  The last thing he was going to do was tell Harvey that he would be making enquiries of his own into who could have done this to her. And he was certain he’d get to the bastard responsible before Adamson got even close.

  *

  ‘What do you think you are playing at?’ demanded Gates as he sat down.

  ‘Sir?’ Brady asked.

  His boss’s attitude came as no surprise. He’d been expecting to get it in the neck.

  ‘Walking into that briefing when you did.’

  ‘I didn’t realise that it was off-bounds, sir.’

  ‘Christ, Jack, do I have to spell it out for you?’

  Brady didn’t answer.

  ‘Don’t mess with me,’ warned Gates.

  He sighed heavily as he deliberated what to say next. Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his desk and clasped his hands together as he looked Brady in the eye.

  ‘Look, I understand this must be difficult for you,’ Gates said, choosing his words carefully. ‘It’s hard enough for the rest of us.’

  Brady didn’t reply.

  ‘But I want to make myself perfectly clear. You are to go nowhere near this investigation. Understand?’

  ‘Yes, sir,’ replied Brady coolly.

  ‘DI Adamson is in charge of the Henderson investigation. You have your own investigation to deal with and I can’t have you compromising that because you’re not giving it your undivided attention.’

  Brady watched as the DCI sat back in his chair. He looked agitated and Brady knew the reason why. Gates didn’t trust him not to get
involved.

  ‘You’ve got your usual team; I wish I could give you more but unfortunately that’s all I can offer you under the circumstances.’

  Brady nodded. He expected as much. But he was relieved that at least he had his old team. They were good, but whether they could pull off this investigation with such limited resources was highly questionable.

  ‘And you can have Room 201 on the second floor as an Incident Room. It’s one of the largest on that floor.’

  Brady made the mistake of slightly reacting to the demotion. Ordinarily a murder investigation such as this one would have been given priority and the large room on the first floor would have been used. But that had been assigned to Adamson. And under the circumstances, Brady couldn’t object. He of all people wanted Simone’s attackers found and if that meant Adamson being assigned the best room and resources available so be it.

  ‘If I had my way I would have offloaded this murder investigation onto another area command. We’re already stretched as it is with Henderson’s attack. But no one wants to touch it. And I can’t say I blame them considering how little we have to go on. Who wants to have an unsolved murder case on their books affecting their damned targets?’

  Gates was making it perfectly clear that he expected Brady to deliver on the case. Brady refrained from stating the obvious – that his boss was asking the impossible.

  ‘So far we have the best target record this year. Don’t blow it!’

  ‘Yes, sir,’ replied Brady dutifully, not feeling that optimistic.

  Gates looked at Brady expectantly. ‘Well, Detective Inspector? What are you waiting for? From where I’m sitting you’ve got a lot of work cut out for you.’

  Brady stood up.

  ‘And just to be totally clear, Adamson’s investigation is off limits,’ the DCI repeated.

  ‘Yes, sir,’ replied Brady before heading for the door.