Jack wandered out and headed to the boardroom. He was just about to enter when the door opened and the team came out in dribs and drabs. He waited until Laura emerged and she immediately rolled her eyes at him.
‘You are really in for it; you were supposed to be back here by mid-morning, and no one seemed to know where you were. I covered for you and said I knew you were going to Wandsworth Prison, but...’
She stopped as DCI Clarke appeared behind her.
‘DS Warr. A few words. Now.’
Jack followed him back into the boardroom and closed the door. ‘Sorry to have missed the meeting... I got held up at the prison, then had the appointment with Middleton’s psychiatrist. I did make a note of my whereabouts and will make out my detailed report straightaway.’
Clarke frowned. ‘You seem to be conducting your own investigation, DS Warr. You were allocated to oversee the forthcoming trial which, until my arrival, had simply been an arrest with the suspect pleading guilty at the magistrates’ court. So why — after my discussion with you yesterday — are you giving priority to these meetings?’
‘I just felt we had not got enough on Middleton’s psychiatric background. On a previous occasion he has committed a similar offence and was put on probation due to mental health issues.’
‘Yes, and...?’ There was a deep note of scepticism in Clarke’s voice.
‘I felt it was important to interview his psychiatrists. In his case, at two different clinics.’
‘So, what did you gain from these interviews?’
‘Middleton did not attend all his appointments and refused to take his medication. Both National Health clinics and his GP were concerned about his mental state.’
‘So, having had these meetings what is your conclusion?’
‘I think this young man is very dangerous. If he succeeds in avoiding a custodial sentence yet again, I think he is a great risk. He is prone to violence and appears to prefer very young girls.’
Clarke looked up sharply, frowning. ‘There has been no previous reference to this.’
‘I know that, sir. But Rodney’s father said his son had been told to leave their home as he had been over-familiar with the two little girls. I also interviewed his girlfriend. She has been with him since she was a twelve-year-old runaway, and she inferred that he had picked up other young girls as well. Perhaps I’m being over diligent in my investigation, sir, but to me there are alarm bells—’
Clarke interrupted him, waving his hand. ‘Never mind the dramatics, DS Warr. If I understand correctly, your concerns are that Middleton might yet again avoid a custodial sentence due to his medical history.’
‘Yes, sir, and that he may well go on to commit murder. In fact, he may have already done so. This is the reason I would like to get a search warrant for his basement flat. From the case file it appears to me that although a uniformed officer did actually do a search of the flat, it was not thorough. They weren’t looking for any blood or other weapons as Middleton handed a knife over to them after assaulting the newsagent.’
Clarke nodded then glanced at his watch and gave Jack a long, cold stare.
‘Right, I want a detailed report of the interviews you conducted today. I seriously hope you’re not embroidering the facts of this case. I will need to consider everything before I give you the green light to continue your investigation. I understand your concerns regarding Amanda Dunn, and I’m confident that the right department is now handling the situation. I also need to know every officer’s whereabouts at all times so make sure you and your team’s daily duties are recorded on CRIS. That’s all for now, sergeant.’
Jack watched him walk out and sat back to finish his cold coffee. He drained the takeaway cup and tossed it into the bin.
He missed Ridley.
Chapter Four
Jack worked on his reports for most of the afternoon. With Clarke’s demand for detailed feedback, the entire team seemed to be glued to their laptops, and the clerical staff were endlessly typing and printing.
Laura had found some more information about the fire at the Middletons’ family home, but nothing significant. Jack took a break at 5 p.m. and went up to the canteen, getting another coffee and a ham and cheese toasty. Laura was just leaving when she stopped by his table.
‘You heard anything more about Ridley?’ she asked.
‘No, have you?’
‘No, it’s very strange, isn’t it? I did ask an old mate of mine over at the Yard and she said she hadn’t been told anything. He must be ill, don’t you think?’
Jack didn’t want to get into a conversation about going to visit Ridley, so he just shrugged and continued eating.
‘I’ve just handed in my report. I really hope that tomorrow I can get onto something more interesting. It’s strange, isn’t it, not much going on but DCI Clarke is so intent on clearing up outstanding stuff that we’re all typing our fingers red raw! Good night then.’ She laughed, leaving Jack to finish his sandwich.
Any time now the night shift would be coming on duty and Jack wanted to get a bit more work done without interruption. He called home and told Penny that he might be late, and to tell Maggie not to worry about his dinner. She said she would leave some stew and he could just heat it up when he got back. He hung up, realising he’d forgotten to ask about Hannah, and thinking again how fortunate they were to have his mother caring for her.
Jack returned to his desk where stacks of files were waiting for him. The young female detective was just leaving him some notes, then turned to him with a smile.
‘Hello, I was just off home. I’ve made a bit of progress on the girl, Amanda Dunn. She was reported missing about five years ago. But social services said they had contacted her mother and there was no need for any further enquiry. Another poor kid that fell through the cracks. They also said they’ve been recently contacted by a Mrs Thornton at a hostel in Shepherd’s Bush, as Amanda was staying there. Mrs Thornton said they had contacted Amanda’s mother, who said she could not afford to come to London as Amanda’s father was no longer living with her and she was with another man who had never even met her daughter.’
‘Christ! She’s still only seventeen years old!’ Jack exclaimed.
‘I thought it was a bit strange, so I did a bit more checking into the family. Mrs Dunn had another child younger than Amanda, who is now deceased. She had two other children: one had been taken into foster care and the other is still living with her. I got on to Social Services in Liverpool again and it seems the Dunn family have quite a history. William Dunn, Amanda’s dad, was charged with domestic abuse five years ago, and Mrs Dunn had a restraining order taken out against him. He subsequently breached the order and was arrested...’
Jack held up his hand to slow her down as he jotted down some notes.
‘Go on...’
The officer leaned across to hand him her typed notes. ‘It’s all here, sarge. Apparently Dunn was also accused of molesting Amanda, by her mother, but it never went through the court as Mrs Dunn failed to turn up for the hearing. I would say that was around the time Amanda ran away. There was at some point a considerable amount of effort by the police and press to trace Amanda, but Mrs Dunn didn’t report her as missing and was uncooperative. She stated that she knew she would be with relatives. It beggars belief really.’
‘Thanks, this is just what I needed. I’m sorry, I don’t know your name?’
‘Sara. I think Tony, the other officer, is still working on getting the probation reports, as well as details from the fire brigade. So much isn’t in the files. Tony said it was hard going getting through to all the different departments, but he should have some contacts for you in the morning.’