‘Is he with Rodney Middleton’s lawyer? I really need to speak to him. That fucker cannot make bail.’
‘Detective Sergeant Warr, please mind your language,’ Miss Bamford said in an offended tone. ‘I am representing Mr Middleton, as his lawyer isn’t available. Mr Middleton isn’t appearing here today and is still at Brixton. His trial will not take place for another month, perhaps even longer.’
Jack ignored her and went off to try and track down Clarke. He headed towards the area where there were small interview rooms for lawyers and their clients, knocking and then peering into one room after another.
He was just turning back when Anik came down the corridor towards him.
‘That was well out of order, Jack. You were very rude to Miss Bamford, not to mention the fact that you interrupted our conversation. If you’d had the manners to wait until she had finished speaking, she would have told you that Middleton has been granted bail, pending a court appearance and probationary appointments. He’ll be released either later today or tomorrow morning’.
Jack wanted to hurl his briefcase at him he was so angry, but Anik stepped aside as DCI Clarke approached.
‘Morning, sir,’ Anik said. ‘I’m due in Court any minute. I did have words with Miss Bamford who’s a barrister in the same chambers as Colin Marshall. He’s a junior legal aid lawyer and she’s acting for him whilst he’s off sick.’
Jack was leaning against the wall gripping his briefcase with both hands. DCI Clarke listened, tight lipped, and glanced at his watch. He then looked at Jack.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘I really need to talk to you. It’s urgent.’
Clarke turned as two people walked out of one of the interview rooms. He gestured to Jack.
‘Right, we have ten minutes before I have to go into court.’
Clarke shut the door behind them, as Jack stood by the small interview table. He took a deep breath and outlined, as briefly as he could, his suspicions regarding Rodney Middleton. He explained about his meeting with Amanda Dunn and her identification of three missing girls. Clarke remained expressionless, glancing at his watch. He waited until Jack had finished telling him about his meetings with the firefighter and probation officer, then he pinched his nose and frowned.
‘You have been very diligent, Jack. I agree that this new development, alongside your misgivings about Middleton being granted bail, is serious. However, that is now out of our hands. The harsh reality is that you have found no real evidence to back up your theory that something criminal happened in Middleton’s flat.’ He held his hand up before Jack could protest. ‘But before you interrupt, I agree to a search warrant relating to the missing girls. Get over to the magistrates’ court and they’ll sign it this morning for you.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
Clarke turned to the door, then paused. ‘In future, detective, please dress appropriately when you attend court, whether or not you’re making an appearance. Your tie is halfway round your neck. And you need a shave and a haircut!’
Jack sighed as Clarke walked out. He had been so eager to make an early start that he had not shaved or combed his hair. He adjusted his tie and hurried out to the car park.
By the time he returned to the station, having been granted a search warrant at the magistrates’ court, Sara had contacted Jamail’s family. She hadn’t been able to speak to Mrs Brown, and Mr Brown was in prison, but his brother had finally agreed to talk to her.
‘All he could recall was that Jamail’s father used to bring her gifts from abroad. A beaded necklace and some earrings, but he could not recall any silver bracelet. On the off chance, I looked into one of the other missing girls, Trudie, possible surname Hudson, and managed to get through to her mother. Trudie has been reported missing for over two years. I described the bracelet in detail and wanted to send her an email with a picture of it, but she said she had no laptop, computer or mobile, just a landline.
‘But she did recall that her daughter had a silver charm bracelet. This is where it gets to be really interesting...’
Jack swore and told her to get to the point.
‘She could only remember one charm in particular — a small silver St Christopher. I asked the size and she said it was no bigger than her little fingernail, and...’
Sara held up the plastic evidence bag containing the bracelet.
‘There it is, it’s a small St Christopher just by the broken clasp.’
Jack clapped his hands. It was a major breakthrough. Jack told her they needed to double-check with missing persons regarding Trudie, but they now had a surname, as well as more detail on Jamail Brown.
‘I think I did a thorough check already,’ Sara said.
‘Do it again. I want a DNA swab taken on the bracelet. We have a search warrant, but I need as much evidence as possible.’
Jack went off to the gents to use his electric shaver. He could also have done with some deodorant but didn’t have any, so he settled for a basin wash, using paper towels under his armpits.
When he returned to his office, Jack updated his report, ready for DCI Clarke, then went to the canteen to get some lunch before returning to his desk. Laura approached and stood in front of him.
‘Do you think I should accompany you with the search warrant,’ she said. ‘After all, Sara is just a probationary officer. As I told you earlier, I’ve cleared the case I was working on.’
From her desk at the back of the room Sara was clearly listening in, but then became distracted by her phone. Jack shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to get into any pecking order issues, but agreed that Laura could accompany him, asking her to check when Rodney Middleton was being released. Sara finished her call and approached his desk.
‘I’m on my third call and not having much success, I’m afraid. In Jamail’s case this is due to the length of time she’s been missing. Trudie’s files are more recent, but the person dealing with her report in Liverpool isn’t in the office. I’ve reprinted everything off for you, anyway, as well as the photographs.’
‘Thanks.’
‘You haven’t actually met Rodney Middleton, have you?’
‘No, not yet.’
‘Did you get the time he would be released on bail from Brixton?’
‘I’m waiting on it... and Laura will be accompanying me.’
‘Oh, I would have liked to be there, considering I was with you at his aunt’s house.’
Jack did not have time to reply as Clarke had walked into the incident room, gesturing for Jack to join him in his office. He left the door ajar. ‘Did you get the search warrant for Rodney Middleton’s flat?’
‘Yes, sir, I’ve only just got back.’
Clarke asked if Jack wanted any back up uniforms to accompany him. Jack told him that Laura was going to be with him and he felt they could do a thorough search between them.
‘Well, you got what you wanted, so let’s see what you come up with.’
Laura had confirmation that Rodney Middleton’s bail had been granted. His aunt had agreed to act as surety, which meant that she would be responsible for ensuring that he followed his bail conditions and attended court for the trial. If he didn’t, she’d be liable for a substantial sum of money or risk having her property forfeited.
‘When’s he due to be released?’ Jack asked.
‘Probably late afternoon or early evening.’
‘Let’s get on our way then.’
Jack and Laura left the incident room, whilst Sara sat with her arms folded, feeling thoroughly pissed off. She had found Laura quite friendly at first, but she never failed to pull rank.
Leon gave her an understanding raise of an eyebrow, before returning to his pursuit of Sandra Raynor.