‘Hello, we’re here to see Fabien Stone.’
‘Who are you? He doesn’t have any meetings booked.’
‘Damn,’ Gina whispered under her breath. She had no option but to disclose who she was. ‘I’m DI Harte and I’m with DS Driscoll. We’re from Cleevesford Police. We need to speak to Mr Stone.’
She paused and then spoke. ‘Err, he’s about to go out. Can I get him to call you later?’
‘I’m sorry but this can’t wait.’
‘Who the fuck is on the intercom.’ The loud voice of a man crackled through.
‘Police,’ Gina replied. ‘Hello, hello. He’s hung up on us.’ She pressed the call button again before nearly being swept into the entrance room as Fabien pulled the front door open.
PC Benton ran over to assist. ‘Fabien Stone. I’m arresting you on suspicion of the murder of Kain Pickering and the kidnap of Lindy Pickering. You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’
Gina went to cuff him. He jabbed her in the jaw with his elbow and crashed past her, knocking her to the ground. PC Benton and Jacob ran towards the road where Fabien washeading. A stream of cars stopped him crossing. Jacob tried to tackle the bulky man to the ground but Fabien was built like a truck. Between Jacob and PC Benton, they just about managed to cuff him. PC Benton’s hat fell off into the road and she almost stumbled.
Gina opened and closed her mouth a couple of times and prodded her throbbing jaw. There were no broken bones or loose teeth but her chin ached like mad. She walked over, taking her time. ‘Fabien Stone. I’m further arresting you on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.’ She glanced up at PC Benton who had now retrieved her hat as a police van pulled up. ‘Take him to the station.’
She and Jacob stood on the roadside as it took another two PCs to get Fabien into the van. He kicked and spat as he seethed and swore at the top of his voice. ‘Let’s get a spit hood on him,’ another PC said as they forced it over his head while trying to avoid his kicking feet.
‘We’ve got our work cut out with this one. He easily has the strength to manoeuvre Kain and hoist up Zavier,’ Gina said to Jacob. He held his arm up and a flap of material hung down where Fabien had ripped his coat.
They watched as the van pulled away, taking Fabien Stone with it.
Gina addressed PC Smith and the officers that were still left. ‘Right, we need to search this building. We’re looking for Lindy, or any sign that she’s been here.’
A girl who looked to be about sixteen came to the door. ‘What’s going on? I’m meant to be leaving to go to the dentist but there’s no one else in the office and Mr Stone won’t be happy if I leave the building empty.’
Gina headed towards her. ‘Mr Stone is under arrest and we need to search the property.’
‘Okay, I best cancel the dentist.’ Her blonde ponytail swished as she turned away to make a phone call. ‘I think I should call my mum, too.’
‘Do you work here?’
‘Yes, I’ve only been here a couple of weeks. I’m an apprentice.’
‘How old are you?’
‘Seventeen.’
Gina let out a sigh. They also had a minor to interview – great. They’d have to wait for an appropriate adult to be with her before they could conduct an interview. She called one of the PCs over and she jogged towards Gina. Keeping the girl safe was also a priority. ‘What’s your name?’ Gina asked her.
‘Keri with an I on the end.’ She bit the inside of her cheek.
‘Keri, could you please stay outside here with PC Stainton until your mum arrives? We’ll need you both to come to the station then. It’s nothing to worry about, okay.’ She hoped she’d reassured the girl.
Keri nodded.
Gina called Jacob to the front door. That’s when she spotted the pale-blue men’s puffer jacket on a hook. ‘There’s a streak of blood on the sleeve of that coat, and it’s fresh.’
FORTY
LINDY
Four Hours Earlier
She had very little concept of time and her heart was still thumping from the rat that had squeaked around by her thigh. Had she been in the dark room with its drip, drip, drip, sounds for a couple of hours or a whole day? She wriggled back towards the wall, hoping that the rat had gone. However hard she tried, she couldn’t remove the binds.
