The Price, page 6
‘Yes, they will,’ she said. ‘How much have you got in your savings?’
‘Only a couple of grand at most.’
‘I’ve got about five, so that’s seven in total. How much is the deposit?
‘The treatment is a hundred and ninety. The other forty we’d need would be for everything else.’
‘So, nineteen would cover the deposit. I’ll go to the bank.’
‘What? No, Mum.’
‘Love, it’s okay. The bookshop is a good asset, the bank is always trying to offer loans, I’ll take one out.’
‘Mum, you can’t do that for me.’
‘It’s not for you,’ she said smiling gently at me, and I began to cry once more. ‘So, that will be the ten per cent sorted, if they accept her onto the programme.’
‘Mum, what if they don’t? You’ve just put yourself twelve grand in debt, lost all of your savings.’
‘Clara, it’s fine. Honestly, I can repay it, the shop is ticking over. We’ll manage. Besides, some things are much more important.’
There was no way I could deny that. Tabatha’s survival was worth more than all the money in the world. ‘Thank you, Mum. But how the hell are we gonna raise over two hundred grand more?’
‘We’ll find a way,’ Mum took her phone out and began tapping on it. She was focused intently on something, and excused herself. After maybe half an hour, she was back.
‘That’s that sorted.’
‘What, already?’
‘Benefit of having a business and good credit. It’s all automated these days, I just applied and was accepted though my banking app.’
‘Mum, we should have talked about it more. I’ve not even told George.’
‘It’s going to take a few days for the panel to decide, right?’
‘Yes.’
‘So you have a few days to talk to him. And one of two things will happen. Either they will say she doesn’t have a place and no harm is done, or they say she can have a place. And that gives you time to get George onside.’
I nodded, but I was struggling to keep up. I’d been so sure we would get good news today, yet now Tabatha was really poorly, Mum had put herself in debt and we were discussing sending Tabby to the US in two weeks’ time.
‘Love, give me that number. I’ll ring them now, tell them we want to be considered. Go for a walk, get some air, I’ll sort the deposit, and then you and I can get to work on what we do next with clearer heads.’
‘Oh Mum,’ I got up and gave her a hug. She held me tight and told me that everything was going to be okay.
Mid-embrace, I heard a gentle tap on the door. I turned, wiping my eyes as a nurse came in.
‘Mrs Goodwin?’
‘Yes,’ I said, clearing my throat.
‘Hi, I’m Sarah. I just wanted to inform you that someone will be with you in about an hour to finish the stem cell extraction. Can I get you anything?’
‘No, it’s fine and thank you, we are fine.’
‘If you need anything just press that button,’ she said, gesturing to a remote attached to the bed via a cable.
‘I will, thank you.’
The nurse smiled and backed out of the room.
‘Right,’ Mum continued. ‘Give me all those details, and get out of my hair for ten minutes. Sort yourself out. We have a lot of work to do.’
‘Mum, I can’t leave.’
‘Tabs is fine. You need a minute. You heard the nurse, it’s going to be another hour. Go to a shop, get some bits, let me make a start with Philadelphia.’
‘I don’t want to leave her side.’
‘I understand that. But you need to get something to eat so you can be strong for Tabatha. You can’t do anything for her if you end up running yourself into the ground.’
‘Yes, I suppose you’re right,’ I sighed.
‘Then go clear your head, get yourself together.’
She was right, but even knowing the fresh air was what I needed, that it was what would help me to stay objective for the road ahead, I still felt crushing guilt as I left the room. But I also felt something else, something renewed. Something akin to fresh hope.
CHAPTER NINE
George
Mercer secured the warrant quickly; there was enough in the brief statement from the kid in hospital and the CCTV footage to mean that we could search Hunter’s property. She then briefed me and Mike as well as six others who would make up three teams to assist, and we set off. We didn’t know if the bag was still in the flat, but we hoped the search would prove fruitful nonetheless.
Mike drove while I messaged Clara to see if the treatment had finished and if my daughter was alright. As I waited for her to reply, I tried to focus on the job at hand, though all I could think about was my girl. We parked up within sight of the door we had seen in the CCTV footage, far enough away to not draw attention, close enough to be able to have a clear view. Over our radio, we could hear the three small teams assigned by Mercer were standing by, waiting for me to green-light an entry. We waited for signs of movement, something to confirm Hunter was present at the property. Mike and I didn’t speak. Entering a property was always dangerous; you didn’t know what weapons the suspect might have, and given Hunter was mixed up with Mantel, he could well be dangerous and a volatile character. The operation had come together so quickly, but if there were still drugs on the premises, we had to act fast. I needed to focus. And yet, despite the situation, I couldn’t fully focus on what was happening here when my thoughts were with Tabatha and Clara at the hospital.
‘George, mate, you sure you should be here?’ Mike asked. He had been staring at me, I didn’t know how long for.
‘Yes, I’m sure.’
‘Buddy, you can tal—’
‘Mike, it’s cool, really. Let’s focus on this. We need everything to go to plan.’
‘Of course, if you’re sure.’
‘I really appreciate it but I’m good.’
‘I can see people coming,’ Mike said suddenly, looking in the wing mirror to the street behind us. I looked in the rear view and watched as a small group of teens approached, then walked past our parked car to Hunter’s door. One knocked four times and the door was opened just wide enough for them all to slip into the dark void behind.
‘Looks like Hunter is home, then,’ Mike said.
I picked up my radio and spoke. ‘Stand by. When those teens come out, we go. Team three, take the teens. Team one you’re with us towards the front. Two, take the rear in case Hunter makes a run for it.’
Each team radioed back confirmation the instructions had been received and understood. The young people were in the flat for a maximum of five minutes, and as soon as they left and started heading away, I told the units to go. Getting out of the car, Mike and I ran towards the front door. Team one followed quickly behind and shortly after, two relayed they were in position. From somewhere behind us, I heard team three make a grab for the kids. At the front door, team one, carrying the ram to break down the door, positioned themselves and waited for my signal. I took one final deep breath to steady my nerves then gave the all-clear. The door was hit twice and with each pound shards of wood exploded. When it was hanging off its hinges, we stormed in and up a narrow staircase into the flat to find a terrified woman standing in Hunter’s living room.
‘Get on the ground. Get on the ground now!’ I shouted; the woman complied.
‘Where is he? Where is Reece Hunter?’
‘I don’t know. He’s not here,’ she screamed. As Mike placed her in handcuffs, I searched the living room and kitchen of the two-bedroom flat. There was no sign of Hunter. I made my way towards the rooms at the rear of the property. Team one had already been in and called the all-clear. Over the radio, team three told us that the kids were in custody, with drugs in their possession. But Hunter wasn’t in; the intel was wrong. He must have snuck out without being seen.
‘Shit!’
Going back into the living room, I stood next to the woman who Mike had picked up off the floor and sat on the sofa.
‘Where is he?’
‘I swear, I don’t know.’
‘Don’t lie to us!’
‘George,’ Mike said quietly, trying to calm me down.
‘I’m not, I promise you,’ she said.
‘When was he last here?’ I asked.
‘An hour ago, two tops. He got a call, then he left.’
‘He got a call, what do you mean he got a call? Who from?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘How was he after the call?’ Mike asked, calmer than I was able to be.
‘Stressed, spooked, he told me he had to go, but he’d be back soon, and he went.’
Mike shot me a look; I could see he was thinking the same as I was. Hunter knew we were coming. The question was, how did he know?
‘What’s your name?’ Mike asked the woman.
‘Tanya.’
‘Tanya, I’m going to ask you a question and I need you to answer honestly or it will be bad for you. Do you understand what I am saying?’
‘Yes.’
‘Tanya, is there anything in this flat that shouldn’t be?’
She shook her head, but I could see she was lying.
‘Tanya,’ Mike continued. ‘You need to help us here. If Hunter isn’t here, that means if there are drugs on this premises, as we think there are, then it’s you who has just supplied those teenagers who’ve been arrested for possession. If we find anything, it’s not going to be good for you. You’ll be charged with it all. Do you understand?’
‘Yes,’ she whispered again.
‘But we know that the stuff is Hunter’s, so if you co-operate fully, it will help you,’ Mike told her.
Tanya looked afraid and the colour drained from her face. She didn’t say anything, but gestured to the kitchen.
Leaving Mike with her to try and get her to open up, I headed in there and pulling on a pair of surgical gloves, I began to search. I checked the cupboards, cooker, fridge, oven. Nothing. I got onto the floor and looked at the kickboards between the cupboards and the linoleum. One panel looked slightly out of place. Crawling towards it, I could see something behind and pulling the panel off, I smiled. I didn’t know for sure, but it looked like the bag we had seen on the CCTV. I pulled it out and lifted it onto the table; it was heavy. Unzipping it, I was stunned by what I saw. In the holdall were dozens of clear bags, each containing what looked like cannabis and barbiturates.
I had hoped we’d some evidence of drugs, but this, this was massive.
‘DS Goodwin.’ A voice called from a back bedroom. Walking back through the living room, I caught Mike’s eye, giving him a nod as if to say, ‘We got something’ before following the sound of the voice that had called me.
‘What have you found?’
‘Jackpot, George. We flipped the room. At first we thought it was clean, but in the base of the wardrobe, we found a small hatch. Under it we found a bag.’
‘He definitely knew we were coming,’ I said quietly. ‘What have you found?’
‘There must be fifteen grand in cash, another ten or so in drugs.’
‘Shit,’
‘Yeah, shit.’
He showed me the stack of cash. I knew, even without further proof, this had Mantel written all over it.
‘Good job, Jonah. Keep going, make sure we get it all.’
‘You got it.’
Back in the living room, Tanya was muttering to herself incoherently.
‘What’s she saying?’ I asked Mike.
‘I asked if she knew Mantel, and she mumbled something about being a dead woman. I pressed and she started doing that. I’ve placed her under arrest. She knows her rights.’
I looked at Tanya rocking on the sofa, her hands still cuffed behind her back. She was clearly in shock.
‘Found much?’ Mike asked. Another officer from team two was now in the room, so I led him towards the kitchen, keeping one eye on Tanya, even though it was clear she wasn’t going to try and run. Seeing the table and the open bag, Mike whistled.
‘Holy shit.’
‘Yep, there must be tens of thousands of pounds’ worth in this house, more in cash on top. Jonah found a load in the bedroom, too,’ I told him.
‘It has to be Mantel’s.’
‘Oh yes. We just got to find something concrete that links this all back to him now. We need that smoking gun.’
‘You know she won’t talk?’ Mike said, gesturing back to Tanya who was still babbling. ‘People are too afraid of Mantel.’
‘Let’s hope we find something linking all this to him, then.’
‘I’ll not hold my breath.’
‘Still …’ I smiled. ‘Two good things have come from this. And one question.’
‘Okay, I’ll bite,’ Mike said.
‘First good thing, all this shit is off the street.’
‘And the second?’
‘Mantel will know we are getting closer.’
‘And the question?’
‘Mike, don’t talk to anyone about this,’ I said, looking behind me to make sure no one else could hear. ‘Hunter knew we were coming, he hid the drugs and money and got out before we arrived. From Mercer giving the operation the green light, to the first team arriving for surveillance, it was what? Thirty minutes tops.’
‘George, what are you saying?’
‘Someone tipped off Hunter, and I think it’s someone from the force. I mean, how else could he know?’
‘Shit.’
‘Mantel has someone inside, one of us, and they are telling him everything.’
CHAPTER TEN
Henry Mantel
Hunter’s phone kept ringing and ringing, eventually going to voicemail. Mantel tried ringing back, and this time it went to voicemail straight away. Hunter had clearly turned his phone off. The automated voice on the other end told him to leave a message, but he didn’t.
Putting the phone down on his desk, he sat back, and breathed deeply. He’d known the police were going to the flat, his man on the inside hadn’t let him down. But as Hunter wasn’t picking up the phone, he didn’t know the outcome of Goodwin’s little visit. If Hunter had done as he was told, all would be fine; he was under strict instructions, instructions Mantel himself had delivered in person, and that he’d warned him to abide by. The product was for Hunter to distribute, to sell to his database of users –both recreational and medicinal – and the cash that came with it was to be held until all the drugs were sold, then, both the new money and old would be sent for cleaning through the nail technician shop Mantel owned. Hunter had to hide it all straightaway, and keep his head low. If something happened, he was to clean up, collect everything and leave. If he did as he was told, the police would find nothing. George Goodwin would find nothing.
A phone call would come at some point; all he could do was wait. And he didn’t like to be kept waiting.
Behind him, the office door opened and Mantel’s wife, Ashlee, who was fifteen years his junior, walked in smiling.
‘Are we still going out for dinner?’ she asked, already knowing the answer was no as it looked like her husband was still tied up in business.
‘I’m sorry, my love, something’s come up at work,’ he replied, walking over to her and kissing her on the cheek.
‘And it can’t wait?’
‘You know how it is.’
‘Yeah.’
‘I promise I’ll make it up to you. But something’s happened, something out of my control, and I’m just in the middle of clearing it all up.’
‘Is it bad?’
‘No, my love, I’ll have it sorted in no time. Why don’t you cancel the babysitter, order a takeaway?’
‘What do you fancy?’ she asked, trying to hide her disappointment.
‘I’m not hungry, you and kids choose. If it’s pizza, save me a slice for later?’
‘Are you sure you’re okay?’
Mantel smiled, kissed her again. ‘I’m fine, my love.’
She smiled back, although she could tell he wasn’t, she’d learned not to ask questions and to leave him when he was like this. Behind them, Mantel’s phone began to vibrate on his desk.
‘I gotta get that,’ he said softly.
‘Don’t work too late?’
‘I won’t. Kiss the kids goodnight for me. Tell them I love them.’
Ashlee left the room, closing the door behind her and he walked back to his desk and picked up the phone. It was Tony.
‘Talk.’
‘They raided, just like our guy said they would.’
‘So, what’s the issue?’
‘It’s gone, Henry, all of it, I’ve watched the pigs carry it all out into the back of a van.’
Mantel didn’t reply.
‘You there?’ Tony asked.
‘Where the fuck is Hunter?’ Mantel hissed. The softness that had been in his voice moments before with his wife was gone.
‘We don’t know. His woman was arrested, but Hunter wasn’t there.’
‘Did you speak with him?’
‘Yes. Just as you told me. As soon as you called with what the pig had warned you of. I called him, told him he needed to do what he was instructed. I told him to meet me at the unit out of town with it all.’
‘Is he there?’
‘No, boss, I’m here now, he ain’t. Hunter’s fucked off.’
‘Find him,’ Mantel said. ‘Find him and bring him to me.’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Clara
As I looked at the small bakery section near the doors of the Tesco Metro by the hospital, I felt my stomach knot with hunger. Mum was right to insist I get some fresh air and something to eat so I could be there for Tabatha after the stem cell extraction had finished.
I searched for the meal deal section and grabbed a chicken wrap, drink and chocolate bar before making my way towards the tills. I was so caught up in my thoughts about my daughter’s health, I didn’t see something was terribly wrong at the till. The old me, the me before Tabatha got sick, would have noticed it way before I was that close.
Two men were at the till in front of me, I thought they were loading groceries and paying for their things. But there was nothing on the conveyor belt. I watched as one of them leant into the cashier, whispering something, and the fear on the poor boy’s face told me they were robbing him. Stepping back down an aisle I watched, making sure I couldn’t be seen. The two men moved like predators pacing before a kill, muscles twitching. I knew even before I saw the knife that they would be armed. Being a copper you instinctively know when someone is carrying a weapon, it’s in the way they move, the anticipation of using it. They pulled the knife – it was a large one you would find in a kitchen – and then I heard one of them speak.
