Chapter 4

Chapter 4

‘Is he going to make it?'

DC Paul Jennings' question was terse and to the point as usual. Crossing the incident room, Detective Sergeant Charlie Brooks stuck a picture of Jason Matthews on the board, before turning to face the rest of the unit.

‘Honestly, I've no idea,' she replied. ‘He's in theatre now and the surgical team are saying it's touch and go. All we do know is that if DI Grace hadn't happened to be close by, the poor boy would be dead already.'

‘Poor dealer ,' Jennings corrected her.

‘Whatever his profession, he's someone's son, someone's brother,' Charlie retorted, an edge to her voice now. ‘Moreover, he's a resident of this city and as such it's our job to find who was behind this attack. This seventeen-year-old boy was the victim of a premeditated attack, one which may yet cost him his life. Which is why I want you lot to drop whatever else you're doing and focus on this. DC Wilson, is there anything specific that links this attack to other recent gang-related activity?'

‘Nothing obvious,' DC Japhet Wilson replied, rising to his feet. ‘Generally it's dealers who've been targeted recently, warning them off other people's territory. This is the first time a cash courier's been attacked, so it's possible it was an inside job.'

‘Or it may be an escalation in the conflict,' Jennings countered. ‘All the recent attacks have involved two gangs – the Main Street crew and the Cobras. So far it's been minor league stuff, but we know that Matthews runs with the Cobras, so maybe this is the Main Street mob upping the ante, cutting off the Cobra's cash supply at source, using those funds to up their street presence, buy weapons, drugs …'

‘But the MO, the weapons are different,' Wilson insisted. ‘The other attacks were chance occurrences and in both cases knives were used. This seems to be a well-organized ambush, using a firearm.'

‘Like I said, an escalation,' Jennings concluded, as if Wilson had just proved his point.

‘Any news on the gun?' Charlie intervened, attempting to keep the conversation on track.

Now it was DC Malik's turn to rise, much to Charlie's relief. She was the most level-headed of their junior officers and unlikely to be drawn into a cock fight.

‘Forensics are on it,' Malik replied. ‘But the shell casings suggest it was a modified Glock. Not cheap or easy to get hold of and a very reliable weapon. Uniform haven't found anything in the vicinity, so we have to assume the shooter is still in possession of it.'

‘Which is why he have to track them down ASAP,' Charlie declared, rapping the board with her knuckles. ‘This attack took place in the middle of Freemantle, a heavily residential area. Plenty of families living round there, lots of potential for collateral damage. And the culprits are still at large, potentially planning more attacks, so we need to pull out all the stops. If our victim survives, obviously he's our first port of call, but in the meantime, I want you to reach out to any contacts you have on the street, anyone who might have information about a targeted attack on the Cobras by rival gangs. If you have any leverage, any minor offence that you might overlook in exchange for information, use it. DC Wilson, I'd like you to run the rule over firearms offences in the last six months, anything that might link this modified Glock to a specific individual or supplier.'

‘Sure thing.'

‘DC McAndrew, I'd like you to take point on triangulation. Find out what phone the victim was carrying, see if you can trace his movements over the last couple of weeks. Any repetitive patterns, any significant locations, I want to know about them.'

‘Straightaway,' the experienced officer replied promptly.

‘The rest of you, I want us to target anyone and everyone connected with Jason Matthews.'

Charlie picked up her marker pen, drawing spider lines from Matthews' mugshot to different circles of interest.

‘Known associates. Family and dependents. Girlfriends. Anyone he's served time with. Anyone he's sold to. We'll target his known addresses, bank accounts and probation records tomorrow, but tonight I want us to be speaking to his people , seeing what we can glean about his movements, his loyalties, any specific problems he's had recently. Let's do a deep dive please. Any questions?'

Charlie scanned the sea of faces, but saw only purpose and determination.

‘Right, then let's get to it.'

The unit broke up, heading off to do Charlie's bidding. As they did so, Charlie stole a look at her watch, depressed to discover it was gone nine o'clock. She had worked late every night this week, way past her overtime allowance, and another late finish beckoned. Sighing, she turned to her desk, only to find DC Paul Jennings blocking her path.

‘Everything all right, boss?' Jennings asked solicitously.

‘Fine and dandy,' Charlie replied evenly. ‘Another day in paradise …'

She made to leave, but Jennings stepped forward, cutting off her escape route. He was a powerful presence, muscular, handsome and imposing, but tonight he wore a gentle, sympathetic expression.

‘Only I was thinking, if you want to head off, I'm sure the rest of us can handle things here. You've done four straight lates as it is.'

‘Thank you for your concern, but I'm not sure the new station chief would appreciate me going AWOL whilst DI Grace is still at the hospital.'

‘But we know what we're doing and it'll take us the best part of the night to dig up Matthews' associates. Why don't you take a break, go home, see those lovely kids of yours?'

The offer seemed sincere, but Charlie knew it was nothing of the sort. She'd seen this countless times before – apparently well-meaning male officers laying traps for her to walk into. If a female officer clocked off early for ‘family reasons', she would forever be dismissed as a part-timer, lacking in commitment and resolve. It had always been an unwritten rule that women in the Force had to work twice as hard as their male counterparts just to be taken seriously. It made Charlie's blood boil – it was so retrograde, so unfair – but that was the way the system worked and she was powerless to change it.

‘Thanks for the offer, DC Jennings, but I'm good. Do you have anyone you need to get back for?'

Charlie knew the answer, which is partly why she asked it. Taking the hint, Jennings retreated, sharing a whispered comment with colleagues as he did so. Annoyed, Charlie marched back to her desk. There was no reason on God's earth why she should still have to prove herself to junior colleagues like Jennings, after all her long years of service, but it seemed a female officer could never do enough to confirm that she was worthy of her place on the team. Which is why Charlie would miss her daughters' bedtime tonight.

Again.