Dead at First Sight

127 Friday 12 October

Roy Grace, sitting in his car outside Primrose Farm Cottage, surrounded by police vehicles, two ambulances and the Coroner’s van, called Jack Roberts as he had promised.

‘Your clients are both safe,’ he informed him. ‘Major Fordwater has been arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and may face more serious charges. Copeland is currently in an ambulance, under arrest, being treated for gunshot wounds.’ He said nothing about the dead American contract killer.

‘That’s good to hear, Detective Superintendent,’ Roberts said. ‘I appreciate your updating me.’

‘There’s quite a lot to take in at this moment, as I’m sure you can understand, Mr Roberts,’ Grace continued. ‘But from what I know so far, I would say you’ve sailed pretty close to the wind. Fortunately we’ve had a result. It could have been a very different outcome.’

‘I’m taking that as a positive,’ Roberts replied.

Grace pursed his lips, not wanting to give the PI any encouragement. ‘When we met in your office, you gave me the impression you are not too enamoured with the police. I hope this might help change your mind.’

‘I’ll reserve judgement on that,’ Roberts replied. ‘You might be scooping the glory, but you need to remember who teed it up for you.’

As Grace ended the call, his phone rang. It was Cassian Pewe.

‘What’s going on, Roy?’ he demanded. ‘Where are you? Media Relations are being bombarded by the press for information on what’s happening. A caretaker’s been found dead in the apartment block you had under surveillance. Do you have anything I can tell them? Any bones I can throw for them to gnaw on?’

‘I was made aware of the caretaker just a couple of hours ago, sir.’

‘Well, really, I’m so pleased to know you are aware of something that’s happening in this county, where you are supposed to be the Head of Major Crime. Do we have any more dead bodies or is one enough for today?’

‘I’m afraid we have two more,’ Grace replied. ‘But I think you might be happy to know the second is the American, Tooth, who, as you know, has long been on our radar.’ He nearly added, Longer than need be, thanks to your intervention months back, but he held his tongue. ‘Tooth was shot by firearms officers and we will of course notify the Independent Office for Police Conduct.’

There was a brief silence from Pewe. Then he said, sarcastically, ‘I’m sure the Chief Constable will be very pleased, Roy. Thrilled to bits, I would say, when I inform him.’

‘Talking of chiefs, sir, I had lunch with Alison Vosper.’

‘Alison Vosper, did you say?’ Pewe sounded thrown.

‘Yes.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me you were seeing her?’

‘You didn’t ask,’ Grace retorted, smugly. ‘I had an interesting conversation with her, in which she told me about all the major cases in Sussex that you’ve taken credit for. Maybe my memory is going, but I honestly don’t recall your involvement in quite a number of them.’

‘Is that so?’ Pewe said acidly. ‘So what was the purpose of this lunch?’

‘She offered me a job in London. It would put me on the same rank as you if I accepted.’

‘Over my dead body.’

‘Well, if that’s what it takes, sir.’

Ignoring the comment, Pewe said, ‘Be in my office at 9 a.m. tomorrow.’

‘It’s Saturday tomorrow.’

‘Yes, Roy, quite correct. Saturday follows Friday in the Gregorian calendar. Although perhaps in the weird bubble you inhabit, you are still on the Julian calendar, which was started by Julius Caesar? In case you’re not up to date, we switched to the Gregorian calendar in this country in 1752, so we’ll go by that one, shall we?’ he said in his most patronizing tone.