Dead at First Sight

80 Wednesday 10 October

Glenn Branson burst into Roy Grace’s office, looking exhilarated. ‘Wow!’ he said.

‘Ever heard of knocking on a door?’

‘Dunno that film — was it on Netflix?’

‘No, it was on Sky!’

Branson frowned then gave him a dubious, sideways look. ‘I have an update for you from our raid on Withdean Place.’

Grace instantly switched his focus from the trial documents. ‘Tell me?’

‘You are going to like this, boss, seriously. Eight in custody. Enough IT hardware seized to keep Digital Forensics in business for the next decade. Looks like we’ve closed down Brighton’s very own internet scamming call centre. Every single one of them of African origin — Ghana, from what one told me — and they are all on what looks like dodgy documentation — illegal immigrants. And we’ve found the phone that made the call last night that Aiden Gilbert answered — might get some prints off it. But what I think will interest you most is an online conversation Aiden’s Digital Forensics Team found on a computer with a woman in Brighton. You said in the briefing we needed to look for the next victim — or victims — and I think we’ve found a big one.’

‘How big?’

‘Three hundred grand. Cash. She’s due to hand it over to her lover boy on Friday night.’

‘Where?’

‘I don’t know yet, boss. I’m waiting to hear. But Aiden thinks this is the overall mastermind of the outfit and that he scarpered some time before the raid. He’s confident through what he has on the computer he can monitor any future communications between him and the victim. He’s going through the RIPA formalities of an application to the Home Office. And, now, here’s the golden nugget: Lover Boy is none other than Tunde Oganjimi, AKA Jules de Copeland.’

‘Buddy of our suspect in custody, machete man Kofi Okonjo, and currently our Most Wanted?’

Grace was quiet for a moment, then said, ‘This means we have the potential victim’s email address and the ability to monitor her continued contact with Copeland. This might give us our best opportunity to catch him, so I don’t want any contact with her at this stage.’

‘Understood, boss,’ Branson replied.

‘Brilliant, Glenn, very nice work indeed.’

‘I’ll update you soonest. You’re in London tomorrow, right?’

‘Yes, pre-trial meeting with counsel on the Jodie Bentley case.’

‘You missed out on the action today and you might miss out on further action tomorrow, boss.’

‘Let me tell you something, matey: arresting suspects is just the beginning, the start of a very long journey. My old mentor, Nick Sloan, who’s just retired, told me something that I’ve never forgotten. He said, “You can tell a good detective — a good one likes being in court.”’

Branson patted his stomach.

‘What’s that meant to mean?’

‘A good detective seems to like being in restaurants, too. You’re putting on weight. Cushy married life, too much of Cleo’s home-cooking? Middle-aged spread? Are you still going to be able to fit into your suit for my wedding?’

‘Be nice to me, I’m organizing your stag-do — remember that guy who got put in a coffin on his?’