Echoes of Justice (DI Matt Turrell Book 2) (21 page)

Chapter 68

After leaving the Golden Acorn, Matt picked up PC Charlie Baker and set off for the A46 where a dark green Escort had been seen taking the Warwick exit. From there the Escort may have gone into Warwick or turned left to Henley-in-Arden. With the help of all available patrol cars, Jane would check the Warwick side while Matt took the route towards Henley.

Charlie reminded him of the presenter on
Crimewatch
but Matt couldn’t waste time thinking about that now; he was thankful that he was quiet and intense as he wanted to concentrate on finding Tilly.

They raced towards the A46 bypass but once they reached the road to Henley, Matt slowed down, looking for any sign of the green car and woefully aware of the hundreds of places it could have turned off. Reaching the traffic lights at Henley, Matt decided to turn left towards Stratford. By the time they reached Wootton Wawen, Matt was convinced they didn’t stand a chance in hell of finding Tilly. Then, just past the Navigation Inn, Charlie called out.

‘Sir, there’s a green car there, further back.’

Matt put on the turn signal, ignoring the motorist who sounded his horn at his late decision, and turned into the disused forecourt of a gas station. He could see the Escort now and it looked like the car that had been at the crematorium. Pulling up to block the Escort, he jumped out, shouting to Charlie as he did. ‘Good work, Constable. Let everyone know we’ve found it.’

The car was empty and, holding his breath, he moved to open the boot, praying that it would be empty. It was locked, and with frustration building, he called to Charlie. ‘Find something to open this.’

Charlie went to the boot of Matt’s car and came over with a tyre lever, applying pressure until it sprang open. They both sighed in relief at the empty space.

‘She could be around here somewhere or they might have just switched to another car. Let’s get SOCO onto those tyre tracks and have a good look around.’ Matt started back towards the pub, leaving Charlie to check out the canal. He’d only gone a few yards when Charlie called out.

‘Sir, over here.’

Recognising the urgency in his voice, Matt ran to join him, finding him standing beside a narrowboat, one of several moored along the canal. But this boat looked different from the others, lower in the water and listing to one side.

‘I thought I heard someone inside.’

‘Call the fire brigade. I’ll check it out.’

The boat was listing away from him so Matt couldn’t see anything through the windows. Taking off his heavy coat and jacket, he stepped onto the sloping deck only to find himself skidding down the icy deck towards the water. Grasping onto the tiller, he managed to right himself and began to drag himself up to the cabin doors.

‘Tilly, are you there?’ Listening, all he could hear was the gurgling water. ‘Tilly!’

There was a faint voice from inside. ‘Help me.’

‘Coming. Don’t worry, we’ll get you out of there. Charlie, the tyre lever.’

Tugging frantically at the frozen lock made his fingers bleed. Matt stood back to get the balance for a kick, but found himself in another sickening slide down the slippery deck. Scrabbling madly for something to hold onto, he fought against the shock of the arctic water before managing to lock his fingers around the deck rail.

Hauling himself up, he saw Charlie’s anxious face; he’d taken off his heavy gear and was ready to come after Matt. For a moment, Matt wanted to laugh at his relief, then seeing the rope in his hands, to cheer for such a practical PC.

‘Tie this around you, sir.’

The rope landed at Matt’s feet and he risked letting go with one hand to catch it. Fumbling with deadened fingers, it was difficult knotting the rope around himself, as he daren’t let go with both hands. The boat was now on its side and, after tying the rope, he manoeuvred his way to the top where he could see through the murky panes down into the cabin. The water was pouring in. He couldn’t see Tilly and knew he had to act fast. The quickest way in would be through the window. He shouted just in case.

‘Stay back, Tilly!’

One kick shattered the window and Matt plunged through feet first, ignoring the jagged pieces that tore into him. He seemed to have landed on something that kept him out of the deepest water. Adjusting to the gloom, he glanced around, relieved to see a pair of terrified eyes looking back at him just above the waterline opposite.

‘Thank God. Tilly, I want you to reach out and grasp my arm. You’re safe now and we’ll soon have you out of here.’

Tilly nodded and stretched out her arm. Although he had spoken to reassure her, Matt was far from certain that they would both get out alive. It would only take a sudden settling of the boat and they could both be lost, yet he knew the calmer Tilly remained the easier it would be.

‘Great, I’ve got you. I’m going to pull you towards me, tie a rope around you and get you out through the window, okay?’ There was no time to wait and Matt pulled hard and felt her bump into his side. He shifted sideways so she could find a footing beside him, but she began to sink and panicking, pulled him down. Covered in the icy, muddy water, Matt fought to control his fear as he grabbed her under the shoulders and pushed her upward. Breaking water, he was relieved to see that she held firmly on to the window ledge.

Untying the rope, he slipped it around her. Tying it seemed to take an inordinate amount of time but finally it was secure. Tilly was limp and he wasn’t sure how much she would be able to help. As he knocked the worst of the broken glass out of the way, he shouted for Charlie to pull while trying to encourage her. ‘Once you are out of this window, Tilly, you are going to be fine – my colleague is at the end of the rope. I’m going to help from this end.’

He wasn’t sure how much she took in, as her lips were blue and her eyes unfocused. Taking a deep breath, he dived into deeper water to push her from behind, forgetting all modesty. She finally cleared the window frame and he surfaced to see Charlie reaching out to receive her.

The panic over, he felt tired and would have given anything to shut his eyes. He could hear Charlie shouting and the sound of emergency vehicles arriving, but they all seemed far away and nothing to do with him. Then he felt something hit him sharply across the face. Puzzled, he realised it was the rope and knew he must rouse himself and make an effort. Imagining Eppie, he conjured up reserves from somewhere and clung on, easing himself out of the window. Warm hands reached out to help and soon he was sprawled, shivering violently, on the towpath. As a firefighter put a foil blanket around him, he sat up, turning to watch the boat give a final gurgle and sink.

Charlie knelt beside him. ‘Tilly’s on her way to hospital, sir. They think she’s going to be alright.’

‘Thank God.’

‘There’s another ambulance coming for you. Should be here any minute.’

‘I haven’t got time.’

‘You’d better listen to him, Matt.’

Matt looked up to see Jane standing by the firefighter.

‘I’ll be fine. Help me up.’

‘This is what he’s like, Ethan.’

Matt was surprised to hear her addressing the man in such a familiar way. Ethan crouched down beside him.

‘This is serious, mate. You need to listen. Your core temperature is bound to be low after taking a dip in that. If you go racing around now, you could bring on a heart attack. Believe me, I’ve seen it happen. Whatever is going on, it’s just not worth it.’

‘Matt, please go and get checked out,’ Jane added.

Ethan handed Matt a plastic cup filled with hot chocolate. He took it gratefully, glad of the warmth. Besieged from all sides, Matt gave in, conscious that it made sense. While they were fussing over him, Vinny was getting further away. An ambulance pulled up behind them. ‘Okay, okay. Maybe I’ll catch up with Tilly while I’m there.’

Jane sighed and looked up at Ethan, who to Matt seemed enormous in all his gear.

Chapter 69

Vinny crouched low so that the dense hedge hid him. Just three more houses to go and he would be home. Not that it was his home anymore but he had something to collect and had a few choice things to say to Mary.

He had waited until dusk before leaving the safe house provided by Ops and had planned his route with care. Not much had changed since he’d left, except the occasional new garden shed, complete with padlock, and the height of some of the hedges, intended to hide the occupants from their neighbours. He was grateful that people insisted on privacy as they offered him greater cover.

Moving on, he stopped to peer through number six’s ten-foot monstrosity, cursing as the thorns caught his jacket. As he pulled himself free, he caught a flash of yellow and froze and watched as the patrol car slowed in front of Mary’s. He’d guessed the bastards would be keeping an eye on the place. Looking at his watch, he noted the time, five past five, and estimated their next pass would be around six o’clock. Mary should be home soon, and he aimed to be safely inside by then.

Reaching his own backyard, he squeezed through the broken fence and flattened himself against the rear of the shed. It had grown more decrepit in his absence and he hoped Mary hadn’t felt the need to follow her neighbours’ examples and protect the rusting tools and old paint tins with a lock. The house was in darkness and he needed to find what he came for before she arrived home. The first thing she would do is turn on the kitchen light and the shed was directly in its path.

Slipping around to the front of the shed, he was relieved that all was as he left it. Opening the door, he held his breath at its grinding squeak and crept inside. The smell of earth, paraffin and paint was comforting and he paused to let it wash over him, not daring to turn on the light, even if it still worked, as that would give him away. Instead, he began to feel amongst the debris, freezing when he heard footsteps approaching. However, it was only the next-door neighbour, who obligingly turned on a bedroom light that allowed a faint glow to penetrate the grimy window.

In the glimmer, Vinny could see the petrol tin tucked in next to the old lawnmower. Picking it up, he was relieved when the weight reassured him it was still there. The rusting false bottom fell to pieces as he pushed against it, allowing the package to fall into his hand. Eagerly fumbling with the oilcloth, he savoured the cold metal and a surge of power rushed through him. The cops wouldn’t expect this and it shifted the balance in his favour. It would need a good oiling but he could do that in the comfort of the house. Stuffing the gun, ammunition and oil into his pockets he left the shed, needing to get into position before Mary came home.

By the time he heard her footsteps crunching on the icy path, his legs were cramping and he was shuddering with cold. It was rubbish collection day tomorrow and if Mary followed her usual practice, she would enter the house through the back door, put down her bag and take the bin out to the street, leaving him time to slip into the house. He relished confronting her about all her failings.

Chapter 70

Minus his wet clothes and wrapped in warm blankets, Matt still shivered as he gave in to the administrations of the male nurse. He’d been here a lot in the last few days and all he wanted was to stop shivering and get out.

As he lay back and tried to relax, he caught a glimpse of Charlie hovering outside, but before he could call out, a female doctor entered and picked up his chart.

‘I understand you’re a bit of a hero, Detective Inspector Turrell.’

‘No way.’

‘Well I hope you don’t take dips into frozen water for fun. Our main concern is your core temperature. You’ve been very lucky and have only suffered mild hypothermia. However, your temperature is below normal so we’ll need to bring it back up slowly and need to keep an eye on you for a bit before we let you go. My colleague will be setting up a drip and an oxygen mask. And although that wound is healing nicely, I think we’d better give you antibiotic cover. There are some nasty things in that canal. Do you have any questions?’

‘How soon can I get out of here?’

‘I would like to keep an eye on you overnight and assess you in the morning. Then it will depend how stable you are.’

‘No chance of making it home tonight?’

‘It wouldn’t be wise.’

Matt sighed, feeling like he was wasting his time. The doctor interrupted his thoughts.

‘Look, I go off duty hopefully at ten. How about I come back and give you the once-over before then? I might be able to discharge you, if you promise to rest. Best I can offer.’

‘I’d really appreciate that. Thanks. Is the PC outside?’

‘The one pacing like an expectant father?’

‘That’ll be him. Could I have a word?’

‘I’ll send him in.’

When the doctor had gone, Matt let the nurse insert a cannula in his arm ready for the drip and fasten the oxygen mask around his face. Charlie came in looking worried.

‘Sir.’

‘Worse than it looks. I’ll need you to let DS Withers, Sam, know how things are here. I may not be out until morning. Could you also phone my wife, taking care not to scare her? I’ll give you the details.’

‘No problem, sir.’

‘Have we heard how Tilly Rowlands is doing?’

‘No, except she went to ICU. I’ll find out and report back, sir.’

‘After what we went through, I’d drop the sir. Make it Matt or guv, unless the higher ranks are around.’

‘Thanks, s…guv.’

After giving Charlie Eppie’s details, Matt allowed his eyes to close as the warmth began to spread through him. He had no idea how long he dozed, but woke up to find Jane standing by his side.

‘Hi, Matt, how are you feeling?’

‘Ready to get out of here. What time is it?’

‘Nearly nine.’

‘Bloody hell.’ Matt made a move to get up, forgetting his attachments.

‘Hey, hold on.’

‘Have we caught Vinny James yet?’

‘No, but, Matt, we’re doing everything possible. It won’t be long. There’s nothing more you or anyone else can do.’

Matt sank back and noticed one of his old jogging suits on the bedside chair.

‘Eppie’s been?’

‘Yes. She was here when I arrived. I sent her to get a coffee. Oh and the latest update regarding Tilly is that she is stable but has been moved to the labour ward.’

‘But the baby’s not due yet.’

‘Matt, she’s in the right place, thanks to you, so stop worrying.’

‘Is Nick with her? We should have a word with him.’

‘If you think I’m going in there to drag him out, I won’t do it.’

Despite himself, Matt laughed. Jane was back on form. This led him to wondering about the fireman. What had she called him? He couldn’t help asking.

‘So who’s your pet fireman?’

Jane sighed as if expecting the question. ‘We’re seeing each other. He was in physio the same time as me, and, well, we just got on. He makes me laugh.’

For a moment, Matt felt jealous. ‘I’m glad.’

‘Thanks. You’ll like Ethan.’

‘He’s why – your nickname?’

‘Yes, he didn’t like it.’

‘Fair enough.’

Any further discussion stopped when Eppie arrived, followed by the doctor, who checked him over and said he could go home if he promised to rest. Eppie reassured her he would and Matt couldn’t scramble into his clothes fast enough.