The Ultimate Selection: Be Careful Who You Talk To (20 page)

Chapter Thirty-Four

As soon as he was showered and dressed, McFarland looked at the clock which sat on his dressing table. It was time. He picked up his phone and dialled. ‘Morning, sir…'

‘Good morning, James. What's on your mind?' Jasper knew that he was only ever contacted by McFarland this early in the day when he was after something.

‘Well, sir, we think that we should call another press conference and appeal to the public for help,' McFarland cringed.

‘Not a bad idea. Though haven't we already done that recently, James?'

‘But, sir, this time we want Terry in front of the camera.'

‘Terry Bane can't be seen and you know that.'

‘Sir, with respect, he's part of this investigation,' McFarland interrupted.

‘I'd like to remind you who is the superior officer here.'

‘Sir…' McFarland took a deep breath, ‘Terry has been contacted directly by the guy who has been orchestrating these recent crimes.'

‘What?' Jasper interrupted.

‘He calls himself “The Ultimate” and we know that he's the real deal because he phoned Terry using Hector Hylie's mobile phone.'

‘He would have to come back on to the payroll James. That's the only way I would be able to wangle it.'

‘No, that is not what this is about, sir. It's about catching this guy. It's about public safety, let's forget the pride of The Yard and concentrate on why you called Terry back in.' McFarland felt like he was almost clutching at straws but continued, ‘To catch the person responsible for these hideous crimes. We thought that it was a one-off until he struck again, now we are helpless, waiting for him to dish up another corpse. Why shouldn't the public know that you've had to call Terry back in? Tell them that we have been contacted by this monster and that this monster has named himself as “The Ultimate”. Get this on the front of every newspaper. Sir, I guarantee that you'll have their undivided attention, along with their full backing.'

‘I don't know about this… I agree with you regarding the public's right to know, but we don't want people running scared… what I mean by that is we don't want vigilantes roaming our streets, James.'

‘What then? What do you suggest we do, sir? Terry and I are dancing in the dark. What exactly have we got? We have two people in custody, we have an eyewitness who told us what we already know. What I'm trying to say, sir, is if we don't appeal to the public, we are no further forward than when we started this investigation. It is our opinion that we tell the public as much as we legally can. Sir, please trust us with this. We've always delivered results in the past.'

‘OK, James. Meet me at The Yard, in about…' Jasper checked his watch, ‘let's say, a couple of hours. We can debrief and draw up a statement for the press. James…' Jasper growled, ‘don't keep me waiting,' Jasper hung up.

‘Yes,' McFarland yelled, punching the air. He then dialled Terry.

‘You'll have to come back full-time you know?' McFarland stated, in a quiet tone.

‘Jasper agreed? Fucking hell, wonders will never cease,' Terry chuckled. ‘And no I won't,' he replied calmly.

‘It's the only way he'll agree for you to face the press and be in full sight of the cameras, mate.' A silence followed.

‘Did you tell him about the contact with The Ultimate, McFarland?

‘I had to, mate, but it was your idea, and listen, we have to keep him in the loop. He would never have agreed to it if I hadn't. We've been summoned to his office – a couple of hours. We need to go through the press release, agree on a formal statement, and blah-de-blah, mate.'

‘I was just checking… If it means me putting pen to paper.'

‘How do you want to play this press conference then?' McFarland interrupted.

‘Let's see what Jasper says, hey?' Terry knew that he would be provided a script, which would have been edited over and over.

‘I'll be with you in about thirty minutes.'

Chapter Thirty-Five

Greg decided that he should do a final scout of the area surrounding the fitness instructor's flat. Lavender Gardens was a nice residential area of London, right next door to Kensington Gardens, ideal for Greg, who could park his van on the other side of the park, slip across the park undetected, do what he had to do and slip away across the park again. ‘Perfect,' he thought.

Conrad Michaels had been a fitness instructor for over ten years, he had a history of sleeping with wealthy married women, a guy getting the best of both worlds, you might say. At thirty-four, Conrad looked great but none of this was natural, he had worked very hard to achieve his physical prowess. Various cosmetic surgeons had played their parts in chiselling his looks. Women couldn't help themselves.

Greg understood, and mildly respected, that Conrad must be a man of discipline – though vanity drove his strict training schedule. Nevertheless, Conrad was behind many a divorce, though somehow he always managed to come up smiling of roses. Nothing ever stuck to him – Teflon – nonstick.

Greg had also managed to find out that Conrad had studied karate and earned his black belt, this was why Greg, who by his own omission, was and is a very accomplished martial artist, did not want to have to waste time and energy overpowering Conrad. Weapons weren't cheating – they left nothing to chance.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Both men approached the door to Jasper's office in silence – in order for them to compose themselves. This press conference could make or break the case. McFarland reached for the door handle and opened the door, leading the way.

‘Good morning, sir,' McFarland said.

‘Good morning again, James. Good morning, Terry,' Jasper smiled. ‘I'm sure you both know Kyle?'

‘Mr Secretary…' McFarland said greeting Kyle. Terry gestured, nodding his head once. Kyle Moran's official capacity was that of Secretary of New Scotland Yard. In the eyes of the Metropolitan Police, he was God and Jasper was Jesus – although unofficially it was the other way round. Kyle was a man never to be crossed.

‘So, Terry… you want back in?' Kyle asked, his face stern.

‘I never said I wanted back in, Kyle.'

‘Terry… it's Mr Secretary,' McFarland stated, worried that this had started badly.

‘No, McFarland, its Kyle, whilst I'm still a civilian.'

‘It's only a matter of time Terry… before you come back,' the hardened man replied. ‘It's the only way that you'll get your press conference.'

‘My press conference?' Terry looked amazed, ‘Jasper, you called on me for help. I only offered my help, not my soul.'

‘Terry, I would never allow you to be a spokesman for The Yard, unless you rejoined the family, and you're not dim enough to have thought otherwise,' Jasper said, joining the conversation.

‘Is that the offer?'

‘Let's leave the past where it belongs Terry, in the past,' Kyle said taking a small step forward. ‘You know how we play the game here,' he added, holding out his hand. ‘Please, shake my hand Terry. We were all under the cosh back in the day and we had to get the job done. OK we won't ever exchange Christmas cards, but that doesn't mean that we can't move on. Does it?'

‘Let's cut to the chase,' Terry said as he shook Kyle's hand. ‘Cards on the table time.'

‘You rejoin the family and it's your call, and your case.'

‘McFarland?'

‘My place in heaven is guaranteed, mate,' McFarland grinned.

‘OK, where do I sign?'

‘Jasper will make the address, then you'll read from the script and open the floor to the Q and As.'

‘And after?'

‘And after… what?'

‘This has all been put to bed; The Ultimate has been locked up.'

‘Once a result has been achieved, is that what you mean?'

‘Yes, that is exactly what I mean, Mr Secretary.'

‘Business as usual, as per the status quo. Your days as a reporter will be a distant memory.'

‘OK, show me the script.'

***

Jasper led the way followed by McFarland and Terry. The room was very noisy. Camera lenses began to click as soon as Terry emerged from behind McFarland.

‘OK, OK, please calm down,' Jasper yelled. The room fell into silence. ‘You all know who I am, but for the record, I am Chief Inspector Jasper Ward. To my left, you have Detective Inspector James McFarland and to my right, Mr Terry Bane, Former Detective Inspector and the leading Detective Inspector In Charge.' Jasper looked at Terry, and gave him a small smile. Camera shutters made a frantic united click. ‘I will invite questions once we have finished our announcement,' Jasper said trying to maintain order. ‘To bring you all up to speed – Detective Inspector In Charge Bane was approached by New Scotland Yard to assist in the apprehension of the person who is solely responsible for two recent brutal crimes. I am going to pass you over to D.I.I.C. Bane who has a brief to give you and then questions will be welcomed. Let me please ask for your complete co-operation while the brief is given, thank you. Terry...'

‘OK, as you know there have been a couple of brutal killings recently, linked by a man in a shiny black suit. We are no closer to catching this guy than we were at the beginning of the investigation.'

Some of the journalists started barking like dogs.

‘Come on, please calm down!' Jasper ordered. ‘If you don't let him speak, we'll have to call a halt to this press conference!'

‘Thank you,' Terry said holding his hands in the air. ‘As I was saying… we have been contacted by a male calling himself “The Ultimate”. We know that this is a genuine claim, but as you are well aware, I am unable to divulge why we know this. We owe it to the victims, Brain James and Hector Hylie, we also owe it to the victims' families so I implore anybody who thinks they might have any information surrounding recent events to come forward. I can guarantee complete anonymity and confidentiality. Without your help, we are blind. This man is among you; he is out there walking and stalking our streets. Until we catch him and put him behind bars, where he belongs, those streets, our streets, are his. We urge you not to try to apprehend this man alone, call for assistance. He is a truly dangerous person; the details of these horrendous crimes clearly spell that out. We are going to make a freephone number available twenty-four hours a day until we catch this criminal,' Terry paused for a sip of water. ‘Now ask your questions one at a time.'

‘Blake Ward, the
London Echo
. Are you admitting that you haven't made any progress?'

‘That's not what I said, we're just trying to use the media to gain as much coverage as we can; that is why we are asking for your help today.'

‘Fulton Myers, the
Daily
Telegraph
. Isn't this what The Ultimate wants… to be in the headlines? You're playing in to his hands, giving him his glory.'

‘No, Mr Myers, I disagree. He dresses in black, he leaves no trace of his presence at any of the scenes. None of the victims, or witnesses, can give us any kind of a firm description. He wants to remain anonymous. That is why he fades to black.'

‘Blake Ward, the
London Echo
. What's he hoping to achieve?'

‘We're not sure on that; we think that there's a link, but until we are certain…'

‘Fulton Myers, the
Daily Telegraph
. How long have you been working on this case?'

Terry looked at Jasper, who nodded his approval. ‘The day I reported the first murder, I was approached and I had a meeting with New Scotland Yard.'

‘Who approached you?' Fulton Myers fired back.

‘You know that's strictly confidential, Mr Myers,' Terry smiled.

‘Bill Davis, the
Sun
. Both victims have been male, does that mean that women are safe?'

‘No Bill, that's not true. It would be foolish for us to assume that. The first murder victim was male, though the person who murdered him wasn't. It is too early to guess any kind of pattern and it would be foolish if we were to make any assumptions.'

‘Blake Ward, the
London Echo
. Do you have any idea what his motives are? Or is that a foolish question?' Intermittent laughter followed, though only briefly.

‘At the moment, we have a number of theories, but until we are sure, we would only be guessing – as you would be foolish to guess, Mr Ward. We need your help,' Terry had warmed to this reporter.

‘Gill Morgan, the
Times. W
hy “The Ultimate”?'

‘That, Mrs Morgan, is something we don't know, we think he is some sort of vigilante who sees himself as giving the ultimate justice. All we do know is that he is going to strike again and again until he is caught.'

‘Gill Morgan,
The Times
. When do you think he'll strike again?'

‘The only honest answer to that is soon. He will continue until he is caught. At this time, it is too early for us to gauge any kind of time pattern. But we don't intend on giving him enough time to establish one.'

‘Gareth Charles, the
Standard
. I think that my colleagues and I would be more than happy to ensure that this appeal is printed on the front page of tonight's edition of the
Standard
.'

‘Thank you. I would respectfully request that you all do that. It goes without saying that we hope this is going to make the front page of all your papers. That way we can get as much coverage as possible.'

‘OK, thank you ladies and gentlemen,' Jasper concluded.

‘Thank you all,' Terry added.

‘Do you want Mr Ward silenced, Terry?'

‘No don't, we need him. He's done us a lot of good and he knows it,' Terry said calmly. ‘He did that on purpose.'

‘Why?' McFarland asked.

‘To demonstrate that we meant what we were saying, that we weren't just trying to lay down a smokescreen; that we are not just guessing. McFarland, the press have always thought that we have always held back the truth until a case is solved. He thought that by directing his questions the way he did, my answers would demonstrate that we truly showed them, and the British public, our hand and that our cards are on the table. Now, The Ultimate, who I can guarantee would have been watching this – will be fucking pissed off and this will hopefully force him to play his next card. We have won over Mr Blake Ward, along with all his fellow journalists, but I think he didn't need winning over. You remove the smoke from their eyes and they can report with better clarity, mate,' Terry said, placing his arm on the shoulder of the Scotsman.

‘Welcome back Terry,' McFarland chuckled.

‘It feels like I never left,' Terry laughed.