The Silent Plea: A DI Zennor Cornish Crime Mystery by Carter Solomon

Author:Carter, Solomon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Great Leap
Published: 2024-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

Seventeen

Zennor was almost back in Bodmin when the call came in. It was late afternoon, almost three pm. Cartwright’s name was on screen. Zennor used the handsfree to take the call as she drove up the steep roads at the edge of Bodmin town.

“Sam?” she said, “How did it go?”

“It’s game on,” he replied. “My contact is going to visit the nightclub tonight to make his connections.”

“Good, good,” said Zennor, almost surprised. “And he seems reliable?”

“Within certain parameters, yes.”

Zennor frowned.

“What parameters, Sam? You didn’t mention any parameters before?”

“It’s okay. He was just worried about the risks. I’ve managed that. He’ll give them something they want to hear as a way in and that’ll keep him safe.”

“Such as?”

“He’s going to tell them about Golden Cliffs. About how the NCA have it locked down. Yes, they’ll know that already, but him telling them implies he has inside knowledge, which makes him useful.”

“They might think he’s a plant.”

“No. Not with Chalky. He’s more of an invasive weed than a plant.”

“Okay… so what were his other parameters?”

“Money. And we’ve got that covered too. He’ll come through with the goods, Vee. So, we better decide how we’re going to approach the next phase. What’s the end game?”

“Hmmm. Your friend sets up a follow-up meeting, hopefully with Bron Cookman. It would be even better if Sturrock was there too, but I want Cookman most of all. I’m sure he’s the man behind the sex trafficking.”

Cartwright gritted his teeth. He was of the same opinion.

“Golden Cliffs must have made an absolute fortune through the sex work,” Cartwright replied. “Much more than on the cleaning gig. I’m sure Cookman will bite.”

“Let’s hope so,” said Zennor. “Tell your friend to set up the meeting ASAP. We’ll be there in the wings, waiting to make an arrest.”

“He’ll be worried about his safety.”

“We’ll look after him, Sam. I mean that.”

“But how? You’re not bringing the NCA on board? If these guys are armed, and some of them must be armed—‍”

“If it comes to that, we can access our own armed units. But yes, eventually, if our hand is forced, we may have to let them in on this one. But only at the last minute. We’re going to protect this lead until it’s a done deal.”

“I’m glad you said that.”

“Good work, Sam. Are you coming back in?”

“Not right now. You’ve just answered a few tricky questions. I’ll get back to my contact and give him your assurances.”

“Keep him sweet, Sam. If you keep him on board, that will make up for almost everything else.”

“I hope so,” said Sam.

“See you tomorrow, bright and early.”

“Yeah. See you then.”

At the other end of the line, Cartwright closed the call and smiled. He watched Lina strolling around his spacious first-floor flat, peering out through the windows at the views over the rolling English countryside. The sleeves of the baggy fleece top she was wearing hung low over her hands. It was his top. She picked up a record from Sam’s vinyl collection, before replacing it

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