Hidden Crimes by Michael Hambling

Author:Michael Hambling [HAMBLING, MICHAEL]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22: No Sense

Barry was still looking sombre. ‘None of it makes any sense. I mean, we’re talking about two murders, an attempted murder and an abduction. It might end up as four murders if the boy doesn’t make it and we find the vicar dead in a ditch somewhere. How can that possibly have anything to do with petty village feuds or the like?’

He and Sophie were sitting in the small office, late in the evening, each sipping at a cup of coffee.

‘I agree with you, Barry. But nothing’s surfaced yet to give us a lead, has it?’

‘Ma’am, you’re the one that said something was bound to turn up. That this latest one was a bit rushed. What was it you said? Every contact leaves a trace?’

Sophie grimaced. ‘Maybe I was being a bit foolhardy. But surely that tells us something. Whoever’s doing this isn’t stupid, not by a long chalk. Which backs up what you’ve just said. It’s not over something petty. So what is it about?’

Barry shook his head. ‘I haven’t had time to think along those lines. We’re being inundated with stuff from Forensics, the house-to-house calls, statements and the like. It’s a wonder I even have time to breathe.’

Sophie took another sip. ‘So let’s pick it apart logically and think about the four victims. Two are young men, teenagers. The other two are adults in some kind of position of responsibility. Bridget was Grant’s mother. The vicar was involved with the youth club and a few other things. We know from talking to his teachers that Grant’s personality changed when he was in his mid-teens. He became a bit morose. Didn’t Tommy and Rae say that Billy Draper’s been behaving oddly?’

Barry nodded but said nothing.

‘So is there a match? Billy at fifteen might be behaving the same as Grant did at about the same age. Is that possible? And did they talk about what was bothering them? Grant to his mother and Billy to the vicar? Did both of those adults learn something and were then silenced?’

Barry looked worried. ‘Are you suggesting what I think you are? Some kind of exploitation or grooming?’

‘The thing is, Barry, it fits. Both of those lads might have mentioned something, and the adults were targeted as a result, before they could act on what they’d heard. Didn’t you say the vicar was on an area child protection panel? If Billy Draper had mentioned something to him, the culprit would have had to act quickly. And it was pretty quick, wasn’t it? The night after Billy was left for dead.’ She paused. ‘I was on an investigation into a child grooming gang once, when I was with the West Midlands. They were targeting a whole lot of teenagers at risk. Some were interested in girls, others boys. We struck it lucky, got some intel and raided an old house they were using as a base, keeping the kids there with the promise of booze, free clothes and drugs. It was totally sick.

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