Sand Dancer by Colin Youngman

Author:Colin Youngman
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2024-06-11T00:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

‘Listen up, everyone. Stop what you’re doing,’ Stephen Danskin shouted to his team as he and Rick Kinnear emerged from the Super’s room.

He clapped his hands. ‘STOP! LISTEN, PEOPLE: WE HAVE NEW INFORMATION!’ he shouted even louder.

They stopped and trained their eyes on him.

‘We’re scaling back the review of CCTV footage…’

‘Scaling back? Why?’ Lucy asked.

‘How’s that gannin to help us?’ Todd Robson added.

An irritated Danskin said he’d told them to listen, not speak.

‘We have a prime suspect. His name’s Noel Gowland. He’s a sparky who does work at the theatre. He’s also Semilla Rachman’s ex-boyfriend.’

He pulled up a second whiteboard and began scribbling details.

‘DI Parker will still be co-ordinating activity here, but here’s what that activity is going to be. Now we know who we’re looking for, DCI Kinnear’s team will use facial recognition software to scan the crowds around the exterior of the Customs House.’ He noted the board accordingly. ‘The Super believes there’s still mileage in researching activity on and around the Shields ferry terminal. Obyego’s the one charged with that.’

Danskin took the opportunity to pause for a moment. He checked his team were fully focused, which they were once Trebilcock set down a half-eaten pasty.

‘I want Dexter to continue looking into the background of everyone on Sophia Ridley’s list. Gowland may have an accomplice – the note said, ‘we’, remember; indicating there’s others involved. We need a complete check across social media for all Gowland’s posts, on-line friends, owt like that. Phone records, too. They’re your jobs,’ he pointed to Trebilcock and Gavin O’Hara.’

‘What aboot me, guv?’ Todd Robson interrupted.

‘You’re there to support everyone else until we get the go-ahead.’

‘Go-ahead for what?’

‘The warrant to search Gowland’s house. The Super’s on it already. Once it comes through, you’re coming with me to search the place.’

A smile broke across Robson’s face. He cracked his knuckles. ‘Expecting a bit of trouble, guv? I’m your man for that.’

‘Aye, I know you are. That’s why I’m coming with you. You’ll knock seven bells oot of him if I let you loose.’

‘Spoilsport,’ Todd mumbled.

‘Okay everyone: I want us on this until we know more about Gowland than his own mother.’

**

The boat pitched and tossed amidst a frenzy of waves. Below deck, Semilla clung to the bunk with her one good hand. Micky steadied himself by flexing his knees for balance whilst hanging onto the table with both hands. The other man sat on the wooden floor, sliding back and forth at the maelstrom’s whim, constantly thrown against the hard surfaces of the cabin.

‘She is going to survive this, isn’t she?’ Micky asked. He saw Semilla’s eyes widen. ‘I mean the boat: not you, man.’

‘You’re supposed to be the seaman here,’ his colleague pointed out. ‘You tell me.’

‘You arranged to get this boat. Surely you know its seaworthiness?’ His words were almost drowned out by the creaks and groans of the vessel as it strained against the elements.

‘It’s my cousin’s mate’s boat,’ the man said. ‘How would I know?’

‘Jesus, man. What if he fancies a day’s fishing or summat and finds his boat’s disappeared?’

‘He won’t.

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