Imposture (DI Gardener 6)

“It’s registered to Hammer Studios in Buckinghamshire, sir.”

“Hammer Studios?” repeated Reilly. “Didn’t think they were still aroun

d.”

“To a company or an individual?” Gardener asked.

“A Mr Lee, C. Lee.”

“Mr C. Lee of Hammer Studios, out at Bray?” said Rawson. “That’s inventive.”

Gardener shook his head. He’d seen enough films – courtesy of his father – to know what that could possibly mean. Christopher Lee was one of the biggest stars of his day.

Edwards continued. “Me and Paul discussed the plate, trying to work it out – what it might stand for.”

Benson took over. “J, A & E might stand for Jack, Alfie – or Anthony, as the case may be – and Edna.”

“But we’re not sure about the M,” said Edwards, “unless it was Morse and not Conrad.”

“Further digging revealed the car had its first service at a dealership in Slough. We contacted them. It didn’t get us very far, other than verification but it was worth a call.”

“Did you find out who paid the bill?” asked Gardener. “And how they paid? Was there any footage of the individual in the dealership?”

“We’re just waiting for that, sir,” said Benson. “They got a bit cagey and read us the spiel about data protection and all that.”

“So we read them the riot act,” said Edwards, “and we asked Mr Briggs to give them a call and send us what we needed.”

“But we don’t have it yet?” Gardener asked.

Benson shook his head. “No.”

“Give them another call, keep on the case.”

“We banged it on the ANPR but so far, no pings.”

“We need to read traffic the riot act as well, see what they can find on the CCTV cameras,” said Reilly, “but if we haven’t seen anything on ANPR, maybe they removed the number plates after the accident. But even that should have stood out.”

“What about James’ home PC?” asked Sharp.

“We scoured it,” said Longstaff. “Been at it all night, the only thing on it was family home movie footage.”

“So there’s obviously a business computer somewhere else,” said Gates, “the important one that does all the damage.”

“I know I wanted all the airports checking,” said Gardener, “and I realise it was a tall order, and I doubt you’ll have managed all that in two days, but do we have anything at all on James Henshaw?”

“If he left the country he didn’t use his own name, or any of the others we know them by.”

“What we need here are some good photos of them all so that we can go back to the airports,” said Gardener, glancing at the whiteboard. “So far we only have one of James Henshaw courtesy of his wife. What about phones, internet, or bank accounts? Did his computer reveal any of that?”

“Nothing we can put to good use,” said Gates.

“What about the other three?” Gardener asked.

“Michael Foreman lives in Skipton,” said Rawson, “or did until he disappeared.”

“He’s disappeared as well?” Gardener asked.

“According to his neighbours he’s not been seen for a while.”