Imposture (DI Gardener 6)

Each member of the team moved in closer as Jonathan Drake suddenly started to film the event. The man in the suit grabbed the phone, put it in his pocket and swiftly took care of Drake, disposing of him at the bottom of the ramp.

“Is that how Jonathan Drake described what happened?” Gardener asked.

“Pretty much,” replied Rawson. “He beefed it up a little, made out he’d put up more of a fight.”

“Stupid question, I know, but did he get a good look at the man in the suit?”

“No. Not enough to identify him.”

“Did he recognise the voice?” asked Reilly.

“No.”

“What happened when he came round?” Gardener asked.

“Nothing. Everyone had disappeared. Michael Foreman had gone, and the man in the suit and the Evoque, along with his phone.”

“Did he give you his phone number?” asked Julie Longstaff.

“Yes. I put a trace on it,” said Rawson. “Nothing has happened with the phone since the attack. It’s been switched off, and no doubt the SIM card removed because there is no signal.”

“That guy in the white suit obviously knows how to handle himself,” said Reilly. “Everything he did was swift and clean, professional. Almost, dare I say it, military?”

Gardener thought about it and then pressed Patrick Edwards about the Evoque’s movements.

“After leaving The Headrow it disappeared for a few minutes before doubling back. The next ping was on the A61 Roundhay Road. We lost him after that; still trying to get the information.”

“Where does the A61 lead to?” Gardener asked.

“North of Leeds: Thirsk, Ripon, Harrogate. Could be any of those places, sir,” replied Edwards.

“Okay, keep plugging away. I suspect the man with the Evoque is the one impersonating the police officer in the early hours of this morning. It could be Anthony Palmer. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve been fooled by someone dressing up and impersonating a police officer.”

“Why would Anthony Palmer pose as a policeman and use his own name?” asked Reilly.

“To make us think it was too obvious to connect,” said Gates.

“Hiding in plain sight, you mean?” said Longstaff.

“He’s had some nerve, though, hasn’t he?” said Rawson. “Posing as an officer, and relieving our two of their duty to carry this out.”

“Wouldn’t take a lot,” said Reilly. “Boring shift, sleepy officers. This guy comes along, offers them some shut-eye at home in their own beds. Come back first thing, they’re gonna jump at it.”

“Meanwhile he ships his next victim in without a hitch,” said Sharp.

“It’s a possibility,” said Gardener, “or is it someone else altogether, who knows as much – if not more – about the incident, than we all do?”

“That seems obvious,” said Benson, “which brings us back to Rosie Henshaw and another possibility.”

“Go on,” said Gardener.

“Is she working with someone – Palmer being the most obvious?”

“But why?” asked Gardener. “What’s the endgame?”

“Can’t be the money,” said Reilly. “They appear to be rolling in it anyway, and if her husband dies, she’ll inherit it all.”

“Maybe,” said Sharp, “but if all this money has been made illegally, how will she stand? Can she keep it?”