Impression (DI Gardener 4)

“Long story,” said Gardener. “But it involved a huge fare that she couldn’t pay.”

“Hell’s teeth,” said Benson. “I think I might change my vocation.”

“Not if you end up dead, you won’t.”

“True,” said Benson, laughing.

A knock on the door interrupted the proceedings. The desk sergeant pushed the door open and spoke to Gardener.

“Sir, we’ve had a ping on the ANPR system. Rydell’s machine has been spotted around Guiseley.”

“Good,” said Gardener. “Get the local traffic division on to it. See if we can pick him up.”

“Where did you go after the clinic?” Briggs asked Gardener.

“Rydell’s home. Place was empty.”

“Have you left an officer there?”

“No, but I’m coming to that.”

Gardener pointed to Frank Fisher’s name. “Frank Fisher worked for Sean Rydell, the builder, and Chris’s father. He had an accident, which left him paralysed. Barry Morrison pressed him to sue for compensation. When it went to court, Alan Sargent testified that the place was unfit to work in, a health and safety deathtrap. Fisher won his case.”

“How did Sargent know?” asked Rawson, even though it had all been explained to him outside Rydell’s place.

“He did some work for the company.”

“So, it’s fair to assume that each of these people have crossed Rydell – or his father – and they’ve paid the price,” said Briggs.

“So where does the book come in, that one about Foul Deeds?” asked Anderson.

“Not sure, yet,” said Gardener. “There may be a very good reason inside the killer’s head for using the scenes, or it may be something he’s picked at random. We won’t know until we’ve talked to him.”

Gardener stared at Briggs. “I’d like a warrant tomorrow – or tonight, if it can be arranged – for his arrest, and also to search his premises.” If only Gardener could have mentioned what he’d found inside Rydell’s home.

“Shouldn’t be a problem. I think we have enough on him for that. Are you absolutely sure that Rydell is your man?”

“I can’t see it being anyone else.”

“What about this Allen fella?”

“I appreciate he’s still someone we need to find, but so far we haven’t found any evidence that he actually knows any of the deceased. Seems to me that he’s hell-bent on making Vincent’s life a misery. Colin Sharp spoke to Allen’s parents earlier today. He cannot drive, and has never applied for or held a licence, which would make it difficult for him to do what’s been done. He specializes in poisoning people.”

“Okay Stewart, if you’re sure. You’ve been doing this long enough now to follow your nose.”

Gardener nodded.

“But what about the girl? Is there any evidence to link her to Rydell?”

“We haven’t found any,” said Gardener. “And something about that really bothers me. Sally Summerby is still alive. Rydell must know all about her lies in court, so why hasn’t he killed her? Or did he feel that taking her daughter away from her would be a greater punishment?”

“It certainly would be,” said Thornton. “But if that’s the case, does he still intend to kill Chloe? You remember what it said in the book about another five-year-old behind the Municipal Buildings in Leeds.”

Gardener glanced at the photo on the chart of the girl that Sally Summerby claimed was not her daughter. Who was she?

“I know this sounds awful,” said Briggs, “but until we find the body of either Chloe Summerby, or another five-year-old, there is very little we can do.”

Frustrated at the lack of evidence surrounding the girl, Gardener continued.