“I want to put some actions in place for you guys to follow up. Let’s start with two officers behind the Municipal Buildings again tonight. We really can’t afford to slip up on that one; the press would lynch us.”
“Not to mention Joe Public,” said Briggs.
Gardener nodded. “I’d like two officers at Rydell’s place. He’ll have to return at some point. When he does, I want him.”
“You’ve ruled out Billy Morrison, I take it?” Briggs asked.
“Yes. He simply doesn’t fit the profile.”
“And what about this born-again Christian fella, Sally’s husband?”
“Gareth? We interviewed him today. He claims he knows about the birth certificate, about Morrison being Chloe’s father. Has done for some time. Seems he’s done the Christian thing and turned a blind eye.”
“And you believe him?”
“I don’t have a lot of choice at the moment. Quite apart from the fact that he has alibis for each murder.”
“Okay,” said Briggs. “Just making absolutely sure. Because if we pull this bloke in and anything else happens while he’s with us, the shit will hit the fan.”
“Don’t you think I know that, sir?” Gardener was itching to tell Briggs why he was so positive about Rydell. He mentally checked off the two actions he’d given t
he team, and he really couldn’t think of anything else. Markers had been put on PNC and ANPR. The local traffic division all had details of what to watch out for.
“Other than that, I don’t think there’s a lot more we can do. If you can all make sure that everything you’ve so far uncovered has either gone into HOLMES, or will go in tonight, I’d greatly appreciate it.”
As the team started checking their files, the desk sergeant reappeared again. “Sir, we’ve got a situation in Guiseley.”
“We’ve caught him?”
“No. We got a phone call a couple of minutes back, from Vincent Baines.”
“Here we go,” said Reilly. “What the hell does he want?”
“Wherever he is, he’s left the line open, and it looks like he’s been attacked and threatened with his life. We’ve heard some of the conversation, but it’s muffled. There’s been talk of the recent murders and a definite threat made on his life. The phone masts all point to him being in Guiseley. So maybe he’s at home.”
Gardener glanced at Reilly. It didn’t make sense. So far, he had not been able to link Chris Rydell with Vincent Baines.
But what if he was wrong?
The ANPR had already picked up Rydell’s vehicle in the area. What if Vincent’s blogs had caught the attention of Rydell, and he’d gone there to finish the man off?
“Do you want me to send a couple of officers round to Baines’ place?” asked the desk sergeant.
Reilly nodded to Gardener. He knew that nod. The Irishman wanted to take it himself.
“No, it’s okay. We’ll go and have a look.”
“Do you want some back up, Stewart?”
“Sean?”
“I doubt it. Knowing that silly bastard he’ll have got drunk, rung the wrong number, and left his phone near a radio with some stupid detective series on.”
Gardener glanced at Briggs. “We’ll handle it. I’ll call for back up if it’s heavy.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. It’s probably like Sean said. The rest of you, stay here and input the data you have into HOLMES.”