Thirty-Seven

Ash was back at his desk when Salter called.

"Where are you?" he asked. "I could have done with my wing man this afternoon."

"Sorry," Reuben said. "Did you not get my message? Nathan was sick – I had to pick him up from school early."

Ash frowned. "Is he ok?"

"Yeah – he seemed to make a remarkable recovery as soon as he sat down in front of the Xbox, funnily enough. How was Samuel's statement?"

Ash rubbed a hand over his eyes. "What you'd expect really. Bloody awful. He doesn't know much that can help us. Although he did say that the boys were going to be divided into two shipments. It's why he and his brother ran. He realised they might be separated."

"Could he identify the first body?"

"No, afraid not."

"Well, despite me having to slope off, I've had a pretty good day. Have you seen that MP that's been sounding off about the airport closures?"

"Um. Millicent someone?"

"Right. Millicent Davey. Well, I thought her name rang a bell for more than just being a loud-mouthed Lucinda, so I did some digging."

"And?"

"You're going to love this. She's got a husband, but they don't use the same married name, because he's dodgy as hell. Became bankrupt a few years ago after a few sniffy business deals with a group of Saudis. He was a fool - they all claimed diplomatic immunity and he was left to carry the can. Even did a stretch. Three guesses what his name is."

Ash felt himself smiling. "Gerard bloody Crossfair."

"Got it in one. Oh, and have you spoken to Nikki? Those chalk samples were a match. Both Samuel and the heavy had been in that yard at Tanner Construction."

Saul nodded. "That fits. Samuel said the boys were held somewhere for a bit after they were picked up outside the processing centre."

"Well, there were three or four empty storage containers set back in the mine that could be a fit."

"With the chalk match, that probably gives us enough for a warrant. I'll get some SOCOs down there to go over it properly."

"Still can't see a link between the two companies called Tanner," said Reuben.

"It's got to be there somewhere. We'll keep looking."

"Did the boy have anything useful for us about the centre?" asked Salter. "Whether they had a contact inside?"

"A guard. He told them where to be, and when."

"Any chance of an ID? Of the guard, or anyone that brought them over?"

"I think so. He's a smart kid when he's not scared for his life." There was a pause. "We're getting closer, Reuben. I think we might actually crack this. For a while there, I wasn't sure we would."

He could feel Salter's smile down the line. "Feels good, doesn't it?"

"It'll feel better if we can find those two boys still alive. I don't know – I've just got a feeling they are."

"Well, that's not a bad thing to hold on to. Listen, do you want to come round tonight? Jenny's made lasagne. Says there's plenty."

"Tell her many thanks, but not tonight."

"Plans with Nikki?"

Ash drummed his fingers on his desk. "Maybe. We'll see. I've got some things to do here first. I think I might be rushing things, anyway. I'm... rusty."

"Nah," said Reuben, cheerfully. "You just know a good thing when you see it. I say marry her before she can get away."

Saul laughed. "Night, Reuben."

"Do you want me to come back to the station? I can. It's not even five yet."

"No, it's fine. Have an evening with your family. Tell Nathan he'd better have a good score for me to thrash next time I visit."

[TBC]