Yey! New reviewers! Hope you continue to read and enjoy my story! Thanks as always to the wonderful words of smithy's gal!
She's the One
Chapter 9
The next morning, nearly every cop in Sun Hill was devoting every minute to finding Dale Smith. Only Inspector Gold, Superintendent Okaro and PC Dunbar knew the prime suspect. Kerry, though still bruised and battered, helped as much as she could, sitting in on interviews with friends of Gabriel's and the like. She attempted to keep the tears back as much as she could, but she lost her temper when speaking to one of Gabriel's mates from the navy.
"Where the hell is he?" she thundered, slamming her fist on the table. Mike Jones looked startled.
"I'm telling you; I don't know!" he yelled back. His eyes were bloodshot and his smile insane.
"Will you both calm down?" Manson said in an angry tone of voice. "None of this is going to get us any closer to finding him! Now, Mr Jones, let's try this again. When was the last time you heard from Gabriel Kent?"
"I've told you, I know no Gabriel Kent!"
"Okay, what about David Kent?" Neil attempted, sitting back in his chair and folding his arms.
"Now you're talking!" he exclaimed. "David Kent is one of the freakiest men I've met in my entire life! Last time I heard from him was a few months ago when he asked me where a guy called Jason lived. Apparently we were all in the navy together. According to David, Jason was an excellent marksman."
Neil was about to speak when Kerry's phone began to ring. She rose from her chair and left the room.
"For the benefit of the tape, PC Kerry Young has left the room."
Once outside, Kerry pulled out her phone. It said Gabriel was ringing. She ran into the sergeants' office where June was finishing some paperwork. Kerry plugged it into the speaker phone, pressed record and ushered to June to be quiet.
"Kerry? Are you there?" came Gabriel's voice.
"What do you want?" Kerry spat viciously, praying that he was going reveal his whereabouts.
"I'm guessing you're upset about Smithy going missing, aren't you?" he pondered. "Have you found him yet?"
"Don't try those mind games on me, you sad little man! I know you've got him, and you'd better tell me where he is!" June looked on in horror as Kerry once more broke down into tears.
"Now that depends on whether you're willing to co-operate," he hissed, keeping his voice calm and composed. "Smithy's safe, for now anyway. All you have to do is meet me by the Thames, just a mile South of Tower Bridge at midnight tonight. If you accept my demands, and come alone, Smithy won't be harmed."
"How do I know you'll keep your promise?" Kerry stuttered through the tears.
"Do you have a choice?" Gabriel shot back venomously. "If you don't trust me, it's bye, bye from Sergeant Smithy." Gabriel suppressed a cruel laugh, and he hung up.
"There, there, Kerry," June soothed as she wrapped an arm round her. "Let's get this tape to the DCI."
DCI Meadows ran a hand over his maturely lined face and sighed deeply. He thought of what it would be life to have a peaceful life, but he knew what people said; there was no peace for the wicked. He picked up his pen and continued writing his report. Jack was attempting to write about the events of a string of suicides that had happened in the past two weeks. It seemed the only possible reason for them was that they were the family members of those shot by the sniper.
A loud knock on the door caused him to write 'gob' instead of 'got'. He cursed.
"Come in!" he called in annoyance.
Gina Gold bustled herself in carrying a tape and a mobile phone. She had that old manic glint back in her hawk like eyes.
"What is it, Gina?"
"It's Gabriel," Gina replied, "he's just called Kerry; he's got Smithy."
"Do you have any evidence?" Jack asked, his spirits roused.
"As a matter of fact, I do!" exclaimed Gina. She placed the tape into the player on Jack's desk and pressed the play button. The conversation began playing back.
"Kerry? Are you there?"
"What do you want?"
"I'm guessing you're upset about Smithy going missing, aren't you? Have you found him yet?"
"Don't try those mind games on me, you sad little man! I know you've got him, and you'd better tell me where he is!"
"Now that depends on whether you're willing to co-operate. Smithy's safe, for now anyway. All you have to do is meet me by the Thames, just a mile South of Tower Bridge at midnight tonight. If you accept my demands, and come alone, Smithy won't be harmed."
"How do I know you'll keep your promise?"
"Do you have a choice? If you don't trust me, it's bye, bye from Sergeant Smithy."
After the last sentence, the tape went blank.
"Do you think he'll suspect an ambush if she agrees?" Gina pondered, staring into space.
"I'm not sure," answered Jack wonderingly. "Right, I think we'll send Kerry in, with a well hidden wire, with back-up just around the corner. We can't underestimate Gabriel. And get through to SO19, we'll need them."
"Yes, sir."