The dangers of Smoking.
The dangers of smoking are widely known, by smokers and non smokers alike. Detective Sergeant James Hathaway knows them, accepts them and lives with them. Except one. No one thought to warn about that one did they?
Chapter 17
"There's got to be something here we're missing" Lewis said as James drove back towards the police station.
"The money would be my bet" James replied "Maybe someone else knew about it"
"But as you said, why kill the other two?"
"I don't know" a muscle twitched in James' jaw as he looked in the rear view mirror.
He pulled the car to the side of the road as a marked police car shot past with lights and sirens blaring, as abruptly as it had passed it pulled to the kerb and braked. Two officers leapt out and dashed into the building.
James pulled over behind them.
"6th sense?" Lewis questioned as they got out "Know this ones a murder?"
"It's the Charitable Homeless shelter" James replied, taking the steps two at a time "So I hope not"
Entering the building, they saw a man face down on the carpet being cuffed by the officers, and Mrs Graham standing wild eyed a little further on. She opened her mouth in warning, but a woman flew out of the office, rocking Lewis out of the way and taking off down the stairs. Hathaway looked in bemusement and then gave chase, one of the uniforms behind him.
The man was hauled to his feet and Lewis looked at him.
"Well, well, well Mr Jackson" he said "You do get around. We thought you were visiting a solicitor. Where's yer missus off to in such a hurry?"
"I have no idea" Peter Jackson replied.
"Oh surely you can do better than that?" Lewis said "We'll try another one, what are you doing here?"
"I know you spoke to my mother" Jackson snarled "And that she told you about the money, I just want what's mine"
"Oh and you think he stashed it here?" Lewis said with amusement.
"He left it to this place" Jackson spat "I'm his son and he left it to a homeless shelter!"
"What goes around" Lewis said "Comes around"
Jackson glared back at him, Lewis stared him down and then turned to the officer.
"Get some back up and get him back to the station, he's now a suspect in a murder enquiry. Then go and find my sergeant and your partner" he said.
"Sir" the officer nodded.
"Mrs Graham" Lewis put a kindly hand on her back and directed her to the office "Let's have a chat"
…...
James heard the officer behind him radio the chase in to control, and he was glad he didn't have to. Only at times like this did he realise that he wasn't as fit as he thought he was, and sitting at a desk or behind the wheel of a car, not to mention a 20 a day habit was taking it's toll. He vowed to get more exercise as he ran after the woman into a park, hurdling the gate with a hand on top to save stopping and opening it.
He edged closer, the woman was fast, but she wasn't as fast as him, and he took her down with a flying tackle, feeling something collide with the side of his head he pinned her arms down. The other officer arrived and they cuffed her, pulling her panting to her feet. Looking into her face he rolled his eyes heavenwards.
"Mrs Jackson" he panted "I'm arresting you for …..." he looked at the uniformed officer "What am I arresting her for?"
"Disturbance, assault" the man panted back. James waved a hand at him as he bent double, trying to catch his breath.
"Sarge" his companion said "You're bleeding"
James put a hand to his head, where he felt he'd been struck and saw indeed, he was bleeding. Straightening he looked at Mrs Jackson.
"Add assaulting a police officer" he said.
She laughed to his annoyance "You hit your head on that" she nodded and he saw a large stone that had blood on it "I didn't whack you"
James fingered the cut and glared at her, getting a tissue out to clean the worst of the blood from his fingers and head.
"So would you like to tell me why I've just had to chase you halfway across Oxford?" he asked.
"I fancied a run" she shrugged.
"Get her back to the station" James said in disgust.
…...
Lewis' face registered his shock as he saw James walk back up the stairs.
"You get her?" he asked.
"Yes" James replied "I'm fine by the way"
Lewis took a closer look at his head "Ooh, might need some stitches"
James pulled away, dabbing the tissue to his head again "I take it the man on the floor was Mr Jackson?"
"On his way to the nick" Lewis said "I've interviewed Barbara, but she's a bit shaken, a friend has come to take her home, she's going to give a formal statement tomorrow"
"Did she offer you tea?" James asked as they headed back down the stairs.
"Buckets of the stuff" Lewis laughed "I'll drive, you've got a head injury"
James relinquished the keys, he was rather grateful, his head was pounding.
Getting into the car Lewis looked at him.
"While you get stitched back together, I'll see if Laura can explain those medical notes of Levericks" he said.
James pulled the sun visor down and inspected the damage "Don't think it'll need stitches" he said.
"It'll scar" Lewis warned.
"Adds character" James replied.
"Oh you have plenty of that already" Lewis laughed as he set the car in motion.
…...
"Blimey" Laura said as she took in the blood and bruising on James' head, she turned to Lewis "Surely he's not that annoying"
"Not me" Lewis replied, his hands in a defensive pose "Suspect didn't want to be caught. He won't get stitches, too macho, but will you give him the once over?"
"I am here" James grumbled.
Laura pushed on James' shoulder and he sat in the chair with a wounded look.
"I know you are" she told him as she inspected the cut "You're bleeding on my floor"
"You bedside manner astounds me Dr Hobson" he muttered, wincing under her touch.
"Never had any complaints before" she told him.
"That's because your patients are dead" he pointed our sourly "I'm sure they would if they could.
"You're right, doesn't need stitches. I think some steri strips will sort it out" she beamed back, ignoring the last jibe "Nurses job, and there just happens to be one next door"
James stood and glowered at them both "There's a surprise"
He stalked off, leaving Lewis and Hobson looking at each other "That's probably the most he's said since lunch" Lewis remarked.
"Sulking?" Laura replied.
"Yup" Lewis said "Evie say anything?"
"Evie has been her usual cheery self" Laura said "She's harder to read than misery guts Hathaway"
Lewis smiled and offered her the notes he held "Levericks medical notes" he said "Can you give them a look over?"
"Anything for you" she answered, taking them from him.