AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘They’re the experts, Ross. It’s suitably remote, and a cell is beingcleared ready for Frankie having been a store for years. There’s only one cop there with it being a single man station, he’s apparently a decent sort with an impeccable record and is well vouched for. Plus, any incomers will stand out a bloody mile up there at this time of year. Too cold for tourists.’ Janie sat down behind her desk and opened up her laptop.
Ross just stared at his screen, muttering something about overtime.
‘Any news?’ said Max as he walked into the room, his face blank of any expression.
‘You’re late,’ said Ross, not looking up from his computer.
‘For what?’
‘We’ve got an imminent meeting with the Chief, the DCC and some gadgies from the Crown Office about the debrief and what we can offer Frankie and limitations associated.’
‘I didn’t even know about that, so how can I be late for it?’ Max looked puzzled.
‘Not that, you’re late for not telling me what happened with soppy bollocks in the ill-fitting cop uniform when you stung Mairi Malone. I had to listen to that smug old bastard telling me how brilliant he was at impersonating cops.’
‘Aye, all true. He was impressive, I even watched from over the road. No way did she suspect anything, she was just too relieved not to be over the drink drive limit, although it was close, she must be a right pisshead. Anything jumping out of the download, Norma?’ said Max, sitting at his desk with a sigh.
‘Give me a chance, I’ve only just imported it into spreadsheets I can search. I’m not a miracle worker, you know,’ said Norma, huffily.
‘I bet you’ve found something already, haven’t you?’ said Max, chuckling.
‘No.’ Norma’s voice was sharp.
‘How about if I tell you that I have Tunnock’s products in my desk?’
‘Okay, maybe I’ve identified the photographs of Hector MacFarlane’s ID, which she stole, and have the number she texted them to. Thereare also a number of other photographs of ID documents that she’s sent. Each time to different numbers, so it’s either to different people, or our man is careful with his phones. I’ll mark all the checks to be done cross-network in case he just changes SIMs and not handsets. Is that worth a teacake?’ Her eyes sparkled mischievously.
‘A teacake and a caramel wafer, I’d say. Can we expedite the checks on those numbers, including cross-network handset checks?’ said Max.
‘Already authorised. Telephone unit are waiting,’ said Ross.
‘Any obvious connections between Mairi and Droopy beyond the phone call?’
‘I’m scanning now. I have the e-discovery software running, and I’m just inputting the data now. We should be able to get some link, particularly if I compare against other occasions she’s sent ID docs, of which there are a good few. There has to be a link somewhere, this has been a busy phone, and she’s active on social media. She has Facebook, Insta, Twitter and TikTok. I’ll also use some open-source aggregator sites I have access to. If the link’s there I’ll find it.’
‘I have no doubt you’ll find it, Norma.’ Max grinned, handing over a foil-wrapped teacake and a caramel wafer, which she accepted with a beaming smile.
‘Just need a tea to go with it, and as if by magic, here’s Barney with the clean cups,’ said Norma, nodding at the door, where a scowling Barney, now dressed in his customary cargo pants and polo shirt, was clutching a tray of clean mugs.
‘Well, I’m not bloody making them. Those cups were a disgrace and I want a proper coffee, someone else can do it. Man of my years scraping mould off mugs. I used to fight the IRA, you know,’ he chuntered, putting the tray down on top of the fridge with a clatter, snapping the kettle switch down, and then slumping in his armchair, arms folded defiantly, bottom lip jutting.
Ross, Max and Janie all began to titter.
‘You buggers can all piss off. I’ve a good mind to sod off home. I put a wash on, it needs tumble drying and I feel that the Chief Constable owes me clean clothes,’ said Barney and the tittering became louder.
‘Err, guys,’ said Norma, but no one heard her because of the laughter that was becoming louder.
‘Guys,’ she repeated, looking up, her brow furrowed. Still, no one noticed as the chuckling continued.
She exhaled, the frustration clearly boiling up in her. ‘Oy!’ she shouted, eyes flaring.
The room went silent, and every eye swivelled to the analyst.
‘Sorry, Norma, what?’ said Ross.
‘Our man is apparently called Droopy, right?’ she said.
‘Aye, that’s what Frankie said, because he looks like the cartoon dog, why?’ said Janie, wiping tears from her eyes, a huge smile still splitting her face.
