The Escape (Detective Jane Sparrow Book 2) (17 page)

Jane awoke to the feeling of fulfilment with perhaps a touch of soreness from her misdemeanours and antics with Perry last night. But one thing that Jane did have was a clear head. She had her action plan and a very long list of objectives to accomplish for this case
. None of which could be done from the comfort of Perry’s bed.

Jane made it to the station in record time, Perry’s erratic driving probably helped with that
, but Jane knew better than to ever insult a mans driving it went hand in hand with his masculinity. She made it to the station before any of the other members of her team had arrived. Jane set to work at calling the stations phone provider and having her desk phone number changed and extension code. That was definitely an easier process than what Jane had been anticipating. Her next step was phoning through to the bomb unit to mobilise them to meet them at what they believed to be a potential crime scene. So that they were on sight ready to dispose of any devices that Thaddeus had wired. While on the phone to the unit chief at the bomb disposal unit he informed Jane that a fax had been sent through to the station pertaining to the potential devices that Thaddeus could have built from his purchases. Jane thanked the man for his help and said if she had any questions pertaining to the information in the fax she would ask him on scene. Jane next rang through to the crime scene investigation unit to prep a team ready to meet them at the next location and informed them that their investigation process would not be able to begin until the bomb unit had cleared the area of any devices. Once Jane had finished her call with them she made her way over to the fax machine and found that she had several waiting. Not only from the bomb disposal unit but also from the lab analysis for evidence found at the tree sight. Perry who had come to the station with Jane and had been watching her work and was beginning to flick through some files to do with Kyle McManus. Just as Jane was beginning to read through the faxes Eric, Ian and Amy walked in closely followed by their Superintendent.

“Ok guys grab a coffee and a chair what ever you need and come take a seat we have a lot to discuss before the day can begin.”

              “Yeah tell us about it. It was one hell of a bombshell that you dropped on us before you walked out last night. Care to explain?”

“Unfortunately Ian I’m still not much wiser on that predicament than I was last night. The Superintendent came to me yesterday with information regarding the taser that was used on Jack. It was one that was logged to this station but not checked out by an officer. And I sincerely believe it to be very unlikely that Thaddeus walked in here himself to collect one. Add to that the fact that Thaddeus gained my work extension number and my home address the logical assumption became that someone on the inside has been helping him, I have a working theory that even I still don’t like but I’m not particularly keen on being wrong either. But for now I have changed my work number and will no longer be going back to my address at all. So if Thaddeus ends up with my work phone number again then I can scrap my theory. But for now there is nothing else to discuss on the matter so lets move on.”

              “Wait from what your suggesting you think it could have been Jack?”

“I’m sorry Eric I don’t like believing that it could have been Jack. But I don’t like believing that it could be anyone else in this room. At least with this idea it means the help to Thaddeus has stopped and I can trust everyone I am working with in this room. But like I said lets not get caught up on it I know it’s hard but we need to continue working this case. So lets move on.”

              “Ok what else have we got to discuss?”

“Well I had some faxes waiting when I arrived this morning so lets discuss the details of those ok? Lab analysis for the evidence found at the tree sight has come back. The blood found at the scene tested positive to belonging to our first victim Helen Moore like we thought. The wear marks to the tree from the rope are consistent with a three-strand natural fibre rope. With the trace of fibres that were left behind proving that it was made of coir. There was also a trace amount of burn off product from the factory at the scene that was consistent with what was found in our victim’s hair. The photo of me that they found nailed to the tree did not gain them any evidence. I also received a fax from the bomb disposal unit regarding the bombs that were found at the body dump crime scene and the purchases that Thaddeus has made. The bombs that we have already discovered were filled with a mixture of nitro-glycerine, sawdust and sodium carbonate. They estimate with the level of quantities put into the bombs found that they would have a blast radius of approximately seven thousand seven hundred metres per second which is basically a five mile radius. They were also filled with metal scraps for shrapnel to increase fatality potentiality with each blast. The purchases of the materials give them the estimation that he would be able to build at least another twenty devices of similar size and capability.”

              “Ok well they are definitely capable of packing quite a punch. If one of those were to go off while were in the vicinity the likely hood of survival is quite slim.”

“Yeah I’m beginning to understand that. I have already called the bomb disposal unit to meet us at the new crime scene just in case. Amy, Ian did Hal Walpole provide any useful information?”

              “Not really we showed him a picture of Thaddeus and our victim and he said he remembered seeing them talking and getting in a car to leave together. But he stated that the lady never seemed alarmed at any point. Some how Thaddeus talked her into getting into the car quietly and quickly without creating a scene.”

“Ok my guess is he may have stalked her before dropped the names of her kids or husband to scare her. Basically get in the car and come with me, don’t scream, don’t shout and I wont kill who ever.”

              “Knowing Thaddeus and the victim herself her family was everything so it’s a sure fire way to get her in the car and away without a scene.”

              “Excellent so we know how and where he picked up his victim but what is the action plan then today Detective? As you seem to be so on the ball.”

“Well that depends on whether you are at our disposal to use Sir or do you have other matters to attend to?”

              “No I can be at your disposal. What do you need?”

“I would like you to take yourself and Perry to the prison to interrogate Kyle McManus and James York.”

              “With all due respect Detective Perry is not a police officer and not even really a part of this team. I cannot willingly take him to the prison to participate in an interrogation procedure it would be unethical.”

“Your right he isn’t a police office but he is an official consultant for the police force. I have officially procured and borrowed him from Frank to help aid our investigation. So for now legally he is part of this team. So there are no ethical qualms there. Plus what helps us is the fact that Perry is a very well connected man in this area. So the likely hood of either Kyle knowing who he is or having heard of him is high and it gives us leverage to get him to talk. And James York as I remember is not an easily intimidated man and Perry here might just help with that.”

              “Fine as you wish Detective. Come on Mr Fierce we have a long drive ahead.”

“Ok well good luck to the both of you keeps me informed. The rest of us are going to head on over to meet the bomb unit at the new crime scene.”

Without another word the Superintendent walked out of the station. With Perry in tow who felt the need to stay silent. As he did not want to aggravate the already irritated Superintendent further. He hand signalled to Jane that he would text her. Jane nodded a signal of appreciation and turned her attention back to her team.

“Ok guys are you ready to head off to our location? A member of the bomb unit is going to meet us at the perimeter line as they should already be there working to clear the area.”
 

             
“Ok let’s go.”

“One other thing before we leave. After the procedure that we followed at the previous crime scene the safety procedure that we will be following has changed slightly. We do not split up we all stay together at all times ok. I want every member of this team to have constant eye view of each other understand?”

They all replied with a yes mam and headed on out the door. As there was only the four of them they decided to travel in the one car to the location. Jane still had her three escorting police unit cars as well that were going to be tailing them there and keeping her under a protective watchful eye. Jane was trying not to get too nervous. The thought of having to go back near that house did not feel her with any optimistic feelings, even though it was only a house it contained too many painful memories and reminders of everything that had happened. Jane and Amy sat in the back of the car while Eric travelled up front with Ian who was driving the vehicle. Amy could obviously tell that Jane was lost in a world of her own and reached out and squeezed her hand as a sign of encouragement and understanding. They made their way to the perimeter border where a crowd of locals had gathered with interest. Some of which had been moved back to the line for their own safety. Once there a member of the bomb disposal unit greeted them.

              “Hi you must be Detective Jane Sparrow I am Greg Barnes. I am to wait here with you at the perimeter line to keep you updated with the progress of the search and clearing of the scene.”

“Thank you Greg can you tell us how the search is going and if there is anything we can be doing for now?”

              “The main building on the grounds has been cleared although it was free from any devices your man has redecorated it in a fashion that you are going to want to take a look at. The rest of the out buildings have also been cleared and the scene of the crime itself has been located within the property line. At the moment the team are working at clearing that area safely now. From what they have found your guy set his own perimeter line up around the body with trip wires that were hooked to four explosive devices. For now there are several residents that live within the surrounding area. Those two couples over there are the neighbours you could check in with them and see if they saw anyone coming or going and if and when they saw smoke.”

“Thank you for your help we will go over there and talk to them to find out any probative information if you receive an update on the progress please come let us know.”

              “Sure thing.”

Jane, Amy, Ian and Eric went over to meet the two couples that neighboured their interesting property. They introduced themselves as Anne and Fred Franklin and Susan and Kenny Thompson. Neither of them had seen any vehicles coming or going off the property but admitted the fact that the entrances to their own properties were too far away to notice. Both couples had noticed some smoke the day before. But they had all assumed it was somebody going onto clear the property finally of any personal effects to be able to sell the property and grounds on.

              “One thing I will say after what happened those months back at that house all it does is breed evil. It needs tearing down so our town can recover from the sin of those who behold it. I’m sorry I cant help you none more.”

With that there were no more questions to be asked and no more information to be gained. They headed on back over to their awaiting bomb unit technician Greg Barnes who to great timing was just coming off the phone with an update.

             
“What great timing the scene is clear I can take you up if you are ready?”

“Ready as I am ever going to be.”

Jane took in a deep breath and followed on after the bomb tech and the rest of her own team.

Chapter 14

The bomb technician Greg Barnes led them straight to the major crime scene first. The bomb disposal technician that they had met at the first body find, Tony Hill was still on sight talking to whom Jane believed to be the units chief. The sight of the crime scene and the lingering smell of burning flesh were more intense than what Jane had expected. After examining the crime scene photos that Thaddeus had sent them, Jane did not expect the actual scene to affect her as bad, but it did. There still tide to a stake was what remained of their second victim. All Jane could see was the carving of her name glaring at her from the victims collar bone.