Chapter 5
Detective Sergeant Mike Rogers sat head in hands.
It had been a long night.
Awoken in the early hours to be informed of the death of Kelly Landers, the daughter of an out of town Chief Superintendent, it had been non-stop ever since. With his knowledge of the Riverside he was in charge of the case. An investigation that would usually be left to the coroner to rule a verdict of accidental death, but in this case heads were expected to roll.
It was obvious who she'd have bought the gear from, John-Paul Treacey, he supplied the working girls if they didn't work for Stevens.
Rogers shook his head, the poor little shit didn't have a clue of the trouble he was in. The main prize though would be Jarvey.
The clock read sixteen minutes past seven, he'd already spoke with uniform and was now awaiting warrants to go and bust Treacey's place amongst others, any minute now the rest of his team would be arriving Picking up his sixth cup of coffee he knocked the lukewarm liquid back in one before heading to the rest room to freshen up.
He stared at the reflection, his heavy stubble already showing flashes of grey despite his relative youth.
At thirty-five Rogers had done well for himself, detective by his mid twenties and head of the drug squad down on the Riverside for the last four years. But he'd worked hard to get it, and had done it straight down the line.
He'd blended in well undercover and educated those coming up through the ranks who'd stood out like sore thumbs.
Sure some wore the right clothes, they just didn't wear them properly, looked like models from a catalogue, shirts perfectly ironed and all tucked into perfect fitting jeans. Roger's casual appearance had seen him get results back then on the street, he still got the results just not on the frontline. Every oik on the Riverside knew who he was.
Splashing some cold water on his face he rubbed his eyes before running a damp hand through his mousy hair. A quick ruffle and he stared at the reflection again.
This would be his best opportunity to get Jarvey, first though he'd have to get more than hearsay.
Walking back into the office he was pleased to see Hawkins already there. The young detective was new to the team, but what he lacked in experience he more than made up for in keenness.
"You heard? he asked upon entering.
"Yes guv, I was on duty last night, attended the scene.
"Drop the guv will you Hawkins, makes me feel old.
"Sorry gu¦ sorry sarge.
"That's better, but it's Mike yeah. So you were there then?
The younger man nodded.
"You know it's gonna be a busy day ahead, I'm waiting on warrants now, but knowing the magistrate that'll take hours, he paused before continuing, more to himself, "not that it matters I doubt the people getting raided will be up too early, they never are.
"Who's the prime target?
"Who do you think? Treacey.
Hawkins nodded, knowing who they were talking about.
"Anyway he's the main target, but Jez Edwards amongst others will be getting a spin.
"That Treacey, he lives in one of Bailey's properties doesn't he?
Rogers nodded,
"If you can call them that¦.as it goes that's a good point Hawkins, I'll give him a ring and get a key for the front door.
The young detective nodded, pleased with himself,
"Why only the front door key gu¦I mean sarge?
"That way we have to ram in the room door and the tenant loses their deposit.
Hawkins laughed,
"You're joking?
"No, sadly it's true.
"So he's as bad as everyone says yeah?
"Worse, he should be banged up himself. His old man was a copper you know.
The younger man looked surprised,
"Was he?
"Yeah bloody good one and all so I've heard, bet he'd be turning in his grave if he knew how his son turned out.
"What he's dead?
Rogers looked grim,
"Yeah, died on the job, armed robbery, got shot.
Hawkins shook his head.
A few moments later the rest of the team began filing in.
"Listen, there's something that's come up and it's taken priority, Rogers began, "for those that don't already know, Kelly Landers overdosed last night.
"Dead? One of the assembled officers asked.
Rogers nodded,
"And so obviously we've got to get a body. So most of you are going to be working on that, we're also going to be getting help from a couple of regular CID and uniform will be making their presence felt down on the Riverside.
"Yeah but Mike, it's obvious that it came from Treacey, Edwards or one of the other usual suspects, why not just haul them in?
"It looks like it's come from Treacey, Rogers continued, "we all know he supplies the working girls, Stevens supplies his own, that's it. Besides a seasoned addict like Landers would have known Stevens stuff would be stronger than the usual you get down there and would have been more cautious. There's no sign of that. But don't worry we'll be hauling in as many as possible.
"Yeah but Treacey scores from Jarvey, and his stuff is never much cop is it, you sure it aint a new crew moving into the area?
Murmers of agreement went round the room.
"Someone would have said something if a new crew arrived, Rogers looked at them, "maybe Treacey went elsewhere, maybe he couldn't get hold of Jarvey? Unlikely I know but I think it came from Treacey. You know though that he won't be good enough. Upstairs'll want Jarvey, this investigation will be pulling out all the stops and it might be our best chance of getting him.
The team looked doubtful.
Tom Riley, a seasoned squad officer spoke for them,
"You know how careful he is, why not just get Treacey, charge him and go home. The gaffer and Chief Superintendent Landers will be happy that someone's been made an example of.
Sticking his lower lip out Rogers shook his head,
"They want as many people as possible, from the person who sold it to the person who grew the shit if possible, I'm waiting on a warrant now for Treacey's place amongst others, it should be here anytime. In the meantime someone's going to contact Bailey and get a key so we can let ourselves into the house. I want the rest of you to get onto your snouts down there, I want any information on Jarvey going. Find out who's doing the drops for him see if we can connect them all.
"Right, I'll phone Bailey, I know him well enough.
"Okay Tom you do that, in the meantime I'm going to get another coffee, I've been up most of the night working on this and I can see it's gonna be a long day.
He'd just picked up the mug when a voice called him.
Looking round it was the desk-sergeant, a giant of a man with steel grey hair and matching moustache,
"The warrants you've been waiting for's here, he barked in a harsh Glaswegian accent.
"Brilliant, cheers Bruce, they take their time don't they?
"Och tell me about it, you just make sure ye get the bastard responsible won't you.
Rogers nodded grimly.
"Poor lassie, her father must be going through hell, must be terrible to lose a bairn¦. specially in those circumstances aye?
Rogers took the proffered paperwork,
"It certainly is.
It was sad, if it had been anyone else the whole station would be indifferent, probably toasting the fact another scummy addict was off the streets, less addicts less crime, that was how it was usually dismissed.
Returning to the office he waved the warrants above his head.
"Right get everyone together, the warrants have come through. Someone inform uniform, Tom did you manage to get hold of Bailey?
"Yep, surprise surprise though, he said he could only find the front door key, not the actual key to Treacey's room.
"That'll be enough, Rogers said, throwing a knowing glance at Hawkins, "come on then, we'll do Treacey first, let's get moving.
"It looks like you were right with it being Treacey, another detective called replacing a phone to it's cradle, "he was seen selling gear to the working girls, and it's meant to have been good stuff, different to what others were selling.
Rogers nodded grimly,
"Let's get moving then.
