detectives at least a week to get through. Brady had lost count of the number of times he had favoured one lead over another because of an inexplicable hunch. But he knew that this time he wasn’t telling the truth. This wasn’t a hunch, but rather Jimmy Matthews’ troubling disclosure that the victim was only fifteen years old.
Turner had been a desk sergeant at Whitley Bay station long before Brady had joined and knew more than most of the other coppers put together. But as was the case with many of the coppers from the old days, he was rarely given any credit for it. A new breed were coming through the ranks who didn’t drink, didn’t compromise themselves for anyone and certainly didn’t give a damn about the job; it was all about politics and getting to the top without dirtying their hands. The likes of Brady and Turner who still played by the old school ethics were slowly being phased out, replaced by a generation who had no respect for them, and worse, saw them as a walking liability.
‘Go on then, bonny lad, what can I do for you?’ Turner questioned.
‘I need a printout of females between the ages of fifteen and eighteen reported missing in the North East over the last few weeks.’
‘Give me a couple of minutes.’ Turner turned his back on Brady and logged in to the computer. Minutes later he handed over three sheets of printed paper.
‘Thanks,’ said Brady, taking the printout. ‘I owe you a pint.’
‘I’ve lost count of how many bloody pints you owe me, bonny lad,’ Turner said, shaking his head.
Brady waited until he reached his office before looking at the information. He sat down at his desk and quickly scanned over the list of names, ages and addresses.
‘Naomi Edwards, 17, Wallsend,’ Brady muttered as his eyes scanned down the first page of the printout.
‘Shit,’ Brady cursed as he turned to the next page and finally the next.
He read down the list of names until he came to the third one from the bottom.
‘Sophie Washington, 15, West Monkseaton …’ Brady faltered.
How the hell had they missed something as crucial as this? But he knew the answer; the team were looking for a missing female between eighteen to thirty. He couldn’t fault them; even Brady found it difficult to believe what Matthews had told him. To Brady, the victim’s body resembled that of a young woman in her late teens or early twenties, not a girl of fifteen. If it hadn’t been for his conversation with Matthews, Brady wouldn’t have even considered other possibilities so early into the investigation.
His eyes read the date she had been reported missing. He read the date again to make sure he wasn’t mistaken: three that morning. He then double-checked the location of her parents’ home: West Monkseaton.
Something like this couldn’t be kept quiet. If the missing fifteen-year-old girl was the murder victim then all hell was going to break loose and that would only be the beginning of it.
‘Shit!’ cursed Brady as he disconnected the phone.
It had cut straight to Matthews’ voice mail. He checked his watch; 9.47 am. He had no choice but to ring Matthews’ home number.
No one answered.
He tried to ignore the fact that Matthews didn’t want to talk.
He picked up his jacket and limped out of his office to meet Conrad.
‘Come on, Conrad. What are you waiting for?’ Brady questioned as he slammed the car door shut.
He was pissed off and needed someone to take it out on. Unfortunately for Conrad he was the closest target. It was Matthews he wanted to kick, but the problem was he couldn’t get hold of the bugger.
‘For you, sir,’ answered Conrad. ‘As usual.’
Brady smiled. If felt good to be back.
‘Actually, Dr Jenkins has asked to join us,’ Conrad stated.
‘No? Shit. Why the hell would she want to come with us?’
‘Because DCI Gates has assigned her to the investigation, sir,’ replied Conrad carefully.
‘Tell me something I don’t know,’ muttered Brady.
‘She’s just arrived and caught me as I was leaving. She was adamant about coming with us. Something about you briefing her about the investigation?’
‘Shit,’ cursed Brady. ‘Tell you what, Conrad. Just drive, will you? I’ll worry about Dr Jenkins.’
‘Whatever you, say, sir,’ answered Conrad. ‘But she won’t be happy.’
‘Good, that makes two of us,’ replied Brady.
‘I better warn you, sir, she’s not a woman who likes being messed around.’
‘Tell me one who does?’ asked Brady, thinking of Claudia.
‘Do you mind?’ he asked as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from inside his jacket. There was no question about the fact that he needed one.
‘Does it matter if I do?’ Conrad asked as he buzzed down the passenger window.
‘Appreciate it.’
‘Just don’t get any ash in the car, sir.’
Brady suddenly realised the car was new. Same model, but brand new.
‘Whatever we’re paying you, it’s too much,’ Brady replied as he gestured at the state of the art dashboard.
He lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply making a mental note not to accidentally burn the leather upholstery. He rested his head back against the seat and momentarily closed his eyes as he enjoyed the icy damp air washing over his face. He felt very tired and realised that he had only had a couple of hours’ sleep, if that.
‘No word yet on the victim’s identity?’
‘No, sir. Few maybes, but nothing concrete,’ answered Conrad.
Exactly as Brady had expected.
His phone rang. Without thinking he answered it.
‘DI Brady?’
‘Yeah?’
‘I take it I’ve wasted my time?’
‘I’m sorry?’
‘You know exactly what I mean. I turn my back for one minute and you conveniently disappear. This is typical of you to run out on me, Jack. However, this isn’t one of our counselling sessions, this is a murder investigation. And it was DCI Gates who requested my expertise, not the other way around.’
‘I apologise for not being there to brief you, Dr Jenkins,
