Complicity Part 1 (2/5) By Nick Quantrill

(1/5), (2/5), (3/5), (4/5), (5/5).

NIGHTCLUB DRUG OVERDOSE - TEENAGER DEAD screamed back at him. Shit. That wasn't what he hoped to see. He was hoping the local press would be a little slower at reporting the story. He handed over his 34p, placed the paper in his inside pocket and hurried towards Queens Gardens Station to read all about it. Coleman entered the CID office and hung his sodden coat up. He was pleased to see that the team appeared to be working diligently.

Telephones rang, faxes hummed and people conferred; another day of being overworked and overstretched. He threw the paper onto his desk not wanting to look at it before he got himself a coffee. The story was going to cause a shit-storm. 'What have we got?' he asked taking a sip of his hot drink. 'Where do I start?' replied DS Stephen Maynard, spinning round in his chair to face him. 'The usual burglaries, a spate of shed thefts, an arrest for possession with intent to supply and a suspicious death.' Coleman rubbed his face and put his coffee down and leaned towards Maynard. 'I'll add the thefts to West's list, I doubt she needs anymore to do, but we need to make a start. The dealer is something that will require a little more seniority, given the circumstances.'

'I'm surprised they got the story so quickly' said Maynard, nodding towards the newspaper. 'Yeah well...it's never that surprising. Did you notice that David Peel got the by-line? He can sniff out bad news like you wouldn't believe. We haven't even had official confirmation of the cause of death yet' said Coleman. 'But it's not really in doubt though, is it?' 'I suppose not. It's just bloody annoying that we're going to have deal with Peel again. We could do without any of the usual suspects going to ground before we've had chance to question them. What's the story with the suspicious death?'

'You're going to like this though, our legal friends, Lock, Baxter and Smyth. The cleaner was doing her early morning stint and came across a dead body in the boardroom.' 'I don't suppose it was...' Maynard broke into a smile. 'I'm afraid not. As far as I'm aware Mr Smyth is alive and well.'

Coleman had dealt with Smyth recently and it hadn't been an enjoyable experience. Smyth was renowned as the solicitor to turn to if you were in trouble. 'Wishful thinking, I suppose' said Coleman. 'The body in the boardroom has been identified as being Ray Baxter. The cleaner raised the alarm straightaway and the uniforms were on the scene within thirty minutes.' 'Bloody hell, that must be a personal best.' 'You're telling me. The doctor estimated death to have occurred between 7pm and 9pm the previous evening.' 'Outside of office hours then.' 'With no obvious signs of death...'

Coleman couldn't resist. 'You mean like a knife in the back or gaping gunshot wound! Something like that?' Maynard ignored him. 'The post-mortem is later this morning. We should know then whether or not we'll be getting involved.' Coleman took a final mouthful of coffee.

Continued... Next Page (3/5)

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