Condemned, R.C. Bridgestock [most romantic novels TXT] 📗

not ideal, but this enquiry demanded it, as major enquiries often did. And a decent lunch was often what the team needed to bond together, as enquiries regularly took them on different paths out of the office, and the briefings and debriefs were more formal affairs, with others from different departments taking part. With Dixon’s custody time clock ticking, the afternoon was to be used for collating information against Dixon, pulling all the facts together, and obtaining links with Crownest in preparation for his first interview.

‘Brad Dixon is with his solicitor,’ Charley told them, ‘but I know, looking at the work we have to do, it is highly unlikely we’ll get to speak to him before tomorrow.’

Her duty statement about the shooting in North Yorkshire had been completed, and at the same time, she had requested that the head of West Yorkshire CID thank North Yorkshire for their professionalism and support in the joint operation. Tim Watson was to call to see her, to collect her statement, and she toyed with the idea of letting Tattie know that the firearms tactical advisor would soon be returning, but decided she would wait until the end of the working day. Tattie was required to concentrate on her work, and not to sit day-dreaming, repainting her lips and checking her hair was in place, or to rush off home to make cookies while there was still a mountain of work to get through.

The few watched the rest gathering in the Incident Room. ‘Just because we’ve made an arrest doesn’t mean our enquiries are complete, far from it,’ Charley said at the briefing. ‘The pressure is on, and for those who haven’t worked on a major incident before, the initial detention period of twenty-four hours will pass in a flash. When you take into consideration Dixon’s rights for rest periods, toilet breaks, exercise and meal times, there is little time left for interviewing him. I know it is tough to have him rule our next few days but, in my experience, it is best to keep him sweet and on our side, as it will give us the results in the shortest possible time, and that’s best for us all in the end.’

‘Will you be asking Divisional Commander Stokes for the twelve-hour extension afterwards?’ asked Annie.

‘Without a doubt, owing to the amount we’ve got to talk to him about. I’m expecting to be going to the Magistrates’ Court to request that they grant us the extra thirty-six-hour detention, too. Unless Dixon rolls over at the first interview, of course.’ Charley allowed herself a brief smile at the thought.

Instinctively she looked up at the clock above the door, making a mental note to keep her eye on Dixon’s custody clock, as she was required to attend the Magistrates’ Court within the last hour of the extended twelve-hour detention as granted by the Divisional Commander, should they not have enough evidence to charge the suspect. However, if the results from other agencies, such as Forensics, came back very quickly she might not need the extra time.

Charley put her hands together on the table, as if in prayer. ‘His detention clock started when he arrived in the cells. You need to be made aware that Dixon has not admitted to the historical armed robbery offence at Manchester Road, which is our holding charge for him. He’s not going to be bailed, which is a good thing. Theoretically, we have enough evidence to charge him with the offence, but I’d like to know more about the murder of Faisal Hussain before I do, in an interview, if possible. I’m hoping Dixon might talk to us. Having said that, he has just witnessed his wife and partner-in-crime shot dead in front of him. That won’t, I suggest, encourage him to talk to us, and I daresay his brief from his solicitor will advise him to make no comment, but we’re used to that, and it won’t deter us from putting questions to him, and giving him the opportunity to reply. Admissions are always helpful, but as we know, not always necessary. We have a lot to do, so let’s get to it,’ she said as she gathered her notes in front of her, and rose from her seat. ‘Mike, Annie, can I see you in my office now, please, to talk about interview strategies, and,’ she turned to Ben and Terry from the cold-case team, ‘I want you two to interview him for the armed robberies.’ Charley raised her brows. ‘I bet Brad Dixon has never felt as popular. Will he enjoy all the attention, who knows?’

‘The drugs team and National Crime Agency have been given his details, so I imagine they will want to speak to him as well with regard to drug distribution at some stage,’ said Mike.

‘Of course, but we have priority, so let’s use the time we have with him wisely.’

Charley consulted her computer in her warm office. It was raining outside, heavily and noisily, and the sky was full of dark, thunderous clouds. The overhead light was on, and it lit up her office as if it was daylight. ‘I’ll be watching the interviews via a video link,’ she said to Mike and Annie. ‘I want to see first-hand what Dixon’s body language tells me. Both of you are tier five trained advisors, you know as well as I do that we can’t expect much from this interview, but it’ll go one of two ways: he’ll either throw his hands in the air and talk for England, knowing that he’s bang to rights, or, he’ll clam up like a shell and we won’t get as much as a peep out of him.’ Charley leaned towards them. ‘I’d particularly like to establish a link to confirm Dixon’s relationship with Raglan and Thomas. We already know that Brad Dixon was charged with burglary at Raglan’s Estate Agency some years ago, but surely that can’t be the only connection, can it?’

‘Maybe we’ll find their contact details