Buried Secrets: The Freeman Files Series: Book 11 by Ted Tayler (highly recommended books txt) 📗

recognised Kovalev at the Crown, and near the duck pond. Alan knew the Russian had worked out that he’d conned him. He and Lambert had devised a plan to exchange valuable information about our nuclear submarines for money in order to settle their gambling debts. Kovalev only met Alan Duncan. He didn’t know Lambert at all. Alan took that photo with him when he went running on the night he died and tried to trade his life for Lambert’s. No doubt he offered the eight and a half thousand pounds cash first, but Kovalev was under orders. Duncan had to die.”

“If Kovalev had the photo, why didn’t he go after this Lambert right away,” said Blessing.

“Lambert switched identities with Freddie Watts, who died of cancer in 2004. Lofty Watts was four inches taller, but believe me, after Lambert lost four stones he looked nothing like the fat guy in that photo. Alan Duncan didn’t know about the weight loss, nor the switched identity.”

“So what tipped off Kovalev now, if we think he’s looking for vengeance?” asked Lydia.

“We did,” said Gus. “The Russians are always watching our boats at Faslane from the Irish Sea. We visited the base and then took the ferry to Douglas. If Kovalev is here in the UK, it makes sense he was watching too. Did you find that hire car yet, Lydia? When you do, hunt down CCTV evidence of it boarding a ferry.”

“Blimey,” said Lydia. She set to work.

Gus’s phone rang.

“Freeman speaking. Good morning, Phil.”

Lydia and Blessing paused what they were doing while Gus listened to DCI Banks.

“Thank you, Phil. My lads will be with you in around three hours. Good hunting.”

Gus ended the call and puffed out his cheeks,

“Well I never,” he said.

“Did they find a body, guv?” asked Blessing.

“They found remains that appear to have been in the ground for around fifteen years. Phil Banks has to wait for the autopsy to confirm that he’s found Kyle Ellison at last.”

“What prompted them to start searching there, guv?” asked Lydia.

“One of DCI Banks’s officers called Mr and Mrs Forsyth to set up a meeting. Mary Forsyth asked why the police wanted to speak to her and her husband. The officer took a gamble and said that it concerned the disappearance of Kyle Ellison. Mary seemed relieved that it was over. She told the officer where to look.”

“What was her role in it, guv?” asked Blessing.

“They don’t know at this stage, Blessing. Luke and Neil will learn the tragic tale over the next day or two. I thought that you or Lydia should accompany the detectives that arrested Maddy Telfer, but Phil Banks has already contacted London Road. DS Mercer is arranging for her to be taken into custody.”

There wasn’t much more to be said.

EPILOGUE

 

On Wednesday morning, Lydia continued the hunt for signs that Kovalev had hired a car somewhere in the country.

Divya rang from the Hub late at a quarter to twelve with news.

“They’ve spotted him, guv,” cried Lydia. “Kovalev boarded a ferry in Liverpool as a foot passenger this morning. He should land in Douglas at noon. That’s fifteen minutes from now, guv.”

“I’ll call the local police on the Isle of Man,” said Gus. “They can have people waiting for Kovalev to come ashore. They already have armed officers guarding the pub. Lenny Lambert can rest easy tonight at least.”

Gus made the call. They were in luck. Yuri Kovalev walked from the ferry straight into the arms of the island police. The ramifications of the arrest would last far longer than the phone call.

Gus Freeman didn’t concern himself with such matters. The Crime Review Team had identified Alan Duncan’s killer. They had to rely on more senior officers at London Road together with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure justice was served. If Kovalev’s paymasters in Moscow wanted him back, there were diplomatic ways and means. All Gus could do was live in hope.

“What shall we do for the rest of the day, guv?” asked Lydia.

“Make sure you update your parts of the Freeman Files,” said Gus. “Clear the decks ready for the next case. Whatever Phil Banks uncovers will get dealt with by West Yorkshire. Geoff Mercer can decide what to do about Bunny Campbell-Drake withholding evidence ten years ago. I reckon we deserve to take it easy and put our feet up after what we’ve achieved this week.”

“And it’s only Wednesday, guv,” said Lydia.

“It’s always Wednesday for Alan Duncan, Lydia,” said Gus. “Never forget that.”

Monday, 13th August 2018

Luke and Neil were back in the Old Police Station office for the start of the new week.

“A quick catch-up then lads,” said Gus. “Then I’m off to London Road to collect the next cold case.”

“We drove straight to Trafalgar House in Bradford, guv,” said Neil. “They had transported the remains to the mortuary while we were on the motorway. We met DCI Banks and his team, and they put me and Luke into the viewing room. Phil Banks and DI Clemence carried out the interviews.”

“Darren Forsyth served three months of his six-month sentence for assault,” said Luke. “When he came out, Dave Forsyth was still adamant that they needed to get Kyle Ellison out of Jennifer’s life for good. He persuaded his daughter to contact Ellison and convince him she wanted to go back to him. Jennifer went to a bus stop late at night and sat on a bench. Ellison arrived on foot and as they started talking, Darren crept from behind the bus shelter and brained Ellison with a tyre lever. Dave Forsyth then drove up and Jennifer and Darren helped to get Ellison’s body into the boot. Darren and his father buried the body half a mile from Digley Reservoir.”

“Jennifer moved away from Marsden the following week, guv,” said Neil. “Darren