Barron's Thistle

By R. Michael Brown

Barrons Thistle

A series of grisly unexplained murders has culminated in the dramatic arrest of an eminent local doctor. However, another victim is discovered whilst the doctor is under arrest and the object of the investigation turns to the unsolved murder six years previous of a local man. Chief Superintendent Barron, Northern Constabularys Head of Operations has become directly involved in the investigation. A man with a secret past in service to Queen and Country, with sinister outside forces exerting influence can Barron battle them and use his formidable skills to help bring those responsible to justice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Oct 12, 2007
• ISBN: 9781467020268

R. Michael Brown

R. Michael Brown originally from a small former mining community in West Yorkshire. Always a dreamer preferring books to playing out as a child. A keen biker like his main character,;loves nothing better than to travel up and down the country enjoying the views. This is the first book one of many planned.

Book preview

Barron’s Thistle

R. Michael Brown

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AuthorHouse™ UK Ltd.

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This book is a work of fiction. People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.

© 2008 R. Michael Brown. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 2/11/2008

ISBN: 978-1-4343-2930-1 (sc)

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

Contents

CHAPTER 1.

CHAPTER 2.

CHAPTER 3.

CHAPTER 4.

CHAPTER 5.

CHAPTER 6.

CHAPTER 7.

CHAPTER 8.

CHAPTER 9.

CHAPTER 10.

CHAPTER 11.

CHAPTER 12.

CHAPTER 13.

CHAPTER 14.

CHAPTER 15.

CHAPTER 16.

CHAPTER 17.

CHAPTER 18.

CHAPTER 19.

CHAPTER 1. 

House of Dr & Mrs White,

Castle Heather Avenue Inverness,

Tuesday 6am

‘Go’

An assault on the senses as the overpowering noise and light equivalent to looking at the sun as the flash bang exploded, the heavy steel ram splintering the wooden door from it’s hinges, smoke and armed men bursting into the lounge of Dr and Mrs White. Looking as menacing in the flesh here and now as they were when seen on TV.

‘ARMED POLICE, STAY WHERE YOU ARE’

Flash lights in their faces and more men in black uniforms cramming into the ever-decreasing space. Mrs White collapsed and passed out on the floor, two men picked her up and rushed her out of the room. All the while Dr White still in his pyjamas was thrown bodily onto the floor with machine guns pointed at him.

‘DR MARTIN GREGORY WHITE I’M ARRESTING YOU ON SUSPICION OF MURDER YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING BUT IT MAY HARM YOUR DEFENCE IF YOU DO NOT MENTION WHEN QUESTIONED SOMETHING YOU LATER RELY ON IN COURT, ANYTHING YOU DO SAY WILL BE TAKEN DOWN AND MAY BE GIVEN IN EVIDENCE, DO YOU UNDERSTAND.’ Was coming from behind the mask of an armed officer in front of him.

‘What’s going on here?’ Dr White replied stunned by the assault.

Hand cuffed, and pulled upright by two burly men with sergeant’s stripes he was then hustled out into the waiting Police car. All his questions went unanswered as the officer’s placed him in the car, got in with him and drove off at speed. Dr White’s last view of his house was the familiar blue and white Police tape with ‘Do Not Enter’ being set up and more men holding machine guns standing outside his door, blue lights swarming and vans loaded with men in white body suits pulling up and the men getting out, the car then rounded the corner and he saw nothing more.

From the unmarked Police car over the road a man who’d been observing all this reached for the door handle and pulled. As the door opened he swung his feet out, another man in the seat in front did the same, when both were stood in the road they shared a look at each other and crossed the road together. The man from the front smaller with bandy legs a streak of white hair and glasses, the man from the rear taller, more assertive, more confident in his actions, this was Chief Superintendent Barron. His green eyes observing and taking in everything in front of him, his actions controlled, his manner relaxed,

‘Sir’ was the response from the 1st officer by the now well-protected house as Barron approached,

‘All went as planned?’ Barron enquired with a hint of concern.

‘Yes sir, they were watching TV and the flash bang did the trick. We were then able to subdue them in short order. Mrs White collapsed, we got her into the ambulance and she should arrive at Raigmore within a couple of minutes.’ The officer reported.

At this a wry smile had begun to spread over Barron’s face,

‘Will there be anything else sir?’ The officer asked looking at his superior officer intently.

‘No thank you, well done to all of you.’ Barron replied turning to look at the others outside the property.

‘Yes sir, thank you.’ The officer replied a small appreciative smile appearing on his face.

‘Do you think this is going to be the end of this? Sir.’ The shorter man asked with just a hint of concern in his voice.

‘One can only hope Bill. Now lets get in there and see if the good doctor has been a little less professional than usual shall we.’ Barron replied soberly walking towards the where the front door to the property should be.

Broken doors, fire and smoke damage greeted the two officers as they crossed the threshold into what had until minutes before had been the hall and lounge of the White family. Just as Barron reached where a door should have been an arm flew out and ‘STOP, I DON’T KNOW WHO THE HELL YOU THINK YOU ARE, BUT THIS IS MY CRIME SCENE AND I DON’T WANT IT MESSING IT UP BY CARELESS STUPID MISTAKES.’ A woman screamed at them.

Funny Barron thought, I always thought the ranking officer was in charge at a crime scene.

‘And you are?’ Barron enquired quietly.

The tall athletic woman who appeared at the end of the arm whilst not model pretty had an alluring charm and natural features that excessive make up would only ruin, ‘DI Jennifer Green, Scenes Of Crime, and your name and rank is?’ The insubordination was only broken by McGregor stepping into the light, DI Green recognised McGregor and said ‘Sorry sir, didn’t recognise you there’

McGregor cleared his throat ‘I think introductions would be better if I made them, Detective Inspector Green this is Chief Superintendent Barron, Head of Operations.’

Green’s face gave away every emotion that went through her mind. One word raced through her mind, ‘SHIT’ then the realisation of what have I just done, ‘Sir I, sorry sir’ in a mumbling voice that would have made a small child proud,

‘Save the apologies until later Inspector, what can you tell me?’ Barron asked there was no hint of malice, or coldness in the voice, but it was clear from his tone that Green had just seen the line with a superior officer and gone over it without batting an eyelid.

‘The only thing I can tell you at the moment sir, is that armed officers have just come into this house with a battering ram and flash bangs, there’s smoke damage, damage to doors, some damage from the initial flash as you can see some of the light fabrics have burnt and the TV is now on its side playing to nobody in particular. We’re taking each room one at a time and looking for any place that might hold a compartment or doorway, we’ll keep looking though.’ Green responded quietly.

‘I know you will.’ Barron said to Green quietly.

Barron then turned to McGregor and said ‘Bill, I’m heading back to headquarters to handle the paperwork for this and to prepare for the good Doctor, you keep Green here company for a while then I want you to head back as well.’

‘Yes sir, will there be anything else?’ McGregor enquired in his usual gruff tones.

‘Not at the moment Bill, thank you anyway.’ Barron said turning back to where he’d just come from and making to move on.

At this point in the conversation a young detective called Kenneth ‘Kenny’ Stewart walked into the room, he wasn’t aware of the contents of the conversation, but when he looked at the wall behind the officers in front of him and squinted he could see something odd, there was a seam in the wall that was different to the rest of the house. The house being old had been patched up over the years, but in certain rooms there was evidence of recent work, the walls had been recovered and these areas had the defined taped seams of dry wall sheeting, this sheeting being of a set size so that it covered large areas well, yet here on a major internal wall where full sheets would have normally been used, smaller pieces had been used, Stewart from a building family knew instinctively that this wasn’t a way a professional would’ve done it, this was done by someone who had seen the work done in the rest of the house and had then thought about covering up something, and judging by the size it should have been a door, ‘Ma’am, take a look at this,’ was out of his mouth before he realised there were other people in the room.

Barron turned around and looked at the young officer intently. He’d been annoyed once today by insubordination, and now an even more junior officer had not realised he was in the room. ‘What is it young man?’ Barron asked calmly, the tone such that it would make a grown man would think twice before answering.

‘Sorry sir, but judging by the seams here there might be a door behind this wall.’ Stewart responded in a small but distinct voice,

‘What makes you say that?’ Barron asked now curious, all thoughts of coming down hard on the junior officer gone.

‘Well sir, throughout the rest of the house where work has been carried out the seams are about 6ft apart, and they go across the wall and are about 3ft deep, but here they go up and down, and are about half of that distance. Sorry sir it might be nothing but my dad’s a builder and you pick a few things up when helping around the yard.’ Stewart answered his superior officer.

‘And what would you suggest to find out what is behind the wall constable?’ Barron asked quietly as it was the one question on his mind.

‘Get the wall wet sir, unless he splashed out and bought the external stuff this is like a sponge it picks up water and it’ll become like cardboard and easier to cut through sir’ Stewart replied with a knowing look.

‘What are you waiting for then? Go get a bucket.’ Barron responded quickly.

When Stewart was out of the room, Barron turned back on Green, a look of curiosity on his face, ‘how didn’t you notice that? A junior detective has just seen what could be the most interesting point in this room, yet an officer with twelve years experience misses it completely. I’m beginning to wonder what’s going wrong here?’ Again there was no malice or threat in his voice but Green knew that a big explanation would be required when they were finished here.

To save her embarrassment DC Stewart had come back into the room carrying a bucket of water,

‘Stand back sir, I don’t want to get this over you.’ Stewart said with concern for his superior officer.

‘Don’t worry about that young man, let’s just see what is behind here, shall we.’ Barron replied his spirits lifting the fun for Barron was about to begin.

Ten minutes later, after much splashing water and the careful taking of photographic evidence, the wall now drenched was revealing many interesting features, Stewart had been right there was a door behind the rather bad work; this door was locked and there was some kind of sealant around it so that it was hermetically tight. Barron pulled out a penknife and advanced towards the door. After he had visually inspected every edge of the door and decided what would be the best place to start. He decided that the best place to start was at the top by the hinge and work around the frame till he came to the bottom hinge and then to cut up through the gap between the hinges. The sealant used was the normal internal kitchen and bathroom variant so cut very easily. By the time Barron had finished with the first seam an odour was sweeping into the room, a sweet musty smell like morning dew on the grass.

‘Is there any indication of a basement with the plans for this house?’ Barron asked no one in particular.

‘Yes sir, access attained by stairs in the kitchen, we’ve found it, my people are going through it at the moment.’ Green replied instantly.

‘Money says that you can’t get to this bit from the kitchen Inspector.’ Barron responded quietly continuing to cut through the sealant. When Barron had cut through all of the sealant around the doorframe he started looking at the locks, then asked ‘any keys taken from the good Doctor or found around the rooms yet?’

‘Yes sir a bunch were found in the dresser in the study, they’re being tagged as we speak, but I’m pretty sure I can get them now if you wish sir?’ Green replied quietly not wanting to add further to her earlier insubordination.

‘Yes please Jenny, if you don’t mind.’ Barron asked quietly.

‘Sir’ Green said before walking out of the room around the corner, she returned a minute later holding a small bunch of keys. Barron took them in his outstretched gloved hand, moving around the bunch he found two possible keys to try, the first one went in only a little way and stopped, the second one went all the way in and with little pressure turned easily in the lock, ‘Lets see what’s behind door number three ladies and gentlemen, shall we.’ The door swung open easily and Barron was the small boy again at Christmas looking at his presents. He was just about to put a foot on the top step until McGregor caught him by the jacket, torch in hand pointing down the stairwell,

‘Sorry sir, but look at the state of those steps, they’ve almost rotted through, put your dainty frame on them and they’ll collapse.’ McGregor said the light dazzling in his eyes.

‘Are you implying I need to lose some weight Bill? You know Liz keeps telling me to eat better.’ Barron responded with a twinkle in his eye.

Green and Stewart looked at each other and shared a blank shrug; private joke thought Green, Barron hadn’t turned around but said ‘My daughter Green, a nutritionist at a hospital south of the border.’

‘How, did he know what hade gone through her mind.‘ Green thought, then she looked at McGregor, who just smiled.

Barron now turned and started to stand up, he turned to look at the group, Green was starting to realise just how intimidating her superior officer was, she was tall for a women but even she felt small next to Barron, and it wasn’t his height, he seemed no taller than her, but he seemed to fill your vision when you were this close to him, the aura he was exuding was palpable, you knew that he was in control at all times, she took a casual glance at his hands, behind the immaculately kept nails and under the edge of his shirt sleeves were scars of previous encounters that would’ve made your hair stand on end. She’d heard that before the Police he was in the army with the rumours he’d served in the SAS as well as the Royal Military Police. She knew that when confronted by a dangerous gunman some years earlier he had taken him down with a single shot straight through the throat, saving the life of the woman he was holding in front of him, gaining him a commendation and a medal.

‘Green, GREEN.’ McGregor said breaking her revere.

‘Sorry sir, I was just thinking about how to get down there safely.’ Green lied answering McGregor.

‘Any suggestions?’ McGregor asked quietly.

‘Do you have any of your rock climbing equipment in the car Bill?’ Barron asked quietly looking down the stairs again.

‘No I took it out last week when we went fishing, you know, to make space for things like tackle and food, I didn’t think to put it back alright. Sir.’ McGregor replied sternly the emphasis on the ‘Sir’ earned McGregor a stern look, a smile and then.

‘Poor anticipation and planning Chief Inspector, a topic for discussion later I think.’ Barron retorted.

‘If you say so sir, but can we make it over lunch and not in the office, I might as well be comfortable when getting told off.’ McGregor said with a smile.

‘Agreed’ Barron said with a twinkle ‘who’s paying?’ He continued.

‘Sir, I’m the smallest here and I have experience of rotting building materials, I can get down there.’ Stewart interjected; he was now looking intently down the steps. ‘It hasn’t quite rotted through all the way down, I think I can make it, I’m willing to try sir, and if it works I might be able to find another way down for the rest of you.’

‘No young man, it’s too risky, accept you did well noticing where the hidden door was, but until we can get some proper equipment this will have to remain a mystery. I’d like to know sooner rather than later please Green.’ Barron said thoughtfully, thinking to himself that youth was just a hint too eager to get somewhere new.

‘Sir.’ Green replied quietly.

‘Sir’ an armed officer at the door interrupted ‘Raigmore have reported that Mrs White has been taken to the ICU, she apparently crashed on the way to the hospital and wasn’t breathing when they arrived, her condition is classed as critical.’

‘Thank you Constable, that’s all.’ Barron replied sombrely. Barron looked at the wall, closed his eyes for a second and turned, ‘Bill I’ll need someone to drive me to Raigmore, wait for me and then take me back to headquarters please.’

‘I’ll sort it now sir.’ McGregor replied gruffly and walked outside.

‘Green, arrange for your people to get down into this basement and find what you can.’ Barron said quietly repeating himself.

‘Yes sir.’ Green replied again quietly.

Barron stood and turned towards the door, placing his knife back in his pocket and putting his hands in his pockets, he looked up at the door and saw Bill stood with a young WPC.

‘Constable Fletcher here will take you where you need to go sir.’ McGregor announced.

‘Thanks Bill.’ Said Barron turning to Fletcher. ‘After you constable.’

‘Sir’ Fletcher replied quickly. Both walked towards the gate, Fletcher in front, reaching the pathway gate first and pulling it open, before moving to the side to let her superior officer out first.

‘Thank you constable.’ Barron said as they reached the car.

As Barron got back into the car he had alighted from some minutes earlier Green came to the door and stood with McGregor. McGregor turned to look at her, she was taller than him but she looked like a child being told off by a stern parent, her face down and her feet almost shuffling.

‘Only you could have crossed the line with him of all people so brilliantly Jenny.’ McGregor said quietly.

‘I didn’t know he’d be here sir. I knew you were coming but I didn’t think that the boss would be here as well.’ Green replied meekly.

‘That’s unfortunate Jenny, you’re a good officer, but.’ McGregor trailed off.

‘He won’t ask me to transfer will he? Does he know how long it took to get onto this team, the work I had to put in, the crappy assignments, the back biting and all the shit.’ Green snapped back.

‘Remember who you’re speaking to Inspector, my name might not be Barron, but I’m still your superior officer.’ McGregor snapped back even louder, ‘if staying on this team means eating a bit of humble pie then that is what you’ll do, you understand me?’

‘Sir.’ Green replied meekly her tail now firmly tucked between her legs.

‘By the way he did know what you did to get this assignment you just weren’t listening. He knew how long you’d been in the force; he doesn’t let just anyone get into this team without a full check of their service record. He’ll have seen all there is to see about you, asked your former CO’s about you, remember he can ask questions of just about anybody and get a response, then after he was satisfied he made you the offer to join, is that ok with you, huh?’ McGregor said sounding calmer now, any hint of anger in his voice gone. He took off his glasses and reached into his pocket for a handkerchief, breathing slowly onto both lenses in turn he wiped them with care and attention, looking at Green through his glasses at arms length, he then said ‘Jenny, this is the force’s flagship team, nothing or nobody is gonna do anything to mess it up and he knows it, he’s smarter than he lets on and too well respected for that to happen. Remember, he’s the one who walks into the bullet from HQ and the Executive, we’re just there to watch them bounce off ok?’

‘Sir.’ Green replied with a simple understanding nod of the head.

‘By the way, think yourself lucky he knew you were there.’ McGregor looked at her again intently.

‘Why sir? ’ Green asked curiously.

‘Because if he hadn’t known you were there you’d be nursing a painful injury right now Inspector, you get my drift? ’ McGregor’s cryptic answer from a man not wanting to give the game away, ‘I know what questions went through your mind. Did he really serve in the SAS? How good a shot is he? Yes or No Inspector? ’

‘How did you know that’s what I was thinking sir?’ Green asked in surprise.

‘Too many people hear the stories about him, all those rumours talked about him behind closed doors, in the locker rooms, in the canteen. Did he serve in the SAS? How long do you have to practise to get that good a shot? He might not do the Times crossword in ten minutes. But you play him at chess or poker; he’ll have you won within five minutes. Then he’ll let the game drag for a while, before coming at you from the completely opposite direction and you just sit there and go, OH, what happened there, all the time he just sits there, takes a drink, then walks into the kitchen, leaving you scratching our head, thinking, well if I’d done this or that, it’s too late at that point, you’ve lost and you might as well accept it.’ McGregor said seriously

‘What did he do for you sir?’ Green asked now very curious.

‘What he’d do for any member of this team Inspector, he stepped in front of a bullet, and not just the metaphorical one, the real one. I owe him my life and if he wanted to call the marker in, he could do it at any time, and just so you know Inspector, there are others in this unit who feel the same way. He leads by example, five years ago he’d have gone through that door himself, not because he didn’t trust the team, but he’d want to protect them from what was inside. What we expect to find in there is evil, he knew that those stairs would support him, he’d walk down the wall if he had to, and when whoever goes down there comes out, he’ll open his door and say when you’re ready to talk the door’s always open.’ McGregor said looking away at the Police cordon where the officers holding the guns were stood and cleared his throat, ‘You’ll learn the longer you’re here that this team comes first, we work damn hard to bring the lowest of the low to justice, we don’t cut corners, we follow every lead, we get the evidence we need to get these bastards off the streets and behind bars where they belong, he’s the one who goes on TV to talk to the public, when it’s all done and dusted he goes on again, but you know that he means it, when he says the team did the work that put every bastard in jail he isn’t just saying it to be nice, and when he’s done, the drinks are on him, and everyone of us appreciates that.’

‘I never knew that. Dad always says he’s a stubborn old copper who’s reached the end of his days, and should go quietly for the sake of the force.’ Green said subdued.

‘Your father would say that, he and Barron have disagreed since Barron joined the force. Barron was a Colonel in the Redcaps, when he transferred over to the regular force, he took the reduction rank that went with it, he then spent the next eight years doing things his way using the fast track advancement route getting back to the rank he has now. Your father still enjoys retirement but can’t stand that an Army man jumped ship to the Police and has finished a higher rank than he did. It might interest you to know you and Barron have both been in the force the same time; he just spent time before in the military honing skills you wouldn’t believe. Oh and by the way, tell your father I don’t want to hear any negative talk about Barron, if your father can’t keep a civil tongue in his head tell him he’ll get it from me with both barrels.’ McGregor said clearly and with finality.

‘He’d probably enjoy sparring with a former student, sir.’ Green responded.

‘Don’t think I won’t hold back either Inspector, Superintendent Green Retired, might want to consider pressing charges against me when I’m finished with him.’ McGregor replied coldly.

One sentiment picked up very clearly by Green.

Back in the remains of the lounge of the house a number of officers in white body suits had gathered to look down the newly discovered stairwell. DC Stewart was at the front looking down with his torch dangling from his mouth, he reached up with his left hand and said ‘Bet I can get down there, the old man was being too cautious, if I stay close to the wall and push the other side I should be able to get down there.’

‘What then Kenny? ’ McGregor said his gruff voice emanating from the doorway, where he and Green now stood ‘you’ve been told by a superior officer that you aren’t going down there without the proper equipment, and unless you’ve got a repelling harness under your jacket that I can’t see, you aren’t going down there. Oh one other thing, if I ever hear you refer to Chief Superintendent Barron as the Old Man again, you’ll find yourself back in uniform quicker than a cheetah after dinner, do I make myself clear?’

‘Yes sir, sorry sir, just thinking out loud that’s all.’ Stewart replied humbly.

‘While I don’t think you couldn’t do it constable. What we believe is down there is too valuable for it to be damaged by you crashing through and ruining it, that’s all.’ McGregor replied grimly.

Barron was looking out at the world as is sped past from the back of the unmarked Police car being driven by Constable Fletcher, thinking to himself, maybe White slipped something to his wife, maybe he suspected that he was being watched and followed, how could he, the best team in the force had been watching his movements for a week now, not one person had vanished in that time, one had been found dead but that was it, there couldn’t be another one like White out there? It wasn’t possible, the last thought made Barron shudder.

Constable Fletcher in the front broke his thoughts ‘Excuse me sir; we’ve arrived at Raigmore. ’

‘Thank you constable, pull up at the side and wait for me to come back. I shouldn’t take more than twenty minutes; I’m just getting a report from the doctors, then we’ll head back to the station.’ Barron replied quietly.

The unmarked car pulled up and Fletcher raced to open the rear door but Barron beat her to it. ‘Don’t worry constable I’ve got it, wait here and if anyone say’s anything I’ll sort it when I get back.‘

Fletcher recognised the order from the back and remained seated. Barron swung his legs out and stood up. He looked up at the front of Raigmore hospital and shudders ran down his spine, the last time he had been here was the day his wife had died some years ago, he instinctively looked at his left hand where his wedding ring was and had to mentally suppress the memories that were flooding back of that cold wet day, having just arrested a major drug dealer with drugs at his lock up and documents showing previous shipments and the euphoria that went with it, to being told by Bill that his wife was being raced here after having collapsed, it was a little too much to bear, he cleared his throat, pulled his suit jacket closed and walked into the front entrance.

The smell was overpowering, the disinfectant hit him like a heavy blow to the face and it made his eyes water so that he had to blink a couple of times. He looked at the board that showed where the ICU was. Having found it quickly, it was where he remembered it being from the last time, he made for the lifts and walked in.

As the lift doors swung open armed officers took one look at him, they acknowledged him with nods of their heads. A doctor stood by the nurses station caught this and walked towards Barron.

‘Are you responsible for them?‘ The doctor asked curtly.

‘They’re officers under my command yes, and if you have a problem I suggest you take it up with me now.‘ Barron said now looking squarely at the doctor who’d asked the question, Barron’s eyes cold and piercing, the question he’d wanted to ask pushed back in his mind, he then asked ‘who are you please?‘

‘Doctor Bradshaw, Senior Registrar on duty here, and you are?‘ The Doctors short reply.

‘Chief Superintendent Barron, Northern Constabulary Head of Operations, the decision was made that Mrs White needed armed