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Crime and Thriller
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| Venus Fly Trap-Done and dusted. | |
| By BrianRobertNeal | ||||||
| 07 December 2006 | ||||||
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I'm just tidying up loose ends. In other circumstances this would have been in two parts. It obviously cancels out the previous ending. It is on the long side. FLY TRAP-DONE AND DUSTED. STRANGER IN THE NIGHT Almost a year had now passed since things had come to a conclusion in a manner that could not have been more advantageous. I was at home one night when I received a quite unexpected visitor. The doorbell rang and on the step I found my barrister. She was in a far better condition than when I had last seen her. She looked quite different but her voice was unmistakable. I’d said I’m both pleased and appalled at seeing you here. She laughed, well ask me in and force a big rum down me for old time’s sake, then I’ll go upstairs and slip into something more comfortable. So we went into the kitchen, I gave her a double rum which she downed. She then shot off upstairs and a few moments later came back in one of my old football shirts, a pair of boxer shorts, my dressing gown and slippers. She smiled, now if you remember we have some unfinished business, don’t we, and she led me upstairs. What I had wanted that fateful night had had to have been given with enthusiasm and at least affection but I never dreamt of unrestrained passion! As we cuddled afterwards Anne murmured; I’ve had a long time to think about you and the events that occurred. I’ve grown more and more in love with you as each day passed. I said that a day had not gone by, that I had not thought about her. I told her she looked so different, her hair, her face. She interrupted, so you prefer me with a bent nose, and broken ribs. We both got dressed and went downstairs and back into the kitchen. Anne suddenly said that she could still tap in to the Fly Trap intranet. They’ve got a bounty on your head and mine. They know that I’ve a new identity, but they don’t know what it is. I butted in, so why don’t they just take me out. Anne replied that’s easy they want your accomplice more than you. Only you can tell them who she was! I asked who would have known about the Video Files. Anne answered, well any of the ACC’s close associates but the new Lady Home Secretary would have been privy as she was one of her many lovers. Anne then asked, so who was this mystery woman? A chill thought suddenly struck me, what if Anne was an active and willing member of Fly trap, the beating up having been no more than a punishment for transgressing with a man or a clever ruse. They must have known that their elderly victim was my father and that I was looking for them. I finally answered well, I shouldn’t tell you this but as you ask, it was, oh would you believe I’ve completely forgotten. Tell your Fly Trap friends they are going to have to be more subtle or as seems to be their style more brutal. Get dressed and go. She went upstairs and got back into the clothes she had arrived in. As she left she smiled and said well at least this time you’ve got laid and I’ve not been beaten up. A few minutes later the doorbell rang again, but this time I was cautious and used the intercom. My Boss, the Super, shouted, stop buggering about Robert and let us in. I let her and Claire in. The Super said Robert I’ve got some bad news for you, your ex-wife has been murdered. She seems to have been tortured and yes she was tied up with surgical plaster and shot. I told the 2 women about my visitor and how she had not long been gone. We thought that’s where she might have gone, said Claire; we were part of a small team that have been tracking her since she arrived back in England. She is using another alias, she is no longer Mary Cleeve she is now Hilde Van Persie. However she could not have killed your ex-wife for she has not been out of our sight since she arrived back. Apart from giving us the slip about an hour ago, by then you ex-wife had been dead for several hours. My Boss said I think that you should have this and gave me a small handgun. A thought suddenly struck me, what if when upstairs on her own she had planted a bug? I went to the hall and fished out of the cupboard a small detector. I switched it on and it clicked into life, as I went upstairs it began to pick up a signal. It got stronger and stronger until it registered maximum strength. The three of us searched the Bedroom and finally found the device. Then I noticed a package on the floor just by the side of the door. I grabbed hold of the 2 women and dragged them into the ensuite and shut its door. A moment later the package erupted into a ball of fire. The ensuite had been an addition and so it contained the access to the loft with its drop down ladder. We quickly got up into the loft then closed the trap door. It was a moment’s work to get above the 2nd bedroom and then stamp a hole through its ceiling. The three of us dropped onto the bed and then hastily ran down stairs. I suggested that we went out of the side door as it was not overlooked as were the front and back doors. Once outside I said that it would be convenient if I were to die in the fire. So if you could call the Brigade, I’ll go and get singed and look convincingly unconscious. Right said the Super, I’ll arrange for an Ambulance as well. The 2 women faded into the night or more accurately pushed their way through the shrubs and out into next door’s garden. I went back into the house got singed and sooty then collapsed outside the opened front door. The brigade came and revived me. Then the Ambulance arrived and I was whisked off. CHARLIE IS MY DARLING That’s another fine mess you’ve got yourself in Stanley said a vaguely familiar voice. Bugger me I thought its Phil “Cheeky Charlie” Chester. And so it was, but he was dressed up as an Ambulance Man. We had been together at the Bramshill Police College, he’d been a flier and I’d been a Plodder. Charlie continued when we get to the hospital you’ve got to get into a body bag. Then when we’ve got you into the morgue, we’ll dress you up as an Ambulance Man. The Ambulance entered the Hospital Grounds and when it arrived round the back, I got into the bag and was carried into the Morgue. I got out of the bag, had a shower and dressed myself in an Ambulance Mans uniform that Charlie had handed me. I carefully tucked the gun into my uniform. The Ambulance Driver said that he would wander into the Hospital and then slip off. Charlie and I were to get back in the Ambulance and drive away from the Hospital. He would then contact us, to tell us what we were to do next. We walked back out to the Ambulance. I was in a state of shock, my ex-wife murdered, Anne trying to kill me, my house a burning ruin, and then Charlie boy, it was all too much. As Charlie drove away he started to explain, well Bobby Barrow Boy, I have been chasing this little lot for 5 years now. However you always seem to be ahead of us buggering things up. Anne Price alias Mary Cleeve alias Hilde Van Persie we believe is the head of the gang. By now we had turned out of the Hospital and had travelled about half a mile when a Policeman flagged us down. He said to Charlie its one of your lot he’s just been shot. Get him to Hospital quickly. He then said that he was waiting for back up. We put the injured man into the Ambulance and drove back to the hospital. Despite the emergency 1st Aid I gave him he died on the journey back. We carried his body back to the Morgue and laid him on one of the slabs. I finally broke out of my silence saying, that’s the bloke that was with you. That bloody Policeman, how did he get there so quick, the man had only just been shot? The killer must have thought it was me. I started rambling. Charlie interrupted, just as I knew that nobody notices an Ambulanceman, they also realised that nobody notices a Policeman. Barrow Boy, they’re playing with us. Back there they could have killed us both; they obviously want you and me alive. I gathered my wits and replied, they must think that I have told you who my accomplice was. So they followed the Ambulance. They saw the other Man leave the Hospital, followed him, and when they found out it was not me or you, they shot him. I continued, but the Super and Claire were the only ones other than me and you who knew the stunt we were going to play. Charlie suddenly shouted I don’t want to know who your accomplice was. What I don’t know I can’t tell. However first things first, we are going to have to find a way out of here. We looked round the Morgue and the only clothing to be found was surgical wear, boots, gloves, masks and overalls. Then I noticed a Hessian sack labelled “Friends of the Hospital”. It contained clothing and items presumably removed from the Morgue’s various customers. We abandoned our Ambulance Man’s Uniforms and then put them into the sack. I dressed up all elderly and tweedy, adding flat cap and reading glasses, Charlie finally settled on the bland bank clerk look. We followed unlit private corridors until we entered a lobby. As luck would have it, the visitors to the adjacent Geriatric Ward were flooding out. Charlie got chatting to a young couple who had been visiting their Gran. I heard him say to the couple if you could give us a lift that would be fantastic. He pointed at me and said Uncle Bob is very upset, Auntie Jean didn’t know who he was. Charlie added she’s had a stroke. The young woman came up to me and said how sorry she was. The pair of us followed Charlie and the young man. As we left the building and walked to the car park I was looking all around. Somewhere out there they were waiting for us. However Charlie was now talking cars with his new found friend. They stopped to admire a Mercedes Coupe, and then walked on. The man raced off ahead of us. The flashing of headlights and blinking of indicators showed which car was theirs and that he had unlocked its doors. I got in the back, but Charlie got in the front and the young woman shrugged her shoulders and got into the back with me. After about 3 miles, Charlie asked them to stop outside a Pub. He said I’ll get a couple of drinks into Uncle Bob; he’ll sleep a lot better if he has had a few. We both got out, and the woman moved into the front passenger seat. The car then the car drove off.. We walked into the Public Bar and then into the Snug and finally out into the courtyard. Charlie whispered we’re going over the wall. So the pair of us climbed over the wall and dropped into a side road. I took the glasses off: now what I asked. Charlie replied, be buggered if I know. The dead Ambulance Man was my boss. Only he knew who else was in on this job. A Bus pulled into the road and stopped. The driver opened the door and got out to have a fag. We hopped on, the Driver told us to get off as this was not a fare stage and we would have to go round the corner and wait at the Bus Stop. Charlie showed him his warrant and said that we were a special patrol charged with keeping an eye out for trouble on the late busses. The driver then spent 15 minutes telling us of all the problems he and his mates had suffered and how it was about time the bloody Police did something about it! Charlie and I sat separately and as luck would have it, there was nobody at the first stop. We had travelled for about 15 minutes when all of a sudden Charlie shouted to the Driver, stop right now. The driver slammed his brakes on and opened the doors. Fortunately the Bus was empty. Charlie got off, and I followed him. The Bus closed its doors and drove away. We were in a pleasant leafy suburb; in fact we were just round the corner from my house. Charlie laughed; your house should be the last place that they would think of looking for us! We went up a neighbours drive and then pushed through the bushes into my garden. We were just opposite the side door, through which we entered the house. We found that the serious damage was limited to the main bedroom, though smoke and water damage was widespread. My mobile phone was in the kitchen, it showed that I had missed at least one call. Neither of us had said a word and I motioned to Charlie that we should keep quiet. It had suddenly struck me that the house might be under some form of electronic surveillance; if so they would now obviously knew that we were here. I thought all that bother for nothing. I showed Charlie my gun; he pulled a handgun out from inside his jacket. There was a noise outside the front door. Then the door was forced open. Charlie quickly stepped back, dropped silently to the floor and took close aim. STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT The house was unlit as the fire Brigade had turned off the electricity. The two figures that entered were framed by the light from the Street Lamp. It showed that our interlopers were the Super and Claire. I spoke out to them. You’ve come for a second try haven’t you; shot the wrong man didn’t you. The Super calmly said shut up Robert and pour us all a drink and Charlie get up you look silly on the floor. She then ordered Claire to put her hands up, which she then also did. She continued you deserve an explanation; Charlie’s back up boys had been jumped. Charlie had contacted their car and given instructions for them to follow the Ambulance, as usual he had rung off without asking them to confirm their orders. Which was unlucky for Charlie, and his Boss as the back up boys by then were dead. As now is Charlie’s Boss. The back up boys have been found, they had been put in the boot of their Panda car. Oh finally, the Policeman who flagged you down was probably a woman! We stood in the kitchen knocking hell out of my “medicinal” rum. I kept eyeing my phone, I flicked to the missed call menu but I did not recognise the number that it showed. There was also a text message it said Don’t go upstairs. Get out and hide They’re closing in on you I’m a pawn in their game I can’t help you, Anne We all agreed that we had no idea where to go next or what to do when we got there. Charlie got his mobile out, what’s this Anne’s number. I read it out and he typed it in to his phone and then rang. He gave the phone to me, I heard Anne’s voice she sounded anxious. I said good evening, I’m pleased to tell you that you have won a holiday in the Bahamas, if you would like to call 07977 33389 you can confirm your name and address and pick which of the dates that we can offer you for this fabulous holiday. I heard Anne say, it’s not him its some computer message offering me a free holiday. She rang off. I told the others exactly what had occurred Well said Claire she doesn’t give up does she? I wonder who she was with. I replied that I wondered why she said that it was not me. The Super said well either it was to fool them or you Robert. She added tricky isn’t it? Charlie asked are any of your neighbours away on holiday, I said no, but the house diagonally opposite has been empty for 3 months, it is partly furnished and the services are on. Right said Charlie lets get over there now. One by one we made our way to the empty house. To our delight it was hosting a group of squatters our joy became boundless when it transpired it was more of Charlie’s mob. He however had had no idea that they were there. We exchanged news. The squatters had moved in the previous day and had been instructed to keep my house under watch. The last Instruction they had been given had been incomplete. They played a tape and we heard Charlie’s Boss say right Stay where you are, I’ve left the Hospital, then a shot rang out. There was a sound like scampering feet and a woman’s voice said that’s not him bugger, look out here comes an Ambulance. We filled in the next bit. I suddenly realised that I had not seen a phone and possibly the dying mans last action was to pocket it. Charlie called the number it rang and rang and then a puzzled voice said hello, ehm can I help? Charlie asked who the man was, he answered I’m a Hospital orderly and I was going through the Morgue when this phone went off. It was in the jacket of a dead Ambulance Man. Charlie said that the man was Robert Lane and that he was a murdered Policeman. Charlie rang off. I suggested we all get some sleep but we ought to keep guard. So we took it in turns. The next morning the media was full of Robert Lane, his mysterious death and the equally sinister missing Ambulance men. CCTV showed that 2 dead bodies had been brought into the Morgue and yet there was only one additional corpse. A little later it was announced that the body was not Robert Lane but another far more Senior Police Officer. Then everything went quiet. Charlie’s phone rang; one of the squatters answered it. He looked at Charlie and whispered do you know a Goldfinch. No said Charlie but my late Boss did, give us the phone. He waited until the caller spoke and then answered, sir I have no ideas what we are to do next. He was asked where he was and the caller told him to stay put and wait. An hour later a large SWAT team raided the house and mock arrested the occupants who were hooded and dragged into a body-wagon. The Media were told that a raid had been made and a group had been arrested. It was thought that they were connected with the fire at Robert Lane’s House and the murders of the 3 Police Men. The group were helping the Police with their enquiries. They had been split up and were being held at a number of London Police stations. However one of the group had admitted to the murder of Robert Lane though they refused to tell where the body could be found. Claire and the Super slipped away, went home, got back into uniform and returned to work. The squatters were stood down and returned to their normal Police Stations. That just left Charlie and me. The evening news announced that the body of Robert Lane had been found it had been badly mutilated. The dead man had been stripped, bound with surgical tape and then shot several times. Later that evening there was a News Flash, a story is just coming in that the Home Secretary has been assassinated. The Police are looking for a Dutch Woman known as Hilde Van Persie. The Home secretary had been playing host to a small group of Feminist Activists when one of them using an automatic pistol had shot the HS and the 3 other guests. Right said Charlie that should be that. He looked at me and said; don’t ask me how you come back from the dead. If I was you I would swear that I was Robert’s long lost twin-brother and claim the death in service gratuity. He then left. I was cleared to go and was told to lay low until I could be resurrected. FINAL RECKONING However I made my way to 31 Compton Street where to no great surprise I found Anne Price. She was hiding at the back of the house. I crept up on her and grabbed her, her look of terror turned to delight and then she became quite hysterical. She stammered that she thought I was dead; that she had killed all that was left of the Fly-Trap and then had fled to Compton Street. However they would soon find out that Van Persie and she were the same person and then the Police would come for her. I had an idea, we waited for night fall then we made our way back to my house. I phoned the Super and suggested that she and Claire searched the house. Anne and I then went into the cellar, locked the door and hid the key. The next day we were found by the Super and Claire and a support team. They had to break the door down to get in. We were both bound and gagged and had to be freed. We said that we had been taken hostage, drugged and then locked in the cellar. The press report used Anne’s maiden name which in fact was Mary Jones, Anne being her middle name. When the support team had left, the Super had said right then Annie I think its time that you told us what has happened. OK said Anne, I was found by the Fly Trap by sheer accident. However I managed to convince them that you had kept me prisoner in the Clinic and had only let me go when you needed a scapegoat for the killing of the 5 women. I had adopted the name Hilde Van Persie and had bought a second new identity because I knew that Interpol would know that Anne Price was now masquerading as Mary Cleeve. The Fly Trap instructed me to come back to London. I would seduce Robert, find out the name of his murderous female partner and then kill him. I was to have sneaked off in the night and the package would have both killed Robert and destroyed any forensic evidence. However I could not go through with it. As instructed I planted the bug in the bedroom. But I set the device to go off when I knew we would be downstairs. I was hoping that if I got the name of Robert’s accomplice I could let them know who she was. The fire would give Robert and me the chance to escape. However I bungled it and Robert threw me out. I then went to ground and got picked up by some elderly dyke. I convinced her that I was on the run from my pimp and that if he found me he would kill me. The dear old soul was as good as gold, though there was a price to be paid. When you phoned I said to the old girl that it was not him meaning my pimp. I actually thought it was a computer, it was only later that I realised it was you. When the press said that you were dead I felt nothing. But when I heard it was not you I was delighted. However when it was announced that you had been found mutilated, shot and bound with surgical tape something in me snapped. I went and saw the Home Secretary at her discrete private flat. I told her that I had got round you; and revealed the name of your accomplice. I said it was Claire. We arranged a council of war. However the drinks flowed and the clothes came off and then I shot them. I came back to 31 Compton Street and tried to kill myself but I could not pull the trigger. Then Robert surprised me and here I am. The super asked who killed Charlie’s Boss and the back up team, Anne answered that she did not know but it was probably a professional hit squad, whoever it was would not have known Robert well enough to realise that the man they were tracking was not him, until they got close up. OK said the super, who killed Robert’s ex-wife. Anne replied I don’t know but it was not me. Claire then asked Anne why she had tried to set her up. Anne answered I’m jealous of you, because you’ve been to bed with him. Well so have I said the Super and then groaned. Anne exclaimed so you are the mystery hit woman. You could have cut the air with the proverbial knife. Anne smiled at the Super, I’m sure you’re secret’s safe with me. We serial killers must stick together. PRESS CONFERENCE Good Evening and I should like to thank you for coming to this Press Conference. My name is Chester and I’m the Acting Senior Officer responsible for the UK end of the “Euro-International” Crime Force. In recent days there have been a number of high profile murders that have included Police Officers, a leading Politician and a number of prominent “Women’s Right Activists”. This briefing is aimed at providing information regarding these disturbing occurrences. However I am not at liberty to reveal some information for this may put in jeopardy the European End of operations. In principle about 5 years ago evidence came to light that there was a highly sophisticated crime syndicate in operation that we nicknamed “The Venus Fly Trap.” Unfortunately it has transpired that that was also how they described themselves! Behind the front of a “Euro-Lesbian Rights League” the syndicate operated a blackmail and contract killing racket. The key to the operation was the entrapment of their victims using an attractive woman as bait. The victim was subject to physical abuse which they filmed; then blackmail demands. Victims included not only men but also wealthy or otherwise important women. In a few cases the Fly Trap at his wife’s request would kill their victim and then subject his now wealth widow to blackmail demands. About three years ago, an elderly man was found in London. He’d been shot, then tortured and left to bleed to death. I mention one key element; he had been bound and gagged with surgical tape. At that time deaths on the Continent had not attracted attention though subsequent inquiry showed that all victims had been bound using surgical tape and then shot. A year ago the bodies of five women had been found. They too had been shot having been bound and gagged with surgical tape. Shortly afterwards the ACC; a prominent member of the Fly Trap; was murdered at her home. At the time it was thought that a Barrister named Anne Price had murdered the women and then the ACC. However video evidence came to light that showed quite clearly that Price was; by the time of the killings; already dead. Our European Colleagues believed that a Turf War was in progress and that the European branch was wiping out the UK branch. Then the war broke out again and this led to the deaths that I mentioned at the beginning of the briefing. It is believed that the UK branch has been wiped out and so attention is now focussed on the European End of the Operation. So I and my team are being disbanded and returned to our base Police Authorities. That is with the exception of me, who has been promoted to fill the vacancy created by the earlier murder. It had proven a very difficult post to fill. Finally on a lighter note, some of you have picked up on the “Bonking Bobby Barrow Boy” story. All I can say is that there is no rumour in the truth, oh oops, but you know what I meant to say. I have to go now as I have a final debriefing session, and that has nothing to do with Bonking Bobby. There are information packs which you can collect on your way out. I’m sorry but at this moment I cannot answer any questions regarding these matters” And with that Cheekie Charlie Chester quickly left the Press Room. He made his way to the Super’s house where he was greeted like a hero. The crowd of admirers included, Robert, Anne, the Super, Claire, the Chief Constable and to no-one’s surprise, the Landlord of the “Evergreen Club”. “Well Charlie you and randy Andy here, has cleverly put it all to bed, oh dear –Freudian Slip. However I’ve gone out of my way to leave the ACC’s post vacant, and for the first time I’ll have a number two I can trust in, welcome aboard Charlie. One final thing, I’d like to thank “mine host” for his torrid tales of constabulary copulation. I believe that that was Robert’s idea. The papers were full of it! Robert Lane has taken all the flack and drawn off most of the general public’s interest. He is currently suspended and is enjoying the time with a certain close companion. He will of course be reprimanded and then re-instated. So what if all these people have been killed what’s that compared with a Senior Policeman caught with his trousers off? Give the people what they want. The Chief Constable sat down and finished with the statement, “For a moment I saw my career ending in ruin. So thanks all of you. I don’t know about you lot, but I’m gonna get pissed!” Thank god that he didn’t have the faintest idea what had gone on!
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