“Noted,” Stone said seriously.
Megan carried on with her report.
“As you would expect, Stephens does most of his business in cash, so there isn’t much information in his bank records that is of interest. His ‘respectable front’ is as a marketing consultant. I suspect that he washes some of his drug money through local bars and clubs, and they pay him under the guise of marketing advice. That way he can legitimately put money through his checking account for his mortgage, insurance, phone contract, income tax and the like. He must have some actual skills on the marketing front, because he’s done work for several legitimate clients. In the last twelve months he has provided marketing advice for a dentist, a golf club, and even a respectable charity.”
She handed her notes to Carter. He accepted them with a polite nod of thanks. Megan continued.
“I can see nothing that would lead us up the ladder to the Wrecking Crew at this point. It looks like you guys will have to ‘interview’ Mr. Stephens personally, to find out what he knows.”
Megan gave a sly shrug as she tried to avoid the image of what such an interview might look like.
“Luckily Stephens has a cell phone and a state-of-the-art security system on his Mercedes. I found that both systems have their GPS tracking enabled, so with my help you’ll know where he is, and where he’s heading.”
She tossed a smart phone across to Stone.
“This is set to show his location at all times. The registration number of his Mercedes is ANT 02 BET. Jeffers was pretty close about that.”
She held up a second sheet of paper for Stone to see.
“These are mug shots of Stephens and Markov. They’re nasty looking fuckers. I can see why people fear them.”
Megan gave Stone a hard look.
“Watch out for Markov, Eric. He hasn’t any form over here, but there was a lot of information from Interpol to suggest that he was a very bad boy before he left the Ukraine. He was a suspect in several killings, some really nasty and sadistic stuff. He’s also believed to be into sex trafficking as well, and we’re not talking about consenting adults here.”
Megan waved a warning finger.
“Listen carefully to me Stone, this maggot Markov has a reputation for losing control. Extreme violence and the like — you look after Ed, or you’ll have me to deal with!”
“You have my word,” Stone nodded. “Thanks for all the work you put in, I am truly grateful.”
“You’re welcome, Eric,” she said with a warm smile. Then she added an afterthought. “You know I liked Charles Rathbone and what he stood for. Most politicians are about as useless as a chocolate fireguard, but he was a good man. I think he would have made a difference.”
“I think he would have liked you as well Megan, I really do.”
“What?” she laughed aloud, “The debonair Rathbone with a fat girl who lives alone and keeps cats?”
“He could be shallow sometimes,” Stone admitted, “but he was drawn to intelligent and challenging women. I think you would have got on really well.”
“Thank you.”
Megan smiled genuinely before waving the two men away.
“Go on, boys — go and find the animals that caused Charlie’s death, and shut them down!”
Ed led Eric into the small sitting room. All of the chairs were occupied by sleeping cats, so they sat on the floor while they discussed the next step. Carter described his plan.
“The GPS records show that every Saturday night Stephens does his drug and loans deliveries around the bars in south Suffolk. He always visits Hadleigh, Ipswich, Needham Market, and finally Stowmarket. If he sticks to his schedule, he will be parked by the lake just outside Needham Market at around 9.30pm tonight.”
“Really?” Stone asked. “Is the tracking data that accurate?”
“Yep,” Carter nodded with a big smile, “and Stephens is as regular as clockwork. From what Jeffers told us, his clients expect him to be at a certain place at a certain time.”
“I remember — he said it was like the fish and chip van doing the rounds. Good for us — bad for him.”
“There’s no bar nearby, but Megan and I think that they stop at the lake for a rest. I guess even drug dealers are entitled to regular breaks,” Carter joked. “Perhaps they stop there for coffee and sandwiches, and a little privacy to count their money and sort the stock. In any event, I know the area pretty well. The lake would be a perfect place for an ambush.”
“So we get there early and lay in wait?” Stone asked.
“That’s pretty much what I was thinking,” Carter agreed. “I say we drive up to Ipswich now. There’s a big service area at the top of the A12. We can have something to eat while we wait. When we’re ready, we leave one car there and take the other to Needham Market. It’s around ten miles farther. If we get there at eight, we can park out of sight and work out where to hide by the lake. With the GPS tracker, we’ll know exactly when they are coming.”
“And then?” Stone asked.
“That’s your department, what do you suggest?”
Stone thought for a while before answering.
“We’ll stop at my house and pick up my shotgun and the crossbow, just in case. If they’re both in the car, then we may need some visible incentive to get them under control. If one or both are out of the car, and there’s a lot of ground to cover, then I may have to use the crossbow. It’s quick, deadly, and almost completely silent. I’ll be in a better position to make a decision when we get there.”
“Ok, has the makings of a workable plan,” Carter said in a business-like tone.
Stone could imagine Ed using the same voice to give his team of police officers confidence, just before a tricky stakeout.
“There’s one final point,” Stone said, “whatever the layout, I want to take Markov out first. I intend to take him fast and hard. He’s the most dangerous, and it’s unlikely that he’ll know much, if anything, about the Wrecking Crew. After that you can question Stephen’s at your leisure.”
“And afterwards?” Carter asked.
Stone’s mouth tightened.
“We’ll see. I have a feeling that they’ll be the kind of people who won’t give in easily, or forgive and forget after the event.”
Carter nodded sternly.
“I understand.”
EIGHT
They parked at the Copdock freeway service area near Ipswich to eat supper. Carter had chicken and French fries and Stone chose vegetarian pasta with a side salad. They both drank water. After they had finished eating, Stone broke the silence.
“Ed. There’s something else I wanted to discuss.”
“Go on,” Carter said cautiously.
“I’ve met someone — someone special. I want to include her in what we are doing. I’ve told her a about what happened to Charles and little bit about the Wrecking Crew, just in general terms, of course. She says that she wants to help.”
Carter sat back in frustration.
“Oh, Eric! Don’t tell me that you’ve been thinking with your dick.”
Stone held up his hands in supplication.
“It’s not like that — well it is, but not really. Look, she’s a really good person, very genuine — I feel it here!” He thumped his chest with his fist.
“Who is she?” Carter asked sternly.
“Her name is Linda Smart. She lives over in Sawbridgeworth, but she’s probably going to be working from my dojo in Colchester. She’s a fitness instructor.”
“How long have you known her?” Carter asked, always the cop.
“A couple of days,” Stone admitted quietly.
“Jesus Christ!” Carter whispered angrily. “What the hell were you thinking? You know how dangerous these people are. We talked about this.”