Chapter 7: Lewis Prepares to Pounce

MONDAY

Monday at school Daryl came up to Lewis during afternoon break. He gave him the map of the flat he had drawn and a piece of paper with the Wi-Fi code on, plus the name and phone number of the lady from social services. He also handed him a door key. ‘I called at the locksmiths on the way into school,’ he said. ‘He assured me he could make one for lunch time, so I nipped out after I’d had lunch and collected it.’

‘Brilliant,’ Lewis said, ‘But still come to the shop on Saturday and have lunch, ok?’ ‘Thank you,’ Daryl said. Lewis handed him another ten-pound note. ‘Don’t hesitate to come and see me if you need more,’ Lewis told him. ‘I’d be very upset if I found out a friend of mine had gone hungry because he didn’t like to ask.’ ‘Thank you.’ Daryl said giving him a smile. ‘Come and see me tomorrow and I’ll have a phone for you,’ Lewis told him.

After school, Lewis walked over to Daryl’s estate. He knocked on Mr Kendricks door. When he answered it, Lewis introduced himself as a friend of Daryl’s from school. ‘I wonder if I could have a private word with you about him.’ he said.

Mr Kendrick invited him in and offered hm a coffee. They sat in his lounge then Lewis said, ‘I do some voluntary counselling. As a result, I am aware about what is happening next door. I believe you are too.’

Mr Kendrick looked sad. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I’ve heard the noise and the poor lad screaming. He assured me it wasn’t happening, but I didn’t believe him. I reported it to social services. They sent a young girl to see me who was still wet behind the ears.’ Then realising Lewis was even younger he paused, ‘No offence intended.’ he said grinning at him.

‘None taken.’ Lewis assured him. ‘She came in and asked me about it,’ he continued. ‘She asked me if I had any actual evidence.’ ‘What more do you want?’ I said, ‘The lad screams in pain and is clearly terrified. I hear shouting and the sound of violence, isn’t that enough.’

‘She asked me who lived in the flat, so I told her Daryl and his mum, plus a man had moved in two years ago. I had no idea who he was, but I’d seen him come home drunk often. Usually late evening. It was about five when she came so I told her he was unlikely to be in then.’

‘She promised to look into it and after I saw her out, I heard her knock next door. She was inside for about twenty minutes, then she left. I’m still waiting for something to be done. I’ve rung them several times since after hearing more violence.’

‘What was their reaction?’ Lewis asked. ‘They took the details then said it was in their system and had already been investigated. But thank you for ringing. But it’s still happening, I told them.’ ‘Yes, well no doubt it’s being dealt with, was all I got.’

‘Last time it happened, a week ago, I went into the police station. I told them all about it, but when I said I’d reported it to Social Services and they had sent someone round, they said they couldn’t do anything without their approval. But he did promise to pass my report on to them.’

‘I’m not going to insult your intelligence by telling you nothing is happening,’ Lewis said, ‘But I can’t tell you any details without breaking a confidence. However, I can tell you that Daryl really appreciates everything you have done for him and trusts you. That is why I’m here to ask for your help.’

‘I’ll do anything I can,’ Mr Kendrick said, ‘He’s a really nice lad and it breaks my heart when I hear him screaming in pain.’

‘I can stop what is happening,’ Lewis told him, ‘But I need two things from you. First, I need to bring one or two plain clothes policemen to sit in here with you and me for a couple of hours. It would be on an evening when we suspected another beating might take place. That way we can go next door quickly and catch him in the act. We might have to do that for several evenings before it happens.’

‘Two, if we are successful and Jake is arrested, we will have concrete evidence of what he has been doing. I can’t tell you what that is, but I can assure you he is unlikely to plead not guilty or get away without a prison sentence.’

‘However, your statement to the court after his arrest, saying what you heard, over what period, your experience with Social Services and reporting it to the police would be even more cement in the case against him.’

‘Yes, to both of them,’ Mr Kendrick said. ‘And remind young Daryl what I told him, that if he ever needs a safe haven, he’s always welcome here. Just a moment,’ he said as he stood up. He went over to a cupboard and rooted in a bowl. Returning to his seat he handed Lewis a key.

‘That’s my spare front door key,’ he said. ‘Give it to Daryl and tell him if he needed safety in a hurry, just to let himself in, anytime.’ ‘Thank you,’ Lewis said. ‘I’m sure he will appreciate that. I’ll let you know as soon as I have any more information or dates. Do you have a phone number?’

He typed it into his phone, thanked him, then Mr Kendrick showed him out. Next, he went next door but one. Mrs Christian turned out to be confused and stone deaf. She couldn’t understand who he was or what he wanted. In the end he gave her a big smile, waved and turned away.

Next, he went over to the police station. He had told Aiden he would call. The desk sergeant recognised him and said, ‘He’s still in the station, I’ll let him know you’re here.’

Soon they were sitting in the canteen over a coffee. Lewis explained the problem and showed him the pictures he had taken of Daryl. Aiden was horrified. He wrote down Jakes details as Lewis read them out of his phone. ‘Just hang on a minute,’ he said, ‘I’ll go and check on him.’

It was twenty minutes before he returned. He sat down and passed Lewis a sheath of papers. Reading through them, Lewis discovered Jake had been in trouble since his late teens. He had served three terms in prison for violence, one of which had almost turned into a murder charge.

He had resisted arrest violently on every occasion. There was a photo of him on the first sheet. ‘That’s a few years out of date,’ Aiden said, ‘But you can see he’s a big powerful bloke. And he’s nasty with it. I’ll have to bring someone else with me, I’ll have a word with the sergeant later. Fortunately, I have just got my Taser certification.’

Lewis explained about Mr Kendrick next door letting them wait in his flat. ‘You don’t half present us with everything on a plate.’ Aiden said with a grin. Just then Aiden spotted Detective Sergeant Cline coming into the canteen. He went and brought him over.

‘Hi Lewis,’ he said, remembering him from a previous occasion. Aiden nodded at him to do the explanation. Lewis went through it all once more and showed him the photos. Then Aiden handed him his printout. ‘I remember him,’ the sergeant said, ‘I arrested him when I was a young constable. He was nasty then. It took three of us to subdue him.’

‘You’re going to need some back up.’ ‘I was going to ask if I could take one man with me and use my Taser if necessary.’ Aiden told him. ‘I’ll come with you myself,’ the sergeant said, ‘But I’ll arrange for someone else on standby in case I’m not around.’

Lewis explained about it usually happening after daytime drinking finished early, so they would know of likely days a few hours ahead. ‘But there’s no way of knowing if it is actually happening until it starts.’ he added.

‘Don’t worry,’ the sergeant told him with a wry grin, ‘We’re used to waiting around in this job.’ Having arranged what they could, Lewis set off home.

TUESDAY

The next day at morning break, Daryl found Lewis as instructed. Lewis handed him a small package. ‘That’s your mobile,’ he said. ‘There’s a charger in as well, but it’s already fully charged. The number is inside too. I’ve already put my phone number into contacts.’

‘When you’re sure that no one will disturb you, take the four pictures I asked for and send them to me on messenger, tonight if you can. Are you ok with that?’ ‘Yes,’ Daryl said, chuffed that so much was happening. ‘Are you ok for cash?’ Lewis asked. ‘Yes, thank you,’ Daryl said. ‘It’s not too bad during the week as I have my dinner at school.’

‘I spoke to mum on Sunday,’ Daryl said, ‘When I asked her outright, she admitted that Jake often hit her too and she would be so happy if he left.’ ‘Good,’ Lewis said, ‘That means we can ensure he never returns to you in future.’

Lewis handed him a key. ‘I’ve been to see Mr Kendrick next door,’ he told him. ‘He’s going to help us. When you let me know it’s a likely night, I will be waiting in his flat with some friends, ready to come to your aid. He asked me to give you his spare front door key. If you need a safe bolt hole, you are to let yourself in anytime you want.’