Buried in the Past by Bill Kitson Page A

Frank. Although that’s not quite right.’ She thought about it, repeating the word in a low mutter. ‘Frank, Frank, no, Frankie, yes, I think that’s it. Now you’ve said it, I’m sure that’s what he said. How did you guess?’
    ‘Something we found in his file,’ Clara said ambiguously.
    ‘Lianne,’ Nash said, ‘I need you to go with Viv and make a statement .’ He turned to Pearce. ‘Get Jack Binns to take it, given your personal involvement.’
    He stood up and shook hands with Lianne. ‘Thank you for coming in. Your information has been most helpful.’
    ‘Well, at least we know what was on Ray Perry’s mind,’ Clara said when they were alone.
    ‘Mmm, makes you wonder if that was the reason he came to Yorkshire, though, doesn’t it? Looking for Frankie Da Silva, I mean. By the way, that was clever thinking on your part.’
    Clara bowed. ‘Thank you, kind sir.’

chapter eight
    Nash’s phone call with the doctor was brief and to the point. ‘We’ve done everything we can for Mr Perry,’ the medic told him. ‘He needs specialist treatment, which we’re not able to provide here.’
    ‘What do you suggest?’
    ‘The nearest centre capable of handling a case like this is the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. I’ve spoken to my colleagues there and they’re trying to organize the transfer for as soon as possible. Because of your involvement, I wanted to be sure that you were kept in the loop before we move him.’
    Nash gave the doctor his mobile number. ‘I’d like to be informed as soon as it’s done. I’ll need to get the local police to sort out protection . Have you any idea when he might be conscious and able to answer questions?’
    ‘That’s impossible to say. I’ll phone you when the transfer has been done.’
    Nash received the phone call before he set off to Netherdale headquarters next morning. ‘Inspector,’ the surgeon told him, ‘Raymond Perry was moved in the early hours. I’ll send you all the details through if you wish.’
    ‘Please, if you would, and thank you for letting me know.’
    Nash called Mironova into his office, and told her what had happened. ‘Accepting the fact that the attack on Perry wasn’t the random act of a psychopath, I think we should try to give whoever was responsible the impression that we don’t realize it was done deliberately.’
    ‘How do we do that? If we’ve no idea who did it we can hardly send them a message, can we?’
    ‘Oh, yes we can.’ Nash outlined his idea.
    ‘Mike, has anyone ever mentioned that you have a very Machiavellian streak to your personality?’
    ‘I believe something akin to that may have cropped up in conversation somewhere along the line.’
    As he was speaking, his phone rang. Nash glanced at the caller display. ‘The chief’s back,’ he told Clara before picking up the handset.
    ‘Mike,’ Chief Constable Gloria O’Donnell began, ‘I’ve just been looking through the paperwork on my desk. What’s been going on in Helmsdale? I go on a well-earned holiday, leaving everything peaceful and serene. When I get back, what do I find? Axe murderers and gangsters running amok.’
    Nash grinned. ‘Actually, we believe it was a sledgehammer, not an axe, but I take your point, ma’am. And I wish I knew.’ He explained what little they knew about the two events.
    ‘Any idea what’s behind it?’
    ‘A couple, thanks to an ex-DCI from London. But who might be responsible is another matter entirely.’ He told her of his interview with Wellings. ‘Fortunately, Netherdale’s been relatively quiet, so I’ve been able to concentrate on what’s been happening here. Now, if you’ll excuse me, ma’am, I have to make an urgent phone call.’
    ‘Anything interesting?’
    ‘Yes, I’m going to ask the
Netherdale Gazette
to print an article for me.’
     
    Phil Miller was reading the morning paper. The item he’d been looking for was on the front page. The article told him all he needed to know. He picked up