Black & Blue: Where it all began…… (D.S Hunter Kerr) by Michael Fowler Page B

initial scene search, but upon finding the weapon had been assigned to house-to-house investigation. This was his second occasion on a major enquiry and he was in the thick of it, relishing every moment. However, after six hours of banging on doors and gleaning nothing he was beginning to grow weary and by the time dusk fell, with no sign of Peter Jackson being captured, his initial excitement had waned.
    During evening de-brief Hunter learned, from DC Harry Hemsworth, that he and Emma’s burglar – Mathew David Smith – had given up Jackson as his drug supplier. Given this latest information, together with the attack upon Edith Thompson, it was evident that once captured Peter Jackson would be going away for a long time.
    Off duty and in the pub that night , Hunter found the ear of Harry Hemsworth, and after an initial chat about the investigation Harry regaled numerous anecdotes from his years in CID. Hunter found himself hanging on to the seasoned detective’s every word, and four pints later, he stumbled away from the pub and wended his way home to his parents, happy and contented with the career he had chosen and hoping one day he would achieve detective status.
    The next morning, nursing a thick head, Hunter listened to the up-date of the incident. Kim Davies’ condition had improved though she was still sedated. Overnight every known associate and family member of Peter Jackson had been visited and their homes searched. At one of the addresses cannabis had been found and at another evidence from a recent burglary. Hunter learned that this was the usual case during any major enquiry – the detections of crime always went up. As briefing came to an end Hunter was tasked with another day of house-to-house enquiries.
    Checking his tray , that there was no urgent admin, Hunter made his way to the locker room and while getting himself ready he could hear Emma Goodwin’s voice back along the corridor seeking him out. Quickly slinging his equipment belt around his waist and fastening its buckle he answered her call.
    She poked her head in through the door. “Phone call for you in the parade room,” she said and disappeared.
    Hunter hot-footed it back to the parade room where he found Emma seated at the large table writing in her pocket book. She met his gaze and pointed to a phone, the handset of which was off.
    Emma shrugged her shoulders, “He wouldn’t give his name,” she said and went back to her writing.
    Hunter picked up the handset. “PC Kerr.”
    A muffled but discernable voice said, “It’s Jud. Jud Hudson. I promised I’d give you a call. You’re looking for Peter Jackson!”
    Hunter’s eyes lit up. He transferred the handset to his other ear , and trapping it to his shoulder snatched up a pen and several scraps of paper from the table and positioned ready to take notes. “What do you know then Jud?”
    “Nobody must know I gave you this. Are we clear?” the faint voice continued.
    The voice was so stifled that Hunter had a mental picture of Jud covering the mouthpiece with a hand. He replied, “Absolutely.”
    “And then you and I are straight?”
    “We are Jud.”
    “No come backs?”
    “No come-backs Jud.”
    “Good, now take this down then.” In a suppressed tone George Hudson rattled off the location where Peter Jackson was and upon finishing hung up without a goodbye.
    Hunter held the phone trapped for a good few seconds as he finished jotting down George’s information. In his right ear the receiver buzzed annoyingly. Then, stabbing down a full stop at the end of his disjointed notes, he slammed the handset back on its cradle.
    As he snatched up his note he met Emma’s gaze.
    She said, “That’s a face that tells me you’ve got something.”
    Hunter waved the scrap of paper. “Not many. I’ve only been told where Peter Jackson is.” Then he bolted towards the door.
     
    Bursting into the CID office Hunter saw Harry Hemsworth at his desk on the phone. Harry looked up, latched