Chapter 2

Marilyn went and stood on Coppergate and tried to visualise the scene. There was something wrong if the carnage was just a byproduct of a targeted hit. The Ram must have been waiting nearby, with a spotter in the Walk. If there was forward planning, the killers had to know, in advance, that the target would be there at that time, which meant a meeting had been set up.

She passed Jacob and started walking slowly. If the target was one of the men outside the jewellers, then the spotter would need to be somewhere out of the path of the truck. Opposite the ‘Hole in the Wand’, was the barrier to contain the queue for the Yorvik display. Someone standing there and looking as if they were waiting for someone wouldn’t look out of place. They would also be in place to verify the hit.

She stood and noted all the little signs spread around, yellow for injured and red for deaths. She went back towards Jacob and saw two red and a few yellow ones outside the bollards, showing the direction that the vehicle had taken coming in. As she went along the Walk, there were a couple of red ones, but only in the centre of the passageway, with one off to the right, followed by two, together, very close to the jewellers’ window, as if they had ducked to the side.

She looked more closely at that area and then called to Jacob to come and have a look.

“Jacob. I spoke to a witness, yesterday, and she was standing outside the magic shop. She told me that the Ram was coming down the middle of the Walk until it veered to take out two men. If you look at the red markers, that’s evident. These two, next to that window, were the target. If you look a few feet back from their impact point, there’s a smear of paint on the wall. I looked at several pictures of the vehicle, and it does have flared wheel arches. You may be able to get an ID from that paint.”

“Good pick-up, Marilyn. Did they tell you what happened next?”

“Only that they had to press against the window as it came back into the middle of the Walk to avoid the barrier for the Yorvik tour. Others told me that it just went around the corner and only killed those in its way.”

“That’s why the death count is as low as it was. There were four before this point, the three right here, and another four on the way out. A madman would have wiped out the queue and done a lap of the square if they were after notoriety.”

“So, when I get the list, I’ll know who the targets were. Thanks, Jacob. We have a look at the video this afternoon, so will be able to see things in slow motion. There aren’t many cameras here.”

“Just one on a pole at each entrance and one overlooking the square. Most of the shops have internal security set-ups. If he left on Castlegate, there is one on the bend leading into Tower.”

“That one at the entry point would be high enough to see if there was anything in the tray. The one at the exit will give us a clear frontal view, hopefully clear enough to see the driver, although most witnesses that I spoke to told me that the windows were very dark. Mind you most of them were in the square, so would have only seen it from the side. Any idea when the Walk will be open?”

“The City are pushing for it to be as soon as we can. Once we’ve located all the impact points with GPS, there’s nothing to stop the voyeur crowd coming along. New bollards will be needed, but I’m sure that there are spares out there, seeing that they’re standard in front of a lot of places. When we’ve taken up the markers, the steam cleaners will be through, probably tomorrow.”

Marilyn walked back to her car, noting that the other deaths were just around the bend by the church. Those people wouldn’t have seen the truck until it was coming at them. She drove back to the police station, taking the bag that she had brought with her as she went up to her old office. Going in, she saw Ginger at his old desk. She went into her old private hideaway and collected up all the personal things that had accumulated. Photos, certificates, a tissue box and emergency cosmetics and sanitary supplies. On the way out she stopped next to Ginger.

“I’ve cleared my desk, Ginger, that office is yours now, after this is over.”

“What about you, ma-am?”

“Lap of the Gods, Ginger, lap of the Gods.”

Down in the gym, she put her bags in the central office and sat at the desk, watching the activity. Mary knocked on the door.

“Got the preliminary casualty list, Marilyn.”

She handed it to Marilyn and stood while she looked at it.”

“By the smirk on your face, Mary, you’ve been around long enough to know some of these names. You must have spent some time at Acomb as well.”

“I was still a WPC when you were in Robbery. Anyone from Acomb will know those three. All the other deaths were tourists.”

“Do we have a computer up with access to the records?”

“We have.”

“Can you get the records of those three up, with a separate mug shot, and prepare to send them to our geeks this afternoon, mug shot first, in the order of five, seven and six. I’ve just walked the crime scene and it appears almost a hundred percent that it was a targeted hit.”

“That could be the opening shot of a gang war.”

“Or else retaliation of something earlier.”

She took the list and picked up her desk phone and pressed the button for the Chief Superintendents’ office.

“Brenda, it’s DCI Houseman. Can I speak to the Super, please.”

“Putting you through, Marilyn.”

“Yes.”

“It’s DCI Houseman, sir. We’re almost ready to go through the vision from yesterday. We’ll be ready by three. Could you please attend.”

“I can. It sounds as if you’re further ahead than I thought you’d be. Anything else?”

“Is DCI Wilkins still running Robbery at Acomb?”

“He is.”

“Can you invite him and the officer in charge of Tactical to be here as well. It will be, as they say, to their advantage.”

“Now you have me really interested. I hope that you have some answers for us.”

“I will, sir. It’s going to be an interesting meeting.”

She took her bag and went to the canteen, getting a light lunch and a mug of tea, then sat in a quiet corner with her meal and a notebook, thinking hard and writing between bites.

Back in the gym, she went to see Mary.

“Do we have the photos from the cameras we grabbed?”

“Yes, Marilyn. They’re all on a disc, as they were downloaded. Do you want it?”

“Yes, please. I’ll look through them in my office.”

Mary went to her desk, coming back and giving Marilyn a manila folder.

“List in the folder, by owner name, camera type and brief description of the subject.”

“You really are a gem, Mary. Thank you.”

In her office, she looked at the subject matter and looked at the pictures showing the Yorvik queue. She looked for a single person, looking towards Coppergate and with a phone. At first, there didn’t seem to be anyone suspicious. Certainly, nobody with a phone. There was a girl, looking towards the entrance, but without a phone. Then, in one picture, the girl looked as if she had just joined the queue and was putting buds in her ears. Marilyn saved the best picture under a separate file, marked ‘Suspect’.

All of the pictures stopped at nine twenty-two, after the truck had left, and the girl had arrived at the queue at round ten past. She looked at all the later pictures showing the queue, but the girl was nowhere to be seen, along with most of the others.

She then looked at all of the pictures of the truck, as it passed by the camera. Most were blurred, but one guy had tracked it as it was turning towards the exit. She could see a shadowy figure sitting next to the nearside window. That could mean that the truck was left-hand drive, or that the figure was a passenger. When the others trickled in, after half past two, she was ready. She looked out to see the full desks of WPCs, looking ready to work, and Mary saw her and gave her a wink. Marilyn went out and spoke to her.

“Can you scrounge up a few more chairs. We’ll have a few visitors.”

Mary nodded and strode off, beckoning to one of the WPCs. The other desks were filling up, and both Ian and Joe were there, putting up test pictures on the two screens. She went over to them.

“Guys, I will be asking for the video from the camera at the Coppergate entrance first. Then the vision from the Castlegate camera. I may need to ask for the first one to be replayed, with it stopped at my command. Be prepared for Mary to send you pictures to put on the portrait screen. This disc is a compilation of all the still pictures that we collected. I’ve added a file, marked ‘Suspect’, with two images. They will need to go on the landscape screen. After all that, the brown stuff will be flying, believe me.”

Mary had found some more comfortable chairs, putting them with a clear view of the screens. Just before three, Marilyn got the two inspectors in her office.

“Guys, this afternoon will probably put things on a different level. I walked the crime scene this morning and spoke to Jacob. There are things about this case that do not point to a single madman in a big truck. We’re having a few visitors, this afternoon, so be alert.”

When the three visitors arrived, she went and welcomed them. The two from Acomb were there when she was.

“I’d like to say that it’s good to see you, sirs, but we may be working together after today.”

She stood where everyone could see her, an inspector on each side.

“Officers. We are here to have a look at the vision from yesterday in Coppergate Walk. The Coppergate Carnage is what the media calls it. The first vision is from the camera over the Coppergate entrance. Please, no discussion until we’ve seen both the entry and exit vision. Roll it, lads.”

The screen lit up, with the time stamp of nine sixteen. The view was a small crowd on the Walk, and then the truck appeared from the bottom of the screen and going along the walk, taking a duck to the right and then coming back to the centre before going around the corner, less than twenty seconds later. She asked for the second camera, and they saw it appear from behind the church and head straight to the exit. The windscreen reflected the light so you couldn’t see the driver.

“Without wondering about it, what did we just witness?”

It was CI Johnson, from Tactical at Acomb, who ventured his assessment.

“I do believe that we just saw a calculated murder. Probably one of those next to the jewellers. The driver took them out on purpose.”

“Very good, sir. Now, there are other factors. I was there, this morning, and talking to Jacob, from Thirsk CSI. At least two of the three bollards at that entrance had been doctored. Cut almost through with the cut filled with epoxy and painted. At least two at the other end were similar. They would have been no barrier to a delivery van, let alone a Ram truck.”

She looked at Ian again.

“First view again, in slow motion.”

As the truck appeared she called for a stop.

“Can anyone identify what’s in the tray?”

“Looks like a carry-on bag, ma-am.”

“Lads, get a still of that picture and see if you can enhance it later. Now, carry on.”

She let the vision carry on as two tourists disappeared under the truck.

“That was number three and four. The first two were outside the Walk and hit as the truck entered the killing zone.”

As the truck veered to the right, she called stop. She could tell that the room were all on the edge of their seats.

“Mary, Number five to the IT, please.”

A few seconds later the mug shot came up on the screen, and both officers from Acomb said something unrepeatable in genteel society.

“For those who don’t know this gentleman, his name is Barry Malone, otherwise known as ‘Bugsy’. He has a rap sheet as long as your arm. The two, in front, also have form. Number seven, please, Mary.”

The image was replaced by another, even more evil than the first.

“This is Edward Cassidy, otherwise known as ‘Butch’. ‘Butch’ and ‘Bugsy’ worked for this man, victim number six, please Mary.”

The picture was replaced by a mug shot of a gnome-like head, with piercing eyes and a sneer.

“This gentleman was the other victim of the hit. He was Herbert O’Grady, otherwise known as ‘Hog’. He was the leader of a gang named after him, ‘Boars’ Hogs’, whose violence was well known to those who had worked in Acomb. His kingdom was in the west of York with tendrils into the east of Leeds. He dealt in drugs, women, robbery with violence. It was said that he fed those that displeased him to the pigs at the farm he owned. You name it, he had tried it. I worked on a couple of cases in Acomb and got no further than the low levels.”

There was chatter as they all took it in.

“We can be thankful that the driver was so focused. Only eight others died, four on the entry and four on exit. Twenty-one were injured. Now, Ian, Suspects picture two, please.”

The picture of the truck came on the screen.

“This was taken as it turned to leave via Castlegate. The photographer must be experienced with car racing, as it’s the clearest picture, by far. It is, so I was told on the day, a 2026 Dodge Ram, six-point two litre SRT TRX model. There is a figure showing in the side window. This means that it was either a left-hand drive or that there were two in the cab. Picture one, please.”

The picture was replaced by the girl.

“I’ve been through all the tourist pictures. This girl arrived at the Yorvik queue at ten past, putting in buds, and spending some time looking along the Walk. We don’t know the exact time that the targets left the jewellers, so I believe that she was the spotter. She had disappeared soon after. She was behind the barriers containing the queue, so in a perfect position, with the truck veering back to the centre after the hit. She is the only person in that queue not looking towards the Yorvik entrance.”

DCI Wilkins stood up.

“Look, team. This has been an eye-opener. Not only am I convinced that this was a cold, calculated hit, no doubt weeks in the planning, but I’m also convinced that this may be the first shot in a gang war. Johnson and I will be going straight back to Acomb and lifting our security to red. Please keep us in the loop as you move on. Houseman, you were better than many when you were with us, but now you’re in a league of your own.”

The two officers said their cheerio’s to the Chief Superintendent and left. The CS, turned to the room.

“I’ll leave you to it. You have a lot of work to do, but you’re already on track. Find that truck, find that driver, and find who he worked for, and we’ll all sleep well. Thank you for that presentation, DCI. Come and see me before you leave.”

“I do have a few things to ask you, sir.”

She beckoned to the two inspectors to join her in her office. She tore the top page off her notebook.

“I’ve thought about what we need to do after today. We need to know where that truck was parked before it came into the Walk, and we need to know where it went afterwards. Our two geeks can be set to looking at the cameras. If that bag was a travel bag, I will hazard a guess that the driver was imported, and that they would head for Leeds - Bradford after the truck had been dumped. By tomorrow, I’m certain that Acomb will be happy to share their information on ‘Boars’ Hogs’. We need to build a fact bank, and also start to follow all the rival gangs, here and in Leeds. Ginger knows a good contact at Leeds Central, so it will pay for him to contact them. Jim, if you get the others creating a data base of what we know about the three victims, we’ll be moving forward. I’m leaving it to you to get the team working. I’m likely to be sent off to talk to other stations that are likely to be affected, as well as having to tell the relatives of the other victims that every effort is being made to find the driver.”

They both nodded and Ginger picked up the note.

“Got it, Marilyn. That sort of thing isn’t something I’ve ever got used to.”

She put her car keys on the desk.

“The car is down in the DI spot, Ginger. You take it. I’m going to ask the boss for something a little better, if you know what I mean. I’ll be grabbing Hannah Brightman from the team, as my driver. She has been on the driving course and has qualified on firearms. Anyone in the room that’s not qualified, or has let it lapse, run them through the test with the Armourer. This case may take us to places where we need to defend ourselves. I’ll OK it with the boss to issue firearms if we need them. As lead investigators, we’ll be targets, and we’ve already seen that whoever planned this don’t take prisoners.”

She picked up her bag and left them to plan the next steps. It was a wrench to ask, not issue orders, but that was what went with her new place in the team. She walked over to Hannah.

“Hannah. What’s going to happen now doesn’t need you. I want you to be my driver. Are you living with anyone?”

“Not at the moment, ma-am. It all fell apart when I left the beat behind.”

“I have a house big enough for visitors. There are three self-contained units behind it. If you come to live with me, while we’re on this case, it would help in another way, as well. I’m going upstairs to see if the whole team can be issued firearms, and to see if there’s an unmarked that I can use, that’s beefed up with a weapons safe. I have the feeling that we’ll be in for a rough ride.”

“If you follow me home, ma-am, I’ll pack a bag and move tonight.”

“I’ll be back after I’ve seen the boss.”

She went upstairs to the big office, where she was sat in an easy chair.

“Marilyn, that was an exemplary presentation this afternoon. No messing about, but enough drama to make sure everyone was listening. Seeing that Acomb is going to red, what do you want?”

“I’d like our own security to be upgraded, sir. Armed officers at every entrance. You saw, on the vision, what lengths these guys will go to. I want the whole team to be given some time in the firing range, and to be issued weapons if needed. I would also like permission to take a car from the pool, one with extras, and room for a weapons package that the Tactical team would use. If I’m to be the face of the investigation, I’m likely to be a target.”

He picked up his phone and called the garage, ordering the car.

“That’s done. I’ll organise the weapons training, starting tomorrow. We’ll need to check the records to see where everyone is. Some may be able to get an emergency certification as an AFO. You, and your driver, will need to attend the range to get certified for use with an assault rifle, and be ticked off for handguns. With what you discovered, only twenty-four hours from the event, you’ve given us a good start. I’ll text you when we need you to front the media.”

Mission accomplished; she went back down to see Hannah.

“We’re getting an unmarked from the Armed Response division. On the way, the two of us have been ordered to drop by the range and book some time with assault rifles, so that we can be classed as AFOs. The car will be fully equipped if we get to that point.”

“Right, ma-am. I’ll get my bag.”

Marilyn went over to Ginger.

“The CS has authorised weapons training for everyone and will be issuing weapons for those who qualify as an AFO if the need arises. Hannah and I will be getting training in long guns, as he’s authorised a car from Tactical for me. We’re heading off to organise that now. Hannah will be staying with me at Old Village, until this is sorted out.”

“Got it, Marilyn. This is serious.”

“Only if we allow it to be, Ginger. The quicker that we solve this, the less chance it has to get dangerous.”

After booking time on the range, the two went to the garage, where Marilyn signed for an SUV, shown the gun safe in the boot, now empty. Hannah went to get her car and Marilyn drove towards the carpark entrance and sat, waiting until the other car went by with a beep of the horn.

She followed it to a block of flats, where Hannah drove into an underground carpark. Marilyn parked by the main door. Ten minutes later, Hannah came out with a case and put it on the rear seat before getting in. Marilyn drove them to Old Village and parked in her driveway.

“This is home. We usually use the back door, and I’ll give you a key to that, as well as one of the units. This has been in the family for ages. The units were converted for me and my two siblings once we’d outgrown the tiny rooms in the house. We’ll eat in, tonight, but sometimes eat over the road, in the pub. I’m not doing that until we’re both armed. My hubby does the audio work for the Uni.”

She took Hannah into the kitchen and gave her a set of keys.

“Big one is back door; Yale is the first unit. Take your case in and make yourself comfortable. I need to feed my little one.”

When Hannah came back, Marilyn was sitting at the kitchen table with Madelin at her breast.

“I know. This isn’t the sort of picture I would like the office to see. As a woman, there are some things that you don’t talk about.”

“I totally agree, ma-am.”

“We’re going to be in close contact for a while, Hannah. I’m Marilyn, and this is Madelin. She’ll be six months, next week. Who knows, she may be the reason I retire. We have a nanny in during the day to keep an eye on her. I express milk to store when I get a chance, but she does love it direct from the source.”

When Anton got home, Marilyn told him that Hannah was her new driver, and would be living with them for a while. He suspected that something was up when he had seen the black SUV but didn’t make a fuss. Hannah and Marilyn prepared dinner, with a glass of wine, and spoke about the world problems. Hannah was shown the whole house and went out to the unit to get some sleep.

When Marilyn and Anton went to bed, he waited until the light was out before he spoke, quietly.

“Hannah is more than just a driver, isn’t she?”

“That’s right, my love. She is also my bodyguard. The Coppergate case has some very nasty gang aspects. One of the dead was someone that I had heard about when I was working at Acomb. A very violent thug, now assassinated by an even more violent person, who didn’t worry about killing eight tourists on an early morning stroll. The new car has, shall we say, enhancements, and we’ll both be spending time on the range, tomorrow, upgrading our weapons certification.”

“I knew that you already have one for handguns, but I’ve never seen you with one.”

“Never needed it, before, love. This time, we’re going over the top with security. Armed guards at police stations, and I’ll be getting training with an assault rifle. I just hope that I’ll never need to use it.”

Marianne Gregory © 2026