DARK SOUL

Chapter Two

Arlington Estate could never be considered by anyone as one of the more affluent areas of the City but it was a little past midnight and having spent the past seven years on the burglary squad Greg Lawrence knew it was a good place to sit up and watch the comings and goings of his more prolific past clientele as he had recently been successful with his application to join the Murder Investigation Team at Scotland Yard and while he was no longer part of his old burglary squad on this night they were shorthanded so it was a good opportunity to put his extensive knowledge base to good use once more. Detective Constable Lawrence was now in his mid-thirties and tiny flecks of gray could be seen in his short jet black hair but standing at six foot with broad shoulders he usually didn't have too many problems with the people he dealt with. With shortages across the force and a distinct need for the cash he had volunteered to do the night shift. It would mean working his old patch for a couple of nights and the Murder Investigation Team had no current inquiries at the moment so he was free to use his days off as he pleased. Leaning forward over the steering wheel of his unmarked patrol car Greg watched as two familiar faces came into view from one of the tenement blocks. They stood huddled together near to the doorway leading into the tower block and Greg watched closely; reaching over to the seat next to him he put his binoculars to his eyes. 'That's what I was looking for gentlemen' Greg almost whispered to himself as he watched them exchange a small bag for cash. Grabbing his radio he was about to call for backup and move in to arrest them on suspicion of supplying a controlled substance but before he could his radio crackled into life as the controllers voice echoed out over it.

"Control to Zulu Bravo 3, respond"

"Go ahead" D.C Lawrence replied.

"We have reports of a badly injured female in the Ponbrook area; at the Griffon Pub if you know it?" The voice of the female radio operator crackled slightly over the radio.

"Yes, I know the place, is there uniform on the scene already?" Greg asked as he continued to watch his suspects.

"Uniform is on route and will update soon as; can you head that way for us Greg and find out what we have there?" The despatch operator asked in calm manner but the detective knew it wasn't a request.

"Received control; show me on route." Greg replied managing to keep the frustration from his voice as he did so.

He watched the two men part ways then started up his car and thought to himself 'it appears it's your lucky night tonight gentlemen.' Whilst driving to the Griffon Public House Greg pulled out his mobile and brought up the number for his boss, a Detective Chief Inspector John Williams, Greg listened to the monotone ring until a sleepy voice answered on the other end.

"Evening Guv; sorry to wake you in the night but I'm heading to something you need to know about. We have had a report in of a woman being badly injured at the Griffon Pub; in the Ponbrook area." Greg said in an even tone as he swapped the phone to his other hand while reversing his car.

"Let me know as soon as you get some more details and I will get myself sorted and head down to the incident room and start calling people in if you need them; I will arrange for C.S.I to head over to you if you need them." John stifled a yawn as he spoke.

"Thanks Guv; I will let you know more as soon as I arrive." closing his phone Greg turned his thoughts to the area and the Griffon in particular; as far as he could recall it was a nice quiet place in the suburbs of London but that had been quite a few years ago so perhaps it had gone downhill since then he thought as he headed there. It wouldn't be the first time some stupid bar room fight had gotten out of hand and someone had been badly injured with a broken glass or bottle.

Following an uneventful drive Greg could see a small crowd of people on the pathway near to the pub and an ambulance parked up in the car park. As he turned into the entrance way a marked patrol car slowed and came to a halt next to his. Flicking the button for the window it slowly lowered itself while he looked across at the occupants of the patrol car. Greg recognized them both but couldn't quite remember their names, they were probably still fairly new and keen, leaning out of his window slightly Detective Lawrence greeted them while holding up his warrant card then spoke in a hushed tone