Chapter 13

Maxwell sat at the table and stared at singer whilst he sipped his beer and waited for Hawk. They had stopped off in a bar so Hawk could tend to his hand before they went to see Suzy Scrooge. The bar was grim and dirty and populated mainly by people trying to watch some repeat of a West Ham game. The singer had clearly been booked for  Christmas Eve festivities but besides a sprig of holly in the piss drenched peanuts and a couple of flickering fairy lights there was nothing to show it was any different from a normal Friday night in town. Maxwell wished he was back in Fahrenheit 55 his own local rather than still working. If truth be told his shift should have ended hours ago but this was shaping up to be a once in a lifetime case. Reports had come in that had sightings of Inch in central London where 2 bodies had been found. If there was a connection between the two then this could be Britains biggest kill spree in years. And yet the only lead they had to go on was the sister of the biggest media mogul in Europe. Maxwell lived alone and had nothing really to wake up for tomorrow except to go and see his Grandmother in the home and yet he'd rather be in Fahrenheit 55 sipping cold Heineken than drinking the warm piss he was currently forcing down his gullet in a dive where he was afraid to touch anything incase he caught an STD.

The singer on the stage had launched into a rendition of Last Christmas by Wham. This hadn't gone down particularly well with the West Ham fans who were now jeering him and throwing peanuts and beer. This could get ugly Maxwell thought to himself but he couldn't really intervene and risk causing an injury to the only two officers completely clued up about the Inch case. Something about the singer looked very familiar to him. Someone he went to school with maybe? One of the West Ham fans had launched a glass at him which he had narrowly avoided but fallen off his stool. The guitar he was playing had smashed but the background music kept going proving the kid was miming his instrument. Maxwell felt sorry for him. Maybe he should have a word. He rose from his chair as laughter rang out through the pub and the thugs gathered around the singer and began to pour beer on them. They were daring each other to urinate on him when Maxwell reached them.
'Come on Lads. The kids had enough don't you think? It's Christmas after all isn't it?' They turned to face him. One of them spoke. A stocky feller with no neck and a tattoo of a naked woman on his forearm.
'Fuck of jungle bunny. Before I cut you a new arsehole.'
'Boys I won't ask you again. I'm a Detective Inspector now leave the guy alone.' They did leave the guy alone. They forgot all about him in fact and began to approach Maxwell instead.
'So the nigger wants to play cop does he?' No-neck growled. 'Well that would make us robbers wouldn't it lads. Maybe we should see what he's got in his pockets'. Two of them pulled out a flick knife whilst one smashed a bottle on the bar and brandished the sharp end at Maxwell.
'Come on coon, what you got in those pockets?'
'This motherfucker' came a voice behind him and with a flash of chrome No-Neck was on the floor with blood spurting from his nose. Hawk made his way over to Maxwell who pulled out his piece as well. 'Now back the fuck up Hillbillies before I plug you all with lead. You?' Hawk called over to the singer. 'You'd better come with us'. The boy scooted behind them quicker than a horny roadrunner in BirdWorld. They backed out of the bar and hopped into Hawks car before hightailing it off down the road.

'Why the hell didn't you pull your gat out?' Hawk said when they were a few blocks down. 'There were 5 of them and they were armed!'
'I don't like to pull my weapon unless I have to boss. It just encourages people to act more violently. Besides what you may think. Not all of of us young Dets think we're in a Michael Bay movie.'
Hawk gave him a sideways look before turning his attention to the kid in backseat.
'Anywhere you want dropping off son?'
'Err I live near Canary Wharf officer if that's not too much trouble.'
'No trouble at all, that's where we're headed.' He skinned a Bounty and began munching.
'FUCK!' Maxwell yelled suddenly. 'That's how I know you. Your Simon Leeber the original Star House winner! Hey we just met Eddie Scrooge. You guys still close?'
Simon looked down at the floor. 'Not really. Mr Scrooge hasn't spoken to me in around 6 years.'
'Jesus kid you had talent. What you doing playing in a bar on Xmas Eve?' Simon sniffed and looked up with tears in his eyes. He had a cut on the side of his head where a piece of glass had hit him.
'I still work the cruise-ships from time to time but the works been pretty dry of late. I've been working on a few new songs but no-one really wants to listen when you're a product of the Star House. You get your one shot and that's that. Truth be told I'm sort of a has-been.' Hawk looked up at him.
'How old are you son?'
'28 Detective.'
'Jesus boy how can you be a has-been at 28. Some people don't even know what they want to be at 40 let alone 28. If your music career isn't working out just do something else for Gods sake.'
'That's the trouble sir. What else can I do? After spending years in the limelight with fame and money how can I go back to a 9-5 desk job or working in a factory? Besides when I have tried to try my hand at something else someone always recognises me from the show and I get picked on and laughed at until I have no choice but to quit.'

Maxwell glanced up at the sorry figure sitting behind him. So this was what happened to all the famous kids from The Star House. Too big to work a normal job and too bland to last in the fame game. It was a sorry state of affairs and he pitied the boy. Maybe Eddie Scrooge was not the hero Maxwell had him cracked out to be. Hawk stopped the car.
'We're here. I have an idea. Er..Simon right? How would you like to help us out with some very special police work. All we need you to is guard the car whilst we go up and knock on that ladies door.' He handed Simon a picture. 'If that man comes anywhere near the car or that building you flash the car lights OK?'