The Lipstick Killers (10 page)

27

It didn’t take long for Spike to get back to Margaret, and he wasn’t pleased. ‘Christ,’ he said. ‘What the hell kind of people was your brother-in-law mixing with?’

‘I don’t know. That’s what I want to find out. So what’s the problem?‘

‘Those numbers you gave me were both red flagged. I could get into all kinds of trouble if anyone asks why I was making enquiries.’

‘Who are they then?’

‘Thanks for your concern.’

‘Spike, I know you. You don’t leave any trail.’

‘Maybe not. But you could’ve warned me,’ Spike said, still sounding agitated.

‘I thought it was bloody obvious if I was asking. I’m not using you like the Yellow Pages.’

‘OK, OK – same old spiky Doyle. But that date’s on, all right. You owe me one, after this.’

‘When this is all over.’

Spike seemed to be placated by that. ‘Right,’ he said.
‘The London number is for a couple of businesses with offices in Kensington. Haywood Properties and Antarctic Holdings.’ he gave her the address. ‘The mobile belongs to Roger Haywood himself, and right now he’s at the office.’

‘Brilliant,’ said Margaret. ‘I really do owe you one.’

‘And I’ll collect.’

Over my dead body, she thought. ‘OK, Spike,’ she said. ‘But I’m going to be busy for the foreseeable.’

‘I can wait.’

‘And you’re sure there’ll be no comeback to you?’

‘I’m not just a pretty face,’ he said.

Not even that, she thought, but bit her tongue. ‘Right,’ she said. ‘Thanks again. I might need some more help though. If you’re up for it,’ she said, forcing herself to speak flirtatiously.

‘I think I can manage that.’

‘Cheers then. See you.’

‘You can count on that. See you gorgeous.’

In the office of Roger Haywood, on the top floor of a glass and steel monstrosity overlooking Kensington Gardens, the CEO of Haywood Properties and Antarctic Holdings was not a happy man. Nor were the two members of his staff who were standing in front of his desk. ‘He’s got our money and you killed him,’ said Haywood. ‘That wasn’t very bright was it?’ The flash of his steely blue eyes belied his calm tone.

‘Not personally sir,’ said the older of the pair, a sharply and expensively-suited man in his late thirties, with fair hair.

‘I know you wouldn’t get
your
hands dirty Peter,’ said
Haywood. ‘But it’s still down to you.’

‘It was only supposed to put the frighteners on him,’ said the other man; younger, also immaculately dressed in a dark suit.

‘Well I’m sure it did that,’ said Haywood. ‘It broke his bloody neck as far as I can make out.’

‘So what do we do?’ asked Peter.

‘We get the money back of course. I know Smith was dipping into it. That’s a given. We factor that into our profit margin. But what’s ours is ours, and I want it under my control. Bloody accountants. They’re more devious than a barrow load of monkeys. That secretary of his, I bet she knows where the bodies are buried. They always do. The wives don’t know shit but the secretaries run the show. Give her a tug, and get the cash back. Then deal with her.’

‘What happens if she doesn’t play?’ Peter asked.

‘Then get bloody serious. Come on Peter, you’re head of security and she’s an old woman. You know which way the ball bounces. Now get out, the pair of you, and leave me in peace.’

The two men turned and left, closing the door gently behind them.

28

The inquest the next day was a solemn affair, but went pretty much as Margaret had anticipated. The sisters were all there as they’d left Peter and Susan in the charge of the neighbour again. The case was adjourned after DI Mahoney gave the details of the accident as he knew them, the truck driver who had seen Monty’s car veer off the road gave his evidence, and the police expert, when questioned about the brakes on the Jaguar, could only say that there was a problem with the servo and that the loss of fluid had caused the crash. When the coroner asked if it was possible that the brakes had been tampered with on purpose, the expert would only answer, ‘Yes sir.’

At that, the reporter from the
Guildford Star
hurriedly left the court.

It was also noted in court that Monty’s alcohol level was over the legal limit.

Afterwards, Mahoney buttonholed Margaret and pulled her away from the family. ‘We found the number
of a hotel in Lovedean in Mr Smith’s BlackBerry,’ he said. ‘We checked with the hotel and it appears that he attended a business and dinner meeting there on the night he died.’

Margaret just nodded. She’d been well trained in giving nothing away.

‘Funny thing is, it seems we weren’t the only people interested in that particular meeting.’

‘Is that right?’

‘Two young women were asking about a venue for an engagement party, and seemed to know all about the meeting held there two nights earlier.’

‘An engagement, that’s a happy occasion, so I hear. I hope they have a good time,’ said Mags, sweetly.

‘Funnily enough the contact number they left was false, and the one asking all the questions fitted your description perfectly. And the other could be your sister.’ He nodded over in Roxie’s direction. ‘Unfortunately the CCTV was on the blink, otherwise that could have been a very interesting bit of viewing.’

‘Fancy that,’ Margaret started to say, but was cut off by Mahoney.

‘Don’t piss me about Miss Doyle.’

‘
Sergeant
Doyle.’

‘Not at the moment, and never again if you interfere in a police investigation.’

‘You’ve got me bang to rights
Inspector
.’

‘Listen. I know this is a bad time for you and your family, so I’m prepared to overlook the matter. But tell me, and tell me the truth. Is there anything else you’re keeping from me?’ He looked Margaret square in the eye.

Margaret shook her head and hoped she didn’t look flustered.

‘I hope that’s right. Now we’ve got a warrant to search Mr Smith’s office. I don’t want to bother Mrs Smith further, so could you get the keys and let us in. We’re not going to ransack the place. It’ll just be me and a DC. We’d like to do it as soon as possible please.’

‘This afternoon?’

‘If you could. And we’ve issued production orders on his bank accounts.’

‘You’re being thorough.’

‘Of course. And listen, I had a word with a mate of mine in the Met. He says you’re good people. I know your mum’s reputation, of course. But you’re a hard worker on the force, so I hear.’

‘I’m flattered,’ she said sarcastically.

Mahoney smiled. ‘But no more messing about, right?’

Margaret didn’t know whether to cross her fingers behind her back as she nodded in reply.

‘Three o’clock do you this afternoon?’ asked Mahoney.

‘Yes. I’ll meet you there.’ Mahoney nodded.

‘I’d like to bring one of my other sisters.’

‘Good idea. A witness is always handy. We want to do this by the book.’

‘Three o’clock then,’ said Margaret, and they parted on the steps of the coroner’s court. She found herself watching him leave, noticing his tight arse in a fitted suit that looked Italian. Christ, she said to herself. You’ve got enough on your plate. Get it together. The last thing you need is to start wetting your knickers over some stuck up DI.

29

Back at the house, Margaret told the others about the warrant for Monty’s office.

‘This is horrible,’ said Sharon. ‘Do I have to be there?’

‘No,’ said Margaret. ‘I’m going. And Roxie, I want you to come with me.’

‘Why?’

‘We need a witness. This has all got to be above board.’

‘Fair enough. And I get to meet the lovely Mahoney in the flesh at last. I think he’s got a thing for our Mags.’

‘Roxie!’ Margaret warned her.

‘Just a joke,’ said Roxie. ‘We can still make jokes can’t we? Or is it against the rules now?’

‘Course we can,’ said Sharon.

‘I didn’t mean…’ said Roxie.

‘I know love,’ said Sharon. ‘I’m just sorry to involve all of you. But I couldn’t do it alone.’

‘You’re not alone,’ said Frankie. ‘And never will be.’

‘Sorry Roxie,’ said Margaret. ‘I’m a bit stressed out
today. We got sussed out.’

‘Do what?’

‘Our little trip to Lovedean. The meeting was in Monty’s BlackBerry. The local cops made a visit. They heard that two women were making enquiries. They got descriptions from that blonde in reception no doubt. Mahoney worked it out that it was us. I got a slap on the wrist and a warning off.’

‘My, my,’ said Roxie. ‘Naughty us.’

‘That’s what I said. Which reminds me. I need to go to London tomorrow.’

‘Why?’ asked Sharon.

‘A few things I need to do. Get some fresh clothes for one.’

‘I’m coming too,’ said Roxie. ‘OK?’

‘If you want.’

‘Yeah, I left Spain in a hurry and I’m running out of fresh gear. A quick trip to Topshop will do me right.’

Margaret and Roxie arrived at the building that housed Monty’s office just before three. It was a faceless modern building, split into units overlooking the river. Margaret parked up in front, and a few minutes later a dark saloon drifted into the car park. Mahoney and his DC got out.

Margaret and Roxie left the Porsche and joined them. After a brief introduction Mahoney produced his warrant. ‘Got the keys?’ he asked Mags.

‘Right here,’ said Margaret, taking the bunch from her handbag.

‘Let’s go then.’

The foyer of the building was empty, and no one was at the reception desk. ‘Good security,’ said the DC.

‘Monty’s office is on the top floor, Sharon said,’ said Margaret. ‘Unit twenty.’

They took the lift to the top, and walked down a short, empty corridor with doors on both sides. ‘Quiet,’ said the DC, who was the type of man who couldn’t not state the obvious.

Nobody replied.

The corridor branched off to the left and unit twenty faced them. The door was ajar.

‘Shit,’ said Mahoney. Then, ‘stay back,’ to the two women, as he and the DC approached the door. The lock had been forced. ‘Police,’ he said loudly as he pushed the door open.

Inside, the office was empty and had been ransacked. Papers were everywhere, filing cabinets and desk drawers open. On the top of one of the desks was a computer with its insides scattered around.

The DC pulled on a pair of surgeon’s gloves and went to it. ‘Hard drives gone, Skip,’ he said.

Mahoney turned to Margaret. ‘If you had anything to do with this…’

Margaret held up the keys. ‘I wouldn’t need to break in. And it pisses me off that you’d think I did.’

‘Who else works here?’ asked Mahoney. ‘He didn’t work alone did he?’

‘His secretary,’ said Margaret. ‘Joyce. She’s been with him for years. She’s nearly sixty. She wouldn’t…’

‘So where is she?’

‘We told her to take time off. Frankie spoke to her. She came round yesterday. She’s like part of the family. And she has a set of keys too.’

‘We’ll have to check with her. And I’m sorry I
suggested you did this. But it certainly looks like someone didn’t want us to know Mr Smith’s business.’

‘I wonder who?’ said Margaret.

‘We’ll find out.’ Then to the DC. ‘I want Scene of Crime in here right away. Secure the door and stay here until they arrive.’

The DC nodded and got out his mobile, calling in the Scene of Crime units.

Mahoney turned to Margaret. ‘There’s nothing you can do here,’ he said. I’d like the secretary’s address. I need to speak to her.’

‘I don’t know it,’ Mags told him. She saw the look on Roxie’s face out of the corner of her eye but remained impassive.

‘Does Mrs Smith have it?’

‘Naturally.’

He gave her his card. ‘Please call me when you get back, and let me have it.’

‘Of course,’ said Margaret, and the two women left.

‘Masterful, isn’t he?’ said Roxie as they went back to the car. ‘A real man. But what was all that about not knowing Joyce’s address, you liar?’

Margaret didn’t answer. She had other things on her mind.