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A family of evil Chapter 32
Everyone was still out at the crime scene by the time Franklin called it a day. But he had stepped back and looked at his handy work. He’d filled the whiteboards around the room with To Do Lists.Wanting to have some progress for Mike Keegan was uppermost in Franklin ’s mind when he woke the next morning after a few hours of sleep. He’d lain awake going over the evidence and trying to work out how it all fitted together. The notebook beside his bed was full of ideas that had popped up during the night. He rolled out of bed and came to a sudden stop as his legs locked tight. Franklin took a cautious step forward and painfully headed for the bathroom, his calves felt like solid planks of wood. A soak in a very hot bath might mean he might just be able to walk. That and with the help of Diclofenac, a strong anti-inflammatory, the old man’s best friend.His phone rang as he was drinking his breakfast, a steaming black cup of coffee. ‘Franklin , I want you back in the office today.’ Mike
A family of evil Chapter 33
Johnnie savoured the smoky whisky taste. That first sip was always the fiery best, the rest tended to just turn into a drink. It had been five years, but that flavour was as familiar as yesterday. He took his glass and made his way to a table in the corner of the bar. Sitting at the bar smacked of desperation or despair. He wanted to look like he was waiting, simply waiting. Most people who drank in this bar were waiting. Waiting for time to pass, for the right person to walk into the bar, waiting for a job to turn up or for a Lotto win. Like every other darkened bar in the world as familiar as a favourite armchair, it was full of dreamers and disillusioned drunks. The right person who walked in the bar could be offering to pay well but the cash wouldn’t be showing up on their tax return any time soon. Johnnie took another small sip, the burn overwhelming him with memories of another bar, another life, and a woman. The next sip sat hot in his stomach igniting a molten core of anger. T
A family of evil Chapter 34
‘I’ll ignore the fact you ignored my invitation. Go on.’‘Okay,’ He could hear the smile in her voice. ‘Apparently, the word is that all the kids who worked for Uncle Tommie are having a competition, they’ve branched out into credit cards. The kids slip into cafes and shops, it’s amazing how many of them can grab a credit card without the person noticing. Seeing as they have the network of kids, they’re going to use them in the downtime between deliveries. Believe it nor not, the cards are being collected by a guy called Buttercup.’‘Yea, I’d believe that. Jack Metricup. He’s a small-time drug dealer who covers South Auckland. That’s a bit of a step up for him.’ So, Jack was working for Shadow Man or at least, owed his business growth to him. Wonder what he’s going to have to give in return.‘Sam, Alex isn’t involved, is he?’‘No, not Alex but he said the kids are really excited about it. Apparently, they’re offering some amazing prizes for the kid who can get the most cards in a week
A family of evil Chapter 35
Geoff gave them a few more details and held up a file. ‘Here’s a summary of what I’ve told you today, if anyone has any further questions, my email is at the end. Good luck with your case, though.’ Mike had a few words with him at the door then closed the door behind him. He walked over to the white board and slipped Mike Deveroux’s pic out from under a magnet and put it on the side along with other people of interest. ‘I can assume that if Mike Deveroux is making that much money from his gambling syndicate, he’s not going to be wasting his time with gun deliveries and teenagers. So, we turn our attention to the other members of the charity, Ron Corbett and Sonia. Nothing new turns up in Sonia’s background, she looks like everything she appears to be, but Ron Corbett has resigned from the charity. There’s nothing suspicious about that except for the timing. So, we go through his background and finances with a fine-toothed comb.’Mike allocated duties all round and then went to wind up
A family of evil Chapter 36
It was Shadow Man and he was putting in an order, a large one. Franklin frowned with concentration and tilted his head to one side, listening carefully. When the tape had finished, he said, ‘Was it just me or did I detect a slight accent that time? ’Mike rewound the taped conversation and hit play again.‘There, hear it? He’s putting a slightly different accent on one word.’Mike rewound and played it again. ‘You could be right, but it’s slight. Listen to the rest of it.’ They played the conversation to the end. Mike had kept him on the line for quite a bit longer, emphasising that it was too big an order to expect without a deposit. Shadow Man agreed reluctantly to put 25% into the bank account Mike gave him. Told him that he would get further instructions when the money hit the account.‘And the franchise? I’m very interested. So interested that I wouldn’t fancy the chances of any competition staying in business long, if you get my meaning.’Mike had hesitated, surprised at the op
A family of evil Chapter 37
‘And what other interests might they be, Sir?’‘Sorry?’‘You said that you had many other business interests, I was just wondering what ones you are going to put your energies into now.’‘Well, I have a sizeable real estate portfolio and a large share portfolio, I think that they will keep me busy.’ His manner was becoming dismissive. Nothing for you to know here.‘But you’ve been selling them off, haven’t you? Does your new venture require funding?’There was silence, Franklin waited.‘You’ve been doing your homework, Detective Sergeant. Am I a suspect?’‘It’s a murder enquiry, Sir, we do tend to be thorough.’‘I didn’t realise that you would be looking into my affairs. I had nothing to do with that boy’s unfortunate departing.’‘You didn’t answer my question. Does your new venture require funding?’ Franklin ’s pen hovered over his notebook.Ron Corbett suddenly sat back in his chair, smiling. ‘Well, you did take me by surprise but of course, you are doing your job. And very well, I
A family of evil Chapter 38
‘Okay. Then why the hell haven’t you called me sooner in that case?’ He knew she would hear the smile in his voice.‘Because I’ve been busy, too. I’ve started divorce proceedings and that’s one of the reasons why I’m calling. I thought it was time for me to try some new dishes and it’s about time we caught up and brought each other up to date. But if you’re too busy, I could just invite Johnnie and leave you to keep on working.’‘That’ll be enough of that. You can’t ask that philistine to give you feedback on cooking. He’ll probably compare it to the pie he had at lunch.’Michael overheard the comment, lifting his head and frowning at Franklin .‘Tonight at 7, but you can come earlier if you can get away.’‘I’ll be there, honey. What are you cooking this time?’‘That’s a surprise. Be here and you’ll find out. Bye.’ Franklin could hear them before he got to the back door. He knocked, then tried the door just as he heard, ‘Come in!’ from Sam. Walking through the kitchen, he could hea
A family of evil Chapter 39
‘He’s really working that table. He’s trying hard to impress.’Martin glanced in at the table again, watching the ceremony of honouring the older men, the showing of respect for these elder businessmen. ‘I think he’s just showing respect. He’s Arbruzzio’s new partner so he’s got to work to be accepted into their business world. And this is the way to do it. Those guys coming and going at the end of the table, they are making an appearance and showing the same respect.’‘How long do you think this lunch is going to go for? They’ve been here two and a half hours so far.’Michael checked out the table. ‘They’re not at coffee yet, so it may go for a while longer. Relax Martin, how often do you get a great meal like this paid for? Franklin would give his right arm to be seated where you are now, but Arbruzzio knows him. Watch out, here comes another one.’ Michael picked up his phone, lifting his sunglasses to get a better look at the screen. He lifted the phone and aimed it at Martin, ‘