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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, ‘
A family of evil Chapter 40
‘Calm down, Babe. He’s requested a reconciliation meeting with you through your lawyer, who is obligated to pass it on to you. You don’t have to do that if you don’t want to.’‘Really? I don’t have to?’ Sam dropped into a chair, relief clear on her face. ‘But that reads as if it is one of the steps to the divorce.’‘Yea, well I believe that they like to try to get the couple to reconciliation if at all possible. Tell your lawyer that you are frightened for your life, that meeting him would be traumatic for you and leave it with him.’ Johnnie crouched down beside her. ‘As long as he doesn’t get either your mobile or your address, you’re safe. And besides, you’ve been doing my self-defence course, you’re better placed to protect yourself if the need arises.’Sam shivered. ‘It was horrible. I didn’t think I would have to see him again. But I’ll sound so much like a coward if I don’t attend that meeting. I should go, tell them that there is no way I would feel safe being in the same room
A family of evil Chapter 41
She nodded and walked back towards the kitchen. Some of the boys at the other tables watched her walk past out of the corner of their eyes, but no one made any smart remarks. Not to Maria. None of them were that stupid.Bubba headed home when he had finished his coffee, he didn’t want to hang around while he was carrying his payment on him. He’d got paid and he’d helped Alex and the guys who were trying to find who’d killed Clinton . As he got to the top of the hill at the end of his street, he looked back at the city sparkling below. It looked like a sideshow at a fair, all lit up to tempt you to come and play. But he knew only too well, the kind of playtime this could be. His bruises were healed for the moment, but his scars ran deeper. He looked from the sparkling yellow lights to the clear sky above. Stars were twinkling, some shining brighter than others. Bubba searched the sky until he found one bright enough for what he was looking for. That one. He watched it for a moment, shi
A family of evil Chapter 42
‘You deserve that. You did great, Babe. I’m proud of you.’ And he raised his bottle, clinked it against her wine glass and took a swig.She took a tentative sip. ‘Bit early for this, isn’t it?’‘Nah, let’s live dangerously.’ Johnnie looked down, swallowed then looked at her again. ‘I’m sorry Babe. I knew it was bad, but I had no idea…’‘Johnnie, it’s past. Finished. Don’t get upset about it. I’m sorry you had to hear that but I felt he was getting sympathy and that was the only way I could think of that would change the mediator’s point of view.’Johnnie grinned. ‘Did you see the look on his lawyer’s face?’ He took another swig. ‘Just as well Franklin wasn’t there, he would’ve wanted to kill him. I mean I did too, but I’m glad Franklin wasn’t here.’‘Don’t forget, Franklin investigated the stalking at that time and he interviewed David. He was the one who warned me not to meet him for a while and then only in public. He knows what David had become.’‘Are you going to ring him and t