Broken Dreams (23 page)

‘Fine.’ She picked up a writing pad. ‘Who did kill her, then?’

I told her about Steve Taylor.

‘And why would he have killed her?’

‘He wanted her to leave Murdoch, but she wasn’t keen.’

‘Says who?’

‘Murdoch.’

She pulled a face.

‘He said it was a convenience thing’ I continued, ignoring her protests. ‘He needed to keep Taylor sweet as part of the regeneration deal. It was his wife’s way of helping.’

‘And you believe that?’

‘Why not?’

‘You’ve got a lot to learn, Joe. Maybe she did want to leave her husband? Maybe he killed her because she wanted to leave?’

‘Maybe Taylor killed her because she wouldn’t leave Murdoch?’ I countered.

Sarah sighed. ‘What about an alibi?’

‘Coleman reckons he has one. He wasn’t telling me the truth but he was bored just listening to me. He’d have told me anything to get me out of the station.’

‘Can we check it out?’

‘We can try.’ I scribbled a note to follow it up. ‘He was beaten up outside Salford’s casino last night.’

‘Don’t go there, Joe.’

‘He was told to keep his mouth shut.’

‘About what’s going on with Murdoch?’

I nodded. ‘He’s vulnerable. Salford doesn’t want him talking to the police about it.’

‘And Salford had threatened to kill Jennifer Murdoch.’

I nodded again, pleased Sarah was starting to take my concerns more seriously. She wrote his name on the pad.

‘Why would Salford kill her?’

‘Murdoch wanted out of the whole thing. This project is what he’s been working towards his entire career; his chance to leave a legacy behind. Salford’s come along and hijacked it.’

‘I’d hardly say hijacked.’

I waved away her words. ‘Either way, Murdoch’s in over his head and he hasn’t got an out.’

‘So why would Salford kill her?’

‘Take your pick. He wanted to control Murdoch and keep him in line. He couldn’t afford him pulling the plug on the deal.’

‘But killing his wife?’

‘Taylor said Salford and Johnson wanted to sleep with her.’

‘Maybe she didn’t fall for their charms?’

 ‘It’s not cut and dried, is it? I can’t believe Coleman is only looking at Murdoch for this.’

‘It won’t be Coleman’s decision, though, will it? Whatever he’s doing will be done on orders from higher up.’

‘It’s still wrong, though. We went out of our way to help him at the swingers club. He was the one giving it all the co-operation bullshit.’

‘He’s not going to help us.’

I knew she was right; it’s his job but it didn’t make the way he’d dealt with me taste any less bitter. I finished my drink and switched on my laptop.

‘Where’s your dad?’ I asked.

‘Don’t know. Said he had a few jobs to do before he came in.’

I nodded. I’d speak to him later.

‘I’ve been thinking about Donna Platt’ Sarah said. ‘Do you think we should tell her mother we’ve found her?’

‘We haven’t really found her yet.’

‘We know she’s alive. She’ll want to know.’

Sarah was right. We probably should let the family know we’d made some progress. ‘I’ll give Derek a call, see what he thinks.’ He also knew Salford. It’d be a chance to find out more.

‘Leave it with me. If she’s not well, we don’t want to charge straight in. Do you think we should mention Lisa Day has been in contact with her?’

‘It’ll cause more harm than good.’

Sarah cleared away our mugs and busied herself at her desk. I logged into my email account and quickly scanned through them. ‘Any plans for tonight?’ I asked, starting to formulate a plan.

‘I’ve got a date.’

‘A date?’

‘With the guy from the other night.’

‘I thought you didn’t particularly like him?’

‘A girl can change her mind, can’t she?’

I clicked on my unopened messages and started to read them.

I didn’t want to know the details of Sarah’s date, so I set off to find Derek. Choosing the pub, I struck lucky first time.

‘Now then’ I said, placing the drinks in front of us.

‘Now then.’ He picked his glass up. ‘Cheers.’

‘Cheers.’

‘You’re taking a chance, aren’t you?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘This is a black and white pub.’

Rugby. I smiled. ‘You’ve been checking me out.’

‘Do you blame me?’

‘Not really.’

‘How’s the knee?’

‘Painful.’ The cold weather today didn’t help.

‘I did my knee at sea. Bloody painful.’

‘Tell me about it.’

He folded his newspaper up. ‘What can I do for you? I assume we’re not going to talk rugby?’

‘I need to know about Frank Salford.’

‘What makes you think I can help?’

I sighed and shrugged. Derek was my best bet. ‘I just thought you might be able to.’

‘He’s seriously bad news’ Derek explained. ‘Always has been, always will be; ever since he got involved around these parts.’

‘He ran clubs around here, didn’t he?’

‘That’s right. Proper clubs, not the rubbish kids go in for nowadays; more variety clubs, I suppose. The thing is it’s no lie to say they were the best clubs in the city. People would come from miles around. He always had the best bands, the best compares, everything.’

‘Bit weird, though, wasn’t it? Salford would have been around thirty when he started the clubs? Bit young for that kind of thing?’

  Derek nodded. ‘Sounds about right. You’d have to ask him. I think he just liked the entertainment. And it was somewhere quiet to drink, where he’d get no bother or hassle.’

It made sense. Salford was the kind of man who didn’t like attracting attention, so working mens clubs were a safe bet.

‘It was his father’s influence, I reckon. His dad had owned a pub in the area. The young Salford used to hang around with his mates. A right bunch of tearaways, they were; always in trouble.’

‘They used his dad’s pub as a base?’

Derek nodded. ‘We’re sat in it.’

Small world, I thought. ‘Did you have any dealings with him?’

‘Not at first. He was just a young lad, making his way in the world. Once he had some power, I avoided him best I could.’

‘What were his clubs like?’

‘He ran a tight ship. Nobody stepped out of line, because you knew what happened if you did. But for all of that, you knew you’d get a good night from him. There was never any funny business when he was there.’

‘Ever see anything with your own eyes?’

‘Once or twice. It was always him and his side-kick.’

‘Dave Johnson?’

‘That’s him.’

‘Did they run their businesses from the clubs?’

Derek nodded. ‘Drugs.’

‘Drugs.’ I nodded and thought about his nephew but didn’t ask. ‘What did you think about it?’

‘I hate drugs, but what can you do? Salford controlled the area and the people. If you had a problem, you went to Salford and he sorted it out. He was more effective than the police. Things only changed when he got too big for his own good. Before that you knew if you kept your nose clean and didn’t cause any trouble, you’d be alright. Once he lost interest and the kids started running wild, the area was done for.’

‘Ever had any dealings with him?’ I asked. ‘Other than the other night.’

‘One or two. Years ago, now.’ He turned away from me.

‘I want to take him down’ I said.

Derek turned to me. ‘Don’t be stupid.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because you don’t take people like Salford down.’

‘I think he’s killed someone.’

Derek laughed. ‘Wouldn’t surprise me.’

‘Have you been reading about Jennifer Murdoch? She was murdered in her house.’

‘I’ve been following it in the paper.’

‘I think Salford killed her.’

‘Why would he kill her?’

I explained his involvement in the area’s regeneration and how it tied in to her husband, the man I was acting for.

Derek put his drink down and paused.

‘What’s the matter?’ I asked.

Derek composed himself and smiled. ‘It’s starting to make some sense to me.’

‘What is?’

He stared at me. ‘Some of the things which have been happening around here.’ 

I took the hint he wanted another drink.

The pub was all but empty and I took the liberty of signalling to the barman we wanted a refill.

‘Go on’ I said to Derek.

‘I run the Neighbourhood Watch and a while back I had people coming to me, telling me they’d received offers on their houses.’ He turned to face me. ‘The area’s run-down and crime’s high, so those who accepted offers sold up and got out, and fair play to them. It used to be a great place to live. The houses were tightly packed in together, in sort of mazes, I suppose, but it was fine. Everyone knew each other and kept an eye out. We were a community within the city because, one way or the other, we all worked in the fishing industry. Those were the good old days and no mistake.’ He picked his drink up. ‘Times change, I suppose.’

I agreed with him. ‘What happened to those who turned down offers to buy their houses?’

‘Some of them were attacked until they agreed to leave. Their lives were made a misery, and once one house goes to ruin, it doesn’t take the rest of the street long to follow. It’s a vicious circle.’

‘You think Salford was behind it?’

‘If you’re telling me he’s been busy buying up houses in the area, it makes sense. This area used to be bursting with pride, but now there’s nothing left. I’ve got no problems with the rebuilding. In fact I welcome it; anything to make the place better. But what I can’t stomach is people taking advantage. We need all the help we can get. We don’t need them ripping off their own.’

‘No proof though?’

Derek shook his head. ‘None at all.’

I was starting to get a bad feeling and I knew it wasn’t going to go away this time. I needed another drink, but I pushed the urge aside.

‘Spit it out.’

‘Spit what out?’ I asked.

‘Whatever’s on your mind.’

I had to tell him. ‘If we’d found out something about Donna, would you want to know?’

Derek put his drink down and nodded. ‘I don’t know if Maria’s strong enough. All she’s got left in her life is hope, and I don’t want to take it away from her.’

I nodded. I understood what he was saying.

‘What do you know?’ he asked me.

‘I know Donna’s alive.’

‘
I
want to see him’ I said to Jane. ‘It can’t wait.’

‘It’ll have to. He’s in a meeting with the council.’

I paced around Murdoch’s office. ‘He’s not returned my calls.’

‘He’s very busy today.’

I stood still. ‘Glad to hear it. Has he forgotten why I’m working for him?’

‘Joe.’ Jane stopped what she was doing. ‘I’m sure he appreciates all you’re doing for us.’

‘What?’

‘He appreciates your hard work.’ She looked flustered.

I shook my head. ‘In the boardroom, is he?’ I set off in that direction.

Jane followed me. ‘You can’t go in there.’

I walked straight in. Murdoch was at the head of the table. Next to him were three middle-aged men in suits. I didn’t care who they were or what they did.

‘Joe’ Murdoch said, as he stood up. ‘I’m a little busy at the moment. Perhaps Jane could look after you in the reception area until we’re finished.’

Jane stood next to me, looking embarrassed. ‘I did tell him you were unavailable.’

He switched on the politician’s smile. ‘I’m sure you did, Jane. Perhaps if you could escort him out of here, please?’

I shook my head. ‘Meeting’s over, gentlemen. I’m sure Mr Murdoch will be in touch with you all in the very near future.’

‘What the fuck are you playing at, Joe?’ The room had been cleared and Murdoch was in my face.

‘That was a very important meeting. You can’t charge in and make me look like an idiot in front of my clients.’

He was a man in denial and had seemingly forgotten the police were closing in on him. ‘You won’t have any clients soon.’

Murdoch paused before sitting down. ‘Thanks for that.’

‘Why did you lie to me?’

‘What about?’

I laughed. It summed the man up. ‘Your alibi for starters.’

Murdoch said nothing. I walked around the room and sat down next to him. ‘Why did you lie to me?’

‘I was working for most of the night, like I told the police.’

‘That’s not what they say.’

‘I know.’

‘So why the fuck are you lying to me?’ I stood up and walked over to the window, this time not looking at the amazing view of the marina. ‘I thought I’d made it perfectly clear to you about my position.’

  ‘You have.’

‘So what’s the problem?’

‘I was with Jane.’

I turned around and shrugged. ‘I know about the affair.’

‘Her husband doesn’t.’

I sat back down and processed the information. ‘You lied to me about your alibi because of Jane?’

Murdoch said nothing and looked away. I stood up and walked to the door. ‘Fuck you.’ I’d had enough this time. Don had been right. It was a waste of time.

‘Sit down, Joe.’

I turned back. ‘I was told I shouldn’t be working for you, but I wouldn’t listen.’

‘I need your help.’

‘I can’t help you anymore.’

‘Yes you can.’

I sat back down. ‘Have you any idea of the trouble you’re in? I spoke to Coleman yesterday. They’re looking at you. You’ve got motive and now they think you had the opportunity. I tried to tell them about Salford and Taylor, but they didn’t want to know. It’s you they’ve got a hard-on for.’

‘Taylor?’

‘I went to his flat and he’d been given a good kicking. He’d gone to the casino to tell Salford he wanted out of your scheme.’

Murdoch looked like he was going to be sick. ‘And he was beaten?’

‘He’s thinking of going to the police.’

‘You’ve got to tell him he can’t do it.’

‘I’m not going to tell him anything. Coleman’s your problem.’

Murdoch shook his head. ‘He can’t touch me. I didn’t kill my wife.’

‘He’s not going to be looking anywhere else in a hurry.’