Takedown by Heather Atkinson (latest books to read txt) 📕

“We wouldn’t do that.”

“Oh yes you would.”

“Fine. What about the other firefighters with him?”

“The woman is Amanda Young. She’s a bit of a snappy cow actually. I respect what she does for a living but she’s got a temper and permanent resting bitch face. She’s also pretty handy with her fists. She went for some lairy teenage gits who started pelting them and their fire truck with stones when they turned up to tackle a fire. She knocked one out and had the second crying on the ground. The other firefighters I’ve seen before but I don’t know their names. They’re all part of the same crew. They work out of the station on Forest Gate.”

“Opposite the golf course?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

“Well, this has made things a lot more complicated. Has it struck you that these hero firefighters might well have killed Dillon?”

“It has actually.”

“Have you got any evidence that might link them to it? If they were sent down for his murder it would solve a lot of problems.”

“I know. It’s a bloody shame I haven’t got any.”

“So no DNA evidence from a mystery assailant?”

“Nothing. They knew what they were doing.”

“If you could somehow put them in that park it would help. Is there any CCTV footage?”

“Faith, I’ve been a police officer for quite a few years now. I do know how to run an investigation.”

“Sorry. I just want this to be over.”

“I understand,” he said more gently. “Alice does too, she’s getting really pissed off with all the hours I’m working. I think this investigation is making her realise just how many hours a police officer works.”

“I hope she realises you’re worth it.” The words slipped out before she could stop them. Thank God the noise coming from the kitchen meant Vance wouldn’t have overheard.

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me Faith.”

The playfulness in his voice made her grin. “It was about time. How do you think we should handle this?”

“Well, I know Jules wants results.”

“She’s being more cautious now she knows who they are.”

“It might be best if you could get the product back and make them back off with a warning.”

“If they killed Dillon I don’t think they will back off. Is there any chance you could find out if they’re having financial troubles?”

“I can run a discreet check on Ben and Amanda.”

“That would be great, thanks. In the meantime, we’ll do some snooping.”

“Be careful. They might have been the ones following you and please don’t do anything rash.”

“As if I would.”

“Yeah, right. Got to go. Bye.”

Faith hung up and walked into the kitchen, taking her place at the table, squeezing in between Abi and Jason.

“Your beans will be cold,” sniffed Rose.

“They’re fine,” she said, tucking in. She hadn’t realised how hungry she was until now.

“Was it Matthew?” said Vance.

Faith’s gaze connected with his and she saw his blue eyes were bright with jealousy. “Yes. He had some useful information for us.”

“Not at the table,” said Rose. “You can have a break from business to eat.”

Faith was desperate to communicate to her siblings what Matthew had said but Rose was right, they could all use a break, even if it was only for ten minutes.

They laughed and joked as they ate and Faith felt some of the tension start to leave her body. She forced herself not to think about work, firefighters or drugs and just enjoyed being with her family, refusing to let Rose’s presence bring her down.

Only once the meal was over and they were back in the front room drinking tea – forgoing any alcohol because they wanted to stay clear-headed – did Faith relate what Matthew had told her. Rose shut herself away in the kitchen on the pretext of washing up but her children knew it was because she didn’t want to know the details of the trouble they were in this time.

“A hero firefighter,” breathed Caleb. “It makes no bloody sense. Why do this?”

“Matthew’s going to find out if Ben and Amanda have been having financial difficulties,” replied Faith. “He doesn’t know the names of the other two but it won’t be hard to find out.”

“It’s the only explanation,” said Vance. “Why else would they want to steal a load of drugs?”

“Someone’s been watching us, so I say we return the favour,” said Faith.

“You mean spy on them?” said Kevin with a cheeky smile.

“I do.”

“Awesome,” said Jason.

“I think Vance should be the one to handle it, not you two,” she told them. “He’s the ex-police officer who’s experienced in surveillance.”

“Aww,” pouted Jason.

“You two would only do something daft,” Abi told them. “Like go around in stupid disguises.”

“I still haven’t got over the Donald Trump mask Jason wore when we mugged Steve Bailey,” smiled Caleb.

“Me and Vance will do all the covert work,” said Faith. “The rest of you need to keep a very close eye on the clubs and restaurant.”

“Oh crap,” said Caleb.

“What?” said Abi.

“I thought the name Ben Cooper was familiar and I’ve just realised why,” he said, taking a letter out of his pocket. “This came this morning. Before the club can open it needs to have a fire inspection, which will be done by Ben Cooper.”

Faith snatched the letter off him and stared at the name. “The inspection’s in three days.”

“Oh great,” said Kevin. “He could say there’s something wrong with the club, so it won’t be allowed to open.”

“There wouldn’t be a reason for him to do that,” said Vance. “He doesn’t know that we know who he is, he thinks all the footage was deleted. Besides, he can only do that if something really is wrong. If it