The Hard Way by Duncan Brockwell (most popular ebook readers txt) 📕

next to her inebriated brother. “You’ll have to excuse Richard, he’s just found out an employee of his died in a car crash this morning.” Expecting sympathy, the detectives instead eyeballed one another. “What?”

“Nothing! We’re sorry to hear that, Mr Fisher.” Hayes sounded genuine, except the glance she gave her partner was anything but.

“That’s some bad luck, Mr Fisher. I mean, first your brother’s shot, then your brother-in-law’s murdered, and now an employee dies in a car crash?” Miller didn’t hide her suspicions. “Did you know this employee well?”

Richard sneered. “Don’t try to turn this around on me. I hardly knew him. You really shouldn’t listen to Ilya whatsherface. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Henry didn’t know that woman.”

Why was he protecting Demirci? Charlotte gave Miller an apologetic glance. “He doesn’t know what he’s saying. He’s slurring his words. I gave him some whisky earlier because he was upset.” She didn’t like the exchanges between the detectives. “Shut up, Richard! You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“I’m afraid he did, Mr Fisher.” Hayes stared at her brother. “It turns out that Henry went to Melodi Demirci for a business loan.”

“Only it was far more than just a loan.” Miller sat back.

“The contract Henry signed to get hold of his start-up investment gives Demirci first dibs on buying his shares of the radio station. In a few days, I’m guessing she’ll be signing a contract with his solicitor giving her total control over Henry’s company. I’m sure Demirci will have a CEO in place by the end of next week. And Accord FM will still be operational, with only a few days of interruption.”

Charlotte saw the seriousness in Hayes’ eyes. “Do you expect us to buy that? Henry was a businessman. Why would he do that?”

“And that’s crap, because Henry was in the process of buying her out.”

Silence filled the room, cushioning them all.

Charlotte saw the suspicion in their eyes.

“But you just said Henry doesn’t know her, Mr Fisher.” Miller leaned forward, awaiting a reply from Charlotte’s stupid brother. “And now you’re telling us he wanted to buy her out of the business?”

“Really, detectives, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He’s drunk.” Charlotte wanted the police officers out of her house. “I think maybe we should reschedule this for another time?” Fortunately, Hayes agreed.

“I think you’re right. You know it’s against the law to lie to a police officer, Mr Fisher? It’s called obstruction of justice. Here, take my card, Mrs Edwards, call and we’ll arrange separate interviews with you both. Oh, and they will be recorded.” Hayes stood, glaring down at both siblings.

36

“Richard Fisher’s the key, sir. I know it.” Hayes looked at Inspector Gillan for acknowledgement. Sat in a small conference room with Gillan and Miller, Hayes’ leg bobbed up and down under the table.

“And you think we should focus solely on the Fishers now?” Inspector Gillan looked at her, then Miller. “Do you agree, Detective Miller?”

“Absolutely. Richard Fisher’s the key, like Hayes said. He might have been inebriated at the time, but he outright lied to us.”

Gillan scratched his head. “I don’t know about this. We’re kind of putting all our eggs in one basket. The suspect might have targeted Reid or Austin, we don’t know. I just don’t like the thought of leaving avenues of investigation unchecked.”

“Please, sir, I’ve never been more sure of anything. He knows more than he’s letting on. He lied to us. Plus, we all know she’s behind this; her DNA’s all over it.”

Hayes waited while Gillan mulled it over. He got up from his seat and strolled over to the window and looked out onto the street below. A clock hung on the wall opposite her ticked loudly. “Sir?”

“You’re right. We’ll make Richard Fisher and Charlotte Edwards the focus of this investigation, for the time being. This might change over the course of the next few days, though, is that clear?”

“Crystal, sir. Thank you.”

Gillan turned to Miller. “Miller, while we’re in with Miss Demirci, I want you to gather as much information as you can about the Fishers, that includes Charlotte Edwards, and Henry Curtis. If this family is at the epicentre of this case, I want to know everything about them. Look into the businesses, Accord FM, and I believe Richard Fisher owns Fisher Valves, if my memory serves me. We’ll get to the bottom of it. Amanda, you’re with me.”

“You’ve got it.” Miller rushed out of the room.

Hayes stood and regarded him. “I know he’s the one. You had to be there.”

“You can stop the sales pitch now.” Gillan gathered up his paperwork, then stared at the door. Gillan eyed her with suspicion. “Before we go, is Miller dating Luke Walker going to be a problem for us?”

“What? No, of course not. Why would it? She’s great company because of him and if they break up she’ll go back to being a pain in my arse.”

“Fine, I’ll not make it an issue for now, but if it causes any problems in the field, you let me know. Understood?”

“Of course. If it’s a problem, I’ll break them up myself, how’s that?” Hayes smiled, letting him know she was joking, yet serious at the same time. “Are you ready?”

Inspector Gillan marched to the door and held it open for her.

“Let’s go and introduce ourselves to Miss Demirci, shall we?” Hayes stepped out into the corridor and waited for her supervisor. As much as she promoted strength in her walk, she had butterflies in her tummy for the first time. Why should interviewing Melodi Demirci make her nervous?

37

“Remember what I said: do not antagonise her. Her lawyer’s a pain in the arse.”

It seemed Inspector Gillan was terrified of Demirci’s lawyer, a guy in his fifties with a full head of white hair, not grey, white, wearing an expensive navy suit.

When Hayes closed the door behind her, Melodi Demirci sat next to her oh-so-expensive legal man, with a smirk. Hayes took her seat, waiting for Gillan to commence proceedings.

After making