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

They’re part of a group of mercenaries paid to eliminate anyone who’s had anything to do with this battery. One of them told us that there are ten more of their colleagues out there, and their superior can order the whole company of thirty-six to join them if they don’t get the results they need.”

64

Miller glanced at each of her colleagues in turn. “We need to talk to Marlowe. He has all the answers we need.” She turned to Mrs Edwards. “We need you to stay right here, okay? It’s too dangerous for you out there until we’ve cleared this up.”

Hayes, Gillan and Travis joined her in walking to the lifts, where they all got on, and off on the interview room floor. Within two minutes, she was in the room with the bound Marlowe, who looked angry. “Right, you’re going to tell us everything.”

“Not without a deal I’m not.” He turned his head to the side, pretending to be snooty. “Count yourself lucky I haven’t insisted on representation.”

“If your information’s valuable to us, Mr Marlowe, I guarantee you we’ll give you a deal, okay? But only if it leads to a satisfactory conclusion of this case, meaning that no one in this room dies, do you understand? If one of your colleagues hurts a member of this team, all deals are nullified. Now, tell us why you murdered Colin Fisher, Brandy Reid, and Kurt Austin? Did you choose to kill all three to throw us off track?”

“I guess that’s the best deal I’m going to get out of you, so I’ll take it.” He moved his hands, rubbing his sore wrists. “You obviously know Colin Fisher was the target, but the colonel thought adding a couple extra bodies would hinder your investigation, which worked to our advantage.”

“But when you murdered Henry Curtis, we were onto you,” Miller added.

“The colonel knew you’d end up pointing a finger at Melodi Demirci; her prints were everywhere. It was the way he wanted it. But it was my mistake putting the gun to the back of Curtis’ head. We actually wanted his to appear as a suicide. The colonel wanted us to get rid of everyone with knowledge of the battery before it became public knowledge.”

Travis frowned. “I get Fisher, being Richard’s brother, but why Curtis? I mean, he might have been married to the younger brother, but why kill him?”

“Everyone who knew about the battery, detective, and not only did Henry Curtis know about it, he was an investor. He personally gave Richard Fisher a million towards it. That made him a massive target when the big petroleum companies found out about it, I can tell you. When that stupid bitch, Yurika Ishii, went to them about the battery, she started something she couldn’t stop.”

Hayes folded her arms on the table. “And these petroleum companies, you’re sure they’re your paymasters? They paid your company to eliminate everyone involved?”

“A hundred per cent. But it’s bigger than that. It’s not just the big petroleum; it’s a couple of the global car manufacturers, CEOs of huge corporations. In fact, it’s more like a conglomerate. Think of these companies as the head, and my company as the arm striking Fisher Valves down.”

“Yurika Ishii, I assume from what you said just now, she made a deal?” Miller saw the nod. “So, she’s what, out of the country now? Living life in the lap of luxury?”

“At the bottom of the ocean, more like, food for the fish. I didn’t do it, but I know for a fact she’s been weighed down and thrown off a boat in the middle of the sea, along with her boyfriend. The same goes for Nathan Stewart. A couple of my colleagues took care of him. He won’t ever be found either. You see, they want everyone with any knowledge of how to build the battery eliminated.” He leaned forward. “They’re winning, guys. That’s everyone involved dead. Fisher, Parekh, that German bitch, Lang. Nathan Stewart, and Yurika Ishii. The only thing left to do is take the two remaining prototypes. They’ve even taken care of the guy sorting out the paperwork for Fisher’s patent. Hands up, nothing to do with me.”

“Hang on! You said two prototypes.” Hayes regarded Miller, then went back to Marlowe. “We have one here. Where’s the other one?”

“The blue Fiesta,” Miller answered before Marlowe could. “It was already fitted with a battery when we were at the workshop. It wasn’t there when we went back, though.”

Gillan picked up his mobile. “It’s been impounded. There are only two places it could be: Perivale or Charlton. I’ll get onto this. We need that prototype, guys.” He excused himself from the room while he made phone calls.

“Wait! There’s more,” Marlowe said, desperation in his voice. “I have all the intel you need on the conglomerate safely hidden away. With what I’ve got on a USB stick, you’ll be able to charge all the individuals involved, all the big wigs in these companies. Take me with you when you go to pick up the car from the pound, and we’ll take a detour to get the USB stick.” He continued, “Come on, detectives, I’ve got as much to lose as anyone. I’m trying to save my life, sure, but I’ll also be helping you win the biggest case of your careers.”

Miller was surprised when Hayes said, “He’s got a point.”

Hayes continued, “I’ll tell you what, Marlowe, if Inspector Gillan signs it off, you’ve got a deal. You give us the intel we need to arrest these big shots, I’m sure we’ll be eternally grateful. You’ve murdered six people that we know of, you can’t expect freedom, but witness protection is better than prison.”

“Hell, I wouldn’t expect freedom,” he replied.

Gillan came back carrying his phone. “The blue Fiesta is safe and well at Perivale Car Pound on Walmgate Road, Greenford. I’ve instructed the sergeant I spoke to there not to let it out of his sight.”

“Miller and I will collect it, sir. It’s