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

“He might not talk if I have anyone with me. How about you drive me there but wait outside? We’re meeting in a public place, so I’ll be fine.”

Knowing it was the only concession she was going to make, he agreed. But he still didn’t like her being alone with Young, public place or not.

They stepped into the portacabin, Sharon’s presence meaning he couldn’t pursue the conversation, to Faith’s relief.

“Was it really necessary to meet here?” said Faith.

The agreed meeting place was Madame Tussauds Waxwork Museum on the promenade.

“I’ve always wanted to come here, ever since I moved from Manchester,” replied Matthew, smiling at the waxwork duo of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. “I loved them when I was a kid.”

“Me too,” she smiled, thinking his enthusiasm sweet.

He scowled at the waxwork of a blond male comedian. “I can’t stand that git. At least his waxwork can’t open its big gob.”

“Is that what you brought me here to tell me?”

“No, it’s not. Aww look at that, The Two Ronnies.”

“Let me guess - you were a fan of them when you were a kid too?”

“I was. Don’t tell me you weren’t?”

“I loved them. They had an innocence, like Morecambe and Wise. That innocence seems to have gone these days,” she said a little sadly.

“Did you come here a lot when you were a kid?”

“Once on a school trip. We didn’t really do the touristy stuff.”

“You missed out,” he said as they meandered through the exhibits.

“Is that what we’re doing here then, visiting the touristy stuff?”

“No. We’re here to discuss Dillon Enfield. Do you know him?”

“I know of him. I also heard he was found murdered in Kingscote Park.”

“You heard right. Anyway, I’m SIO on the case and I wondered if you knew anything that could point me in the right direction.” Matthew had been promoted to detective inspector on the back of his exposing Marlow and his corrupt colleagues.

Faith wanted to sigh with relief but she kept it in. Not only was the police officer who was in the Maguire’s pocket working the case but he had no idea Dillon had done some work for them. “I did hear he was shagging about and he wasn’t fussy if the women were in relationships.” She decided not to tell him about Mickey Gunning yet, not until she’d spoken to him herself. Mickey had a reputation for extreme violence and she didn’t want to send Matthew to his door, even if he was an experienced police officer.

“Interesting,” he said thoughtfully. “Any idea who the lucky women were?”

“No, sorry. You’re best asking his friends about that.”

“I suppose. Anything else you can tell me?”

“No, I didn’t really know him. He was a regular at Pulse but I didn’t have much to do with him. Hey,” she said when he took her arm and steered her into a mock-up of The Rovers Return pub out of Coronation Street. “Careful,” she added when he almost pulled her into the waxwork of Bet Lynch, the pub’s brassy blonde landlady.

“I don’t like being lied to Faith,” he said. “Especially after what we’ve been through together.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know Dillon was working for you,” he said, voice dropping to a whisper. “And I don’t mean in the club. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Why do you think?” she whispered back. “He was just found murdered and how did you know he worked for us?”

“He told his best friend about it.”

“Then you should ask his best friend about the women Dillon was seeing.”

“Did you or your family have anything to do with Dillon’s death?”

“No we didn’t. I swear Matthew,” she added when he frowned. “You know we have to get permission for anything like that. Ask Jules if you don’t believe me, she’ll tell you and no, I’m not stupid enough to do something like that without her permission. I had no reason to hurt him.”

“Apart from the fact that he was stealing from you. I know he nicked some of the drugs.”

“Yes, he did but it was only a paltry amount. We didn’t kill him. I gave him a pasting but that’s all.”

“You did?” he said.

She nodded.

“Not your brothers?”

“No, it was me.”

“Why would you do it when you have at your disposal four men who are very capable of doing it themselves?”

“Oh I see - because I’m a woman I can’t give anyone a good kicking. I have to get my brothers to do it.”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“Yes it is. Don’t be a sexist pig. I can beat up people with the best of them. Why are you smiling?”

“I don’t know, I shouldn’t but you make me smile.”

“Don’t go down that road again Matthew,” she sighed.

“The only road I’m going down is finding who killed Dillon. I will ask you once more and I want the truth – is this down to you and your family?”

“No Matthew, I promise. We had nothing to do with it.”

“So, some of the cuts and bruises on his body were put there by you?”

She nodded.

Matthew studied her carefully, attempting to discern if she was lying but Faith Chambers had a very good poker face. “Well, I suppose I’ll have to take you at your word.”

“Yes, you will.”

“I just hope I don’t find out someone else was responsible for giving him that beating. That would piss me off.”

“You won’t.”

“Jules tasked me with looking out for you and ensuring everything runs smoothly but I can’t do that if you keep me out of the loop.”

She sighed and nodded. “I know and I’m sorry Matthew but giving information to the police goes against everything I was taught from being a little girl and