The Lipstick Killers (12 page)

34

Margaret literally slapped herself on the forehead. ‘Christ,’ she said. ‘You’re right. What am I thinking of?’ Quickly, she grabbed her phone from her handbag and called Mahoney again. ‘Mahoney,’ she said, when he answered. ‘I think we need some protection at the house, after all that’s happened.’

‘Go to the front door,’ he said.

She did as she was told. Outside the house was a blue Mondeo with two up in the front. ‘See them,’ said Mahoney.

‘I see them.’

‘24/7 until this is over,’ he said. ‘But I think perhaps Mrs Smith and the children would be safer somewhere else. Is there anywhere they can stay?’

‘I suppose. Do you think they’re in danger?’

‘
You
obviously do.’

‘Yeah. Sorry. Just thinking aloud. There’s Frankie’s house, they could go there.’

‘I was thinking about somewhere out of town,’
he answered.

‘You’re right. I don’t know what’s the matter with me.’

‘We do have safe houses.’

‘They’re always horrible. At least they are if they’re anything like the Met’s.’

‘Budget. It was hard enough getting manpower to baby-sit you lot, believe me.’

‘I do. And thanks,’ said Margaret, a note of gratitude entering her voice.

‘Listen, I’ve got to go,’ he said. ‘Duty calls. See you later?’

‘Sure. Bye.’ She closed her phone, waved at the two coppers and went back inside.

‘We’ve got minders,’ she said to her sisters. ‘For the duration. But Mahoney thinks Sharon and the kids should get away. Somewhere safe.’

‘We
are
in danger,’ said Sharon, looking horrified. ‘My God.’

‘We don’t know it’s anything to do with Monty’s death,’ interjected Frankie.

‘No, we don’t know for certain, but we have to be careful. Why would someone kill Joyce?’ She turned again to Sharon. ‘Calm down love,’ said Margaret. ‘A safe house might be for the best. How about Monty’s mum’s?’

‘She’s not well, you know that. That’s why she’s not here.’

‘Might do her good to see you though.’

‘I suppose. But what about the funeral?’

‘Funerals,’ said Frankie. ‘There’s no one to take care of Joyce’s. We owe her.’

‘God, yes,’ said Margaret.

‘We’ll have a double funeral,’ said Sharon.

‘It might take time for them to release both bodies,’ said Margaret.

Silence fell in the room as the four women took in the magnitude of what had happened.

Finally Roxie broke the silence. ‘You’re getting pally with Mahoney,’ she said to Margaret.

‘Police business,’ replied Margaret. ‘And I’m meeting him later.’

‘What for?’

‘Information. He’s got it, we need it. Plus I’ve got to give a statement about finding Joyce. We’re going for a drink.’

‘Told you,’ said Roxie. ‘Told you they’d get friendly.’

‘Do be quiet,’ said Margaret. ‘He’s useful. And he has got us our protection.’

‘What happened to Thomas?’ Frankie asked suddenly.

‘Oh Christ,’ said Margaret. ‘He’s in the car. Probably tearing my upholstery to shreds. I couldn’t leave him with all those hairy-arsed coppers milling about at Joyce’s. He’d have done a runner. And we’ve lost too much already.’

‘He can stay with us,’ said Sharon. ‘The kids always wanted a pet and it might take their minds off what’s happening. And Joyce loved that moggy. We owe it to her. When will we have to move and where will we go?’

‘I don’t know when, but we should find something fast. There’s safe houses,’ said Margaret. ‘If nothing else.’

‘I’ll call Monty’s mum. You might be right. Do us all a power of good to get away.’

‘That’s my girl,’ said Margaret, pleased that Sharon had finally started to come out of her dark depression, 
but still her mind was fixed on the sight of Joyce on her bed. Who would have done such a thing – and would they target her family next?

35

In fact, Thomas was curled up fast asleep on the driver’s seat when Margaret went to fetch him. On the way back to the house she’d stopped at Tesco and bought food, kitty litter, a tray and food bowls for the animal. Bleeding hell she thought, this moggy’s going to cost us a fortune – all the while knowing that she would never have left him, for Joyce’s sake. She smiled at the two coppers still guarding the place, grabbed Thomas and took him inside. Peter and Susan had come downstairs and were delighted to see the cat, immediately fussing around him. ‘What did you tell them?’ Margaret
whispered
to Sharon. ‘About Joyce I mean.’

‘That Aunty Joyce has gone away for a bit. I didn’t want any more tears before bedtime.’

‘Best thing,’ said Margaret.

At half five Margaret was ready for her meet with Mahoney. ‘Have fun,’ grinned Roxie as she left. ‘Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.’

‘Leave it out,’ said Margaret, smiling in spite of herself.

‘We still on for London tomorrow?’

‘That’s right,’ said Mags. ‘I need to pick some stuff up from the flat first.’

‘Well don’t be late back then, we should get going early’

‘A drink,’ sighed Margaret, ‘that’s all it is. Intelligence gathering. I’ll be back before you know it.’

Roxie just waved, cheekily.

Mahoney was already at the pub when Margaret parked up, sitting outside at a table by the water’s edge – a pint in front of him and a cigarette burning between his fingers. ‘Didn’t know you smoked,’ said Margaret as she joined him at the wooden table.

‘On and off. I’m just a social smoker. What are you drinking?’

‘White wine,’ she replied, and he stubbed out the
cigarette
and went into the pub.

When he got back and she had her drink, he said. ‘Who’d’ve guessed it would happen. Can’t even have a fag at the bar these days.’

‘Not like the old days in the CID,’ said Margaret. ‘Smoke so thick you couldn’t see across the room.’

‘Happy days.’

‘You don’t look happy.’

‘I’m not. This is a major case now. DCI involved. Super on the prowl. All the way up to the Chief Constable. We don’t have that many murders in Guildford. Not this kind anyway. Some stupid kid with a knife stabs another stupid kid in a row over a DVD, and the little sod bleeds to death. Or some fisty husband going too far. Nothing like this. I’m no longer in charge. Just another face in the crowd from now on.’

‘I doubt you’d ever be just a face in the crowd Mahoney.’

‘Michael. Mike. And are you flirting with me?’

‘Don’t know. It’s been ages since I’ve had a good flirt.’

‘Me too,’ he said, looking at her with a half smile.

‘No Mrs Mike then?’

‘No. Nor likely to be. No girlfriend. In fact I’ve only been in Guildford for a few months. Transferred from Aldershot.’

‘That must have been fun. All that time busting squaddies.’

‘That’s about right.’

Margaret decided to get down to business. They were getting off the subject, pleasant though it was. ‘When do you want my statement?’ she asked. ‘About finding Joyce.’

‘Tomorrow morning. I’ve got an early meet with the DCI. Just passing stuff on so it should be over by nine.’

‘Nine it is.’

‘You know where the station is?’

‘What do you think?’ she said. ‘Okay, enough small talk, let’s get down to it. Tell me. Who’s Haywood?’

Mahoney looked surprised and lit another cigarette before answering her question. ‘What do you know about him?’

‘Nothing. Just a name. And what about Antarctic Investments?’

‘You have been doing your homework. Why do you want to know all this?’

‘I’m a copper, remember? Just names to me too.’

‘I’m interested. Fancy something to eat? There’s a decent Chinese by the bridge.’

‘Why not? I’ve got nothing else to do.’

‘I’ve heard more enthusiasm, but never mind. Drink up then, and we’ll go.’

36

Once seated in the restaurant with a bottle of wine and food ordered, Mahoney turned to Mags. ‘You’re
determined
to stick your nose into this aren’t you? Nothing I can say will convince you?’

‘Wouldn’t you? Considering what’s happened.’

‘Probably. But you don’t know what you’re getting into.’

‘Do you?’

‘I shouldn’t be telling you anything. You’re on
suspension
. And you’re too close to this case.’

‘Come on Mahoney. Shit or get off the pot.’

‘It’s Mike, and you coppers from the Met certainly have a turn of phrase.’

‘You ain’t heard nothing yet. Come on, Mike. You know I’ll find out one way or another so let’s just get on with it shall we? The only thing I want to know is who wants to hurt my family like this?’

‘So I imagine. OK, it’s early days yet and all we have to go on is Mr Smith’s palm top and a load of papers
strewn around his office. I’ve got a DC on them, but so far they seem just to refer to the tax returns of half of Guildford’s wealthy self employed. Architects, actors, singers, you know the sort.’

‘I can’t see a local architects cutting Joyce’s throat over some overpaid tax, can you?’

He shook his head as the waiter delivered their starters. ‘No. How long had Mr Smith been in business here?’

‘Fifteen years, give or take.’

‘Nice house, nice cars, kids at private school. He didn’t get that sort of lifestyle sorting out punters earning the average wage did he?’

‘I never thought about it.’

‘Didn’t you?’

‘No. Straight up. Monty was dedicated to his family as far as I knew. And besides I was up in London. I visited for birthdays and sometimes Christmas, but I had a different kind of life from them. You know what it’s like in CID. You’re married to the job.’

‘Someone’s going to need to talk to your sister soon.’

‘She thought she might take the kids to Monty’s mother’s place for a bit.’

‘Where’s that?’

‘Norfolk.’

‘Good idea, but she’ll need to be interviewed first.’

‘Take it easy with her, will you? She’s vulnerable.’

‘Might not be me. Female officer probably. We’re not totally heartless.’

‘No, you’re not.’

They dug into the food and the evening passed
effortlessly
.

When they were finishing their after-dinner coffees, Margaret said, ‘Listen, I’m going up to London tomorrow after I’ve given you my statement. I’ll be honest. I’m going to do some digging around.’

Mahoney shook his head. ‘I don’t like it, but I suppose I can’t stop you.’

‘No you can’t. You’re lucky that I even told you that.’

‘Just promise me you’ll be careful, and if you turn anything up please ring me immediately,’ said Mahoney, looking worried.

‘So you do have some faith in me?’

‘That’s right. But what I’ve heard about you tells me you just might pull something out of the bag.’ ‘Which wouldn’t do your career any harm if I did – and happened to tell you all about it. But remember Mike, one hand washes the other. A favour for a favour.’

‘You can trust me, I hope you know that.’

‘Now, it’s been a lovely evening. Especially after what I saw today. But it’s time for bed.’

Mahoney raised an eyebrow.

‘Alone. Do you want to split the bill?’

‘No, this is on me. You can pay next time.’

‘If there is a next time,’ she said, raising one eyebrow.

‘Here’s hoping then,’ he said, and gestured to the waiter.

‘I’ll leave you to it then,’ said Margaret. ‘See you in the morning.’

‘I’ll look forward to it.’

Margaret got up, collected her things and shook his hand. ‘Drive carefully,’ he said. ‘And remember what I said, these people don’t care who they hurt,’ he said as she turned to leave.

‘Don’t worry about me,’ said Margaret, ‘I’m a Doyle, and we look after our own.’