Kingston opened his desk drawer and took out what Jane thought was a newspaper and handed it to her.
‘This is the latest issue of Exchange & Mart — it’s full of new and used motors of all makes and sizes.’
Jane shook her head. ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’
‘Because you’re a woman, and you let your boyfriends, husbands or fathers buy cars for you,’ he said with a smirk.
She laughed. ‘I’ll have you know I bought my car all on my own, thank you.’
‘Which explains the color. Can I see your notes again, please?’
She handed them to him.
‘What are your feelings about the man in the camel hair coat?’ he asked.
‘On the face of it, the conversation M1 had with him didn’t suggest they were talking about a robbery. It could have been something to do with a business deal, and the envelope he gave to M1 could have contained a contract or something like that.’
He looked at Jane’s notes. ‘Agreed, but M1 wouldn’t show M2 the contents of the envelope and said something to do with “champagne and caviar for life.” If they were to commit a massive robbery it would set them up for life — and you have to wonder why M1 was so guarded about the envelope and wouldn’t open it in the cafe if it was just a business contract.’
‘Do you think it might have contained plans for a robbery?’
‘If the men in the cafe were involved in yesterday’s botched job, they could be planning another one to make up for it.’
‘Does that mean I can make further enquiries about them?’ Jane asked.
‘Murphy will have to make that decision, but as far as I’m concerned the answer’s yes.’
‘I’m not exactly his flavor of the month.’
‘I can’t see how he can ignore your information — especially as it’s the only lead we’ve got that’s worth pursuing so far. You’ve got the weekend to do some more digging—’
‘Katie told me that Murphy said I was to take the weekend off.’
‘On the basis of what you’ve uncovered so far I’m authorizing you to work it.’
‘Can I have that in writing?’
‘I’m sticking my neck out for you as it is. You need to firm up what you’ve got so far and keep digging for more if you want to convince Murphy to put a surveillance team on Ripley and O’Reilly.’
‘I could go to the snooker hall and have a snoop around.’
He laughed. ‘No offence, Jane, but you’d stand out like a sore thumb — snooker halls are men’s dens.’
‘What about using Dabs? He said he plays snooker for the Met team.’
‘That’s not a bad idea — he’s a short-arse and doesn’t look like Old Bill. For now, just keep what you’ve told me between the two of us. Get someone else on the team to help you with your enquiries.’
‘Teflon helped me this morning when I first went to Broadwater Farm. Can I use him and maybe Cam as well if I need him?’
‘I’m fine with Teflon, but Cam’s a driver, not a detective. You can use him to make phone enquiries if you want.’
‘Will you be telling Murphy they’re assisting me?’
‘Stop worrying about what Murphy thinks, just do your job and let’s see what else you might uncover before we talk to Murphy on Monday. The more ammo you’ve got to fire at him, the more difficult it’ll be for him to ignore you.’
‘I doubt he’ll agree with me on anything.’
‘I’ll back you up.’
‘Do you think he might authorize making some arrests and searching their homes — and the snooker hall?’
‘I doubt he’d go as far as arrests at the moment. Sadly Barclays informed us the cash that was stolen is untraceable and there’s no solid evidence that the men in the cafe were responsible for the Leytonstone job. If they’re planning another robbery, Murphy will want to nick them on the pavement with the goods in their grubby little hands.’
‘Is it worth me taking Rachel to the Criminal Records Office at the Yard to look through the mugshot albums?’
‘I’d hold off on that for now. Thomas Ripley’s mugshot is twenty years old and if she failed to pick him out it wouldn’t help the investigation. She’s seen M1 and M2 regularly in the cafe, so identifying them from surveillance photos won’t be a problem.’
‘The cafe owner had an advert in the window for a waitress. If he took me on, and Rachel’s in the cafe, she could give me the nod when the men we’re interested in come in. I could nip out the back, radio the surveillance unit, then we’d know exactly who to photograph and follow when they leave.’
‘You ever done any undercover work?’
‘I was a decoy for a serial rapist. He attacked me, but I still managed to arrest him. And I was a waitress in my school holidays, so I know how to act the part.’
He rubbed his chin. ‘It’s risky, and I can’t make that decision, Jane. I’d need to run it by Murphy first.’
‘Thanks for your support, Stewart.’
‘Keep up the good work and Murphy will have to change his mind about you.’ He looked at his watch. ‘You fancy discussing this further over a quick drink in the pub?’
‘I would, but I’ve still got to write up today’s report.’
‘Do it over the weekend, you’ve had a busy day and deserve a drink.’
‘All right, but just a quick one.’
‘We use the Prince of Wales — it’s just down the road by the river. I’ll drive if you want.’
‘I’ll take my car, then I can head off home from there as it’s en route. What about Katie?’
‘What’s she done now?’ He sighed.
‘Nothing, I just wondered if she’d like to join us.’
‘Have you told her what you told me?’
‘Not everything. She only knows that Rachel Wilson is deaf and lip-read what was said — plus I gave her a couple of the names to do PNC checks on.’
Kingston ran his finger around the collar of his shirt.
‘It’s not that I don’t trust Katie, but she can be a bit of a rumor-monger. I’m worried that if we discuss the case in front of her, she might say something to Murphy. It’s probably best to tell her that you’re going home... and I’ll do the same.’
‘I don’t like to be underhand. We could discuss it now and then ask Katie if she’d like to join us.’
Kingston looked a little annoyed. ‘What else is there you need to tell me?’
‘Rachel said the man Tommy wore a pendant round his neck with gold boxing gloves on it. As you were a boxer, I wondered if that type of thing was an award of some sort?’
‘I doubt it. Usually you get a cup or a championship winner’s belt. I’ve seen boxing glove pendants, but it doesn’t actually mean he’s a boxer.’
‘I was just thinking, maybe if I speak to Nick over the weekend, and he’s agreeable to me working as a waitress, then I could start Monday morning—’
‘There’s no rush, Jane. If Murphy approves it on Monday, we could start the surveillance on Tuesday.’
‘Rachel said she’s only ever seen M1 and M2 in the cafe together on a Monday or Friday. Why waste three days on an observation when we could identify them in one? We could put a surveillance team on them, get some good photographs and maybe ID their associates.’
He thought about it. ‘Speak to Nick when the place is closed. If you think he’s as trustworthy as Kevin Bottomley says, ask him if a couple of officers can use his upstairs flat as an observation point until we can find a single OP that overlooks both the cafe and the snooker hall.’
‘Is that a yes for me to start waitressing on Monday if Nick agrees?’
He shook his head. ‘No, I’m on duty over the weekend and Murphy’s off. You can keep me updated and I’ll decide on the next course of action. Anything else you want to talk about?’
‘No, that’s all I can think of for now.’