‘I think the reason they’ve managed to come through it is because they have each other,’ Jane said. ‘Would you like me to make some enquiries about the uncle?’ she added.
‘No, pass on all the details to Tottenham CID and they can see what he’s up to. Our priority now is the Ripley brothers and the other Securicor van robbery suspects.’
‘Yes, sir. Rachel did these drawings of the Ripley brothers and the suspect named Carl.’
She got them out of her bag and handed them to Murphy.
‘Bloody hell, these are detailed. Make a load of copies for the surveillance operation.’
He handed them back to her.
‘Are you happy for Rachel to continue using the Bluebird cafe?’ she asked.
‘Yes, I want her to continue lip-reading what our suspects say, then report back to you.’
‘Will you be using her as a prosecution witness if we get to trial?’ Teflon asked, knowing it was a concern for Jane.
‘Not if I can help it. She’s a reliable source of information, but I don’t want her facing some obnoxious defense barrister who’s going to attack her honesty. I’ve called the squad back in for a meeting about the surveillance operation, so let me know when everyone’s in.’
Jane and Teflon turned to leave.
‘One other thing, Tennison.’
She turned, steeling herself for another rebuke.
‘I want you working undercover in the Bluebird from tomorrow, OK?’
‘Thank you, sir. I’ll get my old waitress uniform out of the wardrobe.’ She smiled.
‘Don’t go overboard. Now go get that Jones report done.’
As she walked back into the office, Cam called out to her.
‘A DS Boon from West End Central called this morning while you were out.’
‘Did he leave a message?’
‘Yeah, he just said that the complainant in a case you were interested in withdrew their allegation and there’ll be no further action against the suspect.’
‘Thanks, Cam,’ Jane said, suppressing her delight.
She got straight on the phone and Pam answered.
‘Have you heard the good news?’
‘Yes, DS Boon called Tony. The woman changed her mind and said she didn’t want to press charges or give evidence.’
‘Tony’s learned a lesson, Pam — albeit the hard way. How’s it going between you?’
‘We’re getting there, and we won’t be breaking up.’
‘I’m pleased for you both. I’ve got to go as I’m in the office.’
She ended the call and phoned Nick at the Bluebird cafe. She was relieved to find he was still happy for her to work as a waitress. She asked if she should wear a waitress’ outfit and he laughed, telling her it wasn’t the Ritz. She should just wear jeans and a T-shirt, and he would give her an apron.
She then went to speak to Cam, who was sitting at Katie’s desk doing some of her paperwork.
‘I was just wondering if that PC you spoke to at Wood Green about Mehmet Osman mentioned anything about his brother Asil?’
‘No. Why do you ask?’
‘Emma Wilson said he was involved in her father’s criminal activities before going back to Cyprus, but he’s come back to London claiming to be a successful fruit exporter.’
‘Drugs, more like. I’ll ring the PC and see what I can dig up.’
‘If you don’t mind, that’d be great.’
‘Looks like I’m going to be stuck driving Katie’s desk for a while. She’s gone sick.’
‘What’s wrong with her?’
‘Apparently she had a big bust-up with her boyfriend over Kingston. I reckon she’s too embarrassed to come in.’
‘Sorry to hear that... Is Kingston in his office?’
‘He’s been in it all day — looks like he’s spent the night there.’
‘Does he know about Fiona Simpson’s death?’
Cam nodded. ‘I told him after Teflon called it in.’
‘How’d he take it?’
‘He seemed quite shocked. He was at the pub yesterday evening talking to her about going to the Yard.’
‘He told you he was at the pub?’
‘Yes, why?’
‘We were trying to find out who else was working behind the bar... so he might know.’
Jane went to her desk and sat down. She started typing her report, then stopped.
‘It’s now or never,’ she said to herself, getting up.
She knocked on Kingston’s office door and put her head around.
‘I just wanted to talk to you about Fiona Simpson.’
‘Sure, come in. I heard you and Teflon found her body.’
‘Yes. Paul Lawrence is examining the scene and arranging a post mortem for this afternoon.’
‘Does he think it’s suspicious?’
‘Too early to say. There were no signs of a struggle at the pub, so she either fell or was pushed down the cellar stairs, probably after changing a barrel. Cam said you were there last night, about her visiting albums.’
‘Yeah, she was keen to do it.’
‘Do you know who was working behind the bar with her?’
‘There was just one other girl while I was there. I think her name was Sarah, but Fiona let her go about half ten as the pub was so quiet.’
She thought about asking Kingston what time he left, but didn’t want to appear over-inquisitive.
‘Lawrence thinks she died around midnight.’
‘Then she must have closed up and been on her own.’
‘Or one of our suspects hid in the pub waiting for everyone to leave.’
‘I left just before closing time and there was only about five people still there. As I recall two of them were young guys playing darts in the saloon bar, and the other three were a group of old boys in their fifties — none of whom looked like our suspects.’
‘I’m probably letting my imagination run away with me,’ she said nervously, still unsure about mentioning Betty.
He tilted his head as he looked at her. ‘What is it you’re not telling me, Jane?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Something’s bothering you, isn’t it?’
‘Nothing’s bothering me.’
‘Do you know about Katie’s boyfriend calling my wife?’
Jane sighed. ‘Yes.’
‘Well, if that’s what you’re worried about, I’ve spoken to Katie and she didn’t tell him about the fight with you.’
‘Her boyfriend should have spoken to you. What he did was a cheap form of revenge.’
‘Maybe, but I doubt Katie did much to try and stop him.’
‘Does Murphy know what happened?’
‘Yes, I told him first thing this morning. He wasn’t exactly pleased, but he was even more pissed off with you about speaking to Abby Jones.’
‘He gave me and Teflon a pocket notebook caution.’
‘You were lucky — if you’d gone there on your own, he would have served you with a 163 disciplinary action. Basically, Teflon saved your bacon.’
Jane couldn’t hold back any longer.
‘I spoke to an elderly woman this morning who was walking past the getaway car before the robbery. She said the driver opened the door and nearly knocked her for six. She saw his face and from her description I believe it’s our suspect Graham Smith.’
Kingston leaned back in his chair and laughed.
‘For fuck’s sake, is that what’s bothering you?’
She frowned. ‘I don’t see what’s so funny. Betty said you never interviewed her, but you told me you did, and that she was an unreliable witness. As far as I can see she’s as bright as a button and the only identification witness we’ve got, now Simpson’s dead and Abby Jones won’t help us.’
‘Fiona Simpson saw what happened from the pub window, so she told me about Betty.’
‘Then why didn’t you mention it in any of the meetings?’
‘Simpson asked me not to use Betty as a witness because she’s elderly and recently lost her husband. I agreed not to unless it was absolutely necessary, so I kept her name out of my report.’