The Lipstick Killers

there’ll be no comeback to you?’
    ‘I’m not just a pretty face,’ he said.
    Not even that, she thought, but bit her tongue. ‘Right,’ she said. ‘Thanks again. I might need some more help though. If you’re up for it,’ she said, forcing herself to speak flirtatiously.
    ‘I think I can manage that.’
    ‘Cheers then. See you.’
    ‘You can count on that. See you gorgeous.’
    * * *
     
    In the office of Roger Haywood, on the top floor of a glass and steel monstrosity overlooking Kensington Gardens, the CEO of Haywood Properties and Antarctic Holdings was not a happy man. Nor were the two members of his staff who were standing in front of his desk. ‘He’s got our money and you killed him,’ said Haywood. ‘That wasn’t very bright was it?’ The flash of his steely blue eyes belied his calm tone.
    ‘Not personally sir,’ said the older of the pair, a sharply and expensively-suited man in his late thirties, with fair hair.
    ‘I know you wouldn’t get your hands dirty Peter,’ said Haywood. ‘But it’s still down to you.’
    ‘It was only supposed to put the frighteners on him,’ said the other man; younger, also immaculately dressed in a dark suit.
    ‘Well I’m sure it did that,’ said Haywood. ‘It broke his bloody neck as far as I can make out.’
    ‘So what do we do?’ asked Peter.
    ‘We get the money back of course. I know Smith was dipping into it. That’s a given. We factor that into our profit margin. But what’s ours is ours, and I want it under my control. Bloody accountants. They’re more devious than a barrow load of monkeys. That secretary of his, I bet she knows where the bodies are buried. They always do. The wives don’t know shit but the secretaries run the show. Give her a tug, and get the cash back. Then deal with her.’
    ‘What happens if she doesn’t play?’ Peter asked.
    ‘Then get bloody serious. Come on Peter, you’re head of security and she’s an old woman. You know which way the ball bounces. Now get out, the pair of you, and leave me in peace.’
    The two men turned and left, closing the door gently behind them.

28
     
     
     
    The inquest the next day was a solemn affair, but went pretty much as Margaret had anticipated. The sisters were all there as they’d left Peter and Susan in the charge of the neighbour again. The case was adjourned after DI Mahoney gave the details of the accident as he knew them, the truck driver who had seen Monty’s car veer off the road gave his evidence, and the police expert, when questioned about the brakes on the Jaguar, could only say that there was a problem with the servo and that the loss of fluid had caused the crash. When the coroner asked if it was possible that the brakes had been tampered with on purpose, the expert would only answer, ‘Yes sir.’
    At that, the reporter from the Guildford Star hurriedly left the court.
    It was also noted in court that Monty’s alcohol level was over the legal limit.
    Afterwards, Mahoney buttonholed Margaret and pulled her away from the family. ‘We found the number of a hotel in Lovedean in Mr Smith’s BlackBerry,’ he said. ‘We checked with the hotel and it appears that he attended a business and dinner meeting there on the night he died.’
    Margaret just nodded. She’d been well trained in giving nothing away.
    ‘Funny thing is, it seems we weren’t the only people interested in that particular meeting.’
    ‘Is that right?’
    ‘Two young women were asking about a venue for an engagement party, and seemed to know all about the meeting held there two nights earlier.’
    ‘An engagement, that’s a happy occasion, so I hear. I hope they have a good time,’ said Mags, sweetly.
    ‘Funnily enough the contact number they left was false, and the one asking all the questions fitted your description perfectly. And the other could be your sister.’ He nodded over in Roxie’s direction. ‘Unfortunately the CCTV was on the blink, otherwise that could have been a very interesting bit of viewing.’
    ‘Fancy that,’ Margaret started to say, but was cut off by Mahoney.
    ‘Don’t piss me about Miss Doyle.’
    ‘ Sergeant Doyle.’
    ‘Not at the moment, and never again if you interfere in a police investigation.’
    ‘You’ve got me bang to rights Inspector .’
    ‘Listen. I know this is a bad time for you and your family, so I’m prepared to overlook the matter. But tell me, and tell me the truth. Is there anything else you’re keeping from me?’