The Lipstick Killers

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