Page 69 of Twisted Lies

‘It’s not the style of a crime family to track down, torture and kill a man who snitched and put their main players away for a few years?’

‘Not this particular family. Gratuitous violence isn’t their style. I’m not saying they’re averse to making people disappear, but that’s how they do it: quietly, covertly and with no links back to themselves.’

‘How many times these guys been put away?’

‘This was their first stretch.’

‘So it’s safe to say they might be willing to make an exception on the manner of death for someone who cost them a shitload of money and put them in the slammer?’ Kim pushed.

‘It’s too showy, too flamboyant for the Tylers. It’s not how they do things.’

Kim nodded towards Penn, who made a note to investigate further.

‘So you were their sole protection against a renowned gang of criminals with limitless resources, who wanted Keith Phipps dead, and you chose to leave the family alone to identify the body and collect the boys from school?’

Leanne raised one eyebrow. ‘Inspector, the moment Keith Phipps was late coming home, a second protection officer was installed in the flat above the chippy at the end of the road. At no time was the family left alone.’

Kim was relieved to hear it.

‘Well, one thing is for definite,’ Kim said, ‘we need access to Diane and the boys. Now we really do need to establish if they saw or heard anything suspicious in the days leading up to—’

‘They didn’t,’ Leanne said. ‘They’ve all been questioned extensively and none of them saw or heard anything.’

‘Forgive me if I choose not to take your word for it. I’d prefer to question them myself.’

‘I can’t help you,’ Leanne said, opening her hands.

‘Did your special training cover how to obstruct a murder investigation at every opportunity?’

‘No,’ she said, showing no emotion at all. ‘I can’t help you because I no longer know where they are.’

Fifty-Six

‘So they’ve been moved to a different borough?’ Stacey asked.

‘Probably,’ Leanne said with a disinterested shrug.

‘And their names will change again?’ Penn asked.

‘I don’t know,’ Leanne snapped. ‘Are you lot bloody stupid?’

‘Leanne, a word outside if you don’t mind,’ Kim said, striding the aisle that separated the four desks.

Kim came to a halt about ten feet away from the door. Leanne followed with her hands thrust deeply into her pockets.

‘Right, let’s get one thing straight here. I couldn’t give two shits about your attitude towards me. I’ve made it as plain as the scowl on your face that I’m not your biggest fan, but do not treat my team with the contempt you think they deserve. They’ve been nothing but courteous to you and don’t deserve the disdain oozing from your pores.’

Her face reddened. ‘How dare you try to control how—’

‘Shut up and listen. It’s your whole demeanour. You’ve assessed their importance to you and discarded their input. I can see it in your face. You’re not used to being part of a team, I know that, but you still get to use the good manners I’m pretty sure you still possess.’

Leanne’s expression told her she was not particularly receptive to the advice being offered.

‘Okay, I do not need your assistance enough to tolerate your rudeness to my team. If you can cast your mind back to your initial police training, you’ll recall that we don’t much like folks being tortured and killed. That team in there will work day and night until we catch the bastard responsible. If you can help us without the attitude, great. If not, piss off,’ Kim said, striding back into the squad room.

She’d either follow or she wouldn’t.

By the time Kim had poured a coffee, Leanne was back at the spare desk.