Read Online Seizure by Nick Oldham - Free Book Online

Henry had tended to believe Last’s denials. But no longer. There was just something . Henry rolled forward. ‘Home all day?’ he said sarcastically.
    â€˜That’s right.’
    Henry allowed himself a half-smile, one not captured on tape because the camera was recording the back of his head. Last saw the smile, as did his solicitor.
    â€˜I want to talk to my client,’ the brief said, entering the conversation for the first time since introducing himself for the benefit of the tape. ‘I think we’ve reached a suitable juncture . . . gentlemen?’
    The guy’s name was Baron. He had trailed all the way from his practice office in Rochdale to represent Last. He was a squat, powerful-looking individual with a severe haircut that made him look more like an SAS trooper than a man of the law. Most were soft and pudgy in Henry’s experience, but Baron had the feel of a cougar.
    â€˜OK,’ Henry said. Rik brought the interview to a halt.
    â€˜Thoughts?’ Henry said. He and Rik were in the canteen on the top floor of Blackpool Police Station, sipping coffee, eating bacon sandwiches. The detectives interviewing Last’s partner, Jack Sumner, were still at it, but by all accounts getting nowhere.
    â€˜Not much for us to go on if he sticks to his story.’
    Henry nodded sagely, as superintendents are known to do when they have a head full of nothingness but would like people to think different. ‘At first I believed him, then there was a twitch when you mentioned his whereabouts. A smidgen of doubt.’
    â€˜I saw it.’
    â€˜OK. There still officers at his house?’ Henry wanted to know. Rik nodded. ‘Contact someone there and get them knocking on neighbours’ doors. See if anyone can cast a light on Last’s comings and goings yesterday. If he’s going to stick to his story, let’s shove it up his arse if he is lying. Do we have someone there who could do that?’
    â€˜Yeah. I’ll sort it now.’
    â€˜I’m also conscious the clock’s ticking, so I might be looking at releasing these guys and doing some more work on them. And I want that surveillance operation back on them twenty-four seven from the moment they step out of custody. My authorization.’
    â€˜I’ll sort that, too.’
    â€˜So unless they change their stories in the next three hours, or something turns up from the neighbours, both of which I doubt, let’s bail them to come back here in a fortnight. Then we should also be somewhere down the line with the guns and the drugs, if nothing else.’
    â€˜We could keep them in custody based on what we found in their homes,’ Rik said.
    â€˜Maybe we’ll do that next time.’ Henry smiled dangerously. ‘In the meantime, let’s give them enough rope and see if they hang themselves . . .’
    Flynn was sweating profusely, but the hard work was paying off. Lady Faye was looking as good as new. He stood erect, his knees and back aching, and surveyed the deck. It was midday and he was disappointed the boat wasn’t up for charter because he was raring to get out on the ocean again and hook into some marlin. The sales kiosk further down the quayside had already turned away three half-day charters – good money – and they’d gone to other boats in the marina. Flynn was tempted to take Faye out himself for a couple of hours, maybe dispose of the rifle at the same time.
    He squinted across the quay and spotted Gill Hartland approaching, accompanied by a man Flynn didn’t immediately recognize. She was talking animatedly, gesturing towards the boat in a way which gave Flynn a queasy feeling. A sensation that increased tenfold to almost vomit level when he noticed another group of people behind Gill clambering out of a hire van.
    Flynn could make out the logo on the sides of some aluminium suitcases being unloaded from the vehicle by these other folks