There was a pause as Kask reviewed his strategy. Hawkins noted that the garage owner didn’t even glance at his brief, revealing a man that dealt with his own problems. Or one that didn’t trust the British legal system. Either way, the kind of person who might obey, rather than report, those who threatened his family.

And exactly the kind of person they might target.

Obviously, Mike’s revelation the previous night, that the racket was being run by a major drug gang, meant Kask was probably telling the truth. He didn’t know she knew that, of course, and she wasn’t about to tell him.

If this didn’t work, their next option was to go through the phone records of everyone who worked at the garage. Aaron was already working on various service providers, but some were faster than others at salvaging data. Plus, the evidence retrievable from a mobile phone, while indisputable, had its limitations. They needed Kask on side.

But he still wasn’t talking.

She contained her frustration. ‘I have to say I’m surprised by your loyalty to these people. They hijack your business, force you to break the law; jeopardize everything you’ve worked for. How much further are you prepared to let this go?’

Kask’s eyebrows dipped slightly as she spoke, but he held her gaze. ‘It is not loyalty. It is only way to protect my family.’

‘Really?’ Hawkins glanced at the duty solicitor. ‘This started two months ago, and their opening offer was to hurt your children if you didn’t comply. Now one of your staff is dead. If these people are responsible, why would they think twice about doing the same thing to you or your kids?’

‘Because I do what they ask.’

‘And Joel Kowalski didn’t?’

Kask looked away. ‘I don’t know.’

She pushed. ‘If you give me names, we can get these men.’

The garage owner’s chest rose and fell several times. He still wouldn’t meet her eye. Still didn’t speak.

But he was wavering.

Hawkins capitalized. ‘You could go back to running your business, allow your staff to earn a decent wage; stop worrying about whether your kids will make it home from school.’ She leaned closer. ‘Just tell me who these people are.’

More silence.

Hawkins let it stretch, sitting back in her chair. Convincing Kask they were on his side was definitely the way to go. So far, the soft approach was keeping his solicitor quiet, while the Estonian’s expression suggested he was on the verge of giving them the information they needed.

She even had time to let the strategy play.