‘I don’t see any banners for Ella Watson, Shaz.’

‘And you won’t unless they lower themselves and get over here. Anyway, the policewoman called me to try and make up for that shambles last night. She said she had nothing to do with it, so I told her about those two coppers knocking on your door.’

‘So I should expect a visit from her then?’

‘You got nothing to hide, Guns. I’ll speak for you, you know that.’

‘Thanks, Shaz. I was going to ask for your help with something. What makes you trust this policewoman?’

‘Because, as far as I can tell, she’s putting as much into investigating Keira’s death as she is into the posh woman’s.’

‘How about if I told you I know where Tyrone is, and he didn’t do it. I swear on my life.’

‘Why doesn’t he turn himself in then and tell the policewoman that?’

Jackson raised his eyebrows. ‘Come on, Shaz, you know the answer to that.’

‘The Cotton brothers? Why is he scared of those little shits? I’m not.’

‘He’s not you, Shaz. And by the way, you should be scared of them, you stupid cow.’ He punched her arm gently. ‘Thing is, he’s being set up.’

‘And you believe him?’

‘I know it because I’m the one who’s been asked to arrange it. The two sides are playing off against one another and I’m in the middle.’

‘Sounds like a proper set-up. Who the hell are you talking about?’

‘The police and the Cotton brothers. I haven’t worked it out yet, but they both want the same thing.’

‘You think they’re responsible for killing my Keira?’

Jackson nodded.

‘The police?’

‘Bent coppers who want to cover up the real reason that posh woman was killed, working with Jason Cotton, who I’m sure is an informer.’

‘No way! You’re joking.’

‘Why, Shaz?’

‘Informers are stupid! All they’re interested in is selling fake information. The Cotton brothers wouldn’t talk to the police!’

Jackson was about to tell her that he himself worked as a criminal informant, but he changed his mind.

‘I’m not talking about the regular police, I’m talking about a select few individuals who are on the take themselves. I think Keira got in the way. Tyrone said she had to keep her mouth shut about something.’

‘The solicitor.’

‘What?’ Jackson asked.

‘She was seeing a solicitor in Manchester.’

‘Why?’

‘I have no idea.’

‘Well, let’s find out.’

Chapter 31

Kelly read the forensic report from Tyrone Fenton’s flat. The team had gone over the place on their hands and knees, swabbing, spraying, photographing and, finally, bagging and tagging.