‘Keira had gone to a solicitor about something a very senior police officer was involved in. I think that’s why she was killed. She said he molested her, seven years ago, at a party held somewhere in the Lakes for older men seeking underage girls, some as young as ten. They were picked up off the streets, shipped in, drugged and used for sex. She recognised him from a newspaper when he posed for a charity event. It wasn’t an isolated case; there were hundreds of these parties over the years, and Keira was close to exposing his part in them.’

Jackson sat down heavily on the sofa. ‘I knew Sharon back then. I’d run away from a home, and she took me in. Keira had disappeared, and she was worried sick. When she came back, she had this look in her eyes, and she wasn’t right after that.’

‘Jackson, what is happening here is unprecedented. Stay and help Sharon Bradley rebuild this place. This is your opportunity to give something back.’

He laughed.

‘I know you think it’s bullshit, but I can see it behind your eyes: you believe in people. You’re in a position to make a difference. How does that feel? Has it ever happened before? Are you scared of it?’

‘Fuck’s sake, man! Leave me alone!’ He put his head in his hands. Kelly knelt in front of him and took his hands in hers. He looked up at her.

‘I’m going to be with you every step of the way. This is about looking forward, not back. It’s only a matter of time before we get the Cotton brothers, and we’ve got the evidence we need.’

‘But… I did stuff.’

‘Did you hurt anyone?’

He shook his head.

‘You were a courier?’

He nodded.

‘Couriers get less than three years these days, unless you’re dealing as well, and that should be commuted for your testimony.’

‘You can’t guarantee that.’

‘There are no guarantees for anything. Where’s Tyrone? We need to get you both out of here.’

A door opened, and Tyrone appeared.

Chapter 46

Jordan Watson bought a pasty from one of the corner shops that dotted the Beacon Estate. There weren’t as many as there used to be, not since the Tesco Metro had opened near the main tower block, close to the back entrance to the estate. Jordan was getting to know the layout pretty well.

He followed the crowd, not in a rush to go anywhere in particular, just gathering intelligence on how the estate worked. He knew, like everyone knew, that the police were after the Cotton brothers. He also knew that he had to find them first.