With the coppers rarely coming to the estate now, the area was essentially independent from the law. The gang leaders were the law, and justice was served as they saw fit. Even if a crime was reported to the cops – which rarely happened – they’d find no evidence. It was in the constabulary’s best interest to leave the place alone. Attempts at interfering in estate matters would result in fucking up police achievement targets, so they stayed away. Patrol cars stuck to the edges and avoided the roads leading into the heart of the territory. There had been an investigation into a stabbing last month, but the victim had refused to press charges. Most events went unreported anyhow. Victims got patched up in bedrooms, away from the traceable computer hard drives in hospital. Some died. They weren’t missed.

As soon as he’d received and offloaded the package, he’d crawl into bed and sleep straight for twelve hours. Tomorrow he had stuff to do.

Chapter 5

Kelly and Ted walked together across the park in the direction of the Beacon Estate. She took the call from Rob and nodded. Then she hung up and turned to Ted.

‘The husband is suitably devastated.’

‘They always are.’

‘Not always. Remember Chris Watts? Colorado? Killed his pregnant wife and two young daughters?’

‘Ah yes, fiddled with his mobile phone and got more animated about the TV remote than the disappearance of his family.’

‘Yep. Sometimes they act too much.’

‘So, in this case?’

‘I sent two officers who are top notch. They read character excellently. Their hunch is that he’s genuine. I’ll know more when we bring him in.’

They walked on, taking their time to look around them.

‘If it was me, I’d come this way rather than risk getting caught at the park entrance. They would have been able to hear the fitness trainer shouting too, so would have needed to go in the opposite direction.’

Ted agreed.

The sky was becoming dark; it was almost four o’clock. DC Hide had also informed Kelly that Thomas Watson had agreed to identify Ella’s body once he’d seen his children. It was a laborious and often frustrating process. The body had to be moved to the mortuary – signed off by Ted – then the next-of-kin had to be transported there and accompanied, and given time to say goodbye. It didn’t always go to plan. Kelly’s gut told her to be there when Thomas Watson went to the hospital. Until that time, Ella would be placed in cold storage. Before her husband went in, he’d also have to be informed that he wouldn’t be allowed to touch her until after the autopsy. This was always the single worst thing – and there were plenty – about a murder inquiry of a loved one.