They walked along swigging from their bottles, then threw them aside to gather with all the other bits of rubbish lying at the side of the road. They crossed to a dark alleyway and went into it. Beyond that was an abandoned industrial estate. It had once housed a paper factory as well as a shoe outlet. The buildings were in a sorry state, with doors missing and windows smashed. It was a favourite hangout for junkies, though not all the rooms were used by them. The smackheads tended to gather in huddles to keep warm, and it was the upper offices that they monopolised. The brothers headed for the car park to the rear, where a vehicle waited for them.

They didn’t know his name, only his face and his voice. And his hands. They were always clean and looked manicured, and they stayed on the steering wheel. He never got out of the car; he just gave them verbal instructions and packages. Occasionally he’d accept a request from the brothers and say he’d look into it. But the relationship revolved around mutual convenience. The police stayed away from the estate, and in return, the brothers tidied up here and there. As they’d done with Keira Bradley.

‘You fucked up, boys. Who killed the woman in the park?’

‘What woman in the park?’ Jason played the cocky ignoramus. Adam remained quiet.

‘It’s all over the fucking news!’

‘We don’t listen to the news.’

‘Find out. She was jogging in Potton Park and she was stabbed to death. I want names. Coppers are going to be swarming all over this place, so you better be careful. Was it clean?’

‘Yup.’

‘Good. When you were told to make it two, you should have done your fucking homework. This changes everything. Take this and plant it on somebody, anybody; just get it done. Remember to unpack it carefully.’

Jason took a black bag from the man and shoved it under his jumper. The window went up and the car drove off. He used a different vehicle every time.

‘Google that woman,’ said Jason. Adam got his phone out.

‘Fucking hell.’ He read out the details and looked at his brother.

‘Do you know anything about this, Adam?’

‘What?’

‘Don’t fucking piss me around, fam. If you’re involved, I’ll fuck you over. I know that face. You better do as he says and get that over to Tyrone. Here.’ Jason passed the black bag to his brother and walked away.

Chapter 13