Free Death on Account (The Lakeland Murders) by J J Salkeld Page B

on to spot our man at the airport as yet.’
    ‘I see.’ Dixon knew Hall well enough to give him a bit of thinking time. What he said was usually worth waiting for. ‘If we can’t give Tony a decent picture of our man I suppose he’s right. Is there any chance that we could get one though?’
    ‘From the CCTV that the X5 turns up in? There’s always a chance, but I doubt it. And when our cheese-wire merchant was on foot in town he didn’t pass a single camera, whether by accident or design we don’t know.’
    Hall nodded. ‘It’s a bugger, that. I wonder if Tony had the bins checked?’
    ‘The bins, boss?’
    ‘The ones in the airport, between when you come in and when you go airside.’
    ‘We can’t ask him to check the prints on everything boss, even if the bins haven’t been emptied. I bet they get emptied out multiple times a day anyway, for security like.’
    ‘I wasn’t thinking of prints, the weapon maybe? Or something else, a phone, the keys to the BMW even. Was it nicked with the keys do you know?’
    ‘Yes, it was. The old fishing pole through the letterbox routine. Do you want me to ask him to try it, have the bins checked?’
    ‘Maybe ask him if he could ask airport security if they can suggest anything that might help?’
    ‘Will do, boss, but don’t get your hope up.’
    ‘I never do, Ray, especially when it comes to persuading you to make a brew.’
    ‘Is that a hint?’
    ‘No. I need to round up Jane and get off to Williams’ house. Let’s see what our white-coated wonders have turned up.’
    ‘Just dandruff and a ring round the bath I expect, boss.’
    ‘We missed your sunny, optimistic personality while you were off sick, Ray. How long ‘til you retire is it again? Just to the nearest day will do.’
    Dixon laughed. ‘You know what, boss, but the nearer it gets the less I want to count down the days.’
    ‘Bloody hell, Ray. Whatever next? You’ll be the founding member of the Val Gorham appreciation society before we know it.’
    ‘Now that will never happen’ Dixon said, and his vehemence surprised Hall. If he’d had the time he’d have wondered what had got into DC Dixon all of a sudden.
     
    After a bit of detective work Andy Hall found Jane Francis in one of the conference rooms with Gill and Alison. As soon as he walked in he realised it would be awkward. So he stood there, mute, until Jane introduced him.
    ‘This is DI Andy Hall, he’s our SIO, and I expect he’s come to sweep me off my feet. Isn’t that right boss?’
    That didn’t make Hall feel any better. He mumbled something, and backed out of the room.
     
    Twenty minutes later Hall and Jane Francis arrived at Williams’ house. Tonto was still there, talking to a couple of colleagues who were standing at the back of a big, unmarked van. It was getting warm again, and Tonto was drinking a can of fizzy drink.
    ‘Rots your teeth’ said Hall.
    ‘So do carrots.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘Probably. Possibly. I avoid all vegetables, just to be on the safe side.’
    ‘So can we go in?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Do we need to suit up?’
    ‘No, contaminate away. We’re all done.’
    ‘Anything of interest?’
    ‘No signs of forced entry, and none of the prints we lifted have matched the database, except for Williams himself of course. And a right little charmer he was too, looking at his previous. If I didn’t know better I’d guess that he was our killer.’
    ‘I wish. OK, thanks. Anything else?’
    ‘Not really. He’d had company recently, probably Monday night, there’s prints we can’t identify on a glass by the sink. The one next to it has his prints on. Traces of Bourbon in both. That seems to have been his tipple.’
    ‘Have you sent the other glass off for DNA?’
    ‘Can do, if you want. We’re done here, so just lock up when you go would you. I don’t think Mr. Williams will be coming back.’
     
     
    Hall and Jane Francis stepped cautiously into the house. They both noticed the silence, timeless