Free Greed: A DI Scott Baker Novel by Jay Nadal Page B

thirty-nine. Known drugs supplier in Brighton and the surrounding area, a very menacing figure as we know. He claimed he was a legit businessman but that never washed with anyone. He owns a small gym called Hardcore in Portland Road, Hove. Built like a brick shithouse, and when he was last nicked, it took six officers to take him down.
    He has convictions for possession of class B, did three years at the age of nineteen. Then convicted at twenty-four, for the supply of Class A including cocaine and ecstasy. Received fourteen years for that, was due out after eight years. However, he was arranging importation of drugs, and as a result, he got a further six years for running a drug smuggling ring inside prison with hidden phones.“
    “A right scroat, then,” Scott replied.
    Abby just nodded and shrugged her shoulders.
    “I’ve spoken to Matt in forensics, and as far as he’s concerned the sample analysis stands good. There’s no chance of error, the DNA profile matches with Stephen Wentworth. So….” Scott paused as he gathered his thoughts.
    “Abby and Mike, I want you to both pull off everything we have on Victims one and two. Get their bank records and phone records. Also get over to Victim two’s house and gym and seize any paperwork, computers, and mobile phones. If there’s anything of interest, get them off to the high tech unit; let’s see what they can pull out for us.
    We need to see if there’s any cross over. They’re both suppliers and would have been known to each other. Let’s see if they were friends or foes ok? This could be tit for tat.” He briefly nodded at both of them.
    “Sian, can you bring in Stone’s fiancé tomorrow morning? We need to see how much she knows.”
    “Will do, Guv.”
    “Ok everyone, call it a night for now, I’ll update the DCI first thing in the morning and then I’ll interview Vicky Bright with Sian.”

Chapter 11
    The PM report on the second victim hadn’t come through overnight. Scott made a mental note to go over to the mortuary later for the results.
    The briefing with the DCI had been a colourful exchange. DCI Harvey had expressed in no uncertain terms that she wanted the investigation speeded up as they’d get a few extra brownie points with the Chief Superintendent. However to balance out her argument, DCI Harvey was quietly pleased that two undesirable shits had been taken off the street and saved the force considerable time and money. She was hoping that their removal had put a large hole in the supply chain in Brighton.
    On the one hand, Scott liked the fact that the DCI never minced her words, but on the other, he felt she was sometimes a little too close to the wind for comfort. He felt her political incorrectness was best left within the four walls of her office. He’d left her room with her last comment, “Scott, get a bloody result fast,” ringing in his ears.
    I’ll just rub my fucking magic lamp shall I?
     
    ***
     
    Vicky Bright had reluctantly agreed to come in to the station. She’d protested all the way. Sian had done her hardest to placate the woman. When she hadn’t shut up, Sian decided silence was her best solution to stop that droning, whiny cockney accent boring into her skull.
    She was seated in one of the station’s interview rooms with a cup of tea. Sian and Scott were greeted with a glowering scowl as they sat opposite her.
    Sian set up the tapes in the recorder set on the table, hit the record button and did the introductory formalities.
    She barked at them, “Thank fuck for that…am I under arrest?” Her eyes darting from one officer to another.
    Scott held up a hand to stop her dead in her tracks.
    “Ms Bright, no you’re not under arrest, you’re just helping us with our enquiries into your fiancé’s death. We’d also like to talk to you about the evidence we’ve retrieved following searches of your property and the clubs. However I do need to caution you. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your