Free Hail and Farewell (The Lakeland Murders) by J. J. Salkeld

for affray, if they weren’t already in hospital. So make sure that everyone behaves themselves tonight, won’t you? We’ll be watching. But I guess you’ve lost, and that’s it. And that’s why you’re holed up here, paying those mercenaries outside to keep an eye on you. Why not cut your losses, and go to your place in Spain?’
    For the first time Moffett looked alarmed.
    ‘How did you know about that?’
    ‘Just a lucky guess. So you’re cutting and running, are you?’
    ‘No way; of course I’m not. Just getting a bit of spring sun, that’s all.’
    ‘And what if I told you that we can’t allow you to leave the UK, until this is cleared up?’
    ‘What if I’m in danger?’
    ‘But you’re not. You just said as much. You’re the lord of all you survey, aren’t you?’
    ‘Oh aye, that’s right. So you want me to stay around then?’
    ‘That’s right. Of course, if we could get this matter resolved quickly then you’d be free to go wherever you want. So long as you weren’t involved in Chris Brown’s death, of course.’
    ‘So what are you after?’
    ‘Your co-operation, Mr. Moffett. So if DS Mann or me calls you for a chat, at any time from now on, you will do absolutely everything you can to help, won’t you?’
     
     
    Ian Mann waved to the security man in the garden as they drove out.
    ‘Now there’s a man who’s on the way out, one way or another. When they show fear like that, they may as well be dead. Because if Hayton doesn’t take him down now, then one of his own guys will.’
    ‘Do you think he’ll give us anything?’
    ‘Probably not. It depends how desperate he gets, I suppose. But I wouldn’t hold your breath. Chances are he’s got a fortune tucked away offshore somewhere. And it’s an achievement to have lasted this long. How old is he, 55?’
    ‘Something like that.’
    ‘He’s done well then, bloody well. In a big city someone like that hits the top of that game in their twenties and probably only has three or four years before either we get them, their rivals do, or one of their own lads saves everyone else the bother. There are butterflies with longer life-cycles than the likes of Jack Moffett.’
    ‘Do you think we can write him off as a suspect then?’
    ‘Never. He wouldn’t think twice about having that kid killed if he thought it would help him save his own skin.’
    ‘But I just can’t see any possible connection between Chris Brown and Moffett, or with Hayton either, come to that.’
    ‘So I didn’t miss anything then, Jane? When I did the background on Chris Brown, like.’
     
    Jane looked round and saw that Mann was smiling. She was pleased, and a bit surprised. It wasn’t really the reaction that she’d expected.
    ‘No, nothing. The kid was either incredibly careful, and really clever, or he was as clean as a whistle. In a way I almost wish he weren’t. At least he’d have died for something then.’
    Mann nodded and drove on in silence. Eventually he spoke.
    ‘It’s the randomness, isn’t it? You can never get your head round it. But what Andy said is right. It’s too much of a co-incidence to have several serious injuries, all gang related and definitely deliberate, and this accidental death happening all at the same time. They must be connected somehow. Anyway, it’s friend Hayton next, is it?’
    ‘No, let’s pay a quick visit to our film-maker, shall we?’
    ‘Is it worth it? He’s not local. His footage will be the most useful thing he’s got for us, won’t it?’
    ‘Put it down to curiosity, if you like.’
    ‘You’re the boss. Where’s he staying?’
     
    Alex Baker was waiting for them in the bar of the hotel when they arrived. He was older than Jane had expected, perhaps about her own age. Baker offered to buy them both a coffee, but Jane refused and left Mann to go to the bar and order for them.
    ‘I’ve never spoken to a detective before’ Baker said. ‘My only dealings with the police have been when they’ve