Souls of Men

by A. R. Ashworth

  She made a show of fumbling in her purse as she trailed him under the covered walkway to the building. Once inside, he made directly for the lifts, so she stopped next to the building directory and rang Elaine.

  “Guv, Greene’s just arrived at the IRG offices. His lift stopped at their floor. I’m in the building lobby.”

  “Excellent. Wait right there. It’s time we applied some pressure. I’ll be there in ten.”

  Liz was on pins and needles with anticipation when Elaine arrived. “I suppose Greene’s still there. I haven’t seen the lift stop at their floor, and I haven’t seen him come down through the lobby.”

  Elaine gave Liz a reproving look. “And I suppose there could be a back stairs. Don’t you suppose that too?”

  “Sorry, guv. It’s a hard habit to break.”

  Elaine nodded and led the way to the lifts. “Right. I think an unannounced visit is in order.”

  The two detectives were standing at the reception desk when Greene emerged from a hallway, in conversation with a tall, elegant man whom Liz recognized as Janko from the photos in the incident room.

  Elaine stepped into the men’s path. “Mr. Greene. What a coincidence. We’re here to speak with Mr. Srecko and his cousin, but I have a few additional questions for you about your relationship with Geri Harding. You’ve heard about her murder, haven’t you?” Her normally quiet voice was raised several levels.

  Greene looked stunned. He gawked at Elaine, then glanced nervously at Janko, whose attention had remained on the two detectives. Elaine’s eyes locked with Janko’s. Before Greene could answer, Liz broke the silence by producing her warrant card. “Mr. Srecko. I’m DC Liz Barker and this is DCI Elaine Hope. We’re investigating the murders of Sheila Watson and Geri Harding. We would like to ask the two of you some questions.” She glanced at Elaine, who remained quiet, refocusing her attention on Greene.

  By now, Greene had somewhat regained his composure. “I saw the news about Miss Harding, Chief Inspector, but I know nothing about it. Tragic, isn’t it? She was so full of life. I can’t speak with you right now. I’m late for another appointment.” He turned and scurried out the door.

  Liz extracted her notebook and pen from her purse as Elaine spoke. “It’s a shame that Mr. Greene had to rush. I was interested in how he would phrase his answers with you and your cousin present. We’ll speak with him soon.” A thin, immaculately dressed man approached them from the corridor, so Elaine took a guess and turned her attention to him. “I assume that you are Anton Srecko. Please join us. You surely have a conference room handy. Or would you prefer your office? It won’t take long.”

  Janko smiled warmly and held out his hands. “Chief Inspector Hope. Constable . . . Barker, is that correct? As much as I would love to spend time conversing with two such lovely women, I’m afraid we are also busy this afternoon and cannot afford the time to speak. Please make an appointment with our receptionist and we will be happy to give you a few minutes as soon as our schedule allows.”

  Elaine continued in her steady tone. “I know you heard DC Barker say that this is a murder investigation, so I’m sure you understand that time is critical and we are very busy as well. In the interest of justice, we need to speak with you now. Once we have finished, you can resume your business.”

  “In the interest of justice.” The hair on the back of Liz’s neck rose as she heard Anton’s quiet, emotionless voice. She turned and looked at the slightly built man who had taken a position at Janko’s side. Whereas Greene was the definition of sloppiness and Janko was a perfectly marketable executive, Anton gave the impression of a ruthless, efficient predator. He continued in the same precise monotone. “Justice. And civil rights. You two women enter our offices unbidden and unannounced and demand our valuable time so you can ask us ridiculous questions about crimes we know nothing of. Such a hypocritical concept of justice. We have rights, and we will decide when it is convenient for us. Good day.”

  Elaine turned to face Anton directly. “A murder investigation takes precedence over your convenience. Your solicitor just scarpered; otherwise he would tell you that the only decision you need to make at this moment is whether the two of you speak with us in your offices or in separate interview rooms at our station. We find a place to talk or DC Barker here calls for uniformed officers. If she does, they will be here in roughly four minutes. That’s the decision you need to make.”

  Janko again spread his hands. “Please, Chief Inspector. I assure you that we will cooperate with the Metropolitan Police to the best of our ability. This way please.” He led the way to a conference room, in the center of which was a large oval table. He indicated chairs to Elaine and Liz. He and Anton took seats opposite them. “Now how can we . . .”

  Elaine interrupted him. “Are you familiar with a company called Cambrian Estates?”

  The two men looked at each other. Janko answered, “No. Should we be?”

  “Do you have any connection with a company called Grampian Leasing?”

  “What do they lease?” He turned to Anton. “Are they a client?”

  “A vendor. We use them occasionally to lease equipment we don’t want to capitalize.”

  Liz interjected. “Such as automobiles? Laptop computers?”

  Anton shrugged. “Perhaps. Motors would fall into that category. I do not see what our business relationships have to do with any murder investigation.”

  Elaine ignored him. “Does the name Geri Harding mean anything to you?”

  Janko again looked at Anton before he spoke. “I believe Greene hired her as a leasing agent for some of our properties.”

  “Such as an industrial park in Leaside?”

  “I’m not aware of such a place. We own many small properties. They come and go. I would have to check.”

  Elaine nodded at Liz as she spoke. “Please do that, and contact DC Barker with a list as soon as possible.” Liz slid her card across the table and resumed taking notes as Elaine continued. “What is your relationship with Jackson Greene? Surely a company as successful as yours could afford more than a second-rate solicitor. On your website, you list another firm as your legal contact.”

  “He was recommended by a friend. He’s inexpensive and reliable for certain simple projects.”

  “Apparently there are quite a few ‘certain simple projects.’ He visits you quite regularly.”

  Janko shifted in his chair. “Does he? I personally see him only rarely.”

  At this point, Anton stood. “I reiterate. I do not see any connection between your questions and any murder investigation. You are fishing, and I consider this to be harassment. Get to the point. Otherwise, leave.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Liz could see that Elaine did not look at Anton, so she remained focused on her notebook while Elaine continued.

  “Do either of you know a young woman by the name of Sheila Watson?”

  For the first time, Janko looked wary. “No. We do not. What is the name of your supervisor?”

  Elaine answered, but her eyes stayed focused on Janko. “DCS Alec Cranwell. Here’s a number you can call if you think we are overstepping.” Elaine wrote the police community affairs number on the back of her card and slid it across the table. “Do you know a young man who goes by the name Danny?”

  Janko stood and spoke. “How many young men named Danny do you expect there to be in London? We have endured enough of this, what would I call it, bobbing for apples. The interview is over. If you need to speak with us again, please arrange an appointment through our solicitors. Not Greene. The firm listed on our website.”

  Elaine stood. “I’ll take that as a yes. That’s my card. If you think of something you feel might be helpful, please contact me. I’m sure we’ll be speaking again, though. Calling your solicitor will be entirely up to you.” She motioned to Liz and they left.

  * * *

  Elaine pushed the buttons in the lift and turned to Liz. “I commandeered some uniforms to bring me here. I need a ride back wi
th you.”

  Liz was happy to oblige. “Not a problem, guv. Wow. That was the first time I’ve been in an interview like that. Janko’s just a typical smarmy businessman, but Anton reminded me of a Gestapo officer in an old movie. Those dead eyes and not an ounce of feeling.”

  “They were right. I was fishing. I mostly wanted to apply some pressure.” Elaine pulled her coat tighter. “It’s bloody cold out here in this wind. Let’s hurry.”

  An engine roar caused them to turn, just as a blue Audi sports car whizzed by and squealed into one of the reserved parking spaces near Liz’s car. A tall, athletic young man with spiked black hair emerged. He took a long drink from a plastic bottle and carelessly tossed it against the wall.

  Liz grabbed Elaine’s arm. “That’s a blue . . .”

  Elaine interrupted her. “Let’s take our time. Why don’t you look interested?”

  As they walked past the young man, Liz spoke. “Nice car. I love the color. Is it fast?”

  The young man ogled the two detectives. “Fast enough. Are you?”

  Liz laughed. “Cheeky, aren’t you? That all depends.” She looked at Elaine, who frowned and disengaged from the pair. Liz stopped and flipped her hair from her face as Elaine walked ahead. “My aunt doesn’t like you.”

  “I wonder why not. I like her. Older women are hot.”

  Liz feigned displeasure. “And I’m not?”

  “I didn’t say that. Not at all, luv. I much prefer redheads, especially ones like you. I’m Nilo.”

  “I’m Beth. That’s my aunt. She doesn’t like me flirting with strange men.”

  “But you do it anyway, don’t you? And strange is as strange does, luv. I look at you and I want to be strange.”

  Liz laughed again. “I don’t think my boyfriend would like me being strange with you.”

  “Then he’s a tosser. Not the kind of bloke a woman like you should be with.”

  She glanced over his shoulder. Elaine was leaning against the wall in front of the car. She nodded at Liz, then looked away.

  Nilo followed her glance to see Elaine staring in the other direction. He reached out and took Liz’s arm. “Maybe you could ditch him this weekend. You and I could explore some strange new places.”

  Liz gave a small smile. “I absolutely love to dance. I get crazy.”

  Nilo sidled closer. “Do you ever go to raves? I personally know some fantastic DJs. We could party all night long.”

  “Oh, a rave? I don’t know about that. What about dance clubs?”

  “All the best ones.” He named a few. “But later I go to raves. Why don’t you give me your mobile number?”

  “Not yet. Why don’t you give me yours, then if I ditch Boris for the weekend, I might give you a call and we can get together. How does that sound?”

  She entered his number into her mobile, and when she was prompted for the name, she remarked, “Nilo. That’s an interesting name.”

  Nilo moved his face close to hers. “It’s short for Danilo. Green eyes. I’ve seen your eyes in my dreams.”

  Liz gave another coy smile and playfully pushed him away. “Maybe this weekend you won’t have to dream. If you’re lucky.”

  He stroked her hair with his finger. “This weekend, then?”

  “Perhaps.” She kissed her finger, pressed it to his lips and walked toward Elaine and the car. After a few steps, she turned around. He was still standing where she had left him, watching her. “Hey, Nilo. How about a selfie? I want to show Boring the competition.”

  Nilo walked up to her and put his hand on her hip. “With such a beautiful girl? Sure. Maybe it will be the first of many photos. We’ll start this weekend.”

  Liz raised her eyebrows and moved her face next to his. The phone flashed and clicked. She kissed her finger and placed it on his lips again. “Perhaps. But now I need to go. Auntie Dragon is getting restless.” She raised her voice. “Okay, Auntie Dragon. I’m coming.”

  Liz blew Nilo another kiss as she got behind the wheel. He was still standing there watching as they drove out of the car park. As soon as they were out of sight, she shuddered. “Yech. I feel like such a slag.”

  Elaine chuckled. “I thought you were marvelous. He was gagging for you. But Auntie Dragon?”

  “It was what came to mind. He thinks you’re hot, by the way. Did you get it?”

  “Oh, yes.” Elaine held up a plastic bag containing Nilo’s discarded drink bottle. “Did you find out anything useful?”

  “His name. Nilo, short for Danilo. I think we may have found Danny.”

  “Good God! Anything else to share while you’re showing off your detective skills?”

  “He told me the clubs he likes. He’s expecting me to meet him at a club this weekend and then go to a rave, if I can ditch my boyfriend. I got his mobile number, just in case. And a face shot.”

  “I saw the flash, but his mobile? No! You’ve got potential. I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. And you will not meet him, Liz. You haven’t had undercover training. Besides, I’m not sure what that would tell us. You don’t seriously think he’s so enamored that he’ll confess simply to bed you, do you?”

  Liz protested. “Chief, I may have just cracked Sheila’s murder and maybe Geri’s. Are you going to take it away from me?”

  “Don’t get carried away with a bit of success, Liz. You’ll get credit for it, but let’s move one step at a time. If his DNA comes back as a match for anything, we’ll pull him in, and with luck, we won’t need more.”

  “Well, okay, Chief. And I don’t.”

  “Don’t what?”

  “Have a boyfriend. Not since I joined the Met.”

  Elaine had no response. She was familiar with that situation.

  TWENTY-TWO

  Nilo was high. The chase excited him as much as the catch, and, oh yes, the real victory afterward was the sweetest. That fair-skinned redheaded cunt would be extra special, like strawberries and cream. He banged open the office door and danced his way to the reception desk.

  Joanna the receptionist flashed him her packaged smile. “Met someone?”

  Nilo spun out another step. “You know me, sweetheart. I can’t help it. I love redheads, especially if they like to dance. You can tell movers because they have such tight bums.” He inspected his reflection in the window. “They’re drawn to me like . . . like . . . whatever.”

  “It’s probably your breadth of intellect and understated charm.”

  Nilo continued preening. “Could be, but I bet a tenner it’s because I know exactly what to say. And I look hot, of course. She had a hot auntie too. Tall and lean. The auntie would be another challenge.” He spun back to the desk. “Maybe I’ll try for a threesome after I spend a bit of time with Beth. You older women usually do anything for attention.”

  Joanna’s amused expression had disappeared. “We ‘older women’ can be dangerous. I think you need to tell Anton about your latest quarry.”

  “What does Uncle Anton have to do with it? He doesn’t know fuck all about women. He doesn’t even have one. I’m a man; I do what I like.”

  “Sure. But I think he knows something about those two that you will find interesting.” She spoke into her headset. “Mr. Anton, Nilo has something to tell you about your two visitors. Yes, sir. Mr. Anton will see you now, Nilo.”

  He bristled. “You’ve spoiled it. I thought you were my friend.”

  “More than you realize, and my friendly advice is to talk with Mr. Anton straightaway.”

  Nilo glared at Joanna. The cow couldn’t boss him around. He nodded at a picture on the window ledge.

  “Your daughter is lovely. It’s a shame I don’t normally fuck blondes.” He picked a candy from the bowl on her desk. “But I can make an exception.”

  Moments later, he stood quietly as Anton studied the papers laid out on his desk. Every time, Nilo thought. Every time I’m here, I have to wait for him to give me permission to sit down, like some kind of third-rate servant, not even a member of the family. Like
a fucking Bosnian.

  Anton didn’t glance up. Nilo fidgeted, shifting his weight from foot to foot. This was bullshit. He wanted to blurt something, to get on with it, even if it meant a bollocking. Without looking up, Anton lifted his phone. “Please ask Mr. Janko if he would come to my office.”

  Nilo withered. Janko needed to hear it. Damn. What was so fucking important about two cunts? It wasn’t the first time he’d chatted up a woman. Hell, he’d had half the pussy in the building. The decent ones from other companies, anyway. But not Joanna or any of the IRG slags. They were gagging for him, but IRG women were off-limits after what happened with that little whore in accounts. Shutting her mouth had been his first real assignment, and it had been fun. He smiled at the memory.

  “Mrs. Christie said you have something to tell us.” Anton’s statement snapped Nilo back to the present. Janko had appeared in the chair next to him.

  “I’m not sure what she meant. I told her about a girl I met in the multi and then right off she’s on to you with it.”

  Anton’s eyes never shifted. “There were two women in the multi. One young, red hair, and one older, taller, dark short hair.”

  How the hell did he know that? Nilo thought. Oh, yeah, Joanna had said something about visitors. Am I going to have to clean this one up too? He knew he needed to be careful with Uncle Anton. “Yes. That’s them. The one I chatted up was maybe in her midtwenties. Red hair, green eyes, white skin. Name of Beth. The other was older, taller, with long legs. Beth called her Auntie Dragon. I didn’t speak to her.”

  “You chatted up this Beth woman and you set a date with her?”

  Nilo took a moment to consider his answer. “Not exactly. I asked her to a club, but she said she had a boyfriend. So I told her where I would be next Saturday night, and she said she might meet me there.”

  “Ah. So she will meet you some time, some place. And you did not speak with the older woman.”

  “No. She walked on ahead and waited.”

  Janko leaned toward him. “Did you give this Beth girl anything? Your IRG calling card, perhaps?”

  Why did Janko always ask questions but Anton never needed to? He shifted his attention to Janko. “I didn’t give her my card or hand her anything. I did touch her arm and cheek.” He hesitated for a moment. Janko seemed amused at that, but he felt Anton’s gaze boring into his head. “That’s it.”