‘Vicenzo Pinto, are you ready to make a statement?’ Isaac asked.
‘Yes.’
‘I have a written statement from my client,’ Katrina Hatcher said. ‘I would like it added to the records.’ Isaac noted that she was a smartly-dressed woman, obviously sharp as a tack, and well in control of the situation.
‘Please continue,’ Isaac said.
‘My name is Vicenzo Pinto. My date of birth is the 3rd July 1975, and I was born in Verona, Italy. I came to England in 1977 with my parents. I am innocent of all crimes. I admit placing an item in Regent’s Canal. I was unaware as to what it was as it was dark. I was following instructions.
‘The car, which you tell me was stolen, was given to me for that job. I did not look in the boot before arriving in Little Venice. At Little Venice, I removed the package, carried it down to the water’s edge under the bridge, opened the plastic bag, and released the contents. I then returned to the car and left. That is the end of my statement.’
Isaac looked at the lawyer. ‘It won’t hold up in a Court of Law.’
‘My client has made a preliminary statement to confirm his innocence. He is open to further questioning, but let me remind you that he is innocent until proven guilty.’
‘Your client is about to be charged as an accessory to murder. I hope that has been explained to him.’
‘My client will make a full disclosure of all that he knows.’
Isaac once again focussed his eyes on Pinto. ‘You are aware of the seriousness of this?’
Larry sat quietly to Isaac’s side. He could see that his DCI was trying to break through Pinto’s smugness.
‘I am aware,’ Pinto replied sombrely.
Isaac continued. ‘On the night of the twenty-ninth you dumped the torso of a man in Regent’s Canal.’
‘I never knew what it was.’
‘What else could it be?’ Larry said, his tone less friendly than Isaac’s. The lawyer said nothing, only observed and listened.
‘I had to do it,’ Pinto said.
‘Why?’
‘They’ll kill me if I tell you.’
‘And if you don’t, how many years in prison?’ Isaac posed a rhetorical question. ‘Ten years as an accessory. And if the jury believes you were involved in the murder, then it’s life. Do you understand?’
‘Prison is better than what they’ll do to me.’
‘Are you saying that you would rather spend the rest of your life in jail.’
‘I know what they did to him.’
‘Him? Does he have a name?’
‘They’ll kill me if I tell you.’
‘You’ve already said that,’ Larry reminded Pinto.
‘My client will not respond to you two playing the good cop, bad cop routine.’
Isaac smiled. He and his former DI, Farhan Ahmed, had had the patter off to a tee; Larry had not yet perfected the technique.
‘I suggest,’ Isaac said, ‘that you inform your client of the seriousness of this matter.’
‘My client is well aware. However, he is frightened for his life.’
‘We can ensure that he is protected.’
‘Not in prison, you can’t,’ Pinto said.
‘It may be possible to avoid prison if you assist us.’
‘If they know that I’ve told you anything, then I’m a dead man, and I don’t want to end up like him.’
‘Him? Who is he?’
‘I’m not talking.’
‘And if you walk out of here now, free as a bird?’
‘They’ll know I’ve talked.’
‘Unless you speak now, I’ll ensure that I will personally escort you out of Challis Street Police Station and thank you for your assistance.’
‘You wouldn’t do that!’ an alarmed voice said.
‘This is unacceptable,’ Katrina Hatcher said. ‘You’re threatening my client.’
‘I agree,’ Isaac said. ‘He’s free to go. I’ll escort him out of the police station now.’
‘You can’t do that,’ Pinto said.
‘Once you’ve gone, I’ll put the word out on the street that we have a name for the torso, and a list of potential murderers.’
‘I’ll be dead within an hour, chopped up like he was.’
‘He?’ Larry asked, realising that the man was about to crack.
‘I only knew him as Dave. That’s the honest truth.’
‘Why was he killed?’ Isaac asked.
‘He cheated on them.’
‘Them?’
‘I can’t tell you.’
‘Okay, that’s fine. Thanks for your assistance. You’re free to go.’
‘You’re sending me to my death.’
‘Have you seen a photo of Dave’s body, or what remained of it?’ Larry asked.
‘No. It was dark under that bridge, spooky even. I just did what I was told and left.’
Isaac realised that some gentle questioning would disarm the man further. ‘What was the significance of Regent’s Canal?’
‘They wanted to send a clear message.’
‘Why?’
‘If you cheat them, that’s what happens to you.’
‘And Dave cheated?’
‘Yes.’
‘So why were you given the job of dumping him?’
‘We were both cheating, only they decided to kill one of us, scare the other.’
‘Are there others involved?’ Larry asked.
‘There are a few.’
‘Were you there when Dave was killed?’ Isaac asked. Pinto’s lawyer was observing intently, saying little. Isaac and Larry were conducting the interview of the now-nervous Pinto according to police procedures.
‘I saw him die.’
‘Was he alive when they chopped him up?’
‘They shot him in the head first.’
‘Any idea where the head is now?’ Isaac asked.
‘No. That’s the truth. Don’t put me in prison, please,’ Pinto said.
‘There’s only one chance for you: the full truth.’
‘It’s too late.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘If you catch some of them, there’ll always be more. They're like ants scurrying across the ground. They’re vermin.’
‘Who are they?’
‘Charge me, lock me up in your prison cell. I’ve no more to say.’
‘Miss Hatcher, I suggest that you consult with your client. We will take a ten-minute break,’ Isaac said.
***
‘What do
