‘I am unable to comment on specific details of the case,’ Isaac said. ‘We have proof that the crime at Briganti’s was committed by a foreign national. We have identified one person, and we are working with overseas police forces to bring this man to justice. We also believe that he was in Ireland and that he killed another man there.’
‘From what was reported, Inspector Buckley killed Seamus Gaffney, a known informer, a man in regular communication with Detective Inspector Larry Hill.’
A general air of unease was apparent in the room. Richard Goddard took hold of the microphone. ‘I would suggest that any questions are held for later,’ he said.
Isaac knew that the man was wasting his time. Barely ten minutes into what was slated as a twenty-five-minute presentation, and nothing of importance had been said.
‘Let me come back to where we are,’ Isaac said after reclaiming the microphone. ‘An overseas crime syndicate has been attempting to enter this country and to take over a large part of the illegal drug trade. They intended to base themselves primarily in the local area and to fan out from there. This has caused tension in the wider community, and unfortunately some deaths.’
‘Why Briganti’s?’ A voice from the back of the room.
‘The evidence we have received is that it was a show of strength, a warning to deter others who may resist.’
‘Has it?’
‘At this time, we believe it has.’
‘There’s a power vacuum, isn’t there?’ Bartlett said.
‘There are elements in the community, as there are in other areas of the city and throughout the country, who believe they are above the law.’
‘Elaborate on that statement.’
‘At this time, I cannot. We are attempting to defuse the situation and to prevent further violence. Outlining our plan at this time would be counter-productive.’
‘Let Braxton speak,’ Goddard whispered in Isaac’s ear.
Isaac stood to one side; Braxton came to the microphone.
‘Detective Chief Inspector Braxton, Serious and Organised Crime Command,’ he said. ‘We have been working together with DCS Goddard and his team. An attack on a hairdressing salon by an organised crime syndicate, where innocent people were killed, was a senseless and cowardly attack and must be condemned.’
‘Wonderful words, but worthless,’ a woman in the front row said. Isaac recognised her, Lisa Saunders. The woman was on the television every night, debating law and order with a panel of so-called experts. She had a soothing and mellow voice, the type that sucked you in before she spat you out.
Braxton ignored the woman and continued. ‘Organised crime, as in any major city, is unfortunately present here. The efforts of the police and the community have kept it at controllable levels up till now. I have been in France with DCI Cook, consulting with the French police. An arrest is expected soon.’
‘Then why did you come back to England after Stanislav Ivanov was shot?’ Bartlett asked. ‘Is it because he is a major crime figure? Is he, in fact, the head of a Russian mafia crime syndicate that calls itself the Tverskoyskaya Bratva? A group of people who will stop at nothing to ensure their aims.’
‘There are no criminal cases against Mr Ivanov.’
‘Not in this country, not in Russia, but you know all about him. Everyone is careful in what they say, the result of his influence and wealth, but behind closed doors, what’s the truth, what do you say about him?’
‘Mr Ivanov has been shot. His life hangs in the balance. Speculation will serve no useful purpose.’
Isaac could see Braxton being pushed into a corner. He had thought that the man’s attendance had been ill-advised, but Goddard had been adamant, and now the conference was being railroaded by the media.
‘We are here to discuss the murders and attempted murders, not to speculate,’ Isaac said.
‘We’re here for the truth. Marcus Hearne, a local gang leader, has been murdered, another drinking friend of Inspector Hill.’
‘Inspector Hill is above suspicion.’
Lisa Saunders decided it was her turn to speak. An attractive woman, Isaac had to admit, but with a viper’s tongue and a wasp’s sting. ‘In recent years, there has been a disturbing rise in the number of criminal gangs from eastern Europe entering England. Is that correct?’
‘That has been reported by us,’ Braxton said.
Isaac could see the subtle drawing in by Lisa Saunders, making her target relax his guard.
‘There were some deaths some years back when one major crime figure entered this country, true or false?’
‘There has been an escalation at times of criminal activity. Criminal gangs operate throughout the city, that’s true. But it would be wrong to lay the blame on one group of people based on their ethnicity or their religion.’
‘Why? Because it’s not politically correct?’
‘Apportioning blame to one group or another serves no purpose.’
‘Are you telling me that you sit in your office in Serious and Organised Crime Command, and don’t mention where someone comes from, their background? Are you telling those assembled here, and those watching on the television, streaming it over the internet, that you don’t make decisions based on these factors?’
‘We are conscious of the differences, and yes, we do discuss such matters, converse with our counterparts overseas.’
‘Then, Detective Chief Inspector Braxton, why the subterfuge? Do you think we’re all fools?’
Touché, Isaac thought, Braxton’s been taken hook, line, and sinker.
‘It is our responsibility to not exacerbate the situation by making claims without proof.’
‘Nonsense. We have one such criminal, a Romanian by the name of Nicolae Cojocaru, running a crime syndicate. Isn’t that true?’
‘There are no crimes recorded against Mr Cojocaru.’
‘Yet you have a case file on him, and there have been several attempts to deport him, a man who has been labelled a criminal back in Romania.’
‘Speculation,’ Braxton said.
‘Did Cojocaru arrange for
