“Not my cup of tea, but I can sort of see the attraction. You like your men with muscles bigger than a bulldog, I see.”
“I do. You know where you are with a man who takes care of himself.”
Katy handed her the phone back. “Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“I have some news that I believe you will find shocking in that case.”
Katrina’s eyes narrowed. “What type of news?”
“The worst kind. I have reason to believe your boyfriend is guilty of killing several people this week.”
“What? I don’t believe you. He isn’t the type.”
Katy inclined her head. “I fear you don’t really know the man at all. This week alone there have been seven murders in this area, all carried out by a certain gang. We have it on good authority it’s the same gang your fella belongs to.”
She shook her head, her mouth opening and shutting as the words failed to come. Eventually, she found her voice. “This can’t be true. Oh God, what if something serious has happened to him? Seven people…no, don’t tell me he’s one of the dead?”
“He’s not, however, two police officers were caught up in the battle. Sadly, they lost their lives on Tuesday.”
“Battle? Are you telling me one of your officers has killed him?”
“I didn’t say that. Maybe battle was the wrong term. How about tussle? From the CCTV footage we’ve seen of the incident, our boys didn’t fire, but either Caves or Stitch did, hence the officers both being killed.”
“I’m sorry about that.” And she seemed it.
“What can you tell me about Thatcham, the man who paid the money into your account?”
“I didn’t know him personally. But Caves said he’d gone against the boss’s wishes and the knives were out, so to speak. Don’t tell me he lost his life through a stabbing?”
“Umm…maybe. I can’t divulge that information just yet, not until I’ve had the PM—sorry, the post-mortem—results back. So, what can you do to help me? Caves is on the missing list, and I need to know why Thatcham, his girlfriend and two police officers lost their lives plus three others. The more you can tell me at this stage the better. At the moment, all we appear to be doing is going around in circles.” Katy realised she shouldn’t have been so open with the woman, but she felt there was no other option open to them. It was imperative to understand how this gang ticked, and if there was a way for her and her team to stop them taking any more lives, and expensive cars into the bargain, she’d grab it with both hands.
“I’m sorry, I really don’t know that much. He told me when he was going on a job but not what it entailed. I’m appalled he killed people. I thought the gang were probably into drugs…oh dear, I’m not explaining myself properly, am I? How does that make me look, saying that I’m prepared to put up with him dealing and overseeing drug trafficking? And yet…”
“Drug trafficking? Is that what their business involves? Okay, let me run this past you. Three of the victims had their expensive cars stolen. Can you shed any light on that setup?”
“No, Caves didn’t hint at anything like that. I’m sorry, I would tell you if he had. Look, I wish I could help, the fact is, I can’t. Can you help me find him? I know that’s asking a lot, I just don’t know where to turn next.”
“All I can tell you is that we’ll keep an eye open for him during the rest of our investigation. Apart from that, I’d suggest you register him as a missing person.”
“I thought about that. Okay, I’ll do it. Is there anything else you need to ask me?”
“The boss, does he have a name?” Katy asked, chancing her arm.
Katrina contemplated the question and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her left ear. “I’m trying to think. He really didn’t talk about him much. I got the impression if he could walk away he would do it in a heartbeat.”
“Please, try and think. It could give us the turning point we need in the case. We’re desperate to rid the streets of these killers before they take another life. Of course, that could have already happened.”
Katrina stared at her long and hard. “You’re talking about Caves, aren’t you?”
Katy hitched up her shoulder. “Possibly. I hate to say it, but in my experience, gang members rarely go missing unless something dreadful has happened to them.”
She shook her head in disbelief, and fresh tears escaped her eyes. “No, don’t say that. I refuse to give up on him.”
“Understandable. Please, try and think of the leader’s name.”
Katrina’s gaze drifted to the corner of the room, and her eyes narrowed. She closed them as if willing the information to come forward. Slowly, her gaze returned to Katy, and a slight smile drew her lips apart. “I think I can remember what it is.”
Katy smiled, enticing the woman to set the name free.
“It begins with an A, either Andrews…no, that doesn’t sound right now I’ve said it out loud. Anders…” She clicked her fingers. “Anderton, yes, that’s it. Don’t ask me his first name, though. Will that help you?”
“It might. Can you think of anything else? Where he’s based? Does he live in London, or perhaps on the outskirts? Anything at all?”
Rubbing her hand across her face, the young woman sighed and shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’ve done my best for you.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll see where that leads us. We’re thankful for you taking the time to speak to us. We’ll get the money transferred and then what will you do? Go home?”
“I don’t know.” She held her hand out flat in front of her, and it trembled. “I’m a nervous wreck. What if they’re watching me and they find out I’ve been speaking to you?
