“Ah, that would be difficult as all three owners of the vehicles have since died.”
“What? Since died? As a result of their cars being stolen, is that what you’re telling me?”
“Yes. Two died at the scene and one later in hospital due to the injuries he sustained during the robbery.”
He shook his head in disbelief and ran a hand through his cropped hair. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what else to say. What can I do to help?”
“I wondered if you could check to see if all the cars were registered with you for a start.”
“Of course. Let me get the manifest.”
He walked the length of the large room and returned carrying a folder. “Can I have the names of the owners?”
Katy reeled the names off one by one. Each time, Harvey tutted and nodded in affirmation.
“Oh dear, yes, all three of those men were registered with us. What does that mean?” he asked, his eyes darting nervously between Katy and Charlie.
“I don’t know. I was hoping you’d tell us, sir,” Katy said.
His clenched fist stabbed at his chest. “No. You can’t believe I had anything to do with this?”
Katy shrugged. “Unless you can offer another solution then we’ll have no other alternative but to believe that, Mr Harvey.”
“What? Why? I’ve never, ever in my life been investigated by the police. I’m above reproach. My business is genuine. I have all my paperwork intact. My goodness, what else can I say to make you believe me?” His voice became high-pitched within seconds.
“Are you telling us that you’re willing to work with us on this, Mr Harvey?”
“Yes, for the love of God, my reputation is at stake here. If word gets out about you being here it could cripple my business. I’m willing to do anything to prevent that happening. Just tell me what you need.”
“I’m glad you’re willing to cooperate with us. If, as you say, you know nothing about these crimes, we need to know if one of your staff could be culpable.”
“Possibly, however, I’d be cut up to learn any of them were behind anything as sinister as what you’re suggesting.”
“How many staff do you have working on site?”
“Eight at the moment, we’re interviewing for two more engineers.”
“May I ask why?”
“Just because our workload has increased by twenty percent over the past few months, and they say there’s no money around. Well, I can tell you, the car industry is thriving.”
“And of the eight members of staff, how many have been loyal employees and worked here for years?”
“Most of them. We’ve been up and running since twenty-ten. I obtained a huge contract from a local premium garage so was able to set up a large workforce from the outset.”
“And you trust your staff?”
“They wouldn’t be on the payroll if I didn’t, I assure you.”
“Has anyone mentioned they’re struggling to you?”
“I don’t understand, in what respect?”
“Perhaps financially? Maybe they’re in debt and that’s led them to doing things out of character, like stealing the cars.”
“I doubt it. I can’t believe you’re suggesting such a thing. I’ve always had a high regard for my staff. This is incredible. I can understand your line of questioning but…”
“Then we’re up shit creek as they say, if you’ll excuse my language. We don’t know where to look. The cars were stolen, and the owners lost their lives while trying to defend their vehicles, that’s our belief. What about your contacts, do you know of anyone likely to be involved with anything that could be labelled as dodgy?”
“Goodness me, what do you take me for? If I got a whiff of any form of corruption, I’d dob the person in to the police, I can assure you.”
Katy released a heavy sigh. “Then I don’t know what to think. I need a resolution and I genuinely have no idea where to turn next. Would you mind if we had a word with your staff before we leave?”
“Go for it. Want me to arrange a room where you can interview them? At the end of the day, I want this issue resolved as much as you do.”
“Glad to hear it. I wish all bosses were as flexible as you, sir.”
“Give me five minutes to make the arrangements.” He strode out of the room, determination in his stance.
“Do you believe him?” Charlie asked, glancing over her shoulder at the door.
“I think so. Don’t you?”
“Yes and no. I believe someone here is responsible. It’s too much of a coincidence otherwise, right?”
“Yep. I agree.”
The door opened, and Harvey came back into the room. “If you’d like to come this way.”
He showed them through the warehouse to a storeroom out the back. A table with three chairs had been pulled into the middle of the room.
“I set up this area for you, will it suffice?”
“It will, thanks for your help. Can we see the men in seniority, if that’s possible?” Katy asked.
Harvey nodded. “If you insist. I’ll send the supervisor in first.”
A slim gentleman in blue overalls entered not long after. “Hi, I’m Derek, the supervisor around here. The boss told me to drop by and see you.”
“Hi, Derek, I’m DI Foster, and this is DC Simpkins. Take a seat, we promise not to keep you long.”
“Thanks. What’s this about?”
“Well, we’re making general enquiries, concerning four cases we’re working on. Very serious cases, and the evidence has led us to this facility.”
Derek cocked his head and seemed perplexed by Katy’s statement. “How so?”
“First of all, I need to know if you’ve heard on the grapevine about any high-priced, valuable cars being stolen.”
He let out a short laugh. “No, sorry about that. I was just thinking, serves them right for not having one of our trackers fitted.”
“The trouble is, one of your systems was fitted to each of the cars.”
“Holy shitballs on fire, seriously?”
“Yep. Which is why we’re here, to try and get to the bottom of our
