He shrugged. “Sorry, I can’t help you.”
“Well, we believe someone knows something around here. Help us out if you will. Can you think of anyone who has been acting suspiciously at work lately?”
“No, not that I’ve noticed. Hold on, yes, now you’ve come to mention it, Aaron Salter did something out of character last week.”
Katy raised an eyebrow, and Charlie wrote the information down in her notebook.
“Care to share with us what that was about?” Katy asked.
“From what I can remember, one of the other guys saw him fiddling with one of the GPS systems, doing something that could disable it at the drop of a hat.”
“And that’s something out of the ordinary, I take it?”
“Too right. It’s supposed to be an infallible system. Secure, not to be messed with.”
“And what was his reason for tampering with it?”
“He said he was only testing it. It’s just not something we do.”
“What, test your equipment?”
“No, that came out wrong. We don’t go down the line of disabling the equipment. What would be the point in us doing that?”
“I really don’t profess to know the ins and outs of having a GPS system in a car, it’s not something that has crossed my mind to have fitted over the years.”
“I think every person who drives a car should have something similar fitted, but there again, I might be biased.”
“So you reprimanded Salter, and that was the end of the discussion?”
“That’s right. He said he was testing something out and then put it aside to get on with his work. Therefore, I didn’t feel the need to tackle him about the subject again.”
“I see, and what’s his work ethic been like ever since? Have you had any cause to question it again?”
“Nope, although now you’ve raised the subject, he has been a little withdrawn for a few days. You think he has something to do with this?”
“We don’t know. We’ll speak to him next, if that’s okay with you?”
“Too right. It would be good to know what’s going on with him.”
“Perhaps you can give us a bit of background on him first?”
“Such as?”
“How long he’s worked here. Where he worked before. A bit about his personal life, such as if he’s married or not, that type of thing.”
“I’ll do my best. He’s been here from the get-go, since the business was set up. I can’t recall off the top of my head where he worked before, the boss will be able to fill that part in for you, or Salter himself, of course. He’s married to Lorraine. I don’t think they have kids yet. Word is they’re trying to have a family.”
That piece of information sparked Katy’s interest. “As in, it hasn’t happened naturally and they’re seeking other ways, such as IVF perhaps?”
He held his hands up. “Hey, I like to keep my nose out of other people’s business. We’re far too busy to engage in idle gossip around here. Anyway, it’s not the done thing for blokes to talk about the nitty-gritty of conceiving a child. We tend to leave that to our womenfolk. All we’re interested in is the production of the end product, if you know what I mean?”
“I understand. Has he been turning up for work on time?”
“Yep, never any doubts about his time-keeping.”
“What about at the end of his shift, does he hang around or shoot off home?”
“Most of the lads go straight home, but the odd couple tend to have a sneaky pint at the pub. I’m not sure if he’s one of them, though.”
Katy pressed on. “Has he fallen out with any of the other team members recently?”
“Nope. He’s a fairly placid chap. Tends to keep his head down most of the time and just get on with things. The same as the other guys. We’re lucky we have a conscientious team here. Not sure every factory can say the same, especially these days.”
“Okay. In that case, I think I’ve heard enough. Can we speak to him next?”
“If you’re finished with me, I’ll go and fetch him.”
Katy nodded as he stood and walked out of the room.
“What are you thinking? IVF treatment, and he’s struggling to find the funds to pay for the treatment?” Charlie suggested.
Katy smiled. “Sums it up perfectly. You’re obviously thinking the same.”
“Yes.”
“Either way, if this gang are forcing him to do something against his will, I’m thinking he’s not going to be pleased to see us, so be prepared.”
The door opened, and a younger man entered, also in blue overalls with the logo of the business emblazoned on the top pocket. “You wanted to see me?” He stood by the desk.
Katy sensed he was going to refuse to take a seat. “If you’d like to sit down, Mr Salter.”
“I’m all right standing,” he snapped.
“As you wish. I’d better tell you who we are. I’m DI Katy Foster, and this is DC Charlie Simpkins.”
“And? What does this have to do with me?”
“Is there something upsetting you, Mr Salter?”
“No, should there be?”
“It’s just that I’m getting the impression you’re not keen to talk to us.”
“I’m not thrilled about being dragged in here away from my busy work schedule, if that’s what you mean?”
“Any particular reason why you’re not too happy about seeing us, Aaron?”
“I’ve said, I have a busy day ahead of me.”
“Take a seat, this is important.”
He grunted, flopped into the chair and automatically put up the defences by crossing his arms.
Katy pinned a smile in place. “Do you have anything you want to get off your chest?”
“In what respect?”
“Telling us what these people have over you, for instance.”
He glared at her. “You’re talking in damn riddles. What people?”
“Come on now. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
He shrugged and continued to hold her gaze with his own. “Haven’t got the foggiest what you’re talking about.”
“The gang. Your boss seems to think there’s something bothering you, and we’re investigating several murders. Care to fill in some of the gaps for us?”
Salter did something Katy hadn’t anticipated. He tipped his chair back and
