A Killing Moon

by Dunne, Steven

  Patterson had changed his position to engage with Noble, hoping for a more civil reception. He helped himself to a beaker of tea. ‘As you can see from the police report, the vehicle was left by my client in a public street at six p.m. on the evening of April twenty-second, near his new apartment on Arboretum Street, and he didn’t return to the vehicle until six thirty the following morning – a window of opportunity for the thief of over twelve hours. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that the stats concerning theft of trade vehicles reflect a much higher attrition rate than those for private vehicles.’

  Brook flicked a glance towards Patterson but said nothing.

  ‘I’ve also taken the liberty of noting down my clients’ movements on the night in question, as a formality. Mr Ostrowsky left—’

  ‘What happened when you discovered the van had been stolen?’ Brook asked Max directly.

  The younger brother gazed at Brook, slowly realising he was being addressed. ‘Nie rozumiem.’ He drew out a packet of cigarettes and patted his jacket in vain for a lighter.

  ‘He doesn’t understand,’ said Patterson. ‘Please speak to me, Inspector …’

  Max gestured at Noble’s lighter on the desk.

  ‘No smoking,’ said Noble.

  ‘Nie rozumiem,’ repeated Max.

  ‘He doesn’t understand, John,’ said Brook. He picked up Noble’s lighter and lobbed it in a gentle arc towards Max, who flicked up his left hand to catch it, then proceeded to light his cigarette.

  Grzegorz’s thin smile disappeared and he snatched the lighter from his brother and plucked the cigarette from him, extinguishing it between his finger and thumb. He extracted a cigarette packet of his own and thrust in Max’s cigarette, turning to his brother. ‘Idiota. Zakaz palenia.’ He addressed the solicitor. ‘Hurry this up, please. I’ve got a business to run.’

  ‘Inspector Brook,’ said Patterson, ‘in your own news conference about the murdered girl, the men who stole my client’s van were clearly identified.’

  ‘One of whom was your client’s employee,’ said Brook.

  ‘Ex-employee,’ said Patterson.

  ‘Not at the time of the theft,’ said Brook. ‘Right now I want to know what happened when your client discovered his van missing.’

  ‘He called the police and reported the vehicle stolen,’ said Patterson, impatiently.

  ‘Before he rang his brother?’

  Patterson hesitated, sensing a problem. ‘That’s right.’

  ‘With his poor command of English.’ No one spoke. Ostrowsky maintained eye contact with Brook. He seemed unconcerned. Brook opened his laptop and clicked on the touchpad, looking back at Ostrowsky.

  ‘Emergency. Which service, please?’

  ‘Police,’ answered a male voice, with a distinct foreign accent. When put through to the police call centre, he answered the opening question with ‘My van stolen – in Arboretum Street.’

  ‘What’s your name, sir?’

  ‘My name is Max Ostrowsky.’

  ‘That proves nothing, Inspector,’ interrupted Ostrowsky, still able to smile. ‘I told you. Max speaks a little English. He knows his street name.’

  ‘He can conjugate verbs,’ said Brook. ‘And I’m pleased to see you now know where your brother lives.’

  ‘Inspector Brook …’ began Patterson.

  ‘No,’ said Ostrowsky, putting a hand across the solicitor. ‘Let me speak. Inspector Brook, my brother and I are immigrants. I am sorry I lied to you about Max’s accommodations …’

  ‘His mobile phone too,’ added Noble.

  ‘It’s true,’ agreed Ostrowsky. ‘I was wary. My brother and I work in a foreign country and we are not wanted here. People give us filthy looks when they hear us talking. We take their jobs, they say, though I don’t see many British who work as hard. And we don’t know the police and how they take care of their business.’ He looked at Banach standing against the side wall. She moved to the wall behind the interviewees.

  ‘And to clear up a murder you think we’d pin it on the nearest immigrant?’ said Noble.

  ‘I don’t know,’ said Ostrowsky. ‘But when you came to Bar Polski, you were also not truthful with me.’

  ‘We may not have told you what we knew, but that’s normal procedure, and at least we didn’t lie,’ argued Noble.

  ‘I think I’d call pretending to be a building inspector somewhat of a deception,’ said Patterson.

  Brook held up a pacifying hand. ‘I assume the upshot of all this is that your brother can speak for himself.’

  ‘Max will answer now,’ said Ostrowsky. ‘Tell them why you called the police before me.’

  ‘Yes, I call police,’ said Max.

  ‘The call didn’t come in until seven that morning,’ said Noble. ‘Yet you claim to have discovered the theft half an hour earlier.’

  Max turned to his brother and received a quick translation. ‘Yes. I try to find van. I think my brother will be crazy with me. And I worry about insurance.’ He hung his head. ‘I leave tools in. I should take out but I was tired.’

  ‘There,’ said Ostrowsky.

  ‘When you parked the vehicle the previous evening, was there a dead body in the back?’ asked Noble.

  ‘Is that a serious question?’ said Patterson.

  Noble smiled. ‘For the record.’

  ‘No,’ said Max, shaking his head. ‘No body.’

  ‘What exactly was in the van?’

  Max threw his head back to think. ‘Tools for electrician. Some petrol. Boots. Gloves.’

  ‘A blowtorch,’ said Brook.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Why does an electrician need a blowtorch?’ asked Noble.

  ‘Sometimes we put wire into wall and find old pipes,’ explained Max. ‘We must take out.’

  ‘A hammer?’

  Max nodded. ‘Yes. In my tool bag.’

  ‘A bunch of keys.’

  Max hesitated, thinking. ‘Yes.’

  ‘And when did you tell your brother about the theft?’

  ‘Later,’ said Max. ‘Don’t know time.’

  ‘I managed to contact Max that afternoon – following your visit to Bar Polski,’ said Ostrowsky to Brook. ‘Then Max came to the bar to speak with me.’

  ‘So you didn’t know about the van until DS Noble and I told you?’

  ‘You know I didn’t.’

  ‘We only know you took the theft very lightly,’ said Noble.

  Ostrowsky shrugged. ‘It’s a van. Obviously I had no idea someone had been killed. Or Jake was involved. You didn’t say or I wouldn’t take so lightly.’

  ‘Did you know Jake Tanner, your brother’s new barman?’ said Noble, addressing Max.

  Max shook his head. ‘Not to speak but I see. I can say hello. No more. I don’t go to bar. I work hard.’

  ‘Jake had been at Bar Polski less than two weeks. I needed an experienced man to stock the bar,’ said Ostrowsky. ‘Jake applied. He was smart, knew about drinks. I gave him the job.’

  ‘Did he provide references?’

  ‘Testimonials? Yes, some. He was presentable, well-spoken. I hired him.’

  ‘Did he mention he had a criminal record?’

  ‘He was in prison?’ Ostrowsky’s surprise seemed genuine.

  ‘We’ll take that as a no,’ said Brook.

  Ostrowsky shook his head. ‘What did he do?’

  ‘A minor conviction,’ said Brook, unwilling to gift information to a suspect. ‘A short period of custody ensued.’

  ‘Vehicle theft, by any chance?’ insinuated Patterson.

  ‘And how was Jake doing in his new job?’ asked Brook, ignoring Patterson’s jibe.

  ‘Good,’ said Ostrowsky. ‘He worked hard. Didn’t miss a day until the morning you called.’

  ‘He was trying to impress?’

  ‘I suppose so.’

  ‘Stealing Max’s van can’t have impressed you,’ said Brook.

  ‘My van,’ corrected Ostrowsky. ‘Max borrowed it for his wor
k.’

  ‘Would Jake have made that distinction?’

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘Would Jake have known it was your van and not Max’s?’

  ‘Possibly, no. Possibly, yes. You’ll have to ask him.’

  ‘We intend to,’ said Noble.

  ‘Two weeks is not a lot of time to develop a grudge,’ said Brook.

  ‘Grudge?’

  ‘Well, he stole your van to dump a body. Why would he do that?’

  ‘Just a wild guess, Inspector, but after committing a murder, I’d suggest Mr Tanner was desperate,’ said Patterson. ‘He knew my clients. He might have found out where the van would be overnight and took it. Seems obvious.’

  ‘Who knows why people do what they do?’ added Ostrowsky, his cold eyes boring into Brook’s. ‘Maybe Jake didn’t know the van belonged to me. Maybe he stole it because he saw it and he’s a thief. He and his brother lived no more than three hundred metres from Arboretum Street.’

  Brook looked up. ‘You know where Jake and his brother live.’

  ‘Of course my client knows,’ said Patterson, haughtily. ‘The address would be on all the references, and they’d need it for payroll.’

  ‘It’s one thing to have someone’s address,’ said Brook. ‘Quite another to know where it is, especially if you’re new to Derby.’

  ‘I’m not so new, but you’re right,’ said Ostrowsky. ‘I didn’t know until last night. When I saw Jake was involved, it became my business to know, so I looked at a map.’

  ‘So when we visited you at Bar Polski yesterday morning and you became agitated at the non-appearance of a staff member,’ said Brook, ‘that was Jake.’ Ostrowsky nodded.

  ‘Quite a show of temper,’ said Noble. ‘Did you treat him badly?’

  ‘He was new,’ shrugged Ostrowsky. ‘He seemed good at his job. That’s it. My show of temper is exactly that – a show. I’m a businessman, so I show my people I mean business to make them work hard for my benefit; for theirs too.’ He leaned forward, wagging a finger. ‘And I pay good money for good people. You can ask.’

  ‘I believe you,’ said Brook. ‘I’m told you inspired great loyalty when you were trading in South-East Asia.’

  Ostrowsky’s expression turned to pure ice. He toyed with an answer, choosing instead to glance across to his solicitor.

  ‘Is there any relevance to that remark, Inspector?’ said Patterson. ‘If you’re suggesting some past impropriety, then I must strongly object. My clients are EU nationals and the fact that they’re here in this country is evidence of their good character.’

  ‘I’m heartened.’

  ‘I really don’t like your tone,’ said Patterson.

  ‘Don’t leave without a complaint form,’ replied Brook.

  ‘It’s okay,’ said Ostrowsky, holding out a hand to Patterson. ‘We’re grown men. And the inspector must be under pressure to get results. Are we finished?’

  ‘Let’s talk about Jake’s brother Nick,’ said Noble. ‘Sources have told us they were inseparable. In fact, Jake had trouble getting permanent work because he often had to take Nick with him.’

  Ostrowsky nodded. ‘Yes. I told your colleague last night. He seemed a pleasant young man. He was around for a day or two when Jake started work, but I didn’t speak to him.’

  ‘What about you?’ said Brook, addressing Max.

  Max shook his head. ‘I don’t go to bar. I work.’

  ‘You’re on the payroll.’

  ‘Please?’

  ‘Max fixed the wiring,’ said Ostrowsky. ‘Most of the work has been done, but he’s on retainer.’

  ‘Must be nice for you, working in a bar,’ said Noble.

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ said Patterson.

  ‘We understand from our Polish colleagues that Max likes a drink or two after a hard day,’ said Noble.

  ‘If you have no sensible questions to ask, we’ll leave,’ said Patterson.

  ‘It’s okay,’ said Max, staring coldly at Noble before breaking into a huge grin. ‘Sure. But I can’t afford to drink Bar Polski. I go pub if I need.’

  ‘Is that because Bar Polski doesn’t employ any female staff?’ asked Brook.

  ‘Female staff?’ queried Patterson.

  ‘Girls,’ said Brook drily. ‘We’re also given to understand that when Max has had a few drinks, he has a liking for young women.’

  ‘Women around twenty years of age, according to the files we’ve seen,’ added Noble, glancing at a document.

  Max stared at his brother for a translation, but Ostrowsky just smiled quietly at Brook.

  ‘May I see?’ said Patterson. Noble slid the sheet across to him.

  ‘Quick work, Inspector,’ said Ostrowsky. ‘But those … situations were very minor and my brother was released without charge.’

  ‘Lucky you were around to help,’ said Brook. ‘Did money change hands, by any chance?’

  ‘That remark is uncalled for!’ snapped Patterson, pushing the paper away. ‘These arrests were clearly without foundation.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘Because neither of my clients has a criminal record,’ said Patterson. ‘And frankly I find your insinuations insulting.’

  ‘Why don’t you employ female staff?’ Brook asked Ostrowsky.

  ‘Why do you ask?’ said Patterson.

  ‘I’m just curious,’ said Brook. ‘If you open a Polish bar and restaurant, it seems reasonable to hire Polish staff – for authenticity.’

  ‘Bar Polski isn’t open for business yet,’ said Ostrowsky. ‘When the kitchen is ready, we advertise for cooks and waitresses next week. Then we hire girls.’

  ‘Don’t you have cleaners?’ asked Noble.

  ‘Not yet,’ said Ostrowsky.

  ‘With all that building work going on?’ said Brook. ‘Must get very messy.’

  ‘The builders are Polish, not British,’ grinned Ostrowsky. ‘They clean up after.’

  ‘Perhaps Jake had a Polish girlfriend who came to visit him there,’ suggested Noble.

  ‘I didn’t see Jake with any girl,’ said Ostrowsky. ‘Or Nick.’

  ‘What about the building workers?’

  ‘They work for me before and know very well not to mix business with pleasure.’

  ‘What about you?’

  ‘Me?’

  ‘You’re a successful businessman … and single,’ said Brook. Ostrowsky narrowed his eyes. ‘It would be perfectly natural if you sought a relationship with an attractive younger woman.’

  ‘I don’t have time,’ said Ostrowsky. ‘My brother and I work too hard.’

  ‘The victim was Polish, wasn’t she?’ said Patterson. ‘Why else all these questions about girlfriends and female staff?’

  ‘We’re exploring all angles,’ said Brook.

  ‘And the emerging picture we have of Jake and his brother seems to exclude women,’ said Noble.

  ‘So we’re looking for ways Jake’s path may have intersected with the opposite sex.’

  ‘Ever thought they just plucked her off the street, Inspector?’ suggested Patterson. ‘Maybe that’s what the van was for.’

  ‘I’m sure that’s it,’ said Brook. ‘Bad business, though. Did we mention the victim was pregnant?’

  Max looked up and then across at his brother before resuming his examination of the floor, while Ostrowsky sat in silent contemplation before shaking his head. ‘That is tragic,’ he said. ‘I had no idea.’ He glanced at Patterson.

  ‘I think we’ve taken this about as far as we can, Inspector,’ said Patterson, standing.

  ‘One more thing,’ said Brook. ‘We’ve found genetic material in the vehicle and need a control sample to eliminate your clients from our enquiries.’

  ‘That won’t be happening,’ said Patterson, fastening his briefcase. ‘Certainly not on a voluntary basis after the hostile way you’ve conducted this interview. I suggest you test the sample against Jake Tanner’s DNA that you’ll have on file. In the event that it doesn�
�t match, get a warrant.

  ‘Mr Ostrowsky told me he made it clear to you that he doesn’t drive and consequently has never set foot in any of his vans, so any request for his DNA is nothing short of a fishing expedition. As for Max, you’d expect his DNA to be in the vehicle, so if you find a second sample, feel free to ask again, otherwise go through channels. Good afternoon, gentlemen.’

  Ostrowsky was the last to leave, and as he passed Banach, he mumbled something at her in Polish.

  ‘Thank you for coming in, sir,’ said Banach to his retreating back.

  ‘What was that?’ Brook asked her when the Ostrowskys were gone.

  ‘He said, “Only a whore of Satan would work to harm her own people.”’

  ‘Clever,’ said Brook. ‘Trying to get a reaction.’

  ‘And you played dumb,’ said Noble.

  ‘Yeah, I really had to work at it.’

  ‘Think he knew?’ asked Noble.

  ‘I don’t see how,’ said Banach. ‘He just took a punt. I suspect he’s a bit of an old hand at this kind of stuff.’

  ‘You wouldn’t be wrong,’ said Brook. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘I think Greg is ice cold,’ said Noble. ‘They didn’t drink the tea or even touch the cups. And notice how he kept hold of Max’s unlit cigarette. Smart.’

  ‘Constable?’

  ‘Agreed,’ said Banach, surprised to be asked. ‘He’s charming and ruthless, but one thing he couldn’t hide. When you said the victim was pregnant, his neck flushed. He was uncomfortable. They both were.’

  Twenty-Four

  An hour later, the incident room fizzed with conversation, fed by the exhaustion of some of the occupants. Brook, Noble, Cooper and Morton, who’d missed two nights’ sleep, were bleary-eyed but sharp of mind in that perverse way fatigue sometimes produced. Eventually the crash would come, delayed for now by caffeine, nicotine and empty stomachs. The relatively fresh Smee and Read compared notes, while Banach sat quietly in the rear gazing at the display boards containing the pictures and potted histories of the six missing women.