Page 61 of Better the Devil

But it wasn’t his place. It wasn’t for him to say.

‘Victor Belov was, from what I hear, trying to move up in world. Trying to build on the territory he and brothers stole.’

‘Stole? From you, you mean?’

‘Stole is wrong word again. Territory they moved in on. Yes?’

‘And then you came back, and lo and behold, now he’s dead,’ Jack said. ‘I’d say that was one hell of a coincidence, but I don’t really believe in such a thing.’

Bosco spread his hands, as if to show they were empty. ‘You must see, this cannot have been me. I have been out just few days. Just few days. No time to plan, or make moves, or try to reclaim turf, even if I want to. Which I do not. I have no interest in old ways. Only interest in Olivia. In being good father.’

Logan didn’t believe a word of that. Even if Bosco had actually convinced himself of it, Logan knew better. This was a man driven only by money and power. Anyone who stood in the way of those things were just blockades to smash through. Rivals, police, family. They were all just obstacles to be dealt with.

‘You know what, I think, Bosco? I think you’re full of shite. I think you killed Victor Belov. Maybe not yourself, but some minion somewhere. Some loyal wee underling. Maybe you had them do it, to show the world that the boss is back.’

Bosco cast his eyes down at the table. He rubbed a hand across the wood, sliding it back and forth as he composed his thoughts.

‘I am many things, Jack. You know this. I am not proud of things I have done. But you will agree, I think, that though I am many things, I am not idiot.’

Logan wished he could disagree on that one, but until getting in tow with Owen Petrie, Bosco Maximuke had mostly evaded arrest and prosecution for decades. Sure, Logan had nabbed him once or twice over the years, but never for anything major. Never for anything that really stuck.

Bosco Maximuke was nobody’s fool. And killing a rival so soon after being released from prison would be a very foolish move indeed.

Logan crossed his arms. He still didn’t believe the bastard, but he was willing to entertain the rubbish coming out of his mouth for a little while longer.

‘So, what are you saying?’

‘It is obvious, no?’

Logan shrugged. ‘Enlighten me.’

‘Someone wishes rid of me. Someone wishes me back in big house. Or… or using my freedom as opportunity to take out rivals.’

‘So, you think this is a drugs thing? Someone making moves?’

‘Of course. From what I hear, Victor was messing with much bigger fish. Stepping on toes. Bigger fish, I think, had been throwing weight around. Putting him in place.’

He slapped the table.

‘You want to know who kill Victor Belov? You reel in bigger fish. You ask him.’

Logan didn’t want to jump the gun, but he had a feeling where this might be going.

‘Right. And who is this bigger fish, exactly?’

‘Man by name of Crichton,’ Bosco said. ‘Kendrick Crichton.’

Logan sighed. Yep, just as he’d thought.

‘Aye, well, you see,’ he began, ‘about that…’

CHAPTER TWENTY

‘I get your interest,Detective Inspector, and I appreciate you making such a comprehensive argument, but the facts of the matter as I see them are these.’

DCI Nathan Reeve turned, halfway down the front path of Kendrick Crichton’s house, and began counting on his fingers.

‘This here travesty happened on our patch; Mr Crichton has been a person of interest across multiple departments within the North East branch of our mutual organisation for some time now…’