Black Daffodil (Trevor Joseph Detective series) by Katherine John Page A

woman lives on carrots, spinach and lettuce leaves.’
    ‘She looks fantastic on it.’ Trevor closed the back of his cell phone and glanced at his watch. ‘It’s only two o’clock. We don’t have to be in the city until four. Why don’t you call her?’
    ‘In my own good time.’
    ‘It wouldn’t kill you to admit you’re besotted.’
    ‘I feel guilty as hell leaving those two babies in that council flat.’ Peter turned the key in the ignition.
    ‘They’re experienced officers and I should have known better than to bring up a personal subject with you.’
    ‘Those jokers might not be the only the dealers operating on the estate looking to get at Chris and Sarah for having their nose pushed out of joint.’
    ‘The front door on the flat is solid. They’re armed,’ Trevor reminded him. ‘Provided they don’t make the mistake of opening it to the wrong people again, they’ll be fine until morning. We can look in on them again then. Did Andrew say anything about telling the locals they’re undercover when you passed on the location of the thugs?’
    ‘He said that the locals have been alerted that Chris is an-ex con. They’ve been warned to leave him and his girlfriend alone unless the situation is life-threatening because serious crimes is hoping Chris can lead them to a major dealer.’
    ‘So the locals won’t interfere?’
    ‘Not unless bullets fly or Andrew calls them again. He said the police patrols on the estate were told not to show a higher than normal profile before or after Chris and Sarah moved in, for fear of frightening off the big man.’
    ‘How did Andrew intend to explain away our call about the thugs we left in the ground floor flat?’
    ‘By telling them the tip-off came from one of the big man’s henchmen who’d been ordered to clear the decks of local operators so Chris and Sarah could begin trading.’ Peter took a tin from the side pocket in the car door.
    ‘I suppose a big man in the background would make any other dealers’ pet thugs wary of tackling Chris and Sarah.’
    ‘With luck, after our success in taking those scumbags out of circulation, the opposition will have one of us down as the big man.’ Peter squashed his cigar in the tin.
    ‘Will the local force buy the story?’
    ‘Bent or straight, I see no reason why they shouldn’t.’ Peter closed the tin and returned it to the side pocket.
    ‘Smoking is a filthy habit,’ Trevor said.
    ‘So Daisy keeps telling me.’ Peter put the car into gear and reversed.
    ‘Do it around my offspring and I’ll throttle you.’
    ‘I don’t doubt you will. Back to the city?’
    ‘Via Macdonald’s.’
    ‘You hate burgers.’
    ‘Their coffee’s good and I want to get rid of the Sim card.’
    ‘I’d forgotten how careful you have to be about every nit-picking, microscopic thing; and how it plays on your nerves.’
    ‘Even all expenses paid in a five-star hotel?’
    ‘Especially in a five-star hotel, all-expenses-paid,’ Peter answered. ‘Can you think of a less likely place you and I could afford to move into semi-permanently?’
    ‘The taste of luxury has spoiled you for everyday life?’
    ‘Knowing the only people who can afford the kind of luxury we’re living in are the bad guys.’
    ‘Everyday life has compensations five-star hotels don’t,’ Trevor smiled.
    Peter saw the smile. ‘Only for those who believe life is fair and crime doesn’t pay.’

Chapter Seven
    Peter and Trevor found Jude Williams working with weights in the main area of the gym. He saw them and made a show of lifting the bar high above his head before dropping it on the stand.
    ‘What do you think?’ He climbed off the bench and waved his arm expansively.
    ‘About what?’ Trevor was mystified by the question.
    ‘Is this the sort of place you’d like to take out full membership?’
    Trevor saw people watching them and realised Jude was providing an explanation for his and Peter’s presence. He hadn’t considered that Jude