Death on the Rive Nord

CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

‘Mr Dziri, I have another question for you.’ Rocco had driven straight back to the station. He didn’t bother trying to intimidate the man; he’d got beyond that and wanted confirmation of what he already suspected.

Dziri nodded, but said nothing.

‘When you made your journey to France, were you carrying a knife?’

Dziri looked up, startled. ‘No. No, I swear.’

‘Just Slimane, then?’

A frown this time. ‘Slimane? No. We were all searched before leaving Oran, and again before getting in the truck. They said anyone carrying weapons or drugs would be sent back.’ He slapped both hands together in a brushing motion. ‘Like that.’

‘What about the woman?’ asked Alix. ‘Did anyone search her?’ Dziri gave it some thought, then shook his head and sighed, the truth dawning. ‘No,’ he replied softly. ‘They did not.’ He shrugged. ‘She was a woman… it would not have been right.’