Taunton Barr

by Brian Cain

CHAPTER EIGHT

  Beaker knocked on the door of Ashby's office. 'Come in.' Beaker looked both ways in the corridor and entered closing the door gently. 'Ah Beaker, sit down man, what do we have today.'

  Beaker pulled up the ornate leather bound chair in front of Ashby's desk until his knew touched the front and lent over toward Ashby. 'Something very interesting.'

  Ashby leaned forward. 'Go on.'

  'Flaxmead is in a plane on the way here.'

  'What an earth for.'

  'Public appearances.'

  'Haven't heard of any such plans.'

  'No all the animals appointments were cancelled in Australia, Prendergast issued a statement saying arrangements for appearances in the UK had been going on for some time, and finally agreements were now in place that were of advantage to the racing industry's public persona.'

  'Must have been planned for a while, paperwork and all.'

  'Nothing but Blake is a very powerful man, paperwork just rolled up here and is in order.'

  'Deny entry.'

  'Would be public suicide, play right up the Blake's alley, could be why he's done it, would be outrage in the press. looks like he's attacking the steeplechase industry, lets not play into his hands, acquires a young horse that can jump over the moon then brings his ace card to town.'

  'Mmm, least we can keep an eye on the bastard, I don't like it, Blake's a very smart man. Have the horse tracked from when it lands, never let it out of our sight.'

  'It's flying into Bristol sir, will go straight to his operation in Flax Burton, he does have the best quarantine quarters in the country. This morning our man there was roughed up by some heavy hands, hired muscle no doubt.'

  'Ahh, trying to keep us away while the nag lands, see to it, change operators.'

  'We can do that sir but I'm sure Blake will find them.'

  'Surely someone has a telescope Beaker.'

  'Indeed.'

  'The press has asked for a statement on the horses arrival.'

  'Absolutely delighted to have the horse in the UK, will be a grand asset to the industry, we will be attending several of the appearances, further congratulations on the success of this animal an icon of the planet, etc, etc, etc. Get my drift Beaker, this could be a boon to us. Back it all the way, be sure we are seen to support this to the hilt, the public will love us as much as they love that damn horse.'

  'I was thinking the same sir, but I was also thinking Blake is a very smart man.'

  Ashby got up, he walked to the window with his hands on his hips and gazed down into the street, he thought for a while. He turned back to Beaker. 'Go up to his place tomorrow morning and see what you can find out, use the paperwork on Flaxmead and that other little thing he's got Taunton Barr or whatever as an excuse, some loose ends, if there is none find some.'

  'His car was seen in Taunton this morning sir, our sources followed the wrong car from the premises they visited, identical cars but a different colour. The one they followed went to Bristol airport and two occupants boarded a plane to Spain.'

  'So we have no idea why he was there.'

  'The premises they visited is part of the Hornswaddle Fothrington estate left to Blake. It's apparently un inhabited according to locals.'

  'Don't mention those peoples names in here.'

  'Never the less they are the facts sir.'

  'Get up there in the morning Beaker and put your finger on the pulse man, convince him it was a mistake to bring the thing here and that we will benefit more from the publicity than he. Hopefully he'll send the damn thing back.'

  'I don't think Blake would be concerned sir, he would rather push on with a plan than stop because others would benefit. He found this horse in Ireland sir without any experience, and crushed everything in his path. I tell you he's gut feeling is dangerous, he will put his head where you dare not put your finger. Why do we oppose the man he would be the greatest asset we have if he could be swayed.'

  Ashby walked to Beaker and looked down at him. 'Don't you ever come in here with an attitude like that again Beaker, you'll be looking for a job. Do you know how long it took to regain control of this organisation after one of Blake's friends cut the place to pieces.'

  'I understand sir.' Beaker got up and walked to the door.'

  'Stay there as long as you need Beaker, get inside if you can.'

  'I, I'll see what I can do sir.'

  Beaker left and Ashby sat down. 'Indeed.'