Taunton Barr

by Brian Cain

CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Beaker had been somewhat taken back by the confronting manner displayed by Winston Blake, a man he had always found to be pliable and compliant. Whilst visiting on previous occasions he had been shown around the complex and felt freely informed of the operation. An abrupt and chilling air still hung over his head, but not without relevance, he had time to think about some of the more interesting passages in his conversation with Blake. He had the felling it was just business that had stirred Blake's recourse, he now felt sure it was Ashby and the establishment that Blake detested, and to a major degree Beaker understood the relevance in this resolve. He decided to take the call Blake had mentioned but was quickly brought from his trance on the outskirts of London in heavy traffic by a call on his mobile from Ashby. 'William, I'm rather busy in traffic at present.'

  'In traffic, what in Bristol or something.'

  'No, I'm on the outskirts of London heading home.'

  'What the, please explain.'

  'Thing's did not goe as planned at Blake's operation.'

  'I want you in my office nine sharp in the morning Beaker.'

  'That goes without mention William.' Ashby hung up.

  Beaker warmed to Blake's intellectual aptitude, he timed his call for ten a m, Blake knew Ashby would demand answers and be overbearing whilst going about it, that would put an air of disdain within him. Beaker contemplated the difficulty in remaining neutral whilst under stress and Blake being able to foster Beakers emotions with such a well timed call. Beaker still had the night to further deal with his mind.

  At the mornings meeting Ashby was exceptionally aggressive, he attacked Beaker immediately he sat down with not so much as a how do you do. He threw a photograph in front of him. 'Explain this Beaker, you are sent to get information from Blake, return after a brief discussion and I get this at great expense from some very handy friends.'

  Beaker studied the picture. 'It's Blake's operation, taken from the far side of the training track. A black and white horse jumping over the outer rail opposite the barn.'

  'Very good Beaker, this was yesterday afternoon after you left. Do you know how high that raised rail is.'

  'Looks pretty high.'

  'Two point four nine metres, a horse hasn't jumped that high period.'

  Beaker shook his head. 'Kalika Palmer is an Olympic equestrian, not unusual to see a jumper being worked at this operation.'

  'Ashby folded his arms and looked at the ceiling. 'Mmm,' he nodded and looked at Beaker, 'I never considered that, you think the Palmer woman is planning a comeback.'

  'I don't know, never thought to ask.'

  Ashby place another picture in front of Beaker. 'This is the same horse before it made the jump, striding along the back straight of the training track at Blake's operation, it ran like the wind. The riders face is covered, the stance of the rider looks awfully like Lindy Cumberland.'

  'Not surprising, she arrived at the operation from Australia yesterday.'

  'Look at the saddle.'

  'Forward flaps, jumping saddle.'

  'So you think this horse is the next equestrian find.'

  'I don't know.'

  Ashby sat back in his chair. 'Based on everything what is your summing up of the situation at with Blake.'

  'I think he has a horse that can run like the wind and jump over the moon, riding by one of the most iconic champion jockeys on the planet and he plans to take the horse to the national.'

  'I want you to find out this horses identity.'

  'Really makes no difference, wont change the facts, if someone wishes to beat it they need a horse that runs faster, jumps better and has a jockey with the heart of a lion, to say nothing of the power to sway public opinion.'

  Ashby took up his favourite position at the window looking down on the people in the street and spoke with his hands on his hips and back to Beaker. 'Your really don't know how things work do you Beaker. You find out about that horse, can't be many horses registered that are black and white and have this animals profile.'

  'I'll get onto it.' He got up and walked to the door, just before he left he asked a question. 'How do you know the rail on that fence is as high as you mentioned.'

  'Never you mind Beaker, just find out what we are up against.'

  Beaker returned to his office, he sat down and watched the phone while in deep thought. Ashby had put a dent in his emotions, he did feel animosity but not just Ashby, he had become part of something he began to despise, he wasn't told everything but had his suspicions. There had been a spate of poisonings over the last two years, one had been at Blake's business, not long after Blake returned to his operation and took control. He knew Blake knew more than he was letting on by a long shot and such conduct would fill Blake and Palmer with a terrible resolve. At precisely ten his phone rang, was the switchboard secretary. 'Have a call for you from a Winston Blake.'

  Beaker hesitated, he had Beakers mobile and direct line, why would he go through the front desk, the penny dropped, he wished to have all know about the call. 'I'll take it.'

  'Hello.'

  'Ah Winston, nice to hear from you.'

  'Terribly sorry about yesterday, very early this morning at sun up we attended a small ceremony where Roger Palmer was cremated, we spread his ashes on the meadow in accordance with his will. We have been under terrible stress over his passing and realise Roger would have been horrified at my conduct. A helicopter will be at the Battersea heliport at midday, please accept an invitation the helicopter will bring direct here, we can have a chat without the stress of a pending funeral playing up on our minds.'

  Beaker was wide eyed. 'Firstly please accept our deepest condolences over Roger, bit of a shock for everyone. I would have to consult my superiors, I will only be to pleased personally but we do have some pressing issues.'

  'The bird is dropping someone off there so will be there anyway, we will currently expect you.'

  'I'll do my utmost.'

  'We will be in the field and hard to contact so hope to see you then.'

  'Surely must be some way of letting you know.'

  'There is, when the chopper arrives you'll be in it or you won't.'

  'I understand thank you, will get on it.' Blake suddenly hung up at that point.

  Kalika was sitting next to Blake in the conservatory. 'You think he will come.'

  'He'll be here.'

  The front desk secretary at TBHA called Ashby, he picked up his phone. 'Yes.'

  'You asked to be informed of any calls made to us by Winston Blake, a man just called by that name.'

  'Who did he speak to.'

  'Beaker.'

  'Thank you.' Ashby accessed the security data base brining up the call on his computer, he played back the conversation and as he listened wore an indignant smile. He called Beaker. 'Beaker get up here,' and hung up. Beaker attended and calmly sat before him. 'You've had nearly an hour what do you have for me.'

  'I have a helicopter to Blake's operation.'

  'You arranged that yourself.'

  'Certainly not, Blake extended the invitation, Palmer was cremated today, been rather hard for them, he is apologetic.'

  'Well get on it Beaker.'

  'You approve of my attendance, I have no idea how long I will be and we have this Epsom business coming up.'

  'I'll attend to that Beaker, you get inside and see what you can find.' Beaker left.