“He do something now.”
“That’s what I think. You’ve been a better friend than I deserve, but I’m going to ask you to do one more thing for me.” I paused.
“What do you want?”
“I want you to go ahead with your original plan to visit your uncle, but I’d like you to take Siân with you. Bell is going to send his men to punish me, and I’m pretty sure he’ll be able to find me here. If he does, I want Siân far away from me. No one will connect her to you. She’s got plenty of money, so you can put her up in a hotel in London. It might be a good idea to register together in your name, though, before you leave her. When I’m finished with Bell – or he’s finished with me – I’ll come and fetch her.”
“My uncle, he has a big house. We can both stay there if she’s happy.”
“Are you sure?”
“No dramas. Is that all?”
“Yeah. If Siân’s out the way with you, then I only have to worry about looking after myself.”
“What about you?” he asked. I shook my head. “It winds me up. Why don’t I take Siân to the train station? My uncle can pick her up in London; I’ll phone him. Then I can stay here and help you if it kicks off.”
I put my hand on his uninjured shoulder. “That’s kind, but I’d feel much better if Siân was with you. Besides, I’ve got the cops on my side if I need them, remember?”
I’m not sure if he believed me, but he nodded. “When do you want me to bug out?”
“Did you have a drink this evening?”
“No, I’m not fit yet.”
“Good, because I want you to go tonight. Now.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Maikel went into my bedroom to pack and I knocked on Siân’s door. I didn’t hear a reply, so I knocked again and entered. She was sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard, feet tucked underneath her and arms folded. She was listening to an iPod, which was turned up so loud that I could hear a faint tune from across the room. My appearance startled her, and her cheeks coloured, the pink emphasising how tight the skin was stretched over her skull. She pouted, a gesture with which I was entirely familiar. This time, the expression evoked nothing but pity. It was like a proud figurehead on the wreck of a sailing ship bound for the scrap yard.
She switched off the player and removed the earphones. Then she swept back her limp hair and said, “I reckon I was out of order. I’m sorry.”
I sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry.” I reached out and took her hand. “I’ve been lying to you because I didn’t want you to worry even more. I’m going to tell you the truth now.”
Siân’s jaw muscles stood out from her face as she fought her panic.
I squeezed her hand gently. “Collier tried to throw me out of his house on Sunday and I had to get rough with him. He arranged what he told me was a meeting with Bell on Wednesday, at Leeds Army Surplus. I didn’t trust him, so I took a cop and a decommissioned grenade along for company. It turned ugly and the bloke I mentioned – Hampton – shot one of his own men dead.” I paused to give her time to process the information.
She scratched her cheek with her left hand. Her finger came away wet from silent tears.
“Yesterday I went to Bell’s office. Putnam told me to piss off. First thing this morning I parked outside Bell’s house in Linton and waited. His daughter went for a run; when she came back, we had a chat.”
“No!” Siân pulled her hand away from mine and covered her face. “You’re cuckoo!” I watched as she convulsed and sobbed for a little while. When she regained control she sniffed loudly, took her hands away from her face, and stared at me. “He’ll kill you now. I’m so sorry. I’m so fucking sorry I came here.” She grabbed my arm. “I’ll leave the country. Come with me, we can go away together.”
I stroked her skinny shoulder. “You might have to do that later, but only if I fail. I’m not running from Bell. Tomorrow, I’m going back to his house, and I’ll spend the whole day there if necessary.”
“No!” She threw herself at me, wrapping her arms around me and clasping me as tightly as she could. “Garth, remember what happened to Calum. That was just a warning. He will kill you. Don’t you understand?” I held her for a few moments without saying anything and then she pulled away and looked into my eyes. “I should never have come here. I should have forgotten all about you when you left. There and then. I…”
“Why do you keep saying I left you?” I asked, puzzled. “You left me.”
“No, you left me for Afghanistan, as it goes. We both knew you were going for at least a year and might never come back. Maikel said you’ve been there all this time – why did you stay so long?”
“I don’t know.”
She sighed softly. “I had to protect myself. Why did Maikel’s fiancée leave him?”
“She didn’t want children. They fought about it for a couple of years and then both decided there wasn’t any point in going on. She left him last summer. He was devastated, but he knew it was the right thing.”
Siân let go of me, and leant back. “I’ve made trouble for him, too. God, why am I so fucking stupid?”
“I’ve just asked Maikel if he’ll take you to London with him, and he said yes. I think he wants you to stay at his uncle’s house. I want you to go tonight – now – in case Bell has any ideas. Napier threatened me in Linton and I want you and Maikel safely out the way until I finish this.”
“How could I fall for a knob like that?” She started crying again and I hugged her.
“It’s over. I promised I was going to deal with it, and I will. I’ve got a cop to help me, and I’ve done this sort of thing before.” Two lies, so much for telling the truth. I wasn’t going to mention the van either. “But I can’t do it if I’m worrying about you and Maikel. Go with him and I’ll come and fetch you later, when it’s all over. Okay?” Siân shivered in my arms. “You’ll be safe with Maikel.”
She pushed me away. “I’m not crying for me, I’m crying for you! I meant what I said. Mick will kill you.” She slid off the other side of the bed and jumped to her feet. “You’re crazy. Not just cuckoo, you’re completely crazy. I should’ve remembered that.” She pointed at me, her hand trembling. “I made a mistake coming here and you made a mistake going to Linton. You know I’m loaded. We’ll go away – to Australia, or somewhere like that. I can’t swan off with Maikel and leave you to face Mick on your own. What kind of a bitch do you take me for! Come with me, Garth, please. I’m begging you.”
I stood. “I’m not going anywhere. What I was doing in Afghanistan...I was good at it. I can deal with Bell. I’m going back to his place tomorrow, and I’m going to keep going back until he agrees to see me. He’ll get tired of me before I get tired of sitting outside his house. Trust me.”
Siân hugged herself, her arms tiny and weak. “Yeah! The real reason I left you is the same bloody reason I came back, because you – you – no, I’m not going to say it. It’ll probably only encourage you.”
I didn’t know what she was talking about, and it wasn’t important right then. “Come on, start packing so I can see the two of you off safely.”
Siân ran towards me and I wasn’t sure what she intended, but she pressed herself against me again, holding me in her frail grip, crying and sniffing. I pushed her away gently, kissed her on the forehead, and left her to prepare. Maikel was packed and waiting, the result of twelve years in the Army. He phoned his uncle while I surreptitiously retrieved the SIG Sauer. Siân was ready quicker than I expected. At eleven o’clock, I gave her one last hug and told her to warn to Calum to be extra vigilant. I shook hands with Maikel, and escorted them down to his car, an ageing Corsa.
I waved them off and then jumped into the BMW. Maikel was a careful driver, so I didn’t have any trouble catching him. Once I had the Corsa in sight, I kept well back, which was easy to do, because I knew what route he was taking. I hadn’t told either of them I’d be providing an armed escort, because I didn’t want them to know the f
ull extent of my concern. Siân was upset enough already. I followed them onto the A64. Once I was sure they were safely en route to London, I took the exit for Askham Bryan and returned to the flat.
It was midnight before I was back on my couch. I allowed myself a drink of the Drambuie. I didn’t have much to celebrate, but at least I knew Siân was safe, and that Maikel wasn’t going to be dragged into anything on my behalf. Soldiers are thankful for small mercies. I decided Bell and his family were going to have to survive the first few hours of Sunday without me, and set my alarm for seven. The last thing I wanted to do was fall asleep on the job – it might be precisely the last thing I ever did. I had a shower, finished the Drambuie, and went to bed.
*
I was back outside Bell’s for eight-thirty, my supply of food, drink, and petrol replenished, ready for another day. Maikel had left a message on my mobile to let me know they’d arrived in Gunnersby without incident. Four minutes after parking, I was trying to find a comfortable position, when I saw Napier stomp down the driveway. I drew my pistol, keeping it out of sight. If there’s one lesson I learned from four years of hunting rogue cops, it was keep your gun in your hand if you think you might need it. I scanned the mirrors for potential assailants as Napier crossed the road. Once again, he stopped a metre or so from the car.
“If I call the filth, they’ll search you and your car. You’ll go away for the gun.”
I was afraid that my bruised larynx would emit a high-pitched squeak in response. “If I’m arrested, Hampton will be next – for murder. Don’t forget I have a witness.” Thankfully, my voice was unchanged, despite the tenderness of my throat.
Napier shrugged, his hands in his pockets. “Another day hanging around here, somebody else might call the filth.”
“You better hope they don’t. If I’m arrested, Hampton goes down with me. I don’t care who called the police.”
He scowled, said, “You’re dead, cunt,” and walked back to the house.
In truth, Bell summoning the police was a concern, although I wasn’t actually doing anything illegal. I was acting suspiciously, however, and any police officer worth his or her salt would find me in possession of an illegal firearm, which would mean criminal charges and a whole lot of trouble. But I doubted Bell would call them. First, relying on the police to solve his problems wasn’t his style. He was a wealthy, powerful, dangerous man, the kind whose reputation demanded he take care of business himself. Second, police involvement might create more problems than it would solve, and wasn’t worth the risk. Bell would realise that even if Napier hadn’t. I relaxed a little after my chat with the big feller. Now that Bell knew I was armed, I didn’t think he’d try abducting me on his doorstep again.
The reduced risk didn’t make my vigil any easier. Second time around, the stakeout was absolutely mind-numbing, excruciating even. After Napier’s visit, there was no sign of any life whatsoever in the Big House. No arrivals or departures on foot or by car, not even any exotic wildlife perching in the trees or frolicking on the lawn. I had to rely on the neighbours to provide me with some very limited entertainment, which they managed to do without waving or smiling. In fact, everyone just ignored me, and I began to hope the rich kid in the sports car would make another appearance, just for the novelty of having someone pull faces at me. I ate brunch mechanically, fantasised about going for a run, and weighed up the pros and cons of various departure times.
At midday, everything changed.
Napier and another gorilla – of lesser stature – emerged from behind the trees, both dressed in suits and ties. The gates opened and they marched through. My gun was in my hand long before they halted on the road, standing together on the right-hand side of the gates as they swung shut. Napier’s sidekick had a clipboard and they ignored me, like everyone else in the neighbourhood. I was running through a variety of scenarios in my head when all was revealed.
At five past twelve, a giant silver Chevrolet SUV arrived. Napier greeted the driver and opened the gate, while his monkey ticked the clipboard. I put the SIG Sauer away. A procession of expensive people carriers, saloons, cabriolets, and even a limousine arrived in the next hour and a half. Seeing as I had nothing else to do, I counted twenty-nine vehicles, most of them carrying couples or families. A little Sunday soiree at the Big House, no doubt. My favourite rich kid wasn’t invited.
At twenty to two Napier received a call on his mobile and returned to the house with his sidekick in tow. Ten minutes later, I was about to leave the car to answer the call of nature, when my own phone rang. It was a withheld number, but I didn’t care; I was ecstatic at something to break the monotony.
“Hutt here.”
“Tomorrow night. Nine o’clock, the Quays, Concordia Street. Collier will meet you outside. No mates this time. Understand?”
It was Napier. “Bell will be there?”
“Yeah.”
“The Quays, nine o’clock tomorrow night.”
“Yeah. You got what you want, but if you don’t piss off now, I’ll have the boys do a fucking drive-by. I don’t care about Mr Bell’s neighbours and we’ll have the mess cleaned up before the party’s over.”
Napier was probably bluffing, but I had no intention of hanging around. I terminated the call, started my car, and made a rapid three-point turn. I’d achieved my aim; time to return to base. I set off home, using yesterday’s route and watching for a tail even more carefully. Napier’s call might just have been to get rid of me, or lull me into a false sense of security. There wasn’t any point in phoning Siân or Maikel yet either. The Quays might be another trap, or Bell might not turn up, or there might be some other complication I failed to anticipate. In about thirty hours I’d know one way or the other – assuming I was still alive – so I’d leave it till then. Nine o’clock in the evening was an ominous choice. It was the first hour after dark.
I reached the flat close on four, positive I hadn’t been followed. Fifteen minutes later, I burst out into Skeldergate in my running gear, headed for Poppleton. I’m not normally as enthusiastic about running as I should be, but it was a relief to get off my arse and stretch my legs properly. I returned fifty-three minutes after I’d left, tired and out of breath, but pleasantly so. I kept my eyes peeled for potential assailants as I climbed the stairs, half expecting Bell’s henchmen to leap out of the brickwork at any moment. They didn’t, but their absence didn’t make me feel much easier.
Once I’d showered, dressed, tidied, cleaned, and washed, I polished off the leftovers in the fridge for supper. I spent the next half an hour preparing for my appointment with Bell tomorrow, and went out to the balcony with my cigars at eight. It was a lovely spring evening, warm and bright. There were boats on the river and groups of pedestrians on the bank opposite. I admired the scenery, lit a Perfecto, and hefted my feet up onto the other chair. Of all the places in the world I’d lived and worked, York was my favourite, and the balcony of Emperor’s Wharf was my favourite place in York. I relaxed as the shadows slowly took possession of the town.
I finished my cigar, went inside, and regarded the pile of papers. The weekend’s work had caused me to all but forget Claymore, and I was in two minds about reporting to Lawson as ordered. On the one hand, my jaw still hurt and he needed a reminder that I was doing him a favour, not following orders. Going AWOL for an evening might do our relationship the world of good. On the other hand, I was naturally curious, even more so after Maikel’s comments about Cowan. I ground the molars in the left-hand side of my mouth together, thinking the pain might help my decision. It didn’t. Time-check: nine o’clock. Being late was the best I could do. I put on my shoes and trotted down to the car.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I regretted my decision the moment I heard Lawson’s voice on the intercom. I really wasn’t in the mood. I ascended the stairs with reluctance, stopped outside his flat, and took a deep breath. The door was opened by a woman of about my own age, holding a goblet of red wine. Her sun-streaked hair was drawn ba
ck in a ponytail and she had a dark tan. She was wearing a blue skirt-suit, a perfect fit on her firm, hourglass figure. When she smiled, her lips revealed too much of her gums and a small scar at the corner of her mouth.
“You must be Garth.”
“I am,” I replied as I walked in.
“I’m Marie Hardy, I work with Alex.” She had a slight accent, Estuary English. She offered her hand and I noticed her nails were short, but well manicured. I took it gently, though her grip was strong. I’m never really sure if and how to shake hands with women.
Lawson appeared from the kitchen, with a similar goblet of wine. “Hutt. Drink?”
Lawson drinking wine. He’d be wearing women’s underwear next. “No thanks.” I followed him into the lounge.
He sat in the chair and Marie and I shared the sofa. “Marie is my governor, the DCI in charge of the Major Investigation Team from HQ. Captain Hutt is one of our neighbours at Fulford, in the Special Investigation Branch.”
“I know Alex from our service in the GMP.” She smiled, revealing her gums again.
From her rank and experience, I concluded she was closer to Lawson’s age than mine, even though she didn’t look it. I could also see exactly what he was up to. If he knew Marie from Manchester, then his secondment to the MIT was indeed his big chance to show what he could do. Especially as she appeared to regard him with some fondness, strange though it seemed. I was impressed that she’d introduced herself as a colleague, rather than his boss, but her presence concerned me. I wondered how much she knew about what he and I had been up to. I smiled back, but prepared for the worst.
“I believe I owe you a belated thanks for your work so far.”
My heart sank and I had no idea how to respond. I raised my eyebrows in lieu of opening my mouth.
“That’s right,” said Lawson. “Hutt first drew my attention to Bavister as a link in the Haywood-Gordon murders. More importantly, he found Keogh and identified Cowan as the woman Gordon was referring to in Lynch’s statement.”
Bloody Reckoning Page 13
