by Carl Hancock
‘Pink by any chance?’ Winston immediately asked.
Matt responded enthusiastically. ‘You know where they are? You know who’s got them?’
‘I know who has them now Matt, but the deals all done, cash has exchanged hands and the merchandise is with its new owner as we speak.’
‘So soon?’ Matt asked.
‘I had a buyer already waiting in the wings; it was a simple transaction, the type you dream of. Buy from one and turn it around within the hour, £200k clean profit and I didn’t even have to leave the club, just made a couple of calls that’s all. That’s what I was celebrating before you called by.’
‘But I need the opportunity to get it back! Buy it back if necessary,’ Matt confessed.
‘Not possible, like I said it’s already in the hands of the buyer. I can’t do a thing about it now, maybe if you were an hour or so earlier but not now,’ Winston said.
Matt scratched his head. ‘What about the buyer? What if we speak to him, make him an offer?’
‘Not going to happen Matt, when he makes a deal he sticks to it. It’s a binding contract that can’t be broken, besides which he was pretty keen to get hold of the goods.’
‘Who is it? What’s his name?’ Matt asked.
‘I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that,’ Winston replied.
‘Why?’
‘Because I know whose cargo you were escorting.’
‘So? What’s that got to do with it? Who’s the buyer?’ Matt said.
‘O Donnell,’ Winston reluctantly admitted. ‘O Donnell’s the buyer Matt!’
Matt’s face dropped as the admission sunk in. ‘You sold him his own shipment?’ he said in numb shock.
‘Yeah man, but he knew it were his alright, figure he’s sure he’s gonna recoup his losses one way or another. Shit, I thought the situation was funny till you turned up and admitted it was your detail protecting the cargo.’
‘So he knows we were hit, bang goes my head start. Damn,’ Matt said angrily.
‘You and him are pretty tight though aren’t you? I mean you’ll work it out Ok?’
Matt shrugged his shoulders. ‘Business is business, he won’t come at me directly just yet but he won’t accept a loss like that, that’s a certainty,’ he said. ‘Buying his own gear…fuck me what a stroke.’
‘If there’s anything I can do…just let me know huh!’
Matt nodded; engrossed in his own thoughts and problems he had forgotten the most relevant question he had yet to ask his old friend. It was mostly confirmation that he required, he had his suspicions and just needed them confirmed.
‘Before I leave, who was the seller?’ Matt asked observing the hesitant look on Winston’s face. ‘Come on, just a hint,’ he urged.
‘I think you already know the answer to that my friend, I hear your with his girl.’
Matt had the answer he sought and Winston had managed to maintain his confidentiality clause at the same time. ‘That’s right, have been for a long time now.’
‘Yeah and then he does that to you, kind of intentional I guess?’
‘What goes around comes around. He’ll get his sooner or later,’ Matt said. ‘I’ll catch you later,’ he added as he left.
‘Yeah man, don’t leave it another five years Ok.’
‘Damn it,’ Matt shouted back at the club. ‘I should have known better than to think it would work as planned!’
‘It’s not your usual cautious style Matt,’ replied Griggs. ‘I would have recommended against it had I been asked my opinion.’
Matt shot him a disgruntled glare before relenting, he scolded himself for the lack of perfection he had inserted into the plan so couldn’t blame his confidant for doing the same, it was what he paid him for after all. ‘You seem to have been distracted of late; I didn’t see the point of bothering you with it.’ Killing the Whore hound seemed a good idea at the time, now the lack of police interest in Billy made the decision pointless.
‘You weren’t just after a quick fix to the problem then?’
‘Wise as always aren’t you? Maybe if you weren’t so busy to attend our weekly meals then I would have been able to pull you aside and ask your advice, instead I had to work with what I had.’
Dave thought for a moment before responding. ‘Those events are not what they used to be are they? Not since the increased numbers I mean.’
Matt could sense he had hit a sore point by making digs at his lack of appearances; his voice had become full of determination and self surety. He obviously felt justified in his reasons without feeling the need to fabricate excuses. ‘It wasn’t my idea to invite them.’
‘I never thought it was, but you must admit how difficult it would be to discuss any plans, legal or not with him in the house. Even in your office you couldn’t be assured of total privacy.’
‘True…but business wasn’t the only reason we invited you over.’
‘I know,’ he replied.
‘You never did explain exactly what the problem was, aside from the company that is.’
‘Do I need anything more than that? Sheila I can stomach but sitting down with that bastard at the dinner table is something I couldn’t do under any circumstances.’
The words concerned him; he was unusually open with his feelings towards others and he had something important to ask of him. It was another reason for his haste in securing Billy’s re-entry into the prison system and another thing placed in jeopardy since its failure.
‘That poses me another problem,’ Matt said. ‘Although I suppose Steve could take your place.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘I’d hoped the police would have been able to take care of him for us, before I asked a favour of you. Something that I will have to ask Steve now that I know you don’t want to be anyway near him, it’s just a shame he couldn’t be blamed for the whore hounds death.’
‘A long shot by far Matt,’ he said. ‘But what can Steve do for you that I can’t?’
‘It can wait for now, maybe I’ll strike lucky and the problem will just evaporate one way or another by his own hand or actions.’
‘No…you can’t get out of it just like that,’ Dave insisted. ‘You started it so finish it. What did you want to ask me?’
He should have known better than to drop a hint and then dismiss it leaving his friend wondering, he had rose to any challenge placed before him so far in the time he had known him so obviously took the suggestion of replacement as offensive.
‘Best man Dave,’ he said. ‘I wanted to ask you if you would be my best man when we get married but if he’s still around at the time then as father of the bride the two roles will have no choice but to frequent the same table.’
Dave smiled, ‘Then we better do some serious thinking and make sure he’s well and truly out of the picture hadn’t we?’
Matt nodded. ‘Yeah, but very discreetly.’
Chapter Thirteen
The drive down had been a tedious one as usual; he had left home alone at 7am to spend the few hours with Anna at her home on the south coast. Suzy never came, she had never met Anna. Matt had always got the impression Anna didn’t wish to meet the love of his life, something that quietly bothered him as he thought she should have felt different. Anna, being in her sixties and widowed welcomed the annual pilgrimage he made to mark the passing of her husband. The childless couple had been married for over 35 years when he tragically passed away.
The coastal town that she now resided in was, on a good day, an hour’s drive from her previous home. Unable to live in the house where he died, she sold up and moved to the quieter location of Sandwich in Kent.
Set in Sandwich Bay private estate, her house overlooked the open sea with sights of nearby towns across the dark murky sea water. It was a place she was sure Leslie would have loved too. Its pebbled beaches offered pleasant walks watching the flow of the tide. A few miles stroll from there, situated between Sandwich and Ramsgate was Pegwell Bay nature reserve acces
sible directly from the bay. But the part she knew would have appealed to her husband was the Royal St Georges golf club minutes away from the house. The cinque port town that at times hosted the open golf tournament would have been an ideal place for them to retire had he been given the chance.
Climbing out of the car Matt thought as he usually did, that the house was oversized for just her. Yet it was her money and her choice, he didn’t and couldn’t begrudge her a thing.
Leslie Ford had been a good man, the best man he had ever known. Warm, approachable, gentle, strong and determined at the same time, he was liked by all that met him, unless you faced him on the other side of the court room that was.
Holly, the Springer spaniel and only company Anna shared, raced out of the open door and down the drive to greet him. He patted her back and then rubbed her belly when she flopped over onto the tarmac. She wagged her tail in excitement as he marvelled at the fact she obviously remembered him despite his visits being few and far between.
‘Hello Anna,’ he greeted her as he embraced her tight, and affectionately kissed her cheek. ‘You look well; it must be all this fresh air!’
She smiled and nodded, she had never felt so healthy since moving. ‘I assume you’re alone then?’ In desperation she glanced behind him.
Matt knew what she was asking, but it was never going to happen. ‘I’m sorry Anna, but he finds it especially hard given the date. He said he’ll pop down in a few weeks.’ He could see she was upset, he was always the one left to explain Steve’s absence.
Anna called Holly into the house. ‘I just would have liked to have seen the two of you together for once, that’s all.’ She turned and followed the dog through the hallway, her disappointment obvious.
Closing the door he followed her through the spacious home that offered so much unfulfilled ambition. It was a property he could see himself enjoying retirement and a stress free lifestyle in one day.
The large kitchen was filled with several welcoming aromas, the smell of freshly baked bread wafted throughout accompanied by the best ground coffee that sat at its optimal temperature, so strong you could almost taste it.
It was still early yet he knew from past experience, and from her habitual perfectionism that she had already prepared a home cooked feast for the two of them to enjoy later in the day. Practically growing up on the meals provided by her, the cuisine she created by her own design was always a pleasure to look forward to.
On the kitchen side sat a large bunch of flowers, a small card tucked inside undisturbed.
‘You’re not going to read the message?’ he asked.
Her gaze followed his. ‘I don’t need to do I? You send the same every year.’ She smiled and poured him a coffee knowing just how he liked it.
His actions had become stale and predictable, for that he felt bad. Maybe she now considered he couldn’t make the effort or that the day meant very little to him, something which was far from the truth. He promised himself he would do things differently next year.
The couple entered the spacious living room; Anna sat herself down as Holly due fully followed and lay down at her master’s feet.
The room had been decorated since his previous visit, the blue walls had been replaced with a light beige similar to what covered them the year before that. Familiar photos hung from them, all neatly arranged in order of occurrence.
Anna had always been house proud. Although she herself had once had a highly successful career carved out for herself by her own merits, she had cast it aside for what she deemed morally rewarding. Running a home with the sudden influx of two complete strangers and the responsibility and emotional luggage they bought with them had seemed to come naturally to her.
Time flew by as they chatted and reminisced, a stroll along the coastal route with Holly leading the way followed. Anna took delight in showing off her new found gardening skills, her perennials growing strongly along the garden borders, the apple and pear tree that adored the bottom of her grounds. The successful and productive vegetable patch came as a glorious sight to Matt having never even planted a seed.
The garden of his home was maintained by a contractor, he rarely if ever ventured into it, seldom finding the time to enjoy what nature had to offer. It made him think about his own future and what he really wanted for it.
A fresh prawn cocktail followed by homemade lasagne with home grown side salad and a trifle for after stuffed Matt out. Reluctant to refuse so much rich food, he knew she would have been offended. Although the day held something for him, it was more about her. The visits he made allowed her to retain a sense of purpose, a feeling that she was needed and could still take care of others. The day had been like all others over the past years, an annual event that bought back painful memories and regrets to all touched by the tragic and senseless loss.
A nudging on the arm, a gentle tap on the shoulder and he awoke, slumped out on the sofa as always with a full belly bringing about his tiredness.
‘I’m sorry Anna,’ he said rubbing his eyes.
Anna stood in front of him smiling ‘It’s alright; I’ve come to expect it.’
Whatever she said, he didn’t see it as acceptable behaviour. ‘No it’s not, I came here to see you, there’s no excuse for falling sleep.’ He lent forward and looked at the clock, it was 2.30pm and he had a drive ahead of him and something important to tell Anna before he left.
‘Your obviously working too hard, that’s all. Better you fall asleep here than behind the wheel.’
As always she spoke perfect sense, the voice of deductive reason with the ability to comfort others and put them at ease. Something he discovered about her at the tender age of fifteen when he first met her.
‘Yes, maybe your right.’ He stood up to stretch his legs. He was uneasy discussing his work, unaware of what she really thought of his decision to change his career path. As far as he knew, she wasn’t aware of his actual chosen occupation. Business was what she thought he was into now, which was true although it included many other peoples businesses too and on their part it wasn’t voluntary.
Matt walked around the room; he set eyes on a new set of photos that had emerged since the year before. He picked one up and momentarily allowed himself to relish in his achievement. Something that he should have been very proud of considering it was once very much out of his reach.
‘That used to be sitting in my study; I thought I’d move it where it might be more appreciated,’ Anna said.
Matt placed it back on the side. ‘It was never meant to be, not for someone with my background at least.’
‘Don’t say that Matt, upbringing doesn’t have to determine where you end up. You’re proof of that, you can do anything you want,’ she replied in his defence.
‘Yes, and sometimes things are taken from you when you never should have had them in the first place,’ he responded.
Just like Leslie was taken from him, he was never destined to have a father. Not for life at least.
‘You chose to stop practicing,’ she said. ‘You chose to leave it behind.’
‘And what do you think about that Anna… I mean you never said.’
The question was out now and he couldn’t take it back, the truth may be too hard to bear with only himself to blame for the knowledge. He waited in anticipation, he could see from the look on her face that she had never wished to be asked that. The answer could do more harm than good. He watched as she turned away from him for a few seconds before sitting down and gesturing to him to do the same. Sitting opposite her she held out her hand and took his, her eyes were becoming redder by the second which was not what he intended with the off the cuff question.
‘Matt,’ she said tearfully. ‘I love you like you’re my own, I think you know that?’
Matt nodded his head silently.
‘And so did Leslie, that was what was meant to be for your life. He was as equally proud of you following him into law as he was for taking care of your brother.’ She wiped her eyes, pausi
ng to recompose before continuing. ‘We both knew you were your own man and capable of making the right decisions, although we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t disagree with some of them.’ She squeezed his hand. ‘I feel that you could have achieved so much more had you continued on the law path, look at what you achieved in them short years.’
Matt knew what she was referring to, between the ages of fifteen and twenty two he had turned his life around. What he once faced, the few career paths that lay open to him due to his lack of education had been increased dramatically in that time. His natural ability to learn and soak up information had until he was fifteen gone unnoticed due to lack of parental interest. Until he was taken in by Anna and Leslie who had done all they could to educate him and assist him into further education with no motive but genuine love and concern for his future.
‘He would still be as proud of you today as I am.’
‘I’ve let you down Anna, you and Leslie. I’ve wasted all the time and effort you put into getting me that far.’
‘We just wanted you to be happy Matt, you and Steve. It’s what you deserve, and as long as you are then nothing else matters Ok?’ She smiled, once again having said the right thing.
He nodded and briefly considered the option of unburdening himself, explaining his line of business was technically on the wrong side of the law and his education had helped insure he was profitable at it.
‘You look like you have something else on your mind Matt?’
His solemn distant expression was saying more than him, he nodded building up to the moment he had been thinking about since he got there.
‘I am happy Anna,’ he said. ‘So happy actually, last night we set a date for the wedding. Isn’t it great?’
Anna’s face was unable to conceal her answer; she released her hand from his and pulled it to her. She stood up and stifled her voice as it crackled; ‘Nooo.’
