Death on High (The Lakeland Murders)

by Salkeld, J J

  ‘Are you working at all at the moment Gary?’

  ‘No, worse luck.’

  ‘Fancy a day’s graft, cash in hand like?’

  ‘Straight?’

  ‘Do you care?’

  Mann laughed and shook his head. ‘I suppose not. What is it?’

  ‘Fencing job, near here. It’s a two man job and my usual mate has cried off on me. It’s hard graft, but there’s a hundred quid in it if you’re willing.’

  ‘That’ll buy me some bits for the car. Yeh, you’re on. Where and when?’

  ‘What about outside here at half seven tomorrow? You can leave your Scooby in the car park. I’m the only person round here who’d rob bits off it, and I’ll be with you.’

  Mann laughed. ‘You’ve got a deal.’

  Thursday, 21st February

  Ian Mann didn’t enjoy the drive back up to Alston the next morning. It was windy, raining hard, and it was cold too. It was years since he’d last done really physically demanding work in tough conditions, and though he’d always worked to stay fit he was pretty sure that his real endurance was gone. Too many years of sitting on his arse in a nice warm office. The main thing was to try to keep up with Brockbank, and Mann reckoned that might be no easy task.

  He arrived a minute or two before Brockbank, and they set off in Ben’s dad’s old Land Rover. The trailer it towed was full of posts and rolled metal fencing.

  ‘It’s a temporary job, to cover a couple of stretches where the dry-stone walling is down’ explained Brockbank. ‘The Herdwicks are hefted to the ground they were born on, but we still need to do it before they go back up onto the hill after lambing.’

  The farm wasn’t far from the village, and it was as light as it was going to get that day by the time they started work. Mann had a tough pair of gloves with him, but when he saw that Brockbank didn’t wear any he worked in his bare hands too, and ignored the splinters and the odd wire cut. After an hour or so his back was starting to ache as well, and the rain was stinging his face, but he was enjoying himself. He had to concentrate, because Brockbank worked hard and quickly.

  At about ten they stopped and sat in the cab of Brockbank’s old Land Rover, drinking tea from Brockbank’s flask.

  ‘You’re doing well Gary’ said Brockbank, ‘did you do stuff like this in the Marines?’

  ‘Sometimes, but it was a long time ago now.’

  ‘You’ve kept yourself fit though. No offence, but most bouncers I’ve met have been steroid fed monsters. All bark and no bite.’

  ‘Not me. If you want it, you have to earn it.’

  Brockbank looked across at Mann. ‘Old school, eh?’

  Mann knew he’d got the tone wrong, but he didn’t want to over-correct and hit another wrong note. Suddenly coming over all bad-boy would be equally unconvincing.

  ‘When it comes to looking after myself, then yeh’ he said.

  Brockbank nodded. ‘So what are your plans? You don’t seem like the kind of bloke to just sit around on the dole forever.’

  ‘I’m not, but I might have no choice. So far I can’t even find a minimum wage security job in Carlisle.’

  They sipped their tea and looked out at the rain. It was rattling against the windows, and Mann could feel the old Landie rocking slightly on its springs.

  ‘How about you Ben? Do you do this sort of work all the time?’

  ‘When it’s around, yes. I help my dad on the farm, but there’s no money in that. There’s not even enough in the farming job to support my mum and dad, and he’s getting too old for it now.’

  ‘Will you take the farm on?’

  ‘No, not a chance. They’ve got no pension, so I want them to sell off the land and just keep the house and a paddock. But my dad’s resisting. We’ve had that place for three generations see, and he feels like he’s letting everyone down if he sells. Not just me like, but his dad, and his dad before that. I tell him not to be so soft. They’re all dead, and I think he should sell up while he still can. He’s worked his whole life for nothing really, and I think he knows that too.’

  ‘But where does that leave you?’

  ‘In a damp rented cottage, with a baby and my wife.’

  ‘Can you make a living contracting?’

  Brockbank shook his head, opened the door and drained the last drops of tea out of his mug. ‘Nah. I just do odd jobs for the few old boys of my dad’s generation who are still hanging on up here. In a few more years there’ll be none of them left either.’

  ‘Won’t you be able to work for the people who take on the farms instead?’

  Brockbank laughed.

  ‘You’d think so, wouldn’t you? But they’re all offcomers, big companies and local landowners. Small hill farms like my dad’s can’t survive, I keep telling him. It doesn’t matter how hard any of us works, we’re all knackered. Come on, we’d better get back to it.’

  Mann felt a twinge in his back as he swung out of the cab, and a couple of blisters were coming up on his hands. Bring it on, he thought.

  Andy Hall was warm and dry, looking out of Ed Willis’s office window at the rain. Even after all these years he still hadn’t quite got used to how much of it there was.

  ‘That’s why it’s called the Lake District’ said Jane, reading his thoughts.

  Ed Willis came back carrying a tray of Pantone mugs.

  ‘They’re all the same. Which colour do you fancy?’ he asked.

  Jane chose one, and Hall took the one nearest to him.

  ‘So you want to talk about Tony?’

  ‘Yes, so what kind of person was he?’ asked Hall.

  ‘Particular, very particular. Builders loved his drawings, because everything was thought through, and explained. He didn’t leave any loose ends. No surprises, you know.’

  ‘So he was a successful architect?’

  Willis paused. ‘Well we’ve worked reasonably steadily, even in the downturn. But Tony gave up on the hope of doing any really big projects when he moved up here, just as I did. A new office for a car showroom or a decent new build on a prestige site was about as good as it got for us really. I’m not complaining though.’

  Hall nodded. He understood perfectly how and why decisions like that got made. Even the rain didn’t stop Kendal being a great place to live.

  ‘And what about Tony personally?’

  ‘Family man. Went to church. I can’t say I knew him that well outside work.’

  ‘But haven’t you been in partnership for years?’

  ‘Yes, but when you work closely with someone all week you don’t necessarily want to see them at the weekend as well.’

  Hall nodded, but said nothing. He had the sense that there was more to come, and in his experience it rarely took people all that long to start speaking ill of the dead.

  ‘And I suppose that Tony was always in charge’ said Willis, ‘he always had to have the last word on everything. He could be the life and soul, full of fun, but only when things were going his way. I found his moods a bit wearing to be honest.’

  ‘And his wife?’

  ‘Vicky? No, the patience of a saint that woman has. She never seemed to notice his moods at all.’

  ‘So you were surprised about what happened?’

  ‘Totally shocked.’

  ‘Because he was a careful sort of person?’

  ‘Partly that, but also the fact that he fell so far. They must have been walking right at the edge I imagine?’ Hall nodded. ‘That’s ironic then, because Tony never really liked heights. When we had jobs to look at where it meant getting up high, like the odd church roof and stuff, well Tony never really wanted to price those up. So I usually had to do them. We never really talked about it, it was just sort of understood, but I can tell you for certain that he never liked heights.’

  Hall nodded. As usual his expression was friendly and encouraging, but beyond that he gave absolutely nothing away. Jane wondered if he’d follow up, but he didn’t.

  ‘One other thing I just wanted to
ask you. Did you or Tony ever come across a local man by the name of Eric Robinson?’

  It was Jane’s turn to try to keep her expression neutral.

  ‘Friend of Tony’s from the church wasn’t he? Yes, he came in here once or twice, a couple of months ago, to talk about plans for a new church hall or something. Tony took care of it, but I don’t think anything came of it. Do you want me to see if there’s anything on file?’

  ‘That would be helpful, thanks.’

  Willis left the meeting table, and looked on his computer. Hall thought that the screen seemed excessively large.

  ‘No’ said Willis, ‘absolutely nothing. They must have decided not to go ahead. Shame, but one less thing for me to worry about I suppose.’

  ‘Will you have to get a new partner now?’

  ‘Probably not. There’s not much work about at present actually, so I should be able to manage on my own. Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask you.’ Willis seemed uncertain. ‘I was just wondering why you’re here. I assumed the cause of death was an accident. You see we had key-man insurance on each other, that’s why I’m asking.’ Willis stopped.

  ‘And you’re worried that there’ll be a delay in it paying out?’ asked Hall. ‘You’ll need to talk to your insurer about it, but I think they’ll pay out after the inquest verdict.’

  Willis only looked modestly reassured, but he didn’t press the point.

  Hall and Jane sat in his car afterwards. He knew what was coming.

  ‘Where did that stuff about the Super come from Andy?’

  ‘It was him who changed my mind about following up on this Jane. He marked my card about Harrison, but he didn’t tell me that he’d had dealings with him outside their church. I had to find that out for myself.’

  Jane thought that he sounded slightly annoyed, but she might have been imagining it.

  ‘So what now? I suppose some people who don’t like heights die from falls, but I bet it’s uncommon.’

  ‘I agree. And friend Willis looks like he’s in for an insurance payout and a timely reduction in their headcount too.’

  ‘So young, yet so cynical.’

  ‘It’s the job Jane. I promise you I’d be a proper little ray of sunshine otherwise.’

  Hall started the engine, flicked the wipers on to maximum speed, and set off slowly for the office.

  By half-two Mann was struggling. The wet and the cold didn’t bother him, he’d known much worse, but his back was starting to spasm, and a couple of his blisters were bleeding all over the fenceposts. But there were only a couple left on the trailer, and hardly any wire fencing, so he reckoned they were nearly there. The two men barely spoke as they worked, but they’d gradually become faster, or maybe the ground was a bit softer now.

  The rain had stopped by the time they’d finished, and Brockbank handed over the cash when they got back in the cab.

  ‘Aren’t you going to count it?’

  ‘I’ll trust you.’

  ‘You sure that’s wise? We might get back and find I’ve had your car nicked.’

  Mann laughed. ‘Fancy a drink?’

  ‘Just a quick one. I’m paying mind.’

  They drove back to the pub and Mann moved around in the seat, trying to stop his back hurting.

  ‘Old war wound?’

  ‘Something like that. I’ll be fine.’

  The pub had only just opened, and they were the only ones in there. Other than changing their boots and leaving their coats in the Land Rover they looked like two men who had spent a hard day working on the fells. But the barman didn’t comment as he poured their pints.

  ‘So would you be up for more work, if I came by it like?’

  ‘Yes. What did you have in mind?’

  Brockbank sipped his drink, and carefully put it back down.

  ‘Decent drop that. How would you feel about a bit of night work?’

  It took Mann a couple of seconds to realise what Brockbank meant.

  ‘You mean something that we wouldn’t be able to do during the day?’

  ‘Exactly. It wouldn’t be a good idea at all.’

  Mann nodded. He took his time before answering.

  ‘It would depend on what it was like, but yes, I reckon I’m in.’

  Brockbank nodded. ‘Leave it with me. Might be a few days. There’d be a bit of driving. And you know about security, don’t you Gary?’

  ‘You bet. What would I be looking after?’

  ‘It would be my security my old marrer.’ Brockbank drained his glass. ‘Now do you fancy another, or do you need to get off?’

  ‘I better get off. But it was good to be outside working again. I’d forgotten how much I missed it.’

  ‘I better get back too. You’ll need to do something to your hand though. You’re bleeding all over that pint pot.’

  That evening Mann couldn’t face going to the pub. In fact he could barely get out of the bath. He took some painkillers, cooked pasta for two and ate the lot. Then he called Hall and brought him up to speed.

  ‘That’s brilliant Ian, great work. And you’re sure that Brockbank hasn’t tumbled you?’

  ‘I’m fine, I’m sure of it. I’ve not had to act, pretend I’m anybody I’m not. And he’s a sharp lad, very bright.’

  ‘Be careful, that’s all. It’s the clever villains you need to watch, and God knows they’re rare enough. So what do you reckon this job might be?’

  ‘Farm machinery theft or metals maybe? He hasn’t asked me if I’m any good with animals, so I doubt it’s that. It’s all a bit strange though.’

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘I just can’t work the lad out. He’s a farmer’s boy, probably as hefted to where he comes from as those bloody sheep are, but he doesn’t seem to mind nicking off other farmers. It just seems a bit out of character somehow.’

  ‘He’s not Robin Hood, Ian. Blimey, you’ve only been gone five minutes and you’re already going native, if we’re still allowed to say things like that.’

  ‘Only if you say it ironically Andy.’

  ‘I meant it ironically then. Seriously, you watch yourself. Just because you had a day of male bonding over a load of fence posts doesn’t make him your best mate all of a sudden. He’s a thief Ian, so let’s not lose sight of that. Maybe next week, maybe next month, but you’re going to nick him. So you just keep that in mind.’

  ‘I will, don’t worry.’

  ‘What about Spedding? You seeing any ways in with him yet?’

  ‘No, sod all. He and his pals don’t seem very friendly, and that’s an understatement. It might take me months to even get on more than nodding terms.’

  ‘And they say northerners are friendly.’

  ‘Who says that?’

  ‘Northerners I expect.’ They both laughed. ‘We’ll need to move things along then. Tell you what, leave it with me. I’ll have a chat with Ray Dixon tomorrow and see if we can come up with anything to help. He’s got a bloody devious mind.’

  Friday, 22nd February

  When Hall got in to work he called Robinson’s secretary and found out that he was in, alone, and didn’t have a meeting for half an hour. Hall said he’d come straight along. Robinson was waiting for him when he knocked.

  ‘Come in Andy, come in. Progress on the matter we were discussing?’

  Hall had no idea why Robinson felt the need to be oblique. They were alone.

  ‘Yes. We had a chat with Ed Willis, Tony’s partner.’

  ‘We?’

  ‘Yes, me and Jane Francis.’

  ‘Was that wise?’

  ‘You know the rules as well as I do sir. We’d have nothing admissable otherwise.’

  ‘So you think there’s something in it?’

  ‘I think there’s a very small chance that a very serious offence has been committed. But until I’m absolutely certain that there hasn’t been then I would prefer to proceed as normal.’

  ‘And Jane Francis is trustworthy? Not a gossip?’

  ‘
Ian Mann gossips more than Jane does. She didn’t even know that those two PCSOs had got together, the ones who had that civil partnership last year.’

  Robinson looked uncomfortable. ‘I didn’t know about it either.’

  ‘They put a notice up sir, inviting everyone to a party. I think there was an email too.’

  Robinson smiled weakly. ‘OK Andy, point taken. So what next? Is there even a next?’

  Hall took his time before answering. ‘I’m not sure. The only two things that Willis said that are even remotely indicative of anything at all are first that Tony didn’t like heights, and second that Willis had Tony well insured.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, you know, key man stuff. I’m sure it’s common enough in small professional services firms, because if one senior person goes under a bus then the rest are,’ Hall hesitated for a moment, searching for a suitably unsweary term, ‘in trouble.’

  ‘I see that. So what about this issue with heights? If he didn’t like them then what was he doing right out on the edge?’

  ‘Vicky says he insisted they follow that path, but of course it’s always possible that it was her idea.’

  ‘So you’ll talk to her again?’

  ‘Yes, sir, I will. There are a couple of things I’d like to chat to her about actually.’

  ‘Fine.’ Robinson seemed distracted. ‘And Willis didn’t say anything else of interest?’ Hall shook his head. ‘OK Andy, go and talk to Vicky again by all means. But will you do me a favour and go on your own this time?’

  Back in his office Hall made a note to call Vicky Harrison, but something didn’t feel right. He called Jane in and told her what Robinson had said.

  ‘So do you want me to come along when you talk to her again?’

  ‘No, I’ll do as he asks, but I wanted you to know. Would you do me a favour and note this conversation in your notebook, and ask Ray to sign it for you? And when you’ve done that, would you ask him to pop in?’