Reap the Whirlwind

by Mark Timlin

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  Praise for Mark Timlin

  ‘The king of the British hard-boiled thriller’ – Times

  ‘Grips like a pair of regulation handcuffs’ – Guardian

  ‘Reverberates like a gunshot’ – Irish Times

  ‘Definitely one of the best’ – Time Out

  ‘The mean streets of South London need their heroes tough. Private eye Nick Sharman fits the bill’– Telegraph

  ‘Full of cars, girls, guns, strung out along the high sierras of Brixton and Battersea, the Elephant and the North Peckham Estate, all those jewels in the crown they call Sarf London’ – Arena

  For Lucy and Schmoo Ramsey

  ‘When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his hand.’

  Raymond Chandler

  By falling, we learn to go safely

  Chinese proverb

  This is based on a true story.

  1

  White Light/White Heat – The Velvet Underground

  This all happened between then and now.

  It was a short hot summer that year. Just a few weeks, but it seemed longer. Hotter than ’76. Reservoirs dried up, hosepipe bans arrived, birds dropped out of the sky, and fluttered into the shade to recover. Good natured shopkeepers put bowls of water outside their shop fronts for thirsty dogs. The general public were advised to share bath water with a significant other. Sadly, I didn’t have one. I made do with a punk rock rubber duck with a Mohican and studded collar that my daughter had left in my bathroom. The city was baking, like beef stew in a slow cooker.

  At first it looked like a simple job. Just a bus ride up to Holborn. Drop into the office of a legal firm. Leave an envelope with one of the partners, get a signature, then lunch at a little Japanese restaurant I knew, a bus ride home, two hundred sovs in the bin. Job done!

  But let’s go back to the very beginning. A very good place to start. It was yet another boiling morning. Eighty degrees by eight o’clock, and not a hint of a breeze. The sky was a tight blue skullcap over London, and the sun was a red-hot poker, from which there was little escape. Humidity was up, and the barometer was down. Even with the heatwave, I tried to stay fit. Every morning I did my usual run to Brockwell Park, up to the old house, then back to my office. Well, more like run there, limp back. I was dripping when I let myself in, so I went back to the small shower I’d had fitted after a good result, stripped my wet gear off and stood under cold water for five minutes, dried off, then got dressed in t-shirt and shorts. If anyone happened to drop by and want some private detecting done there was a navy blue, lightweight Cecil Gee suit hanging on the back of the door, with a white shirt, a serious tie, and on the floor a pair of black slip-ons with clean socks tucked in. The Venetian blinds in the window were closed, the door was open just to let the world know I was still alive, I had a Silk Cut in the ashtray, there was a glass of iced coffee courtesy of my new, expensive espresso machine. One of a pair I’d bought after another bit of a result recently. One for home, one for away, and the air was being slowly moved about by a small electric fan. The stereo was softly playing some kind of mod jazz compilation with plenty of Hammond organ. The current account was healthy, and all was right with my world.

  I should have taken a holiday, business was so quiet. I could have been sitting by an infinity pool, smoking a blunt the size of a baby’s arm, drinking New England iced tea or something similar, served by topless Nubian maidens whose only desire was my pleasure, and only pleasure was my desire. Trouble was, I was so bone idle I couldn’t rustle up the energy. That was all about to change when the phone rang. I picked up the instrument. ‘Sharman,’ I said.

  ‘Good morning,’ said a male voice. Husky, with no special accent. ‘Are you available for a job?’

  ‘Depends on the job,’ I replied.

  ‘An easy one. A distant relative of mine died. Her will is in probate. The solicitor requires some extra paperwork that I hold. I’m in the south of France on important business and can’t get back. All I need is someone to take an envelope to the solicitor, get a signature, and that’s that.’

  ‘Where is the solicitor.’ I asked.

  ‘Just off High Holborn.’

  ‘Why not put the stuff in the post, or use a courier?’

  ‘I want it signed for, and the receipt returned to me. I favour the personal touch.’

  Me too, I thought, but said nothing.

  ‘I’ll pay you two hundred pounds,’ he added. ‘Cash.’

  Now he was talking. Cash is king. ‘How did you find me?’ I asked. Always nice to know.

  ‘A recommendation.’ He mentioned a name that I knew.

  ‘OK,’ I said. ‘Get the stuff to me.’

  ‘Your address is still Station Approach, SW2?’ I confirmed that it was.

  ‘Expect a registered delivery.’

  ‘I will Mr…?

  ‘Martineau. M-A-R-T-I-N-E-A-U. Harry Martineau.’

  ‘OK, Mr Martineau. I’ll keep a lookout.’

  And I did.

  The postman bought a bulky registered parcel the next morning. Inside was a brown A4 envelope, sealed with red wax. Old school! On the front, in black ink, was written:

  For the attention of:

  Mr Leonard Stowe-Hartley

  Senior Partner,

  Mssrs Gyre & Gimble,

  37 Highcross Street, Holborn,

  London W.1.

  Also enclosed was a smaller envelope containing two hundred quid in brand new sequential twenty pound notes. Plus a handwritten note with the telephone number of the solicitors and Stowe-Hartley’s extension. Also inside was a receipt for the papers and a pre paid, addressed envelope with a PO Box number in London for the receipt. Nothing more.

  Later that morning I rang, got his secretary, explained my task, and got an appointment to call the next morning at eleven. Perfect for a quick half before lunch. The next day dawned hot again. So hot that The Sun newspaper had fried an egg on the pavement outside their office.

  Next morning I skipped my run. Then dressed to impress, in a pale blue Oxford button down shirt, a somber tie, a two button, single vent mohair whistle, black socks with pale blue clocks, and black Chelsea boots polished to a high shine. So, showered and shaved, come 9.45 I set off to catch a number 68 bus on Norwood Road.

  The bus was empty so I went upstairs to the front seats, just like I did when I was a nipper, with my mum and pretended I was the driver. Both front windows wound halfway down, so I cracked them both, took off my jacket and enjoyed the breeze.

  The bus meandered through Herne Hill, Camberwell, the Elephant, over Waterloo Bridge and dropped me off opposite Holborn tube at quarter to eleven. According to my A-Z, Highcross Street was two streets along High Holborn, then two more north. And it was. At five to eleven I turned into one of those streets that hadn’t changed for a hundred years or more, lined with four storey terraced town houses painted sparkling white and smelling of old money well looked after. Number 37 was smack dab in the middle of the terrace on my right, and at eleven o’clock precisely I climbed the four steps that led between two columns to the massive front door. Next to it was a shiny brass plate with Mssrs Gayle & Gimble writ large. At least I was in the right place.

  In the middle of the black lacquered door was a big bell push with another brass plate that said RING AND WAIT. Figuring I had no choice, I did so. Almost immediately the door opened and a middle aged man in a sergeant’s uniform covered with gold braid and medal ribbon
s stood in front of me. Blimey, I thought. A doorman. How posh. I introduced myself, and he ushered me in, stood me in front of his desk and called through on the telephone. Once convinced I was expected, he showed me to an old fashioned accordion fronted elevator and sent me skywards towards the third floor where I was met by a young blonde in a severe two piece suit who showed me into Stowe-Hartley’s office. And very tasty it was too. All dark, polished wood, thick carpet, with a desk as big as my office. Completely clear except for two phones. The air conditioning was on high. It felt like paradise after the street outside.

  Behind the desk was the man himself, I supposed, who rose as I entered and stuck out his hand. ‘Mr Sharman,’ he said. ‘Stowe-Hartley. You’re very punctual.’

  ‘The politeness of princes,’ I replied. ‘Or so my old granny used to say,’ as I took the extended mitten.

  He was a big man, tall, middle forties I guessed, beautifully suited in Savile Row’s finest, and a starched white shirt and patterned tie in a Windsor knot. His dark hair was swept back and greased down, and his smile and voice were so sincere I immediately took a dislike to him. Don’t ask me why. It was just something about him that made me think of a basking shark waiting to make a kill. ‘So true,’ he said back. His handshake was firm and dry, and his voice was sincere as hell, but I was still tempted to count my fingers when he let go.

  ‘Do sit,’ he said and indicated a comfy looking leather chair in front of his desk. I did as I was told and put the envelope from Martineau on his desk. He broke the wax seal, opened the envelope and pulled out a sheaf of papers. He flicked through, then grinned a shark-like grin and said, ‘Excellent. This seems to be all in order.’

  ‘Good,’ I said ‘Now if you’ll just sign this receipt.’ I passed that over too.

  ‘Of course.’

  He took the proffered linen and made a show of a complicated signature with a massive gold fountain pen. He passed it back. ‘Thanks,’ I said and stood up. He stood also, and I made my leave, found his secretary in the outer office, who showed me back to the lift which creaked down to the sergeant’s lair, and out through the front door to the big, wide world, and a world of trouble.

  2

  Summertime Blues-Eddie Cochran/T-Rex/The Who

  The sun was at its peak when I got back outside, and the street was whited-out like a negative photo. After the air con in Stowe-Hartley’s office, it was almost unbearable, and I took off my jacket, and rolled up my shirt sleeves. Now I knew how that fried egg outside the newspaper office felt. I crossed the road heading back towards High Holborn, and I noticed a man standing on the pavement opposite looking like he was lost. He was about my size and looked like he went to Bertie Wooster’s tailor. He was wearing a three piece tan summer suit, a long collared pink shirt with what looked like a tabbed collar, which I immediately fancied, and a matching paisley tie and handkerchief, flopping out of the breast pocket of his jacket, with two tone brown and white brogues. He even had a carnation in his button hole. Like him, it hadn’t wilted in the sunshine. How he managed the waistcoat in the heat I couldn’t imagine. He was holding a silver topped walking cane. I only looked for a second but there was something about him. Elegance I think, and he made me feel like a badly tied bag wash.

  I turned left at the corner of Highcross Street and as I strolled along, I heard a voice from close behind me. I hadn’t heard him following. I must be getting old. ‘Mr Sharman,’ said the voice. ‘Nick Sharman.’

  I turned, it was the bloke in the tan suit. ‘What?’ I said. Not original, but there you go. He seemed perfectly affable close up. No obvious weapons apart from the cane. He reached into the inside of his jacket. If he was armed and about to shoot me, then I was a goner, with nothing on me more lethal than a Mont Blanc ballpoint pen. Instead of a pistol he pulled out a leather case, flipped it open and showed me a Metropolitan Police ID. ‘Detective Inspector Douglas Spencer,’ he said. ‘Can we have a word?’

  Of course now I know he probably had a leather case in every pocket, under different names, and different identification for every security and police force in the country, but I didn’t know that then. And I didn’t ever know his real name as far as I knew. Not ever. But, I’m getting ahead of myself.

  ‘About what?’ I said. ‘Hold on, have you been following me? What’s going on?’

  ‘No. I haven’t followed you. I just knew where you were going to be this morning. Fancy a drink?’

  I was confused. Not for the first time in my life as it happens. But I was also intrigued and wondered what previous misdemeanour was about to jump up and bite me on my arse. ‘Alright,’ I said. ‘Why not? It’s a hot day, and a cold drink sounds just fine.’

  ‘There’s a pleasant pub, just around the corner,’ he said, and led the way. I followed like a lamb to the slaughter. The boozer did indeed look alright. The woodwork was painted shiny black with hanging baskets leaking water from a recent soaking, which I could cheerfully have stood under to cool myself down. Inside it was polished floors, a polished bar, and polished bottles reflecting the low lights. Orange and red. The barman was behind the jump, polishing a glass. There was a CD of Motown greatest hits playing quietly. Air con there too. Happy days.

  ‘What do you fancy? asked Spencer.

  ‘Bottle of Becks,’ I replied. Then spotting fresh limes on a shelf behind the bar, I added. ‘With a squeeze of lime juice.’

  He went to the bar and ordered. I sat on a padded banquette and waited for my drink. Spencer came back with two glasses of beer. Mine had a lime juice top just like I’d asked.

  ‘Told you,’ he said. ‘Not a bad place.’

  I agreed out of politeness as Marvin Gaye segued into Gladys Knight. ‘So,’ I said. ‘What’s this all about?’

  ‘I’ll come to that. You see there’s just one thing we don’t know about you, Mr Sharman. We don’t know if you’re on the side of the angels, or the dark side.’

  ‘We?’ I said.

  ‘The security forces. The forces for good.’

  ‘I didn’t know I was so popular.’

  ‘I wouldn’t go that far,’ he replied after taking a drink. ‘But you’re definitely on our radar.’

  ‘Nice to know.’

  ‘Which is why you’re here. We… I recognise you’re a shrewd operator. And you were a bloody good copper until you turned to grand larceny.’

  Obviously he didn’t believe in gilding the lily. He was right, of course, but that’s another story.

  ‘So you see, we… I need your opinion on something.’

  Just then the penny dropped and I recognised his voice. ‘Hold on,’ I said. ‘It’s you. On the telephone. You’re the bloke who called me.’

  He didn’t even have the goodness to blush. Instead he shrugged and said, ‘Guilty as charged.’

  ‘And you weren’t in France.’ He shook his head.

  ‘So there is no deceased old lady.’

  ‘Oh there is. An old dear died in an old folks home. No reason. No sign of foul play, and indeed no sign of fair. Poof.’ He threw open one hand. ‘And she was gone. According to the postmortem her heart just stopped. Her grandson was most distraught. He approached us and so began my little deception the other day.’

  ‘And my opinion?’

  ‘On the fellow you met today. Leonard Stowe-Hartley .

  ‘The lawyer?’

  ‘The very same. A slippery cove.’

  He saw my frown.

  ‘Do you read, Mr Sharman?’

  ‘Sometimes.’

  ‘I do. It’s my way of relaxing. Crime fiction mostly. Christie, Wallace. The golden age of British crime writing, and sometimes I slip into the argot.’

  ‘I have a friend who shares your interest,’ I said. ‘My favourite is Lee Child.’ It was his turn to frown.

  ‘I believe he’s quite popular.’

  ‘Why do you wa
nt to know what I thought of Stowe-Hartley?’

  ‘Going back to the old lady. The home she died in is part-owned by him. And coincidentally he’s her lawyer. Or was. Hence the delivery you did today.’

  ‘I see,’ I said, though I didn’t. ‘As a matter of fact I didn’t like him.’

  ‘Why was that, pray tell?’

  We were back in the thirties.

  ‘Dunno, to tell you the truth. Just didn’t like him…’

  ‘Good. I hoped you’d say that. You see, as well as being a slippery cove, our Lenny is rich. There is no Gyre and Gimble, it’s all his. Plus he’s clever, he’s duplicitous, he’s ruthless, and he’s bloody elusive. And Stowe-Hartley isn’t his birth name.’

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘Sidney Hartley. Stowe was his father. So you see, he’s a bastard by name and nature.’

  ‘So what exactly does he do?’ I asked.

  ‘He’s a fixer. An architect. He plans jobs. Criminal jobs, and takes a cut. A large cut we hear.’

  ‘So why not nick him?’

  ‘Because he is as clean as clean can be. When these jobs go off he’s in Scotland playing golf, on the beach in Barbados, or on his yacht moored on the South of France. And he’s a hail fellow well met. The life and soul of the party as everyone else will testify. Alibied to the hilt. Simple!’

  ‘But that still doesn’t tell me where I fit in.’

  ‘Fit, precisely,’ he said. ‘You are the perfect fit. What we’re looking for is someone to put a spanner in his works. A cat amongst the pigeons. And you would be perfect.’

  Suddenly, the room seemed colder than the air conditioning warranted. ‘Let’s get one thing straight from the get go,’ I said. ‘No matter what you might have dug up about me, I don’t kill people for money, or for any other reason.’

  He managed to raise one eyebrow like a low rent Roger Moore. ‘No no, Mr Sharman. That’s not what we want. Heaven forfend. Just a little sand in his shoes. Besides, it’s been tried. Twice, as a matter of fact. And both would-be assassins ended up dead. No, just a little abrasion in his life. Come on, with your pedigree it would be easy.’