by Mick Moran
“Please.”
“Find somewhere quiet in the room. I’ll bring the drinks in.”
It was crowded around the bar. One of the rooms, from which a jute-box could be heard playing, was also full of Friday night revellers. Alan chooses the other room in which he found a quiet corner and sat at a tiny table.
Eventually Joe joined him with two pints of bitter. “Well, how are you?” he asked after sitting down. “Have you got over the shock of seeing that idiot today?”
Clearly he had not.
“I don’t know.” Alan shook his head. “I don’t know what to do.”
Joe could see how worried Alan was. He had a drink before replying. “This is all because you saw that idiot today. You shouldn’t let him get to you. He’s not worth it. Anyway, he didn’t even see you.”
“It’s not just that. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I can’t keep hiding away.”
“So. What are you thinking?”
“Well, I don’t want to leave you in the lurch, but I can’t carry on like this.”
“What do you want to do?”
“Maybe I should go to the police, tell them everything and take the consequences, before they come for me.”
“Joe could see that Alan was deadly serious. “You must think about this,” he cautioned, “before you do anything.”
“Think about it! I’ve done nothing else but think about it. I can’t undo what I’ve done. It won’t go away. I’ve been stupid. I’ve done bad things. I must pay for them.
“Stupid; yes. You’ve been stupid. We all do stupid things sometimes. Bad, though? From what you told me your part was not as bad as you seem to be imagining. I think, in your head, you’re building this into something worse than it is. Cheer up. It’s not as bad as you think.”
Joe had another drink. He noticed Alan had not touched his drink.
“Come on; drink up. You’re buying next.” Joe was trying to lighten the mood, but to no avail.
“Sorry. I’m not in the mood.” But, Alan did have a drink. “I did warn you that I’d be poor company.”
You can say that again, thought Joe. There was no way he could change the subject. Alan’s problems had to be thrashed out. But, just what was Alan thinking?
“I thought it was Dave and his cronies that you were bothered about. Why are you suddenly worried about the police coming for you?”
“Not suddenly. I’ve thinking about it for a while. I was involved in a murder; maybe two murders.”
“Not two murders. The man that Dave assaulted is getting better. The other man, up in Broadfield, yes, that man died, but you never touched him. In fact you pulled Tommy off him. You stopped the assault from being worse. The man’s injuries would have been worse if it weren’t for you.”
“How could they have been worse? The man died.”
“Yes. Yes. The man died, but we don’t know how much the injuries he got that day contributed to his death, if at all. The man was old and feeble.”
“All the more reason why we shouldn’t have attacked him.”
“You didn’t. You pulled Tommy off him. What else could you have done?”
Alan shook his head “There’s a lot I could have done. I could have stayed, helped him; called an ambulance. Instead I ran away and left him to die.”
“You didn’t know how bad his injuries were. In fact you told me that you thought his injuries were not so bad. You’re beating yourself up over things that you didn’t do”
“Yes. There’s so much I didn’t do. The man that Dave hit with the starting handle; I didn’t do anything to help him either.”
“Alan; I didn’t mean it like that. You’re not responsible for what Dave did. It’s not like he discussed it with you beforehand. He just did it. You weren’t to know that he was going to do it.”
“Maybe not, but I didn’t do anything to help the man after.”
“Alan. What could you have done with Dave there? Anyway, you thought the man was dead, didn’t you?”
Yes. But, I didn’t check. I just took Dave’s word for it. I should have known better.”
“Yes. When it comes to Dave, we all should have known better. He took me in for a very long time. I was so stupid then. You, though, were the sensible one. You never got involved in any of Dave’s schemes. Although I didn’t think so at the time, looking back now I can see that is something you should be proud of.”
“I don’t know.” Alan shook his head. “He got me in the end.”
“Yes. Eventually he got you. I don’t know why you allowed yourself to be taken in by him. But, it happens. The important thing is you’re away from him now. It took me a long time to realize what an evil man he is, but I’m so glad that I got away from when I did. I should have done it a lot sooner.”
“Yes. So should I. The thing is I don’t feel like I’ve got away, although I can’t ever go back.”
“You still think he’s out to get you?”
“Yes. He’ll be angry about the way I left and I did threaten to tell the police about what he did to that man.”
“Serve him right if you did. It wouldn’t be wise though,” Joe hastened to add. “He’ll know now that that hasn’t happened. If you had gone to the Police he’d have heard from them by now. Probably he’d be locked up. That would be no bad thing, but you’d be putting yourself in real danger. No. I think it’s best for you to keep away from him. In spite of what you think he’ll give up on you in time, if he hasn’t already. He has other things to worry about right now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, my sister for one. She’s been asking questions about him; not too discretely I’m afraid, and he’s found out.”
“He’s found out! How do you know that?”
“I met her yesterday evening. She told me she had a note pushed through her letterbox warning her off. It wasn’t signed but she’s sure that’s where it’s from. It will be.”
“Oh God! Now she’s in danger too.”
“I don’t think so. I’ve warned her to be careful. I think she will. She has no more plans to do any more snooping into Dave’s affairs.”
“Has she reported it to the Police?”
“No. Not yet. My advice was to ignore it at this stage.”
“You think that’s wise?”
“I hope so.”
“So do I.” Alan clearly disagreed, but Joe was pleased that he asked no more questions. Instead, he noticed, seemingly for the first time, the empty glass, which Joe had been toying with for minutes.
Jumping to his feet Alan picked up the empty glass. “I’ll get you a drink,” he said and immediately headed for the bar.
Joe needed another drink. Alan’s glass, however, he saw, was still more than half full. Alan was certainly not in a drinking mood. Was bringing him out a mistake? At least, Joe thought, he got Alan to say what was on hi
s mind, if somewhat perturbing.
Left alone Joe thought about Alan. There was a lot he’d got wrong. He’d thought Alan had put his troubles behind him, or at least stopped worrying about them. After the first few days at Joe’s flat almost nothing was said about the events that brought Alan there. Then, after starting work with Joe, Alan seemed much calmer and happier. However, what Joe had just heard, made him realize that things were not what they seemed: Alan was still a very troubled young man.
Alan’s way of dealing with his problems was, apparently, to fully throw himself into his work and Joe had taken full advantage of that. Joe was considering asking Alan to be a partner in the business, but first he must sort himself out.
Was there something Joe could do? Joe was no counsellor. He could just talk to and advise Alan as a mate, but was he giving the right advice? Alan needed professional advice, but Joe had no idea how to go about getting it.
Alan talked about going to the police and telling all. Joe had a bad feeling about that and hoped he’d dissuaded him. But, was he right? If Alan did so he would probably get himself locked up. That would be bad for Joe too, but for Alan, it wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen. Alan would then be a grass and Joe knew what criminals did to those who grassed on them.
Joe had heard of King’s evidence, or was it then called Queen’s evidence? If Alan told all he knew about Dave’s criminal activities would then any charges against himself be dropped? The police had probably already got a file on Dave and may welcome any new information. Alan knew enough about Dave to put him away for a long time. But, to get charges against himself dropped, he would probably have to stand up in court and give evidence against Dave. Could Alan do that? And if he did, would the police then give him protection? He would certainly need it.
Two girls entered the room. As they sat down in the opposite side of the room, one of them gave Joe what might have been an inviting smile. He smiled back, just to be friendly, he had a girlfriend. On the other hand, was that just what Alan needed. Seeing Alan’s sad face returning with the drink Joe immediately dismissed the thought.
Chapter18. Mary’s decision
It was about seven o’clock in the evening when Father Downey answered the doorbell. “Mary! How are you?”
“Come in.” After she entered, he closed the door and ushered Mary into his living room. “I’m glad you called,” he said. “I’ve being meaning to come and see you. Take your coat off and sit down. Would you like a cup of tea?”
“No thanks Father. It’s not long since I had one.”
“Well, how are you doing?” he asked when they were both seated. How is married life?”
“It’s all right, I suppose.” She didn’t sound very sure, but had no more to say on the subject. The priest didn’t pursue it. It was clearly not what she came to talk about.
“It’s Martin, Martin Prendergast,” she said. “I’m worried. I don’t know what to do.”
“Martin. Have you heard something?”
“No. Not a thing since he left. For all I know he could be dead.”
“No Mary, he’s not dead. That’s what I was coming to tell you. He’s badly injured, though. He’s in hospital in Coventry.”
“Coventry! What’s he doing there?”
“I don’t know. It’s a mystery. I had a phone call last week from the hospital, but I didn’t know for sure then that it was he. He was unconscious and there was no identification on him. All they found was our parish newsletter in his shirt pocket, which was why they phoned me. From the description they gave I suspected it was Martin. I didn’t tell you. I thought there was no point in upsetting you until I knew for sure.”
“Thank you Father.”
“I had a phone call this afternoon confirming it was him.” Remember that girl, Teresa that came looking for him a couple of weeks ago. Well, she phoned me today to say that she saw him in the hospital. There’s no doubt; it’s him. But, the good news is that he’s conscious now and getting better.”
“Oh, thank God for that Father. Poor Martin; I hope he’s all right. Do you know what happened to him?”
“He has head injuries. She thinks he was assaulted, but she’s not sure. The police are looking into it.”
“Oh, The police; they’ve been at my house three times: twice yesterday and once today, but I haven’t seen them. I don’t know what to say to them, so I kept out of their way.”
“Mary, what are you worried about? You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“Should I have reported Martin missing before now?”
“Maybe, I don’t know. Don’t your lodgers come and go all the time? You weren’t to know that Martin wouldn’t come back. I don’t think you’ll be in any trouble for not reporting him missing. You say the police came to your house, but you didn’t see them.”
“Yes, Father. Maybe I did a silly thing. I was coming back from the shop yesterday when I saw the policeman knocking on my door. I thought it might be about Martin and I didn’t want to talk to him, so I kept away ‘till he’d gone. He came back again in the evening, or some policeman did. I didn’t see him. Henry went to the door. I told Henry that if it was the police to say I was out. He did that. I can rely on Henry. But, he was kept talking at the door for a long time. It was about Martin all right. Henry was asked all sorts of questions about him. How long was he living there? How long was he gone? Where did he work? All sorts of questions were asked. And when he came again today I just didn’t answer the door, pretending I was out again. Jimmy Flynn said the police were on the building site where he works asking questions about Martin today as well.”
The priest nodded. “Why don’t you want to talk to the police, Mary? What are you frightened of?”
“There’s something else Father that I haven’t told you about. When that girl that you mentioned came- she said she was Martin’s niece, and I had no reason to doubt her, but Andy said after that she couldn’t be, so now I’m not so sure. Anyway, she seemed such a nice smart girl. I trusted her. I took her to Martin’s room. We thought that maybe we’d find something that would tell us where he’d gone. We didn’t, but we did find this.” She took a piece of paper from her handbag and handed it to the priest.
He priest studied the note. He already knew of its existence, or at least he assumed that it was the same note that Teresa had told him about. But, he didn’t mention that to Mary. Priests have to be careful about repeating things they are told, even things they are told outside of the confessional.
“Well, what do you make of it Father?” asked Mary. Do you think I should take it to the police?”
“Yes Mary. I think you must.” She should have done it before now, he thought. It was over a week since the note was found. She was withholding what might be important evidence. “Why does that bother you Mary?” he asked
Mary just shook her head
“Are you worried that it will get Martin in trouble?”
“I am Father. Although I don’t think Martin wrote it. We compared the handwriting, that girl Teresa and me, with the writing on another note he wrote. She seemed to think that the writing was different, not Martin’s. But, I couldn’t be sure. It didn’t look much different to me, not that I know much about th
at kind a thing. She said that she was no expert either. If the police see it I’m still afraid that they’ll suspect him, especially now that he’s gone missing, and I know that Martin would never do anything like that.”
“Yes Mary. I know. That’s what I think too. But, this is something that you shouldn’t keep from the police. You could get in trouble if you do. When the police look into it they will know that Martin is not a murderer.”
“But, Father, what’s this doing in his room?”
“I don’t know Mary. I’m convinced that he’s not a murderer, but Martin is a more complicated man than he appears. I don’t think you know that for a number of years Martin went by the name of Michael O’Malley.” The priest deemed that in the circumstances it was something Mary ought to know: it may help her to see things in a different light. Although discretion was understood, Martin hadn’t asked him not to reveal it to anyone else.
Mary shook her head in almost disbelief. If it came from anyone other than a priest she wouldn’t have believed it. “No Father. I didn’t know that.”
“It was when he lived in Birmingham,” the priest continued. “The reason I can only guess. When he told me he didn’t ask me to keep it secret, but clearly he didn’t wish it to be widely known. I haven’t told anyone else and Mary, for the time being at least, I feel we should keep it to ourselves.”
“Of course Father; I won’t tell a soul.”
“The note was probably given to Martin, threatening him, not Michael O’Malley, God rest him. If the police get an expert to compare the handwriting I’m confident that they’ll find it’s not Martin’s
“Oh, I hope so Father.”
“Now, we hear that he was assaulted,” continued the priest. “Maybe there’s a connection. We don’t know, but it’s possible that this note will help the police find Martin’s assailant. You might be helping Martin by showing it to them.”
“Oh! I never thought of it like that. Thank you father. You’ve made me feel a lot better about it. I’ll do it first thing in the morning.”
***
Mary’s mind was made up. Next morning after all her lodgers and Paddy had left she put on her heavy coat and set off for Broadfield police station, which was about ten minutes walk from her home.
It was a cold, frosty morning. She walked briskly. She felt relieved that she’d finally made the decision. It no longer felt like the dilemma that had been preying on her mind for over a week. The conversation with Father Downey the previous evening had dispelled most if not all of her doubts of the wisdom of taking the information she had to the police.