Taunton Barr

by Brian Cain

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Beaker was uneasy when summoned by Ashby, the prospect of misleading others no matter what the circumstances bothered him, but the underhanded tactics Ashby was beginning to favour also rubbed on his nerves. He had thought of nothing more than how he could accommodate Blake without being directly responsible. As the meeting began he still had no answers. 'Well Beaker, what have you come up with.'

  'Would appear that Blake has facilities to train jumpers.'

  'Kalika Palmer was at Urchinwood this morning, she was surveying the forest.'

  'She is an equestrian, not unusual for them to haunt such places.'

  'So what did you see at Blake's operation.'

  'A high fence, extended rail along the edge of the training track.'

  'See that damn nag.'

  'No, well not close up.'

  'Sure it was him.'

  'That I'm sure off.'

  'Mmm, how would you asses that at a distance.'

  'You don't see him you feel his presence, rather commanding.'

  'See any black and white prospects.'

  'No, I did see the foal, the blotchy marked one, the one Blake has called Taunton Barr.'

  'He's up to something, must be a way we can arrange paperwork to fall in our favour no matter what happens. Bullshit to him give assurances on loose ends, whatever.'

  Beakers face lit up, Ashby had handed him exactly what he had been searching for. 'Blake doesn't have the proven background of this Taunton Barr, we could assure him that we can leave certain things to one side until the information is available. He may run the horse in whatever, such an oversight could be used when necessary.'

  'I like it, gives us the cards, is there a precedent case that could disrupt the ability to control things.'

  'Doesn't matter what you do, Blake will have us in the Old Bailey for three years to prove any point he believed in. Should a horse win the national, if it could be found that disqualification was applicable, it would bring him down on the day. Further antagonism with legalities and he would loose the people.'

  Ashby got up and walked to the window, he stood with his hands behind his back standing up and down on his toes occasionally. He turned back to Beaker. 'See Blake as soon as you can one on one, convince him things will be fine and the information we require has an extended moratorium.'

  'Blake will want written confirmation.'

  'Bring me the letter and I'll sign it.'

  'I'll get to it as soon as I can.'

  'You will go to your office, draught the letter, bring it to me, I will sign it and you will return to Blake post haste.'

  'You understand this is way outside of protocol sir.'

  'Get on with it man.'

  Beaker smiled and nodded. 'As you wish sir.'