Tell No Lies

by Tell No Lies (retail) (epub)

  The look the woman had given her lingered in her mind as she made her way to the Tesco Express she knew was nearby. It had been… knowing, as though April could see exactly who Caelan was. She told herself she was being ridiculous as she dropped tea bags, milk, bread and butter into a basket. She found bananas and apples, jam, yoghurt and cheese. Enough for a few days.

  Back in the flat, the music downstairs quieter though still audible, Caelan made herself a cheese sandwich, then stood at the window with a mug of tea, clearly visible to anyone who might be watching. Why had her presence been noticed? What difference did it make to Leon and April if the flat above them was occupied? And why had Leon mentioned that he had been told she was there? Was it a warning, or was it supposed to reassure her? Either way, Caelan knew she had to bring it up when she next spoke to Ian Penrith. He could find out about her new neighbours, if it hadn’t already been done. It should have been, but Caelan knew tenants changed quickly. Places were let and sublet. Leon and April weren’t necessarily the people whose names were on the rent book.

  The phone rang as she was washing her cup and plate at the kitchen sink.

  ‘Kay?’ It was Penrith. ‘Where are you?’

  ‘At home.’ She turned off the tap.

  ‘Nice place? Have you settled in?’

  ‘It’ll do. I’ve been meeting the neighbours.’

  A tiny pause, then, ‘And?’

  ‘The couple in the flat below seem nice. Leon and April.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘Someone told them I was here. Saw the lights come on, apparently.’

  ‘What?’ Penrith took a breath. ‘Seems strange.’

  ‘You’re telling me.’

  ‘But you’re all right?’

  ‘For now. Not sure how I’m going to keep myself busy, but…’

  He cleared his throat. ‘Mate of mine told me about a pub.’

  ‘Oh yeah?’

  ‘The Red Lion.’

  ‘Original name.’

  ‘Near the shopping centre. Thought I’d mention it.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘Speak soon, then.’

  He was gone. Caelan smiled to herself as she picked up her handbag.

  * * *

  She found the pub easily enough, hearing the shouts and laughter of the people smoking outside as she approached it. They were in a plastic shelter by the pub’s main entrance. As she approached, a man nudged the person next to him.

  ‘All right, darling? Are you lost?’

  Caelan smiled and kept walking. ‘Just looking for somewhere to have a drink.’

  ‘Oh yeah? New around here?’ He stepped forward, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

  ‘Fairly.’

  He saw she wasn’t going to stop, and laughed. ‘Maybe see you around, then.’

  She didn’t reply as she pushed open the door. The smell of the cigarettes followed her, mingling with the scent of beer and cheap aftershave. There were a few people inside, some eating burgers or lasagne and chips, most just drinking. In one corner, a group of men gathered around a fruit machine. No one noticed Caelan as she hesitated in the doorway and glanced around. The bar was in the centre of the room, and she headed for it to order a beer. Ideally she wouldn’t drink while she was working, but in a pub, being the only person on lemonade, especially when you hadn’t arrived in a car, might be noticed.

  The barman passed over the bottle and her change without making eye contact. Caelan swallowed a mouthful before turning and scanning the crowd. She took out her phone and studied it as though checking for texts, not wanting people to think she was here alone. She wasn’t worried, but some company would have been good. She thought of Ewan, sitting at his sister’s house with his battered ribs, considered giving him a call, but knew she couldn’t. Penrith had wanted her to come here tonight, and she needed to figure out why.

  As she crossed to sit at a table, the reason became obvious.

  Frankie Hamilton, the man Spencer Reid from the NCA had first mentioned, was sitting near the bar. He had a pint of lager in his hand, two more lined up in front of him. Beside him sat a man who could only be his brother, such was the resemblance between them. As Caelan set her drink down and pulled out a chair, another man approached Hamilton and they bumped fists. Hamilton waved his friend into the seat opposite him with a grin. Caelan picked up her beer, considering her next move. Someone had clearly followed Hamilton here, and informed Penrith, as he had told Caelan they would. He hadn’t been clear about what he wanted her to do, no doubt intentionally. They would know where Hamilton was going to be living now he’d been released from prison, but Reid had hoped he would lead them to his dealer.

  Caelan drank some more beer, thinking about it. Reid had suggested that Hamilton hadn’t known about his girlfriend moving in with his brother. Looking at them now, laughing and joking together, Caelan found it difficult to believe there was a problem between them. Either Frankie didn’t care, or he didn’t know yet – or there was another brother. Reid hadn’t said so, but it wouldn’t have been the first time the intelligence they were given to work with had been wrong.

  Hamilton finished his drink and picked up the next. Caelan wasn’t sitting close enough to hear what the men were talking about, and decided a visit to the toilets would give her the cover she needed to move closer. She picked up her beer bottle and strolled across the room. As she neared Hamilton’s table, she pulled out her phone, silenced the camera, and took a quick photograph. It was risky, but she had held the phone close to her face, as though looking at the screen. Neither Hamilton nor his brother had seen her, and their friend had his back to her. She doubted anyone else had noticed, though she could feel eyes on her back.

  Nicky.

  She and Richard Adamson were sitting together at the back of the room, pretending to be absorbed in the large-screen TV that was bolted to the far wall. Caelan had seen them immediately, had been careful not to display a reaction. Nicky’s eyes had met hers for a second before sliding away. Caelan refused to allow their presence to distract her. She was a professional. It wasn’t a huge surprise to see them; perhaps it was even a relief. She dismissed the thought. She didn’t want Nicky anywhere near her.

  She kept walking, leaving the beer bottle on the bar as she passed. Following the smell of pine disinfectant, she went into the ladies’ and checked her appearance in the mirrors over the sinks, though she wasn’t concerned about raising suspicion. Hamilton had never met her, and with the dyed hair, thick make-up and coloured contact lenses, she barely recognised herself. She counted slowly to thirty, then headed back out into the pub.

  The people who had been smoking outside had come inside, gathering around the bar. The barman had been joined by a surly-looking woman who was doling out packets of crisps. Caelan saw the man who had spoken to her, turned away from him. Frankie Hamilton had one pint left. Maybe he fancied another. She made up her mind, strode over. Hamilton looked up as she stopped by his chair. Caelan smiled.

  ‘All right? Don’t I know you?’

  Hamilton smirked, looking her up and down. He licked his lips. ‘Nah. Think I’d remember you.’

  His companions sniggered. Caelan raised her hands. ‘Sorry, thought you were Frankie. My mistake.’ She made to turn away, and Hamilton’s brother nudged him, his eyebrows raised.

  ‘Hey, wait. Where did you say you knew me from?’

  Caelan shrugged. ‘Can’t remember. Just know your face.’

  Hamilton laughed, puffed out his chest. ‘Once seen, never forgotten, that’s Frankie.’

  ‘Yeah, bullshit,’ his brother scoffed.

  ‘Good to see you, anyway.’ Caelan pointed back towards the bar with her thumb. ‘Can I buy you a drink? Looks like you’re celebrating.’

  Hamilton grinned. ‘I am. I’ve been away, and it’s good to be home.’

  Caelan couldn’t help it. ‘Anywhere nice?’

  He laughed. ‘Yeah, beautiful. Mine’s a pint.’

  As she went
back to the bar, Caelan glanced at Nicky and Richard. Richard wore glasses with wire frames, and hadn’t shaved. A sweatshirt under a woollen sweater made him appear bulkier than he was. Simple, but effective enough. Nicky’s hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her eyes a deep blue. Coloured contact lenses, a different shade to Caelan’s. She wore a T-shirt under a hoody, held an e-cigarette that she was turning and twisting in her hand. Caelan felt a jolt in her chest as their eyes met again, but didn’t break her stride. Let them observe. She knew they would follow Hamilton when he eventually staggered out of the door. She was free to muscle in on his evening.

  She ordered another beer for herself, and carried it and Hamilton’s pint of lager back to the table. He took it with a wink, allowed his eyes to roam over her body again.

  ‘What did you say your name was?’ He drank deeply, smacked his lips.

  ‘Kay,’ said Caelan. Hamilton nodded.

  ‘Want to sit down?’ He pointed an unsteady finger at the man sitting opposite him. ‘Move up. I’d rather look at her face than yours.’

  Hamilton’s friend scowled, but scooted over to the next chair. Caelan sat, leant forward.

  ‘This your local then, Frankie?’

  He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, a thick gold bracelet glinting with the movement. ‘Yeah, you could say that. Though like I said, I’ve been away.’

  ‘Away?’

  He grinned. ‘Inside. Jail. Sent down.’ He folded his arms and stuck out his chin, clearly expecting her to be impressed.

  Caelan sipped her beer. ‘Yeah?’

  ‘Yeah. It’s been a long time, and it’s good to see a friendly face, know what I’m saying?’ He leered at her, looked at her hand. ‘You married?’

  ‘Nah. My bloke’s just started a stretch himself.’

  Hamilton laughed. ‘Unlucky. What for?’

  ‘Drugs.’

  ‘Same as me. Not any more, though. I’m clean, looking for a job.’

  ‘I’m hoping he’ll do the same. Stick to selling, not using.’

  ‘Selling? What’s his name?’ Hamilton sniffed, cleared his throat. His eyes were glazed, his hand trembling as he held his beer glass. Caelan knew she had to keep him talking.

  ‘We’re not from around here,’ she told him. ‘I moved when he was arrested. New start.’

  ‘I can understand that. Things change when someone goes to prison. Feelings change.’ He drank deeply again, glanced at his brother. ‘Don’t they, Jermaine?’

  Jermaine held up his hands. ‘I was looking after her, Frankie, you know that.’

  ‘Yeah. Two fucking kids are proof of that, you bastard.’ Hamilton spoke calmly, and Caelan waited.

  Jermaine shuffled in his seat. ‘She was already pregnant when you went inside…’

  Hamilton laughed. ‘By you. Keep talking. You’re welcome to her, brother, her and the kids. She’s nothing to me, she never was.’ He leaned towards Caelan. ‘New start for me too, know what I’m saying?’

  She smiled. ‘Maybe I do.’

  ‘What happened to this boyfriend of yours’ business?’

  ‘His business? I don’t know. Like I said, I moved. Sick of people knocking on the door at all hours.’

  Hamilton laughed, rubbing his jaw. ‘When you need a smoke, you need a smoke. Can’t blame the poor bastards for trying.’

  ‘Yeah, well, I wasn’t selling. Not interested.’

  He sat up straight. ‘Me neither. Someone else on my turf now anyway.’

  Caelan kept her gaze on her drink. ‘Yeah?’

  ‘You go away for a couple of years, and the whole area goes to shit.’ Hamilton finished his drink, looked at his brother and waved the empty glass at him. Jermaine sighed and got to his feet. ‘Had to tell the parole board I wanted to find legit work, but I’ve no real choice. Fucking kids on my patch now, selling anything you want.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘All sorts of shit, stuff I’ve never touched.’ He paused, staring at her, his eyes half closed. ‘Why? Are you buying?’

  ‘Me? Nah. Force of habit. When you live with someone who’s in the game, you get used to hearing things.’

  He tipped his head to the side, still watching her. Caelan felt a chill creep down the back of her neck. ‘The important thing is not to hear too much,’ he said softly. ‘And to know when to keep your mouth shut.’

  She forced a laugh. ‘Goes without saying.’

  ‘What did your boyfriend sell?’ He glanced around, flashed another wink. ‘You can tell me.’

  ‘Weed, mainly. He had some tabs on him when he was arrested. Bit of spice…’

  Hamilton pointed an unsteady figure at her. ‘See, that’s what I mean. Fucking spice. Synthetic shit.’

  Caelan shrugged. ‘It’s what people want. Got to follow the market.’

  Jermaine returned, thumped another pint down in front of his brother. ‘I’m going,’ he said.

  Frankie Hamilton laughed at him. ‘Been on the phone, has she? Wanting you home to tuck the kids in? It’s worse than being tagged.’

  Jermaine said nothing. The friend, who had been silent since Caelan had approached them, also pushed back his chair.

  ‘See you, Frankie.’ He didn’t look at Caelan.

  Hamilton watched them go, unconcerned. ‘Yeah, yeah, walk away. Good to know I’ve been missed.’

  ‘What’s their problem?’ Caelan asked.

  ‘Problem? There’s no problem. They can see we’re getting on, and they’re jealous.’

  ‘Want to keep you to themselves, do they?’

  He laughed, patted the chair beside him. ‘Why don’t you come and sit next to me?’

  Caelan shook her head. ‘I told you, my boyfriend’s inside.’

  ‘What, and you’re going to wait for him? It’s a long time, gorgeous. You’ll be lonely.’

  ‘Yeah, well, he knows people. I told him I’d be here when he got out, and I will.’

  ‘But in the meantime…’ He grinned. ‘I could keep you company.’

  She glanced around, making a show of checking whether anyone was watching. ‘Listen, give me your number. I’m not saying… Well, I’ll think about it.’

  He took out a cheap phone, read out the number. ‘Can’t remember it yet. Had to get a new one this afternoon. Sold the one I had in prison before I came out. You know how it is.’

  ‘I’ll give you a call sometime.’

  ‘Make sure you do.’ He leaned closer, lowered his voice. ‘And if I can help you out, you only need to ask. If you need something to take the edge off, know what I’m saying?’

  ‘I thought you were out of the game?’

  He frowned, mock-offended. ‘I am, but if I want to do favours for a friend, that’s my business, isn’t it?’

  ‘I suppose it is.’

  ‘This boyfriend of yours…’

  ‘What about him?’

  ‘Name wouldn’t be Jackson Hobbs, would it?’

  Caelan froze, but controlled the reaction. ‘Hobbs? No. Anyway, he’s gone down for a lot longer than four years.’

  Hamilton was swallowing more lager. ‘I know. Fucking hilarious.’ He half turned, looked around. ‘Not that I’d say it to his face. You know him, then?’

  ‘Heard of him.’

  ‘Lot of people have. Even more stay out of his way.’

  ‘What I’ve heard, that sounds sensible.’

  ‘Yeah, he can be a nasty bastard. He ended up in the same prison as me, but a different wing. I was hoping we’d be neighbours. Would have liked to have given him a wave as I headed out the door.’ He smirked. ‘Nice to see the cocky bastard brought down a peg or two.’

  ‘His business will be fucked as well.’

  ‘He’ll be keeping an eye on things.’

  ‘Thought you said there were new people around?’

  Hamilton’s eyes narrowed for a second. ‘On my patch, yeah. I don’t know about where Hobbs did his trading.’

  ‘I didn’t say—’

  ‘Listen, if
you’re going to fit in around here, you need to understand something.’ Hamilton leaned over the table, held a finger in the air. ‘In Edmonton, we keep our mouths shut. We don’t ask questions, we hear nothing, see nothing.’

  ‘Yeah, I get that.’

  ‘Jackson Hobbs still has mates here. Don’t want to be making enemies, do you?’

  Caelan studied the table. ‘No.’

  ‘So, any ideas you have about picking up where your boyfriend left off wherever it is you came from, forget them.’

  ‘I never said—’

  ‘Come on, admit it. He left a stash somewhere, and you want to get rid of it. Short of cash, are you?’

  ‘No. I’m not looking to sell.’

  ‘Buy, then?’

  She glanced around. No one was near enough to overhear their conversation. ‘I don’t know. Who would I need to speak to?’

  He laughed. ‘You reckon you know me, know the game, and you ask questions like that? Think you’ve said enough, don’t you?’

  ‘All right, I’m sorry. It’s just… Look, Frankie, I’m terrified. I’m used to having money, cash stashed all over the place. They found it when they raided our flat, took the lot.’

  Hamilton gave a slow shake of his head. ‘Fucking amateurs.’

  Caelan glared. ‘We were set up. Some fucker grassed.’

  ‘Then why aren’t you inside yourself?’

  ‘He made sure I was kept out of it. I never touched the money, or anything else.’

  ‘He didn’t trust you.’

  ‘Yeah, he did. He wanted me on the outside if he ever went down.’

  ‘Keep telling yourself that.’ Hamilton’s attention was wandering. He pulled out his phone, tried to focus on the screen. ‘I’m starving. Fancy a kebab?’

  ‘Are you buying?’

  ‘Joking, aren’t you? Thought you might be feeling generous.’

  ‘No money for takeaways.’

  He spread his hands on the table, pushed himself to his feet and stood swaying. ‘Come on. I’ve got a mate who runs a chippy. Let’s see if he’s still in business.’

  Caelan nodded, followed him as he lurched across to the door. Several people spoke to him, and he stopped a few times to exchange a handshake or fist bump. Caelan hung back, head down, smiling as though she was having a great time. Nicky and Richard were finishing their drinks, not hurrying, not even looking Hamilton’s way. But they were watching.