Dead Men

by Derek Haines

Mick just smiled.

  ‘Mick, I’ll tell you straight what I’m looking for.’

  ‘Ok, I’m listening.’

  ‘I need some cars converted into parts. I deliver them on wheels. I want to pick them up in boxes of sorted spares,’ Steve explained bluntly.

  ‘And how many?’ Mick asked.

  ‘Fifteen to twenty a day,’ Steve said calmly.

  ‘Fuckin’ hell,’ Mick exclaimed. ‘Are you on something Steve?’

  ‘Nope,’ Steve said as he stared Mick in the eye.

  ‘What’s it worth?’

  ‘A grand per unit.’

  ‘Fuck!’ was all Mick could say.

  ‘Do you have a large enough undercover area to handle this sort of thing?’

  ‘No. But that wouldn’t take long to arrange. Steve, it’d take me a few weeks to get the bodies I needed to do that sort of volume.’

  ‘Could you start with five a day’ Say, late next week?’

  ‘I’ll have to let you know Steve. To be honest, I bought the wrecking yard with a thought to doing this sort of thing, but I’ve owned it for a year now, and’ve just let it tick along. I’d need to make a lot of changes. Can you give me a couple of……’

  ‘EVERYONE STAY WHERE YOU ARE!’ came the shouted order.

  Five police now occupied the front of the café. Steve looked over his shoulder and caught sight of two uniformed police officers entering from the small kitchen door just behind him.

  ‘Oh for fuck sake!’ Mick exclaimed.

  Steve sat silently. He tried to slowly reach into his pocket inside his jacket to find the cocaine he had. He wanted to drop onto the floor. As he slipped his hand into his jacket a firm hand grabbed his arm from behind.

  ‘STAND UP!’ the officer bellowed.

  Steve was standing with his back to the wall. The police officer had him in his stare. The sweat started to bead on Steve’s forehead. He looked at Mick with eyes that could have killed.

  The police started their search of the café. A police photographer was at the ready for anything that may be uncovered and needed to be photographed for evidence. There was another policewoman with a video camera recording the whole proceeding. One by one each customer and employee where asked to give their names and addresses. Steve knew he had no choice but to give his name and address as all his details were in his wallet. He watched as numerous sachets were discovered and laid out on a table in the booth next to the one where Steve and Mick had been seated.

  ‘Mick was babbling on about not knowing anything bout this stuff. ‘How can I be held responsible for what customers bring in?’ he protested.

  He was ignored by the police.

  ‘I’m Detective Senior Constable McGuire. And your full name sir?’ he asked Steve.

  ‘Steven Peter Sharp,’ Steve said and then proceeded to give his age and address.

  ‘Please raise your arms Mr Sharp.’

  Steve was frisked and then the contents of his pockets were removed and placed on a small round coffee table in front of him. When the small plastic bag of cocaine was laid on the table, McGuire looked Steve in the eye. An assisting officer placed the bag on a small set of electronic scales. The events being carefully video recorded and photographed.

  ‘Two hundred and twenty five grams,’ was the announcement from the assisting officer.

  ‘Mr Sharp, this’s a large quantity of cocaine,’ McGuire started.

  ‘It’s for my own use,’ Steve stated quietly.

  ‘Oh Mr Sharp. C’mon. Do you think I came down in the last shower of rain? Please stay standing there.’

  It took more than an hour for the police to finish their search. Steve was arrested for possession, but knew he would face charges relating to dealing. Mick Green and two employees were arrested along with three customers. Before the police car Steve was in had time to drive the five minutes to King’s Cross police station, Vince was informed of what had happened by the tail he had employed to observe Steve.

  Battle Stations

  ‘Ok, let me know what you can. I’ll need to know if he’s held in custody,’ Vince said matter of factly as he hung up the phone then punched his intercom to his secretary. ‘Get Ted Murphy over here. Now!’

  ‘Yes Mr Walsh.’

  Vince then turned his attention to other matters. He was sure Steve would keep his mouth shut, but he needed to secure everything just in case. Just the fact of Steve mentioning his employer could be enough for the police to want to get nosey.

  He rang a number on his phone; it answered.

  ‘Simple Simon’s Pie Shop.’

  ‘It’s the Pieman. Time to sweep the kitchen,’ was all Vince said before hanging up.

  Within a few minutes the message had passed down the line to clear out the small chemical laboratory twenty miles south of Vince’s office. Vince’s ecstasy investment was closed for business until further notice. His next task was As New Spares. Ted Murphy was at his office in less than ten minutes.

  ‘We’ve got a problem Ted,’ Vince stated calmly.

  ‘What sort of problem?’

  ‘The police’ve arrested someone who has a little knowledge of As New’s operation,’ was all Vince said. He didn’t want to tell Ted more than he needed to know.

  ‘What do you want me to do Vince? Ted asked. Knowing that to question Vince was never a good move. Ted had kept his nose clean in his job. Of course he knew that the parts were stolen, but as he was right at the end of the chain and not involved in any operation other than loading and unloading trucks and arranging deliveries, he’d convinced himself he was in an honest business.

  ‘What’ve we got in stock at the warehouse?’

  ‘About thirty pallets Vince.’

  ‘And our two trucks?’

  ‘One’s in Perth. One’s in Melbourne.’

  ‘Tell the driver of the Perth rig to have a two week holiday. What’s the one in Melbourne doing?’ Vince asked.

  ‘Ok. I’m sure Tony won’t mind that. The driver in Melbourne was having a few days off for his kid’s birthday.’

  ‘Can one truck clear thirty pallets?’

  ‘Twenty five maximum Vince.’

  ‘Ok Ted, it’s five o’clock now. Get that truck on it’s way from Melbourne right now. I want it loaded up here in the morning and on it’s way to Adelaide before nine am. Get the other five pallets picked up by our wholesalers. Tell them you’re having the warehouse floor painted or something.’

  ‘I’ll call the driver as soon as I get back.’

  ‘Right now,’ Vince snapped as he handed Ted the phone.

  Vince waited for Ted to finish his call.

  ‘He’ll be on the road inside an hour Vince.’

  ‘Ok. Get back and organise the remaining pallets.’

  Ted rose from his chair and almost scurried out of Vince’s office.

  With the two important matters in hand, Vince moved onto his next task. He called his solicitor, Edward Scarli.

  Scarli’s receptionist answered the phone.

  ‘I’m sorry, Mr Scarli’s with a client at the moment.’

  ‘It’s Vince Walsh. Put me through to him now.’

  ‘I’m sorry but….’

  ‘Now!’ Vince insisted knowing he was Ed’s largest client, and that it was rare that he put pressure on Ed. But he needed him in a hurry.

  Within a few moments Ed Scarli answered the phone.

  ‘Yes Vince.’

  ‘I need to see you. It’s important.’

  ‘I’ll be at your office inside an hour. Ok?’

  ‘Fine. Thanks Ed.’

  Vince’s caution had been his key to success. He never took anything for granted. There was little risk to Vince in Steve being arrested for drug possession, but with Steve’s intimate knowledge of Vince’s business, and the fact that Vince had yet to trust him completely, it was better to be safe than sorry. While waiting for Ed Scarli, Vince went over every aspect he could think of to ensure he was clear of any connection or suspicion.
/>   Ed Scarli arrived in less than thirty minutes and was shown into Vince’s office by his secretary. She closed the office door.

  ‘Thanks for coming so quickly Ed,’ Vince said as he shook Ed’s hand.

  ‘That’s Ok Vince. What’s the problem?’

  ‘My Finance Manager’s in King’s Cross police station. Under arrest for possession. I’m not sure of the details, but I need the situation controlled.’

  ‘Have I met him?’

  ‘I’m not sure. Steven Sharp. You’d remember him if you had. Long blonde straggly hair. He was an accountant with John Peters.’

  ‘No, I don’t think I have Vince. Well, that’s unimportant.’

  ‘Yes, so what do we do?’ Vince asked.

  ‘Does he have a solicitor of his own?’

  ‘Yes, I believe he used Charles Stewart for a few small matters.’

  ‘Ok. Just let me call Charles. Do you want me to handle Steve Sharp, or liaise with Charlie?’

  ‘Can you handle it?’

  ‘Only if this Steven Sharp hasn’t already contacted Charlie. If he has, then Charlie would have to represent him.’

  ‘Ok,’ Vince said. ‘Call Charlie and let’s see what we can do.’

  Ed used his mobile phone. Vince listened to Ed’s side of the conversation. It seemed Steve had not called Charles Stewart, and Ed was explaining he’d been asked to handle the matter by Steven’s employer.

  ‘Ok Vince, I can look after this for you. Just let me call King’s Cross police and see if I can get in there. Have you got a white pages?’

  Vince handed the telephone book to Ed. He found the number and rang. After finishing his call he explained the situation to Vince.

  ‘He’s still being held awaiting interview. I’ve asked that I can be present so I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything.’

  ‘Great Ed. Let me know as soon as you can,’ Vince said as Ed rose to leave.

  Shortly after Ed left, Vince’s phone rang. It was Steve’s tail.

  ‘He’s been taken to King’s Cross police station. Looks like it was a drug raid your guy got caught in the middle of. I haven’t been able to find out much Vince, but I’ve spoken to a couple of souls who were in the café where he was arrested. He was meeting the owner of the café. A guy called Mick Green. Some guy overheard them talking about Fremantle Prison and about stripping down stolen cars for parts. Sharp had some coke on himself. I hope that makes some sense to you.’

  ‘Thanks. Not a lot of sense. But keep your eyes and ears open. I’ll give you my mobile number. Call me with any news,’ Vince said and then gave his number.

  Steve sat in a holding cell at King’s Cross police station. Alone. As he waited to be questioned, he could only lie on the small bed and ponder his situation. His thoughts went back to his time in Fremantle Prison. Back to his job with John Peters. His short love for Beth. His hopes for making his life a success with Vince Walsh. Thoughts of chances he’d had. It was becoming clear in his mind that if he was charged with dealing he’d go back to prison. And for a long time. He was angry that he’d been simply unlucky in being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The raid was obviously planned by the police to get Mick Green.

  ‘What the hell do I do now?’ he thought to himself. ‘Vince won’t be impressed.’

  The door of his cell opened. Steve was taken to a small interview room. After the preliminaries of the interview, the questioning started. Steve held his line that the cocaine was for his own use. After holding firm on his insistence that he wasn’t dealing, the police turned their questioning to how he knew Mick Green. Steve kept his answers as simple as possible.

  ‘Yes, I met him in Fremantle. I hadn’t seen him since then. I just ran into him today,’ Steve admitted.

  ‘Just a chance meeting?’ the policeman asked.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You hadn’t seen nor heard from Mick Green since Fremantle? Until you just happened to run into him by accident today.’

  ‘That’s right,’ Steve said confidently.

  ‘So, was it a different Mick Green you telephoned yesterday?’

  ‘What’re you talking about?’ Steve tried to bluff.

  ‘Mr Sharp, we have a recording of your telephone conversation with Mr Green.’

  Steve sat silently.

  ‘I need to talk to my solicitor.’

  ‘He’s on his way here. He rang me a short time ago.’

  ‘Steve didn’t respond. He hid his surprise. ‘It must be Vince’s doing,’ he thought to himself.

  ‘So Steve, what’s your interest in cars? Do you collect them?’ the policeman asked almost sarcastically.

  ‘I’m not sure what you mean?’

  ‘Well, it seems that was the reason you and Mr Green met today. To discuss motor vehicles.’

  Steve sat quietly waiting for the next question.

  ‘So what’s the interest in cars?’

  ‘I work for a car dealer. Mick owns a wrecking yard. Common interest,’ Steve answered concisely, wondering how much the police knew.

  ‘Steve. That’s all for now. We’ll have another talk a little later. I’ll let you know when your solicitor arrives.’

  Steve was led back to his cell. He was unnerved by the fact that the police had recorded his conversation with Mick. It was obvious that Mick must be into something heavy. He sat back on the small bed in the cell. It was clear the police had sent him back to his cell to stew. They had a few worrying pieces of information as far as Steve was concerned. One thing was obvious. He was looking at a prison sentence simply for the amount of cocaine he’d been caught with. ‘Are they really after Mick Green?’ he thought to himself. ‘Do they want me to dob him in? Would it help me? Will I get bail? Shit, what a mess.’ Steve’s mind was starting to race, as his thoughts started to run off in all directions. His cool, calculating confidence was draining away and being replaced by panic. The thought of Beth surfaced. ‘Should I have stayed?’ His mind wandered back to the time with Beth, remembering how wonderful that time had been. Then he remembered why he had left. ‘Those three fucking sluts!’ he said out loud. ‘If it wasn’t for those three fucking money hungry sluts from Perth, I’d still be with Beth, and working for John Peters,’ he thought to himself. It made Steve feel better. Now he had someone to blame for his predicament.

  Steve had always blamed other people for his mistakes or bad luck. These other people had normally been women. First his mother. Then the woman who was the catalyst to his bashing and prison sentence in Perth. Beth. Now he had three new excuses. Steve could never admit to his own wrong doing. It was just bad luck, or someone else’s fault. As he laid back on the bed in the cell, his mind began finding a list of people to blame. Mick Green was high on his list for today’s fiasco. While Steve was busy blaming anyone he could for his situation, Ed Scarli was with the desk sergeant seeing if he could arrange bail for his client. Without success. He asked if he could see Steve. Ed was taken to Steve’s cell after waiting fifteen minutes.

  ‘Who are you?’ Steve asked as Ed appeared in his cell.

  ‘I’m Vince Walsh’s solicitor Steve, Edward Scarli. Vince called me shortly after your arrest.’

  ‘How did he know?’

  ‘I don’t know Steven. Maybe we should get down to what we do know.’

  ‘Yes,’ Steve agreed.

  ‘I’d be surprised if you get bail Steven. You haven’t been formally charged, but apparently you were arrested with over two hundred grams of cocaine in your possession. Is his correct?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I believe you have a criminal record Steve.’

  ‘Yes. Not a good one I’m afraid. I’ve done time for drugs and a few other things.’

  ‘For the moment there’s very little I can do Steve. I’ll be with you during your next interview’

  ‘Ok,’ was all Steve said.

  ‘Do you have any questions Steve?’

  ‘Yeah. Is Vince pissed off?’

  ‘I don’t know Steven. Y
ou’ll have to ask him yourself.’

  ‘Not much chance of that in the near future.’

  ‘I think you and I are in for a long night,’ Ed said.

  David rang Steve. He felt like having a drink. There was no answer. He rang an hour later. Still no answer. He gave up. Shortly after, the phone rang.

  ‘David Holdsworth,’ he answered.

  ‘It’s Tony Dave. What’s going on there?’

  ‘Nothing. Why?’

  ‘I just received a call from Ted Murphy. He told me to stay in Perth. Have a two week holiday.’

  ‘Well, lucky you,’ David laughed.

  ‘I think something’s wrong mate. Ted sounded like he was in a panic.’

  ‘What did he say?’

  ‘Just told me to stay here. I asked why, and he just snapped and told me not to ask questions.’

  ‘I’ll see what I can find out tomorrow Tony. Steve’s not home. I just tried to call him. He’d be the one to know if there is a problem.’

  ‘Ok Dave. See what you can find out.’

  ‘Will do Tony.’

  The next morning Vince was in his office by seven thirty and anxious to hear from Ed Scarli. David arrived at his office at eight thirty. He had called at As New Spares on the way. The place was empty apart from a very nervous Ted Murphy. David smelt a problem. Ted’s excuses about the floor being painted didn’t wash. Once he arrived at his office he called Steve’s office. He wasn’t there. He tried his mobile phone. No answer.

  Ed Scarli rang Vince at a little after nine o’clock.

  ‘Hello Vince.’

  ‘Yes Ed. What’s the story?’

  ‘Your boy’s in big trouble.’

  ‘Tell me.’

  ‘He’ll be appearing in court this morning. I very much doubt he’ll be granted bail. He’s charged with possession of over two hundred grams of cocaine. He has a record that won’t stand him in good stead either.’

  ‘Is that all?’ Vince asked coldly.

  ‘No Vince. He was questioned at length about why he was trying to arrange for a man by the name of Mick Green to strip stolen cars. Steve was recorded on a bugged phone line talking to this Mick Green about a business deal in cars and parts,’ Ed explained.

  ‘Ok Ed. Keep me informed,’ Vince said. He felt his blood pressure rise.