The Silver Arrow

by Ian Todd

  “Kin Ah help ye?” Senga hid asked the rough, dodgy-looking guy, staunin there looking shifty as hell.

  “Aye, hello, hen, ma name’s Harper…Harper Harris. Ah’m here tae change yer locks, so Ah am.”

  “Ye ur, ur ye? And why wid that be then?”

  “Ah don’t know why. Ah jist dae whit Ah’m telt aboot here. Mind you, it’s jist as well,” he said, eying up the locks oan the door. “That Yale lock widnae keep oot a draught, never mind an unwelcome visitor, so it widnae.”

  “Well, nobody informed us that it wis being done,” Lizzie hid retorted bravely, fae behind Senga’s shoulder.

  “Aye, well, ye better take it up wae Simon. Aw Ah wis telt wis tae get ma arse doon here pronto wae the best locks money could buy and that’s why Ah’m here, so it is.”

  “Simon? Ye mean ye’re no here fae Woodside Accommodation?”

  “Naw, Ah work fur Springburn Letting…Donna The Prima Donna’s letting agency.”

  “And Tony Gucci’s,” Senga hid cursed under her breath, staunin aside tae let him in.

  “That widnae be a wee bacon sanny Ah smell by any chance, wid it?”

  When Senga hid gone roond tae Carpet Capers and confronted Simon, he’d said that Johnboy hid passed a message tae him via Tony tae get the locks changed. Simon hid said that aw the letting agencies kept a spare set ae keys and that Johnboy wanted Senga and Lizzie tae be the only wans tae hiv access tae their flat.

  “Bit why?”

  “Look, Senga, take it up wae Johnboy, eh?”

  The other thing that hid bothered Senga hid been the envelope that Simon hid asked her tae pass oan tae Mr Portoy. He’d said it hid been the final payment fur some car tax offence, bit that hidnae been the impression she’d goat when the envelope hid been opened up in front ae her.

  “Ach, Senga, that’s jist Graham noising ye up. See they bloody briefs? They’re aw up their ain arses, so they ur. Always trying tae scare and confuse people by practicing their trial techniques oan the unsuspecting, so they ur. Ah’m telling ye, it wis a forty quid cheque tucked away in a long winded legal invoice, so it wis,” he’d claimed, dismissing her questioning.

  Senga looked at her watch. Ten past wan. She looked oot the windae as she gathered up her coat. The rain hid stoapped and the sun hid come oot. Life didnae seem as bad noo as it hid when she’d arrived earlier. Seeing as she wis in the toon centre, she decided tae nip roond tae Buchanan Street tae DIRTY JAKE’S BOUTIQUE and see if Kim Sui wis hivving a lunch break. Kim Sui wid be able tae tell Senga if she wis jist some sort ae jail junkie or no. Kim Sui hid been gaun oot wae Tony Gucci since she wis fourteen or fifteen and if anywan knew aboot the perils ae winching a psychotic jailbird, it wid be her.

  “Good evening. My name is John Turney and these are the news headlines in Scotland tonight.

  There was relief amongst the poor and disenfranchised across many parts of Scotland tonight after Labour won a second term in office by the narrowest of margins. Labour now has a three-seat majority after winning its second general election in the past year. Mr Heath for the Tories said after the result that Mr Wilson had to take on the views of the 60% majority of voters who don’t believe in socialism. Mr Wilson said that while he would have wished for more seats, the turnout was democracy at work. Whilst the actual turnout was 72.8%, experts have pointed out that…

  Armed police exchanged shots with each other this morning in Hyndland Road, Glasgow, after reports that a Post Office was being held up by men wielding firearms. When an armed response team of detectives from the Serious Crime Squad arrived on the scene to investigate, they opened fire on plain clothed, armed colleagues, who had arrived a few minutes earlier. Chief Inspector Mickey Sherlock, one of the officers leading one of the armed response teams in the city set up to confront armed robbers, refused to confirm reports of the blundered shoot-out. It was later confirmed by Superintendent Daddy Jackson that a robbery hadn’t been in progress at the time of the police’s arrival and that the Postmaster himself had accidently tripped the robbery alarm response button that the GPO has been installing in post offices across the city…

  Glenda Metcalfe, one of the city’s most successful and prettiest procurator fiscals of recent times, has been reprimanded regarding her conduct following a series of clashes with Glasgow solicitor, Mr Graham Portoy, in open court. The Lord Advocate for Scotland in Edinburgh, Lord Lawrence, sensationally publicly rebuked Miss Metcalfe for bringing the fiscal’s office in Glasgow into disrepute after several highly publicised clashes with Mr Portoy in open court, presided over by Sheriff Clifford Burns. Not to be outdone, Mr Portoy has also been warned about his behaviour by The Law Society of Scotland. Both Miss Metcalfe and Mr Portoy were unavailable for comment tonight, however, David Broderick, Head of the Procurator Fiscal Service in Glasgow expressed his confidence in Miss Metcalfe, stating that she was one of the hardest working professional young prosecutors he had come across in over twenty seven years in the prosecution service…

  The funeral of fifteen-year-old James Allan, the youngster who was stabbed to death in a gang fight in Tollcross last week, took place at…

  Ambulance drivers in the West of Scotland are threatening industrial action after pay and condition negotiations broke down today…

  A pretty seventeen-year-old student was attacked and raped in a lane just off John Street last night after leaving Strathclyde Students Union, where she’d been watching a live concert. The student, who hasn’t been named, got separated from her friends whilst under the influence of drink or drugs. Superintendent Daddy Jackson again stated publicly today that youngsters, particularly young girls, need to stop and think about what they are wearing before going out to pubs and clubs where alcohol is freely available…”

  Chapter Ten

  “So, Jonathan, what’s next on the agenda?” Albert Johnston, the Secretary ae State’s Parliamentary Private Secretary asked, looking at his watch.

  “The Stirling Pilot and that’s us done here, Albert,” Jonathan Peacock, The Department’s brief replied, shuffling his papers until he found the relevant file.

  “Ah, the Stirling Pilot. There’s a considerable amount of interest in this, particularly down in Westminster, Jonathan,” the PPS said.

  “Ah’m still flabbergasted that George Crawford agreed tae they three young murdering thugs fae Dumfries taking part. Wur they no the wans that wur suspected ae being involved in the shooting ae that wife ae his and her gangster boyfriend a few years back, Jonathan?” Jack Broon, the Scottish Prisons Service Manager asked.

  “Perhaps that’s why he wants them out of his nick, eh?” the PPS mused.

  “No, I believe the recommendations came from the young social worker down there. She’s quite forward thinking. She’s someone we’re watching with interest. Should the pilot turn out to be successful, then we may have a place for her up here in Edinburgh,” The Brief replied.

  “So, where are we then?”

  “Well, we have the agreement of the Chairman of the Parole Board to proceed, which should give the Secretary of State the political cover he requires, should it all go belly-up. Peterhead is still arguing over which three prisoners to put forward, although that shouldn’t affect us wishing to progress the young offender part of the scheme. A senior supervising officer with the social work department in Glasgow has been identified. He’ll supervise both adult and young offenders. He’s a Mr…Howie…yes…a Bruce Howie, with over twenty years of experience in the Probation Service, supervising both youth and adult criminals in Glasgow,” The Brief replied, looking up fae his file.

  “I thought we weren’t going to be focussing solely on Glasgow, Jonathan?” the PPS asked, looking o’er the rim ae his glasses.

  “That was the plan, but Peterhead are wanting the worst they’ve got to be considered, who just all happen to be from the dirty city.”

  “Ah’d jist tell them where tae jump,” The Prisons Manager retorted.

  “And how confident are we of the supervision
arrangements, Jonathan?”

  “This Mr Howie has a first class reputation. Indeed, there was a worry that he was too efficient. He’s well-known for recalling ex-offenders back to prison for the slightest infraction of their parole conditions.”

  “No, it sounds to me like he’s our man. Let’s not beat around the bush here, gentlemen. This pilot has to be able to withstand infractions. If this means recall for some or all of the prisoners involved, then so be it. The conditions of release have to be strict as well as measurable. If not, the political ramifications could be harsh.”

  “So, dae we hiv a release date fur the Dumfries YOs, Jonathan?” The SPS manager asked.

  “Yes, I believe that it’s Monday, the 9th of December.”

  “Whit, this side ae the New Year? Seems a bit quick, disn’t it?”

  “Yes, the university people want to be able to implement the programme as soon as possible. They reckon that if there are problems, it’ll be within the first couple of weeks. They wish to be able to address any hiccups for the start of the New Year in 1975, before they consider a second tranche.”

  “Right, well then, that’s that, eh? Lunch, gentlemen?” the PPS asked, closing o’erhis file and staunin up.

  “Good evening. My name is John Turney and these are the news headlines in Scotland tonight.

  Westclox Scotland, the clock manufacturers, is hosting a Space Seminar at its Dumbarton plant to launch the introduction of ‘Quartz’ time-keeping. Guest of honours will be space astronaut, Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon and British Astronomer, Sir Patrick Moore. Also attending will be…

  Police have raided numerous premises and businesses in the early hours of this morning in the hunt for The Silver Arrow. Addresses in Uddingston, Bellshill, Motherwell and Wishaw have been targeted, suggesting that police are working on a tip-off. Meanwhile a local Glasgow businessman, Henry Palmer Stuart, one of Scotland’s largest Mercedes Benz showroom owners, who has premises on Great Western Road, has offered one thousand pounds reward to anyone that can lead police to the culprit that is bringing the city unwanted negative publicity throughout Europe. Mr Palmer Stuart admitted recently that sales in Mercedes Benz in his Glasgow showroom have increased by over two hundred and fifty percent over the past year, but claims this is as a result of the quality of the current models and not the 1930s sports car…

  Two adults are believed to be dead after fire ripped through their tenement block on Dumbarton Road last night. Seven families had to be led to safety as a precaution by Fire Brigade members and are still not allowed back to their homes tonight. The couple that died are…”

  Chapter Eleven

  “Fur Christ’s sake, whit a bloody heat,” Donna Howie, The Big Man’s wee sister, exclaimed fur the umpteenth time fae the back seat ae the Daimler, as it turned sharp left intae the sweeping drive.

  “Aye, it wis eighty four degrees Fahrenheit at ten o’clock this morning, in the shade, jist before Ah left tae pick youse up fae the airport,” The Goat said fae behind the wheel, as he waited fur the electric gates tae open.

  “Welcome tae La Hacienda,” a beaming Pat Molloy shouted, erms open wide, fae the tap ae the entrance steps tae the villa. “Leave yer cases there. The Goat will bring them in,” he added, as that wee sister ae his squealed and ran up the steps tae gie her big brother a kiss and a cuddle.

  “Aw, Pat, it’s beautiful, so it is,” she beamed, looking back towards Marbella and the boats in the harbour.

  “That’s nothing, hen. Wait until ye see inside,” The Big Man bragged, shaking his brother-in-law’s haun o’er his sister’s shoulder.

  “Donna, Oh ma God, youse hiv arrived,” The Big Man’s twenty-five-year-auld, bleached-blonde, bikini-clad secretary, Bet, screamed, gieing Donna a hug and dragging her aff fur a tour ae the newly-built villa.

  “Right, Bruce, let’s take advantage and hiv oorsels a wee dram and a chin-wag before the lassies come back, eh?” The Big Man suggested, clamping his erm roond the shoulders ae his brother-in-law and leading him inside.

  “Christ, Pat, this is unbelievable, so it is. It must’ve cost an erm and a leg, at least.”

  “Ha, ha, it’s funny ye should say that, Bruce,” The Big Man chortled. “Here, grab yersel a pew and get that doon ye,” he beamed, passing across a large whisky wae a dash ae iced water.

  “Coo-ee, Ah’m jist away aff tae put oan ma bikini, Bruce,” Donna shouted fae the poolside through the open patio doors, as Bet lead her aff by the haun, squealing.

  “Christ, ye couldnae get me a secretary like her, could ye, Pat?” his brother-in-law said, eyes following the pert arse that wis dragging aff his frumpy-made up wife tae get changed.

  “Aye, she’s pretty tasty, isn’t she? Mind you, she kin hardly spell her ain bloody name, never mind type a bloody letter,” The Big Man cackled, following his brother-in-law’s gaze.

  “So, before Donna comes back, Ah’ve goat a wee present fur ye,” Bruce Howie said, bending o’er and taking a thick broon envelope oot ae his briefcase and haunin it o’er tae that brother-in-law ae his.

  “And whit dae we hiv here, eh?” The Big Man wondered oot loud, plapping that well-tanned arse doon, as he scanned the list ae names.

  “Oan the first page is an alphabetical list ae aw ma offenders that hiv hid any connections wae The McGregors o’er the past three years. Efter that, ye’ve goat the full statements ae any that hiv either been coerced or hiv voluntarily grassed oan their co-accused or associates tae get aff or receive a mair lenient sentence, when they’ve appeared up in court.”

  “Ah’m impressed,” The Big Man whistled, flicking through the pages.

  “Jist look oan it as a wee hoosewarming present, eh? The info at the back is an intelligence report oan the areas ae interest that The McGregor Clan ur involved in, as well as the estimated financial turno’er fur the next three years. Also, Ah’m getting wan ae The McGregors’ main boys, Big John McGrath, who’s currently up in Peterheid jist noo, as part ae whit they’re calling a pilot project that’s kicking aff soon. Ah gleaned this oot ae his file. Ye’ll notice that cannabis is expected tae take a wee tumble tae cocaine next year, although they’re still anticipating that they’ll hiv tae increase the supply year oan year due tae constant demand.”

  “Dis it say how it’s coming in?”

  “They reckon a combination ae Glesga Airport, Mavisbank Quay, Springfield Quay, and Windmillcroft Quay…bit there’s a wee anomaly. It’s only a couple ae lines at the bottom ae the second last page, bit ye’ll see that it mentions an independent, who’s no attached tae The McGregors, who’s set up a rat line and is supplying wee amounts ae coke tae somewan called Harding Lennox, who Ah assume is wan ae The McGregors.”

  “Aye, Ah know Harding…thick as two short planks, bit as deadly as a croc.”

  “Aye, well, whoever the independent is, it’s either coming in through the Yorkhill Quay’s East Basin or Meadowside Quay, which Ah believe is…er, your side ae the river,” Bruce Howie said, feeling his arse twitch as his brother-in-law’s eyes narrowed.

  “Ah take it nobody back in Glesga his seen this?” The Big Man asked menacingly, haudin up the file and looking across at that social worker brother-in-law ae his.

  “Naw, it’s a collection fae different sources that Ah’ve compiled masel o’er the past week tae ten days. Ah thought it might be ae use tae ye, particularly seeing as ye gifted me and Donna that lovely detached hoose across in Giffnock as a wedding present. Ye should see the plants we put in last year…they’re aw up and daeing well. Thanks fur that, Pat,” the social worker said, wae relief, toasting Pat wae his glass, his gratitude being waved away by The Big Man.

  “She’s the only family Ah’ve goat and she’s lucky tae hiv somewan as respectable as yersel, Bruce,” The Big Man replied, back tae being his genial self.

  “Oh, and there’s something else. Changes ur afoot. Ah’m no sure how long Ah’ll still manage tae get access tae info oan they McGregors. Ah’m being shifted intae
the toon centre. They’ve gied me an office doon in Osborne Street where the auld probation offices used tae be. Ah’ve been promoted, tae heid up this pilot jail project that The Department in Edinburgh ur pushing, in partnership wae Stirling University. It’s called The Stirling Pilot Project. Ye hivnae come across a toe-rag Ned by the name ae Anthony Gucci, hiv ye?”

  “Tony Gucci? Ach, Ah know young Tony well. A fine wee pain in the arse, if ever there wis wan. Wid waste ye as soon as look at ye, so he wid. Why, whit’s he done noo?”

  “Whit’s he done? Nothing…bit him and the two cronies that goat lifted wae him hiv been picked fur early release as part ae this project. Ye should see the form oan them. Christ, they’ve goat as much chance ae staying oot ae trouble as Ah hiv ae getting masel a wee secretary like the wan that’s padding aboot, scantily-dressed, wae Donna oot by the pool.”

  “So, whit dis that mean then?”

  “It means they’re being let oot six months before their release date, which in normal circumstances wid’ve been a non-starter, wae their previous convictions. The supervision terms oan them will be tough and if they fuck up, they’ll be back tae the clink wae an extra year’s supervision oan tap when they’re finally released.”

  “Ah’m surprised somewan like Tony Gucci his gone fur that. The jail must be getting tae him.”

  “Aye, well, there ye go.”

  “So, when ur they due tae be getting oot?”

  “Monday the 9th ae December…jist in time fur Christmas.”

  “Christ, Wan-bob will be mair than pleased tae hear that. Gucci’s crowd oan the ootside ur causing waves. They’re the wans that ur behind aw the post office haud-ups and lorry hijackings in the north ae the city o’er the past couple ae years. They’re getting the blame fur the bizzies gaun oot ermed tae the teeth, efter a few ae the GPO drivers ended up getting shot fur hivving a go insteid ae haunin o’er their dosh. Ah’ve hid tae put ma fit doon wae Wan-bob. He says Charlie Hastie his been itching tae kneecap a few ae them because they won’t take a telling, so they wullnae,” The Big Man laughed. “Hiv they been telt when their release date will be?”