‘It’d be a solution.’
We continued to stare at the water until he stretched and walked over to the far corner of the pier. I followed him.
‘I always envied your freedom,’ he said. ‘Still do, I suppose.’
‘I’ve not got anything you’d want.’
‘You’ve always been your own man. I’ve always chased my tail, trying to make other people happy.’
‘That’s not true.’
‘That’s how it feels.’
‘I’ve always envied you,’ I said. ‘You’ve got things worked out.’
He laughed. ‘You reckon?’
‘Apart from the cigarettes, obviously.’
We both turned our backs on the water. Niall spoke first. ‘You definitely had it all worked out. Remember how proud Mum and Dad were at your wedding? Mum in that blue dress and Dad in his best suit?’
‘His only suit.’
‘He was just as proud at your wedding.’
I’d like to think so. It was a lifetime ago now. I could still remember the three of us throwing a rugby ball around on the field behind his pub. My mum would bring us drinks out and drag him back to work at the bar. A blast of wind snapped us back into our conversation.
‘How’s Sarah?’ my brother asked me.
I thought about telling him what was happening, but decided to say nothing more than she was fine. As Niall had told me, he wasn’t cut out for this kind of thing. He didn’t need to know.
Niall told me he wanted to put in a couple more hours at the bar. It opened tomorrow night. We started to walk back down the pier toward our cars. Niall unlocked his and went to get in. He stopped halfway and thanked me. ‘I needed to talk to someone.’
I nodded. ‘It’s what little brothers are for.’ We embraced and I told him to look after himself.
‘All I want is a quiet life, Joe.’
‘Don’t we all?’
He got in his car and opened the window. ‘What are you going to do when this is over?’
It was a good question. I shrugged and walked away towards my car.
I watched my brother drive away before calling Connor. ‘I need a word,’ I said when he answered. ‘Where are you?’
‘Home?’
‘Is your mum in?’
‘No.’
‘Put the kettle on, then.’ I put my mobile back in my pocket and got in to my car. Connor had a coffee ready for me by the time I arrived. We went through to the kitchen.
‘I’ve had a chat with your dad,’ I told him. He wasn’t getting off that easily. I said nothing, hoping Connor found the silence uncomfortable. A twinge of guilt hit me, but the time for being Uncle Joe had passed. This was man-to-man. Connor walked over to the patio doors. He was obviously struggling with whatever he had to say. I sipped my drink.
He spoke first. ‘I had a word with Milo earlier.’
‘Good.’ I put the drink down and gave him my full attention.
‘I told him how badly things had turned out.’
‘What did he say?’
Connor shrugged. ‘You know what he’s like.’
I did. ‘He’s a dickhead.’
‘Dad doesn’t like him.’
‘You can’t really blame him for that.’
‘I’m going to prove him wrong, though. We’re going to get our club night off the ground. We’re not messing about. We’ve got it all planned out. The theme’s sorted and we know where we want to hold it. And if we can do that, we can go out around the country with it. The world, really. That’s the brilliant thing with club nights. With the Internet you can reach out.’
I listened as Connor laid out his master plan to me. It was detailed and sounded convincing. I understood his passion and certainty. I was certain I’d play for Rovers and my country when I was his age. I’d win every honour there was to win and then I’d coach the club to even more success. You don’t think about failing when you’re young. I knew I had felt indestructible. It’s only later you realise how fallible you are. Real life hadn’t touched Connor yet. He didn’t know illness, disappointment or loss. Bad things had threatened to make themselves known, but I could play my part in holding them at bay. And I would.
Connor spoke. ‘I told Milo I had to know who he sold the cigarettes to.’
I was pleased he was making an effort. I listened as Connor told me the name of some brothers in Goole. The name meant nothing to me, but I would find out. They had a shop selling second hand furniture. It was worth a shot. They wouldn’t be difficult to find. ‘How much did you sell the cigarettes for?’ I asked him.
He turned away from the patio doors. ‘A thousand pounds.’
I asked him to repeat that. I couldn’t believe it, even if it didn’t really matter. ‘What’s happened to the money?’
‘Milo’s spent it on some promo stuff we needed doing.’
I shook my head. I hoped it was worth it.
‘How’s Dad doing?’ he asked me.
‘He’ll be pleased when all this is over.’
‘Can you sort it out?’
I drained my coffee and told him that was my plan. There was nothing more to be done today. I was heading home.
Hull, May 1980
Holborn shook his head and pulled out into the traffic. ‘Can you believe some sad cunts went to watch City yesterday?’
Ridley wound down the car window and threw his cigarette butt out. ‘Takes all sorts, I suppose.’
‘It’s a filthy fucking habit.’
‘The smoking or the football?’
Holborn laughed and overtook a slow moving car. There was little traffic on the road. It was the day after the Challenge Cup Final. Hull KR v Hull FC at Wembley Stadium in front of 90,000 spectators. It was the biggest day in the rugby league calendar and Hull had been on show to the country. Hull KR in red and white at one end of the stadium, Hull FC in black and white at the other. Split down the middle, just like in the city.
‘One of the lads at the station told me that someone left a banner on the side of the Humber Bridge. Last one to leave the city should turn the lights out. Can you believe that?’ Holborn laughed. ‘Cheeky cunts. Tell you something, though. Yesterday was the best day to get some fanny in this town. The field was clear.’
They continued past the city centre and headed east in the direction of Holderness Road.
‘Where are we going?’ Ridley asked.
‘Just a couple of quick jobs before we go back. Won’t take long. Need to have a word with some people.’ Holborn glanced at Ridley. ‘Alright?’
Ridley knew he wasn’t being given a choice. They headed past Craven Park, home of Hull KR. ‘Wouldn’t piss on that place if it was on fire,’ Holborn said. ‘It’s more than the cheating bastards deserve.’
Hull KR had taken the Cup, winning 10-5. One try apiece, but Hull KR kicked their penalties. Hull FC hadn’t. Hubbard v Lloyd. Only one winner. Holborn pulled up in a pub car park.
The pub was nondescript, the area bland. A row of shops stood on the other side of the road. A butcher, a convenience store and a betting shop. It was the same as everywhere else. The pub was decorated in red and white. Holborn pushed people out of the way as he headed to the bar, daring them to challenge him. No one did.
Holborn spoke to Ridley, pointing to the man pulling a pint for a customer. ‘I want you to meet Jimmy Geraghty, landlord of this shit-hole.’
Ridley nodded to the man in front of them. ‘Alright.’
‘Can I get you gentleman a drink?’ Geraghty said.
‘Bet you’re fucking loving this, aren’t you?’ Holborn said, pointing to the Hull KR memorabilia.
‘What can I do for you?’
‘Let’s do it in private shall we, Jimmy?’
Geraghty shook his head. ‘I’ve got people to serve.’
Holborn smiled. ‘I don’t give a fuck, Jimmy. Your fan-club can do without you for ten minutes.’ He turned to Ridley. ‘Did you know Jimmy used to play for Rovers? Over 250 games for them, back wh
en they were really shit. A fucking legend, weren’t you, Jimmy?’
‘If you like.’
‘Upstairs.’
Geraghty led the way into the family living room and closed the door. Ridley looked around. The photographs covered the man’s rugby career and his growing family with two young boys. Geraghty was about forty years of age, but any muscle he’d had was now fat.
‘You know what we want, Jimmy,’ Holborn said. ‘Let’s not piss about.’
‘I haven’t got the money.’
‘I heard that, Jimmy, and that’s what brings me here. It’s the wrong answer. Try again.’
‘I haven’t got it.’
‘Mr Salford’s not going to be best pleased with your attitude.’
‘I can’t help that.’
Holborn laughed. ‘That’s not the attitude we’re after, is it Don?’
Ridley said nothing, knowing this was heading in a direction which wasn’t right. Holborn lunged forward and punched Geraghty in the stomach. Ridley watched Geraghty go down, winded.
Holborn shook his head. ‘You try to help some people out but this how they treat you.’ He bent down. ‘Try again, Jimmy.’
Geraghty struggled to his feet. Holborn punched him back to the floor. ‘Nobody said you could stand up.’ He turned to Ridley and pointed at Geraghty. ‘Be my guest. Take out some of the day’s frustrations on the fat cunt.’
Ridley shook his head and walked over to the window. The street was quiet. If people weren’t downstairs celebrating, they were no doubt still in bed nursing hangovers from yesterday’s match.
‘Fucking hit him,’ Holborn repeated.
Ridley shook his head again.
‘I’ve got the money,’ Geraghty said.
‘That’s better Jimmy,’ Holborn said. ‘Much better. We’re all friends here, aren’t we?’ He helped him stand back up.
Geraghty went over to a drawer and took out an envelope.
Ridley glanced at it and knew it was cash. Geraghty held it out towards Holborn.
‘What the fuck are you thinking, Jimmy? You don’t pass money to me. I’m a police officer.’
Geraghty lowered his arm, a beaten man.
‘You pass it to Bancroft like normal. He’ll be in soon enough to see you.’ Holborn turned to Ridley and winked. ‘You remember your mate Andrew Bancroft, don’t you?’
Ridley didn’t say a word, but thought back the altercation in the interview room. He knew him.
Holborn spoke to Geraghty. ‘It wasn’t that hard after all, was it Jimmy?’ He nodded to Ridley. They were done here. Holborn headed for the door, but stopped before he left the room. ‘I want you to be ready the next time we visit, Jimmy. Are we clear on that? I don’t want to hear you’ve pissed Bancroft about again.’
Geraghty said he understood.
Holborn led Ridley back downstairs. The noise getting louder again. Victory songs from the Hull KR fans.
‘Who do you support?' Holborn asked Ridley.
‘I don’t mind.’
Holborn laughed. ‘Get a grip, Don. You can’t live in this city and not have a team.’
‘FC,’ Ridley eventually said.
Holborn nodded his approval. ‘Good choice, Don. These cunts can have their day in the sun, but we know the truth, don’t we? They’re small-time wankers. They’ll do fuck all next year.’
Holborn pushed his way out the pub, back into the car park. Ridley stopped him from walking any further. ‘Why did you have to do this to him today?’
Holborn smiled, took some money out and tucked it into Ridley’s pocket. ‘Times are changing, Don. You’re not a bad detective and I know you’re not a stupid bloke. You’ve already proved you know which the right team to support is. Make sure you don’t choose the wrong one this time.’
CHAPTER SIX
I reminded myself Roger Millfield was paying me to do a job for him. Neil Farr had questions to answer. I needed to clarify a few things. I found a parking space on a meter before walking the short distance from Silver Street to Parliament Street.
His office was close to Roger Millfield’s. All the solicitors and accountants grouped together in the area. Strength in numbers, I assumed. Farr’s receptionist told me he was busy and wouldn’t have the time to speak to me. I told her that if I didn’t see Mr Farr as a matter of urgency, I’d be forced to take my business elsewhere. It was the best I could do. She probably didn’t believe me, but eventually told me to take a seat while she double-checked his availability. Maybe it was a sign of the times. A few minutes later I was sitting in Neil Farr’s office. It was indistinguishable from Millfield’s, only the view changed.
‘This is most irregular, Mr Geraghty,’ he said, once he’d sat down.
‘I’m an irregular type of guy.’
‘And what line of business are you in again?’
‘I’m in what you might call the people business.’
‘I’m afraid I don’t follow you.’
‘I’m a Private Investigator.’ I passed him one of my cards. I only had old ones marked up as ‘Ridley & Son’ in my pocket.
Farr laughed nervously. ‘Come on, now. We’re not in America.’
‘I’m sure you use the services of one here.’
‘Very rarely and only for routine matters.’ Farr was flustered. He stood up. ‘I think you should leave, Mr Geraghty.’
I shook my head and waited until he sat back down. ‘We need to have a talk.’
‘I can’t imagine that we have anything to talk about.’
‘Kath Millfield.’
‘Kath?’
I nodded and repeated her name.
‘What about her?’
‘You’re good friends?’ I made sure I had his attention. ‘I saw you with her last night.’
‘Who do you work for?’
‘I’m not prepared to discuss that.’
‘Roger, I bet.’
I said nothing and waited for Farr to make a move. The silence was clearly making him uncomfortable. He eventually spoke. ‘The man’s a bully, always has been.’
‘And she’s just a friend?’
‘I resent that comment, Mr Geraghty. I’ve known Kath for many years and she’s a dear friend.’ He leaned forward. ‘And to be frank, you should look closer to home.’
‘What does that mean?’
He held his hands up. ‘I shouldn’t have said that. Ignore me.’
It was too late for that. I was going nowhere until I heard whatever was on his mind. ‘I should look closer to home?’
Farr swivelled back in his chair to face me. ‘I’m not talking out of turn if I tell you Kath’s marriage hasn’t been the happiest or the smoothest. It’s not a secret.’
‘So why should I look closer to home?’
He pointed at me. ‘Let’s be clear Mr Geraghty, you’re the one who came to me. You’re the one who asked me the question.’
I told him we were clear on that.
He waved my card at me. ‘She once had an affair with your Don Ridley.’
I wasn’t expecting to hear that. I asked him when this affair had taken place.
‘I’m going back a long way. I don’t see how it’s relevant. I shouldn’t have said anything.’
‘How long ago?’
‘I don’t know. More than a couple of decades ago. Ancient history.’ He walked to the door, opened it and asked me to leave. ‘I really shouldn’t be having this conversation with you.’
I sat in my car and rubbed my face. I wasn’t expecting to learn that Don had once had an affair. Nor did I know what to do with the information. I stared at Sarah’s number in my mobile before I pressed call. I knew if I didn’t call her, she’d call me.
‘I’ve spoken with Neil Farr,’ I said.
‘Learn anything useful?’
‘Not really.’ I immediately felt bad for lying to her. Instinctively, I knew I couldn’t tell her about Don’s affair. It would break her heart. I told Sarah I’d keep trying and asked her if she’d found any
thing more out about George Sutherland.
‘He’s skint. His last accounts show that he owes money to a lot of different people. His business empire has crumbled due to the recession and no one wants to buy his house. Apart from the pub, that’s pretty much all he’s got. He’s managed to lose everything else. It seems he’s remortgaged what he could and there’s nothing left.’
I thanked Sarah for the information. It explained why he was smuggling cigarettes into the country. He was desperate.
‘What are you going to do, Joe?’
‘I need to know more about Sutherland.’ I knew that was the only way forward if I was going to sort this mess out. ‘I need to find his weakness. I need an angle on him.’
‘We’ll find it.’
I could almost hear the smile in her voice. I ended the call, pleased I had someone to share the load with.
I headed for a cafe off George Street in the city centre. I borrowed their telephone directory and found the number for the police station in Queens Gardens. My call was eventually answered and I was put through to Acting Detective Inspector Coleman’s office. I told him where I was, cut the connection and waited. His appearance at the hospital to speak to Don didn’t make sense. There was something going on. Ten minutes later Coleman walked through the door. He spotted me, made his way over and sat down. He didn’t bother ordering a drink.
‘What’s going on?’ I said.
‘You’re the one who called.’
‘What’s going on?’ I repeated.
He leaned forwards. ‘You’re the one who called me.’
I smiled and nodded. He wasn’t going to give me anything easily. ‘You implied that Don has enemies.’
‘Only stating the obvious.’ He relaxed into his chair, even though he didn’t seem very comfortable with the situation. ‘He was a policeman for long time. We make enemies. Nature of the beast.’
I’d given the possibility of someone holding a grudge against Don some thought and not made any progress. He’d been a well-respected detective for Humberside Police, but it had been a difficult job.. We’d also no doubt upset people when we’d operated as Private Investigators, but there was nothing obvious. Some of those cases had involved the police and the right people had gone to prison. The majority of work had been routine. There was no one we’d upset to the point they’d come looking for revenge. I needed a route into his police career. I asked him what Don had told him in the hospital.
The Crooked Beat Page 6