The American Broker

by Andrew Hill

  "But I'm pretty tied up at the moment. When did you have in mind?"

  "Well, we'd decided that if you couldn't make it, we wouldn't bother!" said Gill, effectively burning all her bridges in one sentence. The compliment worked, though, and Evelyn was unable to refuse. He had not particularly wanted to refuse. The chase the day before, coupled with the need to keep out of trouble in case something developed on the Bob Lindon business, had made him anxious. The sheer fascination of the girl, however, and the possibility that he might just learn a little more about Chris's relationship with Bob in the process, outweighed his other reservations and he accepted gracefully.

  The girls agreed to meet him at the Two Brewers in Chipperfield that evening.

  Chapter XXIX Brian

  Tyler turned to Paul and shook his shoulder to wake him. They had reached the junction for Westland and were just a few miles from Brian Hawkin's home. They had driven all afternoon but the warmth of the car and gentle purr of its six-cylinder engine had led Paul to doze off. Turning from the three-lane carriageway to a small country lane, Tyler was almost relieved to have to work at driving again. He had nearly dropped off, himself, on the journey up the M6 but the occasional spurt to three figures had kept his adrenalin flowing sufficiently to stave off natural tiredness.

  The lane twisted before them and hedgerows flashed by, the gateways and gaps flashing as brief glimpses of white sky interrupted the dark green. A typical northern day. Cloudy but clear, and a noticeably cooler breeze issuing from the open vents in the car. The wide tyres of the 2.8 Capri splashed through the remaining puddles from the night's rain and then crunched on the gravel drive as they reached Brian Hawkin's farm-like grounds.

  "He did alright for himself, didn't he?" commented Tyler. "What did he get for the park - four million?"

  "I don't know," said Paul. "But he certainly didn't have much left after settling all the debts and I know one thing for sure - there was no love lost between him and Bob Lindon at the end of the day, particularly after he got slammed by the prosecution for his own deals with the man, which effectively lost his shareholders a good few bob and his staff their jobs. Still, he has paid for our trouble to date, so we can't complain too much."

  Tyler neither agreed nor disagreed. He had not wanted Brian in on the act at all at the start and felt that he had been proved right. Sally's attack had incensed him and, seeing her earlier for a short while before heading north had only tended to exacerbate his anger. Paul had calmed him a little externally but, inside, a fire was raging and he was determined to settle the score once and for all. If Brian knew anything, anything at all, he was going to find out this time.

  Brian Hawkins was surprised to find the two men at his front door but showed no sign of concern. He smiled sheepishly but had been used to unexpected visits from Tyler and others in the past. Paul did most of the talking. Tyler could not trust himself to stay calm. Yes, he had heard about the attacks from Michaelis and he was anxious about his own safety but shrugged his shoulders as if to plead as to what he could do to stop them. No, he had not been contacted by the police. No, of course, he had not told them to pick up his associates at the airport. No, he could not think of anyone that might have done. He had been offended by Paul's insinuation that he may have somehow let down the four of them. What did he stand to gain? Nothing. He, like the others, wanted to see Bob show his hand and, if possible, return some, at least, of the money that had been lost. He had not been totally in favour of the camera idea but was happy to give it a try and, provided that Chris stayed close to Bob, believed that something should come out of it. His own preference had been to pick up the phone and speak directly to the people he knew had been involved in the earlier days and who he still knew to be in pretty good financial shape.

  Brian Hawkins exuded a certain innocence and weariness of battle which Tyler had seen before and had always considered to have been put on. He had his doubts now. As Brian continued to talk about the original plans and the way that Bob Lindon had operated when he first knew him, he appeared more and more to be just another victim of the dream-maker syndrome that had caught out so many like him. Thoughts of Sally returned from time to time but seemed only to depress Tyler now instead of provoking anger. "But if Brian hadn't tipped off the police, who the hell had?" he asked himself. For a fleeting moment the notion that the police had initially merely wanted to caution Michaelis about something minor clipped the edge of his conscious thoughts but coincidence was not something Tyler believed in. He was sure, and the others agreed it was pretty clear, that following the violent events that had occurred, it would be natural for the powers that be to want to talk to some of them.

  Brian reminded Tyler that he may well be a suspect for the Newlands estate killings if someone had given evidence about his car being there on the occasion of the phone call. Whoever had made that call was responsible for those deaths in one way or another. The same person must now be seeking retribution for the group' continued activities against, or with, Bob.

  "Only Gill could have known anything," Hawkins said. "Maybe it was her."

  Mrs Hawkins brought in some sandwiches and the men sat munching around a low table. Round and round they went. Ideas, thoughts, enacting several possibilities but never reaching a satisfactory conclusion. Time passed quickly and the large windows became dark mirrors of the scene inside.

  "It could've been Chris, you know," suggested Brian, crouched forward with knees wide apart, reaching across to the last sandwich lying on the plate. "Some sense of being let down by us - getting his own back or something - or even Bob."

  "I know," said Tyler. "I'd been thinking that but I don't reckon he hates my gut enough to want me locked up and charged with murder. All he's likely to be annoyed about is his book being published before he's ready, and some home truths coming out he'd have preferred staying out of the limelight for a while yet."

  "Pride," said Paul. "Pride can do a lot of harm and that guy's got a lot. You know him, probably better than any of us, John, but I could imagine him being pretty narked by what we did and, either on his own, or egged on by old Bob, he could have called the police over here to try and make us reconsider releasing the tape. Doesn't make much sense, I know, but I guess it's possible."

  "Yeah," sad Tyler. "But look, this isn't getting us anywhere. When I started on this project I didn't expect Sally to get involved. I can take care of myself and so can the others, but when the family start getting hurt it's no good. Now I don't think you've been straight with us in the past, Brian, but I'll go along with you - but you've got to understand that I can't do any more if we don't hear from Chris or Bob in the next few days. I'm out from this time next week if it all blows out and that's all we ever hear. I've had enough. I like Chris but I love Sally and the only two reasons for doing what I've done so far have been to get some justice and make some money. Bugger the justice if we're going to get done in for playing around - it's not worth it. But you're sitting pretty up here, Brian, and I reckon it's time you got up off your arse and did something yourself. I know you've covered our costs so far but you mentioned calling someone in the States. I think that's what you ought to do and get them to pay up something...."

  "John, calm down, will you," Paul interrupted as he could see that Tyler was getting agitated. "We agreed at the outset to give this plan a go. OK, so there's been trouble back home but there's no point our running around pushing in other directions yet. And don't blame Brian for being lucky enough to have some cash in the bank. We all need some sleep so let's take a break and see what tomorrow brings."

  John Tyler accepted the restraint without objection and Brian slapped him gently on the shoulder as he walked with them towards the spare room that they could use for the night. Tyler stopped at the phone in the hall and checked that all was well with Sally. Satisfied, he walked away, following the others down the hall.

  Chapter XXX Harry

  "Cheers," said Harry, as he lifted his glass to the two girls in turn, and th
en to Evelyn. Returning the gesture, the others joined him in a toast to 'the future'.

  "And absent friends," added Gill, deliberately, glancing at Collette as she did so.

  "Absent friends!" agreed Evelyn, who had managed to shake off the glumness of the day. He usually found it very easy to relax but since their return he had been on edge. The company of youth helped now and a glass or two of excellent Moselle played its part.

  The round table was laid with a white linen cloth, crease lines running at right angles to each other across the middle. A salt mill rested on the ridge unevenly and Collette absent-mindedly adjusted it by moving the base away from the crease. Her thumb and forefinger rested in the groove below the bulbous top, which she twisted as she watched Gill finish her starter of pate. Evelyn had enthusiastically finished off a fair-sized serving of Mediterranean prawns, lashed in garlic and piping hot, and he was now dangling his fingers in the tepid water provided. Harry gazed at Collette but she avoided his eyes. Actually slightly younger than Chris, Harry seemed both older and younger at the same time. His beard and old-fashioned country-style tweeds gave him a late Thirties look but the deep brown eyes were of a different age altogether. They were almost hypnotic in their intensity and seemed to produce a desire that he be protected. Collette felt vaguely sorry for him but could not explain why. She found him very immature in worldly matters and often wondered whether he had missed a few years' education or had just gone around with his eyes closed. He survived largely on luck and certainly not on common sense. John Tyler had worked with him for a while after Chris had got into trouble, but something had split them up and Harry had gone off to work with a friend in the city. He had kept in touch with Collette but it had appeared to have been mostly just to gossip. Inviting him had been Gill's idea. Collette did not particularly relish the idea. She did not actually dislike him, but knew what he would try once Gill and Evelyn left and she was not interested. Gill had assured her that she would not be left on her own with Harry and they did need a fourth person and Harry did have, according to Chris, a remarkable knack of getting people to talk.

  "I gather you've been away, Evelyn," said Harry. "Anywhere interesting?"

  "No, not really. A lot of business to attend to in sunny Switzerland," he replied. He had considered ducking the question but could not see any good reason for not being honest about where he had gone.

  "Oh, that's a fabulous country." enthused Harry. "Were you anywhere near Interlaken?"

  "Not far away, but we didn't have much time to see the scenery - you know, some of us have to earn a living - it's alright for some of you youngsters!" Evelyn turned the conversation slightly.

  "Mmm, this wine is delicious. Have you been to the Moselle region?" asked Gill.

  "Beautiful stuff, isn't it. Brought back a case last year when, er..." Evelyn paused. The trip had been with Chris and one of the highlights of his last few years. The recollection brought back a feeling of guilt at his recent actions ad he had to struggle to maintain an outward gaiety. "...er, I went over to France. Finished it off within a week, though. Now, that's what we should do, Gill. Drive down to Dover, onto a ferry, and we could be in Calais by lunchtime tomorrow!"

  It wasn't difficult for Gill to smile warmly at the idea, and it may even not have taken too much persuasion for her to have agreed if she had taken the invitation seriously. She actually wondered whether it might not be worth making Evelyn take it seriously - it would certainly be a way of getting the man to herself for a while and finding out more about how they had split up from Chris.

  That was the problem about having Harry there. They just couldn't talk about Chris much. He and Harry had some kind of barrier between them and Chris had also been adamant previously that Harry should not have any inkling of what was going on - even if he didn't know, himself, Gill presumed the order still applied. He had also made it clear that Harry should not be permitted any opportunity to get at Collette.

  Gill honoured these wishes but found it difficult to make much progress because of it. She realised it had been silly to invite him and resigned herself to enjoying the food and the wine and, in partnership with Collette, kept the two men occupied throughout the meal.

  It came time to go home. Evelyn paid the waiter and looked expectantly at Harry. Harry looked a little uncertain and fumbled in his jacket pocket, hoping the response would be for him to forget it. It wasn't.

  "Oh, just give me forty and we'll call it quits," said Evelyn.

  "Forty.... ah.... er.... I've got twenty here - look, next time it'll be my turn...." He offered the notes sheepishly. Evelyn took them and the two men followed the girls out of the restaurant, past the reception area and into the night air.

  "Here comes the difficult bit," thought Gill. "I'll have to pretend I'm staying with Collette tonight."

  Harry lingered round Evelyn's white Jaguar as if he was expecting a lift, despite the fact that his own car was only a hundred yards away in the car park. Collette knew that Harry was no longer required and made a brave effort to sound convincing.

  "Harry, thanks a lot for coming. It's been good fun but Gill and I have got a long way to go and, unless Evelyn's going to do one of his racing driver impressions, we'd better get on our way." She extended her hand and Harry shook it, realising that he was not going to get anywhere so not bothering to try.

  "Nice to see you again, Col. Don't forget, call if you hear anything of interest - you know where I am. And Gill, pleased to have seen you at last. Maybe I'll see you again before long."

  Gill smiled and said nothing. She could not make him out at all. No effort to take Collette home. No questions about anyone. No talk at all of Chris. Sure, they had touched on the attacks on Sally, June, Keith and Lynn, but each time one of them had always changed the subject.

  "Thank God for people like Evelyn," she thought to herself. He really had been entertaining, charming and fun. He had a lifetime of memories and one never seemed to tire in good company.

  Harry shook hands with Evelyn and said goodbye to the three, walking off towards his car. Gill was amazed to hear him whistling. It just struck her as an odd thing to do.

  "That was close," said Collette. "He'd been making eyes at me all evening and doing his best to take me home - in his mind!"

  "Strange fellow," murmured Gill. "But pretty straightforward in that respect and easily controllable!"

  "Come along, you two!" shouted Evelyn, as he stood holding open the rear door. The two girls climbed into the back. Gill wondered if she shouldn't, perhaps, have gone in the front but decided it was too late to change now. Instead she laughed.

  "Drive on, James!" she cried and Collette giggled. "Do you think we should take him on, dear?"

  "Did you say 'take me home'?" asked Evelyn, his eyes smiling at them in the mirror.

  "No. We were talking about when our boat comes in and we've got this beautiful country mansion with a huge, long, crunchy gravel drive and enormous, wrought iron gates...."

  "With lions on the posts...." inserted Gill.

  ".... with lions on the posts," confirmed Collette, "and we'll need a smart young gentleman chauffeur to take us to our board meetings!"

  Evelyn laughed. "I can't imagine anyone working for you two sex maniacs! Unless they're very fit, and, even then, I should think that you two would take some coping with!"

  "Well, you can take us home, James, and we might just manage a cup of coffee, but that's all - understand?!" joked Gill.

  "Understood," aid Evelyn, firmly, and he drove off, the car's headlamps piercing the clear night air, creating a grey path across the cricket pitch nearby and ending in a hazy blur in the trees in the distance.

  As the car turned the corner, Gill caught a glimpse of a young, bearded man watching them. She shuddered as, for an instant, she caught his eyes. Harry watched them go, standing motionless at the side of the road. Gill turned her head to look out of the rear window. He was still there, a tall, dark silhouette now, against the pale indigo sky which faded i
nto a greeny-blue as it mingled near the horizon with the lights of a distant town.

  Chapter XXXI Diplomatic Immunity

  "Mr John Tyler?" asked Inspector Tomlinson.

  "Yes, that's me," replied Tyler.

  "Mr Tyler, we need to talk to you failing to report an accident in Rowdon Avenue, Newbury, on Thursday morning at approximately 5am, 15 May."

  "What do you mean?" asked Tyler, annoyed.

  "It means, sir, that we would like you to come down to the station and answer a few questions. Had a bit of a job tracking you down – your wife gave us this number. Been moving around a bit, haven’t you?"

  "Yeah, I've been away, but what about my wife? What are you doing about that? Arrested anyone? No, bet you haven't..."

  "I'm sorry," said the policeman, quietly. "We are making enquiries into that but you being away didn't help..."

  “Yeah, well – I’ll be back tomorrow, OK.”

  "Just for my own interest, sir, were you in that Mercedes that caused all the trouble on the M4?"

  "Takes more skill than I've got to get away from one of you boys," he replied, evading a direct answer. "Why do you ask?"

  "Oh, caused quite a mess did that. Big enquiry going on - not our division, but the car belonged to a friend of yours, didn't it?"

  "I don't know what car caused it," said Tyler. "Said Mercedes on the news. Plenty of them around."

  "This one was left-hand drive. Re-registered '77 model. Name of Michaelis Ziparis. As I said, a friend of yours."

  "Was it? Sure, I know Michaelis. Not like him to belt along motorways, though. Used to be pretty slow."

  "Didn't want to get caught, did he sir. Still hasn't been either. Got some diplomatic immunity - our boys can't touch him, apparently..."

  "Really?" asked Tyler, surprised and showing more interest.