by Joe McNally
I shook my head, ‘He must be sitting there like the grand old Duke of York.’
‘A fair comparison. Lives on a hill, too. Fortress mentality.’
‘What about your companies, so they wash all his income or just some of it?’
‘All. That’s why it was so hard for me to try and get out of it when he did this.’ Monty raised his face to the lights. He said, ‘Sydney Ember is the reason I never married. I would have so loved to have children. But I could never have coped with the worry and the guilt. He wanted to kill Alice and Ben. I told him I was done if that happened. No matter what he threatened me with, I told him, I’d be finished.’
‘So he let you handle it your way?’
‘Yes. And as you now see, I am hardly a criminal mastermind.’
I smiled, ‘Was it your idea to put Ben’s clothes on the statue and soak them in whiskey?’
He grimaced, ‘I’m afraid so. A touch melodramatic, I fear.’
‘It made me chuckle.’
He nodded and smiled sadly. I said, ‘At least it told me Ben was alive.’
‘Well, I’m glad about that.’
I said, ‘Who changed the ownership name on the first shell company to try and steer us away from you?’
‘Bruno arranged that, too. I didn’t realize you knew about that.’
‘Mave dug it out.’
He shook his head, ‘That’s bad news. Eddie. Ember did that as a precaution. If he knew you had got that far, he’d have taken control there and then. I don’t know what you are planning, but this puts a tight deadline on things, believe me. There is nothing that happens that Sydney Ember doesn’t get to know about.’
‘We left no tracks, Monty. He won’t find out about the shell company stuff through anything we’ve done. How the hell did he find out who was doing the wild horses scam?’
‘Apparently the fellow who was actually doing it, the one who worked for Hines, was a bit loose-tongued.’
‘Boffo?’
‘That’s it. Anyway, any crime happening in the north west, Ember knows about it. Even if Boffo hadn’t talked, Sydney would have found out.’
‘Did Ember lay any of those horses, or have a bet?’
‘He’s much too smart for that. The way he used that information was to avoid having those races on his records. Nothing criminal, then, you see?’
‘So he does bet on horses and doesn’t just clean the money through these fruit machines in shops?’
‘FOBT, Fixed Odds Betting Terminals. I’d say only about thirty percent of the cleaning happens there. You see, there’s no skill element attached to machines. It’s impossible to argue that you can fund such a lifestyle just on machines. What he does is produce scans of his betting slips, suitably timed and dated. The police would then contact the relevant company to double check our records, and we confirmed the details.’
‘So, you must be altering the times and dates on the tills so that he has slips which look as though they’ve been placed before the result was known?’
‘Correct.’
‘And how does he explain to the cops the fact that he’s not been barred by the owner for damaging profits?’
‘Well, as I said, it’s quite a while since the police have bothered him at all, but he keeps everything going, continues betting just in case he needs all the records at some point.’
‘So, when he was being regularly checked by the cops, what was the procedure?’
‘He’d claim to travel the country, sometimes visiting shops just once a year so that staff had forgotten about him.’
‘Did the cops ever ask to see the CCTV footage of the times he’s been in?’
‘Occasionally. Each shop has some footage of him, and the timecode was doctored accordingly.’
‘So they, or you, I suppose, kept giving the cops exactly the same clip, just timed and dated differently?’
‘Correct. Incredible, I know. But it’s seldom the same officers checking footage, and they obviously didn’t think to look back on previously requested clips.’
‘So our Sydney is mostly sitting at home, while the cops believe he’s roaming the country’s betting shops every day? No wonder I’ve never seen him on the racecourse.’
‘He seldom goes there. Though he, again through me, owns several pitches at the top tracks which are very useful for cleaning large amounts.’
‘And it was those you had just bought when Ben was closing in with that series of articles?’
‘Regrettably, yes. And painful as it was for Ben and Alice, what followed was way better than Ember’s suggested alternative.’
I nodded, ‘I’m sure.’
Monty sighed and massaged that rubbery skin, then checked his watch. I said, ‘How are we for time?’
‘Safe for another fifteen minutes, I’d say, but I’m not sure there’s much more I can tell you. I hope what I have told you is sufficiently discouraging for you to have a rethink on this.’
‘Why?’
‘Because Sydney Ember is bulletproof. Nobody knows enough to convict him, except me, I suppose, and even then a skilful QC could probably make mincemeat of me. He won’t convict himself, and nobody will ever record him surreptitiously.’
‘What you’ve told me would easily be enough, I think. Would you give evidence against him in court?’
‘Gladly, but I suspect Bruno would kill me at the first sign of any rebellion.’
‘He trusts you enough to leave you alone, doesn’t he? It can’t just be at times like this that he gets a break, and you get a break, for that matter?’
‘He has become complacent, I suppose. He believes I’m thoroughly cowed after all these years. But look, Eddie, I’m convinced Ember will have several get-out scenarios prepared to counter anything I’d say against him. I’m the one with my name on everything. On paper, I’m the criminal. Ember knows every single thing I could say against him. What we don’t know is what he has on hand to discredit or disprove that.’
‘We’ll work something out, I promise.’
Monty smiled sadly and bowed his head. He said, ‘The man’s been under police surveillance for quarter of a century and has yet to spend one minute behind bars.’
I reached and grasped his forearm, ‘We’ll get him. Believe me.’
He nodded, but it was a resigned nod. I said, ‘How do I communicate with you safely?’
‘The racecourse is the only place I can be sure I’m not being monitored, Eddie.’
‘Can you get away from your box if you need to, or would Bruno come with you?’
‘No, I can get away. Probably couldn’t stay away too long, but I come and go.’
‘Check the papers for where I’m riding over the next few days and come racing at those tracks. You have a box at almost every racecourse, don’t you?’
‘All the northern and midlands ones, yes.’
‘Stick to where I am. After each of my rides, and there’ll probably only be two or three at most, come down to the paddock. I’ll meet you there. We can make it look as casual as you like.’
‘Couldn’t keep that up too long, Eddie. Bruno would get suspicious.’
‘We’ll have a plan in place by the end of the week. Guaranteed.’
Monty said, ‘You’re a very reassuring man to have around. I wish it were under less trying circumstances.’
We stood. I shook his hand and clasped his shoulder, ‘Remember what I said…I’ll fix this.’
He smiled and bowed his head and seemed to take a long time to let go of my hand.
72
Before leaving Beverley, I took out my phone to call Mac, then put it away again and drove into town to buy some pay-as-you-go phones. I used one to call Mac. He said, ‘Who’s phone are you using?’
‘Mine’s broken. This is a throwaway.’
‘What news, then?’
‘Mac, will you stop saying “what news?” every time I call you? You sound like some ham actor on the battlements in a Shakespeare play.’
; ‘My aim is brevity, Edward.’
‘Since when? You’re famous for dragging things out.’
‘Which is exactly what you seem to be doing. Have you any news for me or not?’
‘Yes. We need to meet.’
‘When?’
‘Tomorrow. In the morning.’
‘Are you down this way?’
‘I can get the early train to London…though, we’ll need to speak to Bradley, too, so maybe you should come up here.’
‘Why Bradley?’
‘Mac, do you think I’m going to waste your time?’
He sighed, ‘Okay. I could drive up tonight, though it would be well after midnight before I reached your place.’
‘That’s fine. I’ll wait up. Pack a bag. You might need to stay a few days.’
‘I’ll need to clear that with Steel. I have meetings.’
‘Are any of them more important than wrapping all this up before Sandown next weekend?’
‘Probably not.’
‘Then, get packing. And stop and call me when you’re about a mile away. On this number.’
‘Why must I stop and call you?’
‘Precautionary.’
‘Eddie…oh, never mind. I’ll see you later.’
Next I used the new phone and called home, ‘Mave?’
‘Oh dear!’
‘What’s up?’ I said.
‘Things didn’t quite go to plan at Beverley. You’re using a throwaway phone.’
‘I’ll tell you about it when I get back. Mac’s staying over tonight.’
‘So, you have a plan, obviously?’
‘Half a plan.’
‘Half assed, did you say?’
I laughed. Listen, ‘I’m calling on Dil on the way back. I’ll be late.’
‘Okay.’
‘I’d ask you to wait up for me, but you won’t go to bed anyway, will you?’
‘I’ll be here.’
‘Lady with the lamp.’
‘Until you get home. Then it’s Lady and the Tramp.’
I laughed and I heard the smile in Mave’s voice as she said goodbye.
I reached Dil’s yard just after nine. He opened the door, unsmiling, ‘I could have done with some notice, Eddie.’
‘I was passing on the way back from the races. And I didn’t want to worry you. Vita still in New York?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is Prim with you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good. You want to talk in the barn or in the house?’
‘About what?’
‘Important developments.’
Dil sighed, ‘The barn is probably still safest.’
‘It probably is. I’ll give you a minute to explain to Prim, and I’ll see you in there.’
‘What do I tell Prim?’
‘Tell her we’ll be back with her very soon.’
‘Should I bring you a drink?’
‘No, thanks.’
The barn proved too cold and depressing. We went to my car. Dil settled in the passenger seat with his chunky glass of whiskey. He said, ‘You’ve been quiet.’
‘I could say the same for you. How’s Prim?’
‘She’s in denial. Keeps saying that maybe the whole thing will turn out to be a bad dream.’
‘I think I’ve found a way to get her out of it.’
He lowered his chin and raised an eyebrow, ‘I thought we’d agreed she’s already out of it? Boffo’s taking the hit.’
‘I can get her out of it formally, with the police, I think.’
‘How?’
‘By trading her crime off for a much bigger fish.’
‘At what price?’
‘Hard to say. Are you willing to pay part of it?’
He stopped the whiskey glass halfway to his mouth, ‘Pay as in?’
‘I need Vita in on this working alongside Prim.’
He laughed, balancing the glass expertly so that the whiskey barely shimmered in the moonlight. I said, ‘What’s so funny?’
‘Well, Eddie, things can’t be so bleak if you’re making jokes about them.’
‘I’m serious. If Vita and Prim will team up on this, I can do deals for everyone, maybe even Hines and Boffo.’
‘Who is this guy, the Godfather?’
‘He thinks he is. That’s why the edge is with us.’
‘Oh, it’s us all of a sudden!’
‘Dil, don’t push your luck. I could have taken the easy way out the night we walked in on Prim. Dumped everything in your lap. Do you want this all neatly tied up or don’t you?’
‘Tell me who this guy is.’
‘No. You don’t need to know and it would only put you in danger.’
‘So, how am I supposed to persuade Vita and Prim if I don’t know what the risks are?’
‘You won’t need to persuade Vita. She’ll be up for it. I think Prim will be, too, but I might need your help there. We’ll see.’
Dil was watching me with an odd, half-grin, his eyes fixed on me as though trying to work something out. I said, ‘Why are you looking at me like that?’
‘You sound like a man with a clipboard, just going through, ticking off things you need done, as though you were arranging a party or something. You seem, well, detached…from reality.’
I smiled, ‘That’s rich, Dil, that is really rich.’
‘Honestly, if you could see yourself, Eddie. You turn up here close to bedtime, tell me we’re going to bring down some guy who is so dangerous you won’t even tell me his name, and it’s like you’re ticking off boxes. “You’ll do this. Vita will do that. Prim will be helping with the other”. You’re like some factory charge hand giving out orders.’
‘I’m in organizing mode, Dil, that’s all. I’m sorry if it’s not the dramatic performance you were hoping for. We’ve got things to do.’
‘Then let’s talk about them, figure out the best way.’
‘No need. I’ve figured out the best way. You just need to do what I’m asking you to do.’
‘End of? Just like that?’
‘Just like that.’
He resumed the watching, but the half-grin had gone. He sat clutching the glass. I said, ‘Dil?’
He hesitated, then said, ‘What exactly do you need from me?’
‘Get Vita back over here. Let me know when she’s due, and we’ll arrange a meeting.’
‘What am I supposed to tell her?’
‘Tell her what you’ve been putting off telling her since she went back to America. Hasn’t she even called to ask about progress on the wild horses?’
‘I’ve spoken to her once. She says she’s busy with some deal and that we can catch up once it’s done.’
‘Tell her you’ve caught the culprit and the police want to interview her as soon as possible.’
‘I’m not going to lie to her, Eddie.’
I smiled slowly, ‘Jeez, Dil, listen to yourself? Will you listen to yourself?’
‘What?’
‘Look, call Vita when you go back in. I don’t care how you get her back here. If she says she won’t come, let me know and I’ll call her.’
‘And say what?’
‘And say, Vita, whatever it is you’re working on, there’s something going on here that’ll give you a much bigger buzz.’
He frowned, ‘Eddie, what are you talking about?’
‘Vita Brodie and what makes her tick.’
‘Oh, so suddenly you know everything about women?’
‘I know what floats Vita’s boat.’
He shook his head, ‘Are you on something? You been popping pills or smoking dope?’
‘Listen, Dil, getting Vita here will be the easy bit. Your next job is persuading Prim to play her part in this, and that starts with a confession to Vita.’
Dil stared at me as though I’d gone mad. He said, ‘How long have we spent finding a way to get Prim out of this? Boffo’s lined up, isn’t he?’
‘Not any more. Not after I’ve spoken to Mac and to the
police in the morning.’
‘You’re going to tell them about Prim?’
‘I’m going to do a deal. No names mentioned until they agree to the deal. But once it’s done, Vita and Prim need to work together and that means Prim telling Vita what she did…and, very probably, why she did it.’
Dil finished the whiskey, swallowed and said, ‘You are mad. You are crazy mad.’
I turned the key to start the engine. I said, ‘I have to go. I’ve got a meeting with Mac. If you don’t want to speak to Prim about this, I’ll do it tomorrow. In fact, don’t tell her. She might do a runner. I’ll tell her tomorrow. I’ll do that, and you ring Vita. I need her back here in the next forty-eight hours. Call me when you’ve spoken to her. No time is too late.’ I reached in the back and handed him two boxes, ‘Throwaway phones. One for you and one for Prim. Just let me note the numbers, then I’ll give you mine. All calls among the three of us should be made on these.’
‘Until when?’
‘We’ll see.’
A minute later, I was holding his glass while Dil eased himself out of the car with the two boxes. He straightened and swept his fringe before taking the glass from me. I said, ‘Prim will be just as important as Vita, maybe more so. Don’t do anything to scare her off.’
Dil snapped to attention and saluted, ‘Yes sir!’ He slammed the door.
I opened the window and smiled, ‘At ease, Grant. At ease.’
73
The lamp burned in the window, waiting for me and for midnight. Mave and Ben were at the kitchen table talking. I closed the door softly and said, ‘I guess Princess Alice is asleep?’
Mave said, ‘Had to recover the pea from under the twentieth mattress before she’d doze off.’
She watched my puzzled look, and Ben smiled. He said, ‘You need to catch up on your fairytales.’
‘I believe I do.’
Ben said, ‘Alice, my wife, used to tell a joke about baby Alice saying to her at bedtime, “Mum tell me a fairy story.’ And her mother would say, “Wait until your Dad finally gets home and he’ll tell us both one.’
I laughed. Mave smiled. I said, ‘Good to hear you’re in fine spirits before your flight.’