by Ian Todd
“So, where dae they get the money fur the drink, that’s whit Ah want tae know?”
“It’s the wummin Ah feel sorry fur. Imagine hivving tae sleep rough at this time ae the year and Christmas jist roond the corner?”
“Aye, well, there ye go. Ah heard wan ae they cooncillors oan the telly the other night there, spouting aff a heap ae shite aboot how good they aw wur. How long hiv they been in charge? At least wae the Tories, ye know whit ye’re getting. And as fur that Barbara Allan wan? Bloody cow. Wan ae ma neighbours gied me a dirty look the other day there. When Ah challenged her oan whit the hell she wis staring at, she telt me she didnae know how Ah could be a poliswummin wae aw the sexual harassment being dished oot against aw the wummin in the force these days.”
“So, whit did ye say tae that wan then?”
“Ah jist telt her that she probably couldnae even spell sexual harassment, never mind know whit the hell it wis,” Jean scowled. “Ah mean, tae hear that Mrs Purple rant against the force, ye’d think it wis aw oor fault.”
“Who?”
“Us poliswummin. We don’t ask tae be harassed when we go tae oor work.”
“Aye, well, kin ye imagine whit’ll happen if whit Pricilla Presley telt us ever comes oot in the wash?”
“Aye, Ah hear whit ye’re saying, Wilma, bit maybe some things should be left well alane…Ah mean, whit she wis oan aboot happened donkey’s years ago. Time’s hiv changed and we’ve aw moved oan, so we hiv.”
“No fur people like Pricilla Presley or Collette James, they hivnae. A lot ae they basturts ur still oan the go, so they ur.”
“Ah’m no saying we furget it, bit unless they pals ae hers, the ex-poliswummin, come forward, then there’s nothing anywan kin dae aboot it…aw, poor basturt,” Jean cooed, watching the auld wummin bend doon and pick up her plastic bags before heidin fur the next bus stoap further alang the road.
“Hiv you ever been harassed?”
“Ye mean sexually?”
“Aye, Ah suppose.”
“Ah’m no sure whit they mean by it. Ah mean, his any ae the basturts ever made a pass at me? Naw. Hiv they made a smutty remark oan the way past? Plenty ae times, especially when there’s been a few ae them. Is that sexual harassment? Ah’m no sure. Christ, Ah goat that fae hauf the teachers at school aw the time. It’s a man thing.”
“Aye, but did it embarrass ye?”
“Embarrass me? Probably, depending oan whit wis said, bit it wis never that bad that it made me want tae go and complain. Whit aboot you?”
“The same.”
“So, why did a lassie like Collette James end up in a loony bin?”
“Because, apparently the basturts wur passing her and the other wummin aroond each other…manipulating them. Ye heard whit Pricilla came oot wae.”
“Aye, that’s real sexual harassment, whit happened tae them. A couple ae ugly wankers doon in the station passing comment oan the size ae yer tits and arse isnae the same thing. It seems kinda weird that aw they lassies wur in there, gaun oot wae them oan dates and that.”
“Who?”
“Collette James and the others, including yer pal, Pricilla. Ye heard her yersel. They aw goat aff wae the basturts, so they did. No that Ah’m trying tae defend anywan here, bit surely they must’ve sussed oot whit wis gaun oan? Ah mean, how blind kin love be?”
“Ah’m no sure aboot that. Pricilla said that Collette James wis in love, no jist wae Duggie Dougan, bit wae Bobby Mack as well. Surely being naive isnae a crime.”
“So, they wur taken advantage ae, bit whit happened tae her, them…wis it a crime in legal terms? Obviously, the basturts wid’ve taken advantage. They’re men, bit…”
“Bit whit?”
“Ah’m no sure.”
“We’re no talking aboot in the school playground here, Jean. This wis people in positions ae power, so it wis,”
“So, as an inspector, dae you feel ye’ve noo suddenly been blessed wae hivving a lot ae power?”
“Naw.”
“Well, there ye go.”
“These wummin wur aw maistly young probationers or really naive at the time. If ye look at it, there wur patterns oan who the victims wur. Young, naive…aye, and maybe even a bit stupid, bit surely that disnae entitle them tae be raped or sexually molested by senior polis officers.”
“Ah think it wid be difficult, if no impossible, tae come up wae enough evidence tae level a charge, never mind get a conviction. And look at aw the damage that wid be inflicted oan the force meantime? Times are changing fur the better, so they ur…Whit?”
“Jean, how kin ye say that? Based oan whit? The same basturts ur still in charge fae whit Ah kin see.”
“Look at yer pal.”
“Whit pal?”
“Cleopatra. Ye’re no telling me somewan like her isnae shaking the tree? And look at that mad basturt that took o’er fae Duggie Dougan? God, Highland Mary’s decimated the black meat trade and jailed aw they wee Neds that hiv been allowed tae run aboot dealing hash since the year dot, up there in Possil,” Jean reminded her.
“That’s a reduction in the crime statistics. Ah’m talking aboot…”
“Ah know whit ye’re talking aboot, bit ye hiv tae admit, Superintendent Munro his put a stick ae gelignite up everywan’s arses since she’s arrived oan the scene.”
“Aye, well, Ah’m no as convinced aboot that wan as much as you obviously ur.”
“Wan thing Ah did learn at school wis, don’t look a gift horse in the mooth.”
“Ah’m no. Ah’m jist no convinced she’s as angelic as aw youse think she is. She’s a snake if ever Ah’ve seen wan. As far as you and me ur concerned, let’s keep oor heids doon and well away fae her. She’ll gie us aw a using if she kin. You mark ma words, Jean.”
“Well, Ah’m in her fan club, whether ye want tae believe in her or no. She’s the reason you’re sitting wae they brand new pips and me wae ma nice shiny stripes that Ah cannae show aff tae anywan.”
“Look, let’s go. She isnae gonnae show up,” Wilma said in resignation, hivving wan last look across at the shops, as Jean turned the key in the ignition.
Chapter Twenty Nine
“Una Furtiva Lagrima,” Elspeth muttered tae hersel, wondering if Caruso wis the only singer aw these Atalian waiters hid heard ae.
She’d always hated it…too sentimental. She looked across at the windae wae relief, as the car pulled up ootside La Tanterna’s. She’d decided tae gie him five mair minutes…ten minutes earlier, before she heided back tae the office. She watched him lean doon intae the driver’s windae and say something. She tried tae see who wis behind the wheel, bit Epstein’s body wis in the way before the car moved aff. She wisnae used tae being kept waiting, humiliated, by men she wis meeting in a restaurant, even if it wis wan ae the fanciest and maist expensive wans in the city. This hid been the first time that she’d ever turned up anywhere and her date, or in this case, her lunch companion, wisnae there waiting oan her. She’d spoken wae Swansea the day before, as agreed wae Graham.
“So, what are you wanting to know, lass?”
“I’m not sure. It was Graham that suggested I come and speak with you,” she’d replied, wanting tae pull him up fur his informality.
Hadn’t he realised who he wis addressing? He wis by far the best precognition officer in the toon, bit that wisnae a licence tae be insolent. He wis Graham’s man, no hers. Of course, she’d heard the story about Swansea intervening and saving Epstein’s bacon up at the polis station in Springburn efter The Stalker hid attacked and then arrested him. Aw the partners hid been speaking aboot it at the time. Efter taking the lead fae Graham, they’d aw soon furgoatten aboot the episode. She hidnae been happy though. Swansea could’ve damaged the firm. While Graham obviously made oot he wisnae happy wae the Welshman’s intervention either, he hidnae done anything aboot it, despite her raising it again at wan ae the partners’ meetings at the time. She could tell that he’d been uncomfortable at hivving tae confess that he’d sanctioned Si
mon Epstein tae become a temporary precognition officer. While nowan, apart fae her, hid challenged that decision, there hid been a few eyebrows raised.
“Graham must have filled you in on why I was coming to speak with you,” she’d challenged the Welshman.
“I received a note, yes.”
“Well, then, spill the beans,” she’d replied haughtily.
She’d never like him, despite his street credentials.
“What do you want to know?”
“Epstein…Simon Epstein, has asked me out to lunch.”
“And?”
“And, well, Graham expressed concern.”
“Is it work related?”
“What?”
“This lunch.”
Silence.
How she’d no stood up and walked away, she’d never know.
“Er, no, I don’t think so…at least, not on his part.”
“Then, what is it then?” he’d asked, sitting there at three in the efternoon, still wearing that stupid bowler hat ae his indoors.
Senga Jackson and the other girls referred tae him as The Thompson Twin efter some kids’ cartoon character she hidnae heard ae. She tried tae remember whit the cartoon wis called. Something French or Belgian. Herge’s Adventures ae Tintin, that’s whit it wis. She’d hid tae ask the girls in the typing pool, who’d aw laughed at her ignorance.
“It’s a…a…social invite…lunch,” she’d eventually replied, feeling hersel blushing.
“Ah, a social invite,” he’d repeated, as if he wis savouring the implication, getting oan her tits.
“Look, Swansea, now that we’ve established why I’m meeting Epstein, perhaps you can explain to me why Graham would be concerned?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure that’s a good idea, lass.”
“When I want your advice, I’ll ask. So?”
“Simon Epstein is one of a small group of…of, up-and-coming gangsters here in Glasgow and…”
“Yes, The Mankys. I already know that.”
“And, well, not wanting to be over-stepping the mark here, but are you not above his, er, station?”
“You what?”
“And he asked you out for this date? You’re sure that it wasn’t business related?” he’d asked, starting tae really annoy her by this time.
“Well, if you must know, it is on my part. Whatever Mr Epstein thinks…well, I won’t find out his reason until I meet him tomorrow, if I decide to go, now will I?” she’d retorted, getting even mair angry at his apparent disapproval.
“I think you should pass this invite up.”
“Why?”
“If you’re meeting him with an agenda that he’s unaware of, it could be disastrous.”
“For who? For Me? You’re not suggesting that I could be in danger, are you?” she demanded, starting tae feel alarmed.
“From Simon Epstein? No, no, lass. You wouldn’t be in any physical danger, but the firm could be…”
“In danger?” she’d interrupted.
“Negatively affected,” he’d replied, sounding a lot mair cautious than before.
“But, why?”
“Look, can I speak frankly, Miss Jefferson?”
“Are you not already?” she’d scolded him, noting the switch fae lass tae Miss Jefferson, no sure if that wis a deferential improvement oan his part.
“I’ll take that as a given then, shall I?” he’d replied, a wee smile appearing under that disgusting, thick black moustache ae his. “The Mankys have grown from a small band of thugs, or Neds, as their type are referred to in the city, to a well organised underworld criminal gang. Depending on who you want to listen to and believe, they’re supposed to be responsible for armed hold-ups, drug dealing, extortion and some have claimed, murder over the past few years. As you’ll probably have been aware, half of them were in prison up until a year ago. Your date, Miss Jefferson, kept the home fires burning whilst the others were incarcerated. From what I can gather, the gang expanded their operations whilst the others were in prison. Simon Epstein was left in charge until Tony Gucci was freed along with Snappy Johnston and Pat McCabe last year. Are you sure this is a good idea for…”
“Someone like me?”
“Us, given the client relationship between the firm and all of The Mankys?” he’d asked, completing his sentence.
“He’s asked me out to lunch, for goodness sake, Swansea. Are you telling me that you’ve never had lunch with any of The…The Mankys?”
“A business lunch, as has Graham,” he reminded her.
“And?”
“And, well, I don’t personally have an issue with you going on a date…”
“It’s not a date, Swansea…”
“With Simon Epstein, or any of the others, but I would certainly caution you if you have an ulterior motive going on in that pretty little solicitor’s head of yours,” he’d continued, ignoring her interruption again. “These lads…including Simon Epstein, are very dangerous people to cross, Miss Jefferson…in my opinion.”
Silence.
“So, you’re advising me against taking up his offer of lunch?”
“That’s a decision for you to make,” he’d replied.
“Ah’m sorry Ah’m a wee bit late,” Simon Epstein said, before reaching oot fur her haun.
“Ah’m sorry?” she asked, startled, automatically staunin up and letting him guide her roond tae the chair that he’d slid oot, before haudin the back ae it, allowing her tae sit doon again.
“That’s better,” he said cheerfully, gieing the maître d a nod before sitting doon opposite her.
“What was all that about?” she asked, laughing.
“Whit?”
“Evicting me from my seat and putting me here?” she asked. “Can you pass over my handbag? It’s on the floor at your side.”
“Oh, right,” he replied smiling, picking it up and haunin it o’er tae her.
“Madam? Sir?” The Man In Black asked, placing a menu beside them.
“I’ll have a soda and ice, please.”
“The same fur me,” he replied.
“So?”
“So?”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
“Swapping seats, ye mean? Ach, this is the wan that catches aw the drafts in here, so it is.”
“From where? I’m now sitting with my back to the outside door.”
“Look, Ah wis only trying tae be considerate. If ye want this wan back, it’s aw yours, so it is,” he said, making an attempt tae staun up.
‘No, it’s alright. Thank you for thinking of my comfort.”
“Ah hope ye don’t take this the wrang way, bit ye look pretty stunning…in that dress wae the matching earrings. They complement that auburn hair ae yers, so they dae,” he said confidently, a wee smile appearing at the side ae his mooth.
“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself,” she replied, smiling.
Not looking too bad himself? He looked gorgeous…fur a gangster, she thought tae hersel. Surely he wisnae as bad as Swansea hid painted him oot tae be. Apart fae the switching ae the sitting positions, he wis aw Mr Charm himsel.
“So, do you come here often?” she asked, realising how corny that sounded as the baith ae them burst oot laughing. “Well, do you? That wasn’t supposed to sound as corny as it did.”
“Me? Come here often? Somehow Ah don’t think so.”
“Oh. And why would that be?”
“Too many people like you.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Ye heard me the first time,” he replied, smiling, clearly enjoying himsel.
“Are you playing games with me, Mr Epstein?”
“Simon. Call me Simon. Everywan else dis, including yer boss,” he replied, winding her up.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
“Ah don’t usually go oot fur lunch and if Ah dae, it certainly widnae be tae a place like this. Whit Ah mean is, that it’s always full ae city suits…and smartly-dressed lassies…
jist like you,” he added quickly wae a wave ae his haun, as the waiter asked if they wur ready tae order.
“I’ll have the Bagna Cauda to start with,” she replied. “And the Mediterranean pasta for the main.”
“Same fur me tae start wae and Ah’ll hiv the Veneto Chicken.”
“So, where would someone like you go for lunch, if you weren’t with someone like me then?”
“Ah prefer the cafés masel. Somewhere like The University Café across oan Byres Road, before heidin across tae D’Jaconelli’s oan Maryhill Road fur their ice cream. It’s their speciality. The best in the city. It’s oot ae the way, bit ye get honest, authentic Atalian ice-cream…probably a bit doon market fur somewan like you.”
“That sounds a bit judgemental.”
“Aye, well, ma judgement, as you call it, is usually pretty spot-on,” he replied chuckling.
“Are you taking the mickey, Simon?”
“Aye, of course Ah am…Ah’m sure you and yer pals go there aw the time.”
“Why have you asked me out to lunch?” she asked, deciding tae stoap playing his stupid games.
“Why did ye accept?”
“I like going for lunch in expensive restaurants.”
“See, Ah telt ye ma judgement aboot people like you wis pretty spot oan,” he replied, as they baith laughed. “Plus, Ah like gaun tae expensive restaurants wae a beautiful wummin.”
He wis a charmer. She’d gie him that. Apart fae the terrible accent and his supposed violent reputation, she could see hersel feeling attracted tae somewan like him. Swansea hid telt her that he operated a few successful businesses, baith legal and illegal, a carpet warehouse being the main wan. Seemingly, he hid the contracts fur a significant number ae the new multi-storey office blocks in the toon centre. She hid tae admit, he wis quite dishy looking, dressed impeccably and expensively and he oozed a confidence that she hidnae come across in somewan his age. She knew she wis four years aulder than him and apart fae his annoying habit ae throwing her aff kilter, his age didnae seem tae be a barrier in their conversation. Swansea hid also warned her tae watch whit she said. He wis supposed tae be as sharp as a razor, bit nothing that hid been said between them hid led her tae believe that there wis any negative undertones or that he wis manipulating the conversation. In fact, if she wis honest wae hersel, she wis enjoying his company. It wis hard tae imagine that he wis this dangerous young gangster that baith Graham and Swansea hid warned her aboot.