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<title>24</title>
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<h1>24</h1>
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<p>Dawn, and they were on the move again after the call from Lars Hanssen when he was just rounding the Mull of Kintyre.
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Jack was haunted by the possibility of his boat hitting another rock <em>en route</em> and the whole plan
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foundering. It was two days after the crazy scene at Gus Ferguson's yard and a lot had happened since then.</p>
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<p>Jack had a new big bruise on the side of his jaw that Linda and Neil's sister Joanne had managed to hide to an extent
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with some makeup from the Starlight stage box. His face still ached, and he had to chew on the other side of his
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mouth until the loose molar settled back in. It hurt, but he knew he deserved it.</p>
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<p>He'd arrived in Glasgow a bare seventeen minutes after they had lashed the rolled up tarpaulin that contained the
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ponderous body of Wiggy Foley on top of an old container in the truck park where it couldn't be seen by anybody
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passing by, or dug up by the local dogs. Tam Bowie was waiting for him with the spare helmet and the Dragstar engine
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ticking over.</p>
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<p>"You got out okay? How's your Mike?"</p>
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<p>"He's okay, a bit of a sore face but it went like clockwork. In, out, shake it all about." His own hands were still
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trembling just a little as he came down in the aftermath.</p>
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<p>"Apart from this," Jed said. He and Donny were hauling the tarpaulin from the side, while Ed fixed the covering back
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on the frame. Young Michael sat on the footplate, looking pale and lost.</p>
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<p>"What's that?"</p>
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<p>"You mean <em>who</em>."</p>
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<p>Tam pulled back a step. "What's going on?"</p>
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<p>"That scumbag Foley. He came after us."</p>
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<p>"And what happened?"</p>
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<p>"He's snuffed it."</p>
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<p>"Dead? You killed him? You <em>killed</em> Wiggy Foley?" Tam's face was a picture of incredulity.</p>
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<p>"No," Ed said. He turned from the tanker, shaking his head. He was still covered in drying mud and old leaves. "He
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killed himself, that's what he did. He came after us with a knife and fell off the truck. He must have broke his
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neck."</p>
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<p>"He was stuck up a tree," Donny said. "Like a big baldy gorilla."</p>
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<p>"What are you going to do with him?"</p>
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<p>"Just stash him for now," Jack said. "He's not joining our gang."</p>
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<p>They had to get moving, then and there. Jack pulled on the windproof one-piece and the helmet. He came across to Mike
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and grabbed him round the shoulder in a one armed big brother hug, holding him tight to let his own anger and fear
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drain away now that he was safe.</p>
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<p>"Mike, you go with Ed and Donny, okay? Get Sandy to take you to casualty right away to get that face seen to, no
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delay at all, got that? He knows what to do. Tell Mam, not a word to a soul, no matter who it is. And for God's
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sake, don't tell her about this, okay?"</p>
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<p>Michael nodded silently, still struggling to cope with his first taste of violent death. Jack swung a leg over the
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pillion and they were gone through the mesh gates. Tam slowed at the lights down on Castle Street, plugged the comms
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lead into the helmet.</p>
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<p>"Speed of light, Tam," Jack said. "Warp factor nine. I'm the only name they'll come after."</p>
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<p>Tam sat back, throttled up and in five minutes he was across the big span of the bridge beyond Barloan Harbour, onto
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the motorway and nosing up from ninety. Somewhere beyond Glasgow Airport, a patrol picked them up and started
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flashing blue. Tam didn't twitch. He gave it a twist, reached a hundred and ten until he was far enough round the
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bend, was up the exit and through the Clyde Tunnel and gone before they knew what was what. Jack took the samsonite
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pannier into the bathroom in Starbucks and three minutes later he came out in the Armani suit carrying the
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serious-business briefcase. He checked the wallet inside, made sure he had the return train ticket Tam had bought in
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the morning.</p>
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<p>Kerrigan Deane shook him by the hand.</p>
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<p>"Sorry I'm late," Jack said, checking his watch. "The traffic gets worse."</p>
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<p>"Tell me about it," Kerrigan Deane said. He led Jack into his plush office. "Just a couple of papers for you to sign.
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Everything go well at Dunvegan?"</p>
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<p>"I'll know by tomorrow," Jack told him. He had a couple of people to talk to and he knew it wasn't going to be
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easy.</p>
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<p>Kate Delaney smacked her face against the glass and reeled out of the revolving door into the arms of the concierge.
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The thud rattled the pane in its metal frame. She had pushed her way inside just at the same instant that Jack was
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coming out and when she did a double take she forgot where she was and stopped dead. The door kept right on spinning
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and catapulted her into the atrium</p>
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<p>Jack heard the jarring crack and saw the motion just as he stepped out into the street. He turned, peered through
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against his own reflection and saw Kate steadying herself against the reception desk.</p>
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<p>For a moment he was caught in a dilemma. He'd stayed out of her way since the day in the lane when she'd hooked him a
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fast one. There had been too much to do and he didn't have enough excuses that she wouldn't see right through. Her
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eyes were closed and her free hand was rubbing at her cheek and temple where the toughened glass had connected. He
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needed to be gone, but he couldn't just leave her like that.</p>
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<p>Then she opened her eyes, saw him, and that ended the debate. He pushed through the revolving door again.</p>
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<p>"I suppose that was revenge," she said. Tears were silvering her eyes, and she blinked them back to prevent them
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spilling over.</p>
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<p>"I never even saw you," he protested. "Are you all right?"</p>
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<p>"Sure I'm all right. You just broke my damn jaw." She knew it had been her own fault for stopping. He put an arm
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round her, took her weight against himself. She sniffed and turned her head away, not wanting him to see the tear if
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it got loose.</p>
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<p>She dabbed at her cheek. "My head's ringing like a bell."</p>
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<p>"You shouldn't have stopped," he said.</p>
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<p>"Tell me something I don't know. I should have kept right on walking, right?"</p>
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<p>He took the hit. "I suppose so."</p>
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<p>She pulled away from him, kept a hand to her cheek. The skin under her fingers was swelling nicely. In a couple of
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hours she'd be still pretty but lop-sided..</p>
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<p> "So this is what it's all been about," she said, looking him up and down. "Armani labels from head to toe?"</p>
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<p>There was no answer to that.</p>
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<p>"Suits you, Jack. I just hope the rest of your ex-workmates can afford such nice gear."</p>
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<p>He darted a concerned look at the concierge before she kept talking.</p>
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<p>"You want a coffee?"</p>
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<p>"I've got an appointment," she said, finally forcing the tear back. "But I'm early."</p>
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<p>"Come on," he put a hand behind her back and steered her towards the doors again. The concierge came forward and
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opened the side door for them.</p>
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<p>"Just to be on the safe side, Mr Gabriel," he said.</p>
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<p>He winced, kept on moving until he got across to Starbucks again. Tam was long gone.</p>
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<p>"So you got a designer suit and tie," she said. "And a poncy briefcase. Was it worth it?"</p>
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<p>He shrugged. The girl took the order and she waited until they were alone again in the corner.</p>
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<p>"You might as well have got it covered in arrows."</p>
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<p>"They let you wear denims in Barlinnie," he threw back.</p>
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<p>"Maybe they'll let you finish your course. Then you can start your career the week before you retire. So what brings
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you up here? Are you following me?"</p>
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<p>"If I had, I'd have been behind you, not coming out the door you were coming in."</p>
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<p>"So who were you seeing? Your criminal buddies?"</p>
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<p>He didn't say. He knew who she'd been going to meet.</p>
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<p>"Just a man. Doing some business."</p>
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<p>"That's what they call it in the movies. There are other ways to describe it."</p>
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<p>He sat back. Her face was swelling on one side. There was no point in arguing with her. She still felt betrayed and
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let down, and there was nothing he could do about that. He hadn't meant to expose her to any danger, and he wasn't
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going to risk any more. The best he could do would be just to take the punches and wait until it stopped. Maybe duck
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a few.</p>
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<p>"How goes your fight?"</p>
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<p>She looked up. "What's it to you?"</p>
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<p>"I'm interested."</p>
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<p>"Oh, you mean the big battle against Sproat and his cohorts. The fight to save the river harbour and all the jobs?
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The fight that you <em>pretended</em> to be interested in before, when you were just planning to get into the
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robbery business?"</p>
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<p>One, two, three, hard and fast, like Ed's punches and he was on the ropes. He felt like going down and staying there
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for a mandatory eight count. He put his head in his hands, rubbed his temples. She paused, running out of steam and
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fire.</p>
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<p>"If you must know, we're going to win. It's going to be all over the Gazette tomorrow. Blair Bryden said he'll put it
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on the front."</p>
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<p>The girl arrived with the coffees, gave Jack and his fine suit a blatant once-over. He took a sip of cappuccino. Kate
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didn't know anything about what had happened today, but he'd bet five to one that the scene in Ferguson's yard would
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knock everything else off the front. Gunplay in the home town and a river of stolen whisky, that was the new story.
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That was <em>news</em>. A fresh court action would make it somewhere after page six.</p>
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<p>"What's that?"</p>
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<p>"We've won the interdict, thanks to our guardian angel. No thanks to some folk we could mention, including you and
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your wild bunch."</p>
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<p>He ignored that. He'd just have to get used to rolling with them.</p>
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<p>"Guardian Angel?"</p>
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<p>"Somebody who believes in the cause. Somebody who is willing to put his money where his mouth is. He's set up a
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fighting fund to take it all the way. Kerrigan Deane, that's the lawyer I'm meeting today, he served a writ against
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Sproat that stops him demolishing the distillery and dumping into the harbour."</p>
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<p>"So, does that mean it's over?"</p>
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<p>"No. Sproat's people are applying to have the interdict lifted. It's probably going to end up in court. At least now
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we can consider putting up a fight."</p>
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<p>"That could take months."</p>
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<p>"It could take years."</p>
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<p>Jack smiled. He knew all this.</p>
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<p>"Mr Deane says we should now write to the developers to let them know about the legal problem, which might make them
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pull out of the deal. He's dug up some research that shows Sproat's family might never had clear title to the
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harbour, and even some of the land that's been reclaimed from the river."</p>
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<p>Jack nodded, keeping his face straight. His uncle and the boat-club boys had spent many afternoons in the library
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archives digging through the old records. They had only been trying to save the harbour for the flotilla of little
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wrecks that took up their weekends, but they all had plenty of time on their hands and while none of them had a
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university education, they knew the tides and currents and how to avoid the sharp rocks. They had done a real
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job.</p>
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<p>"Now the good Mr Sproat wants to speak to us. Amazing isn't it? Last week we were a bunch of agitators and
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anarchists. He refused even to acknowledge our letters. Now he's invited us down for talks."</p>
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<p>"Good for you," Jack said, and he meant it. Maybe she had got some leverage, but he knew that when Kate Delaney
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started to fight, she wouldn't stop until it was won or lost. She'd give Sproat a real run for his money.</p>
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<p>She looked at her watch.</p>
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<p>"Time for me to go. What are you going to do?"</p>
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<p>"This and that," he said.</p>
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<p>"You're learning to be evasive, Jack Lorne. I really liked the straight version."</p>
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<p>"Things happen," he said, aware of how lame it sounded.</p>
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<p>"Indeed they do. Maybe you shouldn't let them."</p>
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<p>He held the door open as they walked out into the thin rain. The bruise was beginning to colour now, titian, like her
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hair.</p>
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<p>He walked her across the street, weaving through the stalled traffic and stood on the pavement while she mounted the
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steps. She turned, paused, came back down.</p>
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<p>"Two things I'd like to know," she said.</p>
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<p>"What's that?"</p>
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<p>"Why did the doorman call you Mr Gabriel?"</p>
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<p>He felt colour flush into his face.</p>
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<p>"Must have the wrong man," he said quickly. "Mistaken identity."</p>
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<p>She stared up, held his eyes, measuring that response and finding it wanting. She was sharp.</p>
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<p>"And what on earth have you done to your hair?"</p>
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<p>Marjory Burns caught him on the mobile just as he came out of the railway station, only three hundred yards from
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where the scene-of-crime boys had taped off Ferguson's yard. A thin smell of whisky still hung about in the soft,
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damp air.</p>
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<p>Jack backed in under the railway bridge out of the misty rain. The scramble over the wall and the crazy careering
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along the old Quarry Road out of town, that seemed long ago and far away.</p>
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<p>"Mr Gabriel?" He knew she was being overheard. "I have Mr Sproat for you."</p>
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<p>He pulled out and round the corner, away from the traffic. There was a little nook of a shelter where the porters
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used to keep their trolleys in the old days, and he squeezed in there for privacy.</p>
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<p>"Hello?"</p>
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<p>"Michael? Caught you at last, old boy. Alistair here." Sproat was trying to sound expansive, casual, but Jack knew
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he'd be having a severe case of the squitters after the police found what he'd left behind in the lorry glove
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box.</p>
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<p>"Hi there, how is business?" He remembered the Irish accent just on time.</p>
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<p>"Frankly Michael, it's just bloody awful. Some of that Glen Murroch turned up today. Seems a bunch of local idiots
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stole it, but they're trying to implicate me in the whole mess. <em>Me?</em> Can you imagine that?</p>
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<p>Jack almost chuckled, listening to Sproat's outrage. He'd been involved in scamming the customs, probably all his
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life, if the flash car and the yacht down on the marina were anything to go by. Maybe Sproat didn't interpret that
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as theft.</p>
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<p>"They found some lading documents. Obvious forgeries, of course, but they've started a whole inventory of the stock.
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I just had to touch base with you to warn you."</p>
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<p>"Warn me of what?"</p>
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<p>"The police and customs will want to go over the Dunvegan delivery, just to check the amounts against the files."</p>
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<p>"That's no problem. They can come and have a look if they like."</p>
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<p>"Good man. And I've got these Charter protesters all over me. You know they hired a lawyer and slapped an interdict
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on me? <em>Me!</em> I'm going to talk to them this afternoon, see if I can palm them off. If I don't get reclaiming
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the land, then the development deal will be down the river and I'll be up the sewage creek <em>sans paddle.</em>"
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</p>
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<p>Jack could heard the rising panic in Sproat's voice. His family had cruised it for generations, and according to his
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uncle, they'd been running unmatured whisky across the Atlantic way back in the twenties during the prohibition
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days. This was probably the first time in his life that Sproat had been really worried.</p>
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<p>"Two things, Michael. Your associate, Mr D'Angeli, he said something about sorting these people out. If I can stall
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them for a while, maybe he can do something for me? I really need some help on this one."</p>
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<p>Jack paused, bit his lip, wondering if the time was right.</p>
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<p>"Well, there's a bit of a problem there. It's Mr D'Angeli. He's not with us any more."</p>
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<p>"Not with you? What, did he get fired? He quit?"</p>
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<p>"No. I mean he's not <em>with </em>us any more. He's...ah....he's gone."</p>
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<p>"You mean he's..."</p>
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<p>"Yes," Jack broke in. "There was a bit of a run in with his....um, associates. They sort of voted him out.
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Permanently. But don't worry, I'll make sure they don't know about you."</p>
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<p>"Know about me?" Sproat's voice went up a whole octave. "What is there to know?"</p>
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<p>"They know Mr D'Angeli was making a major purchase. If they thought there was anything untoward about the deal, maybe
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they'd think they could put some pressure on you. I know them. It wouldn't be nice."</p>
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<p>He had to put a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing.</p>
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<p>"Pressure, what pressure?" He was all questions now.</p>
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<p>"Don't worry about it. It's all there and documented. We got the two hundred barrels, average thirty gallons. Six
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thousand in total. And you've had the five K up front."</p>
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<p>"What are you talking about? It was two hundred at fifty five gallons per cask. That's <em>eleven </em>thousand
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gallons."</p>
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<p>Jack paused again. </p>
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<p>"No Alistair, that can't be right. I've got the paperwork which tells me and everybody else that I bought six
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thousand. All the barrels were carrying light. Must have been evaporation or something. What do you call it, the
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Angels Share?"</p>
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<p>There was a silence at the other end of the line. Jack could almost hear the workings in Sproat's brain. The cogs
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reached the end of their travel and a cold realisation began to dawn.</p>
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<p>"You can't do this to me." Sproat's voice had a cold shiver in it, as if he'd been sitting on ice all morning and big
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cracks were starting to spread out from under.</p>
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<p>"Do what, Alistair? <em>You</em> signed the paper."</p>
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<p>"I'll have the law on you, you slimy shit, you and your greasy Italian hoods."</p>
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<p>"Sure, Alistair. You go tell them you were selling short. Tell you another thing, you only saw <em>half</em> the
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paperwork. I've got the other half. It shows the amount that went through the spirit safe when those barrels were
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first filled and marked. Mr D'Angeli, he had a lot of contacts, God bless his dear departed soul. Don't go checking
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the computer records, because they've all been put back to the original versions, and I've got a sworn affidavit
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that details exactly what you were up to. You raise any waves and you have to tell the customs why you've been
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ripping them off."</p>
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<p>"You.....you...." Sproat sounded as if he was strangling. "You fucking <em>bastard.</em>"</p>
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<p>"Very possibly," Jack said, agreeably. "You could come and take the barrels back as they are now, if you like. Oh,
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no, sorry Alistair. There's a problem about that too. With the unfortunate Mr D'Angeli's disappearance, his
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partnership's been wound up. Having sold on the latest delivery from yourselves, there don't seem to be any assets.
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So you really can't come to collect, can you? Your former employees bought them in good faith, and paid good money
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too. All receipted. That seems to have gone with Mr D'Angeli, wherever he is. I'm afraid this really hasn't been
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your day."</p>
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<p>He paused for a moment, savouring this. "In fact, I'd go as far as to say, you've <em>had</em> your day."</p>
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<p>Sproat made spluttering sounds. Jack allowed himself a hard smile. He remembered Andy Kerr's face when he told the
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men they were laid off, and he remembered how Sproat had brazenly told his own people they'd be out of work. No
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matter what happened from now, he could take some satisfaction on hearing Sproat losing it.</p>
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<p>"And as for those protesters who are soon to haul your well tanned arse into court, well, you're big enough to take
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them on yourself. They'll skin you. Mr D'Angeli has checked out beyond reach, and now, as far as you're concerned,
|
|
so have I. And I have to say, it's been a real pleasure doing business. Pip-pip, <em>old boy</em>."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>He hit the clear button on his cloned phone, dropped it to the hard tiles of the old railway room and stamped down
|
|
with his heel. He put all his weight into it. The mobile crunched and scattered, the last contact with Sproat
|
|
severed.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>He went home first to get changed and get half an hour's sleep before he went round to Andy Kerr's house. Andy lived
|
|
on the far side of Drymains and Jack had been there many a time before, in pleasanter days. Sylvia Kerr was taking
|
|
the boys to the scouts.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"He's in the garden," she said, hustling the kids into the car. "Just go right round."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Sylvia flashed him a smile that she tried to make bright, but he could see the strain on her face from the events of
|
|
the past few weeks. He took a big breath and pushed the gate.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"If you've come for your job, I'd love to help, Jake." He poured them both a cold beer. "But it looks like
|
|
everybody's going to go."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"What's the score on the lease?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Sproat's squeezing my balls so tight my eyes are watering. I'm really sorry I had to lay you off, but I did my best.
|
|
Billy skimming from the bottom and then Scotmilk forcing me to cut to the bone on the Co-op contract, they were both
|
|
backbreakers."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Andy looked as if he hadn't smiled in months. His mouth was turned down at the edges, and last year's laughter-lines
|
|
had turned into deep, depressed furrows.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"And that Angus Baxter, he's run me through the grinder and back again. I hear they picked somebody up for the whisky
|
|
this morning. There was a bit of a shoot-out in the east end, so it said on the radio. I hope the bastards squeal
|
|
like pigs."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Jack bit his lip. This was not going to be easy.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I've got some news for you. Maybe it'll cheer you up."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"It would have to be really good," Andy said. Jack hadn't touched the beer. Andy told him to drink it while it was
|
|
going.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I heard Sproat's in big trouble."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Couldn't happen to a nicer wanker. But who isn't in trouble?" He pointed at his fine sandstone house. "I'm going to
|
|
have to put this place on the market. Want to buy it?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Jack laughed drily. "With what you paid me? That's a good one."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"So what about Sproat, may that creep rot and burn."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"He won't get the mall deal. He's had a writ slapped on him that stops him demolishing and dumping into the harbour.
|
|
It'll be tied up in court for years. He can't reclaim the land, so the mall doesn't get built. And that puts him in
|
|
a whole lot of trouble."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Too late for me."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Well," Jack said. "Not necessarily so." He prepared himself.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"There's a couple of other things I can't tell you about, but he's in a real heap of trouble."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Nice to have company," Andy said. "I'm in so deep I'm on tip-toe."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"What I mean is, he's getting very strapped for cash."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"How do you know?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Trust me. I've been working on it. Anyway, I've got some friends who are looking for business. They want to know if
|
|
you're up for a deal."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"What kind of a deal?" Andy bent forward over the garden table.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Remember I told you about that cheese business that went flat up on Skye?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Sure. I told you it was too far away."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Well, they've got five hundred head of jerseys that they're sending to slaughter unless they find a market for the
|
|
milk and cream. Scotmilk won't touch it because of the distance."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"That's the problem."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I've worked out something that might just come together. If they were to get the milk to you, could you process it
|
|
for them?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"What do they want, cream? Pasteurised, UHT? I don't have the transport, remember."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"They've got wheels. You can work the percentage between you."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Andy pushed back and sized him up.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"What's the score Jack? You've only been out of work a couple of weeks."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Jack met his look. He remembered his uncle playing with Sproat.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I'm going to make you an offer you won't understand. How do you fancy getting into the drink business?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I <em>am</em> in the drink business. For about a month, anyway."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"No, I mean <em>real</em> drink."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>It was time to put the cards on the table. "Listen to this, I've done a deal with some friends of mine up there. In
|
|
fact, what we've done is, well, we've gone and bought a distillery."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You bought a distillery? <em>You</em>? Come on Jake, don't yank it. Where would you get the cash?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I didn't need cash, just a promise. That's how it works, only I never knew it before. Anyway, it's only a wee place,
|
|
falling apart, but it makes malt and it's got plenty of storage. But best of all is, along with this distillery
|
|
comes a licence to make spirits. That's a licence to print your own banknotes if you use it right. And it's
|
|
mine."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Andy's face was a picture of incredulity. Jack pushed on regardless.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Anyway, here's where you come in. You've got the plant and the bottling line. I've got somebody working on a grant
|
|
that would cover the transport costs back and forth, and some development dough for tooling up."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"But I won't have the premises. Sproat's rent is through the roof."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Don't you worry about Sproat. Anyway, you sign up and no matter what happens, you can work a deal or relocate, but I
|
|
don't think you'll have to move."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Andy shook his head, and Jack could see the faint ray of new hope tussle with old despair.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"If I was to change production, I'd need a cash-flow and I'm strapped Jake. The bank's pushed me so far out, they
|
|
only touch me with a billhook. The pointy end."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You won't need the bank. I'll fix you up with some rolling credit. They've got the transport. They deliver and you
|
|
get paid per processed load. It's guaranteed. Look, there's a herd of Jerseys up on that farm with tits like full
|
|
bagpipes making them buckle at the knees. We're talking fifty percent cream. Champion grass munchers. And the
|
|
farmer, he's desperate for the business too or his herd goes down for dog-meat. You're teetering on the edge. The
|
|
distillery needs a supply. It's like a triangle. Each side supports the other."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Jeez, Jake, this is all a bit sudden. How did you get into all this?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Andy picked up the beer and downed it in a single long swallow. He put the glass down and then groaned. He put both
|
|
hands up against his forehead and rocked back and forth. For a moment Jack though he had burst into tears.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"What's the matter?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Ice cream headache. I drank it too fast."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Jack exploded with laughter in a sudden release of tension.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You scared me there. I though you were having a stroke."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Andy shook his head as if to clear it.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I've thought that myself this past couple of weeks. Listen Jake, I have to tell you, Angus Baxter thinks I'm
|
|
involved in some scam over these tankers. I'm not out of the woods yet."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Don't worry about that. Everything's going to be okay. You were going to give them up, weren't you? They just
|
|
repossessed them a day early. They'll turn up, I'm certain about that."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Andy Kerr froze on the point of leaning forward.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"How did you know that?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Know what?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"They were repossessed. Nobody knew that. Just what is going on?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Nothing you need to know about Andy. Everything's going to be okay. If we've stopped Sproat in his tracks, he can't
|
|
sell, and the only reason he hiked your rent was to get you out. If he can't sell, he's stuck for cash and he can't
|
|
afford to lose you as a tenant. He's in the bag."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You've got it all figured out Jake," Andy said, but his tone was all full of gravel.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I hoped if I could bring you a deal, you could keep the boys on."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Andy stared unblinking. "Jake, what happened to my tankers?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Jack met him eye to eye again.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You don't want to know."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Jake. I'm asking you again. What the fuck happened to my tankers."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Well, if it's between you and me. I really have to trust you on this." Jack made it a question.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Between us then. You and me. Just tell me."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"We had to borrow them, Andy."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>He never saw the punch. One minute he was eye to eye with Andy Kerr and the next he was right out of the garden chair
|
|
and flat on his back. The crash of his landing socked all the air out of his lungs and little golden stars spangled
|
|
in peripheral vision.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Andy was across the table, knocking it on its edge. The beer glass spun away and smashed against a small grinning
|
|
gnome. He grabbed Jack's collar with one hand and swung another roundhouse. Jack just had time to block it and
|
|
almost dislocated a thumb.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You nearly put me in the fucking jail. Jesus! I've been hauled in there and that big Baxter's put me right through
|
|
the wringer and everybody's been pointing the finger." He swung again, clipped Jack on the chin and Jack didn't have
|
|
the heart or the urge to fight back. He knew he had this coming.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I've had the house on the market and Sylvia going half demented and people round to put a price on the plant."
|
|
Andy's voice was rising. "All because you and a bunch of loonies think they're Ronnie fucking Biggs!"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>He swung again and Jack caught his hand, held it in a tight grip, taking the force out of the blow and preventing
|
|
Andy from drawing back. They lay on the glass, straining, faces almost touching, both of them breathing hard.
|
|
Finally Jack felt the strength go out of him. He eased himself out and rolled away. Andy got up, his anger part
|
|
spent in the action.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"<em>Fuck</em>." A long exhale.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Okay. You're right. I deserved that. But it's done and it's almost over, and I know you won't believe this, but we
|
|
had to do it, so we could get the rest of the stuff in place. You were always going to be part of the deal, but you
|
|
couldn't know about it. You're no crook. You'd never have gone for it. But if that's out of your system, and you
|
|
won't start hooking and jabbing again, we can talk. You were screwed anyway, you told me that yourself. This is a
|
|
chance to get unscrewed. You don't need tankers any more, so when they turn up, they'll be repossessed again, and if
|
|
they don't, the insurance will cough. All you have to do is take delivery from Skye and convert the supply."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Into what?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Condensed milk."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"The Carnation stuff? There's no market for that."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Sure there is. I can guarantee it. So do you want the business?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"What's the catch?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"No catch. You and me become partners. We save the dairy, and we make a few bucks. No, we make a lot of bucks."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Jack held out his hand. Andy looked at it for so long that Jack almost drew it back again.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Finally he reached out and took it.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You've turned out a right devious bastard, Jack Lorne."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>It was after seven by the time he got home and he felt as if he'd been on his feet for a fortnight. He went straight
|
|
into the shower to rinse off the grime of a long day, changed and came downstairs. His mother came in from the
|
|
garden and as soon as she saw him she threw her arms around him and hugged him so tight he felt his ribs creak.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Mike okay?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"He's fine." She put a finger to his cheek. "He's better off than you. What happened to your face? No, don't tell me.
|
|
Today's going to be a total blank from now on."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Andy Kerr was no slouch. The bruise was already turning purple and
|
|
swelling outwards..</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"There's somebody here to see you," Alice said.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Who's that?" For a moment his belly clenched tight. He didn't need any more surprises.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"She's out in the garden. Wants to talk to you."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"If you're going to start punching at me again, I've already had my quota for the day."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Kate Delaney looked up at him, saw the bruise that matched the swelling on her own cheek, and despite the ache, she
|
|
couldn't keep the smile off her face.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Kerrigan Deane had been all business, but by the time she got to talk to him, Kate's thoughts were all over the
|
|
place.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>She'd gone through the revolving door again, with the last question still unanswered. The concierge pressed for the
|
|
lift and she rummaged in her bag for the papers the lawyer had sent to her. She was still doing that when she walked
|
|
through the open doorway, attention elsewhere, and stumbled straight into Deane's secretary who was coming in the
|
|
opposite direction, equally preoccupied.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Papers fountained and scattered all over the expensive carpet, while Kate and the other girl held on to each other to
|
|
save from falling, both of them apologising. They bent simultaneously to pick up the strewn papers, scooping at
|
|
random.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>She was on her knees, a sheaf of documents in one hand, picking up another, when Jack Lorne's name seemed to jumpe
|
|
out of a mass of type into sharp focus.</p>
|
|
|
|
<div class='block'>...just to confirm the legal opinion is that there is a <span class='noital'>prima facie</span> case
|
|
for common ownership of the harbour at Aitkenbar Distillery. From the research studies you supplied, our own
|
|
investigations have been unable to discover any clear private title to the harbour basin. Such title is not included
|
|
in the Sproat family holdings or within the aegis of Aitkenbar Distillery.
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class='block'> Consequently we are preparing a writ for interdict which will be served under the auspices of the
|
|
Charter 1315 organisation. We are confident this action will succeed and that attempts to have it lifted will be
|
|
denied. It is likely that the other party will seek an action of <span class='noital'>declarator</span>, to get a
|
|
formal ruling on ownership, which, whether it succeeds or not
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class='block'>— and it is our considered opinion is that it will not - will lead to an extensive delay. Ms
|
|
Delaney will, of course, be kept apprised of developments.
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class='block'>As you requested, details of costs will be forwarded to you as they arise. We thank you for the
|
|
initial retaining fee.
|
|
</div>
|
|
<p>Kerrigan Deane's flourish of a signature was jet black below the typeface. Above it Jack's name stood out in bold.
|
|
The address below it said: <em>c/o Bruce, Thornbank Cottage</em>.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>Kate knelt on the carpet while the other girl scrambled for the remainder of the papers. It was only when the type
|
|
began to waver in her vision that she remembered to breathe again.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p><em>Damn you Jack Lorne. How the hell did you manage this?</em></p>
|
|
|
|
<p>She got up and came towards him.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"No. I'm not going to start punching, idiot. Though I really should, for the catalogue of bloody lies you've told
|
|
me."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I only told you one." He looked at her warily. Her last hook had caught him on the same cheek that Andy Kerr had
|
|
cracked. A third punch would be too many. But she reached out and took both of his hands in hers.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You put Kerrigan Deane up to it." A statement, not a question.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"He told you that?" A sear of indignation flared.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"No, he's a total professional," she said, squeezing his fingers. "I asked him, but he wouldn't say a thing. I had an
|
|
accident and knocked some papers out of his secretary's hand. Your name was on some of them. It wasn't her fault or
|
|
his."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>He returned her gaze, saying nothing.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Well?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You really should watch where you're going," he finally said." </p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"And so should you by the looks of it." She pulled him towards the bench where his mother liked to sit and read on
|
|
hot days. He caught Alice out of the corner of his eye, just passing the kitchen window. She flashed him a mother's
|
|
smile. He let himself sit.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You paid Mr Deane to start the action, and you set me up for it."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I'm saying nothing until I see my lawyer."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>She laughed. "You really are an idiot, Jack Lorne. Why didn't you tell me?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You didn't need to know. You shouldn't know now. It could get dangerous."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"How did you do it?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Leverage."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I don't understand." The sun was forcing its way through the thin clouds, low rays glinting copper on her hair.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Aristotle's the man. He said if he had a long enough lever and a place to wedge it, he could move the world. It
|
|
turns out that leverage is what the Sproats and their likes have had all this time. It's time we had a turn. And a
|
|
crowbar helps."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You're talking in riddles."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I told you before. People like Sproat, they just push too far. Everybody gets used to it and they take, take, take.
|
|
They get so used to taking that they don't know what the real world's all about. They think it's their god-given
|
|
right, but it's not. Sproat never had it tough and he never had to work and all he's ever learned to do is use money
|
|
his daddy earned and fiddle the system."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Is this a lecture?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"It's a lesson it took me long enough to suss. Everybody was talking about what was happening to them, what was being
|
|
done to them. but words mean nothing. Action is the only thing. Doing. That's the only thing."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>He paused, trying to rein himself in, but he was still hyped from everything that had happened and couldn't put a
|
|
brake on it.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Sproat doesn't realise that it goes both ways, and now he's finding out what it's like to be under the gun. You get
|
|
enough people angry and one of these days they'll all gang up on you and you won't have anybody to back you up. That
|
|
is where Sproat is. His arse will be nipping, believe me."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Nice picture," she couldn't keep the smile away. "And so eloquently put."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"And the higher up they are, the bigger the splat they make when they hit. Sproat's swaying on his feet when he
|
|
should be down and taking a long count. He's going to hit like a comet. A blaze of glory."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"The last one that hit wiped out the dinosaurs."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"That's a mighty metaphor, Kate. Those dinosaurs had their chance. With them gone, it gave all the little creatures a
|
|
start."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You are one damn smartarse, Jack Lorne. You've always got the smart answer. Always have to have the last word, don't
|
|
you?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Does that mean I'm forgiven for the Armani?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Jack. You're a bastard, pure and simple. But I think I love the hell out of you."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You what?" He wasn't sure he'd heard that.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You heard what I said." She pulled on his hands again, eased him forward. "Thank those crazy boys for me, will
|
|
you?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"No. They don't know I've been spending money on a good cause, not yet. I haven't got round to telling them the whole
|
|
plan."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"So what happens next?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I could tell you," he said, gripping her hands. "But then....then I'd have to kiss you."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"What did you say?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"You heard what I said." He pulled and she bent into it. Both of them winced when their bruised cheeks collided, but
|
|
the pain faded out in the middle of it.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"Two things," she said when they broke away.</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"No surprise there."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"I think you look terrific in Armani."</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"And the other?"</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>"If your hair goes like that in twenty years, I won't really mind."</p>
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