A Day at the Races (9 page)

“Great that’s settled then.” said Derek.

Chapter 9

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October was a very hectic month for Mike, and every spare bit of time he had he spent on the scanner and computer, separating the various colours off the sample fifty-pound note.

He used the latest software on his computer to lift all the colours. After he had separated out and retouched all the various colours that would be printed by the offset litho, he separated out the colours that would be printed by letterpress. He did a quick Cromalin proof to test the accuracy of all the separations, against the original note, and he was happy with the result.

Once he had all the separations accounted for and was happy he had covered every shade and colour on the note, the next stage was to step and repeat these in a large panel thirty-two images up onto film.

When each of the colours had been plotted out onto film, Mike checked the register to ensure that all the colours were in perfect fit.

Once he was happy with this, he checked the original note through a spectrophotometer, to get a reading off each of the colours, to get a perfect colour match for them.

He then printed out a recipe for each of the colours, that his software had determined was the exact amount of colour he needed to mix, to achieve a perfect match. After he had done this, he exposed the printing plates ready to go onto the Heidelberg printing press; he gave Derek the recipe to mix the inks to match each of the colours.

Mike gave everything the final once over, he was then happy for Derek to start the print run.

Derek mixed all the colours exactly as the recipe determined, and loaded the colour into the ink troughs. He test printed a few sheets, to check the colour and the fit. He took a reading off the colour to make sure it was a perfect match for the original, and the readings were exactly as his recipe.

Once he was happy with everything, he set the machine running and continued to check periodically that the notes were in perfect register. Although the computerised registration facility on the machine took care of that, Derek being from the old school didn’t want to leave anything to chance, he pulled a sheet out periodically and checked the notes under a microscope to ensure perfect register.

Meanwhile, Mike then had to modify his numbering machine. He etched small blocks for the correct size and font for the numbers and letters that matched perfectly with his sample note. He also etched a block that would be used to print “Bank of England” in a raised format.

He did some modification on the hot foil machine that would be used to laminate on the foil patch.

After Derek finished the print run on both sides, the notes were guillotined into individual notes.

The next stage of the process was to run the notes through the letterpress printer to apply the “Bank of England” lettering, using a foam-based ink. He then used the hot foil machine to heat laminate the reflective rose and medallion foil onto the notes. During this heat process the foam lettering rose in height to give a raised feel to the “Bank of England” lettering.

After this, they went through the letterpress numbering machine and individual numbers and letters were printed on both sides and this took quite a bit of time. Mike kept a constant eye on the quality at every stage.

They had spent the best part of October and November working on the notes. Once Mike was happy with the finished result, they were placed in batches into an old tumble drier that Mike had brought from home. They were kept in for half an hour along with a couple of hands full of gravel, to give them an aged look.

Mike had decided, that the best thing to do was to print all the paper, so that all the intermediate materials would be no longer needed, and they could all be disposed of. After all the notes had been printed and finished then aged in the tumble drier, Mike collated them into bundles of five thousand each.

The notes had been checked at various stages throughout the whole process, to ensure a perfect match for the original. The only difference being they all had their own individual numbers and letters running consecutively, although by now they had all been mixed up.

He packed all the money, into four very large holdalls and several heavy-duty cardboard boxes, and took them over to Fisher so he could lock them away safely in his vault.

Next all the materials used in the process had to be disposed of.

He placed all the original Crosfield scans, masks and intermediate negatives and positives along with the plates into a large holdall. Tony and Derek removed the dampers off each of the stations of the Heidelberg printing press. They placed all the litho plates along with the unused inks, into a large heavy-duty nylon sack. They washed all the ink troughs and blankets thoroughly, and totally disinfected every part of the machine that the ink would have come in contact with.

Mike then purged his computer and scanner to remove all data that referred to the scanning and separation of the fifty-pound note. He even went as far as re formatting the hard drive to wipe it clean and, remove all information that might compromise the operation.

The small plates used in the letterpress numbering machine, he would put into the furnace. Being made of a mild nickel alloy, he was sure that the intense heat of the furnace would melt them. Mike had arranged to take all the evidence over to Skippers again for incineration, when suddenly Moxie called him.

“What’s up Moxie, I am just going over to Fishers to dispose of the you know what?”

“Good I will come over with you, I need to ask a favour.”

Mike wondered what this could be, he met Moxie outside Hurricane Press and they travelled over to Fishers.

“Mike I don’t like to ask, but could you loan me a few hundred quid, because I want to go to over Germany for a couple of days. I want to see Manfred Kumpers at Continental Cars to see if they have any jobs going?”

“Jesus Moxie that’s a bit drastic, are you sure you want to go and live there, I know things are a bit grim for you at the moment but that’s a big step to take? Besides we have the ongoing project that is reaching its final stages now, so you could be set for life?”

“I know Mike, but I am seriously short on cash, every week it seems Delores is sending on bills for me to pay, so I need to find something that will give me a steady and regular income.

I thought I would try and see if Kumpers had anything to offer, even if it’s only temporary. We always got on great and I think it is worth paying him a visit, I am sure he will know by now that Miller has fired me.”

“Ok Moxie, there is four hundred, is that enough, I can let you have more if you need it?”

“That’s great, that should be enough, I will let you have it back as soon as I can. I was going to go over early next week, but certainly before the end of November, just for a day or two, just as soon as I confirm with Kumpers.”

“Ok but just remember we have our trial run early December, so make sure you are back for that.”

“Will do.”

Just then they arrived at Fishers place and unloaded the bags from the car, just as Fisher came out of his office.

“Hi gentlemen I have the boiler stoked up just take everything you need to dispose of through to the boiler house. Mike when you have done that, can I have a word with you?”

“Ok Fisher, I am sure our vagrant friend here can take care of disposing of all this stuff, just make sure everything goes into the furnace Moxie, even the bags, I will just go and have a word with Fisher.”

“Not a problem Mike.” And Moxie took the bags into the boiler house.

Fisher just wanted to go through all the details to make sure everything was set to go for the Boxing Day excursion, and that everyone would be aware of what they had to do for the trial run. Fisher and Linton had been working on the travel plan also the general logistics of the whole operation beyond this first trip, and outlined what they would have to do when the Boxing Day event occurred.

Mike then checked with Moxie to make sure that he had disposed of everything, and gave everywhere the once over just to be sure.

“OK Fisher that’s all taken care of, we will be off now, we will have a meeting in the Old Duke next Thursday to go through everything.”

Fisher nodded his agreement, then bid then goodnight.

Moxie made his quick trip to Germany and spent two days there and had a long discussion with Manfred Kumpers. It was too early to say if anything would become of it, as they had a detailed contract with Miller that could prove awkward in employing him.

He also looked up a couple of other contacts whilst he was there.

Kumpers agreed to keep in touch, so Moxie was at least hopeful that something might come out of his visit eventually.

Chapter 10

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The team gathered at the Duke on Thursday December 3rd for the run through, and at that meeting it was decided that Catterick racecourse was to be the venue for the dummy run. Mike went into great detail as to what they would do, and how to avoid arousing any suspicion.

He had discussed with Fisher and with Linton the plans for the day, so he felt comfortable that everything was covered.

Linton Swift was in his element, because this was what he was trained in, after spending twenty-five years in the Royal Engineers in various places around the world.

He was six feet two with massive shoulders and had worked himself up to Drill Sergeant in his early years. However he took a bullet through his throat on patrol in Northern Ireland, and part of his voice box had been damaged so that put paid to screaming and shouting at raw recruits. After he had convalesced, the Army offered him retirement on full pension, but he declined the offer, as the Army was his life. So he was put into logistics, moving heavy plant and machinery around the world, and troops into different trouble spots. Mike was delighted to have him along and felt his experience would be invaluable for planning the big day.

The team duly assembled at Skippers Dairies on the Saturday morning at ten thirty on December 5th.

Fisher had arranged for one of their vans to be used, and there was plenty of seating in it, and it was more than adequate for the job.

They had not told anyone in the Duke of their trip to the races, as there would have been a crowd wanting to go. There was just Mike, Linton, Moxie, Fisher and his two sons Maurice and Ian, Frank Bishop and Kenny Fitten, Brian Petch and Derek and Tony, roughly half of what the team would consist of when the sting would be for proper.

Mike had a large holdall with £550,000 in £50 notes in it and proceeded to split the money into £50,000 lots and handed it to each of them.

“Put £5,000 into each pocket on the left inside of the coat.”

Now when we get to Catterick, split up immediately we get there and keep separate. Don’t communicate with one another until we all reassemble back at the van no later than 10 minutes after the last race.

Kenny has made you all overcoats with large inside pockets, so the best thing is try them on now and make sure they fit before we head off.”

One by one they each tried on their coats for size.

They all looked at Moxie.

“Jesus Moxie you look like a Banker.” Said Frank.

“Wanker is more like it,” said Kenny “but I can honestly say you are the best dressed bunch of villains I have ever cut cloth for.”

They all looked like city gents in a range of colours, from charcoal grey, navy, sage, and dark green, to mustard and brown.

Moxie was in brown and this wasn’t lost on the rest of them.

“Very appropriate, if I shit myself at least it wont show.”

“Remember to keep the duds in your left inside pockets, put the kosher in your right inside pocket, and Moxie will be responsible for collecting any unused dud money from you when you all get back to the van. I will take the kosher money and sort it, as there will probably be some duds mixed in, and I have a record of all these numbers.

Try and lay as many bets as you can with the bookies, if possible lay some on the Tote but vary what amount you bet, so as to avoid any suspicion. Be vigilant at all times and don’t forget to collect your winnings.

Remember the point of all this, is to see how much we can lay comfortably, without alerting anyone as to what we are doing, so that we are well prepared for when we do the big one. Have you all got your mobile phones in case we need to contact you?”

Everyone nodded.

“Right I think I have covered everything, anybody any questions?”

There was a shake of heads so they all climbed into the van.

The trip to Catterick took about an hour and a half, a few of them played cards while a couple read the Sports section of the daily papers. When they arrived at the course, they parked close to the exit of the car park, ready for a quick get away if need be.

Mike gave everyone their entrance money, as they headed for the turn styles they split up and moved into various parts of the betting ring, they didn’t acknowledge one another at any stage during the meeting.

There were a large number of outsiders that won that day; Mike hoped that this would be reflected in what they would take away, especially if they had backed these outsiders on the tote.

Mike placed a number of bets on both the bookmakers and the tote constantly watching to see if they were being observed, all the time trying to act normal but feeling extremely nervous.

Moxie took things easy to start with, but as his confidence grew he placed more and more bets on, particularly with John Millers outfit Happy Larry’s. Fisher and Frank also displayed their skill, as they moved from bookie to bookie without arising any suspicion; at various intervals they noticed the rest of the group placing a large number of bets. Linton and Brian moved with consummate ease, acting cool and calm and placed their bets with the bookies and a lot with the Tote.

At 3.30 p.m. they started to arrive back at the van and Fisher was there first followed by Maurice and Ian his two sons. He started the engine of the van; just then the rest of the group arrived and climbed into the back. Nobody spoke for the first few minutes, and there was a nervous silence until Moxie spoke.