Take the A-Train (7 page)

‘They’ve been enemies for years. Now Uncle Watkins got legit pubs and a restaurant it’s open warfare. You know how it started?’

I shook my head.

‘Sprouts, man.’

‘Sprouts?’

‘Fucking brussels sprouts. Bim used to supply uncle with fruit and veg years ago, when he had his old place. One Christmas there’s a delivery of brussels sprouts. I mean a truckload. Stupid guy in the kitchen takes them in and signs for them. Uncle hits the roof. He’s ordered a bag of sprouts, like, you know, fifty pounds. Gets a gross of bags. Tries to send them back. Bim won’t take them. I swear those sprouts went across London from New Year to Easter. And man they’re starting to go rotten, like they’re almost liquid and they stink. But those two guys are so stubborn neither will give in. Eventually Uncle has them dumped on Bim’s front lawn. His wife near had a fit. They almost started a shooting war over a couple of grand’s worth of vegetables. That’s how crazy they are. Bim don’t like black men, especially on his turf.’ He blew air. ‘Man, it’s anybody’s turf out there, right?’

‘Right. So tell me all about this lock up in Wandsworth.’

Teddy shook his head sadly. ‘Uncle doesn’t own it, just rents it. At one time he was thinking about running a cab firm from down there. He would have had a workshop and offices, but nothing came of it. The rent is dirt cheap, it’s on a long lease from the railway, and he just never bothered to let it go. He stores old shit down there. It’s just a dump really.’

‘And?’

‘And when Lupus and I were checking last night, everything was cool. I drove down there.’

‘On your own?’ I interrupted.

‘Yeah, we split the premises for speed. We needed to work fast. It was the last place I went to. I didn’t even realise anyone else outside the firm knew about it. It only gets used once in a blue moon.’

‘Someone knew.’

‘Someone did, and to let me go in and come out again before they planted the gear.’

‘What exactly happened?’

‘How do you mean?’

‘Just that. What did you do? Run me through it.’

He thought for a second. ‘I went down around ten. I had my own car. There’s a slip road off the Wandsworth Road. Our place is the last arch, right where the road ends. Then there’s a bit of pavement, some grass, a fence and the back of a council estate. It’s dark down there, the street lights are crap. I parked the car facing the door, headlights on full. There’s a set of big double doors that open right up so’s you can drive a truck in, and there’s a small door set into one of them. The little door is locked by a Yale and a padlock. They were both tight. I had the keys and I opened up, put the lights on and took a look round. Like I said, it’s a dump. Boxes and crap everywhere. It didn’t look as if anyone had been there for months. I checked the downstairs office and the little one upstairs too. There was nothing there I could see. I swear there was nothing there. I mean, man, I didn’t even know what I was looking for, but there was definitely no drug paraphernalia. It was quiet and bloody freezing. I locked up again and left, and went straight to Uncle’s to stay like he asked me to. I sat up ‘til three watching TV and got my head down on the sofa. At six Old Bill came in with sledgehammers. You know the rest.’

‘Someone knew you’d check.’

‘Looks like it.’

‘Who exactly?’

‘Whoever tipped Uncle. It was an anonymous call. Could have been anyone. They said they were mens, but who knows?’

‘Your uncle was sure they were.’

‘Buzz words. Anyone can use them.

‘Like who?’

‘Like anyone who wants to see Uncle stiffed. Like the Rastas he dumped when he sold out to the developers. Lupus reckoned they lowered the tone of the organisation. They could have cooked the whole thing up with Bim and told him about the lock-up out of spite.’

‘They wouldn’t have been too pleased about being rowed out of the action just when it got sweet, I grant you,’ I said.

‘Uncle was a bit iffy about it, too. He’s loyal, but Lupus kept on at him and eventually Uncle gave in so Lupus done the deed.’

‘Yeah, Lupus. I’ve been wondering about him. Where the hell did he spring from?’

‘Don’t know. He was there before Uncle Watkins took me on. Clever man. Lawyer and accountant.’

‘I thought I didn’t like him. What’s he do for Em?’

‘A bit of everything. He’s like the number two man.’

‘And you don’t mind? Being family and all.’

Teddy looked at me through slitted eyes. ‘I don’t give a shit,’ he said. ‘I know what’s coming to me. So long as I got cash and some good gear on my back and nice wheels to drive, I’m OK.’

I didn’t believe a word of that. ‘So you just kick back and catch the scraps from the table?’

‘Don’t be stupid,’ said Teddy dismissively. ‘I do well. Uncle Watkins looks after his family.’

‘I’m pleased to hear it,’ I said. ‘What were you doing before Em took you on?’

‘Me, man? I was ducking and diving. Doing odd jobs, looking for deals.’

‘Save it, Teddy,’ I said. ‘You talk street, but a lot of your vocabulary comes from somewhere else. So don’t jive me, Bro.’

‘Shit, boss,’ he said, ‘you got me. I passed my “A” levels and read sociology at Bristol. Uncle took care of me. He’s been good and now I can help him, pay a bit back.’

‘You can help me if you want.’

‘I’ll do what I can. What do you think will happen to Uncle?’

‘It could go very bad for him.’

‘He’s done nothing.’

‘It was a lot of dope to leave lying about.’

‘Sure was.’

‘Too much just to frame Em, that’s the trouble. It’s severe overkill. A couple of grand’s worth could have done that. It’ll look bad in court.’

‘He’s got an excellent lawyer.’

‘I’m sure, but I bet he doesn’t get bail.’

‘So what can you do?’

‘Make inquiries. That’s my job. I’ll start this afternoon. Will you drop me home?’

‘Sure.’

‘You’d better pay the bill then and we can go.’

‘Am I paying for yours?’

‘Sure. I’m doing Em a favour, but it doesn’t include feeding his family.’

‘Generous man.’

‘You’d better believe it.’

He called over the barmaid and paid our bill and we pulled on our coats again and went back through the rain to the car. I directed Teddy to my place and he dropped me outside. I left him one of my cards and told him to call me later.

I
 went upstairs to my flat and cracked a beer, lit a cigarette and sat down by the phone. I called West End Central and spoke to the one copper who had come to see me in hospital when he didn’t have to.

His name was Endesleigh, Detective Inspector Endesleigh. An amazingly senior rank for someone so young. He always looked as if he should have been at school studying for his GCSEs, but he was a good copper and for some reason we were friends. On my side, perhaps because he had once saved my life. On his side, I didn’t have a clue. I caught him at his desk.

‘Endesleigh,’ he said.

‘Good afternoon.’

‘Sharman, how’s life?’

‘All right, but I could do with your help.’

‘I don’t like the sound of that. Why, you got a parking ticket you want me to fix?’

‘I’m working.’

‘Are you serious?’

‘Of course.’

‘What the hell are you doing?’

‘I’m helping an old friend.’

‘Who?’

‘Samuel Watkins.’

‘I’m none the wiser.’

‘He’s also known as Emerald.’

‘Yeah, wait a minute, that rings a bell.’

‘He’s being done for intent to supply Class-A drugs, cocaine, a half a million pounds’ worth. Warrants were issued last night sometime.’

‘I think I heard about it. He’s some old superannuated South London face isn’t he?’

‘I don’t think he’d be too fond of the description, but yes I suppose you could say that.’

‘He’s on the run, isn’t he?’

‘Yes.’

‘And you’re helping him.’

‘Yes.’

‘So you’ve seen him?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Sharman, you do put yourself on offer, don’t you?’

‘He’s going to give himself up. Might even have done it by now.’

‘Good plan.’

‘To Danny Fox.’

‘This gets better and better. Why him?’

‘Emerald’s not in love with the idea of the Met taking care of his accommodation needs for the foreseeable future.’

‘Was that your idea?’

‘Yes.’

‘You won’t win any popularity contests.’

‘I’ll survive.’

‘Don’t be so sure.’

‘That’s not the point.’

‘What is?’

‘He’s innocent.’

Endesleigh choked back a laugh. ‘Tell me about it! Someone else left half a million’s worth of coke on your friend’s premises? Careless, wouldn’t you say? Especially on the very night the drug squad had nothing better to do.’

‘That place was clean at ten last night. Christ, Endesleigh. Emerald had been tipped off. He had an anonymous call purporting to be from one of your own. He’d be pretty stupid not to send in a clean-up team. He had plenty of time.’

‘You’ve got my attention.’

‘Besides, he’s not into coke,’ I insisted.

‘Sez who?’

‘Him. And me, for that matter. He never has been in all the years I’ve known him.’

‘Tell that to the jury.’

‘Come on,’ I said. ‘Never heard of a stitch up?’

‘And if he’s a friend of yours it would be?’

‘In this case, yes.’

‘And who’s the stitcher?’

‘Bimpson Lupino, he thinks.’

Endesleigh stifled another laugh. ‘This gets better. All those old bastards are due the retirement home. It’ll be Ronnie and Reggie next. Give me a break! Give yourself a break. Claim industrial injuries and get lost. Take a holiday.’

‘I am giving you a break,’ I said. ‘You could do yourself a bit of good.’

‘How?’

‘If it
was
a copper who told Emerald, then one of your boys is bent, if it wasn’t …’

‘If it wasn’t I’m not interested.’

‘But it had to come from inside the squad whoever tipped him off.’

‘If anyone did. Perhaps he’s just blowing smoke in your face. Perhaps he’s telling porkies.’

‘Why should he?’

‘How the hell do I know? He’s in a bind. Wouldn’t you?’

‘But why me? I’m not the DPP.’

‘That’s for you to find out. Now listen, I like you, Sharman, I really do. But, sorry, not interested.’

‘And if I can get you some proof?’

‘That, of course, is a different matter. But it’ll have to be good, I’ll be treading on serious toes.’

‘I’ll come back to you.’

‘Be careful.’

‘Your concern is touching.’

‘I like you alive. You’re the original “There but for the grace of God” man.’

‘Sweet,’ I said. ‘Look, I’ve got to go. I’ll be talking to you.’

‘I wait with bated breath.’

I
 put down the phone, and picked it straight up again and called Fiona. We had a date for that evening and I wanted to tell her what had gone down. She was working on a session for the Star. I got through to the photographer’s studio and climbed rung by rung from the receptionist to the photographer’s assistant.

I asked if Fiona was free and the sniffy boy who answered blew something nasal down the phone, dropped it on to a hard surface and abandoned me. I waited for two or three minutes, listening to a
Pet
Shop Boys
tape interspersed with laughter and screaming, before the receiver was picked up again. I heard the sound of Fiona’s voice. ‘Hello,’ she shouted above the din.

‘Hello,’ I said.

‘Sharman, how are you?’

‘I’m fine.’

‘What sort of day have you had?’

‘Usual physiotherapy, then I was kidnapped and driven halfway across London in a limo full of crazy spades, met an old friend who’s looking at a double handful of porridge for drug dealing, had egg and bacon for lunch and I think it’s giving me indigestion. Apart from that, nothing special. How was yours?’

‘Terrific,’ said Fiona dryly. ‘I met a little green man from Alpha Centauri on the way to work and he asked me to elope in his flying saucer.’

Typical, I thought. Some days you tell the truth and no one will believe a word. ‘Very funny,’ was all I said, and she just carried on as if she mixed every day with people who got kidnapped.

‘No, but I did meet this geezer I used to know. He lives in the flats at the back of my dad’s. His name’s Johnny, Johnny Smoke.’

I never knew if she was taking the rise. ‘What does he do?’ I interrupted. ‘Work in a merchant bank?’

‘No, don’t piss about, I’m serious. He’s a DJ, does some pubs and clubs. He’s having a Christmas do in a boozer I used to go to, The Pig in Tower Bridge. I said we’d pop in later for a drink. Is that all right?’

A Thursday night in a pub in Tower Bridge, ten days before Christmas, I ask you. ‘Fine by me,’ I said. Well, you have to, don’t you?

‘Yeah, I thought it was about time you got out and about again. You’re growing roots in front of the TV. I’ll call round for you about eight, and we’ll get straight up there. It’ll get a bit crowded later on. They’ve got a two o’clock licence, see.’

A two o’clock licence in the East End. Jesus, my cup runneth over. ‘Sure,’ I said. ‘Why don’t you come round about six and we’ll think about it?’

‘No chance. I don’t think this wally’s ever going to get my tits right. He’s been poncing about with them since twelve.’

‘I wish
I
could ponce around with your tits for a few hours,’ I said almost wistfully.

‘Later. We’ll hang around for an hour or so at the boozer, then get something to eat up West and back to mine, and you can do whatever you like with my tits.’

‘I can’t wait.’

‘Tell me about it. Listen, I’m being shouted at, I’d better go. I’ll see you at eight, all right?’

‘All right,’ I said back, but she was gone. Lovely girl but a bit of an organiser. Mind you, I didn’t care. With a figure like hers she could organise the hell out of me.

The rest of the afternoon I spent on the phone. I went through my book from A-Z. I spoke to anyone I could think of who might have any relevant information. Although Em being on the run was the talk of the manor, no one seemed to know what was going on, or if they did they weren’t talking. At least not to me, and not on the phone. I knew I was going to have to put on my travelling shoes and visit a few boozers and put the fear of God into a few faces. But I didn’t want to be out when Teddy rang with the full SP on his uncle.