The Crooked Beat (7 page)

Before driving away from Gillespie’s house, I called Sarah and agreed to collect her from the hospital when she’d finished visiting Don. I had some time to kill. I wanted to get a feel for Kath Millfield’s routines and habits. I headed for her office and parked up on the street. I had yesterday’s newspaper on the floor of my car to help pass the time. I saw the assistant I’d spoken to leave the office for the day, so I figured Kath Millfield wouldn’t be far behind. The city centre slowly emptied, the shops and offices depositing workers back onto the streets. I didn’t have to wait long. Neil Farr stepped out of a car and walked across the road to knock on the front door of the office. A couple of minutes later, Kath Millfield appeared, kissed him on the cheek and locked up. I watched as they both got into Farr’s car. I followed.

Farr turned on to Freetown Way and went straight across the lights to Spring Bank. The rush hour was coming to a close, so there was still traffic on the road. Two cars separated us and I stayed lucky with the lights. I followed his car on to Princes Avenue and watched as they took a left down the first side street. I did the same and saw Farr pull into a parking space. I drove straight past and parked a little further on. I watched them walk back to Princes Avenue in my rear-view mirror. I locked my car up and followed at a safe distance. I lost sight of them as they rounded the corner. By the time I arrived at the same spot, they were using the pedestrian crossing. I stayed where I was and watched, as they walked into an Italian restaurant.

Unsure of what to do, I stared in the nearest shop window for a moment. I’d come this far, so I decided to a chance. I crossed the road and headed straight in to the restaurant, making for the back. I sat down and had a clear view of the place. Millfield and Farr were sitting well away from me, close to the window. They were leaning in towards each other, so I was certain they had no interest in me. The waitress walked over to me and took my order. I asked for a bowl of pasta. I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I could hardly just sit there. The food was pretty good, making it obvious why the place was popular. I didn’t take my eyes off them as I ate. They ordered dessert, so I had to wait it out. There was no chance of me moving until they did.

Neil Farr eventually summoned the waitress across and settled the bill. I placed some money down on my table, ready to move. Farr and Millfield both laughed and joked with the waitress as they waited for the card machine to process the transaction. They waved as they left. I allowed them a minute and then followed. I noticed Kath Millfield had left her scarf on the chair she’d been sitting at. I picked it up and took it across to the waitress.

I held it out to her. ‘The lady sitting there must have forgotten it.’

The waitress took it from me and nodded. ‘That’s very kind. They’re regulars here. I’ll make sure she gets it when they’re next in.’

I smiled and said that was perfect. I walked back to my car, suspecting Roger Millfield was right about his wife having an affair.

I sat in the hospital car park and waited for Sarah. A stream of people filed past me, heads down, glad to be out of the place. It was the end of visiting time. I switched the radio off and waited. Sarah appeared and got into the car. I asked her how Don was.

‘Probably no different to when you saw him. He’s sore and uncomfortable, but it’ll pass.’

‘Did he say anything?’

She shook her head. ‘He won’t tell me. In fact, he said we should leave him alone.’

It was obvious the situation was upsetting her. I glanced up at the hospital tower block and wondered what was going on in Don’s head. What was he so scared of? It wasn’t the Don I knew.

‘What have you been doing?’ Sarah asked me.

I told her about what I’d seen at the restaurant. ‘I’m going to have to speak to Neil Farr about it.’ I shuffled in my seat. ‘I’ve also found out who the cigarettes belong to.’

‘Who?’

‘George Sutherland. I met him earlier and told him I’d take the debt on.’

‘That’s a big commitment.’

She was genuinely surprised by my news. But what else could I do? It wasn’t Niall’s world. He had a family to think of. I didn’t mention the amount of money involved.

I dropped Sarah off outside her house. Niall had left a message on my voicemail. He was asking me for an update, but I could tell he just wanted to talk. I called back and asked him where he was. He said he was at Victoria Pier. I knew it well. I headed straight there and found him stood by himself, staring out at the brown water of the River Humber. I locked up and made my way over to him. It was early evening and cold. I zipped my coat up and put my hands in my pockets.

I joined him in leaning over the barriers. To our left, the two North Sea Ferries were preparing for their outward voyages. ‘Remember the ferries that went from here?’ I said.

‘I can remember going out on them.’

I did, too. Before the Humber Bridge was built, the ferry was the easiest way to reach the south bank. Our dad would take us over every other month or so when he went to see a former rugby team mate who lived in Grimsby.

‘You always used to run up the stairs to the main deck while dad was parking his car up,’ Niall said.

‘You always thought you were too cool for that kind of thing.’

‘I was.’

I laughed. I would have been about ten years old. I could still smell the boats. I’d never travelled well on them. Sometimes they had simply stopped halfway across the Humber, stuck on a sandbank. There was nothing you could do but wait it out.

‘I’m in pieces, Joe. Ruth is so angry with me, especially because she knows I’m shutting her out of something. Connor’s tiptoeing around, but at least he’s old enough to sort himself out.’

‘I’m doing my best,’ I said. I risked a glance across to him and decided to tell him the truth. ‘The cigarettes belonged to George Sutherland.’ I outlined what I knew about the man. ‘If I had the money, I’d give it to you.’

Niall shook his head. ‘It’s not your problem.’

‘I’ve given the money I got from Debbie’s life insurance policy to her sister. She needs it for a house move. I told her to pay me back when it all goes through.’ I hadn’t expected to need it back any time soon. It had sat in a bank account for several years now, untouched until recently.

‘I wouldn’t have taken your money, anyway. It wouldn’t be right,’ Niall said.

‘It’d be a solution.’

We continued to stare at the water until he stretched and walked over to the far corner of the pier. I followed him.

‘I always envied your freedom,’ he said. ‘Still do, I suppose.’

‘I’ve not got anything you’d want.’

‘You’ve always been your own man. I’ve always chased my tail, trying to make other people happy.’

‘That’s not true.’

‘That’s how it feels.’

‘I’ve always envied you,’ I said. ‘You’ve got things worked out.’

He laughed. ‘You reckon?’

‘Apart from the cigarettes, obviously.’

We both turned our backs on the water. Niall spoke first. ‘You definitely had it all worked out. Remember how proud Mum and Dad were at your wedding? Mum in that blue dress and Dad in his best suit?’

‘His only suit.’

‘He was just as proud at your wedding.’

I’d like to think so. It was a lifetime ago now. I could still remember the three of us throwing a rugby ball around on the field behind his pub. My mum would bring us drinks out and drag him back to work at the bar. A blast of wind snapped us back into our conversation.

‘How’s Sarah?’ my brother asked me.

I thought about telling him what was happening, but decided to say nothing more than she was fine. As Niall had told me, he wasn’t cut out for this kind of thing. He didn’t need to know.

Niall told me he wanted to put in a couple more hours at the bar. It opened tomorrow night. We started to walk back down the pier toward our cars. Niall unlocked his and went to get in. He stopped halfway and thanked me. ‘I needed to talk to someone.’

I nodded. ‘It’s what little brothers are for.’ We embraced and I told him to look after himself.

‘All I want is a quiet life, Joe.’

‘Don’t we all?’

He got in his car and opened the window. ‘What are you going to do when this is over?’

It was a good question. I shrugged and walked away towards my car.

I watched my brother drive away before calling Connor. ‘I need a word,’ I said when he answered. ‘Where are you?’

‘Home?’

‘Is your mum in?’

‘No.’

‘Put the kettle on, then.’ I put my mobile back in my pocket and got in to my car. Connor had a coffee ready for me by the time I arrived. We went through to the kitchen.

‘I’ve had a chat with your dad,’ I told him. He wasn’t getting off that easily. I said nothing, hoping Connor found the silence uncomfortable. A twinge of guilt hit me, but the time for being Uncle Joe had passed. This was man-to-man. Connor walked over to the patio doors. He was obviously struggling with whatever he had to say. I sipped my drink.

He spoke first. ‘I had a word with Milo earlier.’

‘Good.’ I put the drink down and gave him my full attention.

‘I told him how badly things had turned out.’

‘What did he say?’

Connor shrugged. ‘You know what he’s like.’

I did. ‘He’s a dickhead.’

‘Dad doesn’t like him.’

‘You can’t really blame him for that.’

‘I’m going to prove him wrong, though. We’re going to get our club night off the ground. We’re not messing about. We’ve got it all planned out. The theme’s sorted and we know where we want to hold it. And if we can do that, we can go out around the country with it. The world, really. That’s the brilliant thing with club nights. With the Internet you can reach out.’

I listened as Connor laid out his master plan to me. It was detailed and sounded convincing. I understood his passion and certainty. I was certain I’d play for Rovers and my country when I was his age. I’d win every honour there was to win and then I’d coach the club to even more success. You don’t think about failing when you’re young. I knew I had felt indestructible. It’s only later you realise how fallible you are. Real life hadn’t touched Connor yet. He didn’t know illness, disappointment or loss. Bad things had threatened to make themselves known, but I could play my part in holding them at bay. And I would.

Connor spoke. ‘I told Milo I had to know who he sold the cigarettes to.’

I was pleased he was making an effort. I listened as Connor told me the name of some brothers in Goole. The name meant nothing to me, but I would find out. They had a shop selling second hand furniture. It was worth a shot. They wouldn’t be difficult to find. ‘How much did you sell the cigarettes for?’ I asked him.

He turned away from the patio doors. ‘A thousand pounds.’

I asked him to repeat that. I couldn’t believe it, even if it didn’t really matter. ‘What’s happened to the money?’

‘Milo’s spent it on some promo stuff we needed doing.’

I shook my head. I hoped it was worth it.

‘How’s Dad doing?’ he asked me.

‘He’ll be pleased when all this is over.’

‘Can you sort it out?’

I drained my coffee and told him that was my plan. There was nothing more to be done today. I was heading home.

Holborn shook his head and pulled out into the traffic. ‘Can you believe some sad cunts went to watch City yesterday?’

Ridley wound down the car window and threw his cigarette butt out. ‘Takes all sorts, I suppose.’

‘It’s a filthy fucking habit.’

‘The smoking or the football?’

Holborn laughed and overtook a slow moving car. There was little traffic on the road. It was the day after the Challenge Cup Final. Hull KR v Hull FC at Wembley Stadium in front of 90,000 spectators. It was the biggest day in the rugby league calendar and Hull had been on show to the country. Hull KR in red and white at one end of the stadium, Hull FC in black and white at the other. Split down the middle, just like in the city.

‘One of the lads at the station told me that someone left a banner on the side of the Humber Bridge. Last one to leave the city should turn the lights out. Can you believe that?’ Holborn laughed. ‘Cheeky cunts. Tell you something, though. Yesterday was the best day to get some fanny in this town. The field was clear.’

They continued past the city centre and headed east in the direction of Holderness Road.

‘Where are we going?’ Ridley asked.

‘Just a couple of quick jobs before we go back. Won’t take long. Need to have a word with some people.’ Holborn glanced at Ridley. ‘Alright?’

Ridley knew he wasn’t being given a choice. They headed past Craven Park, home of Hull KR. ‘Wouldn’t piss on that place if it was on fire,’ Holborn said. ‘It’s more than the cheating bastards deserve.’

Hull KR had taken the Cup, winning 10-5. One try apiece, but Hull KR kicked their penalties. Hull FC hadn’t. Hubbard v Lloyd. Only one winner. Holborn pulled up in a pub car park.

The pub was nondescript, the area bland. A row of shops stood on the other side of the road. A butcher, a convenience store and a betting shop. It was the same as everywhere else. The pub was decorated in red and white. Holborn pushed people out of the way as he headed to the bar, daring them to challenge him. No one did.

Holborn spoke to Ridley, pointing to the man pulling a pint for a customer. ‘I want you to meet Jimmy Geraghty, landlord of this shit-hole.’

Ridley nodded to the man in front of them. ‘Alright.’

‘Can I get you gentleman a drink?’ Geraghty said.

‘Bet you’re fucking loving this, aren’t you?’ Holborn said, pointing to the Hull KR memorabilia.

‘What can I do for you?’

‘Let’s do it in private shall we, Jimmy?’

Geraghty shook his head. ‘I’ve got people to serve.’

Holborn smiled. ‘I don’t give a fuck, Jimmy. Your fan-club can do without you for ten minutes.’ He turned to Ridley. ‘Did you know Jimmy used to play for Rovers? Over 250 games for them, back when they were really shit. A fucking legend, weren’t you, Jimmy?’