Death's Cold Hand, J.E. Mayhew [book club recommendations .txt] 📗

“Could Roscoe be manipulating him, sir?”

“It’s possible. But I can’t see any obvious link between Roscoe and Ufford or Pro-Vets. That doesn’t mean it isn’t there.  One thing is certain, if we can pin down Roscoe, we might be able to catch up with White. Check with ANPR and see if we get any hits on Roscoe’s van.”

*****

The events of Wednesday afternoon had left Jeff Blake jittery to say the least. He’d been used to talking to Josh Gambles in prison and that unnerved him enough. But to have Kyle Quinlan roaming free around his back garden, that was like opening the door on the shark cage as a Great White swims past. He knew Gambles was vicious and dangerous but he was confined, with help close at hand. Jeff knew that Quinlan could be just as vicious, Gambles had described some of his escapades with Quinlan. Even worse, because of Will’s rather selfish use of Jeff’s garden as a rendezvous, Quinlan knew where he lived now. People used that phrase in a jokey kind of way, ‘I know where you live.’ Everyone laughs because it means nothing. But the idea of Quinlan actually knowing where he lived was another thing altogether.

On the other hand, part of him, the impulsive, ‘seize an opportunity’ part, realised that this was a chance to get a unique perspective on Gambles. Quinlan and Gambles had been in prison together since they were young, on and off. According to Gambles, they’d been like brothers but that could well be typical Gambles hyperbole, Jeff was sure of it. He could see the life slipping out of the story as he tried to work with Gambles’ self-aggrandising tales. Getting this unique perspective would bring more energy to the book, Jeff was sure of it.

He’d contacted Laura on the night Will and Quinlan had their confrontation. Partly because he was pumped up by the idea of capturing Quinlan’s voice in the book and partly out of spite. Will had no right to include him in his ridiculous schemes. Laura hadn’t sounded very happy to hear Jeff.”

“Just hear me out. It’s not about Will at all. It’s about me.”

“You? And what on earth can I do for you Jeffrey?”

“Kyle Quinlan said that if I wanted the low-down on Josh Gambles, then I should have a chat with him some time. I’d really like to do that…”

Laura had laughed, then. “Bloody hell, Jeffrey, do you enjoy winding Will up? He’s going to love that.”

“Will isn’t writing the book, Laura,” Jeff had said, through clenched teeth. He hated the way his brother crept into any conversation about the book. “Look all you have to do is give him my number. You can do that, can’t you?”

“All right then.”

Jeff had paused, leaving the unasked question floating between them.

“What else do you want, Jeffrey?” Laura said. “You want to know why I split with Will? Why I’m here now? I think you know.”

“He can be a thoughtless bastard, Laura, I know that. So wrapped up in his work and quick to judge people. So I don’t blame you…”

“But?” It was almost as if she was testing him.

“He’s not as bad as Kyle Quinlan, is he?”

“You’d never understand, Jeffrey. You haven’t come from where I came from. You haven’t lived the kind of life I did. I’d never fit into Will’s world. Never.” There was a moment’s pause and Jeff could sense the regret in her voice.

“You don’t have to be in either of them, Laura,” he said, before he could stop himself.

“Look, I’ll pass your number onto Kyle. Maybe he’ll enjoy regaling you with tales of prison life and violence. And I’m sure you’ll lap it up. Goodbye, Jeffrey.”

Quinlan had phoned him and suggested the Seraph on Friday night and so now he stood outside the pub, steeling himself to enter. He’d been here once before and ended up being bundled into the back of a car with a bag over his head. It was only the fact that Will was his brother that had saved him on that occasion. He hoped Quinlan would just buy him a pint and give him some dirt for the book on Josh Gambles. But you could never tell. The last character who had kidnapped Jeff was Harry Thorpe, a local criminal who had a grudge against Quinlan. Jeff knew the potential for this to get messy.

Boredom McClague’s face worked through a range of muted emotions when Jeff entered the tiny pub. Jeff recognised a moment of shock, then a little resentment followed by pity which was rather disturbing. The murmur of conversation stopped and the huddled groups and couples all looked at the unlikely figure standing before them in red chinos and a corduroy jacket.

“He’s in the back room,” Boredom said. “Do you not learn?”

“Seems not, Mr McClague,” Jeff said with a smile.

As he passed the bar towards the back door, McClague grabbed his arm over the counter. “Not a word about this pub, do you understand? If any mention of this premises or my name crops up in your book, then you won’t live to enjoy the royalties. Do I make myself clear?”

“Are you threatening me, Mr McClague?”

“Too right I am. I don’t care if you are Will Blake’s brother. He won’t see you again if you even hint at the existence of this establishment. Got it?”

“Yes,” Jeff said, trying to keep his voice steady and failing. “I understand, Mr McClague. You and the Seraph will not be singled out. I can keep it vague.”

“Very vague, please. Mr Quinlan’s waiting for you. Take this pint in for him. You can pay for it later.”

Chapter 39

Serafina lay purring in her basket with Charlie curled up almost on top of her. Blake wondered if he’d given her too much sedative because she seemed remarkably calm after her rampage at the surgery. Still, he was relieved to see she had recovered. It had been a frustrating day and the weekend looked