Riddled on the Sands (The Lakeland Murders) (35 page)

‘I know that, don’t worry. We’ll have to see if anyone in the boat is willing to talk about Jack Bell’s death. So at least Betty might get some kind of closure.’

‘Not likely though, is it?’ said Jimmy cheerfully, smiling as Ian Mann walked over. He looked to Hall as if he’d been buried up to his neck in sand for a week. He also looked as if he liked it.

‘Like old times, was it, Ian?’ said Rae, shaking hands with Mann.

‘Like all the worst bits.’

‘So you don’t fancy coming back?’

‘No bloody way.’ Mann turned to Hall. ‘Sorry we didn’t manage to nick those two cowboys, Andy. But they were never coming quietly.’

Hall shrugged. ‘Less paperwork, I suppose, so that’s something. And at least Geoff told me what happened, so that’s something.’

‘I don’t understand how he got involved in the first place’ said Mann.

‘The way most bent coppers start off, Ian. He just crossed the line, and from then on he was theirs. No more line, and no way back.’

‘So why did he own up like that? Conscience, was it?’

‘No. I wish he had. Not that it makes any real difference, but no, not that. He saw one of our cars today, and he must have realised we were on to what was happening. And what were his choices then, realistically?’

‘And what about our local drugs gangs? Have we got the money, the lads from our side who were paying for the gear?’

‘No. Vic Osman will do his best to track it down, but Geoff told me he knew nothing about it.’

‘Did you believe him?’

‘Oh yes, I did. Why did he need to know? And even if he did know we’d never have got a word out of him anyway, because he’d never have got out of prison alive if he ratted off our local drug barons. They’ll have lads in every prison from Haverigg to Strangeways. Of course the really interesting question is who has lost out on this deal?’

‘You mean had the cash changed hands, like?’

‘Yes. I’ve got a funny feeling that whoever was running our gun-toting friends on the back of that trailer has already collected their cash, and I very much doubt that they operate a returns policy, as required by the Distance Selling Directive or the Sale of Goods Act.’

‘So there are going to be some very pissed off Cumbrian organised crime lords?’

‘Yes indeed, and the way Vic Osman tells it they were actually working in partnership with gangs from the north east and Merseyside. It was that much money, apparently.’

‘So they won’t be too pleased either.’

‘No, and it couldn’t happen to nicer people. They’re bound to start falling out with each other, aren’t they? Vic’s not saying much, but I think he’s a bit worried that we might start seeing even more drugs related violence because of all this.’

‘But so long as they only kill each other that’s really not a problem, is it?’ asked Rae. ‘Good result, I’d have thought.’

‘That’s not quite how we approach it, Jimmy’ said Hall. ‘Will you excuse me? I need to phone Jane and tell her that I’m all right.’

‘But you never left the safety of the shore’ laughed Mann.

‘I told her that you stayed here, and I went out there, mate. Said it was my duty, all that. I hope you’ll keep that little fib going with her for me.’ Hall’s expression was deadpan, and it was a second or two before Mann laughed.

‘I see’ said Jimmy Rae, a moment later. ‘You’re very droll, Chief Inspector.’

‘Thanks, Jimmy, but you just promoted me. I’m only a humble Inspector.’

‘Really?’ Rae shrugged. ‘Perhaps I was misinformed then. But I rather doubt that, don’t you?’

Rae held out his hand, shook Mann’s again and then Hall’s, nodded, and turned away. And when Hall looked round he saw that Rae’s whole team had gone, and all their gear had vanished too.

‘Bugger’ he said. ‘The Super’s going to go mad when I tell her that I never got those statements.’