Shadows of Deceit (26 page)

“Thank God, we’re being rescued at last!”

The fitter unloaded a replacement wheel and tyre and immediately started work removing the damaged ones and substituting them. After about an hour the job was completed and the Standard was roadworthy again. After saying farewell to the farmer and paying the garage fitter the two were on their way back to Glasgow.

Harry went to see Eileen at the Royal Stuart as soon as he arrived back in Glasgow.

“How did it go?” a relieved Eileen enquired.

“Very well except that we damaged the car. There was an air raid that delayed us. Andrew and Darlath waited for a repair, but they should be on their way back by now.”

“Harry, I’m due to finish my shift in about an hour. Do you want to go and take a bath here? I can find you a room, then we can make the most of the rest of the day and you can tell me all about your adventures?”

“Do I smell that bad?”

“I think over-ripe fits the description!”

“Enough said, where’s the bathroom?”

Darlath collected his suitcase and was dropped off at the station in time to catch the Edinburgh train.

“Andrew take care and drive carefully. Once my meetings over I’ll leave and meet you Friday evening as arranged at Innerleithen.”

“This is really happening isn’t it – I can’t wait. Mind how you go.”

“See you Friday.”

Darlath pulled his suitcase from the back seat, slammed the car door and walked quickly onto the concourse without looking back.

Andrew’s thoughts now turned to Innerleithen. Because of the car problems the others wouldn’t know when to expect them back. So he’d be able to stash the money in the cottage before going to his flat to collect what he needed.

On the outskirts of the city he stopped to fill the petrol tank from the reserve can in the boot and then set off through the night towards Peebles. The earlier sleet had now turned to rain making visibility difficult.

Eventually he arrived at the cottage. No one was about, the street seemed eerily quiet and dark. The only sounds heard were the swirling eddies of water from the river below the bridge nearby and the occasional whistle from a distant train. Andrew unloaded the trunks and carried them up the steps and around the cottage to the back garden. He unlocked the door to the kitchen and found some matches to light a candle. Using this dim light he concealed the boxes in the under stairs cupboard and then resealed the false door. Within ten minutes he was back in the car beginning his return journey to Glasgow.

Steve and Tommy locked the Scammell in the inner compound of their garage before returning to their homes for the night.

“I’ll go and see Dermot tomorrow,” Steve said, “just to update him.”

“OK and I’ll contact Andrew to see that they’ve arrived back safely and I’ll call on Wemyss.”

“Tommy, can you get him to call a meeting to examine everything we’ve brought in and decide how best to sell it?”

“I’m sure Wemyss can help with the liquor, as before.” Tommy said.

Steve yawned loudly, “I’m sure he will. We can share the money out then as well.”

“Darlath’s done well for us again.”

“I suppose so,” Steve reluctantly agreed.

Harry waited for Eileen to finish work, “To the Dugout Madam?”

“Why not. Now tell me all about this air raid.”

Harry explained the details of the latest project and what had occurred at Tayinloan. At the Dugout Wemyss greeted them and showed them through to the lower area of the dance floor. He beckoned the waiter to bring some drinks down to them,

“On the house for my favourite customers. It’s good to see you back safely Harry.”

The couple chatted for a while before taking to the dance floor when the small band started playing ‘I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire.’

“I love you Harry Davies.”

“And I love you Eileen, very much. I’ve really missed you these last few days.”

“A thought that kept coming into my mind was about you driving past the hotel; ‘our’ hotel in Inveraray. We had such fun there.”

“Well we should go back some day, soon I hope.”

The music finished and they returned to their table.

“Harry, let me tell you about one idea that I had when you were away.”

“Only one?”

“Well one of the more important ones, listen.”

“Go on.”

“Well we know that Dermot is planning to sell Michael’s old cottage, I was thinking that maybe he would sell it to us?”

“I hadn’t thought about that. It’s near the coast, it could be perfect. What about travelling to work? Will you give it up?”

“Well there are buses and a train. But anyway once we’re married and have children I won’t be working anyway!”

“You’ve got it all worked out. But let’s ask Dermot first.”

“I’ll ask Dermot, Harry, I think he’ll be pleased to sell it on to me.”

In the early hours Andrew left the Standard on waste ground at the back of the shops near his flat. Although desperately tired, he was too excited to sleep. He had a bath, put his dressing gown on then collected some clothes together and quickly filled a suitcase. Afterwards he unlocked the wall safe and retrieved all his business documents, cash and copies of the deeds to all properties he owned, including his father’s cottage at Innerleithen. He filed all of it neatly away in the case.

‘I think a large whisky is next.’

The bottle was positioned near to hand. He then spread himself out on the settee facing the fireplace and listened to gramophone records ‘Elgar will suit my mood this evening; tranquillity, peace and great expectation.’

Steve went over to see Dermot on Friday morning. The old man was sitting alone in the drawing room of his hotel. He had tried to get interested in the morning newspapers but became quickly bored and irritated. He was in pain again and regretted the over indulgence of alcohol that he had consumed the previous evening.

“Dermot, good to see you!”

Steve shouted as he entered the room.

“It may be good for you but I’m suffering a bit this morning.”

Steve collected up the newspapers lying on the floor and placed them on a table nearby.

“Do you need a Doctor?”

“No, maybe later, I’ll see how I go. Tell me is everyone back, how did it go?”

Steve sat down next to the old man.,

“It went well, the timing was perfect and all was collected safely. Have you heard from Darlath yet?”

“No, I was going to ask you where he was.”

“I’ll ring Tommy to see if the cars been returned. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Dermot appeared anxious. Although he had fallen out with his son he was still concerned about his welfare and hoped one day for reconciliation.

Five minutes later Steve returned to the room,

“There’s no sign of them yet, the cars not been returned.”

Dermot became more concerned,

“Jesus, what’s happened to him?”

“Look, they did have a problem with the car which may have delayed them. But I’ve just ‘phoned the call-out garage in Tarbet and apparently everything was made roadworthy. The mechanic said that they were ahead of him on the journey north at Kintyre and all was well. So they should have returned yesterday. I don’t understand it either.”

“I don’t like this Steve. Something’s happened. Let me ring Darlath’s office in Dublin. He keeps in regular contact with them.”

“Good idea, let me help you out to the lobby.”

“You see Steve; I used to leave messages for him so he always knew which hotel I was staying at. Something’s gone seriously wrong this time. Darlath would normally ring me.”

Steve quickly became aware that Dermot was in great pain and distress as he eased the old man up to a standing position. He shuffled forward with difficulty as they made their way out to the telephone. The old man was gripping Steve’s arm so tightly that his knuckles appeared white and claw like. In the lobby the porter quickly found a chair and placed it by the telephone. Several minutes later the Dublin office had confirmed that they had not heard from Darlath, ‘which was very unusual’. Dermot laid the receiver on the table. The effort required to replace it onto its cradle was now too much for him. His face was ashen, the whites of his eyes were yellow and sunken.

Dermot looked up,

“He’s gone you know?”

“How do you mean gone?”

“I want to tell you something Steve, but first you must promise not repeat this anywhere.”

“You know that you can trust me Dermot, go on.”

“I wouldn’t accept, couldn’t accept what he was, so he’s decided to leave. That’s what’s happened.”

Steve pulled up a chair and sat facing the old man,

“Dermot, there’s something you may need to know from me first. It’s to do with Darlath.”

Dermot’s attention was diverted by the arrival of two other hotel guests in the room.

Steve continued,

“Can we go back into the sitting room or up to your bedroom maybe?”

Dermot looked quizzically into Steve’s face,

“My room.” He rasped.

A few minutes later they were both sitting by a desk in Dermot’s bedroom.

The old man was now breathless from climbing the stairs to the first floor. His face appeared overwrought and puzzled,

“Now what were you saying?”

Steve leaned towards him,

“It’s about Darlath, you asked me to help you. But I already knew about him and his ways.”

Dermot closed his eyes, “Go on.”

“I’ve had my suspicions. But I’ve kept silent so as not to add to your problems.”

Dermot opened his eyes, coughed and cleared his throat,

“My whole life I’ve given to him, to educate him, to set him up. He had a brilliant future ahead; now he’s gone off with someone I suppose. I am angry, very angry who would think a son of mine…”

Dermot rapped the desk with his knuckles.

“As I said to you before, If you can find out who it is...”

Steve cut in,

“I know who it is Dermot.”

The old man looked into Steve’s face, not certain that he had heard correctly,

“You know? Is it someone in Ireland? Who?” he whispered.

“It’s Andrew. He’s the one who’s enticed your son and turned him away from you!”

“Andrew, my best friend’s son, my business partner’s boy… Andrew. I never saw it happening, I had no idea. How blind and stupid I was. But how did you know?”

Tears filled the old man’s eyes.

“I’m sorry to bring this news to you, sir, but I had to be certain. You see I saw Darlath leave Andrew’s flat very early one morning, he’d stayed there overnight but later lied to you that he had arrived on the ferry from Dublin that morning. I’ve watched them together at our meetings, nothing was said but I knew the two of them were … were.”

“Seeing each other Steve?”

“Yes. I’m so sorry Dermot but you needed to know the truth. Especially now, as I guess they must have both disappeared.”

Dermot straightened his back and sucked air deeply into his chest. He thought for a moment then turned to face Steve.

“More than anything Steve I now need your help, your open involvement in this matter. I’ve always trusted you, you know that. I want you to find Andrew and put a stop to this nonsense now. Whatever you do, stop them. Go and search for them but make sure Andrew doesn’t take my son away from me. Bring Darlath back here. I need to see him very urgently, do you understand?”

The old man turned and stared out of the window,

“Go now Steve.”

Steve Beecham had been given a mission, a command, just like the old days in the Police Force. He always worked better when directed from above; he was always deferential to his governors and eager to please them. Even as an Inspector he enthusiastically threw himself into a difficult task when ordered to do so by his superiors. Unfortunately his superintendents later discovered that he was prone to bullying the lower ranks that worked with him. So much so that his retirement was brought forward after an incident involving a group of cadets that complained of his exceedingly robust treatment towards them and the prisoners under their control.

“Will you do it for me. I’ll give you my share of this operation if you’re successful?”

“You’ve always treated me well sir, I’ll do it for you Dermot.”

Harry telephoned Andrew’s flat, but there was no reply.

“Still no contact?” Eileen said stretching her arms as she lay on the bed.

“No, I’ll ring Tommy at the garage.”

Harry didn’t have to wait too long before the telephone was answered by Tommy.

“Hi Tom, its Harry, any news from Darlath or Andrew?”

“No not yet, perhaps they’ve broken down again?”

Tommy explained that he had telephoned the garage in Tarbet yesterday and was told that the vehicle had been fixed.

“Tom, I’m just about to start work, I’ll call in to Andrew’s flat later in the morning to see if they’ve arrived. If they turn up with you perhaps you would leave a message for Eileen at the Stuart… Yes, OK, bye for now and thanks.”

Eileen had put on her dressing gown and was brushing her hair, “They’ve not turned up then?”