Take the A-Train by Mark Timlin Page B

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.

7
    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