Page 155 of The Hallmarked Man
‘Well, I just wanted to say, very good work on Schiff. If she—’
‘Shit!’
‘What’s the matter?’
‘It’s the clutch on this bloody hire car, it keeps sticking.’
‘Have you had a look for a new Land Rover yet?’
‘Yes, but there’s nothing I can realistically afford, not even if the business helps,’ said Robin, who sounded harried. ‘Sorry, Strike, I’m going to have to concentrate, the traffic’s bad and thisbloodyclutch—’
‘OK, speak lat—’
Robin hung up.
Strike sat back down at his computer and reached for his now cold coffee and his vape pen, thinking how impractical it was for the business to keep hiring cars for Robin. Her Land Roverwas associated in his mind with many significant journeys, with jokes, shared food and long conversations. Some of their best times together had been in that draughty old car, with the tin in the glove compartment for him to use as an ashtray and its increasingly persistent rattle…
Strike reached yet again for his mobile and called Lucy.
‘Just saw I missed you earlier.’
‘Oh, I’m so glad you called back,’ said his sister, sounding just as stressed as she had the last two times they’d spoken. ‘It’s the house. Greg’sinsistingwe hold out for more, but I’ve just heard from the estate agent. The Smiths definitely can’t go any higher—’
‘You know, I’ve been thinking,’ said Strike dishonestly, ‘about what Ted and Joan would’ve wanted.’
‘Greg says they’ll have wanted us to get the most we can,’ said Lucy.
I’ll bet he fucking does.
‘You know, for the boys’ future,’ said Lucy quickly, ‘and for us, I suppose.’
‘D’you honestly think they’d have cared more about the money than who moved in?’ asked Strike. ‘I know we’ll be able to flog it to some London lot who want a second home—’
‘They wouldn’t have wanted that,’ said Lucy. ‘No, they’d have wanted locals.’
‘Well, exactly,’ said Strike. ‘How old did you say the Smiths’ kids are?’
‘Six and eight, I think.’
‘It’d be like Ted, Joan and us all over again,’ said Strike shamelessly.
Lucy made a small noise he suspected indicated tears.
‘Look, it’s up to you,’ he said. ‘If you’d rather hold out for more money—’
‘No, you’re right, you’re absolutely right,’ said Lucy, her voice breaking. ‘Thatiswhat they’d have wanted, for it to stay a proper family home. I’ve been thinking that all along, but Greg – no, that’s made up my mind. I want the Smiths to have it.’
‘Well, I agree,’ said Strike. ‘I think Ted and Joan would’ve been pleased. They weren’t mercenary people.’
‘No,’ said Lucy, and she blew her nose. ‘You’re right, they weren’t. Thanks, Stick, this is honestly such a weight off my mind, I’ve been really stressing about it. How are you, any—?’
‘I’m great. Sorry, Luce, I’m going to have to go, I’m on a job. Keep me posted on the Smiths.’
He hung up. With the money from the sale of the Cornwall house in his account, he’d not only be free of the burden of keeping an eye on the place at a distance of nearly three hundred miles, he’d also be able to offer Robin a personal loan to buy a new Land Rover. His mood somewhat improved, he set to work to try and find contact details for Tish Benton.
45
Slow, slow and softly, where she stood,
