Page 314 of The Hallmarked Man
‘Hi,’ he said, and trying not to panic her, as he had done last time, he asked, ‘how are you?’
‘Ah need tae meet ye. Ah’mscared.’
She started to cry.
‘What are you scared of?’ asked Strike.
‘Ah know they’re watchin’ me.’
‘I want to meet,’ said Strike carefully, ‘but you’re going to have to tell me which Golden Fleece you’re talking about.’
‘Have ye got people listenin’?’ she said, suddenly suspicious.
‘No,’ said Strike.
‘Have ye got a gun?’
‘No,’ said Strike. ‘Why?’
‘Ah want one.’
‘That’s a bad idea,’ said Strike firmly.
‘Aye, mebbe… I was gonnae… but it’s no’ righ’, not even if they’re Muslims, is it? It’s no’ righ’… jus’ come tae the Golden Fleece, all righ’? It’s where he was, Ah can’t say more ’n that, can Ah?’
He heard beeping and knew she was in a call box. Possibly shehad no more coins, because the line went dead. Strike hastily started pressing 1471 to retrieve the number she’d been calling from when the phone rang again.
‘Shit – yes?’ he said, answering.
‘It’s me,’ said Midge, who appeared to be in a bar or restaurant. ‘Big news on Plug.’
‘Hang on,’ said Strike, switching to speakerphone, ‘I’m with Robin. Go on about Plug.’
‘He and a few mates are in the Stapleton Tavern in Haringey and they’re planning a stabbing.’
‘What?’ said Robin.
‘You know he was keeping his black killer dog with a mate in Carnival Street?’
‘Yeah,’ said Strike.
‘The mate’s had it put down. He obviously doesn’t want to get nicked for being part of the dog-fighting ring. Plug’s doing his nut. The dog was a champion killer, apparently.’
‘Shit,’ said Strike again. ‘Is the revenge attack planned for tonight?’
‘I’m not sure,’ said Midge, ‘but I’ve asked Shah to come and back me up, just in case. I’ve got pictures of all of them.’
‘Great,’ said Strike. ‘But be careful.’
‘Will do,’ said Midge, and she hung up.
‘Fuck’s sake,’ said Strike, wiping his face with his hand. ‘Talk about it never rains…’
‘Speaking of that,’ said Robin reluctantly, ‘I think I’m being followed again. Nothing’s happened,’ she said quickly, in response to Strike’s expression, ‘but twice now, I’ve seen the same man in a Honda Accord. He was outside Dino’s on Wednesday and he was behind me when I was driving into the office this morning. When I slowed down to park he just drove on, but I’ve got a partial number plate and a good look at his face. He’s definitely not the man who threatened me with the dagger – he’s older and fatter. Very small nose, big face, thick grey hair.’
‘Shit,’ said Strike.
‘You might think this is mad,’ said Robin, who was trying to make sure no hint of her ever-present fear made it into her voice, ‘but the way he looked – very neat and respectable, clean-shaven – I don’t see him as one of Branfoot’s young men, and I couldn’t help wondering…’
