Page 378 of The Hallmarked Man
‘A problem our friend Oz won’t have had, when shoving all the silver in there,’ said Strike.
‘True… where are you at the moment?’ said Robin, now standing in the dark and dusty shop floor.
‘Banbury, waiting to hear from Barclay and Wardle.’
‘You’re waiting till after dark?’
‘There can’t be witnesses this time,’ said Strike. ‘I’m on very thin ice as it is. Listen, I was thinking about Fleetwood on the way up here. Why don’t you – shit, hang on—’ he said, as his phone began to beep, ‘I’ll call you back.’
He hung up and answered the new call.
‘Hi,’ said his Met contact, George Layborn, in a lugubrious voice. ‘You were right.’
‘You’ve found him?’ said Strike, startled. ‘Already?’
‘Yeah.’
‘That was quick.’
‘There’s a general feeling your tips shouldn’t be disregarded, after Knowles. Family’s being notified this morning.’
‘OK, thanks for letting me know.’
‘Anything else you want to share, while we’re at it?’
‘Not yet,’ said Strike.
‘What are you up to?’ said Layborn, with what Strike was forced to admit was justifiable suspicion.
‘You don’t want to know,’ said Strike.
He hung up and called Robin back.
‘Layborn,’ he said, without preamble. ‘They’ve found Semple’s body.’
‘Oh God.’
‘Yeah,’ said Strike, ‘but it’s closure. Easier than never knowing. Listen, could you persuade Ramsay not to mouth off about his silver being found until I’ve taken care of the rest of business? Explain to him that it’s in his best interests – that otherwise it might look like he was trying to drum up publicity, hiding the silver on the premises himself.’
‘OK,’ said Robin. ‘But please be careful.’
‘I think that’s what’s called “rich”, coming from the woman who once jumped in front of a moving train,’ said Strike. ‘All right, I’ll be careful. That’s Barclay,’ he added, as his phone began to beep again. ‘I’ll keep you posted.’
He hung up on her a second time and accepted Barclay’s call.
‘We’re here,’ said the Glaswegian, ‘but he’s just left, wi’ a van full of other guys. Wardle’s followed ’em. Ah’m still watchin’ the house.’
‘OK,’ said Strike, ‘I’m moving closer.’
He paid for his flapjacks and coffee, visited the café’s bathroom, returned to his car, and set off in the direction of Ironbridge.
121
Upon the face of the jewel you see a representation of the first three recipients of this degree, two of them lowering the third into the subterranean vault.
Albert Pike
Liturgy of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
