Take Two

CHAPTER 45

Dunbar’s mobile rang and he put down his copy of the Daily Mirror and looked at the phone’s screen. The caller was withholding his number but that was nothing unusual, half of his calls came from blocked numbers. It was Halpin. ‘I’ve got your five grand,’ he said.

It was Thursday, the day after Dunbar had met Richards in Leicester Square. It had been too easy and Dunbar mentally kicked himself for not asking for ten grand. ‘Excellent,’ said Dunbar.

‘One thing, the boss wants to be sure you’ve given the woman a glowing report.’

‘No problem, soon as I get the money I’ll go and see her. I’ll tell her Warwick’s the best thing since sliced bread.’

‘No, he wants more than that,’ said Halpin. ‘He wants me to be there when you check in with her.’

‘That’s not going to fly,’ said Dunbar. ‘She knows I work alone so she’s going to wonder why I’ve turned up mob-handed. Plus, she made it clear she wants this done on the QT.’

‘Then I need to hear you make a call before I give you the money.’

‘That’ll work,’ said Dunbar.

‘You can make the call, I’ll give you the five grand and everyone’s happy.’

Dunbar looked at his watch. It was ten-thirty. He had a surveillance operation he was supposed to be starting at five o’clock that evening but, other than that, he was free all day. ‘I’ll meet you somewhere,’ he said.

‘You don’t want me to know where you live, is that it?’ said Halpin. ‘Waste of time, pal. We already know.’

‘Bullshit,’ said Dunbar. He wasn’t on the electoral roll and none of the utilities were in his name.

Halpin chuckled. ‘Where are you now?’ he asked.

‘Home.’

‘I meant which room, dickhead.’

Dunbar frowned. ‘The kitchen.’

‘Walk through to your front room, mate, and open your blinds.’

‘Fuck off.’

‘I’m serious, dickhead.’

Dunbar walked quickly into his sitting room and peered through the slats of the wooden blinds covering the main window. Halpin was standing on the pavement outside the house. He grinned and waggled his fingers at Dunbar. ‘Surprise,’ he said.

Dunbar cursed and put his phone away. He went to the front door and opened it. ‘I don’t see people at home,’ he said.

‘There’s a first time for everything,’ said Halpin, unbuttoning his overcoat. He reached inside and took out a bulky envelope. ‘Do you want your bloody money or not?’

‘Yeah, all right, come in,’ said Dunbar. He held open the door and Halpin stepped inside. ‘Kitchen,’ said Dunbar. ‘I’ve just made a pot of tea.’

Halpin walked through to the kitchen as Dunbar closed the front door. ‘Nice,’ said Halpin, looking around. ‘You married then, Maxwell?’

‘Wife died a few years ago,’ said Dunbar. ‘Cancer.’

‘Yeah, cancer’s a bugger,’ said Halpin. ‘Took my old fellah last year. Colon.’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Dunbar. He gestured at the teapot. ‘You want tea?’

‘Milk and one sugar,’ said Halpin, sitting down at the kitchen table. He toyed with a sovereign ring as Dunbar poured tea for the two of them.

‘Let me see the money then,’ said Dunbar as he sat down.

Halpin slid the envelope across the table. Dunbar took it and grinned when he opened it and saw the money inside. Halpin leaned over and took it from him. ‘It’s yours once you’ve made the call,’ he said.

‘You know she works every day?’ said Dunbar. ‘And her phone has to be off when she’s on the set.’

‘I’m in no rush,’ said Halpin. ‘Just keep calling until you get through.’