The Stone Wife
- Автор: Ловси Питер
- Серия: Peter Diamond #14
- Год: 2014
- Язык: английский
- Год: Sphere
- ISBN: 978-0-7515-5405-2
- Жанр: Полицейские детективы
Электронная книга - «The Stone Wife». Краткое содержание книги:
Nathan said, ‘Stay another night and keep Lily company. I have some business back at the house.’
‘What is your business?’ Ingeborg was bold enough to ask. Nathan’s mood was distinctly friendlier now that he’d rescued his lover. If ever there was a time to get him to open up, it was now.
‘I supply the hardware for various projects,’ he said, embracing the chance to give an arch response. ‘I’m a middleman, really, specialising in goods not obtainable from the manufacturer.’
‘Who are your clients?’
‘That’s confidential. Household names, some of them.’
‘Not the government?’
‘No, my customers tend to operate independently.’ He was basking in the interest and clearly enjoying giving these cryptic answers.
‘You obviously made a terrific success of it,’ Ingeborg said.
‘I always thought the way to get ahead is to corner the market in something and I’ve proved it over and over. They all know me and my reputation — here in the southwest, for sure, and some of them come out from London to get the best service and no questions asked.’
‘Are they a bit dodgy, then, some of your customers?’
He chuckled. ‘I wouldn’t say that, if I was you, not to their faces, anyway. Lily’s met one or two ripe specimens passing through in recent months, haven’t you, my precious?’
‘Too true,’ she said.
‘They wouldn’t get into a garden party at Buck House, if you know what I mean,’ Nathan added. ‘In my line of business, you can’t be too choosy.’
‘It sounds intriguing.’
‘A job of work, that’s all.’
‘Maybe you’d consider letting me do one of my photo features on you. A day in the life of a millionaire middleman.’
‘No chance,’ he said. ‘Publicity is the last thing I need.’
‘Don’t you advertise?’ She was starting to enjoy this game as much as he.
‘It’s all done by word of mouth.’
Lee piped up, ‘And some of the words are unprintable.’
The car arrived at the security gate of Nathan’s house and a volley of angry barking reminded Ingeborg of the dangers of overplaying her hand. They passed inside and up the long drive.
‘I may see you before you go, depending on my business arrangements,’ Nathan told her. ‘I appreciate what you did today — more than you bargained for when you took on this project. You can have the guest room tonight, fresh towels and all that. Make yourself at home.’
‘I’ll look after her,’ Lee said. ‘It’s a treat for me to have a guest in my part of the house — a female one, that is.’
The last remark drew a sharp glance from Nathan. He got out and walked into the house.
Lee gave a girl-to-girl smirk at Ingeborg. ‘Let’s freshen up and then we can chill out together. I’m really sorry for all you had to put up with.’
‘Not your fault.’
‘I know. Nathan doesn’t have a clue about women. Later I’ll tell you how he really earns his money.’
18
Light rain was falling in Marlborough, persuading more of the demonstrators to lower their banners and quit. The diehards amounted to thirty or so and they kept themselves going by taunting the police on the inner side of the rope. Their numbers were now up to ten — excluding Diamond and Halliwell. As often happens in protests, the local bobbies were sympathetic to the cause and uncomfortable facing their own townspeople across a dividing line. Officially, they were protecting the helicopter from potential damage, but their presence gave the appearance of siding with the property developer from London.
The two in plain clothes known to nobody came in for extra derision. Word had been passed round that they were police spies, seen photographing individuals in the crowd.
They needed some allies here. They’d identified themselves to the police, but hadn’t said anything about the investigation they were on. ‘We wouldn’t be standing with you if we were spies,’ Diamond said to the local sergeant. ‘We’d be mingling with that lot, passing ourselves off as part of the demo.’
‘I wouldn’t argue with them, even so,’ the sergeant said. ‘They’re getting in a strop, some of them. It’s been a long afternoon with not much to show for all the shouting.’
‘Will Wefers get permission to build here?’
‘Likely he will,’ the sergeant said. ‘It’s government policy to stick more houses everywhere, get their figures up, whatever the local needs may be.’
‘Houses will sell here?’
‘That’s for sure. It’s a nice place to live. But adding a big estate makes it a little less nice for those already here.’
‘The march of progress.’
‘Which anyone can slow up if they’re well organised. This lot will fight all the way to the courts, if necessary.’
‘Expensive, once they employ lawyers,’ Diamond said. ‘Personally, I’d think about a cheaper option.’
‘Such as?’
‘A dormouse.’
The sergeant’s long look at Diamond suggested he was being sent up. ‘Dormouse?’
‘Protected species. You’re not allowed to build over the habitat of a dormouse.’
‘I get you now. I doubt if there’s one to be found in this field.’
‘That’s not what I’m saying.’
The sergeant smiled at last. He seemed to have latched on. ‘No chance. It wouldn’t wash with the planning people. They’re up to all the tricks. Anyway, a dormouse favours woodland and hedgerows.’
‘I’m not a countryman,’ Diamond said, ‘but I reckon other protected species make their homes in fields like this.’
Unexpectedly, the helicopter door opened and the pilot climbed out and approached them. ‘Just letting you know I’m taking off now. You’d better stand well clear. Thanks for the protection.’
Caught unprepared, Diamond couldn’t let this happen. ‘Taking off without your passenger?’
‘Mr. Wefers just phoned me. Change of plans. He’s stopping overnight at the farmhouse.’
‘Is he, indeed?’ Diamond said with a knowing look at Halliwell. Bernie was living up to his reputation as a stud.
‘He told me to move the chopper to a field nearer to where he is. It’s only a short hop and it’ll be safer there.’
This called for a rapid rethink. Bernie could be playing a clever game of avoidance, making his getaway from another location. ‘Did you tell him about us waiting to see him?’
‘No, it was just a short call.’
‘And where exactly is this farmhouse?’ A new plan was forming.
‘A short way north across the fields, he tells me. There are twin silos I should be able to spot from the air.’
‘We’ll join you and help you find them,’ Diamond said, a statement of intent, not a mere request.
Percy Sinclair plucked nervously at his hair. ‘I’m not sure about that. He’s expecting me on my own.’
‘That’s all right. Tell him we’re police officers and we insisted.’
‘He’ll go bananas.’
‘You reckon?’ Diamond turned back to the sergeant. ‘Tell the mob the party’s over for today.’ He strode towards the helicopter, Halliwell at his side.
Percy Sinclair followed, shaking his head.
Inside, the pilot made one more appeal. ‘He won’t want to see you.’
‘It’s a funny thing,’ Diamond said, ‘but people never do.’
The twin engines spoke, the rotor blades stuttered into action and soon the whirring aircraft was fifty feet above, allowing a fine view of the last action of the demo, much shaking of banners and fists. A pull on the control stick, and they veered sharply away. The excitement of swift movement through the air took over. Speed above ground didn’t trouble Diamond in the way a car moving at more than fifty-five did.
The joyride was short.