Now
The English Flag was a pub in Margate’s Old Town. To call the establishment down-at-heel would be a kindness. It was down-at-sticky-carpet. The pub was resisting the area’s gentrification with a two-finger salute to the London set and immigrants in equal measure. As the immediate area grew more respectable, so the Flag seemed to dip further.
Inside, a huge George Cross flag hung behind the bar, held up by nails at each corner. Otherwise it was tacky floors, worn furniture, and an appalling attitude to customer service. It served beer, a limited range of spirits, and monkey nuts, delivered with derision by the surly landlord, all day. This was where the dregs of Margate came to drown their sorrows.
However, there was a camaraderie between the clientele. A one-for-all attitude. Certainly not friendship but a kinship at least. Newcomers were viewed with suspicion until they were trusted. The regulars knew exactly who Gray was and, like a cat about to strike, shrank into themselves. Gray, though, wasn’t here for a fight. He was here for answers.
Noble was seated at the bar, leaning on the stained wood as if supporting himself. Within the crook of his forearms stood a pint. A bandage was wound around his head, tufts of hair poking out.
“You got out quickly,” said Gray. He sat down. He still wasn’t feeling great; the fresh air hadn’t done anything to relieve his feeling of wanting to be sick.
“I discharged myself,” said Noble. “Bloody doctors. They haven’t a clue.”
“Brain surgery, was it?”
Noble ignored Gray’s flippancy. “Want one?”
“From here? You’ve got to be joking.”
Noble shrugged and sank a good portion of his pint. “When you’ve had a near-death experience like I have, best to make every moment count.”
“It’s lucky you possess such a thick skull, Will.”
“Very funny.” Noble turned, held out a hand to Gray. “Thanks for looking out for me, though.”
“It’s my job.” Gray shook Noble’s hand. “And I’m sure you’d do the same.”
Noble betrayed a doubtful look.
“What happened?” asked Gray.
“Not here.” Noble jinked his thumb, indicating a table as far from the bar as possible. “Walls have ears.” The landlord was standing nearby, slowly splitting monkey nuts and chewing on the contents and taking in everything. He was known to sell anything for cash.
When they were seated Noble said, “Speaking of which, all of this stays between us, right?”
“That depends on what you tell me.”
“I’ve always liked you, Sol. But the company you keep, it bothers me.”
“What do you mean?”
“Carslake’s not a straight shooter.”
“What makes you say that?” Gray
Noble shook his head. “I don’t trust him and neither should you.”
“Why not? I’ve known Jeff for years.”
“That’s your problem.” Noble stared at Gray for a long moment. “Some stuff I’ve heard over the years. I think he has some associations a cop just shouldn’t have. Like with Regan Armitage.”
“Do you have any proof?”
“Beyond seeing them at social events together over the years? No, just whispers from contacts. Carslake’s clever.”
“If you’re going to throw accusations like that around you’d better be sure you have the evidence, Will.”
“We’re just talking, Sol.”
Gray let it pass. “What happened at your offices yesterday?”
“I was minding my own business when two men came in. They said I had something they wanted.”
“What?”
“That was just the problem, they didn’t say at first. You know how I am, kindly soul and all that, I’ll do anything for anyone.” Gray managed to keep his face restrained. It wasn’t more than a minute since Noble had failed to commit to helping Gray. “When I said I hadn’t a clue what they wanted they locked me in the cupboard and began turning the place over. I’m thinking they’re going to kill me. Anyway, after they’d busted the place up good and proper they let me out into fresh air. I nearly died in there, I tell you.”
“Poisoned by your own atmosphere?”
“Now you’re just being rude.”
“And?” prompted Gray.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was like a hurricane had torn through the office, turned everything upside down. Bastards. I told them so too. They asked me again if I had it. And when I said, again, that I had no idea what they were talking about, this time they told me. Millstone.”
“Millstone?”
Noble nodded. “The property developers. We talked about them the other day.”
“We did?”
“Jesus, Sol! Outside the Lighthouse. They’re the ones trying to tear the town down.”
Gray remembered now. He had the protest leaflet still in his desk drawer at the station. “Oh, yeah.”
“I had a bit of a search around the office, pretending to look and that was when it all went a bit pear-shaped.”
“Why?”
“Because I went for them. Managed to get a couple of knuckles on a chin. I was doing all right until his mate hit me. I went down like a sack of spuds, Sol.” Noble put a hand to the back of his head, touched the bandage gently. “One made a call while I was on the floor. Told someone they couldn’t find it and asked if they should finish me off. I nearly shit myself. I thought, this is the end of me. The person on the other end must have said no cause they left, and I got in touch with you.” Noble eyed Gray balefully. “Eventually.”
“Who did they call?”
“No names were used.”
“Tell me about Millstone.”
“Not much to say really,” said Noble with a shrug, “as there’s not much to find. Believe me, I’ve tried. They’re newly formed, no apparent trading history, no accounts yet. The company address is in Jersey. Offshore, invisible. All this talk of increasing transparency.” Noble shook his head. “Really, it’s a sham. Big businesses paying little to no tax. Evasion versus avoidance? They’re one and the same as far as I’m concerned. We should all pay what we can, Sol.”
“No argument from me.”
“One thing I do know, Millstone have got Jake Armitage in their sights. They want him out. Margate’s becoming big business, and it seems Millstone, whoever they are, are after a major share of it.”
“Did you recognise who attacked you?”
Noble nodded. “Larry Lost and some guy with dreadlocks.”
“They keep turning up.”
“Frank McGavin wants in on the act as well. He’s moved into property. The new fish restaurant on the Broadstairs seafront? It’s McGavin’s.”
Gray raised an eyebrow, McGavin was changing his tactics. Property and restaurants. Very upmarket.
“Jake is being squeezed, Sol. Between Millstone and McGavin. I’d bet it’s not a pleasant place to find yourself.”
“Is this the story you said you were working on? The big one?”
“I’m saying nothing.” Noble grabbed hold of Gray’s forearm. “I owe you one.”
“Think of me as your guardian angel, Will.”
“There was one other thing which stuck in my mind. When they were on the phone Larry mentioned Sunset.”
“What does that mean, Will?”
“I think he was referring to the guest house fire.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Me neither. I thought I’d mention it. Just watch yourself with all this, all right? Remember what I said about Carslake. It’s for you only.” Gray wondered what Noble meant about Carslake and the part all this played in an increasingly complex puzzle.
“I’d better be going, Will. Thanks for the information.” Gray stood up. He felt dizzy. Outside, the pub door swinging shut behind him, Gray’s stomach began to lurch. He ran for the rear of the pub, a car park, and threw up against the wall, heaving until there was no more.
Gray stood, bent at the waist, hands on thighs, trying to get his breath back. He hoped he’d be well enough to catch the train tomorrow morning. At least when he rang Hamson to complain of an illness he wouldn’t be lying.