Shadows of Deceit (23 page)

The next few days passed quickly. Harry continued the rent collecting service and deposited the cash with Andrew each day. On the Thursday afternoon Andrew confirmed that he had received a call from Tommy and that the meeting would go ahead but would be held at the garage instead of Michael’s place.

“Where’s Michael then?” Harry asked.

“He’s paying a visit to Ireland and isn’t due back until Sunday.”

“Has he relatives still over there?”

“No I don’t think so. He travels over every few years to spend a few nights in Dublin.”

“Do you know if Dermot’s well enough to attend?”

“I spoke to Darlath last night. He thinks he will come, he just hopes that he behaves and doesn’t divulge anything about the conversation that they had had on Christmas Day.”

“That’s unlikely isn’t it?”

“I don’t know. Darlath says that he’s still in a foul, irritable mood and isn’t volunteering much conversation between them as they used to. It’s quite sad really; all the warmth between them has gone by the sound of it. Darlath said that he tried to make light of the situation by quoting a line that Samuel Johnson wrote,

‘The Irish are a fair people; they never speak well of one another.’

I thought that was amusing.”

“That certainly sounds appropriate I suppose.” Harry stood up, “O.k. Andrew I’ll make tracks and see you Saturday evening.”

“I noticed that you’ve collected this weeks rent already so I’m offering another Friday off for you Harry, well done.”

“I’m getting used to these four day weeks!”

Andrew paid him in cash for the work he had completed. Harry then departed and walked down towards the garage.

It was now very cold and icy. The grey heavily clouded January skies hung low over the city. People were scurrying home before the last of the daylight had disappeared. At the garage he was met by Tommy,

“Hello again, you’re o.k. for the meeting here Saturday?”

“Yes, Andrew told me about it. The reason I called in was to find out if you had a hire car I could use tomorrow, Friday?”

“I’m sure we can fix you up, let me check with the Fitter what’s available.”

Tommy telephoned through to the workshop. Harry looked around the room whilst waiting.

“I see you’re still missing Vera?”

Harry said looking at the piles of paper scattered over the desks. Tommy covered his hand over the mouthpiece,

“You’re right, bloody invoices and letters to go but no one to type them.”

The Fitter confirmed which vehicle was available,

“Right o.k. thanks George. Please fill the tank, I’ll be over in five minutes.” He turned towards Harry,

“I’m hoping Vera will return on Monday. I spoke to her Mother again about her coming back. Vera’s only managed to get a few temporary jobs over the Christmas and is still looking so I think I’ve persuaded her with a pay rise and a new chair!”

“What does Steve think about that?”

“He knows that he was in the wrong and has promised to stay away from the office when she’s working alone. As for a car, the Standard has just returned so you can have that. Are you doing anything special tomorrow?”

“No, just a day out to a pub somewhere. Eileen’s not working until Saturday.”

“Bring it back Saturday night for the meeting. Is that alright?”

“Fine.” Harry reached for his wallet,

“No charge Harry, just have a good time.”

The next morning the couple set out east from Glasgow towards the Pentland Hills. At lunchtime they found a small hotel that was offering food and afterwards decided to relax for a couple of hours in front of a large log fire before driving back home.

“Tell me something Eileen, what’s Wemyss’s first name?”

“It’s Robert, but he prefers Bob or just Wemyss. Why do you ask?”

“Well I’ve met him several times but still didn’t pick up what his name was.”

“Well now you know. He’s a kind old gent, I’ve known him almost as long as I’ve known Dermot.”

“You’re well looked after by those two aren’t you?”

“I suppose I have been. They keep an eye out for me and they’ve both helped me at different times. Perhaps Dermot more so than Wemyss with places to live cheaply, work at the club. I’ve been very fortunate.”

“Does Wemyss live near the Dugout?”

“It’s not too far away, about a mile I guess. He still lives in a large Victorian house on his own.”

“Does he pay anyone to help him, gardener, housekeeper or anyone?

“During the summer he has someone to keep the garden tidy but there’s no housekeeper. Of course he gets all his main meals at the club so he’s well catered for.”

“Sounds as though he’s got a few pennies stashed away then?”

“Yes, I believe so. I’ve been to his house on occasions, lovely big double fronted property full of expensive looking furniture and fittings.”

“He’s worked hard for it I guess, he’s seems a bit of an entrepreneur?”

Eileen brushed away a mark on her dress,

“It was Wemyss that discovered the empty chapel that is now the Dugout. It was Wemyss that designed and paid for most of it. And as you know it’s very successful so he must be making money there as well as his other interests.”

“Others?”

“He’s another house in Edinburgh that he rents and another pub in Leith that someone manages for him.”

“That is impressive; I wish I had that skill. To see some opportunity and make it work for you.”

“Well you’ve got me now, I work for you!” Eileen said.

Harry smiled across,

“Of course. Another thing Eileen, Steve is divorced I knew that, but Tommy, what happened to his wife?”

Eileen sat back in her chair,

“It was about seven or eight years ago. They were a happily married couple for many years but they never had any kids. It was about that time that Tommy began to notice that his wife seemed to be getting restless and not content with her situation. Tommy tried to make amends and arranged holidays and trips out but there was this unresolved problem between them just below the surface. Even his close friends noticed the change in her and wondered what was happening. This went on for about a year before his wife, Rose, suddenly collapsed one day and was rushed to hospital. She had had some brain haemorrhage or stroke which resulted in her staying in hospital and later being transferred to a sanatorium. Tommy used to go and visit every day but as the months wore on her conditioned worsened. She was unable to communicate by talking, some paralysis on her face or something, and ended up scratching short messages on a chalk slate. To cut a long story short the Doctors tried various methods of treatment but none seemed to have worked, and she seemed disinterested in trying to recover. She always ended his visit by chalking a short message for him. Tommy used to tell us that often she wrote, almost in short hand, ‘I love you’ but the sentence was never fully formed so he’d often guess what she intended. She nodded to confirm his interpretation. That is until her final day, she had another seizure. Her messages used to normally end with, ‘I lo.. u’. But on this particular day she managed to write out the full sentence…”

“Go on,” Harry said.

“It said ‘I loathe u’.”

“What?”

“Let me finish. Tommy, understandably, was deeply wounded by this. Rose died later that day. After the post mortem the surgeons confirmed that a benign tumour had been forming for years unnoticed and the pressure on her brain had altered her personality. Tommy was inconsolable for months after.

- What’s the matter Harry?”

“Sorry but I am trying desperately not to laugh...”

“Harry, how could you?”

Eileen’s face also gave way to a muffled laugh.

“No I mustn’t, it’s you that’s started me off!”

They both attempted to stifle what was amusing them but without success. Several moments passed before Harry could speak again, “I’m sorry Eileen it was my fault, I have a great respect for Tommy. It’s just that what you said was so unexpected…a bit like a punch line in a joke.” Harry recovered his composure,

“This tumour was never picked up?”

“No, despite X rays and other tests.”

“That is awful Eileen. I quite like the guy, I’m sure he didn’t deserve all that. Life is shitty enough at times, but that situation is really dismal.”

“Anyway Harry that’s another secret revealed.

“I won’t repeat any of it Eileen, but thanks for letting me know.”

Eileen looked at the clock,

“Time to go I think, before the daylight ends. I’ve enjoyed this day out Harry, it’s been really special.”

They walked to the car holding hands. Harry kissed her as he opened the door.

“You’re a smashing bloke Harry, thank you.”

On Saturday evening the whole group, including Dermot, had turned up for the meeting at the garage. Darlath sat next to his Father with Steve on the other side, then Harry, Andrew and Tommy sitting between Darlath and Andrew.

“What a happy family gathering.” Dermot said grumpily.

“I’m pleased you’re here Dad.”

“Let’s just get on with it son.”

He replied without looking at Darlath.

Tommy spoke next,

“Darlath please tell us if the goods are as you described previously.”

“Generally yes, but with a few minor changes gentlemen. There are boxes of liquor, tobacco some pharmaceuticals plus the cases of the counterfeit notes. However, the notes, I’m told, are now repacked into smaller metal containers so they’ll be easier to offload and move. These metal cases are about two-foot square and about nine inches deep. So they are slimmer and easier to handle.”

Tommy spoke up, “So we use the same vehicle arrangement as last time, the Scammell plus the Standard?”

“That’s correct.” Darlath said.

“We’ll leave early with the lorry and the car will follow on as before?”

“Yes Tommy, with you driving your favourite engine again.”

Dermot interrupted the light mood; he shifted his weight in the chair and gasped as an intense pain tugged at his stomach. Sweat began pouring from his forehead.

“Dad?”

“Leave me be, I’m alright, just let me get my breath.”

His fingers gripped the side of the desk. After a long pause the pain subsided enough for him to relax slightly. The others just looked at the floor or at each other and waited until the old man could continue.

“What date Son, and time?”

His voice now low and gravelly. He turned his head just enough to look into Darlath’s eyes.

“The night of the 6
th
February gentlemen. The boat should arrive at one in the morning. It’s the same crew so they know what’s expected and I’ll travel across with them, as before.”

“The funding.” Harry asked, “Is it Wemyss this time?”

Darlath turned to face Harry,

“Yes Wemyss, I’m going to see him tomorrow to get the cash.”

The meeting continued for another half an hour. In that time they went through the lists of things to take, as last time. Lanterns, torches, food, drinks, change of clothes, the rowing boat and most importantly the ‘stories’ required for any disruption of their plans by Police road blocks.

After the meeting Darlath returned with his Father to the hotel. They sat drinking in the lounge for an hour. Their discussions avoided the subject that they both wanted most to exchange. Instead they talked about the progress of the war, the cold weather and football. The waiter continually served drinks to the two as they sat together uneasily until finally after Dermot had downed several large whiskies Darlath noticed that his Father was crying.

“Dad I’m sorry.”

Dermot slowly got up to leave,

“So am I Son, so am I. You will never know by how much.”

He walked slowly into reception and rang for the lift to take him to his room. Darlath sighed heavily and watched his Father leave before making his way across town to Andrew’s flat.

The next morning Tommy was awoken by the telephone,

“Dermot you’re early what can I do for you?”

“Michael’s been detained in Ireland. The Garda rang me on his behalf to let me know.”

“Shit. What for exactly?”

“They wouldn’t say except they mentioned that the Police over here would be calling on me in order to verify some background information on Michael.”

“What information?”

Dermot’s voice was now panicky,

“Well I can only guess it’s to do with the cottage. It’s my property as you know, but I let him live there rent-free. I can’t think of anything else except of course if Michael’s said anything about our projects.”

“God I hope not. Listen Dermot I suggest that Darlath accompanies you at any Police interview.”

“Well I’ve tried to get hold of him. He was going to stay at my hotel last night but we fell out a bit and he never used his room. I don’t know where he is.”