CHAPTER 34

“Where to,” asked Dexter as they drove away from the Manor. 

Cap replied, “Head for Brighton. Get close to the station and we’ll dump the car well away from here. With luck the cops will think it’s just been stolen to get a lift home… So, where are you off to later, Dexter?” 

“I’m going to the Bay View. I’ve a girl to collect, remember, and a fierce lady to pay off.” 

“Maybe we’ll come with you just in case there’s any trouble with Jimmy Raynott,” said Cap looking at Tolly who just shrugged, Good idea. I’d like to see that old dragon’s face when we all walk through the door, especially if Jimmy Raynott is there as well.

 As they approached Brighton it was coming up to two in the morning and the rain was clattering on the car’s roof. “Too early for the trains,” said Dexter, “Shall I pull over somewhere and we’ll wait a while? If we get there about seven we can grab breakfast and get a train around eight-thirty? That would get us to Eastbourne by nine. The Bay view about nine-thirty. The place will be empty of guests and we’d have no interruption.” 

“Good idea,” said Cap. “We need to get out of these clothes, anyway. Pull off the road somewhere we can’t be seen. Make sure you keep the gloves on though. They’ll find the car eventually and will dust it.” 

“We could torch it,” said Tolly, “I like a good fire.” 

“That’ll draw too much attention. No, dumping it’s fine if we leave no prints. Besides, the longer it takes for the cops to find it the better.” 

If you’ve ever tried to change clothes in a small car with gloves on you would understand the cursing going on. Especially for Dexter who had the steering wheel to contend with as well as an all in one overall. 

Opening the door a fraction hoping to make more room he quickly shut it and said, “It’s still chucking it down. If anything, it’s got worse… Grab the arm of this you can, Cap, and give it a pull. My arms kind of stuck up my back.” Struggling his arm loose he eventually managed to get the overalls off and put on his suit. Looked in the rear view and flicked up his hair. Thought about leaving off the tie then decided he should look his best when he confronts Gloria.  

“I’m taking my gloves off to do up button,” said Tolly. 

“Make sure you don’t touch anything. Then put them back on,” replied Cap. 

“What nothing… Not even the buttons?” and Tolly laughed. 

“Very funny,” said Cap, “Just be careful is all.” 

Around six Dexter fired up the motor and they slowly drove to Brighton circling around the backstreets until they found a likely spot. 

The car ended up being parked at the end of a quiet road with only a few houses and not too far from the station. Tolly stuck his hand out the window, “We’re okay,” he said, “the winds dropped and the sky’s clearing.”  

The only people around were an old guy with a dog and a man in a snappy suit who did not give them a second look. Dexter was confident the car would not be found for at least a couple of days. Taking his beezer and Cap carrying their bag, they wandered off in the direction of the station a few hundred yards behind the man in the snappy suit. Cap looked up at the sky. Patches of blue appeared from behind grey clouds. As Tolly said the wind had dropped and he could feel the first warmth of the day’s sunshine trying to get a hold. Nice day coming up in more ways than one… Yeah, likely the end of an era all right… I do think I am ready to finally make the transition to civvy street. 

In the station cafe, just after seven, they had trouble finding a table. A table service only place catering mostly for the early risers on their way to work so tables needed to be shared. They sat with a fella with ruffled hair and a bleary look who only managed to say, “Help yourself,” in response to Tolly’s question about the three vacant chairs. After a couple of minutes, the guy struggled up and sloped off to saunter up the street towards the station. 

“Three pouches,” said Cap, “Nice and convenient. Are you both happy to take one each? They feel about the same weight so it should be close to a fair split.” 

Dexter looked at Tolly who nodded. Tolly said, “Sure, nice to keep it simple.” Maybe just a bit too simple. Three convenient bags. Something’s going on for sure. And that safe… Cap can’t fool me. 

A girl with a bright early morning smile hovered next to Cap, “Three full English?” he asked Tolly and Dexter then looked at the girl and said, “With toast and tea, please.” When she had left, he handed them a pouch each, and said, “I’m retiring and going to find a nice little business to run. What about you Tolly? Are we still partners?” 

“Of course. I’m with you all the way.” 

“One condition though: lose the light fingers.” 

“Don’t worry about that Cap. I’ve learnt my lesson.” 

Dexter frowned at Cap. So, Cap said, “Watch trouble. The reason we were late.”  

“I see…” said Dexter, still not so sure what he meant but had noticed Tolly no longer wore his watch.  

By eight-fifteen they stood with all the daily commuters on the eastbound platform of Brighton station. By nine-fifteen they meandered around passengers getting off the train at Eastbourne, hit the street and headed in the direction of the Bay View. With a brisk stroll it took fifteen minutes before they stood on the step outside the front door. Dexter could see Gloria at her desk with Jimmy coming past the stairs to go into the sitting room. At this time of day he would expect Dee to be in the kitchen helping Derek clear up after breakfast. 

 

Sitting at his desk Walter Smith looked at his watch. Just after nine and approaching the time to leave. The desk was piled with photos and a buff coloured folder. A few hundred and that did not include the ones of Jimmy Raynott he had left with Andy Morris. Would he need them all today? No, was the answer to that. A sample would do just so Gloria Dubonnet knew he had accumulated evidence. 

Flicking through them he picked twenty from two random days. Out of the folder he pulled copies of a ledger from last year and scanned down the page. At the bottom there was a total that equated to an average of just over six guests per day and that made him smile. 

Shouting through the door he said, “Hey, George. You ready? It’s time to go.” Put the papers into his attache case, got up, straightened his red tie and wandered from his office into the main office space. Ten desks lined up nice and neatly in two rows. eight men and two women flicking their way through reams of paper. The man behind the first desk on the right-hand row stood, grabbed his jacket off the chair back, straightened his red tie and joined Walter by the door. Through to the stairs, down to the street and to Walter’s car. 

Walter said, “We’re off to the police station to collect Andy Morris. He’s going to follow us to the Bay View.” 

“Why’s that? Are we arresting Gloria Dubonnet?” 

“Maybe, but he’s mostly interested in Jimmy Raynott and all of his exploits. It should be quite interesting. You drive. I’m going to enjoy the scenery.” 

Twenty minutes or thereabouts and George swung the car against the kerb outside the police station. Walter said, “Wait here I’ll only be a moment.” Then skipped up the steps to confront the desk sergeant. 

Surprisingly he said, “Go straight through. He’s expecting you.” 

Walter headed down the corridor and past the stairs to the cells. A sergeant appeared with two fellas in tow. They both looked the worst for wear. “Chucking out last night’s intake,” the sergeant said, “You know the score, Walter, a few too many and a sore head.” Then said, “Come on you two out you go and I don’t want to see you here tomorrow.” 

Walter smiled and knocked on Andy’s door, “Morning,” he said as he walked through, “all set?” 

“Ready… You know, I was actually a bit excited first thing. To get something on Jimmy Raynott is really special. If it's okay with you I’ve a squad car sorted. We’ll follow you. Two uniforms, me and my sergeant.” 

Walter raised his eyebrows and said, “Are you expecting a war?” 

“Nope, just turning the screw with a bit of intimidation. He might just wobble a bit seeing four coppers meaning business.” 

“Do you really think so? I always thought he was one of those real steady fellas.” 

“I can hope, can’t I. Anyway, let's go, I’m dying to get into him.”