CL 14

THE MEET

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The flat was still lit up mid evening; an unusual occurrence as by this time of evening Elenor was usually in full swing at her trade.  The conference of three was in full swing, discussing various items, making video copies and transferring same to the computer to take stills.  Some faces were blanked out and car number plates covered.  All this was for the ingenious plan Lewis was hatching.  It was ingenious Johns had to admit especially the parts about to bring the local police into it though he didn’t know yet about Lewis’s run in with his old friend.

The only hold up now was to get Lewis’s arch-enemy, inspector Last, to meet him let alone work with him on something.  He went cold with the thought of them working together but it had to be done somehow so a trap could be set.  This was something the M.Ps. couldn’t do on their own because of the number of civilians involved.  An idea slowly evolved though first they had to make sure that the parcels hidden in the armoured car were still there and that they were really what they were meant to be.

Nine thirty p.m. after gallons of tea and coffee as well as two bottles of wine earlier it was time for the two M.Ps. to go on their way leaving Elenora to her own devices.

“Are you sure you can’t stay on your own after Johns has gone?” asked the forlorn dejected woman. 

You know we must get this thing done this evening.”  he insisted, hoping that if all went well they would meet tomorrow evening in the ‘horn and sickle’.

The corporal on guard duty was surprised when lieutenant Standford asked for keys to all the workshops and to his office in the headquarters building.

“Bit late isn’t it sir?”

“My drivers left something down there but can’t remember which garage he was in so if I take all the keys now it’ll save one of us coming back to change them so I might as well have them all together.  Finish off with a bit of late work in the office before we have an early night.”

The apprehensive corporal liked to hear that last sentence so with a smile gave him all the keys and the book for him to sign individually for them

The workshop was quiet and very dark but with the turn of a switch behind the door the whole arena turned into day.

“Just one switch at a time Johns, we don’t want the whole camp to know we are here.  Do we!”  Eventually a switch was found that turned on a single 60-watt bulb at the far end of the building almost right above the lowloader that still carried the armoured car.

“Probably unloading in the morning,” suggested Johns, “ good for them.” closing the small entry door to keep any prying eyes out.

“You know where it is, don’t you Johns!  Be careful to take note of it’s position we don’t want them to know it’s been moved or touched.”  The toolbox was gently opened and a false bottom containing the parcels was located with little difficulty.  He took the parcels out then clambered down to the lieutenant almost dropping one at his feet, fortunately managing to hang onto it.

“Right which one do you think Johns?”

“The envelope sir, it’s half opened already.”  It was possible that Boggs opened it to check when the video was turned away onto the car after passing the money over.  From his pocket Lewis pulled out a small clear plastic envelope.

“We only need a little of the white powder.”  He told Johns peering into the packet of grey white powder that was inside another clear packet in the large envelope.  He picked up a small screw driver laying nearby dipping it into the powder, shaking what was on the end into the small envelope Lewis brought with him.  This he replaced back into his own top pocket carefully so as not to drop it.

“Careful now Johns back exactly as you found it.”

“Will do sir they won’t suspect a thing.”

The workshop dimmed to darkness as the light went out and the doors closed and locked behind them.”

“Right office first and we’ll take a close look to make sure.”  He was overwhelmed making their way to the office, unlocking the outer door then up the stairs to their loaned office on the first floor.  Safely in the confines of their own sanctuary he again removed the small envelope from his pocket, licked his finger before slightly dipping it into the grey white dust.

“Sir, what are you doing?”

“Testing it the way they always do, I’ve seen it done.”

“But sir that’s only in films, anyway you don’t know what it tastes like.”  To late the first finger of the lieutenant’s right hand entered his open mouth, just a smidgen but enough to taste.

“Ugh! Never tasted anything so awful,” squirming as he spoke. “don’t know what it is but it’s got to be something rotten.”

“Johns thought, ‘What a bloody stupid statement to make even for him.’  Fifteen minutes later the keys were returned to the office to the guardroom and the two M.Ps. went their separate ways.  One to the officer’s mess and the other to other ranks billet.

It seemed to be getting a habit, lieutenant Standford was late arriving in the office again, this time it seemed he was slightly drunk, deep glazed eyes, a slight slur in his speech and unsteady feet hardly holding his weight.

Johns helped him to his chair believing he knew what was wrong with him.  The powder, whatever it was must have entered his bloodstream through his tongue, strong and potent it must be, probably pure cocaine.  The poor bastard I did try to warn him, tried to sop him.  Another thought came to the corporal.

“Sir! You’ve still got the envelope haven’t you?  Have you had any more of it?”

“The smile on Lewis’s face was wide,  “Still got it, haven’t had any more, good stuff though.  Coffee Johns must have some coffee, a lot please.”  The phone call Johns had to make was put on hold, as he had to attend to his officer’s request.  He was the kingpin to the plan and had to be alert for later if a meeting could be arranged.

“Brassbury police station,” the civilian operator answered.

“Ah,” Corporal Johns said with an air to his voice. “Would you be kind enough to connect me to Inspector Last please?”

“One moment sir, I’m afraid he’s engaged at the moment, would you like to hold?”

“I’ll hold thank you.”  Repetitive music began to sound from the other end.  He was sure they picked such dreadful music so those waiting would put the phone down, he didn’t or did he have long to wait.

“Inspector last here, how may I help?”  The music was still playing though not quite so loud.

“Inspector I have some information which I’m sure will be of benefit to you.”

“I’m sorry but I don’t know you from Adam and any information you have should be passed through the correct channels so,” Johns stopped him in mid sentence.

“Inspector we have a mutual friend and he tells me you are very ambitious so please listen for a few minutes.  The drugs bust you fouled up last week.  Do you want the gang?”  Inspector Last rose in his winged Chippendale chair straightening his back.

“How do you know about that disastrous night?  Anyway it wasn’t my fault it was that stupid bastard Standford.”

“That being as it is Inspector, do you want my information to get you out of that mess?”

“Course I bloody well do.”  His face was showing the strain.

“Seven this evening meet me in the ‘horn and sickle’, I’ll recognise you so don’t worry about looking for me.  Come on your own if you want to get them this time.”  Johns heard a few unrepeatable words come through the earpiece then lowered it slowly and decisively as Lewis had told him.  Lewis knew just how this man worked; he recalled he was the same at school.

“Yes he said, that man would be there, he’s got too much an ego not to be and his ambition will not even stop at the chief constables chair.”  He began to laugh in his old manner, something that was rarely done now.  Glazed eyes stared out at Johns, piercing as they tried to gain entry to his mind.  He was nervous, wondering if Lewis was existing in or out of himself.  What was that powder doing to him and had it already passed through his system?  Could it bring out the man in him and help him to show his true mettle.  He was truly worried as the hours passed.

“Standford” they heard as the colonel entered, “is everything alright?  I heard something that sounded like a laugh coming from here, you sure you’re alright old boy?”  Standford wasn’t quite coherent, almost and his eyes were still showing signs of glazing as he looked at the colonel through cloudy membranes.  Johns intervened.  “Excuse me colonel but as we’ve almost solved your problems the lieutenant celebrated with a little too much last night.  A bit fragile sir.”

“Jolly good show chaps, what!”  The colonel was also sounding pleased.  “Cleared up today is it then?”

“Tomorrow afternoon sir and I believe the Lieutenant wishes to arrange with you a collective search warrant, sir.”  Again emphasising the word  ‘sir’.

“You’ll have it tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock.  Do fine for you, will it corporal?” “Very much so sir, thank you sir.”  The colonel turned to leave the small office that was crowded with three people and two desks.  As he reached for the broken door handle his head turned back to Lewis.

“I warn you that if we do enter an officers house he must be present, myself too.  Politeness to their families is essential and sober up the lieutenant by then.”  Standford tried to raise his right arm in salute only reaching half way before it flopped and dropped back to his side.

By mid afternoon Lewis was managing to see clearer through the haze with all his faculties beginning the return to normal.  Sunday night he was remembering, laying awake quietly singing to himself believing he was in a teenagers disco, first with Elenora then Celia then for some reason he was with Johns dancing away merrily.  His dancing alternated with the three of them and as hard as he tried he still could Not get rid of the blasted corporal.  Every detail was recalled as if it did happen and thus he tried to avoid the corporal as much as he could the rest of the day.

He was feeling cold and shaky trying to distinguish his surroundings; even the shadowy chairs seemed to move occasionally on their own.

“Did I speak to the colonel earlier on?” He asked Johns who never heard him.

“I’ll get you back to the mess sir, you need a rest before this evening.”  The landrover took only a minute to reach the mess and hauling him through the doors was a struggle.  The mess corporal assisted him in the task of dragging him into the foyer then insisted that Lewis would be all right with just his help.  This was readily accepted though Johns did insist that he must not leave the building without the corporal phoning him and if he sleeps he must be woken up and dressed in civvies ready to go out at seven.

“I’ll see to it,” He willingly said having taken a liking to the lieutenant, probably because he thought there might be another huge tip in it for him, aferall he’d already collected over a hundred from Lewis in less than a week.  Johns had little to do the rest of the afternoon; in fact there were only a couple of hours to go before they had to leave for the meet.  In the meantime he thought he would go for a walk towards the workshops, he remembered that Angie Raine said that she would be working late afternoon so he decided he should go over there to thank them for the weekend out in Wales again.

“Hi Angie,” he called looking at the pair of legs poking out from underneath the green goddess, the colloquial term for the armies heavy green fire engines.  He knew they were her legs as there was no hair showing where the trouser legs had risen up to the knees.  A greasy hand was put out for him to help her up, she knew he would even though he didn’t like getting his hands dirty.  He’d do it just for her.

“For what do we owe this pleasure?” she gave him a peck on the cheek.

“No reason, nothing to do, he got pissed last night so I thought I’d come over to see you.  We’ll be leaving in a couple of days as everything should be sewn up by tomorrow evening.”

“Fancy a drink later this evening?”

 “Sorry, not tonight Angie, I’ll be with him this evening, something to complete and we won’t be back till late.”

“How late?  You can always come and see me after, say about eleven when the pubs are closed.  I’ll be waiting, second window from the east corner, just tap it lightly.”  Nodding in acceptance of the invitation he then thought it pertinent to try and find sergeant Boggs.  As he paced to the office she called behind him.

“He’s not in, out on a breakdown and won’t be back for at least another hour.”  Raising his arm in acknowledgement he halted, had a quick look around noticed the low loader was gone and the armoured car had been pushed into the corner away from other vehicles.  Whilst looking at it Angie approached telling him that the sergeant would be the one to inspect the damaged vehicle before anyone else was to touch it.

“Nobody’s allowed near it until he says so and that won’t be until later on in the week as we’re so busy at the moment.”  John’s looked at her wearily and remembered how quick they were at repairing the waterlogged landrover and also noticed that they’d already almost completed the lieutenants mishap.

The time passed and he left soon after with him agreeing to meet her in the corporals mess in half an hour for a bite to eat before he goes off with his lieutenant.

Teatime came and went without any revelations so Johns gave his excuses stating that it was time for him to collect Standford.

“An M.Ps. work is never done even after time.”

“As long as you don’t bring it to bed with you when you come to me.”  She hissed grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat.

As the landrover pulled to a halt outside the officers mess lieutenant Standford was standing outside ready waiting, brisque, smart and wide awake.  Looking a thousand times better than he did several hours ago.

“How are you sir,” queried Johns.

“Corporal,” he answered, “I’m back to my old self again, take my word for it.  Just in case though you drive and don’t ever take any of that shit I accidentally took last night, believe me it’s deadly,”

“I won’t sir.” drifted into the evening breeze as the vehicle sped off to it’s destination, Elenora’s.

They were let into her flat with the same warm welcome after the landrover was parked at the rear of the building.  Her car was to be used for the trip to the ‘Horn and Sickle’.

In the comfort of the lounge chairs more stills were studied, deciding which ones were to be gifted to the inspector and which to show but to hold onto.  Little time was wasted as the pub had to be reached before the inspector got there.  The possibility still arose that Last might not conform to his usual pattern or that what was expected of him.  Perhaps he might not turn up or have extra bodies with him, worse still he might somehow spy the hidden Lewis hiding inside before the plan was hatched. Elenora knew this pub and with Johns would enter through the main door and sit just inside while Lewis goes in the side door to the saloon bar and sit hiding behind a newspaper with a screen between him and the main door watching, affording a good view.  He was late, perhaps he’s not coming, it was seven twenty one and they were ready to give up.

“Another ten minutes we’ll wait.” Lewis concluded getting ratty, not sitting next to Elenora as he wished he was, ‘Lucky Johns’.

The slightly overweight body of the unmistakable copper entered the bar, he would have been recognised even if he hadn’t been given his description.

“Mister Last.” Johns quietly said not wanting to draw attention their direction.  The corporal introduced himself as mister Johns and Elenora as herself.  They were both having soft drinks though the inspector ordered a double scotch and water.  The saloon bar was empty except for Lewis so it was easy for him to stand behind the screen and set up the camera to film them.  The film he was taking would be their guarantee Last didn’t leave them or betray them.

“My boss and I,” stated Johns, “have uncovered this drugs ring and the information we’ve gained leads us to believe it is the same gang you are after, the one you missed the other day.”  ‘That bastard’ Last hissed aloud.  “As I was saying, I’ll give you the name of the person that I believe you think is responsible and if you agree then we’ll get down to business.  Agreed!”

“Agreed!”

“If I was to say the name, Eric Waite, businessman and garage owner.”

“Shit how did you know that?  Only a privileged few insiders are privy to that information.”

“So you agree,” Johns still sat quite passive.  “Well we know where, when and the precise time he meets his courier.”  Last was listening in astonishment with mouth agape as Elenora produced the small envelope containing the grey white powder making a meal of holding the inspectors hand leaning close to him

as if to whisper in his ear before letting go to sit down comfortably again.  The envelope was carefully opened, a quick sniff and it was passed back to her, again showing her movements in exaggerated detail.

At that moment Lewis Standford strode past the partition into the public bar coming up behind the Inspector without being seen.  When his hand rested on Last’s shoulder he froze to his seat unable to move expecting the worst.  For him this was the worst of the worst.  He moved then collapsed into a heap as he fell from the stool after he peered into Lewis’s cold calculating eyes.

“May I help you inspector?” Lewis asked.

“Standford!  What the Christ are you doing here?”

“Meet my boss.”  said Johns pointing to Lewis.

“What’s all this?  What’s going on?”  He was angrily trying to stand.

“Sit down,” Lewis said pressing hard on his shoulder. “ sit down and listen.”  He had no choice but to listen at least for awhile then he would leave if he could escape from the trap he seemed to be in but he knew for the moment he was like a rat in a trap, caught hard and fast.  Lewis proceeded to hand him some of the photos.  “These all came off a video we took, come in with us and you can have the video and the sound track as well.  Only then will you be able to redeem yourself for the fiasco the other day.”

If this is for real then what’s the catch?”

“First,” said Lewis, “you get the two charges against me dropped and second, a ten thousand pound reward for the brains of the outfit Elenora and another for my man here.”  Last’s mouth dropped almost dropped to the floor.

“How dare you?”  He shouted standing up knocking the stool flying.  “Do you know how difficult that would be?  This is a set-up isn’t it.”

“Of course it is,” Lewis answered urging him to sit as he was doing so before.  “You obviously don’t know Elenora, she has held your hand and kissed your cheek.”

“She hasn’t.”

“According to this camera she did,” he held up the small digital camera.  “ and the camera shows you accepting some powder from her.  I really think you should consider carefully you’re final answer.”

The ambitious inspector didn’t need any time reconsidering, he knew he was caught either in a ruse that would ruin him or something that could just as easily go wrong for Lewis as it usually did.  His best option was to go along with it to see if and how he could turn it all to his advantage though the prospect of working with Lewis almost made him physically sick.

“The whole story first then I’ll decide.”

Suddenly the door of the bar shoved open with a bang, Lewis thought it was the police, a trap.  In came three travellers, sometimes called ‘Pikies’ they were loud mouthed and obscene, ordering three pints of beer then going over to the pool table.

“Sit down there!” ordered the fat, loud mouthed one with the blonde hair to the small girl who wasn’t, by the looks of it old enough to be out this time of evening let alone in a pub.

“The first games for her pants Trev.”  He said to his mate who nodded then proceeded to break the pack of balls with the first shot.

Half an hour later everything had been explained to the inspector in between the noise and the uncouth manner of the ‘Pikies’.

“That bird over there’s a bit of crackling Dave.” said the other much smaller leather clad rogue.

“Yeah Trev,” he replied, “you have Cheryl here and I’ll go take her off their hands in a minute, you wait and see.  She’s probably a good rump by the look of her and those blokes look a waste of time.”

Last was about to call his palls to sort them out but Lewis told them to ignore them for the time being?

“Johns will sort them out after you’ve gone.  As we were peter, I’ll give you the video with faces and other things blanked out and you’ve got until four tomorrow evening to phone me at the camp.  If you don’t I’ll arrest my own people and yours will slip away again.  If you agree I’ll tell you now that you’re bound to get promotion, but not to forget that it’s on for tomorrow evening unless I move in before then.  The balls in your court as they say.”

“That’s no time to co-ordinate an operation like this Lewis,” once again he was on first name terms.  “Something here is bad enough but Wales as well, that’s a tall order.”

“You can manage anything if you want it urgently enough.”

“God help you Standford if this doesn’t work out.  How much did you say there was?”

“Watch the video and listen carefully to the sound track like I said with your superiors.  You’d better get off now and get started there isn’t much time, we’ll finish off here.”  As he stood to leave, the Pikies’ made another snide remark but the inspector ignored it as Lewis asked him to, grinning as he passed them on the way.

A pool ball, the black one bounced off the table rolling under Elenora’s chair.  The fattest of the two, put his hand on her knee sliding it up slightly raising her dress, just a little.  She moved her body shoving her away.

“Missus don’t like it eh?” he said slurring his speech, “you could do with a good going over.”  Licking his lips provocatively reaching for the ball with one hand while the other carried on trying to grope her.

“That cow’s too big for you shortass.,” said the slim girl sitting down looking their way.  Elenora was showing signs of embarrassment beginning to shake with a kind of fear, not knowing what might happen next.

“It’s time to go and sort some things out Johns, do your worst if you like.”  Lewis knew that the corporal could handle himself and at least three others if he had the mind to.

“Oh, the babies can’t take it, going home to bed, come and stay with me lady not with those old fogies.”  The taller blonde one said mockingly leaning on the tipped end of the cue.”  Corporal Johns went to push between them and they closed ranks stopping him from going further, exactly what he thought they would do.  His right hand closed around the slim cue and with a sudden jerk heaved upwards, at the same time leaned to the left slightly stooping grabbing the other by the balls with all his might.  the scream that echoed round the pub left nobody in any doubt that the fellow was in great pain.   The tall one was cautiously trying to pull four inches of cue out of the bottom of his fleshy chin after it penetrated the skin and pushed through squeezing his tongue into his top pallet.  The green baize pool table top was rapidly changing to a deep red as the balls began to wallow in the thick goo coming from the bottom of his chin.

“Wasn’t any need to go that far Johns.”  Lewis exclaimed climbing into the car next to the driver, Elenora.  “We’ll drop you at the camp Johns and I’ll see you at nine in the morning in the office.”

“Certainly sir, thank you sir.”

After dropping Johns at the main gate they sped off into the night to work off the exertions of the day and to enjoy another passionate night of sexual lust.

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