Page 76 of The Hallmarked Man
‘For me to know,’ repeated Shanker.
‘If it wasn’t Knowles, why’m I getting this warning? Because Lynden Knowles doesn’t want me proving itwasn’this nephew?’
‘Lynden wouldn’ give a shit eiver way,’ said Shanker, with a shrug. ‘Even if they found what’s left of Jason, they couldn’t pin it on ’im. Thass the ’ole point of Barnaby’s.’
‘Then why—?’
‘’Cause the bloke in the vault’ – Shanker dropped his voice again – ‘was an ’it.’
‘A hit?’
‘Yeah,’ said Shanker, ‘an’ you don’t wanna start fuckin’ wiv the geezer ’oo put out the ’it, awright?’
‘You know who ordered it?’
‘Know enough,’ said Shanker.
‘Who is he?’
‘Don’ know ’im person’ly,’ said Shanker.
‘You know the bloke who carried it out?’
‘We go back a long way, Bunsen, but you keep your side of the street an’ I’ll keep mine, know what I’m sayin’?’
When Strike merely looked at him, Shanker said,
‘Don’ know ’im well. People in common.’
‘And?’
‘’E’s gone to ground. Smart, for ’im.’
‘He’s not usually smart?’
‘’E’s a nutter. Moufy. Still, slick job,’ said Shanker, with professional appreciation. ‘Earned a packet for it, I ’ear.’
‘But he talked, or you wouldn’t know he’d done it.’
‘Well, yeah, ’e’s moufy. Like I said.’
‘So why was the guy in the vault killed?’
Shanker drained his glass, then said,
‘I ’eard he fort ’e could make a fast buck an’ didn’t fuckin’ realise what ’e was up against.’
‘Double cross?’ said Strike. ‘Blackmail?’
‘Ain’t stupid, are ya, Bunsen?’ said Shanker, with a gleam of appreciation.
‘Want another drink?’
‘Yeah, go on,’ said Shanker.
Strike bought two more pints. There were gold baubles strungalong the top of the bar. He’d been so absorbed in his conversation he hadn’t noticed the Christmas music playing in the background.
Hither, page, and stand by me,
