The Price, page 14
‘Mum, I need to talk to you about something.’
‘Okay.’
‘I need your help.’ I looked out onto the quiet A34, the tail lights of night owls and lorry drivers blurry in the distance.
‘Of course, what is it?’
‘Before I ask, I need to tell you something, something bad.’
‘Right …’
‘Remember when we spoke about what we would do to help someone we loved?’
‘Yes, I remember,’ she said, her eyes focussed on the road.
‘And we said we would do whatever it took.’
‘Yes.’
‘And remember when you told me that Dad might have done things to put food on the table?’
‘Yes. Clara, where is this going? You’re worrying me.’
‘I asked because that night I stole some money.’
‘Where from?’
‘After the robbery at Tesco, there was some cash on the floor. The thieves had dropped it and I took it.’
‘I see,’ Mum said, remaining impassive. ‘Is that why you asked me about what I would do if it were me?’
‘Yes. Am I a bad person?’
‘I said to you that night, your dad did what he needed to keep a roof over our heads. From where I’m sitting, you needed to take that money more than he needed to do what he did.’
‘What did Dad do?’
‘Nothing major, and he never told me the details, but I suspect he was involved in selling stolen goods.’
‘Dad broke the law?’
‘He never said it out loud, he wasn’t that kind of man, but I think so, yes.’
‘Were you angry with him?’
‘I was, but his heart was in the right place. Clara, I feel like you’re not telling me everything, talk to me.’
‘Mum, I might have to ask for help from someone I shouldn’t. Someone who isn’t a good person. It’s something I know I really shouldn’t be doing, but I need to do it for her.’
‘Will it risk you getting hurt?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Will anyone else get hurt?’
‘I hope not.’
‘Will it help Tabs?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do I know this someone who is bad?’
‘Have you heard of Henry Mantel?’
‘Hasn’t everyone?’
‘It was him, in the shop yesterday morning.’
‘And?’
‘He is being targeted by some bad people and he’s offered me money to help find out the thief’s identity.’
‘But … isn’t George investigating him?’
‘Yes.’
‘And he still wants to offer you a job?’
‘Yes.’
‘What if George finds out?’
‘I have to hope he won’t. Mantel has a lot of money, and we need money.’
‘I can’t be your moral compass, but if it was me and it wasn’t going to hurt anyone and it would help Tabs, I know what I would do.’
‘Even if it’s wrong to work for him?’
‘Yes. Because Tabatha being well is all that matters, right?’ Mum said.
‘Then I need you to do something for me.’
‘Anything.’
‘I need you to lie for me. I’ve arranged to meet Mantel but George has to think I’m at home and asleep. That’s why I asked him to stay with Tabs tonight, that’s why I wanted you to pick me up.’
Mum was quiet for a moment.
‘Are you sure this will help?’ she asked.
‘I don’t know, it might not. I have to try anyway.’
‘Yes, I think you do.’
‘I’m sorry for putting this on you.’
‘You put nothing on me. I’m glad you can come to me.’
‘Always.’
‘So tell me what you want me to do.’
‘When we get home, I need to borrow your car. I need you to text George, tell him I was exhausted and passed out on the couch.’
‘Clara, I can’t imagine how stressful this is, having to think three steps ahead and with Tabs being so unwell, too. Are you sure you should be doing this?’
‘I haven’t got a choice, have I?’
‘Well from now on in, I’m with you. When it feels too tough, you can lean on me.’
‘I already do.’
Mum took my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. I was shocked at how easy it had been to tell her and for her to agree to help. But then she loved Tabatha unconditionally, too. Once back, we headed up to the flat and I got changed. As I put on my dark jacket, I struggled to do up the buttons; my hands felt numb. Mum helped and again, I felt like a child.
‘Are you sure you’re up for doing this?’
‘I have to be.’
‘Clara, please tell me again you’re going to be safe?’
‘I’m going to be safe, I promise.’
‘All right,’ she said, giving me a hug. ‘Ring me if you need me?’
‘I can’t take my phone, it’s easy to track.’
‘You’re making me nervous. It doesn’t sound as safe as you keep telling me.’
‘I know, and I’m sorry. I just need to cover my tracks. No one but you and me can know I’m meeting with Henry Mantel.’
‘Just be careful, love,’ Mum said kissing me on the cheek as I opened the door to leave. I flashed her a nervous smile. And walked down the stairs, into the night.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Henry Mantel
Mantel unlocked the door and made his way through the salon. He didn’t turn on any of the lights. His brief conversation with Clara the day before didn’t tell him either way if she would agree to help. Her message this evening was direct and again, didn’t give anything away. He wasn’t surprised she had messaged, though. He had baited her and he knew that she was in dire straits. She had something he wanted, but he had something she needed – and need superseded any sense of right and wrong. Also, by agreeing to meet him, she was already involved. She was now in his pocket. It was just the matter of the terms. He’d instructed Clara to enter via a side door located down the dead-end alley, which backed onto a narrow corridor between residential properties and had high fences on either side. He told her to be at the door at 3 a.m., and he knew she wouldn’t be late. She would enter and exit the same way. It was the safest choice. Mantel didn’t care about them discovering that Clara Goodwin was working with him, but he needed her to find the fucker responsible for robbing his businesses first.
Looking at his watch, and seeing it was time, he left the salon floor, walking down a corridor stacked high with haircare products and cleaning materials. At the end was a fire door and he pushed the bar to open it. On the other side stood Clara Goodwin. Mantel didn’t say anything, but walked away, and Clara followed, closing the door behind her. On the salon floor once more, he pulled out a chair for her.
‘Please, sit.’
Clara did as she was asked, and Mantel sat opposite her.
‘Is she all right?’ he asked. ‘Your girl?’
‘Do you care?’
‘I’m a parent too, Clara.’
‘She’s in the hospital.’
‘Will she be okay?’
‘I’m not here to talk about her.’
‘Fair enough.’
‘If I do this, George can never know.’
‘Fine.’
‘No one can.’
‘Agreed.’
‘NO ONE,’ she said louder.
‘Agreed,’ he replied again, calmly.
‘If I do this, how will you help me?’ she asked. Mantel smiled, approving of her direct approach. She was afraid of him, she knew what he was about, but she hid it well, deciding it was best to show no fear and not to back down.
‘I’ll pay you for your time, for agreeing. And then, when you help me identify whoever is robbing me, I’ll pay you more.’
‘How much?’
‘Don’t you trust me, DI Goodwin?’
‘No.’
Mantel laughed, enjoying the no-nonsense attitude that Clara was displaying.
‘I need to know whether or not it’s worth the risk. I could just get a normal job.’
‘Ten grand over the next few days, in small deposits. Another fifteen when you find him.’
‘How do you know I won’t just take the money and run?’
‘We both know you are not that stupid. You have more to lose if anyone finds out we’ve spoken. So, do you agree to the terms?’
‘It’s a lot of money,’ she said.
Mantel waved his hand dismissively. ‘Money isn’t a concern, The fact that someone is taking it from me is.’
‘Is it clean?’
He laughed again. ‘DI Goodwin, I’d not be offering it to you if it wasn’t.’
Above them, coming from upstairs, was a bang and Mantel watched as Clara jumped.
‘It’s okay, just one of my staff staying in the flat upstairs to keep an eye on the place.’
‘Will he be joining us?’ she asked.
‘No, this arrangement is strictly between you and me.’
He watched her weigh it up. ‘How will I know you have made the deposits?’
‘Each transaction will be for a set amount, £500, and the name will begin with B and the surname will start with a C. I’ll put £500 across now, so you can see what I mean.’
‘Why BC?’
‘Bent Copper,’ Mantel said, smiling at Clara. ‘There, £500 has gone across now, from Mr Barry Clark.’
He turned the screen and watched as Clara squinted to read it.
‘I’ll do it.’
‘Good, though I have to ask, DI Goodwin, why the sudden change of heart? You wouldn’t be trying to stitch me up, now, would you?’
‘My baby is currently in hospital and I have less than a week to raise the money I need for her treatment in the US. This isn’t about you, I just want to save my child.’
‘You and your husband, what a complicated relationship you now have.’
‘Leave him out of this.’
‘I will if you will,’ Mantel said.
‘I need to know what’s been taken so far.’
‘My café and the club both had money taken that I haven’t disclosed to the police.’
‘Why not?’
‘I think you know why not. I am in debt because of your husband’s raid.’
‘He is just doing his job.’
‘I don’t bear George a grudge, I just wish he would piss off.’
‘Who do you owe?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Sorry?’
‘They remain anonymous. I’ve always worked this way. I do things for my clients, they reward me financially. It’s a system that’s worked for a number of years. We’ve never had a problem.’
‘Until now.’
‘Yes, until now.’
‘Is it a new client?’
‘Yes.’
‘And they aren’t happy you lost their drugs and cash?’ Clara said.
‘Exactly. I have asked for time; they clearly haven’t wanted to grant it.’
‘I see. How much did you lose?’
‘Just shy of sixty.’
‘How much have they taken back?’
‘Fifteen or so.’
‘So, they will likely come back for more. That’s why you need me to profile them?’
‘Again, it’s not about the money,’ Mantel said, enjoying the fact that the copper in front of him was growing into her role. He had allowed her to have the power in the conversation so she could feel like she wasn’t doing too much wrong. That she still had choices. It was all a lie, of course. This made Clara Goodwin just as much of a criminal as he was, and he owned her now.
‘If it’s not about money, what is it about then?’
‘It’s about the message,’ he replied, locking his phone and putting it back in his pocket. ‘If I allow someone to rob me, unpunished, what does that tell everyone? Sixty quid, or sixty thousand, the number doesn’t matter. What I do about it does.’
‘And what will you do when I find them?’
‘Send a message back.’
‘I can’t be included in anything if someone is going to get hurt.’
‘No, I don’t want to hurt anyone.’
‘What about Hunter?’
‘That wasn’t me,’ he said, holding Clara’s gaze, knowing she didn’t believe him. ‘I just want whoever it is to know I won’t be intimidated.’
‘Where do you want me to start?’ Clara asked quietly.
‘Take this,’ Mantel said, pulling a phone from his pocket and handing it to her. ‘Only person it calls is me, no one else. Got it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Keep it out of sight.’
‘You don’t need to tell me.’
Mantel smiled. ‘Start with finding out what your husband knows, who he thinks is involved.’
‘I’ll not do anything illegal, and I won’t compromise my husband.’
‘I’m not asking you to, I just want you to listen.’
‘I will need a list of everyone in your employment, past and present.’
‘I’m already looking into this.’
‘You want my help or not?’
Mantel nodded and sat back in his chair, again allowing her to believe she still had some of the power. ‘I’ll get the list to you.’
‘I’m going back to my daughter soon. When the list comes through, I’ll get to work.’
Mantel didn’t reply. It was clear the conversation was over, and not waiting for him to dismiss her, Clara left the way she’d come, the burner phone in her hand.
Mantel had two officers in his pocket now, and he felt this one would be of more use than the first. DI Clara Goodwin was now a bent copper. The only way he liked them.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Clara
Mum was waiting for me anxiously when I got home from my meeting with Mantel. I had been gone longer than I thought so I smiled to reassure her I was fine. Kicking off my shoes and dropping my bag beside them, I followed her into the kitchen. She noticed I was walking a little slower than usual.
‘Love, you okay?’
‘Yeah, just tired.’
‘How did it go?’
‘If I help him, he will give us twenty-five thousand.’
‘Twenty-five! Jesus, what does he want you to do?’
‘Just find someone for him.’
‘And then what?’
‘That’s it, just a name,’ I said, leaning against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, my head low. Mum poured the water, added milk, wrung the bag and then handed me my mug.
‘Have you heard from George?’ I asked.
‘Yes, everything was fine. I told him you were asleep. Want me to message him again?’
‘No, I’ll message him later, make it look like I’ve slept.’ I yawned.
‘When did you last sleep?’
‘It’s been a while.’
‘You need to rest.’
‘How can I?’ I asked.
‘I don’t know.’
Mum and I drank our teas and fell into a weary silence.
‘Clara, I’m worried about this. I mean, twenty-five is a lot for just one name? Aren’t you worried there will be some strings attached?’
‘Yes,’ I answered honestly. ‘But, it’s a risk I have to take.’
‘Yeah. It is,’ she agreed and I smiled. I was so glad to have her in my corner.
‘Mum, when I go back to the hospital, would you mind if I took your car?’
‘No, of course not. Do you want me to come?’
‘No, stay here, get some sleep.’
Despite wanting to go back to Tabatha’s side straight away, Mum told me I couldn’t leave until I rested, as I would be no good to her if I was sick, or crashed the car due to tiredness. So reluctantly, I took myself to bed and drifted off. Mum was asleep in an armchair when I woke, so I took her car keys and left the flat. As I made my way along the quiet roads, I knew that I had to make another video, to put my face out there again, to try and go viral once more, to speak to more papers, and radio stations. If I got the money promised from Mantel, if I found him that name, we would be only seventy-five thousand from our target. We might actually do it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
George
I couldn’t quite articulate my gratitude towards the staff on the night shift. Despite being a key worker myself, struggling through the past few years without a break or much thanks, I knew the NHS staff couldn’t have done more.
Through the night and into the early morning, every time someone came in to check Tabatha’s vitals, they offered tea, asked if I was warm enough, reassured me she was okay, and I should get some sleep. But of course, I couldn’t sleep. I wanted to be there for her when she woke up. I owed her that, and so much more. So despite the hours of sitting in an uncomfortable chair, despite how tired I was feeling, how the beeps and sounds of the hospital were strangely hypnotic, I forced myself to stay awake, keeping my attention on my little girl. I was just glad that I could do my bit and that Clara was getting some much-needed rest. She’d done so much lately, especially with driving the fundraising efforts. I always knew she was a strong woman, it was part of the reason I loved her, but she was even tougher than I could have imagined, a hero to our family. She was forward-thinking, decisive, brave. I just wished I could tell her as much. I wanted to, but I couldn’t, and I didn’t know why.
Clutching my fourth or fifth cup of coffee, I watched the sun rise. The day looked like it would be warm, the kind of day you packed up and went to the seaside or found a country park to explore. I had no doubt hundreds of families would be doing exactly that. I wondered if they understood how lucky they were. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts, lost in something other than the life we were living that I didn’t hear someone approaching until I was gently tapped on the shoulder. It made me jump. I turned to see Clara smiling.
‘You’re back?’ I said.
‘Yeah, I didn’t want to be away for too long.’
‘How did you get here?’
‘I borrowed Mum’s car.’
‘And you’ve slept?’
‘I have, but as soon as I woke, I wanted to be here.’ Clara said, placing a kiss on Tabs’ forehead before sitting on the other side of the bed to me. ‘How is she?’
