A Shot In The Night (John Harper Series Book 2) (17 page)

With
Camille gone, I was once again alone and, with my full pint, decided to wander
into the arena.  After passing through security which consisted of one ticket
girl and two extremely large men, neither of whom had a visible neck, I could
get a better look at the location.  It was a large sports hall that had
dividing netting halfway across the space and a very high roof that still
somehow had a variety of balls stuck in the rafters.  Stands had been arranged
in a roughly octagonal shape with two sides missing.  One of the empty sides
backed onto the far wall next to an emergency exit, but in front of the doors,
in what I could only imagine was a clear breach of fire safety, rows of VIP
tables and seats stood facing the ring.  The other missing side was for a
runway to the ring, at the other end of which was a small stage with
advertisers logos hung on for pre and after fight photographs.

Everything
looked rather professional however the lighting was not ideal for the event
with heavy spotlights on the sides which obstructed views for some of the fans
and a large amount of the enormous hall was left empty.  Still, for a
grassroots sort of event I was impressed.  I’d been to a number of pugilistic
bouts that had been nowhere close to as organised as this one and a couple that
hadn’t even been inside.  Luckily this tournament was more civilised. Well, at
least they were wearing gloves.

There
were no allocated seat numbers so I just picked one low in the centre of the
nearest middle stand.  The first couple of fights I watched were more junior
competitors still wearing heavily padded shinguards.  However the intensity was
still evident.  After the juniors, there were some more experienced combatants,
bruising heavyweights that were more boxers than Muay Thai fighters.  Their
brutal swings brought some gasps and cheers from the crowd and when one of the
dropped to the canvas the whole ring shook.

I
hadn’t seen Fraser or Tony but no doubt they would be busy networking and
preparing fighters.  As that thought entered my head, they appeared flanking
one young man who stared ahead, eyes fixated on the ring as rap music played
him in.  I didn't hear who he was nor did I know who the opponent glaring
across at him from the opposite side of the ring was but it didn't take away
from enjoyment of watching the fight.  The two combatants battling for five
solid rounds made me thankful I had only had to face Micky for three.  It ended
with a unanimous victory for Fraser's charge which was greeted by deafening
cheers for the local fighter.

The
next event was quickly announced as a British title bout and I was debating
getting up for another drink and to see if I could speak to Fraser when a well
dressed gentleman sat next down next to me with a heavy sigh, “You'll want to
watch this fight.”

I
turned to look at the man who was well tanned with short grey to white hair
that was just longer than stubble.  He had light blue eyes the colour of
glacial ice that hadn't left the ring.  His suit was black and well tailored
over a white shirt and shoes that shined enough that I could see my reflection
in them.   I recognised authority when I saw it and a sinking feeling in my
stomach confirmed this when I looked around to see four men, all well dressed,
but without enough forethought to be wearing jackets that adequately concealed
their hidden weapons or maybe they just didn't care.  Nodding towards the ring
I asked, “Why, have you seen either of these fighters before, Saul?”

“No,
I've just heard of their reputations Mister Harper,” the infamous drug kingpin
said to me without missing a beat, in a gravelly voice that sounded like it was
forged from years of heavy smoking, “This kid here, Hawksworth he's from
Liverpool, but fights out of a Wigan gym.  Undefeated and got a real fire in
his belly, even managed to win over in Thailand.”

“Must
be pretty good.”

“It's
all about the hunger and desire.  If you've got it you can go far.”

“I
take it that's the mantra you live by.”

Saul
turned to look at me, “Something like that.  So, Mister Harper, how goes your
investigation?”

“No
offence, but what interest is it to you how my investigation is progressing?” I
said treading a fine line.

He
pursed his lips for a moment’s reflection before returning his attention to the
ring, “I may not live in the city any more, Harper, but I still pay attention
to what goes on.  Innocent citizens are dying on the streets and some people
think that I am some way involved.  I’d rather my innocence was proved.”

I
realised he was talking about Camille and it became clearer as to why she had
left earlier in such a rush; she must have recognised Saul when he arrived and
made herself scarce just in case, “And you're not involved?”

“From
what I've heard about you, Harper, you're a smart man; why would I be involved
in killing people in anyway?”

“Sometimes
that's just how the business works.”

He
laughed, which was somehow more menacing than the four armed men surrounding
me, “You're quite right but I try to run a tight operation.  I actively support
a more open approach with rivals than a violent one.”

“Whilst
ensuring that you are isolated from any issues by not being in the country and
having legitimate businesses.”

That
elicited another short laugh which turned into a cough.  I could see out of the
corner of my eye that he was smiling but refused to be drawn into looking at
the man, instead watching the fight and the impressive Hawksworth who dominated
the first round with an unerring aggressive approach, “I see you have done some
research then.”

“As
have you.  I don't think you're involved in any overt way here.  The climate
itself, which you have fostered, is more likely the cause.”

“Still
sounds like I'm getting the blame for these deaths.”

“Are
you sure that's not your own personal guilt?”

Saul
abruptly swivelled to face me, “Listen here Harper I have no guilt over any
deaths, be they by my hand or not.  When I grew up on these streets, you did
what was needed to get by and that hasn't changed one bit.  We're left to our
own devices and we have to make do whatever way we can.”

I
judged the anger in his voice and yet it did not stop my approach to handling
him, “You're not here anymore.  Just like any other rich Scouser, you move
away, turn your back on the people.  Doesn't take long to look up rich and
famous Liverpudlians who don't live in the city once they make it big.”

“You're
right,” he said which surprised me, especially how his tone shifted and he
slowly went back to watching the next round of the fight, “The thing is I do it
out of necessity.”

It
was my turn to laugh.  This man who elicited such fear in the people I had met
and others in the area was not the first drug dealer I'd encountered or dealt
with, he probably wasn't even the richest but everyone had to be treated
differently.  Some like to be the biggest in the room and are overly aggressive,
others have delusions of grandeur believing themselves smarter than the rest. 
Yes, it was intimidating knowing that there were armed men around me and back
when I was in the force I doubt he would have approached me directly but it was
a new experience and one I was sadly enjoying, “I guess it is out of necessity
you are here tonight then or are you here to support Fraser?”

“Max
doesn't need my support, I'd doubt the old bastard would accept it anyway. 
That man scared the crap out of me when I was growing up.”

“The
man speaks highly of you.  Like the son he never had sort of defence of your
character.”

I
thought I was doing well making the man laugh yet again, “Fraser saying
something nice about me? I doubt it.  I never really knew my old fella.  He
pissed off the wrong people and ended up being dragged out the Mersey a bloated
corpse.  Just another one of those men who fell through the cracks after the
war.  Came back with training and a gun and no other skills, what else is he
gonna do to put food on the table than try a few blags.”

“So
you decided to go into the family business?”

Saul
gave me a sly look as if to decide whether I was being witty or actually
insulting him, “You could say that.  That's how I ended up in Fraser's gym.  I
was too young and stupid to realise that a gym like that wasn't going to have a
lot of cash on the premises.  Went in with a gun my dad brought home from the
Army and next minute it was getting ripped out of my hands and I was on the
floor with a broken nose.”

“Sounds
about right for Fraser.”

“It
wasn't him.  Tony taught me more than he ever did, he was the one who took the
weapon away from me and said he would give it back when I earned it.  I went
that gym everyday for the next five years trying to prove myself and get my hands
on it.  By the end I was going more for the boxing than the gun,” he said
reminiscing, his eyes looking out and beyond the ring and back to his days in
the gym.

“Must
have been a big day when you finally got it back,” I said trying to placate his
worries about my intentions a little.

“Funny,
this is the first time I've talked about all that in years and you know what I
don't think I ever did get it back.  By the time I stopped going the gym I
could get a gun easy.  I tried not to use them but easier said then done, eh.”

I
nodded, “So I guess you are here for business.”

“In
a way.  There's a lot of friction at the moment.  People don't trust each other
and from my sources I've heard that some of the less level headed members of
gangs are preparing for all out war.  Grenades are being passed around like
sweets to anyone and everyone and there's talk of contracts out.  The last
thing this city needs is another set of civilians being caught in the
crossfire.”

“And
the last thing your business needs is more police on the streets.”

“I'm
beginning to like you, Harper.  You say it as you see it, and since you're not
on the job any more I don't really have a problem speaking my mind in front of
you.  More busies on the beat make it more likely some product will get picked
up but they can't stop it all and it just gives the dealers a reason to
increase prices.  Basic economics in play.”

I
smiled and shook my head.  Although I'd for all intents and purposes given up
my badge it didn't mean that I wanted this man free from prison.  I might not
be the nicest of people but my morals are rather strong.  Still at the moment
Saul was the lesser of two evils; he wasn't threatening me away and although
the intelligent gangster routine wore on me I was willing to go down the rabbit
hole to help Tom Morrison, “So why are you speaking to me then?  Surely you've
got better things to be doing with your time, and I really don't buy the vested
interest in the city crap.”

“When
the first couple of bodies dropped it didn't bother me, why should it? Gangs
have wars, kids get clipped.  However when people I know get targeted because
they are easy game playing footie, I take note,” Saul gritted his teeth as he
spoke, his fists clenched tight as he rested them on his thighs.

“Which
is why you rang Fraser, to help out your friend.”

“Begrudgingly,
I rang Tony a couple of times but you know what the elderly are like with
phones, he never heard it or he was out at the pub.  I managed to get hold of
Fraser though and told him he would be doing me a big favour if he helped out. 
Probably saved the man's life.”

I
noted he didn't say who the man was even though Saul was apparently speaking
candidly in front of me, must be the old habits dying hard, “Another good
Samaritan.”

Hawksworth's
opponent slumped in his corner, bloodied after another brutal round where he
had done little against the experienced young fighter.  The respite in the
fight made Saul turn towards me, giving me his full attention, “You're a funny
man but don't push your luck.  I'm here talking to you because I want the
bastard who is shooting people caught.  When I spoke to Fraser, he mentioned
you'd been around.  Then I see you on the telly chasing down that nutter.  So I
think you are the best person to find this little prick.”

“There's
a whole police force doing the same thing.”

“Yeah,
I could buy my way in and find out what they know, or maybe I already have and
they have sod all.  No, I've looked into you and as much as I hate to say it
you seem to be a good copper.  Just find out who is doing this.”

“Then
what? Give him over to you so you can be the hero on the streets?  I've heard
the stories, the myths and legends you've let grow over the years.”

Saul
shook his head, “You think that I'm a bad man and with your experience there is
no surprise in that, but I do care what is going on for a business sake as well
as a sentimental attachment to this place.  You do what you need to do with
this scumbag but I want him gone.”

I
looked at the man and then back at the ring as the gears worked in my head. 
Saul just wanted the same thing I did but it could do no harm for me if he
thought I was helping him.  It would be a fine line to tread in the future but
having his support meant less to worry about from the locals and a step into
the circle of silence that the community was within could only help my
investigation, “Ok well if I'm working under your patronage, what does it
entail?”