A Darker Shade of Blue by John Harvey Read Free Book Online

‘Mama Liked the Roses’. Somehow he kept working into his sixties, mostly doing pantomime, trotting out his father’s old routines at the likes of Mansfield and Hunstanton.
    Oh, no, it isn’t!
    Oh, yes, it is!
    He bought an old farmhouse between Newark and Nottingham. Retired, more or less.
    Malkin phoned Michaels that evening, wanting to make sure he was still on board; asked a few questions about Wayne’s friends. Something Wayne’s pal, Jermaine, had claimed at the trial, that they’d been out to Silver’s place before and he’d told them come back any time. Did Michaels think there was any truth in that?
    Michaels had no bloody idea.
    â€˜Besides,’ Michaels said, ‘what difference if there was?’
    None, Malkin told him. None at all.
    â€˜Too bloody right,’ Michaels said. ‘Dead is fucking dead.’
    The phone rang and before Will could reach it, Helen had snatched it up. Coat buttoned up against the cold, she had just come in from outside.
    â€˜Lorraine,’ she said, passing the phone swiftly across.
    Will’s throat went dry and his stomach performed a double somersault, but all his wife wanted was to remind him to pick up an extra pint of milk on his way home if possible. Will assured her he’d do what he could.
    â€˜No news?’ Helen asked, once he’d set down the phone.
    â€˜No news.’
    â€˜Well, I’ve got something.’
    â€˜You’re not pregnant, too?’
    â€˜Chance would be a fine thing.’
    Will stood back and looked her over. ‘You want to get pregnant?’
    â€˜You’re offering?’
    He grinned. It was a good grin, took maybe ten years off his age and he knew it. ‘Not today.’
    â€˜Damn!’ Helen smiled back. She liked flirting with him; it was something they did. Somehow it helped them along; kept them, Helen sometimes thought, from ever getting close to the real thing.
    â€˜You want to tell me your news?’ Will said.
    â€˜You know that expanse of water the other side of Ely? Close to the railway line?’
    â€˜I think so.’
    â€˜These kids were out there the day Fraser was killed. Late morning. They’d taken a makeshift toboggan, thinking the water might have frozen over, but it hadn’t. Just a little at the edges maybe, but that’s all. Not worth taking any risks; near the centre it’s pretty deep.’
    Will nodded, waiting, perched on the edge of a desk. She’d get to it in her own time.
    â€˜While they were there, the Nottingham train went through. They didn’t know it was that, but I’ve checked. One of the boys swears he saw someone throwing an object from the window between the carriages. Just for a moment, he thought it looked like a gun.’
    â€˜How old? This kid, how old is he?’
    â€˜Nine? Ten?’
    â€˜You think he’s any way reliable?’
    â€˜According to his mother, he’s not the kind to make things up.’
    â€˜Why’s he only come forward now?’
    â€˜Mentioned it to his mum at the time. She didn’t think anything of it till she saw something about the investigation on the local news.’
    â€˜You know what the boss is going to say. Divers don’t come cheap.’
    â€˜Not even if they’re our divers?’
    â€˜Not even then.’
    â€˜Think you can persuade him?’
    â€˜What else have we got?’
    â€˜So far? Diddly-squat.’
    â€˜Why don’t I tell him that?’
    *
    â€˜ Instant Tanning ’ read the sign in the window. ‘ Manicure, Pedicure ’ in similar lettering below. ‘ Top Notch Beauty Salon ’ above the door. Lisa was sitting on the step outside, pink tunic, sandals, tights, smoking a cigarette.
    Malkin crossed towards her and as he came close she glanced up and then away.
    â€˜Busy?’ Malkin said.
    She looked at him through an arc of smoke. ‘Takin’ the piss, right?’
    By