Page 375 of The Hallmarked Man

Robert Browning

Count Guido Franceschini

‘There’s a reason why we’re startin’ oot at seven a.m., is there?’ yawned Barclay, arriving at the garage where Strike kept his BMW the following morning. Barclay was holding a McDonald’s bag that smelled of bacon. Wardle, who’d arrived a couple of minutes earlier, was drinking a takeaway coffee.

‘Yeah, you two are going to go ahead and scope out the territory,’ said Strike. ‘My face and car have both been seen there, so I won’t be showing myself till after dark. You can drive us as far as the rental,’ he added, handing the car keys to Wardle. ‘Don’t want my leg seizing up if I have to fight.’

‘We can handle him, if it comes to that,’ said Wardle, walking around the car.

‘Neither of you are going to get involved in physical stuff unless it’s absolutely necessary,’ said Strike. ‘If I get caught, it’ll be a pain in the arse, because the police are already fucked off at me and I’ll be back in the news. But if a bloke who’s only just left the Met is caught breaking and entering, or my subcontractor who’s recently been arrested for climbing on roofs is done for assault, we’ll have far too high a percentage of the workforce whose names and mugs have been in the papers.’

‘Ah get car sick in the back,’ said Barclay gloomily, as Strike got into the front passenger seat.

‘You’ll be fine,’ said Strike, ‘unless they’ve shoved prawns in your Egg McMuffin.’

‘Ye can forget borrowin’ mah knuckledusters, if that’s yer attitude,’ said Barclay, drawing his long legs into the car.

119

… and again begin the quest!

Here, where the reaper was at work of late…

Matthew Arnold

The Scholar-Gypsy

‘Hi,’ said Midge, joining Robin at the end of Wild Court at a quarter to nine. The dull grey morning was chilly and Midge was wearing a scarf with her leather jacket, while Robin was regretting that she hadn’t put on a sweater. Both women were carrying large holdalls, and Robin smiled as Midge’s clinked.

‘Great minds,’ she said, adjusting her own on her shoulder.

‘Yeah, I brought most of my tool kit.’

They headed together into the alleyway, past the bins and the rear entrance to the Connaught Rooms.

‘How’re things with you?’ asked Robin, who hadn’t had a proper conversation with Midge in weeks.

‘Not bad. Did a bit of rebound shagging last night.’

‘Good for you,’ said Robin, feigning amusement, though ruptured relationships and hurt feelings were the last thing she wanted to think about right now.I’ve booked the restaurant at the Ritz… I’m giving you plenty of notice…‘Who’s the lucky woman?’

‘Name’s Ellen. She’s my second to last ex’s ex.’

‘Ah,’ said Robin.

‘Always thought she was hot. She’s got a fookin’ horrible cat, though.’

‘Really?’

‘It’s only got three legs,’ said Midge.

‘You can’t blame it for that,’ said Robin, thinking of Strike.

‘And only one eye.’

‘Still—’

‘And when it’s unhappy, it shits in the bath.’