Savage Night - Allan Guthrie [27]
Impossible that Liz had put on weight already, but that's what it looked like. Couple of pounds at least. Maybe she was just happy.
He took her hand and held it. "You're looking very sexy," he told her.
He'd almost polished off his beer by the time Effie returned, alone. "Martin okay?" Park asked.
Effie closed the door. "As okay as he can be. Have to keep an eye on him. He gets depressed sometimes."
"I've never seen him depressed."
"There's a lot you haven't seen. A lot you don't know. Squeeze up."
Park let go of Liz's hand and edged along. Effie sat next to him, tucked her legs under her bottom.
"Sod it." She reached for Park's beer. He gave it to her. She took a sip. "You've heard one story. You might as well hear the other." Another sip, emptied it. "When he was a kid, " she said, "Martin tried to hang himself."
Park had new information coming at him from all angles tonight.
"That's why he keeps his neck covered," she said. "Big scar from the rope burn. It still embarrasses him."
"Makes sense," he said. "I suppose. What happened?"
"All I know is he was only ten at the time. Didn't get it right. Not enough of a drop. His mum found him choking to death and cut him down. He says he was playing. It was an accident."
"You don't believe him?"
"I know when he's lying. It was deliberate. A cry for help."
"I need more beer," Park said. "You want one?"
She nodded.
Park grabbed two beers out of the fridge, removed the caps. Felt fine now. The nausea gone. Back in the sitting room, he handed a bottle to Effie.
She pressed it to her cheek, closed her eyes.
Park didn't want to talk about her boyfriend trying to hang himself twenty-odd years ago. Especially if Martin claimed it was an accident. Hell, that was his business. But Park did want to hear more about the murder. He asked her, "Anybody have any idea who killed Martin's dad?"
"Yeah. In fact, that's what I wanted to talk to you about." She opened her eyes, yawned. "I'm sorry. Looking after Mum's hard work. I'm out tomorrow, by the way. You'll have to watch her."
"Fine," Park said. "Carry on."
"This guy who arranged the hit on Martin's dad? Back then he was a dealer. Or a smuggler. Did a roaring trade in illegal cigarettes, apparently. Eventually made enough money to turn legit. Invested in property and made a fortune."
"Martin's dad's death was a hit?"
"Yep."
"And you're sure it was this dealer guy who put out the contract?"
"The bastard said he was going to have him killed. Told Martin's mum."
"Jesus. She tell that to the police?"
"Yeah, but he had an airtight alibi. Course he did. Wouldn't have wanted to get his hands dirty. Didn't do it himself. Like I said. It was a hit."
Park had an idea what was coming. Postponed it by asking, "And this was just because Martin's dad ripped him off?"
"Pure and simple. He wouldn't give them their money back. Claimed he knew nothing about it. But they were convinced it was him. He had access. Motive."
"It was just money, though? What a bunch of bastards. What's this dealer guy's name?"
She smiled at him. "Savage. Tommy Savage. And this isn't just a case of taking Martin's mum's word, Dad. You know how Richie used to tell me everything?"
He knew what was coming. Oh, yeah, he knew.
He swallowed more beer. His elder son had a lot to answer for. He was glad Richie was in prison, no access to beer. Best place for him. Park said, "You're saying your brother …?"
"I am."
"Does Martin know?"
"Course he doesn't." She smiled again. It didn't last. "I can't tell him my big brother took out his dad. I have to keep that a secret from him all the time. It's killing me."
Park shook his head. No, that wasn't something you could say to your betrothed. "Eff, how come Richie knew who'd hired him for the job? I'd have thought the names of the people taking out the …"
"Expurgations," she said.
"… aye, them, would only be known to the Spanish guy."
"Carlos?"
Park nodded. Not someone he'd ever met. But Carlos was the guy who set up the contracts for Richie. Took the orders, if you like. Arranged payments.