Sharp Turn - Marianne Delacourt [56]
I got no visible reaction to that so I tried something else.
‘Hey, I do know you – I remember now. Mr Hardwick, isn’t it?’
Shakes’ red aura turned scarlet and I smelled sulphur rolling off him in waves. Now there was something.
‘No, it isn’t. Now I’m rather busy. Run along.’ Outwardly he still seemed calm, but his body energy was giving off lightning flashes. I made a mental note of it and left.
Things seemed to be going smoothly in Team Bennett’s garage. Frank Farina gave me a cheerful wave and called out that he’d have the usual and be by to pick it up at about twelve. The general energy inside was all good so I moved on.
The energy in the Riley garage was a stark contrast. Dave, the mechanic, and Old Man Riley were getting into it and didn’t even pause when I showed up.
‘Who the fuck said you could order these chains from Tex-E?’
‘They’re better than the crap ones we’ve been using,’ said Dave.
‘I don’t fucking care what you fucking think. I pay the fucking bills and your fucking wages. I make the fucking decisions about suppliers!’
I cleared my throat and they both turned.
‘What are you fucking staring at?’ Riley barked at me.
A guy who looked identical to Riley Senior, only fifteen kilos lighter, emerged from behind several huge cardboard boxes and put a calming hand on the older man’s shoulder. ‘Dad, get a grip.’
Riley looked like he might turn on his son but he roped in his rage and stalked off in the direction of the track.
‘Hey, sorry about that,’ said Gig Riley, watching his father depart.
‘People seem to do a lot of apologising for your dad,’ I said tartly.
‘He’s a passionate man. Afraid it comes with the territory.’
‘That’s no excuse for being rude.’
Riley Junior laughed and his aura stayed mellow. He held out his hand. ‘I’m Gig.’
Like Lu Red and Frank Farina, he was a foot shorter than me and a light wiry build.
I shook his hand. ‘Hear that you’re pretty quick on the tar.’
‘Yeah, well, I love what I do so I try to do it well,’ he said with a smile.
His aura had hardly changed in response to my compliment. Even if he couldn’t care less what I thought, his ego was well and truly in check. Whoever was threatening Bolo, I doubted it was Gig Riley.
‘Good luck on Sunday then,’ I said, turning to go.
He nodded. ‘Thanks.’
At the Moto-Sane garage, Bolo was deep in conversation with Clem at the back of the bay. I couldn’t hear what they were saying but something told me it wasn’t about motorbikes. Lu Red was nowhere to be seen. The only other person around was Wal, who was sitting on a drum and leaning against the corner of the roller door, fast asleep. I glanced about. No one seemed to be watching so I gave his leg a swift kick.
He woke with a start and blinked a couple of times. ‘Boss?’
‘Wal! You’re supposed to be watching him!’
‘Sorry, boss, damn meds have worn off.’
‘Then take some more. He’s paying you for this.’
He rubbed his eyes, yawned and began digging around in his pockets for his pills.
‘What’s going on in there?’ I asked, peering in.
‘Bin arguin’ for a while. Dunno what about, but neither of them’s too happy.’
I got out my phone and pretended to be taking Wal’s order while I watched them. Their auras were blurry and agitated.
‘You have any trouble last night after I left?’ I asked.
‘Nah. Checked all the windows and doors. Did a few loops of the house, couldn’t see nothin’.’ His face brightened. ‘He’s got a cook. Best bacon and hash browns I ever ate this morning.’
I thought of Cass. I’d miss her cooking when she left.
‘Also, boss, I called a local promoter I know from band days. He reckons Instant Security is full of ex-crims and gym junkies.’
‘That’s not so surprising, I s’pose.’
‘You’re gonna love who the silent partner in the business is though.’
‘Who?’
‘Viaspa.’
I felt sick.
Chapter 19
I WALKED THE LENGTH of home straight trying to calm down. Wal’s information put a strong probability of a connection between Leonard Roc and Viaspa but not proof. I needed more.
The marshal was out on his safety loop, making sure there