Free The Blue Notes by J. J. Salkeld Page A

out of court if we tried to prosecute you for breaking in to a place like the foodbank in order to make a bloody donation.’
     
    Hood laughed, then put his hand to his face and winced. ‘I see your problem. But tell me one thing, detective. I know why those lads were there tonight, but what were you doing at the foodbank? I take it wasn’t a co-incidence, like?’
    ‘No it wasn’t. But if I told you how I knew you were there I’d have to kill you, and I reckon that might be easier said than done.’
    Hood smiled. ‘That depends, doesn’t it?’
    ‘On what?’
    ‘Whether or not you’ve got a gun, and then on whether you’re actually willing to use it. If not, then I’d not give much for your chances. Anyway, am I free to go, like?’
    ‘Not yet. Since we’re both on with question time now, why don’t you answer one of mine?’
    ‘I’ll have a go, like.’
    ‘Why? Why are you nicking diesel? And why from Baker’s?’
    ‘Because it’s mine, I reckon.’
    ‘Bloody hell, mate, how hard did they hit you on the head? How is it that your diesel was in their tanks?’
    ‘It happens, don’t you worry. The British government sent us squaddies out to Iraq because our oil was sitting under someone else’s sand, didn’t they? Well, this is much the same, I reckon.’
    ‘How do you work that out?’
    ‘Well, I’ve as good as won three or four decent contracts this last few months, but every time I’ve been told, at the last minute, that the client’s had a better offer. Sometimes from Baker’s, sometimes from one or two others. But we both know why that is. It’s intimidation, plain and simple.’
    ‘So you go round and help yourself to their diesel by way of compensation? Is that it?’
    ‘Aye, that’s it. Even things out a bit, like. Increase their cost base, and decrease mine.’
    ‘It’s still theft. More to the point, you do know that Dai Young will come after you now, don’t you?’
     
    Hood shook his head. ‘No, it won’t be him. It’ll just be his boys. Listen, Henry, are we done here? If you’re not going to nick me then can I just get off home? I’m back at work in four hours, and my face is a bit sore, mate.’
    ‘All right, aye. But I never found you on the premises, all right? You were already outside, and the gates of the foodbank were secure. That’s what I’ll put in my notebook. I spoke to you, out here, but that’s it.’
    ‘Aye, right.’
    ‘And I suppose I can’t persuade you to make a complaint against the two blokes who attacked you, can I?’
     
    Davey Hood was still laughing, even as Armstrong was climbing out of the cab. But he looked back in before he closed the door.
    ‘I don’t need to tell you that this little game of pass the diesel stops now, do I?’
    ‘No, I get that.’
    ‘Good. And you understand that I’m going to have to tell Pepper about this, don’t you?’
    ‘Now I am properly scared, like.’
     
    DC Armstrong stood on the pavement and watched Hood drive away. He shook his head thoughtfully. It was much too late to call Pepper Wilson, what with the kid and all, but he was certain that she’d want to know what he’d discovered. She’d probably bollock him heartily for not nicking Hood, and he told himself that the reason he hadn’t was because he couldn’t, rather than because he really didn’t want to. Not one bit, truth be told. He set off towards his flat, only a few minutes walk away, but he decided to go past Pepper’s house, which was just a few hundred yards further on. If there was light showing in the living room he’d knock quietly, he decided.
     
    When he reached the house the living room light was still on, and he was slightly disappointed. He’d much preferred to have gone straight home, even if it might have been hard to get to sleep. Pepper’s response to things like this was unpredictable at the best of times. He tapped on the window and she came to the door after a few seconds. He couldn’t tell if she was