Free Shadows of Deceit by Patrick Cotter Page B

time.”
    The men said their farewells to Michael and left for Glasgow. Harry travelled with Dermot again. Half way back he had the driver stop the car,
    “Time for piss again. Help me out Harry.”

Chapter 6
    The next day Harry continued collecting rents and in the late afternoon he travelled across town by bus to Andrew’s flat.
    “Come on up Harry,” Andrew called down.
    Harry climbed the stairs and entered. He found Andrew slouched on the settee in his dressing gown reading a book.
    “Good to see you again.”
    “Have you been lying here all day?”
    “Such friendliness! Such cordiality! Not ‘How are you Andrew?’ As a matter of fact, no I haven’t. I came in about an hour ago and had a bath.”
    “You came from Edinburgh?”
    “Yes, and before you scold me I did try and contact you yesterday before you met up with Dermot.”
    “It wasn’t just Dermot I met though was it?”
    “That’s what I was going to warn you about. I did honestly try and contact you to tell you about Darlath being there. The thing is I also tried to contact him, to warn him that you would likely be there, but again without success. He was in meetings all day. I knew that you wouldn’t say anything but I…”
    “OK, OK. I believe you, but you’re playing with fire aren’t you, bedding Dermot’s son? He’ll rip you to pieces if he finds out. How long has this been going on?”
    Andrew paused and re-arranged the cushions before continuing,
    “It’s about a year now and as long as it’s kept quiet then nobody will be hurt. As for Dermot, he knows his son travels frequently between Ireland and here and stays at expensive hotels paid for by the Dail Eireann. He doesn’t suspect that he often stays here. Believe me I do know the potential danger.”
    “Look Andrew, if at any time Dermot does find out then it won’t have been through me snitching. You’ve just got to be really careful. What about Darlath’s friends or colleagues? Are they likely to say anything?”
    “No, no -one in Ireland knows about us and certainly none of his colleagues at the Dail offices do. He could be dismissed if they found out. We both fully understand the precariousness of the picture.”
    “O.k. lets change the subject. First, here’s the money and book from today’s collections.” Harry handed over a small satchel.
    “Next let’s talk about the discussions last night. Have you heard from Dermot yet?”
    “Yes, he called about half an hour ago. He asked me to apologise to you for the reception you received at Michael’s.”
    “Oh you mean ‘Steve the slitter’. Who the hell does he think he is?
    And the next person on my list to visit today is Eileen, so much for her good nature.”
    “Don’t be too annoyed with her. Eileen’s a special one, be gentle. She’s a bit protective of Dermot. Anyway, it’s through her that you got to meet the crew earlier than I’d arranged.”
    “Talking of crew, who’s Michael?”
    Andrew smiled before replying,
    “Ah Michael, a sad case. He rents the cottage from Dermot but I don’t think he’s being charged for staying there. He’s an old friend of Dermot and my father from many years ago. Another ex-policeman I’m afraid. He was in the Garda in Dublin for a couple of years and then took a civilian job with them afterwards. He was reliable in providing information to Dad until he was retired by the force. He had nowhere to go so Dermot brought him over. Dermot uses him for lorry driving now and again.”
    “So he just looks after the cottage and gardens?”
    “That’s it really. He’s a very private individual and is quite content to remain there on his own.”
    “Why did he only stay a couple of years in the Police, was he injured or something?”
    “Ah no. No. You’ll laugh when I tell you: you see Michael is afraid of the dark; always has been.”
    “You’re jok…You’re not are you?”
    “’Fraid not, I’m telling the truth.”
    “I’ve never heard of a policeman being