Free Death on High (The Lakeland Murders) by J J Salkeld

press the point.
     
    Hall and Jane sat in his car afterwards. He knew what was coming.
    ‘Where did that stuff about the Super come from Andy?’
    ‘It was him who changed my mind about following up on this Jane. He marked my card about Harrison, but he didn’t tell me that he’d had dealings with him outside their church. I had to find that out for myself.’
    Jane thought that he sounded slightly annoyed, but she might have been imagining it.
    ‘So what now? I suppose some people who don’t like heights die from falls, but I bet it’s uncommon.’
    ‘I agree. And friend Willis looks like he’s in for an insurance payout and a timely reduction in their headcount too.’
    ‘So young, yet so cynical.’
    ‘It’s the job Jane. I promise you I’d be a proper little ray of sunshine otherwise.’
    Hall started the engine, flicked the wipers on to maximum speed, and set off slowly for the office.
     
     
     
    By half-two Mann was struggling. The wet and the cold didn’t bother him, he’d known much worse, but his back was starting to spasm, and a couple of his blisters were bleeding all over the fenceposts. But there were only a couple left on the trailer, and hardly any wire fencing, so he reckoned they were nearly there. The two men barely spoke as they worked, but they’d gradually become faster, or maybe the ground was a bit softer now.
     
    The rain had stopped by the time they’d finished, and Brockbank handed over the cash when they got back in the cab.
    ‘Aren’t you going to count it?’
    ‘I’ll trust you.’
    ‘You sure that’s wise? We might get back and find I’ve had your car nicked.’
    Mann laughed. ‘Fancy a drink?’
    ‘Just a quick one. I’m paying mind.’
     
    They drove back to the pub and Mann moved around in the seat, trying to stop his back hurting.
    ‘Old war wound?’
    ‘Something like that. I’ll be fine.’
     
    The pub had only just opened, and they were the only ones in there. Other than changing their boots and leaving their coats in the Land Rover they looked like two men who had spent a hard day working on the fells. But the barman didn’t comment as he poured their pints.
    ‘So would you be up for more work, if I came by it like?’
    ‘Yes. What did you have in mind?’
    Brockbank sipped his drink, and carefully put it back down.
    ‘Decent drop that. How would you feel about a bit of night work?’
    It took Mann a couple of seconds to realise what Brockbank meant.
    ‘You mean something that we wouldn’t be able to do during the day?’
    ‘Exactly. It wouldn’t be a good idea at all.’
    Mann nodded. He took his time before answering.
    ‘It would depend on what it was like, but yes, I reckon I’m in.’
    Brockbank nodded. ‘Leave it with me. Might be a few days. There’d be a bit of driving. And you know about security, don’t you Gary?’
    ‘You bet. What would I be looking after?’
    ‘It would be my security my old marrer.’ Brockbank drained his glass. ‘Now do you fancy another, or do you need to get off?’
    ‘I better get off. But it was good to be outside working again. I’d forgotten how much I missed it.’
    ‘I better get back too. You’ll need to do something to your hand though. You’re bleeding all over that pint pot.’
     
     
    That evening Mann couldn’t face going to the pub. In fact he could barely get out of the bath. He took some painkillers, cooked pasta for two and ate the lot. Then he called Hall and brought him up to speed.
    ‘That’s brilliant Ian, great work. And you’re sure that Brockbank hasn’t tumbled you?’
    ‘I’m fine, I’m sure of it. I’ve not had to act, pretend I’m anybody I’m not. And he’s a sharp lad, very bright.’
    ‘Be careful, that’s all. It’s the clever villains you need to watch, and God knows they’re rare enough. So what do you reckon this job might be?’
    ‘Farm machinery theft or metals maybe? He hasn’t asked me if I’m any good with animals, so I doubt it’s that.