Death in July Read Free Page B

on his pint. Having sorted out his hearing, he was now chatting away to Sam like a long-lost friend, and to Sam's mixed feelings, he could certainly talk.
    'Yeah, met him in here in the early seventies. He was already a regular then, had been for many years. Everybody we knew back then has either passed on or moved away. I suppose that's life, isn't it? Did you say you're a relative?'
    'A family friend,' replied Sam. 'Although I hadn't seen him in a long time.'
    Harry nodded and drank another mouthful. Sam imagined his new companion was a lively one in his youth.
    'Yeah, well, people lose touch, don't they? Me and Geoffrey were both born and bred here in Newgate. Destined to spend our whole lives here, so we were. We had some good times, though. We used to go out as a foursome with our wives, dancing up town or taking in a film at the pictures.'
    Harry swished some drink around his mouth before swallowing it. Sam realised the old man was getting tipsy.
    'He was a good friend, was Geoffrey. A proud man who spoke his mind and didn't care what people thought. He had a temper on him, mind. He could fly off the handle just like that...'
    Harry tried clicking his fingers but missed. Sam got the point.
    'Did he make enemies because of it?'
    Harry shook his head sadly, stared out the window and murmured something indecipherable. Confusion had appeared on his face.
    'Harry, are you alright?'
    More shaking of the head. Disbelief in his eyes.
    'I still can't believe he took that way out...not Geoffrey...not like that...'
    Harry continued to gaze at nothing, struggling to comprehend the manner of his friend's passing.
    'Oi! I thought I told you not to upset anyone!'
    The barman had appeared next to the table. Arms folded, he stared at Sam in annoyance.
    It was clearly time to leave.
     
    ***
     
    Sam drove away mulling over his chat with Harry. He was so pre-occupied with his thoughts, he almost missed the fracas erupting outside Geoffrey's cottage. It was only the raised voices that caught his attention as he drove past. He looked in his rear-view mirror and saw a man confronting the same group of youngsters that had been there earlier. The kids weren't backing off. Insults were being traded. One of the taller youths stepped forward and shoved the man in the chest. Sam could see the situation was getting out of hand. He brought his car to a halt and stuck it in reverse.
    He stopped a few yards short of the commotion, where the unpleasant scene was deteriorating quickly. The man was being pushed backwards up Geoffrey's path, his eyes apprehensive as the youths taunted him. A fist suddenly shot out and missed his head by inches.
    Sam jumped out of the car.
    'Police!' he shouted.
    The youngsters turned in unison and glared at him. One or two had frenzied looks in their eyes. Some had lips curled up in snarls. All the faces dropped when they saw the badge Sam was holding up. Their fun was over.
    'Get out of here,' instructed Sam with quiet authority, slipping the badge back into his pocket, 'unless you want to end up in a cell tonight.'
    They shrugged their shoulders and trudged past him reluctantly. A couple of older lads stared at him as they passed. Sam stared back and held their gaze. The group ambled down the road, shouting half-hearted abuse. Sam ignored it, waited until they were out of sight, then turned his attention to the man. He was short and slim, about the same age as himself, early forties, with jet black hair and an easy-going face. Sam could see he was struggling to regain his composure.
    'Thanks, Officer,' he said weakly. 'Those kids are out of control.'
    'I'm not a policeman,' said Sam, 'but they don't know the difference between a PI's badge and a copper's. Not at a glance, anyway.'
    The two men smiled at each other. The stranger thrust out his hand.
    'My name's John Carr. I live next door.'
    Sam shook his hand. It was warm and clammy.
    'Pleased to meet you, John. I'm Sam Carlisle. Have that lot been causing you much