Something More To Say (The DI Jimmy Bliss Crime Series Book 12) by Tony J Forder

Author:Tony J Forder [Forder, Tony J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-07T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-NINE

Bliss had promised to meet Chandler afterwards to bring her up to date and found her in the Charters Bar barge on the river just outside her apartment knocking back a cocktail of some description judging by the fruit, multi-coloured straw, and tiny umbrella sprouting from the glass. He bought himself a pint of Green Devil, the strongest and tastiest of their Oakham Ales, then joined his friend at her table. A cool wind blew in off the river, which had customers reaching for jackets or cardigans.

‘What on earth is that you’re busy getting on the outside of?’ he asked after knocking back a good quarter of his own beer.

Chandler held her drink up for closer inspection. ‘A Long Island iced tea,’ she revealed.

Bliss grunted. ‘I’m betting the one thing it lacks is tea.’

‘And you’d be right. It’s tequila, triple sec, vodka, gin, rum, lemon, and cola.’

‘What the hell is triple sec when it’s at home?’

‘It’s an orange liqueur.’ She smacked her lips. ‘Tasty.’

He turned away. ‘Ugh. Sounds disgusting.’

‘No more than that pint of chemicals and water you’re putting away, my cockney friend.’

‘I’ll have you know this is chock full of hops and wheat and various golden delights.’ He belched as if to end the topic with a definite full stop.

They fell into a low conversation. Bliss fed her the basics on the meeting he’d just come from, explaining that the gold group had arranged to discuss it more fully first thing the following morning.

‘What’s the best either side can expect from all this?’ Chandler asked.

He nodded pointedly. ‘I’ve asked myself the same thing. I know what we want out of it, but I can’t help but wonder why Karagiannis would expose himself to us at this critical juncture. But then again, will there ever be a better time? At the moment, he gets to stare us down without fear of repercussions. As a result, he’s able to speak freely. Now that I’ve met him, I’m positive there’s no way he’s expecting to get much out of this other than his minimal demands. And I think that’ll be enough. Basically, he’s letting us know some tough negotiations will be going on in the background and if we’re able to steer clear then we might yet avoid further outbreaks of violence.’

‘In other words, he’s suggesting police interference might jeopardise a peaceful transition.’

‘That’s about the gist of it, yeah. As for the stated inducements and intimidation, I can hazard a guess.’

Chandler nodded. ‘I think we all can. Essentially, a bung to walk away. A one-off payment, or maybe a monthly premium to basically do nothing but stick money in a safe to top up the old pension pot. All backed by a show of power and threats to steamroller them if they don’t step aside. Will that work do you think?’

‘That will probably boil down to the kind of money he offers. It also depends on the level of intimidation he rises to or threatens. The way I see it, Samantha Phillips knows Soke is small fry.

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