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“Couldn’t tell you, we don’t socialize much. But one or two of them have come into the shop to see him.”
“What are they like, his friends?”
“Pretty much like him. Not the best dressers in the world. Some of them don’t have jobs, but they still do okay. Beats me, that one.”
“None of them seem unusual?”
“In what way?”
“Pushy, threatening behaviour? Are they all there?”
“Most of them seem pretty normal. Some of them are what I’d call ‘out of his league’.”
“What do you mean?”
“Suited and booted. One comes to mind, well dressed, a bit flash, big car. I’ve seen the casual exchange of money. I turned a blind eye. I suppose it’s his little problem, but I think things are under control now. He doesn’t like to talk about it, and I don’t push him.”
“Do you know his name, this friend who’s out of his league?”
“I’ve heard the name ‘Lance’, that’s all.”
Gardener made a mental note to pursue that one. He had to mean Lance Hobson. Gardener intended to track that man down.
“A little problem?” pushed Reilly, sitting a little more to attention.
“Yes, Mr Reilly. We all have them. It was one of the reasons his close family disowned him a few years back. They couldn’t cope with the shame. Chucked him out. I suspected things got worse. I do know he spent a bit of time in prison, but they do say you shouldn’t do the crime if you can’t do the time. I squared up one or two of the debts, and then took him under my wing. I think it’s all behind him now. He’s got it under control.”
“Let me get this straight,” said Reilly. “You know what he’s up to, yet you turn a blind eye?”
Gardener had to admit he was surprised. Armitage had seemed as straight as a die. He figured they would learn something, but he never expected a revelation of such magnitude.
Reilly pushed on. “You employed him, put a roof over his head, practically gave him everything he needed to operate, and you call it a little problem?”
“Well, what would you call it, Mr Reilly? We all make mistakes. Learning from them is the important thing.”
“Selling drugs to school children is classed as a mistake in your books, is it?”
“Drugs?” Armitage said.
It was the second time Gardener had seen such an emotional response. He now realized that they had not been talking about the same thing. So, what the hell was the other problem?
“Who’s talking about drugs?” asked Armitage.
“We are,” said Reilly. “What are you talking about?”
“Gambling.”
“Gambling?” repeated Gardener.
“Yes, Mr Gardener, gambling. Our Alex has a betting addiction. Horses, dogs, online bingo, you name it, he’ll put money on it. Like I said, I squared up one or two of the debts and then gave him a home and a job, which is why I thought it was under control.”
Gardener suddenly wasn’t so sure that Armitage would be able to take what they were going to say.
“Would you care to elaborate on this drugs business?” asked Armitage. “Are you going to tell me something that I need to prepare myself for?”
The moment had come.
“Mr Armitage,” said Gardener, softly. “I’m afraid I do have some bad news for you. There has been an incident in the shop, and it does involve your nephew Alex.”
