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“Not any longer.”
“How come?” William asked. Someone had joined them to drool over Ophelia, so they quickly moved across to Stubbs’s Horse Attacked by a Lion.
“Tulip ended up in hospital after swallowing a cling film wrap of cocaine just before he was arrested.”
“An occupational hazard,” said William, without emotion.
“Which I intend to take advantage of, because he’s asked me to service his customers while he’s away.”
William thought about the significance of these words while pretending to concentrate on a Norfolk river scene by Constable.
“Constable and Turner were born only a year apart,” he said, as someone else joined them. “But they couldn’t have been more different: one old-fashioned and traditional, the other genuinely original and rebellious. Which is probably why they were never friends.”
“Sounds a bit like us,” said Heath, before walking away and pretending to look at another picture. “But let’s get down to business. I need a favor,” he said once William had rejoined him.
“What do you have in mind?” William asked, as one of them took a closer look at Morland’s The Fortune Teller.
“While Tulip’s away, it’s my big chance to make some real money so I can finally escape, but I’ll need your boys to give me a free run for a few weeks, no more.”
“Why would we agree to do that?”
“Because as soon as Tulip’s back, I’ll give you the names of every one of his contacts.”
“He’ll kill you.”
“Not if I’m on the other side of the world before he finds out, he won’t.”
“It’s not enough,” said William, as two members of the public paused to admire the Morland.
“What more do you want?” asked Heath, as they walked on to the next painting.
“The location of Rashidi’s slaughter.”
“Even Maria doesn’t know that. But I’m working on it.”
“Then let’s start you off with something a little easier as proof of your goodwill.”
“What do you have in mind?”
r /> “We know that one of Tulip’s customers is a man called Miles Faulkner.”
“I’ve seen his name on Tulip’s list, but he’s not a regular. Always expects the purest gear, and pays top whack. But he hasn’t been in touch recently.”
“He will be,” said William without explanation. “And when he is, I need to know exactly which drugs he orders and where he wants them delivered.”
“And if I tell you that, you’ll let me get on with my job until Tulip gets back?”
“Only my guv’nor can sanction that, but if he agrees, and you fail to deliver, I’ll personally visit Tulip in hospital and tell him what you’ve been up to in his absence.”
“You wouldn’t do that to an old friend.”
“Like Turner, you’re not an old friend,” said William, as they arrived back at Gill’s Crucifix.
“I must admit,” said Heath, “Moore’s good.”
8
“It’s a different number plate, but the same taxi,” said Jackie, lowering her binoculars.
