Friends in the right places

 

Del:         He's not that powerful Mike, surely? Slater?

Mike:      I told you Del! This isn't just about The Nag's Head.

Del:         Well where's he got all his money? He only had a few diamonds, it's hardly a fortune.

 

This time it's Mike who shakes his head.

 

Mike:      Look, I don't know mate, I had to work with it for a fair while and I couldn't fathom it out.

Something fishy was going on I even paid someone to find things out.

Del:         What? You found out some stuff?

Mike:      Yeah, I got a few things worked out but look where that got me. Inside!

Del:         But the brewery for this place has chains everywhere. And how many other companies did you say he was involved in?

Mike:      At least twenty that I found out about Del, could be more. And he owns over half the shares for all of them. He controls more boards than Garry Kasparov Del.

Del:         Doesn't make it checkmate though. Not in my book.

Mike:      Nor mine del, why else do you think I'm here?

Del:         You're a good lad Mike. One of the troops you are.

Mike:      (Nods) Yeah. I'm a bit battle-weary Del but I ain't done yet.

Del:         We'll fight this Mike. Whatever he's worth these days it's still only Slater.

Mike:      It won't be easy Del.

Del:         I reckon between us we can get the better of him. So he's had a good run with his money! A multi-millionaire! Even just thinking about that! It's laughable really!

 

Unbeknown to Del, Raquel has approach to tidy up Mike and Del's table.

 

Raquel:   OK you two? What's laughable?

 

Del suddenly checks himself, remembering the past connection between Slater and Raquel.

 

Del:         Oh, nothing. Mike and I were just discussing the Chairman of the brewery. Bit of a joker.

Raquel:   Oh. Right.

 

Raquel changes the ashtrays and departs. As she goes Del breathes out sharply.

 

Del:         Bloody hell Mike, that's just one more thing I'd forgotten about.

Mike:      What is?

Del:         Eh? No, nothing. Sorry, what were you saying?

Mike:      Look Del, I know it's grim but I didn't just come here to offer support and give you the sad tidings.  As I've said, I've had some investigation and research done, there's a few oddities.

Del:         Yeah? Go on Mike.

Mike:      Well, you remember the Black brothers I referred to.

Del:         What? The guys that once said they'd play conkers with your, erm, well, play conkers with your conkers.

Mike:      Yes, they even said they'd soak them in vinegar first!

Del:         Could have been worse, they could have said they'd bake them!

Mike:      (Laughs in spite of the situation) I'm just thankful they're still intact!

Del:         Go on then. .

Mike:      Yes, apart from being heavies they were, you know, thick as...

Del:         Your old hotpot?

Mike:      (Smiles) No, as thick as what comes out the other end after you've eaten my hotpot.

Del:         (Realises) Oh! That kind of thick.

Mike:      You know what most heavies are like Del, these are no exception, ask them the time of day they'd be phoning a friend. This pair are vicious but they only act on Slater's orders. I'm hardly a threat to anyone Del, and intimidated though I was, it wasn't that hard for me to wonder just what it was that Slater was hiding.

Del:         Did you find out?

Mike:      No, that's the trouble. The more I found out, the more the Blacks got into me. Then, when I got this far into the case I found myself up in front of the court myself.

Del:         Fitted up by the Blacks?

Mike:      Not by them mate, this was far too intelligent and thorough. Like I said, it ain't just Slater's money, it's his influence.

Del:         Sadly, that's one of the things money can buy.  But hey, you must have found out quite a bit for them to go to that much trouble, eh?

Mike:      Oh, you bet your life Del! It's all written down.

Del:         Great! Where is it.

Mike:      It's in the cellar, Sid hid it behind the kegs among the paperwork.

Del:         Behind the kegs among the paperwork? Oh my gawd!