Jade Monkey

Loughborough Docks had changed. In the past after the shipping trade had died down as manufacturing moved overseas it had been the place to go to do underhanded deeds. Deserted, derelict and decaying. Crime had always suited it; shadows clung to the small alleyways between the warehouses where things could happen hidden from view. It had changed dramatically. The few low dives that had clung to hideous half-life were now covered with a cheap paint and cheering slogans. Money had been spent on lights to banish the shadows and a pair of disinterested cops walked past tourists. It wasn’t much, but I doubted that the gangs who had their run of this place in the past had given up without a fight. I shook my head; Miss Michelle must be serious about the town to care what happened this far off the beaten track.

Hannah had her own contacts here and said she’d meet me near the warehouse. I’d scanned the area quickly, but the only sign of anything criminal was the gift shop prices. After I was overcharged for a soft drink I leant against a set of railings, my eyes skipping over the water to warehouse 12 and the single small freighter that was moored next to it. I could make out figures moving on the deck. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a figure, shrink back into the shadows in an alleyway. I dropped my empty cup into a bin and started walking, trying to keep the tension I suddenly felt out of my posture. It could be the police keeping an eye on me, or some eyes and ears for Red Mark making sure that things were being taken care of, maybe even that reporter keeping an eye on his story. I sighed, there suddenly seemed to be a vast number of people with a vested interest in where I was and what I was doing. As I walked a memory presented itself for consideration. I’d been followed from Miss Michelle’s too. I fought to keep from frowning and turned a corner. I had thought that it was one of her goons. But what if it was someone else? I had to find out for sure. I stuck my hands in my pockets, and let my palm rest against the grip on my gun.

If anything warehouse 12 turned out to be more deserted than the other warehouses. Thick dust plated the windows, and a forlorn sign promised that trespassers would meet with security patrols and guard dogs. Judging from the age of the sign I’d have to make an appointment at the rest home first. A few brain cells working overtime slipped me a mental note saying that Pete had said to start looking at warehouse 12 and the freighter was moored out front. I hate it when he tries to be cryptic. I continued to stroll disinterestedly past and ducked down an alley. I turned quickly, put my back to the wall, slipped the gun from my pocket and waited. A set of footsteps hesitated, and then stopped outside the alleyway entrance.

‘Hey, Jones? You there?’

I relaxed and stepped away from the wall. ‘Hannah, get in here.’

‘What?’

‘I was being followed.’

‘Oh.’ She didn’t look over her shoulder as I half expected her too, and slipped in to the alleyway. She’d done this sort of thing before.

‘Did you see anybody?’ I said.

Her brow creased. ‘Well I saw you dive into the alleyway. There was a woman. Headscarf, dark grey business outfit, sensible shoes. Sure she was following you?’

‘Pretty sure, why?’

‘It’s a bit paranoid. Who knows we’re here?’

I smiled. ‘It’d only be paranoia if they weren’t all after me.’

Hannah rolled her eyes. ‘Well, your mystery lady just carried on past. She knew that you’d spotted her.’

‘I think she’s followed me before.’

‘You have a stalker? It wouldn’t be your ex-partner would it?’

‘No. She’d never bother following me around. She tends to take a direct approach to things. But, whoever she is, her gambit’s been blown; I think she’ll drop back into the shadows again for a while. File her away as Miss X and we can get back to sneaking onto the boat. Did you learn anything?’

Hannah looked out of entrance of the alleyway. ‘Not much I didn’t know before. The guys on the freighter are from a local storage company. No sign of the van used in the theft from the museum and no sign of Scary Anthony for the last couple of days.’

‘When were the guys hired to do the work?’

‘Yesterday.’

‘Right.’ I moved to the entrance of the alleyway and took a long look at the freighter.

Hannah moved behind me to get a view. ‘So how do we get on board?’

‘Easily, apparently.’

‘No guards, no lookout, in fact no security at all that I can see.’

‘Well they’re trying to keep a low profile.’

‘With hired movers?’ I shook my head. ‘I’d just be happier with something I could see. It tends to cut down on the nasty surprises later.’

She sighed. ‘Scary Anthony is not the sharpest tool in the box. I doubt he could even spell security precautions.’

Several men in blue overalls walked down the gangplank to the shore and I drew back into the shadows. They talked amongst themselves as they walked. But they were too far away from them to hear what they were saying. One of them laughed, and they started to head in the direction of one of the bars. It didn’t feel right, too easy, but sometimes you do get lucky.

‘Are you ready?’ I asked.

Hannah shrugged, getting her hands free and settling her jacket. ‘Yes.’

I drew my coat tightly around me and drew my hat brim down low and walked out into the sunlight.