‘Stream the film, Jess,’ Kamran said. ‘It’ll be on Netflix or Prime.’
‘So, the slashed tyres, the broken window at The White House. All petty stuff to try to intimidate me.’
‘How d’you know it was them?’ I asked. ‘Henry’s lot?’
‘Pretty sure it was them,’ Fabian replied. ‘Probably Darren Singleton himself sending a couple of lackeys up to The White House to pay me back for not taking on the cases he’d offered me. All very amateurish stuff, you know. They’re not the big boys here. He realised I wasn’t going to play ball and the slashed tyres and the smashed window were his way of reminding me he knew where I was.’
‘I wouldn’t be so sure about the window,’ Kamran said. ‘I reckon that was aimed at me – well, my family anyway.’
‘Atyou? Darren Singleton was afteryouas well?’ Mum put out a hand in Kamran’s direction.
‘Darren Singleton? No, no.’ Kamran shook his head. ‘You know, people round here don’t like progress. Whenever – and wherever – we’ve expanded Frozen, there’s always been a spate of breaking windows and vandalism. There’ll always be a few Luddites around who don’t want new buildings being put up – despite our creating jobs for the village. A few broken windows and a bit of graffiti is par for the course. Always has been.’
‘Just wait until you start knocking St Mede’s down then,’ Robyn said. ‘Any new factory you start building there will be a real target.’
‘Certainly will,’ Kamran agreed.
‘I hate the idea that people don’t like you and your family, Kamran,’ Mum said, pulling a face.
‘What about the red paint?’ I asked.
‘What red paint?’ Fabian and Robyn spoke as one.
‘Nothing, nothing.’ Kamran smiled but raised a warning eye in my direction, obviously wanting to keep it from Fabian.
‘So, what’s happening now then?’ Robyn asked. ‘Is this unpleasantness over? Can you get on with finishing and opening The White House without worrying about more broken windows, more slashed tyres?’
‘Well, as I see it,’ Kamran said, taking over, ‘it’s hugely to Fabian’s, and therefore the restaurant’s, advantage that this Singleton character has been arrested.’
‘It’s a bonus,’ Fabian agreed. ‘But, look, as far as I knew, he and his cronies had given up on me anyway. No point trying to persuade me with cash and then through intimidation if I really wasn’t going to go along with them and play their game.’
‘But will Darren Singleton think it’s you, Fabes, who’s shopped him to the police?’ Robyn was obviously still very concerned.
‘To the National Crime Agency?’ Fabian paused. ‘Possibly. Although, in reality, they’ll have had their eye on him for months. Probably since he moved into the village last year.’
‘But Singleton might think you shopped him. Get his associates to come after you?’ Robyn went on.
‘And,’ I interrupted in a low voice, ‘the thing is, I think Joel is still working for them. He was there, down at Queen’s Gardens last night, you know. Left Dean’s bike down there as well – Dean’s going to have a fit once he finds out his precious bike has been arrested.’
‘Oh, you’re joking!’ Robyn pulled a face. ‘Where is he now then?’
‘Upstairs in his room,’ I said. ‘I’m going to have to ring Andy Somerville. I can’t have Joel here any longer. He came up with some cock and bull story that he was only down at Darren’s place watching out for me and Lola.’
‘What a load of rubbish,’ Kamran snapped crossly. ‘Whatis itwith these kids?’
‘He was,’ Fabian said calmly.
‘Was what?’ We all turned to face Fabian.
‘He tried to ring me yesterday afternoon to tell me he’d just found out that Lola had become friendly with Singleton’s daughter.’
‘Ruby,’ I confirmed. ‘New best friend.’
‘Why didn’t you tellmehe’d rung you?’ Robyn started. ‘Iamhis teacher for heaven’s sake. I mean, I’m sort of responsible for him, asking Jess to let him move in here. You tell me nothing, Fabian,’ she went on crossly.
‘I’m telling you now, Robyn,’ Fabian said, still calm. ‘Look, sometimes the less said…’
‘That’s his legal training.’ Mum nodded, always on Fabian’s side.
