Reap the Whirlwind

6

6

Early In the Morning – Bobby Darin

I’d made my plans for the next day, but then plans can be changed.

At exactly seven thirty by the alarm clock next to my bed, someone started hammering on the front door and ringing both flat bells. Thankfully my downstairs neighbours were hardly there, otherwise my shaky relationship with them would only get worse.

I got out of bed, pulled on a pair of jeans, ran my fingers through my hair, grabbed my keys, and barefoot, headed down one flight of stairs to the flat door, then down another to the street entrance.

I pulled it open, and I should have known, there stood Burke and Dixon.

‘What?’ was all I said.

‘Did we get you up? asked Dixon.

I didn’t bother to reply.

‘My word Sharman,’ said Dixon. ‘You are popular.’

‘How so?’

‘There’s a big cheese from Special Branch come all this way to see you.’

‘Why?’ I was still half asleep.

‘They don’t tell the likes of us.’

‘Most amiable fellow,’ said Burke. ‘Name’s Smyth. With a y.’

‘Better not keep him waiting,’ said Dixon, and gestured towards the car that was parked outside. The back door opened, and out stepped Martineau/Spencer. I might have guessed.

He pushed open the gate and headed up the garden path. Just like the one I was being led up, I thought.

He was immaculate in a grey Prince of Wales double breasted suit, a white pin-through collared shirt, and a fat flowered tie, complete with diamond tie pin. Only he’d left his stick behind. ‘Good morning,’ he said, pulling another leather case from his pocket, and flashing it in my direction. I didn’t bother to look closely. It was either as real or as fake as the police ID he’d shown me before. ‘Mr Sharman. We meet at last. So sorry to bother you at this unholy hour, but I’ve got more appointments this morning.’ He didn’t even have the manners to wink.

I said nothing. I was going to let this comedy play itself out, then maybe I’d know what the hell was going on.

He turned to the two police detectives. ‘Well chaps,’ he said, ‘I think I’ll take this from here. Wait in the car for me if you’ll be so kind. I won’t be long.’

Burke and Dixon looked a bit pissed off at this turn of events, but said nothing. Just turned and walked back towards their car.

‘Shall we go in?’ said Smyth or whatever. ‘You look a trifle déshabillé. Maybe a pair of socks…’