Chapter 2

*****

“So, what do you think?” Conners puts three beers down, slopping froth over a corner of the rolled-out site plan, then sits and takes a long draft from his glass.

“I’m interested,” I say. “Very much so.” He nods as I speak, downing more of his beer. Bech watches in that pressed-mouth silent way of his, his drink untouched. “However, there are a number of considerations and I need time to think.”

Conners nods. “Of course.”

I tap the plan. “Can I keep this?”

“Absolutely. That's your copy. In fact…” He turns to pick up the cardboard tube he has leaning against the table, opens it and extracts another document…. “… I made a spare copy for you, so you have a master and one you can work with.…”

Efficient...

Delivers what's needed. Not just what's asked for.

Conners finishes his beer. “Suppose I leave you with it for a couple of days to think it through. You can call me if you have any queries and you’ll find my fax number on my card….” He pushes a business card across the table to me…. “and in any case, I’ll give you a call, say, the day after tomorrow?”

“That’s fine. Call Bech to set up a meeting.”

“Great to meet you, Larry.” He stands, offering me his hand. “Mr Bech,” and Bech replies with a curt nod back.

After Conners leaves, Bech, his drink still untouched, says, “Do you need anything else from me, sir? I should be getting back.”

“No, that's fine, Bech. You go. I’ll be in touch.”

I examine the plan Conners left.

Perfect.

“Can I get you anything else, sir?” The waitress hovers, looking bored.

If you don’t like the job get another one….

“Coffee.”

“That’s all?”

“Just coffee.”

I work my way through the plan, making sure that the site delivers what I’m looking for. Not that I’m short on cash, but my pockets aren’t bottomless. I scribble a few notes, marking out nearby areas to check the ownership with Conners.

Across at the next table, a small child in a push-chair starts squalling. His bright red face screams around a set of vibrating tonsils. A vapid female in a floral dress tries to quiet the brat.

Milk...

Toys...

Warmly dressed….

His mother there….

What’s he got to scream about?

A fist....

Da... No....

I shake myself back to the present.

The door swings open, letting in a cold draft as a man enters, smiling at the woman and, for some reason, down at the squawking child. He actually sounds pleased. “Darling…. A good morning?”

She sounds strained…. “It would be if Theo would calm down.”

The man leans in on the baby, still beaming, arms outstretched. “Here, give him to me.”

She plucks the toddler from the stroller, passing him to the man. “Look, Daddy's here.”

He bounces the kid up and down. The red face fades to pink and the kid starts gurgling and smiling back at his father.

The reek of beer….

The fist...

The blow.… sending the boy skidding across the tiles….

Again, the fist raised….

Crying from the floor.... No, Da.... Please….

…

…

Fuck this….

I rummage in my pocket, tossing a handful of small change onto the table, roll up the plans and head out into the evening.

*****

A couple of days later, Bech calls. “You want me to arrange a second meet-up with Conners?”

“Yes. Anytime over the next few days is fine. There’s a couple of points about the site I want to clear up.”

*****

Conners sits, pen in hand hovering over a notebook. “So…. Questions?”

I tap on the areas I have outlined in red. “Who owns these? The properties and plots adjacent to the site?”

He sucks air through his teeth. “Well…. That’s a long question. That area….” He stabs his pen at one of the outlines, is owned by City Hospitaliers….” He sees my look. “Hotel company,” he explains. “There was a rumour about them opening something there but so far as I can tell, it’s come to nothing….”

He scans the plan, chewing the top of his pen, then takes a packet from a pocket, offering it to me.

“Cigar?”

“I don’t smoke.”

“You mind if I do?”

“Not at all.”

He lights up then surveys the plan again. “That one there…. I happen to know is a private individual. An old guy who was a friend of my father. He’s ten years older than God and they’re just counting the years….”

He draws a swathe over the north edge of the site. “This area I believe belongs to the City authorities. If you offered them the right price, I daresay they’d sell. As to the rest….” He sucks the top of his biro…. “I’d have to check.” He eyeballs me. “What’s your angle on this? You want to buy the outlying plots too?”

“If they’re at the right price, probably yes. Just now, I’d like to know who my neighbours would be.”

“Understood.” He jots a note then, “Can I take it you are interested in the site?”

“You can. But I’m looking to reduce the price.”

“Of course you are,” He raises a finger. “Look, I can tell you, the vendors are keen to sell. It’s a family that owns it. They got greedy with the price to begin with and I know they’ve no takers. You’ll be able to knock it down by ten percent without blinking, and if you’re happy to play hardball, you’ll get more….”

“You’re on a commission I assume?”

He displays a shark-grin. “Course I am. But any sale is better than no sale, and the owners were being unrealistic about what an abandoned site in the middle of a derelict area are is worth.” He takes a breath, eye-balls me…. “Can you give me proof of funds? It’ll strengthen your case for a quick sale.”

“Anytime you like. It’s cash in the bank. I’ll fax it through to you.”

Conners beams. “I like the sound of that. Leave it with me.”