The Fourth Friend (DI Jackman & DS Evans #3)(14)

Marie frowned at him, but said nothing.

Carter sighed again. ‘Okay, so let’s imagine I’m Ray and I want somewhere to stash some cash for my wedding. I’m not too keen on banks, but they should give me a few bob in interest at least.’

‘Yes, and these days a few bob is probably all you will get! Since your wedding is coming up, you might need to get your hands on some readies at short notice. That puts a high interest account out of the running. Perhaps you would just find a safe place and hide it.’

Carter frowned. ‘I suppose Ray could have meant it wasn’t in a savings account or in a bank at all. Do you really think he might just have hidden it?’

Marie thought about it. ‘But that means it has stayed hidden for over eighteen months. Surely someone would have found it when they sorted out his things?’

‘Mmm. So where would be safe? One thing’s for sure, it wouldn’t have been at his parents’ place. That leaves his flat, and Joanne regularly cleans it from top to bottom. She moves the furniture around as often as she brushes her teeth.’ He paused. ‘Not only that, I’m sure Joanne knows nothing about the nest egg. She’s na?ve — not a fool, but deception never enters her mind. If you ask her a question, she will answer you honestly. Even if it’s the evil twins who are doing the asking. No. Ray would have kept his mouth shut.’

‘How about where he worked?’

‘No way. Ray worked as an engine fitter at that big tractor company out near Swineshead. He might have trusted his mates, but the place was full of strangers. He couldn’t stash any cash there.’

‘So where?’ Marie had run out of ideas.

Carter sat up straight, almost overturning his beer.

‘Of course! The Eva May! Right here! When Ray wasn’t with Joanne, he was always here on the boat. Sometimes with me, or with the others, but often on his own. He slept here for three nights once, when Joanne was off on some course. Where better to hide it?’

‘But surely this boat is a prime target for vandals or dossers? Would you leave a load of wonga unattended in the middle of nowhere?’

Carter gave her an enigmatic smile. ‘Ah. But the boat is not unattended.’

‘Explain, please.’

‘My dad owned Stone Quay. Years ago he owned the boatyard. He damn well owned half the county.’ He coughed. ‘Anyway, you wouldn’t notice it, but the Eva May has a neighbour. Ever heard of Silas Breeze?’

‘Crazy Silas?’

‘The same. Only he’s not as crazy as he makes out. Sure, he’s a bit odd, but he’s loyal, and he likes me.’

‘Hang on. You saved his brother from drowning, didn’t you? When you were still doing your training?’

‘Something like that. Wasn’t exactly a dramatic rescue. I hauled him out on the end of a boathook, actually. Pissed as a newt he was, but Silas was grateful to me.’

‘And?’

‘Silas worked on my father’s boatyard. He taught me to shoot and to fish, and he used to take me poaching on Dad’s land. Happy days!’

‘Get to the point, Carter. Where is he now?’

‘In a tiny cottage about five hundred yards from here. You can’t see it from the lane or from the quay. It nestles in a tiny inlet of the river, surrounded by reeds and stubby windblown trees.’ He smiled and pointed. ‘Over there.’

Marie shook her head. She could see nothing.

‘I doubt if more than a handful of people know it’s there, and that’s just how he likes it.’

‘Is his brother with him?’ asked Marie.

‘Eli died some years ago now. Silas is alone, with his dog. That’s another reason no one comes looking for him. Klink, his dog, isn’t exactly friendly.’

‘Funny name.’

Carter grinned at her. ‘Haven’t you learnt anything since they threw you out of Wales? It’s local dialect for marvellous.’

‘Well, you learn something new every day. And my dad came from here, I’ll have you know. He was a pure yellowbelly, just like you.’

‘Aye, true Lincolnshire, born and bred.’ Carter smiled proudly. ‘Well, ya takin’ a long whiles learnin’, me duck.’

‘So Silas and his pooch keep an eye on this boat for you? Nice one.’

‘After his brother died, he couldn’t stand his old home. I gave him the cottage and a small allowance when we brought the Eva May down here. We put a petrol generator into the one remaining storeroom and kept some of our equipment and tools there. We couldn’t have done it without having someone close by to keep an eye on it. As you said, a deserted boat is a prime target for vandals or bored kids.’

‘And did Ray know Silas?’

‘He met him a few times. Ray was a bit of a birdwatcher, especially water fowl. That made him acceptable to Silas. He wasn’t too keen on the others, but he seemed to like Ray well enough.’

Marie could sense Carter’s growing excitement.

‘If I can get this right, I’ll know for certain that I’ll be able to let my friends move on.’

Marie nodded. Carter needed closure. If he had to live the rest of his life waiting for that smell of burning, she wasn’t sure how long he would last. Marie stood up. ‘Okay, let’s start the treasure hunt.’