Citizen. Charlie Brooks

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       10

      Nico had a few drinks with Johnny the Fish after Shaunsheys left the Partridge, and then accepted Johnny’s offer of a bed. The rooms in the Partridge weren’t up to Nico’s normal haunts, but he decided a little time spent in reconnaissance might not be wasted.

      He was up with the lark and in the public car park at the top of Warren Hill gallops before any of the horses were out on the Heath. When Sinclair’s horses came along, they weren’t difficult to spot with DS initialled on the horses’ blankets. Nico was impressed. Sinclair’s string looked the business. It was easy to pick Sinclair out on his hack, slightly detached from his horses, barking instructions at lads who didn’t say much back. Sinclair had a slightly fat face, biggish nose and dark hair sticking out of the back of his riding helmet. He looked generally overweight and his facial complexion was just a little redder than it should have been.

      Nico picked out a moody looking woman at the back of the string who definitely wasn’t a stable lass. Mrs Sinclair, he thought to himself. Her jodhpurs looked like they’d been spray-painted onto her large thighs.

      He then followed Sinclair’s string back to his yard at a safe distance. There was a convenient wood along one side of it to give him some cover. Nico peered through the hedge into the yard. Again, he was impressed and re-assured. If Shalakov ever comes to look round this place, he’ll be happy, he thought to himself. Shalakov’s military brain will like the order of this place. The lawns had stripes in them, the stable doors were white and gleaming, and there were men everywhere with brooms sweeping up. Nico was happy as he trudged back up the hill to his car.

      Nico spent the rest of the day in Cambridge. He was half interested in familiarizing himself with the place, in case he ever had to pass himself off as a graduate; and he was curious to see what a gram of coke was being knocked out for there. It was as good a way as any to kill time before he formally met Sinclair in the Partridge.

      Shelley was in her normal spot when Nico got back to the pub. Nico had a furtive look around to check there were no prying ears.

      ‘I think we have a friend in common,’ he said to Shelley smoothly.

      ‘Really?’

      ‘The Duke told me to pass on his compliments. Said you’d be sure to look after me.’ He smiled leaving the innuendo hanging in the air.

      ‘Did he just,’ Shelley replied frostily.

      Before the conversation went any further Sinclair came breezing in. Shelley couldn’t stand him. As far as she was concerned he was an arrogant prick. And she hated the way he mentally undressed her. But as he and Nico slid into the armchairs by the fire she had food for thought.

      ‘So, I understand you have a man,’ Sinclair smiled, cutting straight to the chase. ‘And he wants some horses.’

      ‘Yes,’ said Nico smoothly. ‘That’s the situation. And I am told you may be the person to handle it.’

      ‘Absolutely. But I understand you’re also thinking of appointing Shug Shaunsheys? The point is, you really don’t need him. I’ll get you the horses myself. In fact I’ve already got one in the yard, a beautifully bred colt, who—’

      Nico held up his hand.

      ‘Let me stop you there. The gentleman I act for, Mr Stanislav Shalakov, has many interests. One of them is racing, another is breeding. He has a passion for this. We are thinking that Mr Shaunsheys will help on the breeding side, while a reputable trainer such as yourself will look after the racing. There should be no conflict of interest. No need for you to work together at all.’

      ‘Hmm. I see. But are you sure about Shaunsheys? He’s a bit of a dubious character.’

      ‘I’m sure you won’t mind if we make up our own minds about that, Mr Sinclair.’

      ‘All right. Suit yourself. As long as I don’t have anything to do with him.’