Inside, close to a hundred kids under twelve ran riot from the climbing frames outside to the video games inside. Parents and play centre staff did their best to corral their enthusiasm by handing out cake and soft drinks. A photographer snapped shots of the mayor with Gates. What the hell was going on?
Crichlow sidled up to me without me noticing. He’d kept in my blind spot so I hadn’t seen him.
‘Wait until Andrew finishes with the mayor,’ he said, ever the faithful pit bull.
It was several minutes before Gates made his excuses and slalomed between the kids shooting back and forth. A little boy no more than seven ran straight into him. He ruffled the kid’s hair and sent him on his way.
When he got to me, he swung his arms out wide. ‘Impressed? This is the sixth place I’ve opened up. It might look like it’s all games, but we’ve got a library and an after-school homework program here. We’ll be starting up under-tens football and netball teams. If we keep the kids engaged and occupied, they won’t grow up to be like Crichlow and me.’
I couldn’t make Gates out. One minute he was threatening to hurt Steve and the next he was building community centres for kids. This was either a front for something or his attempt to atone for his ugly past.
‘I think we should take our business outside,’ I said.
Gates guided me across the street with Crichlow in tow, then glanced back at the community centre. ‘I bet you’re wondering how I came by this property. Well, not in a good way. I have a bunch of places that I own at someone else’s expense. I’m making use of them now for something worthwhile.’
‘Excuse me for not sharing in your special day after what you’ve put me and my family through.’
Crichlow took a step forward, but Gates blocked his path.
‘You want to get down to this? OK. Let’s get down to it. You said I lied to you. Got anything to back that up?’
‘Why didn’t you tell me Rags was a client?’
The colour drained from Gates’ face. ‘Who told you that — Rags?’
‘It doesn’t matter who. And don’t tell me he wasn’t. I’ve seen the scars on his forearm. That means he was behind on his payments to you three times. So what happened? Did you have Jason working teams from the inside so when he found one in trouble, he could let them know his big brother could bridge the shortfall? Is that how it worked?’
Before I could say another word, Gates grabbed me by the throat and slammed me against the wall of the building behind me. ‘Jason had nothing to do with it. I told you he was never part of my business.’
Crichlow stepped in and peeled Gates off me. ‘Remember where you are, Andy.’
Gates shrugged Crichlow off. ‘Yes, I lent money to Rags. He got behind so I had to leave my mark. He knew the risks.’
I didn’t care how many raw nerves I grazed. I wouldn’t be intimidated by Gates. I pushed myself away from the wall. ‘When did he start taking money from you?’
‘Five years ago.’
That coincided with the start of Rags’ on-track success. ‘And he paid you back?’
‘Yeah. Eventually.’
‘Eventually? I don’t get the feeling you do eventually.’
‘You’re right. I don’t. After about a year, he was in over his head. The interest was killing him. He made me an offer. He knew Jason wanted to get into the sport and he said he’d let him apprentice at Ragged in exchange for wiping out his debt.’
Suddenly, two pieces of the puzzle fell into place. ‘But you never told Jason how he got the job. He thought he’d gotten it on merit and when he found out, he walked out on the team.’
Gates nodded. ‘Not my finest hour.’
‘Why didn’t you tell him?’
‘He wouldn’t have taken it. He wanted to get in on his own, not because of his brother’s arm twisting.’ Gates smiled weakly. ‘He had integrity.’
‘How’d he find out?’
‘Rags let it slip.’
‘Is that why Jason wasn’t talking to you?’
Gates nodded. ‘Yes. The second he found out, he left me a message telling me what he thought of me and that I was dead to him.’
That explained why he’d left the team, but it didn’t explain why he’d started snooping around Ragged Racing. ‘Do you own a piece of Ragged Racing?’
‘No. I had no interest in being an owner. The property is leased and cars have no substantial value.’
‘Did you lend Rags money just the once?’
‘About a year ago he tapped me up again, but I told him to sling his hook. He burned me once. I wasn’t about to make it twice.’
‘Three months ago Jason dumped his girlfriend. She got the feeling it was because he wanted to protect her from something. Is that date significant in any way?’
Gates shook his head.
‘Got any theories?’ Crichlow asked.
Instead of feigning ignorance, I wanted to gauge their reactions. ‘There’s a couple of prevailing theories. Either Ragged Racing is cheating or mixed up with drugs, and Jason was on to them.’
Gates shared a confused look with Crichlow. ‘Cheating I get, but drugs?’
‘Didn’t you have a problem with drugs within your organization?’ I knew I was on risky ground here.
‘And it was taken care of,’ Crichlow snapped.
‘How’d you come across that nugget of information? Gates asked.
‘I’m not giving you names. You’ve lied to me and threatened me. I don’t trust you.’
‘Don’t forget, we have a deal, Aidy.’
‘We have nothing. I’ll find Jason’s killer, but I don’t have to tell you how I’m doing it.’
Gates grabbed my wrist and yanked me to him. ‘Remember your place.’
I nodded over at the mayor and her husband, who had appeared on the steps of the centre and Gates released his grip. ‘Remember your reputation. You wouldn’t want to tarnish it. When you feel like telling me the truth, let me know,’ I said and walked back to the Capri.
I arrived back at Archway to find the place deserted. With Dylan spending his time at Ragged, Steve was working alone now. He’d left a note on my desk saying he’d gone out to pick up parts.
I let myself into the situation room and updated the murder board. I now had a direct link between Gates and Rags with Jason caught in the crossfire. I looked at the milestones I now had on the timeline. I had an explanation for why Jason left Ragged. I had a date when Rags started taking money from Gates. I still didn’t have an explanation for what had sparked Jason’s interest in Ragged. If I knew that, I’d have the corner piece to solve this puzzle.
‘Tell me what happened, Jason.’
The doorbell rang before Jason’s ghost could answer.
I locked the situation room and jogged through the workshop to the rear entrance. I opened the door to find Sergeant Lucas standing there.
‘What can I do for you, Sergeant?’
‘I’ve come to examine the van.’
I glanced over at the empty space where it usually sat. ‘My grandfather is out in it at the moment. You should have made an appointment.’
‘I did.’
‘Oh. He didn’t mention it. He shouldn’t be long then. Do you want to come in?’
‘No, I need to examine the trailer. But can you call your grandfather and tell him to hurry it along? I don’t have all day.’
I retreated back into the workshop and called Steve. ‘Sergeant Lucas is here.’