‘Ma needs to lie down,’ one of the wives said, slipping a comforting arm around her shoulders. ‘It’s all too much for her.’
‘Take her through,’ Sam ordered, ‘and make her comfortable. We’ll answer the chief inspector’s questions.’
Both wives helped the older lady to her feet and took her into the back room, presumably a bedroom, shooing the children out ahead of them. Alone with the two sons, Riley lost no time in asking his questions, aware that privacy was a rare commodity in such dwellings.
‘What do you know about the reasons for your brother paying an unscheduled visit to Clapham?’ he asked. ‘He told his employer that your mother was unwell but clearly that wasn’t the case.’
The brothers looked at one another and simultaneously shrugged.
‘He were a law unto himself,’ Sam replied, a bitter edge to his voice. ‘We could have got ’im a decent job on the building site but it weren’t good enough for him. He ’ad ambitions.’
‘And he weren’t too fussy ’ow he went about getting what he wanted,’ Paul added. ‘But we had no idea he’d bin to Clapham. We got families to feed and can’t afford to piss our pay away in taverns. Besides, he wouldn’t have come down to see us. He did pop in to see Ma, but only for a few minutes.’
‘What do you know about him opening a sporting club for working men in this area?’ Salter asked.
They shared a look of astonishment.
‘Him? Doin’ wot? Don’t know nuffink about that,’ Paul said for them both. ‘And what’s more we don’t wanna know. John’s scheming were always on the dodgy side and we don’t want no trouble with the law.’
‘You must have heard something about it,’ Riley said. ‘Or know what premises he intended to use.’
‘We don’t know nuffink.’ Sam repeated his brother’s words with conviction, as though that was the end of the matter. Riley got the impression that not many people offered any argument once Sam had pronounced his opinion.
‘You look frightened,’ Salter said, deliberately taunting the bigger man.
‘Bloody right I am. I ain’t afraid to back down if I ’ave to.’
‘What do you mean by that?’ Riley asked.
‘Look, all the gaming and fights around these parts is in the hands of Reggie Lane. He’s a tough bugger, and trust me, no one steps on his toes without learning a lesson real fast.’
‘It’s interesting that you simply assume your brother intended to flout the law,’ Riley remarked.
Paul gave a hollow laugh. ‘John? He was never much of a one for rules.’
‘Look, Chief Inspector,’ Sam added. ‘We didn’t get along with John and we didn’t like the way he fawned all over Ma, making her think he walked on water. But she ain’t had an easy time of it since Pa were killed, and John made her happy, so that was one good thing he did do for this family.’
‘About the only thing,’ Paul added bitterly.
‘But whatever he got himself into that got him killed, he didn’t deserve it, and Ma won’t know no peace until you find out who did it. If we knew anything about this club business you’d be the first to know.’
Riley nodded, unsure if he believed Sam.
‘We’ll ask around,’ Paul said, ‘and let you know if we hear anything.’
‘Thank you.’
Riley stood and picked up his hat. They had only just emerged into the street and were blinking their eyes to adjust to the brightness of the outside world when someone ran out behind them calling Salter’s name. They both turned and saw Sam’s pretty wife running after them. Her name, Riley recalled being told a few minutes previously, was Ruth.
‘The walls in that place are thin and I heard everyfink wot was said,’ she told them, struggling to regain her breath.
Riley took her elbow and guided her out of sight of the house she’d just left, away from the gaggle of curious children, who dispersed when Salter glowered at them.
‘Is there something you want to tell us?’ Riley asked gently.
‘My husband didn’t have no time for John. Well, you must have gathered that much. He was the black sheep but he was also good company. He was always laughing at stuff and not taking anything too seriously. Ma called him a breath of fresh air and I have to say she was right about that. A bit of a lad, but then they’re always the best fun, I find.’
‘You knew he was opening a club?’
‘Sure. He told me all about it. Dead keen, so he was. And he offered me a job in it.’
‘Doing what?’ Salter asked, scowling.
‘Meeting and greeting the customers, he called it. He said I’d have to dress up all pretty and do my hair nice and make everyone feel welcome. Said he’d arrange the right clothes and that I needn’t worry about that.’ She glanced down at her shabby grey dress. ‘I liked the idea, I don’t mind telling you, but I knew it was pointless getting my hopes up. Sam would’ve had a fit if I’d told him, and he wouldn’t of let me do it. It would of put the kibosh on any liking he had for John an’ all. Besides,’ she added glumly, ‘I have two littluns and another on the way. My place is at home with them.’
‘Do you have any idea where the club was going to be?’ Riley asked. ‘Think carefully. It’s important.’
‘Oh yes. John took me to Nine Elms and showed me. There’s them big train works up there.’
‘Where they build the steam engines?’ Riley asked.
She nodded. ‘That’s it. John told me they built bigger sheds a few years back but a couple of ’em don’t get used no more. He were negotiating to lease them.’
Riley
