The dark side of my soul Read Online Free Page B

incident the police are going to want details of all vehicles with front end damage coming in to the local repair shops over the next few weeks.”
    “Even you?”
    “Especially me. As you know, some of my clients are, shall we say, not exactly legit. The boys in blue already visit me on a regular basis. They’ll be checking me out, that’s for sure, and I don’t need any more trouble.”
    “Oh, right.” I didn’t know what else to say.
    “Look man, I owe you, I know that, but don’t bring your car here. Take my advice; go out of town, preferably as far away as possible. Tell you what; I’ll give you a number.”
    I worried at how easily he had seen through my story. Another delay was followed by papers rustling before Terry spoke again. “This guy’s a ways off, someone I know. He’s in Lancashire, near Burnley but he’s good, specialises in your kind ‘a problem. You know what I mean?”
    We both knew exactly what he meant but I kept quiet. “He’s not cheap but he’ll keep his mouth shut. Got a pen?”
    “Yes, I have one.” I was as good as admitting guilt but I had no other choice. He gave me the number. I repeated it and we said our goodbyes.
    I called the number he gave me and it was answered almost immediately in a broad North Country voice. “Jimmy’s repairs”
    I began slowly. “Hello, you don’t know me but I have been given your name by Terry Bovey in Folkestone. My name is Harry Conrad and I know Terry quite well.” I waited for the man to speak but was only rewarded with the sound of heavy breathing so I continued somewhat nervously, after all I didn’t know the person at the other end of the line and I only had Terry’s recommendation. “I need some work done on my car. It’s a three year old Ford Fiesta. The front section needs repair or maybe replacing. It’s quite urgent.”
    “Is it drivable?” The rough accent was barely understandable.
    Sandra had driven home in it so I assumed it was but Burnley was about three hundred miles away. Nevertheless the engine appeared undamaged so I hoped there would be no problem. “Yes” I replied confidently.
    “Can’t do nought today, too busy, can start on it tomorrow if you can get here by then. Be three grand-cash.”
    “Three thousand pounds, you haven’t even seen it yet. There’s not a great deal of damage. That seems a lot.”
    “Eee can always take it to local Ford main dealer.”
    I took a long deep breath. “I can’t do that.”
    “That’s why tis three grand and I’ve already forgotten your name. Bad with names I am, that’s another reason for price. Cash also means no records, nothing to sign, no bills, no receipts, no computers, no proof.”
    And no guarantees or VAT I thought but the work had to be done and this seemed my only option. “Okay, I’ll come up today and I will be with you first thing in the morning.”
    He gave me his address then offered a word of advice. “If I were you I’d drive up at night. Not so easy to spot any damage to a vehicle at night.” With that the line went dead.
    Sandra was staring at me. “Three thousand pounds, that’s ridiculous.”
    “Like the man said we can still go to a local garage, get caught.”
    “Shit.” She spat the word out like a bullet. “We could have a holiday in the Caribbean for that.”
    “Yeah but because of your stupidity we are spending a few days in Burnley instead.”
    “Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it. You can take the money out of my savings account.” Sandra was near to tears. I had hurt her and I had not meant to, my words were spoken in frustration, without thought.
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. The last thing we want to do is to start arguing.” I reached out and took her hand. “I have about three thousand five hundred pounds on my current account. I’ll go to the bank today and draw it out of that.”
    “How long will we be there for?” She asked, still almost crying.
    “I’m not sure but I guess it will be a few days.