Those Left Behind - 25. Follow the money

“Again?”

“I’m afraid so, Graham. So, go over everything he knows. The SFO are convinced we’ve missed something.”

“Run that by me again, sir.”

“There’s more money out there, they are sure of it. The bank’s own audit has come out with some astounding figures. Looks as if the fraud goes back further.”

“Jesus. How’d they miss it?”

DI Donaldson shrugged, “Clever, I think or maybe the bank’s just been a bit over-confident. But there’s more money out there somewhere and it’s our job to find it.”

“And they think Ludovic Wilson knows?”

“Well. If he sits tight then, when she comes out, they’d be in a pretty good situation. All he has to do is keep his mouth shut.”

“But he’s…”

“Look, I know you like the man, and I’m inclined to agree that he’s been her patsy. But the SFO has a good case, and we’d feel pretty sick if they proved us wrong. So, bring him in and we’ll go over everything. You’ve been quite gentle so far, so perhaps it’s time to apply a bit of real pressure.”

***

“Well? What did they want?”, Lesley stared eagerly at Ludo.

He shrugged, “Money, I think, they’re looking for money.”

“I thought they’d found it?”

Arthur smiled, “Clearly not.”

The call had come suddenly, and Ludo had been hustled to the Police Station to be grilled again, this time by DI Donaldson and Graham Marcus. They went over everything Ludo had said, forensically. Then policemen insisted on going back over Jackie’s previous projects with the bank. After an exhausting few hours, it was such a relief to escape, but Ludo still had the nagging feeling that they didn’t believe him.

“They didn’t believe me; the questions were all about stuff I didn’t know. Mysterious foreign bank accounts, what Jackie was doing at the bank two years ago.”

“Two years ago?” Arthur exclamation was so loud people at the next table turned.

Ludo had expected to be with the police for far longer, but when push came to shove, all they had to present him with was stuff they’d gone over before. So, with a distinct feeling of déjà vu, or perhaps Kafka, Ludo went over all he knew and didn’t know. He’d laughed when they’d asked him about what Jackie was doing two years ago; it had been more nerves than anything else, but still the very idea was risible. He’d attempted to give a coherent answer, but all he really remembered was trying to fit work in whilst looking after a lively kid and the sense of constantly being on the back foot, either with his work or school. Jackie had been resentful of the way family life was impinging on her ability to her work. What work? That was the question, wasn’t it? Ludo had shaken his head; he had no idea.

When he was finally relieved of the confinement, he had given up all thought of going back to work, and so had Arthur. They were joined by Lesley for a late lunch at their regular haunt.

“Yep, two years ago or more. What was she doing?”

“Do you know?”

Ludo shrugged, “Not much. She tended not to say anything, and I can’t remember most of what she did tell me. If she talked about work at all it was generally annoyance with fellow workers and other stuff, the odd funny story, you know people messing up. I remember fragments, but it’s all mixed up here”, and he tapped his forehead.

“Shit. You think Jackie knows, that she was involved in whatever they think was going on?”

“They never asked directly, and if they had I’d have said not. The change came about nine months ago, she got more stressed. But what do I know?”

“So, it’s going on.”

“And on…”

“All we need is for the press to say that you’re sitting on a pot of money waiting for Jackie to get out”, Lesley was smiling but it was a scary thought.

***

“Well?”

Graham Marcus shrugged at his boss, “Waste of time. Either he doesn’t know anything or he’s a good liar.”

“And we think the former?”

“Even DCI Kemble from the SFO does. They’re a bit stymied, I reckon.”

“And the German woman, Andreas Huber’s wife?”

Graham raised his eyebrows, “Hansi Huber?”

“Hansi?”

“Short for Hannelore, sir. Similar story from her. Says that if her husband had told her she’d have made him go to the Polizei; that the whole thing was stupid. Sounds quite a character, by all accounts.”

“Yep. So?”

“Concentrate on the principals. They’ll be putting pressure on Andreas Huber and Jacqueline Wilson, see if they can get anything.”

DI Donaldson wrinkled his nose, “Fat chance of that. Get done for what we know about, admit to it, and keep quiet about the rest, more like.”

“She’s wavering, they think, but he’s firm. Thinks we’re all idiots and he’s clever. And he can hold his tongue, evidently.”

“Buggeration!”

***

It wasn’t the same room, but it felt that same. That bland, official air, nothing out of the way, nothing too friendly. Ludo was back at the prison. He’d been surprised that Jackie had asked to see him, and without Damian too. He presumed that it meant the divorce was about to get complicated. Both Frances McSweeney and Donna Elland were unhappy he was seeing her on his own, but it was at her request. And Damian was pissed off too. Still in two minds about seeing his Mum in prison, he hated missing out as well.

Ludo was so tense that he shot up when Jackie appeared with the warder. She didn’t say anything, at first, simply stood by the window. Ludo joined her, for want of anything else to do. He was about to ask what the fuck this was about when she pointed to a tree.

“That’s the tree I took the photos of.”

“For Damian?”

“Yes. He liked them?”

“Definitely. The letter you got was all him, I didn’t have to edit anything.”

She gave a dry laugh, “No cutting out ‘Mummy is a bitch’?” Ludo was surprised at how bitter she sounded. He looked at her properly. She didn’t look good, “I’ve been doing the maths, working out how much I’ll miss.”

“Miss. Of Damian?”

“Yeah. I’ll be lucky to attend his 18th birthday. It’s started to get to me.”

What the hell was this thing about? He could hardly respond that she should have thought of that before she agreed to Andreas’ mad scheme, could he? Or perhaps he should. But Ludo just didn’t have the energy. As with everything related to Jackie, it had always been easier to go along with things, conserve energy for the most important. And now? Ludo had no fucking idea. Still. And part of him resented all that. “There’s not much I can do, is there? I’m hardly in a position to help, thanks to you?” It all came out rather sharper than intended and she turned to him, surprised. “Well! What did you expect. The police keep dragging me in for questioning, convinced that I know where all the fucking money is hidden. Damian doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going, he hates you and misses you. We’re seriously thinking of getting him a therapist.”

“A therapist?”

“Yeah. You can’t just piss off and leave him and expect him to shake himself and carry on. He’s only ten for God’s sake. I do my best but at this rate, you’ll be lucky he’s still speaking to you when all this is over. And we’ve got bloody years of it. You realise that.”

“Hardly years. Come on Ludo…”

“No! You don’t get do to that anymore. No bloody come-on, Ludo. The trial won’t be until next year, if we’re lucky. The solicitor says that the finance side might be so complicated they’ll want a delay. And they are still looking for more money. Whatever happens, there’s bound to be an appeal. And we have to sit tight and pretend that life’s a dream. Thank you very fucking much.”

He turned his back on her. It was childish, he knew, but he could hardly march out of the room, could he? Or perhaps he should. Leave her stewing.

“I’ve started to realise how fucking stupid I’ve been. How idiotic it was. And you know why? I’ve been enjoying Damian’s letters. I know a hell of a lot more about the sex life of trees than I ever did.”

Ludo half turned towards her and gave a thin smile, “Welcome to my world.”

“I miss that, all of that.” She shook her head sadly, “What is it about only realising what you’ve got when you don’t have it anymore.” She held her hands up, “And before you say anything, it’s all on me. But I do miss him.”

“Shit. I forgot. Damian sent you this.”

She opened the envelope; it was a drawing of a tree. The tree. He thought Jackie was going to burst into tears.

“He did it from your photos. If you look carefully there’s a strange blob. That’s Mum looking at the tree, evidently. He still hasn’t got the hang of drawing people yet.”

“But the tree is fucking awesome.”

“Yep.”

“I miss him, miss life together. I know, it’s my own fault. I should never have listened to Andreas and his bright schemes. He’s just too clever for his own good. Or anyone else’s for that matter”, she shook her head. “I’m going to turn Queen’s Evidence, admit my guilt and rat on Andreas.”

“Is there stuff you can tell them?”

She shrugged, “A bit. He was doing it long before I got involved.”

“Yeah, so I gathered. One of the times they dragged me into the Police Station to quiz me, it was all about what you were doing two years ago.”

She gave smile, “And I bet you were helpful!”

He shrugged, “An undigested mix of memories of what Damian was doing, family trips and your funny stories.”

“Christ, yes. That wanker in the Frankfurt office. Well, Andreas was fiddling long before I met him. This time was meant to be one glorious finale, make enough so he could retire.”

“Except it would never be enough.” She gave him a funny look. He shrugged, “Well, if you divide it between everyone, and factor in the surcharge for being someone who needs to keep stuff hidden and so has to pay double for everything.”

“Yeah, that occurred to me too. Too late.” She narrowed her eyes, “It’s not like you to be so forward planning with money.”

“It was Hansi’s idea. She came over to see Andreas and dropped in.”

Jackie did a double take, “You’ve met the hausfrau? And?”

“She’s a character. Quite a tough cookie, I suspect.”

“Andreas kept her in the dark, convinced she would shop him.”

“Yeah, she probably would have, I think. She kept saying he’d been stupid. And you didn’t keep me in the dark?”

“OK. I fucked up. Look. I know where Andreas was hiding this money. That has to be worth something. And…”

“Hmm?”

“When I come out. You and Damian will still be there?”

“I’ll do my damnedest. Oh, not so much for you, it’s purely selfish. I don’t want him to feel bad in ten years’ time because I made him hate you. I don’t want it to be all my fault.”

“Yeah. All very laudable.”

“Look. I want everyone to live peaceably. Not necessarily all sweetness and light, but no aggro. So, I’ll talk about you, the good things.” She looked dubious. “And there were good things. Don’t try and play the martyr too much. I’ll make sure he continues to write, and we can sort out visits if it doesn’t freak him out. But I’ll warn you, coming to this place still makes him conflicted. He’s only ten, don’t forget. And we are getting him a therapist.”

“We?”

Ludo looked at her, puzzled, “Arthur and I?”

“I suppose I’ll have to get used to that.”

“Do you think they’ll let you out for the wedding?”

And she’d actually laughed, “You’ve got a nerve. Can you imagine me sat at the back of the registry office with two prison guards?”

“Do they still do stuff like that?”

She shrugged, “Fuck knows. Look don’t say anything about this yet. You can talk to Arthur, but no-one else. Someone’ll let you know when and if it’s a done deal.”

***

Gordy had been true to his word and taken the boys off for another walk, in a secret location, which of course made it all the more fun for them. There was still a slight niggle every time they left the boys with him, but the last time had been such a great success. And to give him his due, he seemed on the straight up, especially after his news about Alessio. The intention had been to do Saturday, but Sunday worked just as well, and Gordy felt that it was better. The weather was fine, so Ludo and Arthur took themselves off for a long walk. It was unimaginative, but it allowed them to talk, and they would get to call in at the tea stall by the Common (they had checked, and it was on, this Sunday).

“This is ridiculous, we spent the whole week obsessing about not talking to each other, and when we get the chance to be alone, we don’t say anything!”

Arthur grinned, “Bliss, isn’t it? But we are communicating” and he squeezed Ludo’s hand.

“You know on Friday?”

“Ye-es?”

“You were wearing those blue and white striped cotton pants round the house?”

“Yes?” Concern moved to puzzlement.

“Well, they didn’t do a job of hiding things, the fly gapes”, Ludo grinned, “delightfully. And you were looking nicely perky.”

“Shit, what if the boys had seen me like that.”

“Dad, why’s Arthur’s willy sticking out like that, is he excited, are you going to do stuff?” The two collapsed in laughter, to the confusion of the odd passer-by.

“Oh, don’t. Why didn’t you say something or do something.”

“If you remember, we were having quite a heavy conversation. Popping in a comment about your perky penis would have been jejune, and ‘doing something about it’ might have given the wrong impression entirely. Besides, ‘what about the boys’?”

“Christ. Oh don’t. Perky penis, that sounds like character from some demented children’s show.”

“And this evening, girls and boys, we meet Perky Penis and Vivacious Vagina and, Oh boy, are they going to have fun.” There was more laughter, teetering on the hysterical, but good-natured.

“Speaking of which, do you know what Adam said to me last night?”

“When?”

“As I kissed him good night. He often tells me things then, private things. Well, this was a wowjer. He likes that way Gordy looks down there, and thinks you and I should shave, it would look cool.”

“Bloody Hell. So, he and Damian have been talking. You reckon?”

“Yep. Almost certain. Do you think they might be fruits?”

“Fuck knows. We can hardly ask around, can we? Excuse me, our sons keep talking about our pubic hair and how it would look better shaved, is this normal?”

Arthur wrinkled his nose, “It’d be funny if it wasn’t so worrying. Do you think?”

“What?”

“That we might be making too much of it?”

“That’s what you suggested and look what it led to?” He gave Arthur’s hand a squeeze. “I think that wherever we go on holiday, we need to be near a beach we can strip off. So, the boys are around us, naked but without Gordy there.”

“You reckon he’s a problem?”

“Not as such, but him constantly flashing that shaved pubic area certainly doesn’t help.”

“Holiday. I was thinking. Whatever happens in the case, nothing’ll happen over the Summer. We need to book somewhere and how about one of Hansi’s cabins, she said we could use one.”

“Woods, a place of our own, privacy. Is there stuff to do?”

“Yeah, the area is heaving with woods lakes, old towns, mountains, walks.”

“Naked swimming?”

“Probably, knowing the Germans.”

They walked along in silence for a bit.

“You’ve not emailed me yet.”

“Well, we managed to talk through everything quite successfully on Friday. I’m sure there’ll be future wobbles.”

“Nevertheless, it’d be nice. When I’m at work.”

“For me to email you when you’re in your study and I’m in mine?”

Ludo grinned, “Yeah, I was thinking about it, and it’d be nice. We’d do it like a shot if we weren’t working at home.”

The two smiled at each other, “OK.”

By the time they got to the Common, they were ready for cake and tea. There was a bit of a queue, but both felt relaxed. There had been kites to watch and Arthur had taken some photos for the boys. There’d been a message from Gordy saying they were having a great time with a picture of the two boys grinning into the camera.

“Hello, strangers!”

They turned, and Lesley was standing behind them smiling. She’d had some work away and somehow her free days and theirs had never meshed.

“We’re playing truant. Gordy’s taken the boys off on a walk and left us for the afternoon.”

“So, what have you been doing?”

“Long walk, lovely chat. Just chilling together, and now tea.”

“Mind if I join you. Or I can bugger off, once I’ve got my cake, Common’s big enough.”

“No, do join us.”

The queue moved and they had to pay attention to cake, scone, and tea, making decisions. Finally, they ended up on a patch of green by the pond, away from stray families and children.

Lesley gave a sort of contented sigh, “I’m going to miss this.”

“Miss it?”

She gave a funny, cock-eyed smile, “It’s not certain yet. But the last couple of weeks have made it clear that this place is not well suited to the travelling I might have to do. When I first arrived, things were OK, mainly because work was a bit light. But I’ve been rather busy of late, and a lot of my clients are in the Midlands. I need somewhere that’s a bit more of a transport hub.”

“Somewhere a bit more boring!”

“‘Fraid so. Dot and I had been sort of hedging round the issue and she admitted that things are not going well on the course. They are re-structuring it again next year, for God’s sake. So, we are looking round.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Yeah, I think, without you guys I would go mad here. Not sure why you two don’t?”

“Frankly, I think we both like the quiet. Specially at the moment.”

“Yeah, there’s been a horrific amount in the papers. Look, do mind if we talk about it or shall I keep quiet?”

“No, it’s OK.”

“I was reading the papers; well, I always do that. But last week I picked up a couple of German language ones on my travels, and there were a couple of articles on the Andreas bloke. One was a competent background article, but the other was a real hatchet job. Anyway, it set me thinking and putting everything together, do you think he’s done this before and has got more money squirrelled away? Would make sense of why he’s staying firmly stumm?”

She looked at the two expectantly and was then puzzled as they stared at each other and laughed.

“What?”

“We’re not allowed to tell you.”

“Yet…”

“Bloody hell. Will this thing never cease twisting and turning.”

***

It was Thursday before the word came, Thursday night. A message from Frances McSweeney’s office. The news would be officially announced tomorrow. The papers didn’t make that big a deal of it in the morning, there was another government crisis brewing, and the discovery that a corrupt banker had been on the fiddle before ceased to be headline grabbing news when the said banker was German, and the fiddling had taken place in France and Germany. But it was a relief.

Late Friday morning, Frances McSweeney’s colleague’s office sent over scans of several German newspapers. This required work translating, but the scale and the time period were staggering. But it was clear that the bloke had been getting more careless, or cockier, and there were threads leading to other investigations. But the core of the criminal activity was all drifting away from Jackie. She was helping the police with their enquiries, had admitted a lesser charge. Formal sentencing would follow the completion of further investigations. No doubt checking she wasn’t involved in the new revelations, but Ludo was pretty sure she wasn’t. Her behaviour didn’t fit. Or was she kidding him?

When Arthur brought the boys back, he took Adam for a walk and Ludo sorted out juice and some biscuits, sat Damian down and said he had news about Mum.

“She’s still going to be in prison, but she’s been telling the police about Andreas.”

Damian stared at his Father intently, “Bad stuff that he’s done?”

“I think it’s more that she knew where he was hiding his money.”

“Was there a lot?”

Ludo nodded, “I think so. Your Mum thinks he was doing bad things for a long time before he persuaded your Mum to join him.”

“But she’ll still be in prison?”

“Yes, but probably not for as long”. It was no good telling the boy a number of years, they’d all seem ridiculous to him. Ludo took hold of his son’s hands, “She wanted me to tell you that she’s been enjoying your letters a lot. She keeps all of them. She wants to keep writing to you and hopes you’ll keep writing to her.”

“Will I be able to visit her?”

“I think it depends on what prison she’s sent to. There are some prisons, Open Prisons, where the prisoners are allowed to do a bit more. Like a lot of things, we have to wait and see. OK?”

Damian nodded, trying to look serious but then he burst into tears. After all, he was just a ten-year-old who, despite everything, missed his Mum.

By the time Adam and Arthur returned, Damian was recovered, and the two boys scampered upstairs whilst Arthur and Adam sorted out dinner.

“So, it’s over?”

Ludo pulled a face, “Difficult to tell. If there are any more revelations, then the likelihood is that they won’t really concern Jackie, or not as much.”

“You really think her information might be of use?”

“Well, she comes from the same background as Andreas, she knows how these things work. She knows where the bodies are buried, at least, or rather the treasure.”

Arthur smiled, “And has spent a lifetime checking up on other bankers.”

“Precisely. So, we can hope.”