Coasting Chapter Five

Wednesday

Neither Paul nor Dave slept well, it had been after midnight when they left the club the blonde didn’t tumble for Dave’s overtures, but he didn’t care, there were other more important matters than getting laid; he was getting old.
They discussed Paul’s options. ‘Take the money and run,” appealed to both of them, they would get the car on Sunday pass that on to Mahesh.
“We have to speak to Mahesh, get that end sorted out, make sure that there were no hitches there, pool our assets, and then get as far from here as possible. That’s the plan.” Paul explained
“And go where exactly?” Dave wanted to know.
“Bali, Indonesia. It’s cheap, great surf and as far from here as possible.”
Dave was going to tell him that Bali wasn’t really that far away at all, but it was getting late, and they had argued enough for one day. He was tired, but sleep wouldn’t come straight away, since his brother had been home his life had become quite complicated.
The boys were late rising on Wednesday morning, the surf was flat, and breakfast was cold and uninteresting. Paul phoned Mahesh and arranged a meeting with him for later that afternoon, and for lack of anything else to do they found themselves in the Broadbeach Tavern for a drink and a game of pool. They hadn’t been in there more than a couple of minutes before they were confronted with the past.
“Well, well what have we got here?” Paul looked up from the table and there was Detective Inspector Jolly, one of The Gold Coast’s finest!
“What the fuck do you want?” Paul wanted to know
“I’m always interested when I find the Williams brothers in a pub on a week day when the entire honest world is working.” Jolly said by way of introduction
“We’re between jobs Inspector,” Dave said a little bit more respectful than Paul but not much.
Jolly ignored him. “I noticed you’re driving a Jag Paul, very nice.”

“It’s not mine.”
“Of course it’s not yours; I didn’t think for one minute that it was. I saw you in it a couple of days ago and done a bit of homework and found that it’s registered in company name of Rycart Holdings. You’ll never guess who’s a part owner of Rycart Holdings”
Paul shook his head.
“Peter Dawson. So are you still working for Dolly, Paul?”
Paul’s beer turned to vinegar in his mouth, he’d been out for less than a week and it seemed everyone was conspiring to get him back there as soon as possible.
“I’m driving a car that is owned by someone known to the police. That isn’t a crime Inspector, or has it become one.”
“It’s not a crime, but if anything goes down in this manor in the next day, week, year; you can expect to feel my hand on your collar Paul. Am I making myself clear?”
“As clear as crystal Mr Jolly.” Paul told him.
“Give the car back and get a real job Paul or you’re going to be seeing me almost on a daily basis.” Jolly advised him and left the boys standing by the table.
“FUCK” Paul snapped after Jolly had gone.
“My thoughts entirely,” Dave uttered.

*

They drove into Brisbane and picked up Mahesh outside a Mosque near the Logan Hyperdome shopping centre, introductions were made, but Dave’s mistrust was obvious and it showed. Paul drove into the shopping centre and pulled up in the car park.
“We have something lined up.” Paul told Mahesh, who was dressed in the full Arab kit, complete with tea towel.
“Are you an Arab or an Indian?” Paul asked
“Both,” Mahesh replied, “what have you got?” Mahesh asked
“A Baby Bentley.”
“Really?” He was obviously interested.
“Really,” said Dave speaking for the first time.

“What’s it worth Mahesh?” Paul wanted to know.
“What year?”
“2007.”
“Colour?”
“White. It’s a convertible white with a black soft top, it’s very smart”
“Excellent. I can probably get you 15 maybe 20.”
“They’re 245 new, and you are going to offer us 15 said Dave.” His hostility becoming obvious, Mahesh looked at Dave.
“You have a red hot car that no one will want to touch and I am offering you 15 or twenty grand more than anyone else will.”
“How do we get paid?” Asked Dave.
“I will deal with you Paul. Where is the car now?”
“We haven’t got it yet; we’ll have it on Sunday.”
“When you have it, give me a call, when I’ve seen it I will contact my people.”
“How do we know that you won’t stitch us up? Dave demanded to know.
“For twenty grand? This isn’t a million dollar cocaine swap were talking about.”
“I know people who will stitch you up for a lot less than twenty thousand,” said Dave.
“I bet you do, but I am not one of them. We want regular suppliers, if we stitch up every supplier we are not going to be in business very long ourselves, are we?”
“OK, OK,” Paul said acting as mediator. I’ll call you on Sunday.” Mahesh shook Paul’s hand and gave Dave a look usually reserved for a bacon sandwich and slipped out the back door.
“I don’t like him.” Dave said stating the obvious.
“Go on I’d never have guessed,” said Paul as they made their way out of the shopping centre, and drove back to the Gold Coast.