Bretthadleftthekeyintheignition,anothertabooinmybook.Isteppedoverintothefrontcompartmentandremovedthekeyring,checkingthatatleastthebrakeswereonandallb.u.t.thecabinlightswereoff.Finally,switchingoffthoseinteriorlightsalsoIjumpeddownfromthepa.s.sengerdoor,lockingitbehindme.

Thefrontpa.s.sengerdoorandthedriver'sdoorbothlockedwiththesamekeythatstartedtheengine,alargecomplicatedkeysuppliedbythemanufacturers.Ilockedthedriver'sdoor-Bretthadn't-andwiththesecondmoreordinarykeyontheringlockedthegrooms'door.Athirdkeylockedthesmallcompartmentunderthedashboardthatcontainedthemobiletelephonepowerswitchandvariousdoc.u.ments,whichI'dcheckedandfoundsecure.

Iwalkedagainrightroundthebox,makingalastinspection.Everythingseemedasitshouldbe.Thetworampsforhorseswereupandbolted.Thefivedoorsforhumans,twoforthefrontseats,threefortheattendants,weresimilarlyimmovable.Theflapovertheintaketothedieseltanks,fastenedbythefourthandlastkeyonthekeyring,wasproof.a.gainstsiphoningthieves.

FeelingallthesameuneasyIwentbacktothehouseandlockedthebackdoorbehindme,whichIdidn'tdoalways.Istretchedoutahandtoswitchofftheoutsidelightsandthenchangedmymindandleftthemon.

Thefleetusuallyspentthenightinsidealargebrick-walledconvertedfarmyard,thewidestrongentrancegatespadlocked.Thenine-boxstandingaloneonmytarmacseemedunaccustomedlyvulnerable,eventhoughtrucksofthatsizewereseldomstolen.Thereweretoomanyident.i.tynumbersengravedontoomanyparts,quiteapartfromthenameCROFTRACEWAYSpaintedinaboutsixplaces,thewholethinghardlyinconspicuousforanyonetryingtoavoidnotice.

Ireheatedtheoldstew,sloshedsomeredwineintoitforexcitementandatetheresultwhileleavingthesittingroomcurtainsopensothatIcouldseethehorseboxallthetime.

Absolutelynothinghappened.Myuneaseslowlyabated,andIputdownits.e.xistencesimplytothefactofOgden'sdemise.

Imadeandreceivedafewmoretelephonecalls,checkingparticularlywithmyseniordriverthatalltheotherboxeswerebackatthefarm.Therestoftheday'sjourneys,itseemed,hadforoncegoneuneventfullytoplan:nomix-upsovertime,noenginetroubles,noequipmentorattendantsleftbehind.Allthedrivershadfilledintheirlogsheetsandpoppedthemasrequestedintotheletter-boxoftheoffice.Thepadlockswereonthegates.Nokeyswereanywhereaccessible.Despitethedeadpa.s.senger,theoverallmessageIreceivedwasthatthebosscouldrelaxandgotobed.

Theboss,intheend,didjustthat,thoughfrommybedroom,whichwasoverthesitting-room,Istillhadaclearviewofthehorseboxoutunderthelights.IleftthecurtainswideopenandalthoughIneversleptwiththemfullyclosedIneverthelesswokeseveraltimesbecauseofthecontinuingunusualbrightnessoutside.AtaboutthreeinthemorningIbecamesuddenlyfullyalert,disturbedbymorethanplainlight.Disturbedbyamovingflashacrosstheceiling,indistinct,likesheetlightning,seenthroughmyeyelids.

Theweatherhadbeenmildrecently,thoughitwa.s.stillearlyMarch,but.i.tseemedtomethatthetemperaturehaddroppedtendegreesinthepastfewhours.InbarefeetandsleepingshortsIstoodupandwenttothewindow,shivering.

Atfirstsightnothingseemedchanged.Shrugging,Ihalfturnedtoreturntothewarmbedandthenstoppedstock-stillinseriousalarm.

Thegrooms'door,throughwhichwe'dallclimbed,wa.s.slightlyopen,notsecurelylocked,asI'dleft.i.t.

Open.

Istaredhard,b.u.t.therewasnomistake.Therewasablacklineofshadowwherethedoornolongerfittedflatandsnuglyintoposition.TheflashoflightI'dseenmusthavebeenareflectionfromitswindowasthedoorhadbeenopened.

Withoutconsideringclothes,Isprintedheadlongdownstairsandalongtothebackdoor,unlockingit,throwingmyfeetintogumbootsands.n.a.t.c.hinganoldraincoatfromapeg.TryingtofitmyarmsintoitssleevesIranacrossthetarmacandpulledthedoorwide.

Therewasafigureinsidethere,inblack,a.s.surprisedtoseemeasItoseehim.Atfirsthehadhisbacktowardsme,thenwhenhewhirledroundwithafierceexclamation,moreanexplosionofescapingbreaththananactualword,Isawthathisheadwascoveredwithablackhood,hiseyesalivethroughholes,theclichedisguiseofrobbersandterrorists.

'Whattheh.e.l.lareyoudoing?'Iyelledathim,tryingmyselfcrazilytoclimbupafterhim.Stupidthingtodoingumboots:thestepholesweren'tdesignedfortheirclumsywidth.

Black-masks.n.a.t.c.heduptherolledhorserug,gaveitafastshaketoopenitsfoldsandthrewitovermewhileIwa.s.stillhalfwayup.Islidoffthetoe-holds,steppedbackunbalancedintoavoidandlandedinaheaponthetarmac.Theblackfigure,dimlyseen,jumpedoverontothedriver'sseat,unlatchedthedooronthatside,leapedathleticallytothegroundandranfortheshadows,litheandscudding.

PerhapsintrainersIcouldhavemadeitacontest.Ingumbootsandanunbeltedraincoatstillonlyhalfon,itwashopeless.Istoodupdisgustedly,disentanglingmyselffromthehorserug,fasteningtheraincoatbelatedlyandlisteninginvainforanysoundofdepartingfootsteps.

Noneofitmadesense,nordidstandingaroundshiveringininappropriateclothesinthemiddleofthenight.Therewasnothingworthstealinginthehorseboxsaveperhapstheradioorphone,b.u.t.theblackfigurehadn'tseemedtobeattackingeither.Hehadn'tinfactseemedtobedoinganythinginparticular,whenIlookedbacktomyfirstsightofhim,butsimplystandinginthecabwithhisbacktome.Therehadbeendustandstreaksofdirtonhisclothes.AsfarasIcouldrememberhehadn'tbeencarryinganything.Notools,notevenatorch.Ifhe'dopenedthegrooms'doorwitheitherakeyoralock-pick,hemusthaveput.i.tinapocket.

Thekeyholeofthegrooms'doorwasinthehandleitself.Therewasnokeyinthelock,nor,whenIlooked,anyobviousscratchesorsignsofforceortampering.

Coldandcross,Ithrewthehorserugbackintothecab,shutthegrooms'doorandthedriver'ssidedoorandwentbacktothehousetofetchthekeysagaintorelockthem.

OutofrespectformycarpetsIslidmyfeetoutofthegumbootsandpaddedthroughthehallandacrossthesitting-roomtothedesk,notbotheringtoswitchonanylightsinthereowingtobeingabletoseeperfectlywellbecauseoftheglowoutside.Iretrievedthekeysfromthedeskdrawer,retracedmysteps,resumedthegumbootsandclompedbacktowardsthewheels.

Comingclose,Isawwithoutbeliefthattherewasablackmovingshadowagaininsidethecab.Monstrous,Ithought,andwhatinG.o.d'snamecouldhewant?Hewa.s.standingbehindthedriver'sseat,feelingforwardintothestorageshelfthatspreadacrossthewholewidthofthecabhighandabovethefrontseats,projectingoutoverthewindscreen.Thes.p.a.ciousshelf,commontoallofmyfleet,wasusedbythedriversandattendantstostowtheirpersonalbelongings,oftenchangesofclothingandoccasionallyasleeping-bagandpillow.Therewasafull-lengthmattressinstalledfortheuseofseveralofthedriverswhoslepttherehabituallyonovernightstops,preferringittocheaplodgings.Bretthadtoldmeheexpectedbetter.Yourownchoice,Ia.s.suredhim.

ThebusyfigureinthecabsawmecomingandwasoutandawayagainbeforeIcouldreachhim.Iraninhiswakesluggishly,asifthroughtreacle,mybarefeethalf-slidingoutofthebootsateverystride.Heheadeddownthedriveandseemedtomeltintotheshadowsofthetreesbytheexittotheroad.

Uselessly,Ifollowedhimtotheroaditself,buthewasnowheretobeseen.Itwasacountryroad,unfenced,withopengatewaystootherhouses.Treesandbushesbythehundred,hidingplacesunlimited.Itwouldhavetakenhalfanarmytofindhim.

PuzzledanddispiritedIretracedmywaybacktothebox.Thedriver'sdoorstoodwideopen,ashe'dleft.i.t.Iclimbedupclumsilyandstoodbehindtheseat,ashehad,lookingintothestorageshelf,switchingonthecabinlightforabetterview.

Th.e.s.h.elfwasemptyexceptforthemattressandaplasticcarrier-bagwhichprovedoninspectiontocontainremainsofBrett-typesustenance;screwedupwrappersfromchocolatebars,anemptysandwich-shapedcasingbearingalabelannouncing'BeefandTomato',withthepriceunderneath,andtwoemptyc.o.kecans.

Iputthebagbackwhereithadbeen.Itwaseachdriver'sbusinesstokeephisownboxcleanandIdidn'tfeellikepickingupafterBrett.WhateverheandDavehadbeendoingthatday,givingliftstomoribundbusinessmenseemedjustthestartofit.Thosetwowouldhavealotofexplainingtodointhemorning.

Icarefullylockedthedoorsagain,andagainwalkedbacktothehouse,butonceinsidefeltfarfromrea.s.sured.Theagilevisitorhadgotintotheboxthefirsttimewithoutbreakingawindoworotherobservableforceandpresumablycouldgetinagainthesameway.

Withoutknowingintheleastwhathewanted,Istilldidn'tliketheideaofhisreturningathirdtime.Italsooccurredtomedisturbinglythatperhapsheintendedtoleavesomething,ordestroysomething,ordisabletheboxaltogether.InalarmanddoubtIshedthegumbootsandraincoatandranupstairsforsubst.i.tutesintheshapeoftwosweaters,jeans,socks,andshoesIcouldrunin.Ipulledmyownoldsleeping-bagfromacupboardandwithalastcheckthroughthewindowtoseeifathirdvisitationwasinprogress-nosignofit-Iwentdownstairsforapaddedjacketandgloves.

Withalltheseaidstowarmth,Icrossedyetagaintotheboxandsettledmyselfinthefrontpa.s.sengerseats,moderatelycomfortableinbodyifnotinmind.

Timeslidby.

Idozed.

Noonecame.

CHAPTER2.

Predictably,Iwokestiffandcolda.s.soonasnature'slightingsystembegancreepingintotheelectricstuff,andItrailedyawningacrosstothekitchenforwarmthandcoffee.Thenewspapersandthepostarrived.Isortedthroughthebills,readtheheadlinesandturnedtotheracingpages,atesomecornflakesandansweredthefirstphonecallsofthenewday.

Myroutineworkinghoursstartedatsixorsevenandnormallyendedatmidnight,Sundaysincluded,but.i.twasawayoflife,notahardship.Itwasthesamefortrainers,allofwhomseemedtobelievethatiftheywereupandcaringfortheirhorsesbyorbeforedawn,everyonewhoworkedforthemshouldbeavailablelikewise.

Planstendedtochangeovernight.Thefirstcallonthatday,aFriday,wasfromthetrainerofahorsethathadgotcastinitsstableandinjuredhimselfbythrashingaboutonthefloor,tryingtogethimselfbackontohisfeet.

'Theb.u.g.g.e.r'stwistedhisoff-hind.Myheadladfoundhim,hoppinglame.'Thebighealthyvoicereverberatedintomyear.'Hecan'trunatSouthwell,sodit.Strikehimoffyourlist,w.i.l.l.you?'

IsaidIwould.'Thanksforlettingmeknow.'

'Iknowyouruntightschedules,'heboomed.'ThefourforSandownareOK.Don'tsendthatBrettforthem,he'sawhiner,heupsetsmylads.'

Ia.s.suredhimhewouldn'tgetBrett.

'Right,Freddie.Seeyouatthesports.'

Withoutwastingtime,IbuzzedmyheaddriverandaskediftheboxesforSouthwellhadalreadyleft.

'Warmingup,'hea.s.suredme.

'MissoutLarryDell.Theirhorsegotcast.'

'Gotyou.'

Iputdownthekitchenreceiverandwentthroughtothesittingroomwheremostofthedesk-topwastakenupbytheweek'scomprehensivechartindicatingwhichboxwasgoingwherewithwhosehorses.Iwroteitalwaysinpencilbecauseoftheconstantchanges.

Onanadjacenttable,easilyreachedbyswivellingthegreenleatherchair,stoodacomputer,monitorandkeyboard.Theoretically,itwaseasiertocalleachboxtothescreentoenterorrearrangeitsjourneys,andactuallyIdidkeepthedetailsofthejourneysrecordedtherepermanentlyoncethey'dbeencompleted,butforanadvanceoverviewIstillclungtomypencilandrubber.

Alongatthefarm,inthemainoffice,mytwobrightsecretaries,IsobelandRose,keptthecomputercompetentlyaccurateanduptotheminute,anddespairedofmyold-fashionedmethods.Theterminalinmysitting-roomwasasortofsub-stationuponwhichappearedallthechangesthey'dmadeonthemaincomputer,andthatwaswhatIchieflyuseditfor:checkingwhathadbeenorganisedinmyabsence.

Inreturn,Itypedinanychangeswhichcameinbeforeoraftertheirofficehoursand,onewayoranother,wehadnotsofarleftanyexpectantrunnerwaitinginvainforthecoachtotakeittotheball.

IcheckeddownthelistonwhatlookedlikeatypicalFridayforthefirstweekofMarch.TwoboxesgoingnorthtoSouthwell,wheretheall-weathertrackheldbothflatandjumpingracesallwinter.Fourboxescollectingrunnersforthatafternoon'sprogrammeofsteeplechasingatSandown,southofLondon.Onenine-horseboxtakingbroodmarestoIreland.Onesix-boxtakingbroodmarestoNewmarket,onetakingbroodmarestoGloucestershire,anothertakingmarestoastuddowninSurrey:thethoroughbredbreedingseasoninfullflood.

Oneboxwasoutofaction,scheduledformaintenance.Onewas'goingtoFrance.OnewouldbetakingJerichoRich'sfilliestoNewmarket.Brettandhisnine-horser,standingoutsidemywindowinthestrengtheningdawn,wereduetospendthedayshuttlingawholestringforatrainermovingtoPixhillfromoutonSalisburyPlain:notlongjourneysbutmultipleand,frommypointofview,goodprofit.

ThefollowingweekwouldseetheCheltenhamFestival,peakofthesteeplechasingyear,withtheFlatseasonpropergettingintogeartheweekafter,itscrowdedprogrammebringingmesixmonthsofgoodbusiness.Marchwa.s.sigh-of-relieftime,thefogsandfreezesofwinterrelaxingtheirparalysingmenace:therewasnoincometobemadefromarowofboxesstandingsilentinthesnow,b.u.t.thedrivershadtobepaidallthesame.

Myheaddriverphonedback.Harvebyname,shortforHarvey.

'Pat'sgotflu,'hesaid.'She'sinbed.'

's.h.i.t.'

'It'sab.u.g.g.e.r,thefluthisyear.Knocksyouout.It'snotherfault.'

'No,'Isaid.'How'sGerry?'

'Stillbad.WecouldputthosebroodmaresofftillMonday.'

'No,they'reneartofoaling.Ipromisedthey'dgotoSurreytoday.I'llsortsomethingout.'

PatandGerrywerereliabledrivers:iftheysaidtheyweretooilltowork,thentheywere.Reshufflerequired.

'DavecandotheGloucestershirebroodmares,insteadofPat,'Isaid.Davewasaslowdriver,andIdidn'tsendhimoutbehindthewheelunlessIhadto.'Thosemareshavenodeadline.'

'Yeah.OK.'

'Iwanthimherefirstthough.Whenheturnsupatthefarm,sendhimalonghere.Bretttoo.'

'Willdo,'hesaid.'Isitaboutthedeadman?'

'Itis.'

'Sillysods.'

'AndtellJoggerIneedhimp.d.q.Tellhimtobringhisslider.'

'Hewon'tbeinforhalfanhour.'

'Thatwilldo.'

'Anythingelse?'

'Suretobe,infiveminutes.'

Helaughedandwentaway,leavingmethinking,asIoftendid,thatIwasluckytohavehim.WhenI'dbeenajockeyHarvehadbeenmyweighing-roomvalet,bringingmycleanedsaddlesandfreshbreechestotheraceseveryday.Valetswereabitliketheatricaldressers,althoughonevaletwould'do'tenorsojockeysregularly.Itwasaclosepersonalservice:onecouldkeepfewphysicalsecretsfromone'svalet.

WhenI'dhungupmybootsandboughtthetransportbusiness,he'dappearedtomysurpriseonmydoorstep.

'I'mheretoseeifyou'llgivemeajob,'hesaidforopeners,comingstraighttothepoint.

'ButIdon'tneedavaletanymore.'

'Notthat.Idon'twanttokeeponwiththat.Myolddad'sdiedandtheweighing-room'snotthesameaswhenhewasthere,andIwantachange.I'msickofthewash-tub.Howabout.i.tifIdriveforyou?Idrivehundredsofmileseveryweekanyway;haveforyears.'

'But,'Isaidslowly,'you'dneedaHeavyGoodsVehiclelicence.'

I'llgetone.'

'Theboxesaren'tlikecars.You'dhavetotakeacourse.'

'IfIgetthelicence,w.i.l.l.yougivemeajob?'

I'dsaidIwouldbecausewe'dalwaysgotoneasilytogether,andinthatcasualwayI'dacquiredthebestlieutenantonecouldimagine.

Hewa.s.sandy-haired,strong-armed,aboutmyownage,aninchortwotaller.Drylydisillusioned,hewasquicktodenigratebutinawaythatmadeonesmile.Brett,hehadremarkedtomeonce,shiftedtheblamebeforeyouevenrealisedtherewasafault.'Hecarriesabagfulofalibisaroundwithhim,readytopulloneout.'

Iwentupstairs,showered,shaved,tweakedtheduvetstraightonmybedandreturnedinshorttimetomydeskandtheuninterruptedviewofthehorsebox.

Jogger,thecompanymechanic,sweptupthedriveinhisvanandsqueakedtoahaltnosetonosewiththehorsebox.Spry,bow-legged,baldandc.o.c.kney,heeeledoutofthevanandstoodlookingatthehorseboxwhilescratchinghishead.Thenhecameovertothehouseinthepeculiargaitthathadearnedhimhisnickname,arollingmotionlikethatofspeedwalkers,almostrunningbutwithonefootonthegroundallthetime,elbowstuckedin.

Iwenttothedoortomeethimandwewalkedbacktotheboxtogether,heimpatientlyslowinghisscuttlingprogresstomatchmine.

'What'stheboil,then?'hesaid.

Hespokehisownsortofc.o.c.kneyrhymingslang,andindeedIoftenthoughthemademostofituphimself,butIwasusedtoitbythattime.Forboil,readboilandbubble,trouble.

'Justcheckitallover,w.i.l.l.you?'Ianswered.'Takeagoodlookattheengine.Thenslideunder,makesurewe'renotleakingorcarryingadditions.'

'Gor,'hesaid.

Iwatchedhimchecktheengine,hiseyesswift,fingersdelicate,headnoddingwithcertainties.

'Allhunky-dory,'hesaid.

'Good.Goovertherest.'

Hewentalongtohistruckandbroughtouttheflexiblestick,withmirrorattached,thatcouldbeangledtorevealinvisibilitiesroundcorners,andalsothelowplatformoncastors,onwhichhelayonhisbacktoslideundertheboxesforquickundergutsinspections.

'Whenyou'redone,I'llbeinthehouse,'Isaid.