Things get dodgier!

"Stuart!" Redbourne was surprised to see McBride, "Come into the office. Good to see you. How's things?"

McBride glanced round the room, there was no sign of Steele or Davey. "Things are not so good actually, Rex. That's why I've come. We need a chat to see what's to be done."

Redbourne indicated for him to sit, while he opened the drinks cabinet. "What'll it be?"

"Nothing or maybe..." he paused and looked at the array of bottles. "I'll have a small G and T, Rex."

"So, what's the problem?"

"Bellamy tells me that Baker can't handle Temple and his sergeant. It seems Temple used to work for Scotland Yard and ..."

"Yeah! I know he did. I came across him in London myself." McBride looked worried. "No need to panic, Stuart, he's got nothing on me. He's a real hot head. Jumps to conclusions and rushes in feet first. Leave things to me. If Baker can't sort it, I'll sort it."

"How do you mean 'sort it'?"

"Like I said, leave it to me." He took a long swig of whisky. "What you don't know, can't hurt. Can it now?" He grinned reassuringly.

McBride considered things for a while. He wanted to say, 'no rough stuff', then thought better of it. If he really didn't know, then he couldn't be implicated. So, he reasoned, if Redbourne wanted a free hand, let him. He leaned forward twiddling the cut-glass tumbler watching the play of light on its edges. "I'm sure you know about these things better than I do. I'll leave it to you." He got up to leave. "By the way, how's Charlie doing?"

"Better, thanks to your ministrations! He's still on the painkillers you gave him. He'll be better when the stitches are out."

"I'll do that next week. I'll be in touch." As he reached the door, he turned, "I've had to put out a feeler with a Plymouth pharmacist to get our supplies. You'll have to hang on but it shouldn't be too long."

"Damn well better not! We're almost out of drinomyl. There's several good meetings coming up and I want to be sure of two of the dogs!"

Redbourne sat pondering the situation, after McBride had left. He picked up the phone and dialled. It was picked up almost immediately. "Pete! It's Rex, Rex Redbourne. Yes ... fine ... Listen, I need a favour. Any chance we could meet up tonight? I'll come up to Exeter." He listened carefully to the reply. "Right ... What time?" he looked at his watch nodding to himself. "I'll be in the George and Dragon at half eight. Okay?"

As he replaced the receiver, Ted Steele entered the office looking glum. "Charlie's resting. Still got a headache, so he says." He sat down.

"Don't make yourself too comfortable, Ted. We're off to meet Pete Willis near Exeter."

"Thought he was still up in London."

"Came down to these parts about a month ago. Needed things to cool down a bit. I'll tell you about it on the way. You can drive." He threw him the car keys.