The note explained

"Reggie arrived at Holly House!!! He brought a new customer who seemed interested in the shop. Sandy and I don't like the look of him. Sandy wonders if he is going to take over the running of the counter. I think I need to watch it. I don't know how easy it will be for me to write you notes again!"

Truscott saw that Temple was interested in the contents but he couldn't understand why. He waited for an explanation.

"Who is this new customer, I wonder? Pity Cantwell's in hospital, I'd like to hear what he thinks." He looked closely at Truscott. "A full explanation would take too long. Suffice to say, we have an inside informant at Grange Farm."

"So I gather. But why the intrigue over this run down old farm?"

"It's where Redbourne has his betting scam base. All the doping and switching takes place here. It's a similar set-up to one he ran in London. Down here he's into horse race fixing as well." He paused wondering just how much he needed to tell Truscott at this time. "You recall the body we fished out of the river in Topsham? Well, Eager Beaver found out about the race fixing. He made copious notes about it. Cantwell and I deciphered most of them. When Beaver's own gambling debts mounted up, he tried to blackmail Redbourne, at least, that's what we thought. Pretty rash thing to do that!"

"Did Redbourne kill him?"

"Not him! He'd never dirty his hands. It was one of his henchmen either Steele or Davey. Anyway, our insider is the widow of Ben Ellacott, the other body fished out of water."

"The man who drowned, the pharmacist?"

"Yes - the drowning was not all it seemed. Cantwell and I were working on Ellacott's pharmacy records. His drugs were being used illegally for Redbourne's business."

"Why wasn't he brought in for questioning? You've got a good case, haven't you?"

"Knowledge is one thing, Truscott, but as you will find out proof before a court is quite another matter."

"Why is the Super so keen that the shootings originate from the smuggling at the docks? You and Cantwell were stirring it up with Redbourne. Also, you seem to know about him from his previous life in London. Surely, Baker should give you resources to go after him?"

Temple started up the engine. He wasn't prepared, at this stage, to tell Truscott everything about the involvement of the so-called county set. He drove to a section of the lane where he could turn the car. Then they headed back towards the village.

"The note we've picked up from Brenda Ellacott is in a very basic code. Cantwell and I met her in Exeter and devised a means whereby she could let us know what's going on at the farm. Holly House stands for Grange Farm. The 'shop' is the dogs being dealt with at the farm. Sandy is Harry 'Soppy' Soper. He's a bit of an enigma. He works on the farm with the dogs. He switches them, when necessary and gives them the drugs. Or so I think. But Mrs Ellacott is obviously fond of him. There's a third person on the farm, a Mrs Hannaford. She's the widow of the man who farmed here for years before Redbourne got his hands on the place."

"So, who's the 'new customer'?"

Temple stopped the car outside the pub. He sat back and thought. "That's what you and I are going to find out, Truscott. Maybe not today or even tomorrow. Redbourne mustn't be spooked into doing something that might jeopardise our catching him. Anyway, time for a pint and a bite to eat."

"I'm not really hungry, Gov."

"Well that makes a change from poor old Cantwell. However, a short half hour in the pub might be worth our while."