Chapter 28
Armed with a list Reg had handed them at midday, Sandy and Gallagher pulled onto the kerb in Netheravon and looked up at the sign. 'Broadhurst Motors'.
"C'mon. Let's see if they've still got it," Gally said as he opened the door.
On the front lot, they wandered through the cars on display and it didn't take long to find. Humber Hawk, two-tone grey. Technically, the firm was just outside the search area but one of the local uniformed officers had admired it, then, when he mentioned his intention to buy it to his colleagues back at the nick, they pointed out the crime circulation requesting sightings and possible location.
"Hello there! Can I assist you at all? That's a lovely car that one. Not much on the clock, one previous lady owner."
They turned to see a man in his thirties, hint of desperation to his eyes, wife, three kids, mortgage and all the hallmarks, less the spiv moustache, of a car salesman going through a lean patch.
Gally flashed his warrant card. "Detective Inspector Gallagher, Swindon CID." He waved vacantly at Sandy. "This is my Detective Constable. Is the boss around, we'd like to speak to him?"
He scuttled off. A few moments later he re-emerged and zoomed in on a young couple admiring a mini. Several minutes later a short man, stocky build, clean- shaven, liked a pint, wearing a slightly crumpled business suit came out and greeted them.
"Hello, Officers! How can I help you? Sorry for the delay, I was on the phone; the wife, you know what they're like." He smiled and extended his hand. "You're interested in the Hawk, I believe? Is there a problem?"
Gally shook his head. "Not really, we're looking for one like this that would have had damage to the front nearside wing. This looks quite tidy. Have you repaired it?" he asked.
"No. I've only just bought it in. The nearside wing has been replaced and resprayed, though."
"How can you tell?"
"Tricks of the trade, besides, if you check beneath the wing it's clean. Check the other one, it's obvious it's been there much, much longer. Good job though, don't you think?"
They had to admit they did.
"Who did you buy it off?"
"Another trader."
"Is that usual?"
"Happens all the time. Especially if it's a repair job. Locals might know the car, go blabbing around. It's easier to sell it on to another dealer at a discount rather than have it sat there for months and months and generally speaking, the punters won't notice as long as the car's structurally sound. That's why I don't feel the need to mention its entire history. One lady driver is truth enough, although it would appear that maybe she wasn't that careful."
"Who did you get it from?"
"Cherney's in Marlborough. I've dealt with him before. Met him through the Rotary Club. Decent bloke." He hesitated. "Any problem me selling it? I was looking for the quick sale that's why I've not loaded much on the price I paid."
Gally looked at Sandy who shrugged his shoulders and said, "Not a problem as far as I can see."
"Nor me," Gally replied. "Yeah, you can flog it."
The man grinned. "Just as well, here's my punter now. If you'll excuse me, I must go and sort him out. Glad I could be of help."
They sat in Gally's car, still on the pavement, and thumbed through the list. 'Cherney Motors' was there. Marlborough. Thirty minutes north. Sandy opened the thermos flask and poured them a coffee.
"It's already sugared," he said as he passed it over after a sip. "Any chance I can at least be a Detective Sergeant next time?"
Gally laughed. "And there was I going to let you be the Inspector but if you don't fancy it." He tutted. "Fear of public speaking is a terrible thing."
"No, no, I'll do it."
"You're too late now, Ginge, you've spoiled my surprise."
A knock on the window. Gally wound it down. It was the car dealer.
"I just wanted to say thanks very much. My punter thought you were interested in the Hawk and wants to pay another fifty on top to make sure he gets it. Present for his wife's birthday. It's not often you get a good result from meeting a couple of coppers."
At Cherney’s, Gally relented and Sandy took the lead. Mike the mechanic told them the boss wasn't there and wouldn't be back that afternoon. As he spoke, they watched one of the other mechanics spraying a Hillman Imp on the far side.
Mike noticed. "Just an accident repair. Hit and run. Seems a popular thing to do these days," he volunteered then added, "Don't want you thinking we just tart stuff up to sell on. There are some quality cars on the forecourt but the bread and butter for us lot back here are the accident repairs and the vehicle testing." He threw the oily rag he'd wiped his hands on into the bin. "Yeah, the Humber Hawk? Course I remember it. We've not long got rid of it. What do you want to know?"
Sandy explained.
"The repairs? Well, we replaced and resprayed the front wing and sorted a little bit of damage to the front nearside passenger door. Mister Cherney had only bought it a couple of weeks before someone smacked it and drove off."
"Was it on the premises when it got hit," Sandy asked him.
"No, Mister Cherney often borrows the cars and takes them for a test drive. Usually brings them back after a couple of days. He parked the Hawk up overnight in Swindon, he said. Him and his wife went to one of these fancy do's, the masons or the rotary club it sounded like, and during the night someone hit it and drove off. He said he'd reported it to Swindon police."
Briefly, Gally and Sandy's eyes met then Sandy said, "Well, we'll look that up and if we have to speak further we'll pop back tomorrow afternoon. You said he'd be here between midday and five, I think?" Mike nodded.
As they walked off, Gallagher turned and called, "I'm looking for a maroon Farina, for myself like. Do you ever get them in?"
Mike held his hands open in apology. "You should have come down here last week. We sold one on Saturday. Good condition as well. Sorry! Give me your number, we can call you if one comes in."
Gally waved him off with a grin. "No, don't bother. I'll pop in every now and then and see what you've got." At the first telephone box they saw, they phoned in and spoke to Reg. He'd make some enquiries: any report to Swindon regarding the allegation of hit and run and whether or not there'd been a Masonic or Rotarians function there on the relevant dates.