Page 114 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
[I cut out your order for a takeaway. Tarka daal, veggie bhuna and garlic naan. Good combo. EC]
AB:Worked here long?
UR1:Yes.
AB:What was it called back in the day?
UR1:Hmmm?
AB:Punjab Junction?
UR1:Yes. [He sounds reluctant, Mand. EC]
AB:I used to come hereallthe time. Didn’t you have a waiter called Harpinder? Harpinder Singh? [No answer that I can hear. EC] Is he still here? [A burst of clattering and sizzling drowned out his reply. EC]
UR2:Can I help? [This is someone new. EC]
AB:Just chatting to your colleague. I was a regular, eighteen years ago. When Harpinder was around. How is he, alright?
UR2:You can go. I’m tired of police here. [Well, that escalated quickly. EC]
AB:I’m not police.
UR2:So why you asking for Harpinder? Who remembers a waiter? You know what happened.
AB:I’m writing a book on the Alperton Angels. Newspaper reports said Harpinder Singh worked here.
UR2:He worked here but … If I were you, I’d not throw his name about, nor Shenky’s right? For dead men they still have enemies.
AB:Why?
UR2:They had a racket out the back. The last owners.
AB:Drugs?
UR2:We’re under new management now. All clean. We’re making it work, giving young people a chance. See him? Lost his family, so he lives upstairs, works here, goes to college in the day. Boy at the door is on a management training course for the disabled. But we still have to live and work in this community. Do you understand what I’m saying? Your man tried but didn’t get them all. Not by a long way.
AB:[You whisper this. EC] Was Harpinder Singh undercover here? At Punjab Junction?
UR2:[So does he. EC] You didn’t hear it from me. Here’s your food. On the house. Just go.
[OMG! Messaging you! EC]
WhatsApp messages between Ellie Cooper and me, 27 July 2021:
Ellie Cooper
Harry Singh joined the police!
Amanda Bailey
He was undercover at a restaurant where drugs were being traded or moved. Chris Shenk, or Raphael, was very much in the mix.
Ellie Cooper
It explains why Harry didn’t get in touch with Galen Fletcher’s family when Clem died.
Amanda Bailey
