The Top Estate

]It was hot inside the shack and Ben felt the heat radiating from the tin roof onto the top of his head. He wiped a line of sweat from under his stained cap and took a sip of water from a half empty canteen. His white tee-shirt was filthy from dust and sweat and it clung to his body. Ben passed the canteen to the man next to him. Their hands touched as the canteen passed, one gnarled black hand against his own deeply tanned and grubby hand.

“Any regrets Ben?” Adi gave a half smile and took a sip of water.

“I think this was where I was meant to be. I can’t see beyond this point. But I regret that the boys are here.”

Three teenage boys lay behind sacks of grain and boxes of tinned food at the back of the shack. They huddled together, heads down and three pairs of eyes looking towards Ben for reassurance.

“We can’t give it back.”

Ben smiled and touched Adi’s hand again. “I don’t think that will save us.” He could hear the police coming from the other side of the housing project as they kicked in doors and shouted to each other as they approached. There were sporadic bursts of gunfire and more shouting and crashing. “We did the right thing. Didn’t we?”

“Always Ben.” Adi took another sip and patted Ben gently on the shoulder. “Always.”

“A small comfort then.” Ben briefly grasped Adi’s arm as he moved to place himself between the boys and the tin sheet that served as a door. “You’ve been a good friend Adi.”

The sound of movement outside suddenly stopped. Adi again placed his hand on Ben’s shoulder, this time to pull him down to the floor as he sank onto his knees. Ben squatted down next to him and both men ducked their heads and listened. Automatic weapon fire strafed the shack above head height and punched bright holes through the door that lit dust trails in the dim air. A bullet ricocheted and grazed Ben across the top of his head and he ducked lower without making a sound. Then the shack was ablaze with light and heat and dust as the door was kicked wide open.

Two rifles poked into the shack and two men in dirty police uniforms stepped inside. They were agitated and nervous and beads of sweat trickled down their black faces. One of the men backed out of the shack and started to shout. The other man kept his rifle pointed at Ben and Adi. His eyes were sore and bloodshot and he lifted one hand from his rifle to wipe away sweat from his face. Ben stood and took a step towards him, a thin line of blood on his face.

“Let’s have none of your funny business Ben.” A man in officer’s uniform came into the shack, a pistol in his right hand pointed towards the middle of Ben’s chest. Metal matt against the glossy black of his skin and the bright gold rings that he wore on each finger. “Are you going to give me it back?”

Ben’s face creased in to a smile. “You know the answer to that Uday.”

Uday nodded and then his grip tightened and the gun flashed. Ben sidestepped but the bullet hit him in the shoulder and threw him back against the side of the shack and then onto the floor in front of the boxes and sacks. Ben gasped once then raised himself up on one arm and got back up onto his feet.

“You are a stupid idiot Ben. You shouldn’t have used Adi to help you. Now I can kill you and beat the truth out of him.”

A smile creased Adi’s mouth. “I don’t know where he hid it all.”

“You are both mad.” Uday looked from Ben to Adi. “Have you any comprehension how much that is all worth?”

Ben’s ears were ringing and deafened from the gunshot. He placed himself in between Adi and Uday. “You disgust me Uday,” his voice was soft and hoarse.

Uday laughed and jabbed the barrel of his revolver into Ben’s stomach. “I would have made you a very rich man Ben. With your contacts in Britain and my network here? Think of what we could have done? I am a king here. But you had to meddle. You had to spread dissent.” Ben shifted his feet and Uday took a step away from him, wary but with a broad smile. “So now you make me deal with you. And the boys,” Uday jutted his chin at the teenagers behind Ben. “Now give me back what belongs to me.”

There was a commotion outside the shack and a shape blocked the light from the doorway. Uday turned and his face creased with annoyance. “What the Hell are you doing here? Get back to your duties Bobbie.”

Another officer looked into the shack. “Let me take him with me,” he pointed a rifle towards Ben. “I’ll question him.” The other soldier in the shack looked at the two officers and quietly slipped outside out of the way.

Uday turned and pointed his pistol at Bobbie. “This isn’t your affair. Get the hell out of here Bobbie.” Uday gave Bobbie a thin smile. “Keep out of my business.”

“I wish I could,” Bobbie turned to face Uday.

Ben stepped towards them but his movements were clumsy and Uday moved away and trained his pistol on him. Bobbie cried out, his rifle bucked and Uday fell back against the wall of the shack. He slumped down onto the floor dead.

“Get everyone out of here,” Bobbie ordered. “You,” he pointed the rifle at Ben. “You stay put. Sit.” He pushed Ben down towards the floor. Ben staggered and Bobbie caught him under his good arm and lowered him down to sit against the side wall of the shack. Soldiers took the boys outside but Adi refused to leave. “Go outside Adi. See to the boys,” Bobbie barked at him. “They’ll be scared.” Adi paused and Ben nodded at him. Bobbie pushed the tin door closed and squatted down in front of Ben. “You’ve got a bloody death wish Ben. You came here to dig wells not bloody graves.”

“I thought Uday was a friend. You didn’t have to kill him.”

“You thought I was the village idiot.”

“I didn’t know if I could trust you. I still don’t.” Ben looked at Bobbie, his features vague in the dim light. “So what are you going to do now?”

Bobbie clicked the safety on the rifle and laid it down on the floor. He hunkered down next to Ben and gestured at Uday where he lay attracting flies. “I had to fit in. All my money come from the government Ben not him. I’ve been getting closer to the boss men. But now look what you’ve bloody well gone and done. You gave me no choice.”

“You didn’t have to kill him.”

“If I hadn’t he’d have killed us both. And I daren’t trust any of his men.”

“So what are you going to do?”

Bobbie took his cap off and scratched the stubble on his head. “You think Uday was the boss man?” he shook his head. “Uday was a messenger boy. I want the top dogs. I was following the drugs Ben. Following them to the top.” Bobbie reached into his pocket and pulled out a packet of cigarettes. “Now you’ve gone and bloody ruined that haven’t you?”

“I had to protect the boys.” Ben slumped to one side, his breathing becoming ragged.

“You’re reckless and suicidal. Just look at you. I should leave you here for the flies and the dogs. You’re going to be dead within the hour boy.” Bobbie pulled on his cigarette and the end glowed and crackled. “You’ll find no redemption here Ben. You need to go and get a life away from here.”

“There’s a network that goes all the way from Africa to London and beyond,” Ben’s voice trailed off. “I was so close to it.”

“And you think that will bring you your revenge? Your absolution? Don’t be so daft boy.”

’What can I do?”

“Not a thing boy. I need you out of my way,” Bobbie nodded at Uday. “There’s a promotion due for me now. It’s another way to get closer to the top. I’m going to keep following the drugs boy. I want the masters. You should too. You want the ones responsible? The ones who coordinate it all.” Bobbie’s knees cracked as he stood up. “Will you tell me where you hid it?”

Ben shook his head and looked at the floor.

“Listen Ben, I need to get in with the big boys. The product you hid will get me a seat at their table. I’ll make them implode.”

Ben shook his head. “I don’t think it’s that easy.”

“Then I’ll just make more. I need to attract the main players. Ease them out into the open. It would make it easier for me. No?” Bobbie shrugged his shoulders. He pulled at the door and shouted at the men outside. “I should put you out of your misery now Ben, that’s what I ought to do.” Two soldiers came to the edge of the shack. “Take him to the doc then put him on a plane. But watch him. Gag him if he tries to talk to anyone.”

The party was in full throw at the squat. The front door was open and youths stood smoking and drinking on the front path. The front window vibrated to the thump of music and upstairs youths hung out of the windows laughing and shouting. Ben pushed his way into the house and caught the strong stink of cannabis coming from inside. He could hear laughter and the hiss of nox gas canisters as the youths sucked on them to get high. A large youth stepped out in front of him and blocked his path. Ben stared at him “Aoife?” His left arm was in a sling and his face was damp and feverish.

“Shit. It’s you.” The youth glanced at the door to the stairs and quickly backed away. “I don’t want any trouble ok?”

Ben brushed past him and headed upstairs. The first two bedrooms were full of youths and cigarette smoke. In the doorway of the third he saw her. A slim, bleached haired teenager with a flat, plain face. She was pressed against the bedroom wall by a thickset teenager, his hands inside the legs of her shorts.

“Stop it.” She sounded drunk or high, or a bit of both. “I said stop it Kieran.”

“Aoife?” Ben had stopped on the landing, his voice almost drowned out by the thud of the music. “Aoife.”

Kieran turned and squinted at Ben. “Get lost old man.”

Aoife looked over at Ben and blew out a slow sigh. “Don’t talk to him like that.” Aoife pushed the youth away from her.

“What the hell’s he doing here. Pervert,” Kieran chuckled and pawed at Aoife. “Look at him, he’s only got one arm.”

Aoife caught Kieran’s arm and spun him round. She thumped his face into the doorframe as she locked his arm high up his back. “One arm or two he’d shred you.” She levered his arm into an elbow lock and Kieran yelped as he jerked away and hit his face again. Aoife pushed him by the arm and let him drop onto the floor. She looked over to Ben but he was already making his way back down the stairs.

“Ben!” Outside now in the cooler air. “Ben.” Aoife caught up with him. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m selling the flat.”

“What?” Aoife grabbed his good arm to make him stop. “When?”

Ben turned towards her. “Now. Straight away.” He shook her hand from his arm.

“But I live there.”

“I thought you were going to university?”

“Ben.” Aoife struck at him twice with both hands. “You disappear for months on end then pop up and boss me around. You can’t do this Ben.”

“I’ve left things for too long.” A dark stain grew on the front of Ben’s shirt where Aoife had hit him. He staggered and leaned back against the wall.

Aoife looked down at her hands and saw blood. “What have you done to yourself? Ben?” She saw beads of sweat on his face and an unhealthy pallor. “Oh my God Ben.”

“Are you coming with me?”

“Coming with you to where?”

“Nana’s house.”

“You can’t just reappear like this Ben. You said I could stay at the flat.”

“Go to Uni. You can live in halls. Stay with me or Nana in the holidays.”

“Are you serious? What about Pam’s stuff? It’s all still there. You can’t just leave it.”

“I don’t want anything from the flat. Take what you want.”

Aoife stared at him, her mouth open as she struggled for what to say. “Ok, ok, just slow this down. We need to talk and sort this out.” She put both hands on his arm and hugged it against her chest her eyes tightly closed. “It’s good to see you Ben.”

Ben leaned his face against the coolness of Aoife’s. “Did you get a name?”

Aoife opened her eyes and pushed Ben away from her. “You’re a shit Ben.” She smiled for a moment. “Mark Brown. Newcastle. And somewhere called the Top Estate. Mainly pot and coke. Same name every time.” Aoife plucked at Ben’s shirt. “We need to get you to a hospital.”

“I’m ok.”

“Ben, for once just let me take care of you. Please? I’m calling a taxi and taking you to A & E.”

“It will take a miracle to save this company Ben.” Councillor Telford steepled his hands against his face and looked over at Ben. He was an elderly man with almost pure white hair, a kind face and a body still physically powerful despite his years. “I’m not sure I understand why you would want this position?”

Ben sat across the desk from the Councillor, a china tea set in between them. “This is what I do.”

“It’s a drop from your previous position.”

“I accept that Councillor. But I need to work and this is my field.”

Councillor Telford nodded and pursed his lips. “You’ve been away from this type of work for a while now Ben?” He looked down at Ben’s application.

“Since I came back from Africa I’ve dabbled a little in property development, some consultancy work but it isn’t really for me.” Ben shrugged.

“You didn’t return to your job as a director in London?”

“No. I wanted to come back to the North East. Personal reasons.”

The Councillor nodded again. “I see you have resolved a significant amount of anti-social behaviour. That would come in useful here. Any experience with drug related issues?”

“Some Councillor yes.”

“We have major issues with drugs here. Have you heard of the Top Estate?” The Councillor looked up at Ben.

Ben’s eyes came into sharp focus. “It’s an estate of about nine hundred houses. And I know residents there spend more on drugs than they do on food. Lots of deprivation.”

“Lots. The drug problem is insurmountable.”

“Nothing is insurmountable Councillor.” Ben’s expression was intense.

Councillor Telford looked at him through narrowed eyes then looked back down at his application. “Nearly a year in Africa? What were you doing there?”

“Housing management. But digging holes mainly.”

The Councillor nodded his head. “We have an opportunity to receive a significant government grant to develop and revitalise the Top Estate. But that all depends on making it a high demand area first. Given the current level of drug related deprivation that opportunity appears slight to say the least.” He took a sip from his china teacup. “So it’s a stalemate situation. The company is technically bankrupt without the grant and will be absorbed into a larger organisation. We’re selling it as a merger into a group structure but staff aren’t stupid. Morale is low, staff are taking their redundancy and leaving. It is all such a great shame.”

“I understand Councillor.”

“And you understand that John Thompson will be your director? He’s been drafted in as interim while we try to stabilise or merge operations. He tells me you two have some history.”

“That was a long time ago. Give me full autonomy and we’ll get along just fine.”

“Well I must say that your coming along now could be rather fortuitous.” The Councillor stood and held out his hand. “Welcome on Board Ben.”

Up at the Top Estate, on one of the Four Streets, five men stood in a back yard and glared at each other. On one side two big men and a white pit bull terrier attached to a heavy chain that lay loose on the yard. On the other two really big men and one tall wiry man. The atmosphere was tense and about to erupt into violence.

Mark Brown stared his brother in the eye and dared him to confront him. “Go back to Berwick Matthew. Leave this district to me. You don’t want to be greedy. There’s more than enough over there for you.” Mark was a short stocky man with close-cropped grey hair. He was heavily muscled but took care to keep himself fit and agile. There were times when he needed to move fast and keep moving. “Last chance boys.”

Paul Murdie stood next to Mark and he eyeballed each of the two men who stood with Matthew in turn. Paul was huge with the physique of a power lifter. Unlike Mark, Paul was built just for brute force. He didn’t move fast but when he hit he was like a steam train. “Jimmy, what’re you doing man?” Paul gestured for his brother to come and stand on his side.

Like Paul, Jimmy was massive and powerful, but where Paul was solid muscle Jimmy was running to fat. Jimmy stood to one side of the group and waited. Jimmy hated any kind of confrontation and wanted to be anywhere but where he was right now. He hated what he had to do for a living and he hated Mark and he hated Paul. But he hadn’t anywhere else to go and Mark would kill him rather than let him go, and Paul would let him do it. Jimmy looked at his brother and his nose wrinkled in distaste. He hated Paul nearly as much as he hated Mark. Jimmy kept an eye on the man who stood next to Matthew, one of Matthew’s spotters and another immense man built from steroid fuelled muscle. Jimmy didn’t like the look of him or the bulge under his left arm from a small handgun.

Matthew spat at his brother. “I set all of this up. It isn’t your’s to take.” Matthew was tall and rangy with the look of a runner. He had always been the brains of the operation and left the heavy stuff to others. He looked Mark up and down and wondered if he could still take him. They hadn’t fought since they were boys. They weren’t boys now. He kept an eye on Jimmy too and thought what he would do to him once this was over for not choosing his side.

“You might have started business here Matthew but I’ve made it what it is. I manage the network, I’ve set up the transfer points. This is much more than just the Top Estate now. I have made connections that you couldn’t imagine. This isn’t a two-bit set up anymore. I’ve been busy while you’ve been inside. Just go. Don’t make this ugly.” Mark took a step towards his brother, his stance dangerous and his eyes bright with anger. “You can’t just come back and expect to take over.”

“Jimmy.” Paul hissed at his brother to come over to him. “Come on man.” He moved to Mark’s side to protect his flank. Something finally clicked in Jimmy’s small brain and he realised being neutral was a very bad choice. He lumbered over and stood on Mark’s other flank.

As the men postured the white pit bull sat and watched. It didn’t move or flinch or react in anyway. It looked like a white statue of a dog. It wouldn’t move until Mark told it to.

Matthew broke first and lunged at his brother. Mark raised both his massive arms to fend off the blow. He swept Matthew backwards with one huge swat of an arm and then stepped back with a grunt. Blood poured from Mark’s forearm. Matthew had pulled a knife and cut Mark from wrist to elbow. The wound sagged open and blood dripped onto the yard. Mark laughed and became utterly deadly. He drove in hard at Matthew. He saw the spotter reach inside his jacket and he smashed him in the face with his elbow. The spotter dropped to the ground with a loud groan, his nose mashed and loose teeth scattering onto the yard. Mark didn’t stop. He let his momentum carry him at Matthew and the two crashed together. The knife flashed as Matthew stabbed down at Mark. Then in one fast movement Mark double handed Matthew’s knife arm and then the blade was in Mark’s hand. He slashed up across Matthew’s face and sliced his cheek open then brought the knife down and stabbed it into his brother’s thigh. Matthew screamed and fell down, one hand reached for the knife in his leg and gripped the handle.

“Leave it Matthew.” Mark knelt down next to his brother and took hold of his hand. “That’s right in the femoral artery. You’ll bleed out in minutes. I’m giving you the chance to get away Matthew. Leave this here and go on good terms.”

Matthew howled and stared at Mark. “This isn’t how it was meant to be Mark.”

“It’s how it is.” Mark held onto his brother’s hand. “Stay away Matthew. Maybe in a year or so we can start business together. But not now. The others won’t accept you. Things are more complicated now.” Mark pointed his other hand at Matthew’s spotter. “Get up and go bring the car around.” The man staggered onto his feet and did as he was told. He wobbled out of the yard gate with both hands on his broken face. Mark picked Matthew up in his great arms and carried him outside. He lowered him gently into the car and kissed him on the forehead. “You make sure they don’t move that knife till he’s with a surgeon.” He gave the spotter a hard look and then closed the car door.

Back in the yard again and Mark went over to the Murdie brothers. He put one arm around Paul’s massive shoulders and patted him on the back. Then he went over to Jimmy and backhanded him across the face. Jimmy reeled away and Mark followed and slapped him repeatedly until Jimmy fell down. Then Mark kicked Jimmy in the stomach and the back and the legs. While Mark beat Jimmy, the white pit bull sat still on the yard, the thick chain hanging down from its neck. Paul Murdie stood next to it and together they watched Mark deal out his discipline.

“You have no idea the budgetary challenges that this organisation is facing.” Thompson lounged back in his chair, feet pressed against one leg of his desk. His desktop was carefully organised with files neatly stacked, rulers, pens and pencils in perfect lines. Graphs and charts on the office walls, all precisely placed, with not a pin out of place. “And your predecessor didn’t have a clue. Totally incompetent, generally irrational and I’m sure with an undiagnosed underlying mental health problem. When she wasn’t confusing people she was incoherent. She hadn’t a clue what was going on at the coal face.”

Ben sat in the chair opposite, his expression neutral and didn’t reply. Thompson hadn’t changed. Still a bombastic idiot. Still an angry little man. But dangerous now in his new position.

Thompson didn’t appear to notice the scrutiny. “The very first thing I need you to do is sort out the Top Estate. It’s like the Wild West up there. The place is teeming with deviants. I need you to get it sorted. Make that a high demand area and we’re in for a major redevelopment grant. And I mean big money. We could revitalise the whole of the Top Estate and then develop new properties to the west side. This would be huge for me.” He corrected himself. “For the organisation. Give us a better place at the bargaining table instead of just being swallowed up.”

Ben shifted in his seat. “Ok. I’m intending to get out and see some of the estates, I’ll start there.”

“I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent at meetings trying to secure development cash. I’m easily putting in eighty-hour weeks right now. This is make or break for us.”

For you, Ben thought. Thompson needed to perform if he had any chance of keeping a director position in the new company, and he had a reputation of treading over anyone who got in his way. Ben remembered him as mediocre at best with a self-opinion far higher than his ability. He also remembered his temper and lack of any morale fibre. “I’ll make it my highest priority.” The tale of the scorpion and the frog came into his mind as he looked at Thompson.

Thompson looked back at Ben as if expecting sarcasm. His stare intense, his pupils like pinpoints. “There is one more thing.” He paused and drew a hand across his mouth while he thought about what he was going to say.

“Yes?”

“Your two housing managers…”

“Helen and Terry? What about them?” Here it comes, Ben thought, Thompson never changes, always vindictive towards someone.

“They’re a big part of the problem. They’ve repeatedly failed to resolve the problems in the Top Estate. Avoided the issues. I want them both suspended. Then get rid.”

Ben took a slow breath. “John, I don’t know enough yet about those problems. I need an opportunity to see what I have to work with. Helen is a hard worker, very dedicated and full on. I’ve only just met Terry. I do know they’ve had very little senior support over the past year.”

“Are you suggesting this is down to me?” Thompson’s eyes flared and he leaned forward on his chair, his face flushed. “Helen is a disrespectful insubordinate little bitch. You need to rein her in. And Terry is a washed out old queen ready for retirement.”

“I’m not suggesting anything.” Ben kept his expression neutral. When poked Thompson always poked back twice as hard before he engaged his brain. “They’ve been through major change. They’ve lost staff through the restructures.” When Thompson didn’t respond, “And I’m not aware that they’re currently subject to any disciplinary action. Or that anything has happened that justifies suspension.”

“You’re not a director here you know. Just remember that.” Thompson snapped at him. “And I wouldn’t have appointed you into this role if it had been my decision. I’m the one in charge not you,” Thompson was riled. He glared at Ben, his lower lip quivered and there was silence between them. Thompson rearranged his pens as he composed himself. Ben just watched him and said nothing. He wondered how much of a liability Thompson would be. “I want them both suspended.“ Thompson said at last. “There’s obviously a major capability issue.”

“John. If I suspend them then that will put me into an impossible position. I need their knowledge and expertise to do my job. You’ll be setting me up to fail.”

“Well if you won’t suspend them then I will.”

“And if you suspend them then their appeal will go directly to the Board,” Ben cautioned. “As of today they’ll be on a performance improvement plan. But I intend to support them towards achieving set goals. I won’t make this a witch hunt.”

“I expect you to support me.“ Thompson regarded Ben angrily. “You have one month Ben to bring them up to scratch. One month. Can you do that?”

“If they don’t improve then they’re out the door.”

Thompson nodded, “Ok. I want a weekly report from you. Don’t let that pair take you down with them.”

Ben ignored his last remarks. “Agreed.”

“Good. Well I’ll let you get on.”

Thompson tapped his pen against his lips as he watched Ben leave. His brow creased and he pursed his lips. He picked up his telephone. “Rachel. My office now please.” While he waited Thompson rearranged the pens on his desk again.

“Yes John?” Rachel was in her late twenties, a little over five feet tall and very attractive. She was part way through an interim contract as Finance Manager, and was locally known as the slash and burn woman. Rachel was good at what she did. She found efficiencies in every part of the operation, implemented change and ruthlessly made staff redundant. Many senior managers had been enchanted by her looks and then confounded and ground into submission by her financial skills. She frowned at Thompson, annoyed at the summons.

“Have you met Ben Armstrong yet?” His eyes went to her breasts and then down to her legs.

Rachel frowned at him. “Only when he did his introductory walk about. Why?” She fidgeted, uncomfortable under Thompson’s gaze.

“I want you to keep an eye on him. I want you to get close to him and see what he’s up to. I’ve been asking questions about his history. I don’t like what I’ve heard.”

“You want me to spy on the new boy? And why would I do that?” She folded her arms across her chest.

“You want an extension on your contract don’t you?”

“Well I do, but I’m not here to babysit your newbie. I am already very busy as you should know.”

Thompson gave her a thin smile. “He isn’t my newbie. I didn’t hire him. There’s something not right about him. He’s up to something.”

Rachel raised both eyebrows. “I don’t see what I can do.”

“You’ve got some useful assets,” he stared at her legs again. “Make friends with him. Find out what he’s up to and report to me.”

“But..”

“I will consider it a favour. And I always repay favours.” Thompson gave her a long look. “That will be all Rachel.”

“So how well do you know him?” Terry and Helen watched as Ben made his way across the office towards them. “Anything I need to be wary of?”

“Hah!” Helen screwed her face up. “He used to be a perfectionist. Hard when he needed to be.”

“Isn’t he the eye candy? Such a cute little butt for the girls to drool over. And the boys,” Terry laughed mischievously.

“Not your type Tez.”

“Can I see you both in my office please?” Ben indicated his glass cubicle. They both got up and followed him in. The office was sparse, a desk with a pc, a telephone and a small round table squeezed in with four chairs. A broken coat stand stood in one corner. Ben sat at the table. “Please sit down.”

“How was your meeting?” Helen asked him as she folded her long legs under the table with some difficulty.

Ben didn’t answer and instead got right to it. “I’ll be introducing some more changes,” he told them. Helen grimaced and Terry remained silent. “I see most of the team are out there sat at their desks? From tomorrow I want the Housing Officers and Rent Officers out on their patches three days out of five.”

“That’s not how we do things here Boss.” Terry looked to Helen for support, “There’s a lot of paperwork to sort you know and phone calls to answer.”

“From what I can gather most of the phone calls are from customers complaining about the level of our service, the poor condition of the estates and lack of response to earlier calls or letters.” Again Helen and Terry were silent. “I want action plans from both of you by close of play tomorrow highlighting priority areas. “

“But Boss,” Helen exclaimed, she turned both hands palm upwards and shook her head with a scowl.

“But nothing. How often do you get out on your patch Helen?”

“There are patch teams, they look after it. They know everyone and keep the peace. They don’t need me interfering.”

“But the patch teams sit at their desks? So how do they know what’s happening out there? They all need to be out there and flexible. It’s everyone’s job to notice everything and start putting things right. None of this jobs worth crap.” Ben sighed. “So when was the last time you got out of the office?”

“I get out. If you mean the Top Estate then I get up to the Homelessness Hostel regularly to sign the risk assessments off. The Housing Team doesn’t really have any problems. Property Services have a four man team that work up there and they do ok.”

“So the estate with the worst rent arrears, empty property levels and criminal damage doesn’t have a regular manager presence?”

Helen fidgeted on her seat but said nothing.

“Terry?”

“Similar Boss. My teams report into me and I sort out any issues. I’m more use here than wandering the streets.”

“I want walkabouts on every estate. I want the customer forums ramped up and feedback from customers on their priorities from the service. Every procedure and process needs review. I want to know what is preventing us from reaching upper quartile performance.” Ben watched their faces for a long moment. “Now, you told me before that we had a number of low demand properties. But you didn’t tell me why. So lets start with what’s going on at the Top Estate. Whose patch is it?”

Helen looked at Terry as if pleading him to rescue her. “Mine,” she said reluctantly. “But you don’t understand.”

“Then take this opportunity to make me understand Helen.”

“Staff only go up there in groups and very often only with police backup.”

“The Wild West?” Ben asked her.

Helen nodded. “It used to be the Council’s dumping ground. All trouble makers, non-rent payers, and single parents - back in the day when that was considered deviant. We’ve got fourth generation unemployed, feral kids, lots of drug dealing and dependency. Lots of crime. There’s what they call the Four Streets at the top where the worst of the deprivation is. They run parallel to each other. Above them is scrubland leading onto farmland. Below them are half a dozen streets coming down the hill and lots of knackered garages in blocks. Lots of places to hide and get away from the police.”

“Look Ben,” Terry chipped in. “There are a handful of seriously criminal families up there. No one crosses them. Generally only the kids of families already living there want houses there.”

“Ok,” Ben nodded, “So what have you done to tackle them? What work have you done with the police, schools, social services?”

“The police don’t want them tackled. They think at least if they’re up there then they know where they are and they’re only bothering their own kind.” Helen paused, “Social services do a softly-softly approach and are virtually native up there. No one makes any complaints about anything. People just leave or put up with it. Last time I was up there my car window was smashed. They roam around in groups. Bare tops in winter, totally off their heads on drugs. You’ve never seen anything like it. Legal won’t take a case to court because there is no evidence. The only evictions we get are for rent arrears and they all know how to play the game in court to string it out. The police yo-yo the worst offenders in and out of prison when they stray off the estate but that’s the best we get.”

Ben nodded at her. “Back in London there were estates that were ruled by criminal families. Others that were run by gangs. They were really horrible places to live. But we sorted them out. Made them good places to live again.”

“Ben that won’t work up here. No one will dare give evidence for fear of reprisals.” Terry gave Ben a pleading look.

“We just need to get the ball rolling.” Ben raised both eyebrows at them, challenging them to disagree. “In London my team gathered evidence from what they saw, we set up CCTV cameras and got the police involved. Only my team knew who the witnesses were. Even the judge just knew them as a number. Once we got the first injunctions and possession orders we helped the police take out criminal ASBOS, targeted criminals out on license and got them sent back to prison for the rest of their sentences. Once residents saw things start to move they started coming forward with more evidence and it snowballed. We just need to decide where to start. Look if we do nothing then nothing will change. Will it?”

“I still think you’re wasting your time on the Top Estate Ben,” Helen held up her hand for Ben to let her finish. “They’ve pretty much split things up between them – the drug dealing, pimping girls, handling stolen goods. They are very well organised.”

“There’s a structure?” Ben gave them both a piercing look. “If there’s a structure then we can take it apart. Make it hard for them, cause a nuisance.” He rubbed his lip for a moment. “So what do we know?”

Helen shrugged and Terry studied his feet.

“What about the Browns? What do we know about Mark Brown?”

“How do you know about the Browns?” Helen glanced at Terry, colour drained from her face.

“I hear things. I hear Mark Brown is the top man up on the Top Estate.”

Helen looked at Terry again but Terry wouldn’t look up from his feet. “Matthew Brown is the one in charge.”

“Helen,” Terry gave her a sharp look and then glanced at Ben. “Be careful.”

“Mark is his younger brother. He keeps a low profile. But Ben you need to tread softly. Matthew has only just come out of prison. He’s dangerous. You don’t want to aggravate him.”

“I think a bit of aggravation is well over due. Don’t you?” Ben took a deep breath. “How does the structure work?”

Helen puffed out her cheeks. “He’s right Tez. It’s time we tried to sort things out.” Helen looked Ben in the eyes. “You aren’t going to do anything stupid are you.” She waited for Ben to respond but he just looked back at her. “Ok. I guess at the bottom there’s the Nixons and they’re into a lot of the petty stuff - burglaries, twocking cars, muggings. They’re always out on the estates, they seem to know everything that is going on and feed that up the chain. They call round on anyone new moving in. You know, welcome to the neighbourhood, get your drugs here, and buy your electrical goods there. Make sure newbies know how the network operates. Any tough nuts moving in tend to get moved right back out again once the Nixon’s report in. They especially like the Homelessness Hostel for the most vulnerable residents. But lately we think they’re targeting folk coming out of the nightclub in the town centre. They get them either coming from or going into the pizza place, roll them into the alley and rob them.”

“Pizza and wallet,” Terry chipped in. “But it’s getting attention now they’re doing stuff off the estates. We were hoping the police might put some of the troublemakers away for a while and do us all a favour.”

“There’s a new Community Beat Sergeant you might want to have a meeting with,” Helen continued. “Steve Finn. He’s been bending my ear about trying to use the CCTV at the Homelessness Hostel to track offenders coming back onto the estate and then to try and compare it to the CCTV on Main Street. They’re really good at keeping their faces covered but Steve thinks they might be more lax once back on their own turf.”

“So why haven’t you?” Ben asked.

“Councillor Allen isn’t in favour of it. And he’s chair of our Board.” Helen shrugged. “The good Councillor feels a heavy handed approach would be counter effective and cause more issues for residents. I very much doubt he will support any significant legal action against tenants.“

“I’m hoping to cut out some of the obstacles at the next Board meeting.” Ben smiled at Helen. “What else?”

Helen paused and looked to Terry. “We also feel that if we use the Homelessness Hostel CCTV it will put the warden there at risk.” Terry shrugged. “It’s not that we don’t want to make a difference. It’s just the collateral damage isn’t it?”

“If we could target key individuals offending off the estate that would make a difference,“ Helen added, “Stop them harassing residents, slow down the turn over of tenancies and lose the fear factor for new tenants.”

“Then lets do it. But we have a duty to make our residents safe in their homes. We need to work on the estates too. And the Chair should support that approach,” Ben growled. “There are things we can do to protect ourselves.” He sighed, and wondered how these managers had become so ineffectual and demoralised. “Ok what else?”

“What do you want to know?” Helen asked.

“You were telling me about the structure? What do you know about the Browns?”

“They hold the other families in place. But we see very little of them these days.” Helen cringed at Ben’s expression. “Ok I get it about not being on the estates to see. The Browns are the leaders. Old Pa Brown is still in nick after he stabbed the Nixon’s Pa about five years ago over some argument. But the three boys have stepped right into his shoes.”

“Yeah the Holy Brothers.” Terry smiled. “Nastiest pieces of scum you’ll ever meet.”

“Holy how?” Ben asked

“Mark, Matthew and Luke.” Terry tapped the desk with his finger. “Little Luke is serving a stretch now for something violent. Matthew Brown hasn’t been out long after a ten stretch for manslaughter so he’ll be on license. Matthew is the dominant brother, get something on him and he’ll go back inside for a long time. That would screw their operation. Mark Brown doesn’t tend to surface much.”

“Isn’t it Mark who brings all the drugs into the area?” Ben asked.

“I don’t know about that.” Helen shrugged. “Then you‘ve got the Murdies. Two brothers, two sisters. In to drugs and pimping. Rumour had it Jimmy Murdie used to pimp his sister and her friend. Real nice sort. The Murdies run the gangs. It’s their spotters you’ll see whizzing around the estate on their little BMX bikes. They move the drugs around for the Brown’s and keep an eye out. They use the Nixon’s as eyes on the ground. Keep tabs on comings and goings. They’ve some really big blokes providing the muscle for them too. So they keep the fear factor up. They’re generally in the gym down on Main Street during the day.”

“The Murdies do the heavy work for the Browns too so hitting them would hit the Browns,” Terry shrugged his shoulders. “But there will be a backlash and that could be really nasty. We’re not just talking about petty thieves and drug dealers. These are bad people Ben.”

“Any leads on where the Browns get their supply from?” Ben asked.

“No. They just seem to have it.”

“Ok, I’ve a meeting with the Board and then with Legal to see if they’ll support my approach. Initially I’d intend to be providing the evidence without any direct link to residents or staff.”

“What are you going to do Ben?” Terry asked, his voice filled with apprehension.

“There are different points of view Terry. Either we hit everything we see and know hard, or we try and use parts of the chain to hit the top dogs.”

“And you’re going to do which?”

“I’ve never been one to embrace the devil. I intend to dismantle the Brown’s network. I want to poke the ants nest. But it isn’t just the Brown’s I’m interested in. I want to know where the drugs come from. Who’s really making money out of the Top Estate. Who are their masters?” Ben’s eyes had taken on a distant look. “I want to hit those responsible for pushing drugs on our kids and friends and loved ones.”

Helen and Terry exchanged worried glances.

“Now, is there anything current going on that I need to know about?”

“Probably the Homelessness Hostel,” Terry looked at Helen relieved to change the subject. “It’s right on the edge of the estate and the residents get a lot of hassle. Easy targets. Council built it there so it was out of the way of the decent folk. We own it and manage it but the council still have full access rights to it and put in whoever they want.”

Helen let out a long sigh. “Social services are going to the Homelessness Hostel to take a baby into care so there’ll be trouble. Both parents are very volatile. She was placed there fleeing violence from him and then he moved in with her.” Helen rolled her eyes. “Old story, he beats the crap out of her, we rehouse her, she misses him and tells him where she is, he comes back full of remorse. They’re under a notice to quit as they keep refusing move on accommodation, and they’ve been abusive to property services staff.”

“The partner has been trying his best to get in with the locals.” Terry said with a grimace. “Think he’s been putting the squeeze on his neighbours at the hostel too.”

“But the warden there is handling it,” Helen interjected, “Shirley’s really good and manages to stay neutral.”

“And who is giving her support?”

“What?”

“If there’s the likelihood of violence, who is supporting the warden?”

“Well the police are attending with social services.”

“Who’s patch is it?”

“Mine,” Helen said glumly. “But I’m to keep out of the way. He did my car window in last time. John William Lincoln. Model tenant.”

“What time is this happening?”

“Twelvish tomorrow.”

“Then you will be present with the warden.” Ben raised his eyebrow at her. “I’ll come along for the ride. It can be my first site visit. Terry, can you start organising the teams for their estate inspections? Not the Top Estate yet though.” Ben rubbed his chin. “Which properties have been empty the longest on the Top Estate?”

“Er,” Terry started

“I want a full list by this evening please.” Ben looked at them both waiting for challenge. When they both stayed silent he said. “Do we have many empty houses or garages in quieter areas?”

“Some,” Helen replied. “Mainly empty garages. We have hundreds of those.”

“So what is the key logging process here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, no one seems to book keys in or out? If I took a handful of garage keys no one would notice would they?”

“I guess not.” Helen gave Ben a perplexed look.