Summary
Overview
Chapter 5 of Steve Barnes' 'Striker' finds Barnes released on bail after his murder arrest, determined to solve Pat Duffy's murder himself. Despite being charged with murder, he returns to work at the club where he follows footballer Jimmy Lawson to a mysterious premises with dead chickens and ends up confronting threatening men. The chapter features extensive descriptions of Barnes' Jaguar XJ8 and meandering internal monologue before building to a cliffhanger ending.
Released on Bail and Return to Work
Steve Barnes is released after 24 hours in custody, having paid substantial bail and surrendered his passport. His London solicitor flew to Leeds Bradford Airport to represent him at the magistrate's hearing. Despite the magistrate noting that bail in murder inquiries is highly unusual, Barnes is freed. He immediately returns to the club, worrying about what Eddie Carberry has done with the squad during his two-day absence, despite the fact that two days of training is unlikely to have dramatically affected the team.
- Barnes spent 24 hours in custody before being released on bail after paying an immense amount and surrendering his passport
- The magistrate made clear that bail in a murder inquiry was most unusual
- Barnes worries about what Eddie Carberry is doing with the squad, despite only two days having passed
- Barnes fears the murder accusation will follow him for life and affect his sponsorships, media jobs, and house value
" If I went down for murder, all of my sources of income, including sponsorships and the media jobs, and my house, would be as nothing. "
Agent Bill's Loyalty and the Decision to Investigate
Barnes meets with his agent Bill Brown, who has flown up from London despite having a newborn son at home. Bill assures Barnes he'll be found not guilty, though he's already assuming there will be a trial. Barnes realizes he needs to solve the murder himself, concluding that Pat Duffy must have known his killer - like the dog that didn't bark in Sherlock Holmes' 'The Silver Blaze.' He dismisses Eddie Carberry as a suspect despite listing multiple motives, simply because it wasn't his 'style.'
- Bill Brown stays in the North to support Barnes despite having a newborn son at home
- Barnes realizes he must investigate the murder himself, invoking Sherlock Holmes' story about the dog that didn't bark
- Barnes concludes Pat Duffy knew his killer and trusted them enough to turn his back
- Despite listing Eddie Carberry's motives, Barnes dismisses him as a suspect because it wasn't his 'style'
" God helps them who help themselves. "
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