tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58197208077626687402024-02-08T18:08:23.344+01:00Murder to GoThis is the 10th Novel
in the Upper Grumpsfield seriesfaith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-76113885534802294992020-03-22T11:47:00.002+01:002020-03-22T12:21:42.335+01:00Episode 21 - More of the same?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I used to think Barbara would make a good candidate for
Robert,” Cleo announced from the depth of her duvet as Gary jumped out of bed
to gather up PeggySue and give her breakfast. But I’ve changed my mind. Joe and
Barbara have found one another.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And you don’t need to play cupid for Robert, either, my
love.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>“I feel sorry for him. I’m starting to wonder…”<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He isn’t. He’s just erotically stunted,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s that?“<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You know. Inhibited. That teenage marriage was probably at
the peak of his sexual prowess. But he has a new flame and she could help him
to regenerate after Edith’s shocking inroads into his self-esteem.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How do you know all that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A guy has a sixth sense about such things,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo threw her pillow at him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The hell you do, Gareth,” Cleo said. “You are as thick as a
brush when it comes to romance.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“PeggySue is still asleep. Move over. I’m coming back to bed
and call me Gareth only on pain of death. As for romance…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The twosomeness did not last long. Within a couple of minutes
there were seven of them in that bed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I just don’t believe this,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They are nearly all yours, Sweetheart,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes Daddy. We are giving you some love back then you can
give it to Mummy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I suppose love is like murder in the end,” said Gary. “It’s
all a question of interpretation and whose side you are on. Get the breakfast
going, girls. I’m on my way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With those words Gary leapt out of bed, slipped into his
jogging gear and made for the kitchen. Before doing so he risked a pillow fight
by declaring “Sorry, Mistress Cleopatra. Our lovin’ will have to wait.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll get the twins ready for their day instead,” said Cleo.
“Grit should be over soon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And my brother. I wonder if Barbara is still there. I gave
her and Mia the rest of the day off after their reports are written.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Very perspicacious. I’m quite sure she is still there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope he doesn’t make such a mess of courting as I did.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought you did rather well considering that you were
still married,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought you’d say that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Breakfast was lively with a houseful of munchers and
crunchers. Lottie was wide-eyed with surprise when her father appeared with
Barbara.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you sleep together?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roger and Grit, who had joined the party, wondered if the
question was directed at them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I mean Daddy and Barbara,” said Lottie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes we did,” said Joe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thank goodness for that,” said Lottie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why?” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now I can be sure that Sonia won’t be coming back,” said
Lottie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who is Sonia?” Barbara asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lottie did not let her father reply.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She was my class teacher in South Africa. She came here
with me, but Daddy sent her home again and he did not sleep with her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s enough, Lottie,” said Joe. “You can’t go telling
everyone private things like that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry, Daddy. I didn’t like her, either.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charlie and Lottie left the table. They would play with the
little ones for a while. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe wanted to apologize for his daughter, but they all
thought it was rather amusing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just carry on regardless, Joe,” said Gary. “Charlie is just
as forward and she will have put Lottie up to that little scene.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not sure I can live with that kind of directness from a
thirteen year-old.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Never mind,” said Barbara. “I think I can say for us all
that we found the repartee amusing. Farmers and growing offspring have to know
the nitty-gritty about life. Joe is going with me to my parents then he’ll know
what I mean.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I expect your parents will think we’d made a good start,”
said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dorothy would declare that as a dress rehearsal, Joe,” said
Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Like the trial run of my Cop’s Corner rag next week,” said
Joe. “I’m doing portraits of Bertie Browne, Mia and Barbara for my who’s who,
and that was before Barbara and I got together. Oh, and I’ve started sketches
of that awful trio we dealt with last night. By the time all the circumstances
are known, I’ll be able to put them in the next issue, I hope.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is all fascinating stuff, but I’ll have to get going,”
said Gary. “You have a free weekend, Barbara.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do I? I thought I had to write that report.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tomorrow will do. That idea was before you took pity on my
brother, Barbara.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Correction: Fell in love,” said Barbara with the same
directness as Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope you know what you’re letting yourself in for, Joe.
You can see where it got me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t wait,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We could visit your parents today, Barbara, of that’s OK
with you? I need to find out if they approve of me,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that important?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is if I’m going to marry you, Barbara.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You haven’t asked me yet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The audience waited with baited breath. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Will you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I will, Joe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s OK then, but first we have to take Dog out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We can take him with us, Joe. Why is his name Dog?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Because he’s a dog and because I did not have to want to call
out ‘Emanuel’.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you’ll get used to the logic, Barbara. I did.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The threesome left for a farm somewhere in the region where
Dog could really run about. The Fielding family had a pond, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roger announced that he was going food-shopping for the
weekend since the coffers were empty. Cleo said she would stay with the
children if Grit wanted to go with him and shop for everyone. She did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary was amazed at the Joe he had just witnessed. His
brother was a step further up the ladder of truth and consequences than he was.
The girls were dying to chew things over. After all, Barbara was going to be
Lottie’s new mother. They announced that they were going to Helen’s again to
colour drawings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you like Barbara, Lottie?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll love her if she loves my Daddy,” said Lottie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And she loves you already, Lottie.,” said Cleo. “I could
see that in her eyes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That left the three little ones, Cleo and Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll have to go into HQ,” said Gary. “But not for an hour
or so. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could try a little TLC,” said Cleo. “I’ll put the
little ones in the playpen.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later, the TLC on the living-room sofa out of sight of the
playpen having been what Cleo described as ‘sensational but naughty’, Gary was
dressing for the office when the phone rang. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was Nigel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Frank is waiting for you here, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hasn’t he been operated on?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Only tests done. He looks OK to me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll be at HQ in half an hour.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There’s a rumour going round about Barbara Fielding and
Joe,” Nigel announced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Were you in bed with them, Nigel? They’ve only just found
each other.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Old women and gays know how the world works, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I just hope Frank tells us about his world.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He told me he was innocent.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Innocent of what?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Everything.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Makes us an espresso, Nigel. I’m going to need it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A hard night’s work, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could put it like that. Cleo drugged me with rum-laced
cocoa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That sounds like happy families.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But before that we sewed up the Kelly murder.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Greg told me it is more of an open than shut case.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t spoil my morning with too many truths, Nigel.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good Morning, Frank,” said Gary an hour later at HQ. “Did
you escape from the hospital or did they let you go?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m OK except for being a suspect,” said Frank. “I’ve had
time to think about things.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Things like Kelly’s brothel, Frank?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So you know about that, do you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s where you met Rita. You had sex with the lady who
told me that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Edith. I might have known.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Right in one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rita wanted more than she got, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But Edith had fun, Frank. Tell me about the drugs, or
rather the flour cache.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did not know about any of that. I was knocked out as soon
as I entered that back room.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m trying to believe you, Frank. How did you get to know
the Nortons?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nigel served the coffee before retiring to his corner to
make notes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They phoned me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Because you were working for the Hartley Agency?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They thought I would be useful,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And were you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not useful enough. I assume that’s why they wanted me out
of the way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But whoever was sent to kill you slugged you instead.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And set fire to the house,” said Frank. “A perfect plan if
the fire brigade had not turned up so fast.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But too elaborate for just getting rid of you, Frank. The
Nortons don’t tick like that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a relief, I suppose.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The only thing that really bothers me is that you were
either knocked out in the night and could not see who did it, or you know who
it was because it happened shortly before the fire. Rita discovered that fire
at about 7:30 in the morning, so it was daylight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t suppose the arsonist knew that some women like to
have their hair crimped before breakfast.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Luckily for you, Frank, except that we have no idea who
called the fire brigade and will probably never know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think there must have been two assassins at work, Gary. I
should be flattered.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s what I think, too. The first one reported that you
were unconscious but alive. The second one was sent to finish off the job and
settled for arson.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Or it was the same gangster come back to finish the job.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s also possible, Frank. Who was it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I swear I don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Find out. You are in acute danger if you don’t. Whoever it
was might not be as circumspect next time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank was alarmed. The 24/7 guard on his hospital room might
have saved him from being killed there, but he did not have anyone to protect
him now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m getting out,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’d better. And fast.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does that mean that you believe me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m inclined to. Let me know where you are.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I will. And thanks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t thank me, Frank. Thank Cleo. She thinks you were
framed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You mean that the drugs were planted to implicate me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Exactly. Escort Mr Wetherby to the exit, Nigel!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So it as was simple as falling off a log,” Gary reported to
Cleo when he phoned shortly after.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It hasn’t solved anything though,” she said. “Try Rita! She
may have something relevant to say.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m coming home,” said Gary. “Frank could have implicated
Rita, but he didn’t.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That doesn’t mean she’s innocent.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It probably means she isn’t, but I’m not ruining the
weekend with dark thoughts.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll make you another rum-laced cocoa. It worked
beautifully last night.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Make it rum and coke, Cleo. I don’t need the soporific
effect of cocoa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hurley. You are the limit!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s exactly what I wanted to know,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I could get to like this,” said Gary, sipping the rum and cocoa
Cleo had nonetheless made for him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You haven’t solved the Pooth crime or Rita’s, Gary. No need
to be complacent.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Unsolvable,” said Gary. “Some crimes are destined to remain
unsolved, and those are the ones we know about. Then we just let sleeping dogs
lie. Like Dog here. Do we own him now?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I got a phone-call from my mother,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Aha! Has she decided where she’s going to live next?”<span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At your apartment if the offer was serious.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can you help her to move there next weekend?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I suppose I’ll have to. Where is she now?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve made up the bed in our tiny guestroom, Gary. She’ll
sleep here until she can move.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What happened to Gabriel?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mother says he’s a swine. She prefers Romano after all, but
she is not sure how to go back to him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do I take it that I’m to pave the way for the grand
reunion?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think that’s what she wants.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Any more cocoa?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No more rum,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t mind whisky. When does the cocoa run out?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So will you do it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anything to get her out of this house and get a smile back
on Romano’s face,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I knew I could count on you, Sweetheart.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Before we consign our unsolved cases to the archive, I
should mention that Pooth might have been helped by the Nortons to the pearly
gates, since they had the best motive and are past masters at getting rid of
anyone they can’t use, whereas Frank is still running free and a found object
for any assassin who might still be on the lookout,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that a warning against hiring him again?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Emphatically, yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then I won’t,” said Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not happy about Rita’s fire and Frank’s near escape,
Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s how unsolved cases find their way into the archives,”
said Cleo. “It’s stalemate until something turns up at a later date.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re right, my love. There is simply no way of finding
them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think Frank would have told you if he had recognized one
of them. They’re after him, after all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wouldn’t like to be in his shoes,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You aren’t wearing any,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As observant as ever,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-21690296429162110062017-04-22T09:00:00.000+02:002020-03-22T11:46:13.117+01:00Episode 20 - Semifinal countdown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<br />
<h4>
Friday<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After an acrid discussion, the two patrol cops who had been transporting
Mrs Bryce to HQ decided that finding Mrs Bryce had priority so they set off in
different directions. It would be challenge to come across the woman on a
moonless night, but it was the least they could do in the circumstances. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>Those two cops were in trouble and they knew it. That was
not just because the entire back window of their police car had been shot to
smithereens and the front was rather battered from the confrontation with the
dustbins, but also because they had let the prisoner escape having not kept to
the rule of securing the rear doors of their car, not to mention their previous
clandestine shopping trip with the vehicle that had left the security catches
off. <o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The shooting drama had taken place on Thumpton Hill, so Mrs
Bryce was able to escape into the thickets of Thumpton Wood. It did not take
many minutes for the patrol cops to realize that a) they were out of their
depth and b) they would have to get help. One of them phoned HQ and reported
the predicament. Help was promised and a message sent to CDI Hurley, who had
just arrived.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What the hell…” was Gary’s reaction. “I thought they were
held up by traffic. They should not have been at the tail end.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Someone had to be,” was Nigel’s only comment. He had sympathy
for his boss. Why did the guy end up having to manage such calamities?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The blasted woman must have carried that gun in her shopping
bag, Gary realized. Dorothy had carried her father’s gun in a handbag smaller
that Mrs Bryce’s shopping bag, so it must have had plenty of room. He should
have known better than to believe someone like a Bryce would throw a good gun
away. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where had Mrs Bryce found the bullets to re-load? Hadn’t
Dorothy said they were safe in her cutlery drawer? And hadn’t Dorothy asked him
if he ever made mistakes? Would he have the courage to admit this one?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary wished he was back in the clinic being treated for
burnout. What could he tell Cleo and Dorothy that would not arouse derision?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Olly sat in Gary’s office waiting for something to happen.
It was likely that his parents would be kept in arrest cells overnight, so Gary
asked Olly where he could stay the night if he did not go home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can go to Alec’s,” the boy said. “I’ve stayed there
before.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have you got your mobile phone with you, Olly?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes Sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then phone Alec and find out if you can go there. It’s ten
o’clock now. You could be there in a good hour if you are straight with me about
your statement.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes Sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Olly’s statement should have been brief and to the point,
but it wasn’t because the boy skirted round anything approaching a confession
or a denial. One thing was clear. He could not have shot Kelly. His description
of the situation was too vague and inaccurate. On being asked what he had done
with the gun, he replied that he had thrown it into the pond.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At that moment the phone rang. It was Greg. Mrs Bryce was
indeed missing. She had held the patrol cops to ransom, shot the rear window
out to prove the gun was loaded, and escaped through the unsecured back door,
armed, into Thumpton Wood. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mrs Bryce had disappeared into thin air. The patrol cops
were treated for shock by paramedics. Greg, who had actually washed his hands
of the patrol squad organization, had been obliged to break off a very
promising date and drive to Thumpton Hill, where the incident had occurred.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The car’s almost a write-off,” he reported. “Mrs Bryce put
a bullet through the back window. Big and Little were so shocked by the
shooting that Little drove into dustbins waiting for tomorrow’s collection.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t blind me with science, Greg. Just tell me who Big and
Little are.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Fairly new to the business, Gary, and I did not get them to
join. Big is a tall, muscular guy who’s into extreme sports and Little just
about scraped through the height test. What he lacks in height he makes up for
in girth.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It sounds to me that those clowns are as much of a write-off
as their car,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The insurance will pay for the car, Gary. I’m more worried
about Mrs Bryce being on the loose with what we can assume to be the gun that
killed Kelly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary moved into the corridor so that he could speak more freely.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We must find her, Greg. The armed cops – assuming you have
sent some - will have shoot first to put her out of action but please not kill
her. The woman is dangerous.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Her action is as good as a confession,” said Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I keep thinking about Cleo saying that once someone has
killed, he or she will do it again if necessary. We can’t have that in Upper
Grumpsfield – or anywhere else for that matter.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So how many suspects have you captured, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Captured is rich. I have a little guy named Olly Bryce
here. He’s going home after making a statement that is unusable, in other words
a pack of lies. He claims that he sank the gun in the Commons pond, but that is
plainly untrue. Mr Bryce must be somewhere at HQ. It was in the patrol car
directly behind me. I’ll interview him another time. He can stew overnight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After talking to Greg, Gary instructed the police officer on
general night duty to see that Mr Bryce went in an arrest cell for the night.
Then he told Olly that he would drive him to his friend Alec’s home. The two
policewomen would drive with them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Stay at Alec’s for a day or two, Olly, but keep in touch,”
he said, giving the boy a business card. “I think your father will get home soon.
Since we don’t know where your mother is, I can’t tell you when she will be
home.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t bother looking, Sir. She was having it off with Kelly
while he was having it off with anyone he could get near enough to. My parents
are disgusting.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’d better talk to my wife, Olly. She’s a good listener
and she will help you to understand what has been going on in your family.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I understand already,” said Olly. “They hate each other.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary was glad he had Mr Bryce under lock and key. It was a
wonder that Mrs Bryce had not already taken a pot shot at her husband or
otherwise caused his demise if there was so much hatred and duplicity in play.
She was obviously the more aggressive of the two.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary drove to Alec’s parents’ house in Lower Grumpsfield.
All the lights in the house were on and Alec was standing at the open front
door waiting. He was probably expecting a police car so would be disappointed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gary explained the situation briefly. Alec’s parents were shocked
but sympathetic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good night, Olly, and don’t forget that we want to help
you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thank you Sir,” said the boy as he rushed inside the house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’ll be all right, Ladies,” said Gary. “How about a
goodnight coffee before you go home? Where’s Joe, Barbara?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He wanted to sketch the Bryces for his Cops Corner.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll phone him,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He should still be in his the office. I’ll go and collect him
when I’ve dripped Mia off,” said Barbara.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll tell him that, Barbara. You both have a free day
tomorrow after you’ve put in your reports. Thanks for supporting me.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary related the sorry tale of his capture to Cleo. An hour
later Joe and Barbara arrived and helped to empty the coffee pot. They were now
an item, Gary decided.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll go next door,” Joe said. “I expect that Grit and Roger
will have hit the hay by now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They got that sorted out fast,” Gary remarked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think it was sorted out before you left for Lower
Grumpsfield,“ said Cleo. “Am I to believe that garbled story you told me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s true, unfortunately,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who’s looking for the woman, then?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mrs Bryce is probably being hunted down by half the
constabulary by now. The situation is volatile, but Greg is on hand and will
deal with it. He’ll have armed cops to help.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m honest when I say that I’m glad you are back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m equally honest when I say that I’ll be glad to be under
our duvet,” said Gary. “I don’t suppose we’ll see Barbara and Joe again before
breakfast.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And I thought you were a fast worker,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Touché, my love.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just one question,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, I will marry you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought we’d agreed on that in front of Mrs Colby,” said
Cleo. “But we have not actually solved the Kelly murder, have we?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It must have been Mrs Bryce. She had the gun.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And was clearly prepared to use it again,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They all made out that they had shot Kelly, said Gary.
“They must have planned that. They would probably have got away with it, but
Mrs Bryce has put a spanner in the works.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m going to take a very hot shower. Will you join me,”
said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Will we both fit? You aren’t exactly sylph-like these
days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wonder why,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Calories for three, my love.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s an old wives’ tale,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So I have an old wife.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The phone rang. It usually did when the Hurleys had other
plans.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t answer it, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To quote you, I’ll have to. It might be important.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was Greg and he was not as laid back as usual.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The worst has happened,” he reported. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was afraid it might. Where is she?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On the way to pathology.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t suppose she could see any other way out, Greg.
Don’t blame those cops and don’t blame yourself. If anyone is at fault it was
me. I did not look inside her shopping bag although it reminded me of Dorothy
Price’s and she had carried that old pistol around in it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She didn’t shoot herself, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She didn’t?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The A & E doctor said she died of a heart attack.
Fright, he called it. Running away like she did was simply too much for her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Poor woman. She was guilty or she would not have run away.
In running away she signed her own death warrant.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve pocketed the gun. It does look like Dorothy’s old one.
I’ve no idea where Mrs Bryce got the ammunition.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s the least of our worries. Dorothy may even have left
some ammunition in the laundry-basket and forgotten. See you tomorrow morning,
Greg. We’ll have to break the news to Mr Bryce, though from what his son said,
I don’t think he’ll be upset. He probably had a narrow escape once his wife had
found the gun.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about the boy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll leave that to Cleo. Good night, Greg.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What will you leave to me?” Cleo asked as she handed him a
large mug of steaming cocoa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Olli’s mother was found dead. Heart attack. And hey this is
cocoa. That’s a kid’s nightcap,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why don’t you try it first? I don’t put rum in the kids’
drinks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I love you, Mrs Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I love you, Mr Hurley.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But we still haven’t solved the Rita case,” said Gary,
“even if Mrs Bryce seems to have solved the Kelly mystery for us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t care a damn if we never solve it,” said Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Neither do I if I’m honest. Let’s procrastinate and go to
bed first,” said Gary. “This bedtime drink has an aphrodisiac if not a soporific
effect.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought you’d never ask,” said Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-73832954489051898392017-04-18T22:01:00.000+02:002020-03-22T11:22:24.153+01:00Episode 19 - Passing the buck<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<br />
<h4>
Thursday cont. <o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary and Cleo had plenty to talk about when they finally had
time, but with a report in person delivered by Mia and Barbara due shortly,
most of their talking was done in the kitchen preparing enough food for the
five thousand. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>Robert had delivered a tray of lamb chops that would no
doubt be gnawed to their bare bones that evening. Gary was assigned the potato
peeling and chopping for the overworked chip pan, all the while arguing that
frozen chips did the job and required no work at all. Cleo made vinaigrette for
the salad – Gary had long since stopped arguing the case for supermarket salad
cream as the standard British condiment. There was not much of a gourmet in
Gary.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As usual the meal would be a buffet served from the kitchen
worktop, not least for convenience, but because it was a speedier way of getting
it done. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit had been looking after things while Cleo was away
longer than expected and was glad she could get home before Roger came. The
union was still in its infancy and she was looking forward to time with her new
partner, but dinner and the meeting came first. Roger had assured Grit that he
really was staying forever, even if Gloria thought it strange. They could not
base their romance on Gloria’s way of doing things.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe changed into jogging gear and went for a run with Dog.
The animal was starting to lose weight and Joe enjoyed the exercise. Working at
HQ all day left him little time to get some fresh air. When they arrived at Cleo’s
cottage after their run all the way round Monkton Priory, Dog stretched out on
the hearth rug and went to sleep exhausted. Cleo remarked that Joe was in
better condition than Dog. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll lend him out if you want to run around with him,” Joe
offered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Too busy,” said Cleo. “Ask Gary. He’s put weight on. I’ve
taken it off thanks to all the hard work.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I heard that,” said Gary. “What about all my hard work?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Truly spectacular, Sweetheart,” said Cleo,” and always dressed
for the part”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I could return the complement,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe was amused by the frequent innuendos in Cleo and Gary’s jargon.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Joe, would you be interested in joining us on our nudist
holiday next month,” said Cleo. “Gloria won’t be there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not sure if the woman I’m interested in would want
that,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ask her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo told Joe what was on the immediate schedule. He was
very glad that Barbara would be coming to dinner even if it was to talk shop.
He had thought she was on late duty. He should change back into something
respectable and ask her for a date. Did Gary think asking her out now was good
timing?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Come off it, brother mine,” said Gary. “You slept with her
last time she was here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I want her to know it was not a one-night stand,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sure she knows that already,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Women often know things like that,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Especially if they are witches, Joe,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary organized the little Hurleys with Charlie’s help while
Joe took time to talk with his daughter. Lottie was happy. She had integrated
well into the family and with Charlie’s friends. Did she want to go back to
that school in South Africa? It was important to ask Lottie that without Sonia
being there. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lottie was adamant. Never, but what was Sonia going to do?
Joe explained that he and Sonia had different ideas about life and would not be
seeing each other again. And no, he was not sad. Could Lottie take a good look
at Barbara? He liked her a lot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is she going to be your next lover?” said the girl.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe was getting used to being asked startlingly astute
questions in the Hurley family, but the word lover had never been used between
Joe and Lottie. She had probably learnt it from Charlie, but the girls were
growing up and the truth was always a good idea as it saved questions and
explanations later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Would it bother you if I got to know her better?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lovers love one another,” said Lottie, “in bed and
sometimes in cars. Charlie says so.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll wait and see about that, shall we?” said Joe, and in true
Hurley manner added “I’ll keep you posted.” He was not a Hurley by name, but in
spirit he had already joined the pack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about the bungalow next door, Daddy. Are we going to
live there?” Lottie wanted to know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As soon as the plumbing is done and the wiring made safe
we’ll paint it all in pretty colours and you can choose them,” said Joe, glad
to be off the topic of lovers. He would leave Cleo to take care of the details
of that topic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Come on, Lottie!” Charlie called. “You take Teddy and I’ll
take Tommy. They need their supper.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Those girls are brilliant,” said Gary, reappearing with
PeggySue on his arm. “I wonder how they’ll get on when there are two more
babies to carry around.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have to join forces, Gary,” said Joe. “I’m willing to
help where I can.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Perhaps you’ll have kids of your own to rear before long,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that a prophesy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. Just wishful thinking.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lottie has grown up a lot since getting to know Charlie,”
said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did she ask you about your sex life, Joe?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think that’s what she was getting at.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just be truthful. I was. The kids know everything these
days. I think the girls talk in one corner and the boys in another. Very soon
some of them will be pairing off. That’s when the fun really starts, but you
can ask Cleo if something’s bothering you. She’s an expert.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think I know what you mean,” said Joe. “But someone
else’s wife is not the person I would talk to about my love life.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t see why not. Cleo was someone else’s wife when I
started confiding in her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s slightly different, don’t you think?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe was still dressed in his jogging gear when the doorbell announced
the arrival of Mia and Barbara.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now we’ll hear some lurid tales, I’m sure,” said Gary. “My
favourite lady cops have been hunting down a laundry-basket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A phone-call later, Cleo knew that Grit and Roger preferred
their own company and would not be coming. Could Gary brief Roger on the cases
next morning?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barbara was surprised to see Joe, but she went to him and
hugged him. Joe was a little surprised, or made out to be, but he hugged her
back and wondered if she would like Dog. Cleo did not miss the sparks flying.
Those two will combust in a moment, she mused. Joe looked just like Gary did in
those early days. She remembered him appearing at her hotel room door dressed for
jogging and ending up in her bed. Barbara and Joe seemed to have a mutual fan
club. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK,” said Mia without preamble. “The afternoon was a
success.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She glanced at Joe and Barbara who were still engaged in the
aftermath of that hug.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s settled then,” said Mia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s settled?” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You two,” said Mia. “Barbara kept mentioning her tall dark friend
and now I know who it is. You’d pass for Gary any time, Joe. I’ve seen colleagues
at HQ looking really disconcerted.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh, that’s what you mean,” said Joe. “So am I good for a
date with Barbara, am I?” he continued jokingly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you inviting me, Joe?” said Barbara.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think I must be.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And I think I’d enjoy going out on a date with you,” said
Barbara.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s settled then,” said Gary, noting the emphasis on
‘out’. They were all playing the game of a new friendship being born. Barbara
had presumably not had a girl talk with Mia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Barbara and Joe were involved with themselves, Mia helped
feed the 3 little ones their supper and they were all put to bed with the
girls’ help. The girls then feasted on the first pan of chips and gnawed
enthusiastically at their lamb chops. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can baby-sit any day, Mia,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks, Gary. I just wish I had my own little boy here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I promised your husband a job. He told me he was thinking
about it last time I talked to him. Get him on the phone and I’ll get an answer
now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary did not mention that he would probably take Roger’s
place in management at some time in the future because it was not being talked
about at HQ and he hoped it would not happen soon, but an experienced detective
like Mike Curlew would be good for the homicide squad and as a newcomer he’d be
able to liaise with those pensioner couch potatoes left over in the vice squad.
He could eventually take over their work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lottie was going to stay the night at the cottage. Joe had
hinted that her grandmother needed time with Roger without the children being
present.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are they lovers?” Lottie wanted to know. “Aren’t they a bit
old for that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t answer those questions,” said Joe. “Ask your
grandmother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Grandmothers don’t do love, do they?” said Lottie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, they do,” said Charlie. “Grit loves us and Joe and my
Daddy and Cleo and the twins and PeggySue and now I think she loves Roger, too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But she can’t have any love left over for him,” said
Lottie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, Lottie, you’ve got it wrong,” said Cleo, who had been
amused by the drift of the conversation and the undisguised discomposure of
Gary and Joe. “The more love you give, the more you have to give because you
get love back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mia and Barbara looked on, each thinking her own thoughts. Gary
could be excused for looking hard at Cleo and there is no doubt that Joe was
looking expectantly at Barbara.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Come on, Lottie,” said Charlie. “We can do some colouring
before we go to sleep.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After going all round to dispense hugs and kisses (and
getting them back), the two girls went to the children’s ‘suite’. Gary followed
with PeggySue, who had returned to the living-room to look for the big girls.
He dressed her in her sleeping sack and tucked her up in her cot. The child
fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You have to put loving to the test,” Cleo continued as Gary
returned to the dining table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not if it turns out like your mother’s, Cleo,” said Gary. “Do
you know that she dropped hints all the time she lived here, Joe?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
”What kind of hints? Surely she wasn’t badgering you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She assumed that Cleo and I spent all our free time in
bed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, didn’t you?” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now it was Mia and Barbara’s turn to look embarrassed. Cleo
thought the conversation was getting rather too intimate, so she used her very
successful approach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you want me to tell you what we did, Joe? Use your
imagination. My mother did, constantly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh dear,” said Joe. “I think we should close this topic.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, whatever love can be found in Lower Grumpsfield, it
did not get to the women we talked to this afternoon,” said Mia, pinpointing
the reason the two policewomen were there in the first place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This lamb is delicious,” said Barbara. “Do you mind if I
gnaw the chops like a dog?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“”I’ll join you,” said Joe. “Do you like dogs?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m a farmer’s daughter, Joe. We love our sheepdogs and
they do a great job with the sheep. I’ll take you to visit them, if you like.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would like – very much. I walk a dog named Dog every day.
That’s him asleep on the hearth rug. Come for a run with us tomorrow. That’s
why I’m dressed like this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How do you keep him clean?” Barbara asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s self-cleaning.” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll have to explain that.” Said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He gets hosed down outside the cottage when we get back. He
actually enjoys it. I just have to make sure he’s finished shaking off the water
before you go indoors.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s settled then,” said Cleo. “I like it when people like
the same things.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you find the laundry-basket?” Gary asked, deciding to
put a brake on any details Cleo might want to add to that last statement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.“We found it,” said Mia. “It’s in my car.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not at one of the addresses you gave us. It was sitting on
the pavement at a bus-stop. There was no sign of anyone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But that means we won’t know where it went to or came
from,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We have witness to who left it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“First we should find out if it’s the basket we are looking
for,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll get it,” said Mia. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. Leave it in the car. I’ll ask Dorothy to come and
identify it,” said Cleo. “She should be here anyway. I thought I’d invited
her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And I’ll phone Oscar,” said Gary. “I’ll ask if Albert found
out anything. They could at least have rung me by now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span>I’d
have phoned you in the morning, Mr Hurley,” Oscar explained. “Albert did get
talking about the laundry-basket and he advised the youths he talked to just to
take the basket and leave it somewhere. A boy named Olly said it was a good
idea. Albert volunteered to help, so he knows where the basket was before it
was left on the pavement somewhere. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Brilliant, Dr Pope. My colleagues came across the laundry-basket
and have brought it in and we are waiting for confirmation that it is the one
that was taken. Can you give me the address Albert gave you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“12 Shakespeare Avenue, Mr Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll be in touch. Tell Albert I’m very pleased with his
initiative, but he should keep away from Lower Grumpsfield for the time being
while we sort things out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mia was on her way to the car when Dorothy arrived. She was
able to confirm the laundry-basket’s ownership, describing the lining so that
Mia could double check that Dorothy was not making it up. Mia locked the car
and the two women went back into the cottage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is great,” said Gary. “I never knew that a
laundry-basket could mean so much to me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have to take it to forensics,” said Mia. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s fine,” said Dorothy. “It was only in the garden shed
until the next bring-and-buy sale.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll call on 12 Shakespeare Avenue a.s.a.p.,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Go now, Folks!” said Cleo. “No time like the present.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Isn’t it a bit late?” said Barbara, who was disappointed
that her time with Joe was going to be cut short. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The woman is more likely to be at home now than during a
working day,” said Cleo. “Joe. Come with us. An extra witness is always a good
thing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Was Cleo indulging in a little more matchmaking?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barbara looked at Joe and they exchanged meaningful smiles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK,” said Gary. “We’ll go in the family van and if we pick
the woman up we’ll get a squad car to take her to HQ and come back here. OK,
Ladies?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary departed with Joe, Mia and Barbara in tow. None of them
was in uniform. Mia sat in the front and Joe sat in the back with Barbara,
holding hands, as Mia reported later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary would go to the house first. Barbara would secure the
back of the building. Joe would go with her. No one was to be allowed to leave
until Gary was sure that there was nothing to answer for at that address.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of the houses in Shakespeare Avenue were terraced and
small. They were built at a time when building sites including room for
gardens, but most of the houses now had a car space instead and one or two had
garages. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oscar Pope had not known the name of the people who lived at
number 12 except that the boy had told Albert that his name was Olly. The name
Bryce was on the doorbell. A man came to the door. Gary asked him if he was Mr
Bryce. He was. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can I speak to your wife, Mr Bryce?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why do you want to speak to her, Mr ….”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hurley. This is Mrs Curlew. If we could just come in for a
moment.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A voice was heard calling out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who is it, Joseph?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Someone wants to speak to you, Mavis.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tell them to come back tomorrow,” shouted Mavis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Step in, will you?” said Bryce, a heavy-weight guy with
extensive sideburns and a paunch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mavis Bryce appeared. She did not have sideburns, but she
did have a paunch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who are they?” said Mavis looking hatefully at Joseph. “What
do you want, Mister and Mrs?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If we could just come in a bit further,” Mia said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bryce made way for Gary and Mia to push through the narrow
hallway and follow Mavis into the front room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you have a son, Mrs Bryce,” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oliver, but we call him Olly. Why?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We found a laundry-basket, Mrs Bryce,” said Mia. “Two boys
carried it from this house to where it was found. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them was named Olly. We’d like to know
if it is your basket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know whose it is. Olly brought it home one day and
said he’d found it, but I didn’t like it much.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you tell him to take it away, Mrs Bryce,” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wait a minute. Who the hell are you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My name is Hurley and I am a detective. This is my
assistant,” he said, nodding to Mia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you work for that agency in Upper Grumpsfield?” Bryce
asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sometimes,” said Gary quite truthfully.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So what’s all this about, Mr Hurley?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We think that your son Olly and a friend must have taken
the laundry-basket from a shed in Upper Grumpsfield,” said Mia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you accusing my son of stealing?” Mrs Bryce asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The former owner does not want the laundry-basket back, but
we need to know if your son helped to carry the laundry-basket away, Mrs
Bryce,” said Gary slowly. “It’s just for our records.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can’t prove it,” said Bryce, entering with a bottle of
beer that he proceeded to empty in gulps.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Prove what?” asked Olly who had just come home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you remove a laundry-basket from a garden shed,
Oliver?” Mia asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why would I do that, Miss?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just to play a joke on the old lady who lives there. I’m
sure you would have taken it back. Was it a dare, Oliver?” Mia asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oliver realized that he was being given an easy ride.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why don’t you tell me about it,” said Mia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a gang, Miss. To get in you have to do something
daring. One of the gang went with me and I was looking for something to take in
Upper Grumpsfield because no one would know who had done it. But the sheds were
locked except for that one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So now you are in the gang, are you?” said Gary as a
terrible thought occurred to him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It wasn’t enough of a dare, Sir,” said Oliver. “I’ll have
to do another, unless….”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What would be enough of a dare, Oliver?” said Gary.
“Finding a gun in the basket and shooting at someone with it on the Common?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I never did,” said Oliver. “Who told you that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you did find the gun, didn’t you?” said Mia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I found the gun,” said Mrs Bryce.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You didn’t tell me, woman,” said Bryce.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I couldn’t, could I?” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is it because you thought Olly had put it there, Mrs Bryce,”
Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Praps it is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So what did you do with the gun, Mrs Bryce?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She went to the Common and threw it in the pond,” said
Oliver.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Didn’t you try it first, Mrs Bryce?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mrs Bryce had looked nervous. Now she looked terrified.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary turned to Mr Bryce.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you go to Kelly’s farmhouse, Mr Bryce?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bryce looked uncomfortable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He did,” said Oliver. “I saw him go there and not just
once, either.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hold your tongue, Olly,” Bryce shouted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why should I? Everyone else knows what you went there for.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you know, Mrs Bryce?” Mia asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“For a long time I was the only one who didn’t know,” she
said. “Then Olly wanted to go for a walk. He said he wanted to show me
something. He showed me his father coming out of that brothel,” said Mrs Bryce.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you want to tell us what happened last Monday?” Gary
asked. “Or would you like me to tell you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I went for a walk,” said Mrs Bryce.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So did I,” said Olly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did, too,” said Bryce.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To the Common? All of you? Separately?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes,” they all said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Had you decided to get rid of the gun? All of you or separately?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes,” they all said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Which?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Everyone,” said Bryce.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And then you saw Kelly, didn’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And you had the gun in your hand, so you aimed and shot,
didn’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t know it was loaded.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But he was shot six times.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Was he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where were you when your mother went to the Common,
Oliver?” Mia asked. “And this time it has to be the truth.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary thought the boy might still be lying. Mia was sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Olly wanted to say something but Bryce shouted “Shut up!”
and Olly was silent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m telling the truth,” said Bryce. “I shot Kelly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best of three? Very heroic of you, Mr Bryce?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary turned to the boy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Olly Bryce, I’m taking you into custody,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Only the police can do that,” said Bryce.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mia and Gary showed their ID badges.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You said that you work for that detective agency,” said
Bryce.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So I do, sometimes,” said Gary. “But we are now acting as police
officers, Mr Bryce, and I am pulling your son in for murder.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can’t do that,” shouted Mrs Brice. ”He’s underage.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can,” said Gary. “He’s old enough to aim a gun.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a pity you didn’t do the shooting, Mrs Bryce,” said
Mia, giving Mrs Bryce the chance to confirm her guilt and exonerate her son.
“Your son wanted to save his family and he did not care how he did it.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that true, Olly?” said Mrs Bryce, looking sharply at her
son. Mia reflected that exoneration was something else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Bryce said nothing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lead the way, Mia,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not till he has the bracelets on,“ said Mia and proceeded
to handcuff the boy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You said it would be all right,” whined Oliver to his
mother. “You promised that everything would be all right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did it, Mr Hurley,” said Mavis Bryce. “You’d have to
prove that I didn’t if you want to convict Olly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So I can take my pick from three confessions, can I?” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your son has more or less confessed, Mrs Bryce, and there
are mitigating circumstances in his case. After all, his father was visiting
whores. Blame him for the mess your son is in. We will not imprison him. After
he has made an official statement he will be brought back here until further
notice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am now officially confessing to the shooting of Mr
Kelly,” said Bryce out of the blue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary took out his mobile phone and ordered two patrol cars.
They arrived within minutes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You will all be taken to HQ,” said Gary. “I can see that
you will all have to give statements – separately, of course, and for that you
will be escorted separately to my department.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Bryces looked at one another in horror. Only one of them
had shot Kelly, but Gary thought they would all confess, making it a sticky
wicket for the law.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I recommend that the one who actually did shoot Kelly
admits it, otherwise the whole family will be charged with complicity,” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually the three vehicles with their cargoes of culprits
left for Middlethumpton in a cavalcade, with Gary’s car containing Olly first
and Mrs Bryce’s patrol car at the end. Gary had phoned Cleo to tell her what
had transpired. Her only comment was “What a mess, Gary. Did you find the gun?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s in the pond, Cleo. That’s the only believable
information I have.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You cops will have to keep your wits about you. The Bryce
family has obviously done that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On reflection, it was stupid not to have ordered a search of
Mrs Bryce’s shopping bag, which she insisted on taking along as it held her hat
and scarf against the cold. As luck would have it, Mrs Bryce’s car was held up
at the lights. Some things are just waiting to happen, remarked Dorothy, when
she heard the story later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Mrs Bryce held Dorothy’s pistol to the head of the
passenger patrol officer and told him to stop the car, he only laughed. But then
she aimed the gun at the back window and shot the pane to pieces. The patrol
car swerved and came to a stop relatively gently when it crashed against some
large dustbins waiting for collection. At least they had been spared a brick
wall. The patrol officers had not remembered to put the safety catches on the
car doors. Mrs Bryce jumped out and ran off into the darkness before the patrol
cops realized what was happening.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The f***ing safety catch wasn’t on,” shouted the patrol car
driver. How could he explain to anyone that he had been to the DIY in the
patrol car and loaded some building materials to take home? The catches were
off because he had collected his wife to help choose the items. The colleague
had been with him at the time so she had had to sit in the back. HQ did not
normally hear of these excursions. Since Greg Winter had moved to the homicide
squad things were at sixes and sevens.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It would have been too much to ask for the incident to go
unnoticed. There were eyes everywhere. A photo of the bruised patrol car found
itself into a special edition of the Chronicle next morning. The photographer,
an amateur who just happened to be at the scene, had delivered a blow by blow
report to Bertie Brown, the editor of the freebie Gazette. Bertie was good at
writing long articles padded liberally with anything that came to mind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More to the point, Mrs Bryce had disappeared without trace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary would be left carrying the can, whatever and whoever
had been careless. At HQ the law of the jungle was standard. He had to admit
that he should have waited, but hadn’t. He should have talked to Roger about it,
but hadn’t. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CDI Hurley was demoralized, but Mia and Barbara defended him
with arguments that finally got through to him. He thought of Cleo’s
explanation of how love works and felt a wave of gratitude for the two lady
cops. It wasn’t the first time that he had thought he was in the wrong job.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-50544352157281089222017-04-14T11:01:00.002+02:002020-03-22T10:38:36.413+01:00Episode 18 - Morality snd Morals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<h4>
Thursday<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I did not get the impression last night that your
business partner is on the point of retiring,” said Gary, as he watched
PeggySue making inroads into her breakfast müsli, which she insisted on eating
by herself. The amount of milk was negligible. It was advisable to merely soak
the grains rather than let them swim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a>“So Dorothy is now semi-retired, whatever that
means,” said Cleo. “She’s putting a lot of thought into the Edith affair.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Talk about Jekyll and Hyde! Not Dorothy. Edith
Parsnip is leading a formidable double life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Not any more. Her wings have been clipped since
she was dependant on Kelly,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I wouldn’t bet on that, but at least she is
leaving Robert alone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I hope she is. Robert was at the end of his tether
with her and he is not out of the woods yet. We don’t know if he had a hand in
Kelly’s killing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Talk to Rita. She may have the names of men she
amused. I think I’d like to send Barbara Fielding on that mission. Mia Curlew
could accompany her and together they could deal with a wife who seemed
suspicious or tried to blame others.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Cleo phoned Rita and arranged to meet her at the
office. She did not say why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Rather you than me, Cleo. Embarrassing talks with
profligate ‘ladies’ is not my thing at all. I’ll trace Sophia.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Another profligate, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I won’t do much talking. I’ll pass her on to you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Thanks a bunch!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> “I think I might also call in at Robert’s
shop,” said Gary. “If Sophia worked there he probably has her full name and
address. In fact, I’ll do that after breakfast. We mustn’t leave any stone
unturned at risk of Dorothy taking umbrage at our slackness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“If Dorothy had not left that gun where it could be
found, Kelly might still be alive. I don’t think Dorothy can afford to be
offended,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Sad, but true,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“But we don’t know if it was her gun, do we?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The family butcher's shop was fortunately almost
devoid of customers when Gary went in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Good morning, Robert. Can you tell me what
happened to your sales girl named Sophia?” said Gary, wasting no time on
niceties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Sophia Benvenuto,” Robert said. “A totally
hopeless assistant.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“That’s a very Italian name. I thought she was
Russian.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“A Russian mother apparently. That’s where she
lives, too. Not in Russia. With her mother. Mr Benvenuto, an Italian, left home
for his homeland years ago. Sophia supports half a dozen brothers and sisters.
That’s the only reason she lasted more than a week here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“She found somewhere else to work for more money,
Robert.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“At Kelly’s, despite her bun in the oven. Gossip
gets round here fast, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Do you have her address?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Robert looked in the B list of his phone book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Middlethumpton. 24, St Michael’s Street. Just past
the Catholic Church, she said.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I wonder where she will work now Kelly is dead?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Not here. She came in only yesterday wanting her
job back. But my favourite assistant told her she was too late.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“As if she had heard her name, Gloria appeared from
the back room. She had been making sausage rolls again. They sold like hot
cakes. Gloria was sure she had invented them. She had almost. She rolled the
sausages in very thinly sliced Parma ham before they went into their pastry
wrapping. Parma ham was luxury pure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Just out of the oven,” Gloria said now, “Take half
a dozen,” she said. “I’m sure you’ll find people to eat them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gary wanted to pay for them, but Gloria said it was
her treat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Let me know about the flat, Gloria!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I sure will.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Thanks for the information, Robert.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Why did you need it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“It’s a long story. I’ll let you know how I get on.
I’m hoping to surprise the girl into being cooperative.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“She’s far too cooperative in my view,” said
Robert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Sophia’s mother opened the door and Gary was rushed
into the living-room when he identified himself with his ID card. Mrs Benvenuto
preferred not to be seen talking to a cop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“You’ve come about the murder, haven’t you?” she
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> “Not directly, Mrs Benvenuto. Is your
daughter here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“She’s been out looking for a job.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“And did she find one?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“She can start work at the slot machine palace, but
I’m not happy about it. Really strange people go there, but we need the money.
I don’t know if she’s had any other offers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Mrs Benvenuto spoke with an Irish lilt. She had a
lot of hair dyed yellowish and stacked untidily. The house was poorly furnished
and a bit messy, but she seemed respectable. Gary thought she could have
disapproved of her daughter’s extra job at Kelly’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Boys of various ages were kicking a ball about on
the neighbouring churchyard. A little girl was sitting at a table trying to sew
on a button.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“My children, said Mrs Benvenuto pointing to them.
“Sophia is the eldest. She’s good girl really, Mr Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’m sure she is,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“It’s the men who are bad. Girls would not do
prostitution if men did not pay for it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’m sure you are right, Mrs Benvenuto. But she’s
out of it now, isn’t she?” said Gary, realizing that Mrs Benvenuto probably knew
where the money for the household had come from.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I hope so, though it pays better than other jobs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gary wondered about the ethics of not wanting the
girl to be a hooker but enjoying the proceeds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Sophia came down the stairs and greeted Gary as if
he were a friend or a prospective client. She did not look pregnant. Where was
the baby?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I only want to ask you for the names of the men
you met at Kelly’s,” said Gary tactfully, noticing that Sophia was not behaving
much like the good girl her mother had said she was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Surprisingly, because Sophia was provocatively
dressed and heavily made up, she looked ashamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I know all about what went on, Sophia. I’m not
here to judge you, but we think that the wife of one of those men might have
killed Kelly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Sophia now added shock to embarrassment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I don’t know their names Sir. Some are regulars at
that pub in Huddlecourt Minor. One was called John.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Are they indeed? Then I’ll start there,” said
Gary. “And don’t worry, Sophia. I won’t say who told me about them, but let me
know if you think of any other names.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Thank you. I don’t want any trouble.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gary handed her a business card.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“If you want to avoid trouble, don’t work at that
slot machine palace, Sophia.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’ve got to work somewhere,” said Sophia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Why don’t you ask in the canteen at Police
Headquarters, Sophia? They are often looking for waitresses and cashiers and
may have a job for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Work for the police?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Do it today, Sophia, if you can. Are you still
nursing your baby?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Upstairs. My mum’s looking after it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Do you need social services, Sophia? They are
helpful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Is the father going to support you financially?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“It was forced on me,” Sophia said, “but I would
have kept it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Tell me who raped you and I’ll get him for it,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Kelly before I went to work for him. The men there
did not force me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gary wondered how informed about health and safety
Sophia had been, quite apart from going to work for a man who had forced sex on
her. Presumably Kelly had not been deterred by that and neither had she. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Another nail in the coffin of the vice squad was
that they had not managed to find and close down the illegal brothel. It was
time he took over and combined vice with homicide until a more efficient
organization could be formed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“You’ve been through a bad patch, Sophia, haven’t
you? Would you like to talk to my wife about it? She can help you get over it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Sophia nodded. Mrs Benvenuto said that would be a
good idea if it didn’t cost anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“And tell them at HQ that Chief Inspector Hurley
sent you to find a job. You can show them my business card.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Yes Sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gary left soon after. He found such scenes
upsetting. At HQ, he phoned down to the canteen and told them to look kindly on
a girl called Sophia who needed a job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gary mused on the idea that Sophia had a motive.
Supposing that Kelly had denied the rape and fatherhood, she might have taken
revenge after finding the laundry-basket dumped somewhere and discovering the
gun. He phoned Cleo and suggest it. She would talk to the girl and get her to
confess if she had anything to confess to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’ll get her to HQ if we need to do that,” said Gary.
“She’s job-hunting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gary told Cleo that would go straight to Molly
Moss’s pub in Huddlecourt Minor. Sophia had told him that some of the pub
regulars were also regulars at Kelly’s place. It was a pity that Kelly had been
killed before they could put him behind bars for rape and get him to support
Sophia’s child, which was the result of that rape. There was no reason to
disbelieve the young woman. DNA would verify the fatherhood if necessary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Then the child could inherit part if not all the
estate,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I think a whole family would benefit from that,”
said Gary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Molly’s Huddle Inn had been low on Gary’s list of
priorities for quite some time. Once the crimes connect with Molly’s murdered
chef cum bedfellow and the unknown corpse had been solved and she had found a
new chef for her kitchen and incidentally for her bed, she was back in her old
form. For a time she had even planned to hang on to the new lover because he
was a very good cook whose innovative ideas had brought in lots of new
customers within days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">But Molly was no longer sure that hanging on to
Sean was a good idea, and that may have had something to do with Robert Jones
the butcher taking more interest in her than ever before, delivering fresh meat
cuts every day and being a good catch for a not-so-young publican. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Robert now came daily after work for a beer or a
cup of tea, and sat at a table near the bar so that they could talk. Molly
liked that. There was something nice about Robert that she missed in the men
who jumped into bed with her and jumped out again as often as not to find other
beds to jump into.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Robert was a shy admirer, but persistent. Gary did
not know (had not been told) exactly what was going on between Molly and the Irish
chef. Not even Dorothy had said anything recently because she was too busy with
other missions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">But now, Gary got the gist of Molly’s dilemma.
Molly had wanted to end the private relationship she had with Sean <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>without frightening him, a fearsomely choleric
guy with a hot temper, into leaving his job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Sean's cooking was superb nouveau cuisine learnt in
Paris, while his temperament was volatile. One evening, an unholy row in the
kitchen led to the break. Sean dropped tools, packed his things and left Robert
to help out in the kitchen, there being no one else to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The idea of Robert actually cooking professionally
was new to him and the novelty had not worn off after just a few days. His joy
at having Gloria back in the shop complemented his newly found occupation. It also
nursed his desire to shed some of the load of running the shop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">For the time being he could only help out at
Molly’s during the evening, he told her, but being near this very feminine
woman who nevertheless - unlike Edith, who had stripped off and seduced him
whenever the opportunity arose - behaved respectably and modestly was having an
effect on Robert. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Molly herself was surprised that she had not
invited Robert to take the place of Sean upstairs as well as in the kitchen,
but she sensed that he needed time to come up with the suggestion himself. A
woman in her forties has learnt to wait for the right moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The regulars congregated twice a day at Molly’s. At
lunch-time Robert was not there, so Gary did not get to see him in the guise of
cook and platonic bottlewasher, but five of the regulars were sitting at their
table with the bell overhead to ring for more of whatever was needed. Gary was
not sure which approach would get him the best response. In the end he decided
on the gentle art of small-talk by donating a round of beer and sitting at
their table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I smell a cop,” said Fred, who had not been part
of the round table for long, but had had enough contact with the police to be
aware of them and to beware of strangers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Right in one, Fred ….”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Benson. And you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Hurley,” said Gary, making a mental note of the
man’s name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Chief Detective Inspector,” said Ron, the oldest
of the group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Tell me about Kelly,” said Gary, throwing caution
to the winds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Dead,” said quite a young man named John.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Didn’t he run some sort of a hotel?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Rooms-to-go,” sneered John. The women came free
and boy did they go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Well, Mr Smith, it’s all over now,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Armstrong to you, Mr. That’s Smith over there,” he
said pointing to a rather red-faced individual across the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Sorry, I’m sure,” said Gary. “Want a round of
shorts, friends?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It seemed as if the regulars would do anything not
to have to pay for their drinks. Gary prised himself away after several rounds
of the regulars’ favourite shorts without having drunk anything alcoholic
himself. Molly had obliged by putting water in his glass and serving his coke
without rum. He was not at the pub for the first time and Molly knew the ropes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Back in his car Gary made a note of the names he
had heard. It was a good start. His next job would be to talk to his
policewomen and send them on a mission to find out more about the spouses who
could have killed Kelly They could gradually introduce the topic of a lost
laundry-basket that had belonged to a gentle old lady. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Not all the Huddle Inn regulars had been clients at
Kelly’s establishment, but one or two of those round that table were, judging
from their reactions, including John Armstrong, who was quite bold and probably
told questionable stories about his visits there. It amazed him how unemployed
types at a loose end could afford cigarettes, regular trips to the pub,
football matches and even erotic adventures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gary could well imagine that any wife forced to
budget on a shoestring would not be in agreement with her spouse’s
self-indulgence. It remained to be seen whether such indignation was enough
motivation for murder. He had not mentioned the hookers who ‘entertained’
Kelly’s clients. On reflection he should have, but it did leave him with an
excuse to go there again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Barbara Fielding, who was shrewd and experienced at
getting people to talk, thought that getting to know even one of those wives
could be helpful. Women often confided in other women. It was even possible
that the murderer, if it was one of them, would be known to others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Mia Curlew agreed that getting those women to own
up or at least show their guilt would not be difficult. Having experienced
Mia‘s skill at interviews, Gary was prepared to go along with any ideas she
had. The two sleuths were a good pair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Come along to the cottage and tell us what you
experienced,” Gary invited. I’ll be home all evening and I think you should
start investigating this afternoon. We need results in the Kelly case and this
is the first lead we’ve had.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I was coming anyway,” said Barbara.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Mia was now working in the vice squad, but said
that Kelly was an unknown quantity there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“He shouldn’t have been,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Those guys in the Vice Squad are all at retiring
age or wish they were, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’m going to do something about that,” said Gary.
“They could be assigned some other task and younger detectives would get
results.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Their top boss has been off sick for a year,” said
Mia, “and they are constantly giving one another orders and getting nothing
done. The only one who does anything there is me, and I have not got the rank
to get on with things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I know. You need promotion and that manager should
have been replaced. It’s a case of the cat being away. Mia. I’ve put it to
Roger that we can merge the squads, at least for the time being, and we will do
something about your rank.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Why do they need a manager anyway?” Barbara asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Like Roger, or me a step lower heading the homicide
squad, he’s supposed to be a coordinator on various levels, but it can't work if
the manager is permanently off sick and no one is in charge. Roger Stone gets
the homicide squad right. He delegates stuff to me and talks to top officials.
He also uses his influence to get extra funds, but he still makes time for
ground work and that’s a wise decision because he’s a cop first and a manager
second. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The problems are the same everywhere and too often
guys are given managerial jobs without knowing what it’s like on the shop floor.
And of course, you ned a hierarchy. The work can’t flourish if there’s a break
in the system.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">"We’ll get going now, shall we,
Barbara?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Nigel has just printed a list of names and addresses.
We hope they are accurate. Tread carefully. If you are speaking to a wife, she
could be a killer and might still have the weapon and be ready to use it again.
You can access the relevant data on-line and annotate where necessary. I hope
there’ll be more contacts when Cleo has talked to Edith, which I expect to
happen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">And happen it did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Cleo was glad that Grit was looking after the
little ones so that she could go to the vicarage and talk to Edith herself.
Edith thought of Dorothy as a friend to be confided in, but she knew that Cleo
would want to use any information if she was investigating a case and that was
good because she did not want to tell Dorothy everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Edith was cooking and excited. Oscar was bringing
all the boys to lunch. She could not really understand why they were not living
with her. There was a lot that Edith could not understand, Cleo reflected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Talk to me for a minute,” said Cleo, sitting down
at the kitchen table. She was surprised to see chairs all around it instead of
the usual three-legged stools.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Nice chairs, aren’t they?” said Edith. “Mary
brought them with her. We grownups don’t have to sit on those wobbly stools any
more. Coffee, Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Cleo was a bit afraid that her visit would be
interpreted as dropping in if she did not get to the point quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“You were friendly with Mr Kelly, weren’t you?” she
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“We had good sex, Cleo. I need good sex these
days.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“So what are you going to do now he’s dead, Edith?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Frank isn’t too bad at it and he’s quite young,”
said Edith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Cleo could understand why Dorothy thought Edith was
shameless, though she herself thought that Edith talked without shame because
she was not ashamed of herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“But isn’t he friendly with Rita?” Cleo said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Platonic,” said Edith. “He came to me for the nice
stuff. Rita is not as good at it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Does he come here, Edith?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“He hasn’t been yet, but he will now Kelly’s is
closed,” said Edith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“He can’t come today, Edith.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Is that why you came?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“No I’m not delivering a message. I happen to know
that he has appendicitis. He used to work for me, you know, Edith.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“He liked you, Cleo. He told me he could imagine
having sex with you, but he enjoyed himself with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I hope you did not tell him I would consent to
being unfaithful to Gary,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Of course not. I don’t want him to go anywhere
else, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Even Cleo found it hard to ask Edith questions she
did not misinterpret.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Did anyone else come to you, Edith?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“For fun and games? All of them, silly,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Do you know their names? You might want to see
them again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’ve been thinking about that. If I give you some
names, can you find out where they live, Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’ll certainly try,” said Cleo truthfully. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">That request was a gift from heaven, even though it
initimated continued reprehensible conduct by Edith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“You won’t let them come here, will you, Edith?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“No. I’ve thought of a place to go to. There’s a
room behind the church hall with a nice sofa, and failing that there’s always
the vestry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">That was a non sequitur. Dorothy might even have
lectured about the church being a sacred place, but Cleo refrained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Cleo got out her notebook and Edith wrote down
several names of the clients she would like to see again. There was no point in
being shocked. Edith was taking care of her own needs. Whether Edith would
receive any of the addresses was doubtful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“How is Robert?” Edith asked. “I think he’s
avoiding me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I don’t know, Edith. I’m not married to him
anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Of course not. You are married to that lovely
policeman, aren’t you? Is his brother nice?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“How do you mean that?” said Cleo, guessing what
would come next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I would sleep with both of them, too, if I were
you, Cleo. Don’t you get confused?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“No, Edith. I don’t sleep with Joe. I’m married to
Gary and that’s the way it’s going to stay. Joe has a new girlfriend and she will
not let him go anywhere with anyone else, so don’t get ideas.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“That’s OK. There are plenty of others,” said
Edith. “Now I know what men really like, I am a very desirable person, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Cleo was glad that Gary was not there to hear that
kind of statement. Edith was debauched. How had she got into that state? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Edith had finished writing down the names of half a
dozen men she said she knew intimately from Kelly’s place so there was no
reason to prolong the visit. Cleo was glad she had been there and very glad she
could now leave with a list of men whose wives might be implicated in Kelly’s
death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Back at the cottage, Cleo faxed the list of names
to Mia and Barbara at Gary’s request. The ball was now in their court.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A phone call from Nigel set Gary off on a different
trail that morning. This time it was one he would follow up himself to the
bitter end. A woman had identified Joanna Colby. Nigel was sure that it was a
proper lead. The girl was sitting in a quiet corner of the station
breastfeeding an infant and he was not 100% sure that it really was the girl on
the photo. What should he do now?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’m on my way, Nigel. Can you buy that witness a
drink or something to eat? Do anything to keep her busy until I can get there!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“No problem, Gary. She was begging.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Don’t say anything about why we are looking for
Joanna, Nigel. Just keep an eye on the woman with the baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gary wondered if it was Joanna. Mrs Colby had not
mentioned a pregnancy, but she might not have known. That might be the reason
the girl had run away. At least she had not murdered the infant and dumped it
somewhere, As for Nigel not knowing her from the photo, there was a chance that
she had changed her appearance or simply neglected it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The station was crowded. It was holiday time so
lots of people were dragging luggage around. No one took any notice of the
young woman with the baby. Gary’s first thought was to phone social services. A
woman sitting on the floor of a busy train station breastfeeding her baby
needed help. On second thoughts he decided to approach the woman first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Joanna?” he said, and the woman looked at him,
startled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“This is a happy end,” he continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Not for me, Mister,” Joanna replied. “What did you
call me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Your mother is looking for you,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“She threw me out, Mister. She said I had disgraced
her.” Joanna thrust the infant at Gary. It looked well-fed and healthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I don’t think she meant it, Joanna.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“You don’t know her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I do, actually. She officiated at my wedding.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“So she’s still marrying people off, is she? She
wouldn’t let me live with the father of my baby, Mister.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I think she knows that she has made a big mistake,
Joanna, even if you are underage. It would also be better for your sweet little
baby if you did not sit and beg here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">There was not much money in the old beret she had
laid out for donations. Gary was glad the young woman had confirmed her
identity, though he was sure she had not intended to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Joanna Colby got up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’m going now,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Where to?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“That’s none of your business,” said Joanna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“It is, Joanna,” he said, beckoning to Nigel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">As Nigel approached, so did Mrs Colby. He had had
the presence of mind to phone her in case the woman with the baby was Joanna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Don’t let her come near me,” screamed Joanna, but
Nigel was faster. He held the girl close until Mrs Colby got close enough to
confirm that it was her daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“You have such a beautiful baby,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“No thanks to you, Mother,” said Joanna. “You
wanted me to have an abortion, remember?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’m so sorry. I’ve been out of my mind with
worry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“You only worry about keeping up appearances,” said
Joanna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Not any more, Jo. Come home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“We can find you a mother and baby home, Joanna,”
said Gary. “But that will take a day or two. Accept your mother’s offer while
we arrange somewhere decent for you and the baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Can I believe you, Mister?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“On my honour, Joanna. I’ll drive you, the baby and
your mother home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> “What do I owe you, Mr Hurley?” said Mrs
Colby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Thank my assistant. He spotted your daughter and
he does not accept gratuities. It’s his job, Mrs Colby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gary took the little family home. Joanna promised
not to run away for the baby’s sake. Gary hoped she would not let him down. He
was relieved that Joanna Colby’s escapade had had a happy end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’m proud of you, Nigel,” he said on the way back
to the office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I rang Cleo,” said Nigel. “She was delighted.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I’ll bet she was,” said Gary. “It’s reassuring to
have you as my assistant, Nigel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“I knew somehow that Joanna would not be far away
and you could see that she was glad she had been found.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“But your task is not quite finished, Nigel,” said
Gary. “We need to find the father of that child and get support from him for
the baby. Do you want to take on that investigation?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“That would be great, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“You’ll be able to get the name from the girl or
her mother, but wait until they are in sheltered accommodation, assuming that
Mrs Colby cannot persuade her daughter to stay at home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“It would be better for her if she did, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“You have the makings of a detective, Nigel. I
don’t want to waste that talent, so you will be getting more investigations. I
hope you can help Cleo now that Frank Wetherby has been such a disappointment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">To say that Nigel was over the moon would be putting
it mildly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-10578000948169450882017-04-12T19:36:00.004+02:002020-03-22T09:38:01.593+01:00Episode 17 - Love is in the air<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<br />
<h4>
Wednesday <o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo did not particularly want to speak to her mother since Gloria
had not phoned her about her new domestic arrangements, but she was obliged to
do so on Wednesday morning because she needed steaks for the dinner party that
night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>“I don’t supposed you are surprised that I am back here since
Grit will have told you and I expect that Gary has been ferreting around,” said
Gloria, fast and on the defensive.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gary does not ferret around, Mother, but you could have
told me what you were planning,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that why you’re phoning,” Gloria asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Certainly not. I need a tray of good steaks, Mother, and
Robert does the best.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How many? Am I included in your party?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Eight to ten, Mother and no, I’m not inviting you.. I’m
sure you have better things to do,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So you are excluding me, Cleopatra Hartley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hurley, Mother. I’m married, remember?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, Hurley then.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would not know who to invite, Mother. What is your family
situation now?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have a new associate,” said Gloria.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Associate or toy-boy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gabriel is only six years younger than his brother. He is
not too young for me, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about Romano?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about Romano?” Gloria repeated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo could hear Robert struggling to take command of the
phone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you want to order something, Cleo?” he said. “We are too
busy for family spats here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am not spatting,” said Cleo. “Your assistant is
responsible for the spat. I just want to order a tray of steaks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you need them today?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes please, Robert.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll bring them over after one. The shop is shut this
afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. Just one question,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, your Mother is working for me again and yes, she has
left Romano and is living at Delilah’s with Gabriel, who is a first class pizza
baker and will be delivering fresh, cooled pizza bases from next week. He’s now
Delilah’s pastry baker.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s treading on toes in Upper Grumpsfield,” said Cleo.” Does
Delilah know he’s got a private business going?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course. The pastry is neutral – you can make an apple
pie with it if you want to - and Delilah gets a cut.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She must be delighted. How long has the affair been going
on between my mother and Gabriel?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know. I haven’t asked,” said Robert. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What happened to your other assistant?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Pregnant. They all get pregnant,” said Robert. “Gloria
phoned on Sunday night and said she was back in Upper Grumpsfield and could she
have her job back and I said yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well you shouldn’t have pregnancy fall-out with my mother,
should you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo rang off disgusted with the way Gloria was behaving,
although she did not know the reason for Gloria’s breakup, even if she suspected
a clash of strong personalities to be the cause.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo was stilly preoccupied with her mother’s behaviour when
Dorothy turned up. She was surprised to see Dorothy, who usually issued a
warning that she was about to descend on the cottage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll never guess who was at Robert’s shop,” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I will. It’s my mother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could have knocked me down with a feather,” said Dorothy.
“So I went to Crumb’s and stocked up with goodies and here I am,” she said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charlie and Lottie came bouncing in to say Hello.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You haven’t met Lottie, have you Dorothy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You two look like sisters,” was the reaction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We are only cousins,” said Charlie. “Thanks for bringing
the buns.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Shouldn’t you be at school, Charlie?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Holidays,.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The girls fetched a large bowl for the goodies and set about
eating some of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So what do you make of your Mother being back?” Dorothy
asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is Gloria back?” said Charlie. “Can we go to the shop,
Mummy? Lottie hasn’t met her yet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Back for lunch at one, please,” said Cleo, hugging the
girls. Charlie told Lottie that Gloria was good fun and sang a lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was obviously not much fun being in Middlethumpton at
that restaurant,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There’s a rumour that she has taken up with Romano’s younger
brother,” Cleo said diplomatically.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s taken up, Mummy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Friendly,” said Cleo, giving Dorothy a warning look.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did Robert tell you that bit of gossip?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He did, actually. I was quite surprised. He doesn’t usually
go in for tittle-tattle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s tittle-tattle,” Lottie asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s what grownups talk when children are listening,”
said Charlie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’d better get going,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll go to Helen’s after that, Mummy,” said Charlie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Gary arrived for lunch, Cleo and Dorothy were still
sitting at the dining-table. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that breakfast or lunch?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A bit of both,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll make you a sandwich, shall I?” said Cleo. “We’ll be
eating a lot this evening.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A good idea. Both, I mean. Are you invited, Dorothy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not yet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, you are now,” said Gary. “We are celebrating Roger
Stone moving in with Grit and Joe’s ex-girlfriend fortunately leaving
yesterday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d better not ask why an ex-girlfriend of Joe’s was here
in the first place. He can’t have got through a girlfriend already, surely,”
said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, Dorothy,” said Cleo, returning from the kitchen with
fresh coffee. “Sonia came uninvited. She was Lottie’s class teacher at her
boarding school in South Africa and seemed to think she could warm up the
relationship with Joe although they had parted company before he came to
Europe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sonia must be very thick-skinned,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll make sandwiches,” said Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary opened the serving hatch so that they could all carry
on talking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thick-skinned is probably the most adept description you
could give her,” said Gary. “We did not like her, and that included Joe. He
clearly did not want her here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She had told him she didn’t like children, Dorothy,” said
Cleo. “She came to say she would have one, but only because I could look after
it. One more would not make any difference, she thought.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What a cheek! Good riddance, I’d say,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hear, hear!” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you see Romano today, Gary?” Cleo asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had antipasti there. He’s quite cut up.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did he tell you that Gloria and his brother are now lodging
with Delilah? Gabriel is baking pizzas there and is going to deliver raw pastry
bases to Robert’s shop from next week,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Done and dusted, then. Romano was very morose. He’s sad
that Gloria prefers his brother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s all hunky-dory, Gloria would say,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Only for her,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sad about Romano, too,” said Cleo. “Gloria was an
improvement in his life.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Short-lived as it turned out. Romano is sorry for himself,”
said Gary. “And he uttered murderous intentions about his brother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s operatic, Gary. He’ll either get over it, or my Mother
will creep back into his arms with some sort of explanation on her lips.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think she was ever in his arms much, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did he tell you that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“More or less. His ‘amore’ stopped well before the bedroom
door.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That should not have bothered my mother. She gave up erotic
adventures 40 years ago and proud of the achievement.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She might have been a reborn, Ladies.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2Whatever that is. Most Italians get married first,” said
Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On what do you base that idea?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Old movies,” said Dorothy. “The Americans were prudish
themselves and put their morals into all the films. The scenes always stopped
before the bedroom door and the film then switched to the following day.
Italian oldies have the same sort of scenes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sure you’ve got more to say on that subject, Dorothy,
but can we move on to Kelly now?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No one seems to be sad about him,” said Dorothy. “He was
running an illegal brothel. Did you know that, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought all brothels were illegal,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not quite. If the pimp has only one girl, that’s home
comfort, apparently. But having two is running a brothel and it has to be
licenced.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are well-informed about that too, Dorothy,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve been around, especially in that village of the damned
down the road. There was a lot of anger in Lower Grumpsfield because the women
thought the village should be kept respectable while the men used Kelly’s erotic
services and paid with the housekeeping.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope the services did not include Edith,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m in two minds about that,” said Dorothy. “People were
rather hush-hush about the details. I’m planning to visit Edith this afternoon.
I’ll ask her straight out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It won’t make any difference, Dorothy,” said Gary. “We
can’t get him now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It might make a vital difference if you find out which of
his so-called ladies was not registered and question them about their clients.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The vice squad does not get as far as Lower Grumpsfield,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They should. It’s a den of iniquity. And if they don’t, you
should. We are talking about a murder, after all. You would not be trespassing
on their patch.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You have a point there,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And here’s a parting tip from an elderly sleuth,” said
Dorothy. “You might be looking for one of those wives, but maybe you should
find out which of them got my laundry basket and go on from there. I may have
provided the murder weapon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” said Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy promised to be back for dinner by seven and left
Gary deep in thought. Had Dorothy hit on something again?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dorothy’s parting words were rather potent,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s Dorothy for you,” said Cleo. “I think Edith should
see Dr Mitchell urgently, especially if she’s been sleeping around.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t fuss!” said Gary. “It’s really not our business
despite what Dorothy says, and Dr Mitchell can’t do anything about her morals.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is our business, Gary, since it involves a friend.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wonder if Albert found out anything about that pistol.
Oscar has not rung yet,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As so often happens when we think or talk about someone,
they phone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We may be onto something, Mr Hurley,” said Oscar. “Albert
overheard someone talking about shooting practice. He’s going to go there again
and listen in. Maybe he’ll hear something more. He’ll go alone next time. I
don’t think there’s a problem there. The village seems very respectable. There
is one thing however…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think I know what you are going to tell me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was approached by Mr Kelly’s neighbour,” said Oscar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mr Tailor?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. He told me that Kelly had been running a brothel.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was a long time ago, Dr Pope.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know about that if you mean his late wife. She was his main
attraction and she was killed, wasn’t she, but not in the line of duty.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She was many people’s main attraction in those days, Dr
Pope, and Kelly was not killed in the line of duty, either.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anyway, Tailor asked me if I was interested in that sort of
thing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I expect you said
you weren’t.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On the contrary. I showed great enthusiasm for something so
enticing and so near home. You do want to find Kelly’s murderer, don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We do, Dr Pope. I didn’t know you were interested in
investigating.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just as a hobby, Mr Hurley. Human nature is a bottomless
pit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So what do you propose?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll accept Mr Tailor’s invitation and see what he has to
say. Supposing that pistol got into the hands of one of wives of those
customers of Kelly’s?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have to admit that it’s a brilliant idea, Dr Pope,” said
Gary, recalling that Dorothy had made the same suggestion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No one knows that I went to the coffee bar with Albert, by
the way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s good. Between the two of you, you might come up with
the killer.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll do our best and I’ll keep you posted,” said Oscar and
rang off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo had been listening in. She was astonished.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you really going to encourage Oscar?” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We have nothing to lose,” said Gary. “Only local gossip
will provide any new information. I learnt that from you, my love.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So you did.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The business probably started with boys pinching that
laundry-basket, but what Oscar said points to there being other candidates for
the murder,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wonder if we can get a list of the husbands who visited
Kelly’s establishment,” said Cleo. “I’ll phone Dorothy. She must ask Edith if
she saw any other women at Kelly’s house. She could also ask her if she knew the
names of any men who went there and if money changed hands.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t do it for money,” Edith told Dorothy. She was
shocked that Dorothy could think such a thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t mean you, Edith,” said Dorothy, equally shocked
that Edith described her erotic adventures as ‘doing it’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you mean the nice men who came sometimes?” said Edith.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you do it with them, too, Edith?” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sometimes, when Paddy got tired,” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy did not know if she could carry on such a
conversation with someone she used to think was respectable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you know their names, Edith?” Dorothy persevered,
despite her scruples.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They only used first names, Dorothy. There was one called
Jim and another called Fred, and another called Frank who smelt good. I
remember that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not the Frank from Cleo’s agency, I hope,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Could be. He is a detective, Dorothy. I recognized him, but
only with his clothes on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy wanted to leave, but she had to ask one more
question.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who were the women entertaining the men, Edith? Did you
know them?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There was a young one called Sophia. She used to work at
Robert’s shop, I think. She got pregnant, Dorothy, so she couldn’t help Kelly any
more. And then there was an older one named Rita. I think she’s a hairdresser.
She was nice. I think she was friendly with Frank, but he came to me for sex.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was with some difficulty that Dorothy extricated herself
from Edith’s kitchen. She did not think for one moment that Edith realized she
had been engaged in prostitution, but that was plainly the case. She had
mentioned two women who could provide information about the men who were
customers of Kelly, and the wives could probably be traced through those
descriptions. One of them might have been the recipient of the laundry-basket,
possibly because one of her children had a hand in taking it, and ultimately
used the pistol to get rid of Kelly and save her marriage, or what was left of
it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy was not shocked about the young woman called Sophia,
since she remembered her from serving at the coffee bar in Lower Grumpsfield as
being a bit brazen, but what about Rita? Was that really the hairdresser? Is
that where she had met Frank? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy would spill these particular beans at dinner that
evening. It should cause quite a lot of horror and speculation. Best of all, it
would be an assurance that she was indispensable to the Hartley Agency. Dorothy
was a keen sleuth, but she was also vain and anxious to prove that she was not
too old to be a private eye.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At about two o’clock Robert delivered the steaks Cleo had
ordered. Gary answered the door and asked Cleo’s ex in. Robert was reluctant,
but soon persuaded by the offer of a cup of coffee to see him on his way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Which one are you then?” Robert asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m Gary. I don’t wear patterned shirts.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t ask me about Gloria,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wasn’t going to,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was, Robert,” said Gary. “She has really upset Romano.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He upset her,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He would not let her sleep in his bedroom,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh. That is rather hurtful. I thought they were in love and
going to get married.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So did she,” said Robert. “But you don’t have to share a
bedroom with your wife.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo caught the innuendo. He had hated sharing his bed with
her and kept himself firmly cocooned in his duvet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why didn’t she tell me months ago?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think she was ashamed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That makes sense,” said Gary. “She’s very proud of her
female guiles, though she never put them to the test until Romano took an
interest.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But then Gabriel came and started a really nice friendship
with her,” said Robert. “Romano did not like that at all and apparently the
brothers fought over her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Awesome,” said Cleo. “I expect my mother was flattered.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Flattered enough to clear out with that brother,” said
Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She didn’t tell me directly, but I think things are going
better with Gabriel, if you know what I mean,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coming from Robert, that was a tremendously open statement.
He did not normally talk about people’s private lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So she now has a sex life, does she?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wouldn’t go as far as that,” said Robert. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It isn’t something you talk about with your ex mother-in-law,”
said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’d better ask her, Gary. She’s your mother-in-law. You only
know that she gets on better with Gabriel.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t feel related to her,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you are,” said Cleo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Do you still deliver American cuts of beef to Romano’s restaurant,
Robert?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He has not cancelled his order. I don’t know if he knows
that Gloria is back working for me. I’d better be going now. Lots to do,” he
said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How much for the steaks, Robert?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t worry about that,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would worry if you thought I could not pay for them,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“£32 then,” said Robert. “Eight T-bones and a number of
filets.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cheap at the price, Robert. Take £40. I have no small
change.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t take charity,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then take £8 off the next invoice,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert looked briefly at the twins, who were supporting
themselves on their haunches and looking at him wide-eyed from the safety of
the playpen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They are rather nice,” he said grudgingly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“More to come,” said Gary, stroking Cleo’s baby bump
lovingly, to Robert’s horror.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo saw that and put her hand over Gary’s. The intimate
gesture was embarrassing to Robert. He congratulated them formally and
fortunately refrained from say that Cleo was too old for that nonsense, though
they knew that he thought it. Age had apparently not made any difference to Cleo’s
yearning to have a houseful of kids and Gary’s willingness to go along with the
idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How is PeggySue,” said Robert, and that was the first time
in nearly a year that he had asked about her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Asleep. Siesta. Would you like to see her?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, yes,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary led him into the children’s room and Robert stroked the
cheek of the little girl he had once pretended was his.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s lovely,” he said. “I’m sorry I was such a mean bastard,
Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All is forgiven, Robert.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m glad to see how happy Cleo is. She was unhappy with me,
you know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know. You are welcome here, Robert, especially if you
want to see PeggySue when she is awake.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll take you up on that if it won’t bother Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s won’t bother her. You disappointed her, Robert, but
she’s over that now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can see that. Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary showed Robert out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Poor guy,” he said when he returned. “I think we need a
hug.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think we need a siesta before the babies wake,” said
Cleo. “I feel as if we’d just had a visit from the censor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll go with that,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By a few minutes before seven, nearly everyone had arrived for
dinner and had been offered an alcohol-free cocktail prescribed by Cleo since
she would herself not be drinking alcohol for some months to come. Dorothy had arrived
nursing a litre of homemade ice cream for afters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary took one sip of his cocktail and replaced it with beer
drunk out of the bottle for himself and Roger. The food was lined up on the
worktop. Buffets were the rule rather than the exception at the Hurley cottage.
The guests would grill their own steaks if Roger did not do it for them. The
girls’ filet steaks were the only meat to be cooked properly, Charlie said, and
that was because she had taken charge of the grill. The T-bone steaks were supervised
by Roger. That was already a tradition. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe arrived from Heathrow after an exasperating drive home.
He met Barbara at the cottage gate and opened has arms spontaneously. They
embraced and wondered what had just happened. Then they went into the cottage.
Joe had a key. Their appearance together and obvious togetherness did not
really surprise anyone. Cleo felt like applauding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is it always this hectic,” Joe said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is nothing,” said Gary. “You should see Cleo’s mother
perform at family gatherings.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Isn’t she invited?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cleo thought she should be left to sort out her new life
before visiting us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Famous last words.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That will be her now,” said Gary. “Uninvited and with a new
beau. Cleo will not be pleased. Don’t bother with the door, Joe. Gloria also
has a door key.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve come to see if the steaks are OK,” said Gloria,
marching into the living-room. “This is a friend of mine,” she said pointing
the Romano look-alike in her wake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mother, what are you doing here?” Cleo called. “I did not
invite you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I misheard,” said Gloria. “This is Gabriel, folks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gabriel was quite clearly a younger version of his brother
Romano. Cleo was angry and prone to being very direct in that mood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have you worn poor Romano out?” she said now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gloria realized that she had a captured audience and put on
a shocked air.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary stepped in hurriedly and offered Gabriel a beer.
Gabriel said in fairly broken English that he usually drank wine but he would
like to try it. Gary took time on the way to the fridge to tell Cleo not to
take it out on Romano’s brother because he wanted the evening to be pleasant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My mother is the limit. She’s gate-crashing with her new beau,”
Cleo said. Gary took over the salad mixing and Cleo went up to Gabriel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t you have to make pizzas this evening, Mr Gabriel?” she
asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Brunetti,” Gabriel said. “How are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another Italian with quaint English, thought Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK, but I was not expecting my private party to be
gate-crashed,” said Cleo, looking directly at her mother.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We are related,” said Gloria, pouting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Only by birth, Mother,” said Cleo. “But now you are here
you might as well stay.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought you’d say that,” said Gloria. “What are we
celebrating?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Roger’s come to stay,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How long for?” said Gloria.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Forever, Mrs Hartley,” said Roger. “How long are you
staying?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary had to go and get the vino rosso to cover up his amusement.
Good old Roger. He had summed up the situation and given Gloria a bit of contra
that she obviously did not like.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Forever,” she replied coyly, clasping Gabriel’s hand like a
teenager on her first date, but looking appreciatively at Roger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s taken,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That remark caused general amusement. Gabriel Brunetti looked
puzzled. Gloria had the grace to look uncomfortable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s OK Mother. Have a little cocktail to be going on with.
There’s plenty of food for everyone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you are sure, Cleo,” said Gloria, now regretting her
desire to show off her new life. “I don’t want to intrude.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a bit late to say that now, Mother,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy came to the rescue. She got between Gloria and
Brunetti, both of whom were nearly a head shorter, put her arms around their
shoulders and said she was pleased to see them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After that things got back to normal. Joe introduced himself
to Brunetti, who was extremely puzzled about who belonged to whom in that
household. The two Charlottes told him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This one is my Daddy,” said Lottie. “The one over there is
Charlie’s Daddy. Are you Charlie’s grandfather?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brunetti just made a helpless gesture. Cleo served Gloria
with the fruity cocktail. Joe explained to Lottie that Signor Brunetti was just
a friend. Lottie remarked that he was holding hands with the loud lady. Joe
explained that the loud lady was Cleo’s mother.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Come and get it,” said Gary a short time later and the meal
was pronounced perfect.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are we talking shop this evening, Gary?” Dorothy asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“When the girls are in bed, and Gloria and her friend have
gone home” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’re going, Daddy,” said Charlie. “Lottie’s sleeping here
again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that alright, Daddy,” said Lottie. “I don’t want to be
in Gran’s house all on my own.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s fine,” said Joe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hugs all round followed (even Gabriel got some) and the
girls went off to bed or, as Gary discovered when he looked in on the children
shortly after, to another round of picture colouring. The littlest ones were
all asleep despite being put to bed earlier than usual. Gary spent a few quiet
minutes just looking at Tommy and Teddy and wondering how he had deserved such
lovely offspring and such a ghastly mother-in-law. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The gate-crashers departed for Delilah’s bistro. One of the
guest rooms was now permanently occupied by Mr Morgan, the church organist, and
the other guest room had only a king-size bed. Cleo would not ask her mother
about her new sleeping arrangements since that would have been prying and she
supposed that Gabriel was an improvement on Romano, who thought intimacy
started after the marriage vows had been exchanged, and in his case, if at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe and Barbara left together after spending the evening
totally engrossed in one another. Where they were going next left nothing to
the imagination. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy had waited patiently to report on her talk with
Edith, but it had taken some time to get that far. Gloria had obviously not
wanted to leave without being supplied with some fresh tittle-tattle. Gabriel
had not felt comfortable all evening and was wondering whether it had been a
good idea to prise Gloria from his brother. But Romano had not even put up a
fight. Would Gloria have gone with Gabriel if there had been a real discussion
about the situation? Gloria had no real idea of what the brothers had said to
one another since they spoke in their mother tongue, Calabrian dialect of
Italian. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately for Gloria, Gary was firmly on Romano’s side. On
the y out, he whispered that his flat was now empty if she wanted it back and
Roger was vacating his apartment, so she could choose. Gloria whispered a thank
you and indicated that Gabriel Brunetti was only a flash in the pan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t sleep with him then,” Gary advised. “He’ll think it’s
permanent if you do. Italians are like that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Too late,” Gloria whispered back. “But I’m good at getting
out of bad situations, Gary. I’ll phone you about the flat.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary had not really known why he had given Gloria that
advice at that moment in time, but certainly not to hear that she was having
sex with the guy. Surely there were younger females he could have gone for.
Gary did not think he should tell Cleo that her mother was catching up on 40
years of celibacy. He was, to be honest, a little shocked, although he had to
admit that it only applied to Gloria. He could see that his mother had taken
control of her life and approved wholeheartedly, especially since it meant that
she had finally let Cleo go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Right,” Gary said, once the little inner circle was left
over. “Spill the beans, Dorothy!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy did not hesitate. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Edith does not realize that she was working at a brothel,”
said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She wasn’t, if she was Kelly’s only woman friend,” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But she wasn’t, Gary. She named two other entertainers, as
she called them, and I was shocked about one of them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Go on. Don’t keep us in suspense,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“One was Sophia, late of the coffee bar and Robert’s shop who
joined the organization and was ‘carrying on’ even while awaiting the birth of
a baby whose father is probably a complete mystery.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is so often the case,” said Cleo. “And the other?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rita,” said Dorothy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rita Bailey?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A hairdresser, Edith said. She had recognized her but did
not see her as a rival because apparently Frank came to her for sex.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There was general horror that Dorothy could be so blunt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry to be so direct,” said Dorothy. “It’s hard to
euphemize in such situations.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Impossible, Dorothy,” said Grit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“One of Kelly’s customers was definitely Frank Wetherby.
There was a Joe, a Fred, and a few others, all presumably village locals. Edith
seemed to know quite a bit about Kelly’s business, but had not connected her
personal relationship with him or even her own antics with Frank and maybe
other men to the rest of the goings-on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s all very seamy,” said Gary. “And Edith is the seamiest
of all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not all, Gary. The customers only used first names
at that establishment, but it should not be difficult to trace them. Kelly
relied on local custom. Edith did not seem to know that payment was involved.
She only did it for kicks, I presume.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you think one of them killed Kelly?” Roger asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. Not the men. I’d tip on one of the wives, possibly the
one who came into possession of my laundry-basket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think we’ve had a murder involving the theft of a
laundry-basket before,” said Roger. “Tell us what you think, Dorothy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Supposing two youths took the basket and carried it home?
They would decide who should have it and it came into possession of one of the
mothers. The gun may not even have been discovered by them. The person who now
had the basket examined it and found the gun hidden under the lining. An idea
came to her. She would get rid of Kelly so that the brothel would no longer be
in service and her husband would not get any more funny ideas.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So she studied the movements of Mr Kelly and then shot him,
I suppose,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You should write crime stories, Grit” said Joe. “Make them
short and I’ll publish them in Cop’s Corner.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not a bad idea, Joe,” said Dorothy. “ I’d like to
try my hand at writing short stories. I’ve been looking for something new to do
in my semi-retirement.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Get writing, Ladies, but how do you think we should act
now?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Take my idea seriously, Gary. Find out who the men are who
went to Kelly’s establishment and talk to the wives. Find the laundry-basket
and I think you will have found your killer!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You heard,” said Roger to Gary. He was amused, but Dorothy
had a habit of hitting the nail on the head and both of them knew it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I heard and we’ll do just that,” said Gary. ”There’s always
a chance that Dorothy is on the right track, isn’t there?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy smiled and nodded. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s what private eyes are for, Gary,” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-7220363748556391202017-04-10T09:14:00.001+02:002020-03-21T21:01:39.651+01:00Episode 16 - All's well that ends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<br />
<h4>
Tuesday<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After devoting the rest of Monday to his family, Gary had to
admit to himself on Tuesday that it was an ideal tool for escapism. Cleo could concentrate on the family and
let the agency drift until things picked up after the holiday period, with
the option of closing down altogether if it didn’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>But it was not possible to let HQ drift. Cases had to be
solved to make having a police force feasible. People could not be allowed to
get away with their law-breaking. The archives were already full of unsolved
crimes, and heaven only knew how many had not even been detected let alone
solved.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was the six spoons of sugar that Gary absentmindedly
dropped into his coffee mug that made Cleo decide she would have to intervene.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. What’s bothering you?” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you really want to know?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure. Just pretend I have my psychological cap on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s just that the cases I’m on now look unsolvable.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that all?” said Cleo, not because she wanted to belittle
his worry, but because Gary was a congenital pessimist most of the time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s enough.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was hoping Chris would send us a report on his forensic
work, but I can see that we need to talk more generally, though Chris’s
research would shed some light on things,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think we are in for many surprises.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m listening.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Take the fire, for instance. We have no idea how many were
involved. Rita was not at home, but Frank turned up and was promptly put out of
action. By whom? Why wasn’t he killed? It would have been easy enough. Who is
he a risk factor for, but not risky enough to be exterminated?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope that was a rhetorical question, Gary.,”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ll have to find out if Rita has been telling the truth.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The truth about what? Drugs? Who she visits at night?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I mean that banana box. Didn’t Rita say that it belonged to
Frank? In that case, the person who knocked the guy out did not deposit it and
we know it was not taken, either. But Frank makes out that he knew nothing
about it. Did whoever clobbered Frank know that the contents were almost
worthless?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Someone may have snuck in with it when no one was looking,”
said Cleo. “Though why someone would deposit a box of mainly flour on the top
shelf in a storeroom at a hairdressers is a mystery.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If someone sneaked in, Rite wouldn’t know, would she?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If she wasn’t there, she wouldn’t. Frank had a key, but I
expect she had given one to several people, cleaners for instance.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And there’s Pooth, found dead on the HQ parking lot. How
ironic is that? He was poisoned, Cleo. Why? Who did it? He was the biggest
friend a gangster could have. He had contacts at HQ who kept him informed and
he ran a place you could hold a gangster meeting, illegal card table or heaven
knows what else. The drugs and vice squads have given up trying to catch them out
because they always knew when a razzia was planned.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Find those involved,” said Cleo. “Or better still, find the
informers. They are probably paid by the state and the gangsters.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No go. Corruption starts at home and stays there. Those
involved keep their mouths shut if they don’t want to have their throats slit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On the other hand, does it matter who killed Pooth?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course, if it leads us to other gangsters.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It won’t, Gary. You’ve just said as much.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Pooth was a good bet in the hair salon case, and now he’s
dead. How convenient. The whole business stinks, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There’s no proof that he or one of his buddies went to
Rita’s salon on a mission of death, did not carry it out and set fire to the salon
instead.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But knowing Pooth, it could have been like that, couldn’t
it?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So Pooth was killed for starting a fire at a tinpot
hairdresser’s, and maybe instructed his buddy not to kill Frank, leaving Frank
an innocent party.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Frank Wetherby is not innocent.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you don’t know what he’s guilty of, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He was on the drugs scene, but says he’s clean. He was
persecuted in Frint-on-Sea and came to these parts to get away from his past.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That sounds genuine enough,” said Cleo. “I came to the UK
to get away from my past.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you came to get away from a husband who beat you and
mother who supported him,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure, but it was the right decision, wasn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are implying that Frank did the right thing, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Am I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How genuine does someone have to be who misuses his
employer’s office and gets involved with criminals?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can you prove any of that, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not conclusively, yet. His private pages on your office
computer did not connect with the agency.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That proves that he did not want to involve me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But he could have, couldn’t he? You trusted him, after
all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s learnt his lesson, I should think. He now has no job
in Upper Grumpsfield, nowhere to live having jilted Rita, and is on the death
list of whatever gangsters he took up with in Middlethumpton or London. His
five minutes of fame have been and gone, Gary. It’s a pity. He was a good
sleuth.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I beg to differ. hope you are not thinking of offering him
his job back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Would you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary took a sip of his coffee <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pulled a face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Too much sugar, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo got up and went to throw the offending brew out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll put the sugar in in future,” she said. “You looked
just like PeggySue when she has just spat out something she doesn’t like.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Moving on, what about Kelly?” he said. “Where’s that
pistol? Who broke into Dorothy’s garden shed if it wasn’t kids? Am I really relying
on a teenager to find out?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Probably. Why don’t you just go with the flow?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oscar is coming into HQ with Albert later this morning.
That means that either he’s going to refuse to let the boy go to the coffee bar,
or he’s going to let him go despite the risk, or even go with him to keep an
eye on things.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not a bad idea if he does not let on that they are
together,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. I’ll suggest it. No one knows Albert and he’ll only
hang out like all the others, but he’ll notice anything suspicious.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary tried his coffee again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No sugar,” he shuddered . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“2 teaspoons, Gary. That’s all you’re getting.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have I ever complained about the coffee, Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You pulled a face when you tried to drink it - twice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You put too much sugar in the first lot, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Correction, YOU put too much sugar in.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I do love you even if you are cruel to me sometimes,” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If cruelty includes too much sugar in coffee, I’m actually
innocent,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What would I do without you?” he mused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I could ask the same question. I just hope you realize that
you can’t solve every crime every time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wish I was a landscape gardener.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You wouldn’t get every weed out, either.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit arrived on the scene, ready to take PeggySue to the
nursery. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sonia is going back to Cape Town tonight,” she announced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So she really is going,” Cleo and Gary exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s taking that cancellation. Joe did not stop her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s talk straight, Mother,” said Gary. “She was on that
list of reserve passengers because she wanted to be and Joe will be glad to see
the back of her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know Sonia was uncertain, but they were making great
strides towards one another,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No Grit, I have to disagree,” said Cleo. “Joe has probably
hated every minute of Sonia being here. He asked for a consultation. That says
it all. He’s probably looking for faults in himself, but we can all see that
Sonia a misfit. He just needs confirmation that he is not being unjust.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was plain to Cleo that Sonia is playing up to Joe, probably
still hoping to recharge their batteries, but Joe is no fool. We know why she
came,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you going to tell me?” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In Cape Town, Joe decided it was a no-go situation with
Sonia because she not only did not want children, but she does not even like
them, including Lottie,” said Gary. “I’d certainly turn my back on anyone who
does not like my kids.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s a teacher at Lottie’s boarding school, which is where
they met,” said Cleo. “I suppose that’s where she learnt not to let on that she
disliked Joe’s daughter or any other kids for that matter.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s changed, though, hasn’t she?” Grit said. “She’s
coming back. That means that she has come to think differently about things.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think that Joe believes her, Mother, and to be
honest, neither do I,” said Cleo. “She won’t come again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I agree. Joe will tell her to stay in S.A. but not until
they are at the airport,” said Gary. “That’s what he intimated to me when he
thought the flight was next weekend.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You seem to know all about it, Gary. What you are really
saying is that it’s a good thing she’s leaving today,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It does solve one problem, of course,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wanted to give Joe my room and sleep in the little
bedroom, but he wouldn’t hear of it. Now I know why. He did not want to share a
bed with Sonia.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I also think he has spotted someone he rather likes at HQ,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ah! That explains quite a lot,” said Grit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s been away from S.A. for a few weeks and he had finished
the episode with Sonia, so he now feels free to look around,” said Cleo.
“That’s really a step forward.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It took me five seconds to decide that you were the woman
I’d been looking for all my adult life, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That long?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And three years until you felt the same.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wrong, Gary. I always felt the same.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I need a hug,” said Gary, getting up. “Join us, Mother!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are the limit, Gary,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll second that,” said Cleo. “But a communal hug is a good
way of starting the day.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sonia will come in to say goodbye presently,” said Grit.
“Be nice to her. She does not know that she is not coming here again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t tempt fate, Mother,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll take PeggySue to the nursery and do some shopping.
Sausages OK tonight?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a great idea. I count sausages as soul food,” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sonia did not appear sad about taking the cancellation and
getting a flight back that evening, not least because she had a guilty conscience
about her school. She told Cleo about the plans she had for when she returned
to Upper Grumpsfield. Cleo listened without commenting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Maybe I should have just one baby after all,” said Sonia, “but
only if Joe insists. It can join all yours. You seem to cope marvellously with
your family.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not the baby-sitter, Sonia. Babies want to be with
their mother at first.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d share the work, of course,” said Sonia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There seemed to be nothing Cleo could add to that. What a
cold fish Sonia was. Since it was time to give the twins their cereal, Cleo
offered to let Sonia practice on one, but Sonia thought she should go back to
Grit’s cottage and finish packing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK, Sonia. So if this is goodbye, have a great flight home!
I expect Gary and I will be having our siesta when you leave. It’s our special
hour, you see. We make love in the afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But it isn’t dark,” said Sonia, who was shocked at Cleo’s
blunt statement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We don’t mind looking,” said Cleo. “We aren’t in the dark
ages.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No wonder Charlie talked like she did. She probably saw
something,” said Sonia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I doubt it, but she knows, of course. Kids of that age are
well informed these days. Anyway, Gary and I make no secret of our physical
attraction to one another.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You would where I come from.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t be so sure. Lottie was quite curious about you and
Joe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She needn’t have been.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It doesn’t matter now you are leaving,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Upper Grumpsfield will soon be my home,” said Sonia. “It’s
nice here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We like it, too,” said Cleo, accompanying Sonia to the
front door. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At least Sonia will not have a baby she doesn’t want,
thought Cleo as she watched Sonia marching back to Grit’s cottage. Poor Joe,
leaving the country after breaking off with her only to be confronted by her. Having
met her, Cleo was glad that Sonia’s expectations had not been fulfilled and
sure that she did not want her as a sister-in-law. A phone-call to Gary made
her feel even better since he was highly amused at the way she had ‘dealt’ with
the woman’s plans for motherhood. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit arrived back with a shopping-bag full of goodies from
Robert Jones the butcher’s shop. She looked excited.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sit down, Cleo. I can’t wait to tell you this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wow. You are motivated, Grit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You would be too if you’d done the shopping.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Get it over with. The tension is unbearable.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gloria was serving,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But she left months ago.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Probably just helping out with the sausages, Grit. The girl
Robert hired to replace her was probably useless.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Robert introduced her to customers as his new-old assistant
from Chicago.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why didn’t my mother tell me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She might not have been ready to face your questions. I
wonder if it’s all over with Romano.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They were planning to get married, Grit. Are you implying
that she walked out on the restaurant, but not on the boyfriend?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Or she walked out on both, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll have to send Gary to Romano’s to find out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do that. I’m just as curious. She has nowhere to live. I
didn’t ask questions but she was asking someone to find her an apartment. She
must be bunking down on Mr Jones’s sofa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, that isn’t Gloria. She could be at Delilah’s bistro.
There are a couple of guest rooms there, but she could take Gary’s apartment
now you live permanently at the cottage, Grit, couldn’t she.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course she can. It fits in like a jigsaw puzzle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s done that before, Grit. That apartment is worth its
weight in gold and there’s always the one Roger will be vacating if she’d
prefer that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you think Roger will want to live with me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I should think he’s dying for you to invite him, Grit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then I’ll do it – now!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Be my guest. Make the call in our bedroom. I’m going to
give the twins some cereal here. It might get noisy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Less than five minutes later Grit came back into the
living-room beaming.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s coming tonight, Cleo. I hope I’m doing the right
thing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sure you are,” said Cleo. “I’ll make us an espresso to
celebrate!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary was amazed that Gloria had been serving at the shop. He
would definitely find out what had happened. Romano was devoted to Gloria.
Surely she hadn’t walked out on him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was a good pad,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not good enough,” said Cleo. “Maybe my mother could not get
her own way all the time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll let you know what I find out,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ask them to dinner for tomorrow, Gary. That will test
whether the affair is over.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could ask your mother, of course.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But I’d rather not hear a tale of woe. Gloria passes the buck
rather too easily,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But isn’t Romano needed at the restaurant in the evening?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He has assistants, Gary. He’s been to dinner her before. Oh,
and Roger is moving in with Grit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“About time, too!” said Gary. “I’m having a quick lunch with
Joe at Romano’s and then he’s going to collect Sonia and drive her to
Heathrow.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Great. We’ll have to find him a more suitable partner,”
said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He may have found one already.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about Barbara Fielding?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey, Witch of Endor. How did you know that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t, but you like her so Joe probably will, too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s pretty shaky reasoning, Cleo.“<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ask her to dinner for tomorrow, Gary. We’ll celebrate
Sonia’s going and Roger’s coming.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good idea, but let’s leave Gloria and Romano out,” said
Gary. “Things are complicated enough and she might put on one of her
theatricals if she came. I couldn’t stand that and I could stand Pagliacci
having a fit and singing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re right. I’m just curious. Maybe my Mother will phone
me now she’s seen Grit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll mail you a copy of Chris’s report, Cleo. It’s just
arrived and so have Albert and Oscar, so I’ll have to hang up. Je t’aime.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Moi aussi.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was French, Sir,” said Albert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So it was, Albert.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It means ‘I love you’,” said the boy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I tell my wife that all the time, Albert,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My father never said anything like that to anyone,” said
Albert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It makes people happy if you tell them you like them or
love them, Albert. Thanks for coming today. How do you do, Dr Pope?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ve talked it through and Albert will try to find out
something about the pistol, Mr Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can you go with him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you think that’s a good idea.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just don’t let it look like you are together. I can’t send
a policeman. A neutral person is a better choice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s settled them. We’ll go today and see what happens.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You know the drill, Albert, don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes Sir. I’ll be very careful what I say. I hope no one
knows me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If someone recognizes you, just act normally and leave
quickly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Albert shook hands with Gary solemnly before leaving with
Oscar. Gary no longer felt uneasy about getting Albert onto the case. Cleo was
right. He seemed sensible and was quite grown up for his age.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary rang Chris and told him that Nigel would be bringing
the tumbler out of which Albert had drunk some water. He was not a suspect. His
prints should be used to check on those found in Dorothy Price’s shed, however,
and hopefully counted out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris’s report was, as Gary had predicted, short on surprises
and even shorter on useful evidence: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pooth had been killed with a nerve drug shot into his
shoulder with a syringe. There were no other injuries except elderly evidence
of fights. The chances of finding out who was responsible were nil given the
record for solving such cases. Pooth had had no form of identification on him;
no papers, no money, nothing. It could have been a robbery except that the
choice of weapon was hardly spontaneous. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy’s shed had been taped, but only her prints could be
identified. There were others, but they were not on record. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kelly’s corpse had revealed six bullets. Whoever had shot
him at a fair distance had a good aim and a steady hand, and had emptied the
barrel. The gun had not been found. It might be in the pond and that could be
dragged if he could get permission. Killers usually disposed of their weapons
as soon as possible, so it might still be found given the resources. Was it a
schoolboy dare? Perish the thought, but the perpetrator might have hung on to
the weapon as a souvenir in that case.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was no record of Joanna Colby anywhere. She had not
been registered as a missing person. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rita’s fire had been started by someone setting fire to the
lace net drapes, possibly from the outside since one of the windows had been
forced open. No other signs of a break-in were found so the person who entered
and clobbered Frank Wetherby must have had a key unless he had been let in,
possibly by Frank himself, or Wetherby had left the salon door open so that the
person he was expecting could get in. The salon itself was damaged extensively
but apparently the building structure had not been affected. The fire brigade
had arrived very quickly and made a good job of containing the fire. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that was all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a change, Chris had not done much speculating, but the
question of whether Frank had known and let in his attacker would have to be
answered, Cleo mused. She made one or two notes on a copy of the report that
she had printed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary sent Nigel to the station with a photo of Joanna Colby
to find out if anyone had seen her and when. Nigel would also talk to junkies
and tipplers in the parks. Nigel was not in police uniform and was such an
unlikely candidate for the police force that he would not arouse suspicion. He
could say he was a welfare officer. Gary told him it was essential for him to
undertake such errands if he wanted to become a detective.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anything‘s better than traffic patrol,” Nigel commented.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can continue forever as my assistant,” said Gary. “But
that is not much of a career is it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I like the idea of a quiet life,” Nigel replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m glad that’s how you see your job,” said Gary, wondering
if he was pandering to Nigel. That would have to stop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe called in at Gary’s office to collect his brother. They
would walk to Romano’s restaurant together. They aroused a few astonished looks
as they walked down Middlethumpton’s main street. They were astonishingly
alike. Romano had to look hard to tell who was who. Sure enough, Gloria was
nowhere to be seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Would you like today’s special?” Romano asked. He looked upset,
Gary thought.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tagliatelle with salmon would be great, they agreed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s gone,” said Romano, without being asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why?” Gary asked. “You were the perfect pair, Romano.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She was unfaithful, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary had been expecting any explanation but that one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who with?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll kill him,” Romano answered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You won’t. Who?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My brother,” said Romano.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did not know you had a brother,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He came to visit and Gloria shone on him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You mean took a shine to him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that how you say it? We were going to get hatched.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hitched, Romano, remember?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not any more, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So where is your brother now?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I threw him out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gloria was at Robert’s shop this morning, Romano.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good rubbish to bad riddance,” said Romano.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think you mean …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know what I mean. I’ll get your tagliatelle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Romano made off to the kitchen. He was usually friendly and
jovial, but not today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe had looked on in astonishment. Gary explained that
Romano got his adages and vocabulary mixed up even after living nearly half his
life in the UK. Joe decided to do a portrait of him in Cops’ Corner, since he
fed half HQ with his pizzas and pasta-to-go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the short time they had known one another a close friendship
had evolved between Gary and Joe, so that Joe now only had to intimate to his
brother that Sonia would not be coming back if he could avoid it for Gary to
think that was the best decision he could have made. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She would never fit in with our family,” Joe said, “and I
don’t love her.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Come to dinner tomorrow, Joe. It’s a family thing to
celebrate Roger’s arrival.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“…and Sonia’s departure? Can I bring someone?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was going to invite her anyway.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So you know who it is,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have eyes, Joes. And she’s your type.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So Cleo is a witch, after all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The nicest sort, and yes, she guessed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you think Barbara will come?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sure she will.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe left Gary at the restaurant and sped home to collect
Sonia. They had plenty of time to get to Heathrow unless there was a complete
jam on the M25. The couple were almost wordless on the journey. They had not actually
quarrelled, but the atmosphere was frigid and Joe did not encourage
conversation. At Departures they embraced briefly, their bodies well apart and
no sign of real friendship. Joe went to find his car as soon as Sonia joined
the queue waiting to go through security. He reflected that he had not even
thanked her for accompanying Charlotte. He would write her a brief note and
correct that omission and discourage any idea Sonia might still have of returning
to Upper Grumpsfield.. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But Sonia knew that was the end of her association with Joe.
She was almost relieved. Now she would not be forced to have the baby she did
not want with a man she could live without. It would have bothered her to know
that Joe felt the same, but that feeling would have left her in no time at all
once she was back at what she loved most, which was teaching and being in
authority. She would accept the head teacher post at that school. It had been
offered to her and she had told the governors that for personal reasons she needed
time to decide. But she would accept and would not even have to set up a home
on her own. The boarding school address was enough and impressive and the
colleagues were quite nice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe greeted his mother briefly when he got back home. She
was busy integrating Roger Stone into his new domicile and they quite obviously
did not need any help or even his presence so he hugged them and said how
delighted he was, but would love them and leave them and go next door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo and Gary welcomed him with open arms. The girls were
back home and helping to get supper. The babies and PeggySue had been fed and
bathed and were asleep. Joe flopped down on the sofa and sighed deeply.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m glad she’s gone,” said Lottie, sitting down next to her
father and linking her arm through his.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So am I, Sweetheart,” said Joe, dropping a kiss on her forehead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’re all glad,” said Gary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-28037743063986054352017-04-10T00:46:00.000+02:002020-03-21T20:05:51.796+01:00Episode 15 - Precipitation (it never rains ...)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<h4>
Sunday leading into Monday <o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday turned out to be quite a success after all, at least
for some. Cleo could not predict how Sonia and Joe would view it with regard to
themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>“I’m going to take the big girls out,” Gary announced when
he got home from HQ. “Where do you want to go?” he asked.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Swimming, Daddy,” said Charlie. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What shall I call you?” Lottie said to Gary. “You look like
my Daddy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Call me Gary, Lottie. Charlie calls your father Joe and
that works OK. Are you coming, Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll stay here. The twins are bit crotchety and Grit is
busy with Roger. You could take PeggySue.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What a good idea. Put the twins into our bed and get in
there with them. Take a nap.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lottie and Charlie went to sort out swimming things.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about you? Tell me about your corpse,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The only interesting thing about Pooth is that he was
everyone’s contact to the underworld, including Wetherby’s. Death was from a shoulder
shot of that nerve drug again. Chris has to finish his autopsy and we’ll have
to find out about Frank’s connection to Pooth.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We never found out where that supply of curare came from
that was used in the last murders,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
”It’s too late to bother with that now, but I should think
the internet can provide anything you can pay for.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Or any hospital, surely. If not curare, then something
equally lethal.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d hate to think that kind of drug was distributed on a
help-yourself basis,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We can ask Chris what he thinks,” said Cleo. “Get going for
that swim while the guys next door are still busy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The happy couple was gone all morning, I take it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Roger and Grit wanted to take in an afternoon movie so
maybe they have left. Either the happy couple is having fun or is beyond
redemption. No need to worry either way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can see that you are in control, my love. Come on girls.
Let’s get moving.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You‘d better take your swimming things, Daddy,” said
Charlie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll get them,” said Cleo. “And PeggySue needs hers, too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary collected up his youngest daughter from the playpen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Daddy’s gone out with Sonia and Dog,” said Lottie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you like Sonia?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not much. She can be quite mean sometimes,” said Lottie.
“Not lovey-dovey like Cleo. Cleo’s going to be my real mother soon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does she know?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course I do,” said Cleo. “I’m delighted! Where’s your
birth Mummy, Lottie?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She left,” said Lottie sadly. “Daddy sent me to that school
where Sonia teaches and he met her there. She doesn’t like children.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I won’t leave you, Lottie. I love children,” said Cleo. “Come
and get a hug!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d just like to know how many teachers do actually like
children apart from the regular income they get for teaching them,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The swimmers left. Gary felt emotional about his family and
that already included Lottie, he realized.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roger and Grit came to say goodbye before they went into
Middlethumpton. They had tickets for “Gone with the Wind” at the new Multiplex
cinema.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo did not think highly of watching an antiquated film on
one of those wide screens. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s watching it together that counts,” Grit had explained.
“We took a siesta and we’ll be late if don’t go now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gary has gone swimming with the girls,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did Joe and Sonia come here again?” Grit asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Should I see if everything is all right?” Grit asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Leave them to it, Grit,” said Cleo. “They may still be
chewing things over.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I feel guilty about that phone call. Maybe I’ll just check
that they are OK.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Please don’t do that, Grit. The last thing Joe needs is his
mother fussing over him. Those two guys are all mixed up. It’s time they
straightened their lives out,” said Cleo. “Joe owes that to Lottie. That little
girl does not want Sonia in her life.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But she wants us,” said Grit. “We should make sure that
Lottie stays here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’ll stay,” said Cleo. “She’s happy here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But will Sonia try to persuade her to go back?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If necessary, I’ll step in, Grit. That little girl needs a
proper home and human warmth and not the supervision of a unfeeling person like
Sonia..”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After about two hours the swimmers returned smelling of chlorine
and the three girls were sent to shower it off with rose scented gel. Gary treated
himself and his arguably sensitive skin with a one minute sing-along shower
when the girls had finished soaping themselves and PeggySue. Gary fortunately
left off the roses and the singing. Cleo had wrapped the girls in warm bath-towels
now they all sat on the sofa in front of a log fire to dry off, the plaid on
their knees. They were happy and squeaky clean. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.Joe and Sonia finally turned up. They had been gone for
most of the day, but did not comment. Joe kissed all the little girls and
declared that they smelt nice. Cleo mused that Joe had promising shades of
Gary’s ability to rise to the emotional occasion. A delivery from Delilah’s
bistro ensured that they all had great food on their plates for supper. Sonia
announced that she could stay for a few more days. Cleo wondered how emotional
her day had been.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m staying for ever,” announced Lottie. “I’m going to
school with Charlie tomorrow to play hockey.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s great, Sweetheart,” said Joe. “I’ll phone and
register you first thing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s holidays, Joe. I should think the office is closed and
the headmistress is bound to be elsewhere,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No she isn’t, Mummy,” said Charlie. “She’s taking hockey
practice while Miss Plimsoll is away.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I stand corrected,” said Gary. “I expect it’s more fun
without Miss Plimsoll.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes,” said Charlie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Will you mind flying back alone, Sonia?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll manage,” said Sonia, giving Joe a strange look.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you coming back?” said Lottie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I could come back when I’ve sorted things out and told the
school that I won’t be teaching there next term, but only if you father wants
me to.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lottie mused for some time. They all waited for her to ask
Sonia if she wanted her. Joe did not comment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lottie was determined to find out what was going on, saving
Cleo the trouble of asking the questions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You were gone all day. Did you make a baby?” said Lottie.
“Cleo and Gary are always making babies. Charlie told me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a general silence as the drift of the conversation
was appreciated. Cleo had not reckoned with the talkativeness of little girls.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Would you want a sister or a brother?” Sonia asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe wondered what had got into her. Sonia wasn’t interested
in offspring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Either would be nice,” said Lottie. “Or both like Charlie’s
Mummy and Daddy. I’ll help with the babies here while I’m waiting,” said
Lottie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So much for the facts of life,” said Gary in what he
thought was an aside to Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You mean the birds and the bees,” said Charlie, who had extremely
acute hearing. “We’ve had them at school. They don’t share beds. They don’t
even have any. The bees choose one bee to be the Queen and she is fattened up
by all the men called drones. The birds build nests and when the babies hatch
they get food that’s been pre-digested by a parent.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Very educational,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We don’t get people till next year,” said Charlie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s soon enough,” said Grit, imagining how those facts
of life would be formulated. “But you already know what grownups do, don’t you?”
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sort of,” said Charlie. “My parents think it’s fun so it
can’t be all that difficult – not like laying an egg.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It isn’t difficult at all,” said Cleo, amused at how
disconcerted Joe, Gary and Sonia were. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sonia was the most embarrassed of them. She was glad that
her cell phone rang her before Lottie could ask her a question she could not
answer truthfully. She went into the kitchen to answer it.. When she came back
she looked relieved, Cleo noted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have an option for a flight to Cape Town on Tuesday,” said
Sonia. “It just came through. Shall I take it, Joe?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a very good idea, Sonia,” he said. Then realizing
that he would have to qualify that statement he added “I expect the school is
missing you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The school is not actually missing me and I’m definitely
not missing the school,” said Lottie. “Anyway, we’ve only been gone two days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would not like Miss Plimsoll to be living with my Daddy,”
said Charlie, and Gary marvelled at his daughter’s perspicacity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Grownups do funny things,” said Cleo. “You’ll find out,
Charlie. Being a grownup has its own challenges.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The big girls took PeggySue to the kids’ room to play. Cleo
noted that they had the little girl between them, holding hands. They were her
family. Gary also saw that and whipped out his mobile to take a photo, calling
to the girls to stand still for a moment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe was delighted that Lottie was already part of the
family, but puzzled about the apparent change in Sonia’s attitude. She had not
wanted children. That was one of the reasons he had left her in South Africa
although she would have fitted into the socialite life she wanted for them. He
looked at Cleo and she winked. No wonder Gary was besotted. He looked at Gary.
Gary was amused. Joe was emotionally torn, not between himself and Sonia,
however. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe was glad that she was leaving, though he should have
been sorry, if only for the sake of good manners. But he could not risk asking
her to stay, though she expected that of him. The risk was too high that she
would say yes and he on no account wanted Sonia in his life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*** <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I always thought Cleo was a witch,” said Gary to Joe. “I
see that she has bewitched you as well.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A white witch, despite my skin,” said Cleo. “I don’t cast
spells. I only give advice and only if I’m asked.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“When are you open for business?” Joe said, and Cleo knew
immediately that he wanted Sonia out of the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“When is your flight, Sonia?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On Tuesday,” said Sonia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wednesday then, Joe,” said Cleo. “I’m usually in a witching
mood on a Wednesday. It’s the alliteration that does it. But Saturday does not
sound bewitching enough with sociologist. I don’t do witchcraft on Sundays.“<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think your ancestors were all witches,” said Gary, “You
don’t just cast spells on Wednesdays.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t rule out my ancestral heritage completely. Look
what my mother has done to Romano!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PeggySue wandered into the living-room and onto her father’s
knee, where she curled up contentedly. Charlie and Lottie followed into the
living-room, mainly out of curiosity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A little later Gary decided it was bed-time for PeggySue,
gathered the little girl up and carried her off to her cot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can I sleep here again, Cleo?” Lottie asked, going up to
Cleo and hugging her. Charlie wanted a hug too. Cleo opened her arms so that
the three of them could enjoy the warmth their embrace engendered. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course you can, Lottie. You are part of us now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll take you girls to hockey practice tomorrow morning,”
said Gary over his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s settled then,” said Joe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo was sure that Joe approved of Lottie staying in Upper
Grumpsfield with the other children even if he was in an emotionally vulnerable
state thanks to Sonia. He had written her out of his biography and she was
trying to force herself back in. While Cleo’s own inner dialogue was still
consuming her, Sonia’s outer self was keeping up some sort of communication. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course, I may have powers I did not know I had, folks,”
said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Like reading between lines, Cleo?” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sometimes messages are not otherwise decipherable, Joe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Maybe you just uncovered more powers, Cleo,” said Gary,
returning to the table to collect PeggySue’s cup of fruit juice. “I hope you
are in top form tomorrow. We are going to need some witchcraft.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve never heard you complain!” said Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not sure that Frank can even be there for you to try
out your charms,” said Gary. “We’ll have to wait and see. He was out of his
coma and did not seem to have any health problems, they said on Friday. So he
was well enough to be discharged and I’m holding him at HQ over the weekend, but
he didn’t really look well enough to leave the hospital, so he may not be well
enough to cope with questioning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s all get an early night,” said Grit, aware that the
scenario was on two levels.. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t you have a date, Mother?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit looked stricken.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roger went home for a while. He wants to collect me at nine.
Do I look all right as I am?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Perfect, Mother,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again Sonia looked perplexed. Was Joe already under the
Hurley spell?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The doorbell rang.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just in time not to be taken completely by surprise, Grit,”
said Gary as he went to let Roger in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit blew kisses at her sons. Another nail in Sonia’s
casket, thought Cleo. No way was he going to return to S.A., but Sonia had to
go. Cleo thought everyone was agreed on that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have you decided, Grit?” said Roger going straight to
embrace Grit without greeting anyone else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, Roger. I will.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does that mean what I think it means?” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe smiled. Sonia looked puzzled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Meet Roger again, Sonia,” said Cleo, coming to the rescue.
“He happens to be Gary’s boss and he’s going to marry my mother-in-law.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve brought a temporary ring, Grit. That’s really why I
went home. It was my mother’s and I want you to have it, but I’ll get you a new
one, of course. Do you still want to go to a movie?” he said and slipped the
ring over Grit’s ring finger. “We’ve missed 2 showings.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
”Only if you want to, Roger.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s go then. Thanks for letting me marry your mother, boys.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t mention it, Roger. Welcome in the family! I couldn’t
wish for a better step-father,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” said Roger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll second that,” said Joe, going up to Roger and hugging
him. The other Hurleys followed suit. Sonia stood by and watched stony-faced.
Cleo noticed that and mused that Joe’s ex was a complete misfit in their lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t wait up,” said Grit. “I’ll sleep at Roger’s and be
back early for the children.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Early on Monday morning Cleo phoned Dorothy and asked her if
she had time to join her at HQ in case they could see Frank. She would keep her
prior appointment with the young cops as brief as possible if Dorothy would
like wait for her in the canteen. Cleo had a guilty conscience about not being
in touch sooner, but family life had become rather hectic at the cottage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy could not resist asking why she was left out of
cases so often these days. Cleo assured her that it only a feeling, while
wondering if Dorothy had hit on something of which Cleo had not really been
conscious. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By 8:15 on Monday morning Gary had left for Middlethumpton Comprehensive
with the two girls, driving the big family car and leaving Cleo the sleek red
car – the only object Gary had ever polished. PeggySue was on the way to the
nursery, taken there by Grit, who was as punctual as ever. Cleo made sure that
the twins were fed and changed before Grit returned to take over. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There would be time to talk shop in the car with Dorothy and
they did. Cleo wanted to know how much Dorothy now knew about Kelly’s activities.
He was her centre of interest, after all. It was time Dorothy reported her
findings since she had not yet volunteered any. It was unfortunately true that
the loss of the loaded pistol had brought Cleo around to Gary’s way of thinking,
that Dorothy was getting past the age for detection, but she did not say
anything about that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy apologised for her suspicious mind. She would have
phoned anyway, but had not wanted to interrupt the family weekend. Kelly had
been up to his old tricks, but one woman had gone in and out regularly and
Dorothy thought that Cleo might already know that it was Edith Parsnip, who was
now little more than a hussy in Dorothy’s view. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did know. She’s sick, Dorothy,” Cleo explained.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s precocious, Cleo!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s part of it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wonder if she drinks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could ask her, Dorothy, and come to think of it, you
might be the best person to help her. She has led Robert to be suspected of
Kelly’s death. That’s reason enough to step in and she trusts you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I feel terrible about that pistol getting lost,” said
Dorothy, “but I have a theory.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Stolen, Dorothy. Go on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think that making off with the washing-basket was a
prank. The kids who took it discovered the gun because it probably made itself
noticeable by moving from side to side as they carried the basket. So they
looked what was inside and found it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That sounds logical,” said Cleo. “It would clear Robert,
wouldn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does that really matter? He’s bound to be cleared once his
whereabouts at the time of the shooting are verified.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course it matters, Dorothy, and there’s a wide time slot
when Kelly could have been killed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The problem is that I don’t know when the laundry-basket
was stolen. If the thieves went straight back to Lower Grumpsfield across the
common and hid the basket after removing the gun, they might have decided to
try it out. That might mean that they stole it on the morning Kelly was shot. I
can’t understand why no one spotted the thieves carting a large washing-basket
down the road.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It might still have been dark and no one was around, Dorothy.
Given that it was a prank, they Kelly could have been the first target they
came across,” Cleo said. “We’d be looking for youths who were bragging about
what they’d done.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They might not have bragged at all; just talked in whispers
because they had done a really terrible thing. I have a hunch about where we
might find them – assuming there were at least two since the basket was too
cumbersome for one to carry, but had a handle on each side.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where would we look for those guys, Dorothy, assuming you
are on the right track?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where else but at the coffee bar? That’s where teenagers
congregate these days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So we need to get there and find out,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We adults can’t ask question because no one would tell us
anything, but I know someone who would get it right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And that is?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Albert Parsnip. Doesn’t he want to be a detective?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He told me that, but his whole life has changed now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where does he live now?” Dorothy wanted to know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In Middlethumpton with Beatrice and Oscar, I should think,
and he can use the home computer, I’m sure. He may have new interests now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have talk to Gary first, of course, but couldn’t we
get in touch with Albert and get him to help us?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We have nothing to lose, Dorothy, and Albert is a clever
boy. He would not give anything away and I’m sure he’d love to be asked even if
he has changed his mind about being a detective.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What do you think? Cleo asked Gary after Dorothy had
explained the details.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We must tell him that he is not to follow up anything he
hears,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s why you will brief him yourself,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What happens if he finds out what his mother has been
doing?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll tell him if you don’t want to,” said Cleo. “He needs
to know that his mother was visiting Kelly, but he does not need to know what
she did there, though I expect he will have guessed. Whatever the case is, Oscar
will have tried to advise him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t wait to meet Oscar,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve never met him,” said Cleo. “He was always Beatrice’s
willing slave, but very much in the shadows.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And now they have six children to bring up,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Six?” Gary said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The five Parsnip boys and Anna, the girl from the bell
tower.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oscar – what’s his surname? - “<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Pope,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oscar Pope is not a slave. He’s a hero,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then you should get on well with him,” said Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course, getting Albert to investigate might be too dangerous,”
Gary said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’d only be in the café,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What if someone waited for him outside?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He must not behave in a suspicious way,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Easier said than done if he wants to find out something,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re right. Forget it,” said Dorothy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wait! He would not have to go there on his own,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But that would defeat the plan, Cleo,” said Dorothy. “We
can’t expect Albert to go there with an adult.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Didn’t Chris say the killer had emptied the barrel in
Kelly’s back?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The killer might have reloaded it,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not with ammunition out of my cutlery drawer,” said
Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anyway, if it was boys playing around, loading it again
would be the last thing on their minds. They had already done something
terrible and are probably still in shock,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If the plan is to be carried out, I’ll have to brief Albert
on exactly what he can ask,” said Gary. “It’s not my way of going about
gathering information, as you well know, but do we have an alternative?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He just has to listen. Kids boast about their pranks,” said
Dorothy. “Albert does not have to say why he’s there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To be blunt, we have
nothing to lose,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And Albert will be grateful forever,” said Cleo. “He
already sees you as a role model, Gary. He told me that when he used my
computer in the little office. It might be a way of getting some progress on the
case. If Dorothy’s hunch is right, we are going to get a useful assistant as
well.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How old is he?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“14, I should think, but very tall for his age. All he’s
going to do is buy a soft drink and try to get in with some of the youths. As a
new face, he stands a good chance of hearing something.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I should point out one tiny thing,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two sleuths looked at him expectantly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Albert had a motive, Ladies.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh no,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If he knew what his mother was doing at Kelly’s, his motive
was strong.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You‘ll have to find out if he has an alibi then,” said
Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll phone Oscar before we ask Albert,” said Gary. “Do you
have his phone number, Dorothy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary tapped the number into his cell phone. Edith’s
sister-in-law answered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gary Hurley here, Beatrice,” said Gary. “I’d like to speak
to your husband.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s at work, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is Albert at home?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s gone swimming,” said Beatrice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Isn’t he at school?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Summer hols, Gary. I’ll put you through to Oscar, shall I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dr Pope’s assistant speaking. Who’s calling please.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“CDI Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hold the line,” said the voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Pope speaking,” followed after a few moments.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hurley here, Dr Pope. Sorry to bother you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No bother. I’m between patients.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
”Patients?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m a psychiatrist, Mr Hurley. Is something wrong?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. I wanted to talk about Albert and Beatrice sent me
here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about Albert? Aren’t you Cleo’s husband?” said Oscar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not calling in that guise, Dr Pope. This is a police
matter.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What has Albert done?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nothing, I hope. Have you noticed anything different about him
recently?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does he get up to pranks, Mr Pope? Has he ever stolen
anything, for instance?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If there’s one thing my brother-in-law instilled into his
sons it was honesty, Mr Hurley,” said Oscar. “Why are you asking?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A laundry-basket was stolen from Dorothy Price’s garden
shed. Hidden in the lining of that basket was a loaded pistol and we have reason
to believe that it was used to shoot a guy named Paddy Kelly in Lower
Grumpsfield.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good God. You don’t think that Albert would do such a thing,
do you?” said Oscar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think anything. I just want to check if Albert and
a brother or a friend got to Upper Grumpsfield and took that basket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Look, Mr Hurley. Albert did visit his mother and sometimes
a brother went along, but I don’t think they went anywhere else and I can’t
imagine that they would take a laundry-basket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know it sounds absurd, Dr Pope. But boys do things like
that on the spur of the moment.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not Albert.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you know that Albert wants to be a detective?” said Gary.
“He might have been looking around and come across the laundry-basket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In a garden shed?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It wasn’t locked. I’m just exploring the possibility.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Was this Dorothy’s idea?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was her laundry basket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope she isn’t going off her rocker. A garden shed is not
the usual place to keep a laundry basket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She isn’t and the basket had been consigned there when it
was replaced.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think you will have to ask Albert about the theft. If he
gives you a satisfactory answer, let him do a spot of sleuthing, Mr Hurley. But
can you please explain why you suspect him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“His mother was visiting Kelly regularly, Dr Pope, and was
seen in a compromising situation.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Was she now? I knew that her group therapy with a
psychologist was useless, poor woman, since her problem has other causes, but
that’s what the NHS offered her and she was bound to take it because that was
part of her suspended sentence. She probably has schizophrenia, or a multiple
personality disorder, though that’s rarer. I don’t get many of them in my
surgery and I’ve never tried to treat Edith. She’s family. That is not
customary. I don’t publicize my profession, but I don’t abuse it either.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t publicize my job either. You‘d be surprised how
many people tell me that their nearest and dearest were murdered by other
nearest and dearest, especially if there’s a big inheritance at stake.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My medical practice has taught me that murder is often not
detected or even suspected. I could tell you some stories …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t. I’d have to follow them up. Maybe another time?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d like to hear your reactions, Mr Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All things considered, I believe that you should question
Albert,” said Gary. “I don’t want him to think I’m accusing him, but I do need
to know that he has nothing to do with the missing laundry-basket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I agree, Mr Hurley. I’ll call you back. I think he’ll tell
me the truth. I’m the best father he’s ever had. My brother-in-law was a
hypocrite and an egoist.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary gave Oscar his cell phone number and rang off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nigel arrived at the office rather late and apologetic
because he had been at an extra rehearsal for his travesty show. Did Gary know
that they were going to perform at the church hall in Upper Grumpsfield?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t know we were to have the honour,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The phone rang. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nigel answered it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No go with Wetherby,” he said, repeating the gist of the
call. “You can see him for five minutes, Gary, but alone and only if it’s
unavoidable.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That means they got him back,” said Gary. “I expect you have
the details, Nigel. Nobody informed me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He complained of stomach pains and those on duty escorted
him back to the hospital. They couldn’t have him dying in his cell.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To Nigel’s surprise, Cleo and Dorothy phoned from reception
and announced that they would get a second breakfast in the canteen and could
he call them when they were needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It would have been helpful to know earlier about Frank. The
Ladies have come specially to be at the interview.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That never occurred to me. Sorry,” said Nigel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Never mind. I’m getting old too, and Dorothy really has
lost her laundry basket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could have called in yesterday, of course,” said Nigel.
“Question: How do you lose a laundry basket?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“By putting it in a garden shed and forgetting all about it.
It has gone, and with it a loaded old army pistol in the lining,” said Gary
thinking how thoughtless of Dorothy that was. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That will curb her shooting practice,” said Nigel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No it won’t. Greg helped her to buy a new ladies’ weapon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I suppose you mean a hat pin,” said Nigel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wish I did. Better not suggest that to her. What’s wrong
with Wetherby?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Appendicitis.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At least he wasn’t play-acting.” said Gary. “Not this
time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary phoned Cleo on his mobile and told her that Frank was
out of reach back in hospital with appendicitis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After consulting Dorothy, Cleo announcing that Dorothy would
go shopping and she had an extra appointment and would talk about it later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What was all that, Gary?” Nigel wanted to know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cleo is on some wild goose chase or other again. I could
tell that from the tone of her voice. I was not given time to ask where she was
going, but I’m going to take a look at Frank Wetherby. Hold the fort here,
please.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank was propped up in the hospital bed. He was attached to
a drip and did not look well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sorry to bother you, Frank,” said Gary. “I won’t stay
long.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve no idea if I can tell you anything.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could tell me why you were in that room at the salon,
for instance.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was meeting someone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. Where had you come from?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Golder’s Green. I’d cadged a bed there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Name?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Carsten Drake,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“”What does he do for a living?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This and that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary decided to find out more about Drake through other
sources.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Were you followed to the salon, Frank?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did not see anyone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who were you meeting there?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I got a message on my mobile. Anonymous. Something about
Rita getting hurt.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If I had received a message to say a girlfriend of mine was
in danger, I would have done something about it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did, didn’t I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not how I see it,” said Gary. “It was dangerous to
go there not knowing who gave you the order.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not going there would have been worse – at least for Rita.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why didn’t you contact the police?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did not want to involve anyone else.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I won’t argue that point. You know damn well that the
police are not just anyone else.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did not know I was in any danger, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How naïve is that?” said Gary. “Unless you think I’m such a
fool as to believe you. You let yourself into the salon to meet someone you did
not know. What did you do next?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There was no one there so I went through to the back room
intending to get myself a drink.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Alone, so you thought.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. But I wasn’t. Someone knocked me out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And you’ve no idea who it was?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I got involved with some guys weeks before and they …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That doorman Pooth?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was looking for a card-sharper.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was not one of Cleo’s missions, Frank. Were you doing
a bit of sleuthing on the side?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The agency had almost ground to a halt,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is no excuse for free-lancing without consulting your
employer”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I learnt that the hard way,” said Frank. “It was sort of
lucrative.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Only sort of? Were drugs involved? Had someone found you
out, Frank?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank looked perplexed. Did Gary know more about him than he
should? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not into that caper anymore. I got out relatively
unscathed until now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that why you took the job at the Hartley Agency?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could have stayed in Frint-on-Sea after Sergeant
Llewellyn was taken out of circulation, surely. Did you pay for his silence by
any chance?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, but it was time to move on. Llewellyn knew too much and
could have used it against me although it was no longer relevant.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And he’s back in favour, I understand. But he is not
responsible for what happened to you here, is he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s go over it all again. Someone ordered you to Rita’s
salon and you went there thinking she would be in danger otherwise. You were
knocked out in that back room at the salon and don’t know who did it. What time
did it happen?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“About midnight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you have any idea who left you the phone message?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have my suspicions.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Could it have been Pooth?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Possibly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Would he have had the physical strength to knock you out,
Frank?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If he was behind me I dare say he could.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But Pooth is dead, Wetherby. He was found dead yesterday so
we can’t round him up and ask. The Norton family is at the hub of crime round
here. I’m surprised that you are still alive, Frank. The Nortons employ
professional killers to do their dirty work. The fate that befell you is
typical of their tactics. It was the sort of job Pooth organized. But he had friends
who might want to avenge his death now. I would not stick around, Frank.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did date Pamela Norton from the Wellness Centre once or
twice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Another Norton tactic. She vetted you, in other words.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She must have. But I did not tell her anything about my
past, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She might have been set on you in full knowledge of your
activities in Frint-on-Sea.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hadn’t thought of that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Pam Norton has all her wool on, Frank. Dating her is like
dating Medusa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A nurse interrupted the interview by putting her head round
the door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll have to go now,” she told Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just one or two more questions, Frank.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you know about the drugs in the storeroom?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. what drugs?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Heroin. Could they have been planted there to frame you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why would anyone do that?” said Frank. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a private eye Frank was astonishingly naïve, Gary mused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I keep asking myself that,” said Gary. “If someone wanted
you out of circulation, you could have been killed instead of knocked out. That
makes it more likely that Pooth was the unknown quantity.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So I’m out of danger,” said Frank. “He’s dead.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are in deep water, Frank, and we can only help you if
you are straight with us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t think what else I can tell you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You might be interested to know that the drugs consignment
was not very impressive. Most of it was flour. Just the top layer was homeopathically
stretched heroin with a negligible street value. If you had struck a deal, you
were being double-crossed, Frank.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With those words, Gary left and drove back to HQ. He did not
know what to make of Frank Wetherby. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m going home, Nigel,” Gary told Nigel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cleo left a message an hour ago to say that she was going
straight home and Joe said he was going to interview someone or other for the
police gazette.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Theoretically, you could go home early too, Nigel.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where’s the catch?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I want you to try to trace a guy called Carsten Drake. He
lives somewhere in Golder’s Green. Frank slept there while he was in London.
Drake jobs around apparently. I’d like to know what he really does and if he
has any convictions. I also need to know if Frank Wetherby has been picked up
for drug dealing anywhere and if not, what sort of a past he has, apart from
the harmless activities he mentioned to Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And what were those?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Art. Painting pictures.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can’t live on that,” said Nigel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, but you can set up an easel somewhere and have pockets
full of pills to sell in the seclusion of the countryside.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But all that was in North Wales, wasn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He also did security officer duty at shops. That’s what he
told Cleo he wanted to do in London.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A likely story,” said Nigel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Exactly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Frank Wetherby’s biography is not squeaky clean, Nigel.
When I think that Cleo trusted him …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She had no choice in the circumstances, Gary, and to be
honest, I think Frank is the kind to be led on rather than having leadership
qualities.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That makes him even more vulnerable, Nigel.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then his days are numbered,” said Nigel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They probably are.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-49468519039879391652017-04-06T11:13:00.001+02:002020-03-21T08:43:08.096+01:00Episode14 - We'll keep a welcome ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<br />
<h4>
Weekending<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The trip to Heathrow airport took longer than the family had
hoped, but they were in good time to meet the direct flight from Cape Town. To
describe the event would be to repeat what anyone has experienced who has met
someone at an airport. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>Suffice it to say that waiting for the plane seemed long,
but the luggage was finally collected from the revolving band and two weary
travellers made for the exit. Joe spotted them quickly and was immediately
aware of the blood turning cold in his veins.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe was probably the most surprised as his daughter was in
the company of the woman Joe had left behind, but one look at Grit was enough
to reveal that she had had a hand in this reunion. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One look from Sonia to Gary and then to Joe caused shear
disbelief to break out on Sonia’s face. Even Charlotte was dumbfounded by
seeing two editions of her father until Joe held out his arms for her to run
into them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He greeted Sonia as if she were a porcelain doll. It was
hard to see whether he was more astonished or reluctant. Joe was quite good at
hiding his emotions when he wanted to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sure someone will tell me who arranged all this,” he
said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You should not leave phone numbers in pockets of jeans you
want washing, Joe,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It could have been just anyone, Mother.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I left the phoning to Cleo. She knows exactly what to do in
such cases. I don’t think she would have let just anyone come here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did my sister-in-law let you come here, Sonia?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was coming anyway,” said Sonia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ouch!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You could have cut the atmosphere between Joe and Sonia with
a knife. Joe was only just polite. He was flummoxed and disturbed. Joe’s
delight at seeing his daughter was muted by Sonia’s presence. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary thought he was a bit of a sod for not showing Sonia
more warmth even if did not want her in his life. Grit had jumped the guns. He
would have to keep the little group in good spirits given that Joe had been
eager to have Charlotte back in his life. It was not their business to sort out
the relationship between Joe and the person Gary assumed to be estranged. It was
a lucky coincidence that the little girls got on well from the start.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit thought the situation was painful. She had gone behind
her son’s back. She had meant well, but the atmosphere between Sonia and Joe
was filled with Joe’s resentment and Sonia’s belief that she would be welcome. She
must know why she had wanted to keep her arrival a secret. Joe would no doubt
explain why later. In the meantime they would all have to cope.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Come on, you lot. Let’s get home,” Gary enthused. “Cleo
will be champing at the bit waiting for us. I’ll just send her a text to say
you have arrived safely.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The text Gary sent warned Cleo that an ex of Joe’s had come
along ostensibly to look after Charlotte. Joe was not pleased.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary was uneasy about Sonia being there. She was quite nice,
but not at all the kind of woman he would have thought Joe would take up with.
She had a doll-like appearance and her heavily painted face and coolness was
quite the opposite from Cleo’s natural beauty and physical warmth. Sonia was
not very tall, very slim and white-skinned. She looked as if she had always
ignored the African sun and would crack a rib if Gary hugged her the way he
hugged Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’re cousins,” Charlie announced. “Cousins always get on
well, especially if they have the same name.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do they always call you Charlotte?” Grit asked. She too had
noticed the coolness between Joe and Sonia and was angry with herself for
interfering. Sonia had accompanied Charlotte without any kind of invitation. Had
Joe jilted her? Grit had not thought of that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are my grandmother, aren’t you?” said Charlotte, plainly
overawed by everything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, my dear, and I’m so glad to get to know you,” said
Grit, drawing Charlotte into an embrace. The girl did not seem much used to
being hugged. She was tense and stiff. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m going to call you Lottie,” said Charlie. “Will that be
OK?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a good idea,” said Joe. Apart from that one hug at
arrivals, Joe had not been forthcoming with a response to anything. He seemed
to be in shock. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The party returned to the car. Joe walked beside Sonia, but
Gary could see that Sonia was not welcome. He did not hold her hand or put an
arm round her shoulder. He was definitely put out by her presence. Gary hoped
that Cleo would sort things out between them and help them to overcome their
seeming indifference, whatever caused it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary was puzzled by Sonia’s evident reticence, though he put
it down to Joe’s reaction. Why on earth had she undertaken such a long journey
to see a man again with whom she did not seem to have any rapport? Charlotte
would have been fine in the care of a stewardess. It was quite normal for
juniors to embark on flights alone. They usually enjoyed V.I.P. status. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary knew that Cleo would have behaved quite differently with
him. They would have shared the same emotional greeting that generally follows
a separation of lovers. Joe had shown more emotion when they had met. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The car was retrieved, the luggage stuffed into the boot,
the four ladies sat in the back while the brothers sat in the front again. They
were fortunately not held up by tailbacks or enhanced by Gary and Joe singing
along to the radio. The girls, sitting one each side of Grit with Charlotte
furthest away from Sonia, tried to sleep leaning on Grit and holding hands with
Grandma. Grit and Sonia could not find much to talk about. Sonia warmed a
little to Grit, but Grit was uneasy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the cottage they all scrambled out of the car and were
given a huge welcome by Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, here we are,” said Gary gratuitously, drawing Cleo to
one side, ostensibly to embrace her as if they had been apart for months, but
in fact to warn her that the air between Sonia and Joe was frosty and it was
going to be difficult. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know if they had a relationship at one time, but
there’s nothing of it left now,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d like to thank you for getting in touch with Sonia,”
said Joe to Cleo. Gary did not think Joe really meant it. Cleo was sure he
didn’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was coming anyway.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You were?” said Joe as if he had not heard her say the same
thing at the airport. Was he making an effort to be nice to her?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I could not let Charlotte fly all that way on her own,
Joe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that the only reason?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was going to be my excuse if you don’t want me here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you are welcome here,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thank you,” said Sonia, looking at Joe with tears in her
eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Joe did not echo Cleo’s sentiment.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charlie decided that Lottie should sleep in her bed because
the grownups had not finished talking. Later, Grit <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>asked politely if Sonia would like to sleep in
Lottie’s room that night. They could reorganize things the following day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I expect we could manage in my room,” said Joe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But I expect Sonia is tired,” said Grit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you two more than just passing acquaintances?” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can you leave Joe and Sonia to organize themselves, folks,”
said Cleo. “You Hurleys are the limit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s OK,” said Sonia. “We’ll come to a satisfactory
agreement, I’m sure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That would depend on what you call satisfactory,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Grit, Sonia and Joe finally left to go to bed, Cleo
could not help berating Gary for not supporting Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s quite obvious that they were in a relationship at one
time,” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He left her to come to the UK,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That does not mean that he doesn’t love her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“ Come on, Cleo. Joe did not show her any love at all,” said
Gary. “I don’t think he has any feelings for her and it’s quite obvious that he
does not like her being here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He doesn’t have your kind of feelings, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Am I too demonstrative, Cleo? I’ve never heard you complain
before.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I love your effusiveness and everything else about you,
Gary, but it may not be what Sonia is used to.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She responded to my hug quite convincingly, but turned cold
again almost immediately,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope you didn’t treat her to what I’d like to call a full-body
hug.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course not. To be honest, I think she would have
preferred a peck on the cheek.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Maybe you were expecting Joe to behave like you, Gary, but
you are exceptionally emotional and prone to hugging all and sundry.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wasn’t like that until we met, Cleo,” said Gary. “Joe
needs someone like you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Some people have cool relationships and very little
physical contact. They don’t want it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d hate him to be landed with her. She did not ask him if he
was pleased to see her and he did not say so of his own accord.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Leave them to sort themselves out, Gary. It’s none of our
business. Let’s go to bed. It’s already tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which reminds me …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“… It’s your day off tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So it is, but I have a feeling that I’m not going to enjoy
it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s just enjoy the here and now,” said Cleo. “I don’t
mind if you warm my duvet while I look in on the girls.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll look in on all the kids while you warm mine,” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At nine a.m. Greg rang. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We have a new corpse, Gary. Can you drop in?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t tell me Frank killed himself.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, but he complained about the breakfast. He’s vegan,
Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s that?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No animal products at all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He should be OK with the synthetic canteen cheese then. Who
is the corpse?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know who it is, but it was in the courtyard behind HQ.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll be there by eleven, Greg.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry to bother you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s no bother, Greg. I’ll be quite glad to get out and
about.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That sounds ominous.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What would you do if a friend arrived at an airport and you
were not expecting them?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d be surprised, but make him or her welcome.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Joe did not behave as if he wanted Sonia here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sonia being the jilted one, I assume. Cleo will sort them
out, Gary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has gangsters cringing
when she gives them advice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t want any cringing in my family, Greg, but I think
we are going to get some.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sonia sounds like a cold fish,” said Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And that corpse sounds like a blessing in disguise,” said
Gary. “See you soon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sonia came to talk to Cleo soon after Greg’s phone call.
Gary made himself scarce. He needed a shower, he said. There was new corpse to
be dealt with. He would go to HQ and support the skeleton staff. Corpses at
weekends were normally a nuisance rather than a blessing in disguise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll just get you a fresh bath towel,” said Cleo, leaving
Sonia to help herself to coffee and following Gary into the bathroom where they
sneaked in a body hug to keep them going. “So this corpse is the blessing in
disguise, I take it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m chickening out of the intellectual duel between Joe and
the girl he left behind, Cleo. Where is he, anyway?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think they slept together,” Cleo said. “He’s
probably out somewhere with Dog.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No doubt preferable to Miss Iceberg,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be glad you have something to take you out of here, Gary.
I’ll deal with the situation. The girls will help with the twins and PeggySue.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry about that, Sonia,” said Cleo, returning to the
breakfast table. “Would you like a bagel?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes please.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Presently, Gary wafted through smelling strongly of the
erotic perfume that Cleo always found irresistible, planted a kiss on her mouth
and hugged Sonia, a gesture to which she did not respond. After sharing hugs
with the all the kids assembled, he left them to it, promising to be back as
soon as he had summed up the situation at HQ. He would take the big girls out
that afternoon, he said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo accompanied Gary to the door to get one more hug to
charge her batteries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tell her to go home,” said Gary. “Without Lottie. I got the
impression that the little girl hated Sonia spoiling her reunion with her
Daddy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As if to pre-empt any questions Cleo might ask when she came
back to the table, Sonia said “I slept in Charlotte’s bed last night.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought that would happen,” said Cleo. “Why did you come,
Sonia? The reunion is are not functioning between you and Joe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s my fault, Cleo. I told him he had to choose between me
and the UK.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you love him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not the way he is now. Gary’s warmth gets to me. Joe’s
coldness does, too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sonia was eating her second bagel with obvious enjoyment.
Cleo, who was always complaining about her waistline, could not help
commenting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Were you always this thin, Sonia?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Metabolism, Cleo. I can eat like a horse and don’t gain an
ounce.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What a wonderful talent to have, Sonia. I put weight on
just thinking about good food.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you have a talent for loving people,” said Sonia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could learn how to, Sonia,” said Cleo taking that
comment literally. “I just need to show the people I love that I love them. I
don’t hug people I don’t feel any warmth for.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I really meant that figuratively,” said Sonia, who was
embarrassed by Cleo’s directness. Sonia did not know that Cleo was provoking
her deliberately..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know you did, but you can’t go on indefinitely loving
someone and not letting them be aware of it. If you love Joe, show him some
passion. It might work for you, and if it doesn’t you should fly home and
forget him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll try. He’s a nice guy, but I ‘ve no idea if he ever felt
any genuine affection for me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ask him!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think I could. He’s so aloof.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He isn’t really, Sonia. He asked me if I have a sister.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, and Gary is the love of my life. I would never swap him
for Joe, though Joe is a nice guy. Give him a chance to bridge the gap that is
open between you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll try if he will,” said Sonia, “but I don’t feel
attracted enough to him at the moment.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo was astonished. Hadn’t Sonia come to rescue her
relationship?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you sleep together, Sonia?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sort of. May I have another bagel?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Very soon after that revealing chat, the girls quit assessing
the quality of Charlie’s fashion dolls and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>came in for their second breakfast. Tommy and Teddy had been looking
around contentedly in the playpen, but opened their arms when the two girls
went to pick them up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Daddy fed them before he went out,” said Cleo. “But think
they need another drink. Can you help, girls?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Me too?” said Lottie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course,” said Cleo. “One each!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PeggySue had witnessed Sonia and Cleo’s talk from her high
chair, where she had spooned away her cereal and banana mix quite happily, and
preferred to sit and watch when the grownups were talking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How do you do it, Cleo?” said Sonia. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I love them all and Lottie is joining the crew, as you
see.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you are having another one. Why bother when you have so
many?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It isn’t a bother, Sonia. It’s a joy. That’s what love did
to me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not carelessness?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not careless, Sonia, and neither is Gary. We let it
happen. Love expands.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are not prying. I like talking about what makes me
happy. I have to talk to so many sad and misguided people in my job as
sociologist. I just hope you don’t mind having all these kids around. They’re
here to stay, and that includes Lottie.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Am I sad and misguided, Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How would you answer that question, Sonia?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think I must be. I came here expecting Joe to want me in
his life, although he chose to come here and left me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why don’t you talk to him about that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think I can.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Try! You can see how happy Joe is to have daughter back. He
won’t let her go, and we won’t either.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought she would want to go back to school in South
Africa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’ll go to school here. Just look at her with Teddy. If
that isn’t integration I don’t know what is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Those babies are cute,” said Sonia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Warm and beautiful,“ said Cleo. “A child teaches a lot
about love, Sonia. Test it on PeggySue.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To Cleo’s surprise, Sonia did just that. She lifted the child
out of her high chair complete with sticky bib and hands. PeggySue turned to
cling on to her like a little chimpanzee.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“See what I mean?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sonia put PeggySue into the playpen. Then she went into the
kitchen to get rid of the sticky cereal on her hands and blouse. Cleo
immediately retrieved PeggySue and covered the little girl with kisses before
cleaning her up a little. Sonia looked on, a little repulsed. That did not
escape Cleo’s notice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I never wanted children,” said Sonia. “They make a mess and
spoil the figure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So what! If someone only loves you for your waistline, you
might as well be a hooker,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t mean it that way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How did you mean it then, Sonia?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s alright for some to lose their figure. I don’t want
to.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’d have to lose your heart first, Sonia, and I doubt if
you could.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary would have explained Cleo’s reaction as shock therapy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At that moment Grit, Roger and Joe arrived. Roger had
clearly spent the night with Grit and Joe had clearly approved. Cleo thought things
might get difficult between Sonia and Joe if the family did not act as a
catalyst.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit was her usual warm self. She and Cleo hugged warmly
before Grit kissed and hugged all her grandchildren and cleaned PeggySue up thoroughly
over the kitchen sink before getting her some juice and returning her to her
high chair after giving it a good wipe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So many kisses in one go and a sticky granddaughter to make
it all even more fun,” said Grit, getting round to hugging Sonia briefly as a
matter of form. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe came to sit at the table after hugging his daughter and
Charlie. He was learning the hugging custom fast, though his hugging did not seem
to include Sonia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good morning, Ladies,” he said. “Did you sleep well?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are very formal, Joe,” said Cleo. “Don’t you love your
women enough to give us all a hug?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well … I suppose I do,” said Joe, getting up to go round
the table to hug Grit first, then Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I really meant Sonia,” said Cleo, angry with Joe for that
pointed snub he had awarded her. “What the hell’s the matter with you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nothing,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Everything,” said Cleo. “If you don’t want Sonia here why
don’t you just say so? Or are you too much of a coward?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I quite like having Sonia here,” fibbed Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could have fooled me. Show it for crying out loud,”
said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s OK, Cleo. I understand,” said Sonia, who didn’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sonia stood up and went to the playpen. She was humiliated
and decided at that moment to go home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now see what you’ve done,” said Joe to Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What I’ve done?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit got up from the sofa, where she had been reading a
Sunday paper with Roger, and went to comfort Sonia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Go away for an hour, Joe. Sonia needs a little tenderness
in her life and she came hoping to get it from you. But you are not interested,
are you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She told me she never wanted to see me again, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But she came to find you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She should not have. I did not invite her and I was fine
without her.”<span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You talk as if she was visiting a sick relative. If you
loved her once, just show her affection now. Sonia won’t stay here now she
knows what a mean little jerk you are.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That hurt,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good. Now stop hurting Sonia.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe got up. He wanted to leave but the sight of Sonia
leaning over the bars of the playpen just watching those babies gurgling
happily affected him despite himself. He went to Sonia and put an hand on her
shoulder. Grit retreated to the sofa after exchanging looks with Cleo that we
somewhere between exasperation and puzzlement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sorry, Sonia,” Joe said, and Sonia turned to him and
leant her head on his chest. “I didn’t mean it to be like this. I did not want
this at all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Like what? What did you mean?” said Sonia. “What didn’t you
want?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You laughed when I told you I wanted to find my family and
you told me to get out of your life. So I did that, didn’t I?” said Joe in a
tone that startled all the listeners.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But I did not mean it,” said Sonia, “and I came here to
tell you that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m glad you came,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Show me, then,” said Sonia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m glad you came so that I have a confirmation that I did
the right thing,” said Joe. “You never once offered to come with me. You and
your damned school were more important.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo decided to interrupt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You both need therapy,” she said. “I should knock your
heads together. For heaven’s sake kiss and make up.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The couple obliged with a peck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, that’s a start, isn’t it? I can’t believe that the
brother of such a seriously ardent lover as Gary could be such a cold fish,”
said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To Cleo’s relief that made them all laugh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll do better now we know what the problem is,” said Joe.
“Coming for a walk, Sonia?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll get my coat,” said Sonia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll get mine, too,” said Joe. “And I’ll get Dog. He needs
another run.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is there more coffee, Cleo?” said Grit. “I don’t need my
coat. I don’t want to go for a walk. Roger and I danced the night away – well
almost.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I doubt very much if those two have a walk in mind. I just
don’t know what they’d do instead. There’s no love lost between them. Maybe Dog
will bring them closer together.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Greg was glad to see Gary in time for some decent coffee out
of Gary’s espresso machine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary was more than glad not to have to witness Joe and Sonia
behaving like two strangers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you know who the corpse is?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“One less on the gangster menu in Middlethumpton,” said
Greg. “Remember that guy at the armed bandit retreat down the road?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Pooth?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m surprised he lasted this long,” said Gary. “I wonder if
he has anything to do with Frank Wetherby’s case?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What would Frank be doing in such a dive?” said Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It takes all sorts, Greg. Is Chris in the path lab?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. Do you want to see the corpse?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m training myself. After watching the birth of my twins
I’m much braver. The midwife praised me for not fainting.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Pooth is pleasantly undramatic in death,” said Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All that blood when ...” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No blood.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“… kids come into the world. That really shocked me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope you are over it now. Aren’t you going to go through
it all again soon?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hadn’t thought of that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Practice makes perfect,” said Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can say that again,” said Gary rising to the innuendo
with one of his own.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s go then,” said Greg. “Chris is waiting for us in his hellhole.
We can take the lift. It’s quicker.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To hell?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another intravenous death,” said Chris. “I’m getting used to
these clinical killings. Just one little jab in the shoulder and that only
bruised because this guy is probably on rat gift for his heart.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’ll save the National Health a steep bill, then, won’t
he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What does rat gift do?” asked Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thins the blood,” said Chris. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This guy won’t need it anymore,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. Any idea who wanted him out of the way?” Chris asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All the other gangsters, I should think,” said Greg. “Or customers
who objected to Pooth’s programmed slot machines. I don’t think anyone had ever
come away a winner.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wonder if he visited Upper Grumpsfield last Wednesday,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I should not have thought he got up early enough to set a
house on fire,” said Greg. “He was always half-soaked when he opened up his business
at nine.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He may not have been to bed,” said Gary. “I wonder if he drove
a car?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We can find out from the driving licence people,” said
Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I shouldn’t think he’d be bothered about having a licence,”
said Chris.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll ask Frank Wetherby about him tomorrow. I can’t imagine
Pooth winning a fight with Frank, but if he knocked him down from behind, got
out of the salon fast after setting fire to it for good measure….”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And then phoned the fire brigade?” said Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is admittedly a loophole,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I expect Frank will like the idea of there being another
suspect,” said Chris.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Especially if being in a coma cancels him out,” said Gary,
“but I’m not convinced that it will.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You don’t sound convinced about anything,” said Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo phoned Gary to find out who the corpse was. Gary told
her that he thought Pooth might have a hand in Rita’s misfortune.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t even try to explain how, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How are the non-lovers, Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think they went for a walk with Dog to work it out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No doubt you interfered a little, didn’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Only before they decided to resume communication.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The main thing is that we don’t want a cold war on our
hands.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sonia could not understand why we have so many children,
Gary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to explain.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It took me a while to be convinced, Cleo, though they are
mine!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t believe you. Being a daddy has made a man of you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll ignore that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At your peril.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Back home soon, my love. There ain’t much I can do here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There’s plenty to do here, Sweetheart.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t I know it. Is Lottie OK?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just fine, Gary. She already feels like one of mine.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s probably because you’re broody,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Better come home and find out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-56153350955943128042017-04-04T22:15:00.004+02:002020-03-21T06:29:48.368+01:00Episode 13 - No fire without smoke?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<h4>
Saturday cont.<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To say that Gary was at a loss to know what to do about
Dorothy would be an understatement. He had found it impossible to be really
angry with her although the situation called for it. Chris, who was usually
good-humoured and efficient, also seemed lost for words. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know what you want to say,” Dorothy had said when she
realized just how serious her carelessness was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, you have to admit that it was a very silly thing to
do,” said Chris.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Considering how many time I have asked you to get rid of
that gun…” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So you don’t make any mistakes ever, do you?” said Dorothy
in self-defence. “You are crying over spilt milk, you know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. Let’s just leave it at that, shall we?” said Chris,
giving Gary a warning look.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At home Cleo had enough to do without thinking about
Dorothy. The cause was a phone-call she had received not long after Gary had
gone to the scene of Dorothy’s crime.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is Middlethumpton General,” the caller announced.
“I’ll put you through.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cleo. It’s Frank,” said the caller. “Sorry to startle you,
but I’m not allowed to use my mobile here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How long have you been conscious, Frank?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Properly since yesterday. Can you do something for me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not until you’ve explained what’s been going on,” said
Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t do that over the phone,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m at home, Frank, and anyway, Gary has debugged the
phones.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You knew about the phone-tapping, didn’t you, Frank?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t answer that now, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why don’t you just tell me what game you are playing?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t do that either. It’s too complicated.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I went to school, Frank. I understand plain English and I’m
not going to hang around waiting for a confession, so spit it out, as Dorothy
would say.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve been framed,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hoped that was the case. Who framed you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A friend.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Some friend! The one you said you were meeting in London?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s his name?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t tell you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Look Frank. Now you are conscious, you will be arrested for
drug-dealing. Am I making myself clear?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you warning me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, just telling you what will happen. You will have to
explain that banana box full of heroin, Frank.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just hang on a moment. My cell phone is jumping up and
down.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact, Cleo had pressed the quick dial for Gary’s number. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What is it Cleo? I’ll be home soon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t come home, Gary. Get to the hospital. Frank is
conscious and asking for my help. I think he’ll abscond.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry, Frank. That was a different case.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The line was dead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Gary arrived at the hospital the patrol car he had
ordered to be there at the double was parked opposite the main entrance.
Reception told him a Detective Inspector had already gone to Mr Wetherby’s
ward. One patrol officer was standing in the corridor outside the ward while
the other guarded the main exit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Greg was remonstrating with Frank Wetherby. A patrol cop had
phoned him and raised the alarm. He wasn’t sure if Gary was in some sort of
danger. Greg had rushed to the hospital and found Frank dressing. That was
fortunate. Gary was sure that Frank would have left after phoning Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s up, Gary,” said Frank. “How come you sent Greg
here?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t you know?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was knocked out. I still have amnesia.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who did it?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where were you?” he asked, and Greg signalled to Gary to
hold back for a moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You were at the cinema, weren’t you?” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, I was ….”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So much for the amnesia, Mr Wetherby,” said Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary appreciated that old trick.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK, Frank. Stop play-acting and tell us what you were doing
at Rita’s house.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I went there to meet a friend.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rita said you were going to London when you left her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you left something important behind in Rita’s
storeroom, didn’t you?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Amnesia again?” said Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll find out if you can leave the hospital, shall we?”
said Gary. “Then we’ll take you to Headquarters and the drugs squad can deal
with you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now wait a minute,” said Frank. “I don’t know anything
about drugs.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You left a banana box full of heroin behand,” said Gary.
“Did you go back to Rita’s to collect it, or were you meeting another dealer
there?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve been framed,” said Frank. “I told you that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you want me to believe that, you had better tell me the
whole story,” said Gary. “We’ll secure your release from hospital here and take
you to HQ. I’d rather talk there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Realizing that he was now cornered whatever he said, Frank
acquiesced. Gary was sure he did not have enough concrete evidence to charge
Frank Wetherby with a particular felony, and neither would the drugs squad, as
far as he could judge. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris would have to come up fast with the forensic evidence
he had gathered at Rita’s place. Was that banana box really full of drugs, or
was most of it only cornflour? Were there any of Frank’s fingerprints on it?
Was Rita perhaps less innocent than she appeared? Did she have the wrong friends?
There were many questions to be answered and the hospital was not the place to
ask them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank was discharged from hospital and taken in the patrol
car to HQ. He would be detained at least until he had talked plausibly about
the fire, the drugs and the mysterious ‘friend’, which probably meant detaining
him for a long time even if he could not be charged. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Gary’s office the first round of questions was asked with
Greg as an active partner and Nigel sitting at the back taking his usual
copious notes. The patrol officers sat on each side of Frank. A tape recorder
whirred as the interview was recorded and a digital camera filmed the
procedure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How long have you known Rita?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If Frank was surprised at the question, he did not show it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not long.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you moved in with her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I had to leave my lodgings and it was convenient,” said
Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you have a normal relationship with her?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s normal?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sex, sharing the household, paying towards living expenses.
That sort of thing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was not married to her,” said Frank. “She was not really my
type.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But good enough to doss down with,” said Greg. “Or were you
in hiding?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a moment’s silence before Frank asked Greg what he
meant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Were you hiding from that friend of yours, the one who
knocked you out?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. I was not hiding out. I just needed somewhere to go
while I made plans and I don’t know who knocked me out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you were meeting someone in that back room. You still
had a key of the salon,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I had made a copy in case I lost mine.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And forgotten to hand it in,” said Greg, who already had a
very low opinion of Frank Wetherby.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So Rita was only a convenience, was she?” said Gary. “Why
didn’t you go back to Frint-on-Sea if you did not want to work for Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Frint-on-Sea has nothing to offer,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But London has,” said Greg.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why did you arrange to meet someone in Upper Grumpsfield
when you could have been in London, Frank?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I had business to see to.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Was the business to do with the heroin?2 Gary asked. Where
did you get it from?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What heroin?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was obvious that Frank Wetherby was going to block off
any mention of that cache of drugs unless he genuinely knew nothing about it, which was
highly unlikely. Gary was starting to think that the heroin really had been
planted there, or left there without Frank’s knowledge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary decided to wait until Monday before asking any more
questions. By then Chris would have made a full report. The young patrol cops
were rather overawed by the situation, but it was Saturday, so they had not
been surprised to find themselves accompanying Frank to Gary’s second floor
office and witnessing what proved to be very short and inconclusive
interrogation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have to detain you over the weekend, Mr Wetherby,”
said Gary. “On Monday I will want to know the name and address of your friend
in London, who you were meeting at Rita’s house, and all about the heroin. I
need the names of all your contacts and I will need an explanation of the contents
of your pages on Cleo’s office computer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s private,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not all of it,” said Gary. “I’d also like to know if you
bugged Cleo’s phone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t do that,” said Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Somebody did and I want to know who. Perhaps you have an
idea,” said Gary, before telling the patrol cops that they could take Frank to
the arrest cells for a quiet, meditative weekend stay. Greg accompanied them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I want the Norton brothers investigated,” Gary told Greg
later. “You are on duty tomorrow so can you sort that out? I’d like to know if
they have been seen with Frank or if Frank has been seen on the courtyard
belonging to the garages behind Cleo’s office. The Norton brothers have at
least 3 garages there. You can get a mugshot of Frank from Cleo. I’ll get her
to send you one today.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is serious stuff, Gary, but it should be the drugs
squad investigating.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not if the attack on Frank was attempted murder, Greg. They
might get it right next time.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m out this evening. My brother’s daughter is arriving at
Heathrow, but Cleo will be at home. I’ll come in tomorrow if I can be of any
assistance.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll cope, said Greg. “It’s your free Sunday. Enjoy it!
I’ll leave our private eye to his own devices.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks, Greg. I really appreciate having you here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m on the way home, Cleo,” Gary reported in the car over
his cell phone. “Frank is staying here over the weekend.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where’s here, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“HQ arrest cell.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good. I have some bones to pick with that guy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can do that to your satisfaction on Monday, Cleo. He
may even need your professional advice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d prefer to give him a piece of my mind,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That too, my love. Get the coffee on. I’m approaching Upper
Grumpsfield now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After due thought, Cleo phoned Rita when she had finished
talking to Gary and asked her to call in her cottage for a brief chat. The fact
that Gary would be there was just as well. On the contrary, it might be a good
idea to ask Rita some questions in Gary’s presence before a further
interrogation of Frank was made.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As luck would have it, Rita and Gary arrived at the same
time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I asked Rita over for a chat, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cream or milk, Miss
Bailey?” Gary asked as he served the coffee..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Neither, Mr Hurley. I need a cool head if Miss Hartley
wants to ask me questions.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Try first names, kids. All that Mr and Miss is 19<sup>th</sup>
century.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did Frank phone you, Rita?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. Last night.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did he tell you not to say anything?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But he called me this morning,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I told him to,” said Rita. “He owed me that much, but he
did not say he would.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did he give you any explanation at all?” Cleo asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. I thought he cared about me, but he was not very
friendly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think you’ll find that he only cares for himself, Rita,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where is he now? Has he run away again?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. He’s in an arrest cell at HQ. He can’t run away and
we’ll question him closely on Monday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m really afraid,” said Rita. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He hasn’t told me much, Rita, but I don’t think the attack
on him had anything to do with you,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And the fire?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It might be the work of someone quite separate from Frank.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Arsonists like to behave that way. The fire had only been
burning for about five minutes when the fire brigade got a call. It could have
been from that arsonist himself wanting the satisfaction of watching ‘his’ fire
being put out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But that’s terrible,” said Rita.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s the best thing that could happen next to not starting
the fire,” said Gary. “We’ll catch whoever started it and his insurance will
have to step in.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The best thing would have been not to have my salon burnt
down,” said Rita, “and my insurance does not cover business premises . I’d been
meaning to change it.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have to wait for forensic findings and then go on
from there,” said Cleo. “If we can find the arsonist, the guy will have to pay.
Perhaps you can start a business going from house to house.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll think about that. Of course, it isn’t the first fire
that has been set off here,” said Rita. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you mean arson, Rita?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Someone tried to burn down Kelly’s old barn,” said Rita.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was years ago and the person who did it is dead,” said
Cleo. “Did you know Kelly?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not intimately,” said Rita with an unfortunate turn of
phrase. “Can I see Frank?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not until after we’ve talked to him on Monday, Rita,” said
Gary, “but he’ll be in custody for some time to come and you can visit him.
We’ll tell you when.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But that also depends on whether he wants to see you,
Rita,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course,” said Rita. “I’ll have to go to a client now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So you are hanging on to your customers,” said Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. I put a notice in the freebie Gazette yesterday and
some phoned.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could defrizz me when you have time, Rita.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No you won’t, Rita. Those curls feel beautiful,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Like barbed wire,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“When you suggested a home service, it was a confirmation of
my idea.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did your Gazette advert include a story of the fire, Rita?
I haven’t had time to look.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. That way I got the notice for free, Cleo.“<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You would,” said Gary. “The editor has a nose for crime.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does he? He sounded charming on the phone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We can all sound charming when we want to, Rita,” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rita said thanks for the coffee and took her leave.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo wondered if Rita would ponder on what Gary had just implied.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo could not resist asking Gary what he meant by that last
comment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not sure if she’s just a little country hairdresser,
Cleo. I can’t decide how many lies she told us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris rang.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I expect you’d like to know a few facts before you
concentrate on your weekend,” said Chris.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It would be nice. I seem to be bouncing along on theories
at the moment.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Keep bouncing, Gary. I’m bouncing too. I hear you have
Frank Wetherby in a cell.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A temporary guest unless we can get something to hold him
on. You can’t arrest a guy for getting knocked out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That banana box was full of flour except for the top layer,
Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Somehow, that does not surprise me. I’d been wondering why
anyone would leave such valuable contents to pot luck.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I found traces of heroin in one of the packages. It was
probably enough to stop corns throbbing. You could make cakes with the rest and
come out of eating them unscathed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That would be funny if it wasn’t a sign of Frank actually
being innocent of a number of felonies I’d like to have charged him with.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about that hairdresser? Is she naïve enough to go for
that sort of trick?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We are starting to there’s more to Rita than meets the eye.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There were prints on that box. I expect you can guess whose
they were,” said Chris.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“One of the Norton brothers or their helpmates? I can’t
think of anyone else who would find his way to Upper Grumpsfield on any pretext
except harmless residents.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They are not all harmless, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m finding out the hard way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Right in one about the Nortons themselves, but what game
are they playing?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cloak and dagger I should think. I’d just like to know what
is really going on, Chris.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Someone may have got at Frank because he was working in
Cleo’s office and that used to be their junk shop, didn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So it did, but how did the Nortons get the idea of planting
sham drugs in that hairdressing salon?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t suppose it escaped their notice that Frank had
shacked up with that hairdresser.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“More food for thought!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They may have needed to get into that office, Gary, and
found in Frank a way that would not arouse suspicion. The stuff planted at the
salon may just have been a decoy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So Frank would be the fall guy,” said Gary. “Chris, you are
brilliant. You should go in for fortune telling.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Or they just wanted to put Frank on the line. Maybe he was
too nosey, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We need Cleo in on this discussion, Chris, but she busy
with the babies at the moment.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ask her what she thinks about my ideas.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I certainly will.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was never sure about Frank, Gary. He had a habit of
picking my forensic brain.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cleo seemed to be OK about him until this week, but I think
that was because she had no choice given that the twins arrived on our wedding
night, less than a week after Frank had arrived to manage the office. Cleo had
planned to have the whole of April to get him tuned in, but she was obliged to
let him get on with it. He’d had a hard time in Frint-on-Sea, Chris, but I
never even considered that it might have been because he was getting too
interested in what went on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll have to clarify that,” said Chris.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think he knew too much and was being blocked at every
entrance.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. Go on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then he got suspicious of a fat sergeant and the fat
sergeant wanted Frank out of the way since Frank’s suspicions were justified. The
sergeant realised that Frank’s interfering was dangerous for him and certainly
for others who were paying for that sergeant’s cooperation and keeping him in a
job. The sergeant decided to do something about Frank.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think they struck a bargain. Frank would take up an
invitation he had from Cleo, and the sleaze could continue at the town hall and
presumably elsewhere.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nasty.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Very nasty for that fat sergeant because I got in the act.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t suppose Frint-on-Sea is an isolated incidence of coppers’
corruption.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, Chris. We have it here on our doorstep.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“For instance, I know about that hacker going to Cleo’s
office,” said Chris.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I expect everyone does. HQ is as porous as a sieve and
Cleo’s phone was bugged.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll have to go over her office again,” said Chris. “Is
there any part of it that wasn’t renovated?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll have to ask Cleo about that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Only the utility room sink fitting, Chris,” Cleo told him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Was any drugs testing done?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. The place was completely empty when we took over.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We might have to let our famous dog Spot sniff around,”
said Chris, “There has to be a connection between Frank, a cache of fake drugs
and your office.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that a new theory of yours?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t help thinking that Frank could have been framed in
a big way, Cleo. It would explain quite a lot of what is bothering Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll have to talk to him about that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll get Spot for Monday, shall I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Afternoon, Chris. I want to be at Frank’s questioning in
the morning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t you think this cops and robbers stuff is going too
far, Gary?” said Cleo. “Now Chris seems to be hooked on it as well.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In the days of the adage we would have said there was no
smoke without fire, Cleo. I think that Chris connects the mainly faked drugs
cache to your office.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So Frank was to be framed and taken out of circulation, was
he? Did those responsible think he knew more than he did about the office?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ask me another.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What was there to know?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Our famous sniffer dog Spot is going to find out on
Monday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a good idea. Frank is lucky to be alive, isn’t he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think someone was meant to liquidate him, got scruples
and knocked him out instead. It might have been a contract killer, but whoever
it was and for whatever reason, he did not finish Frank off.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lucky Jim! But the banana box stayed put.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“An identifiable fingerprint on the box belongs to a Norton
brother and they are not really into murder. A contract killer may have got
cold feet, or Frank struck a bargain, bought himself mercy and was almost
killed after all. The Norton brothers may not be the main protagonists, Cleo.
They don’t go in for contract killers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So who did, Gary,
and what about the fire?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t fit that in,” said Gary. “If Frank was to be burnt
alive the fire should have started in that back room. We need to find out how
deeply Frank had got himself into the morass and go on from there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the latter part of that discussion Cleo had fetched
Teddy from the playpen and handed him to Gary while she got Tommy out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your sons need sustenance, Gary. No more time for crime.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not like our Norton friends,” said Gary. “Sam and Jam
always seem to have their fingers in some pie or other.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can you take Tommy on your spare arm while I get their
lunch?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Won’t I drop them?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not if you are sitting on the sofa. You’re out of
practice!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where are the girls?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Next door with their grandmother for lunch,” said Cleo.
“It’s all organized.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t remember not having all these kids round me, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s going to be more in a few months’ time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s like organizing a battalion…. What do you mean
‘more’?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You know about one,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Go on!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It could be two.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re kidding.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could put it that way. Two heartbeats, Gary, and three
including mine.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Four, including mine.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I just don’t know where we’ll put them all,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You wanted a houseful, my love.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wait till everyone is around and I’ve had my siesta and
I’ll tell you how.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Won’t you tell me now? You’re up to something!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We all have our moments, Cleo. I need mine too!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo had to make do with that explanation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the twins had been tucked in for their siesta, Gary
checked that his daughters were OK with Grit. Siesta time was a tradition and
even Joe had come home for his. They were all to meet at Cleo’s for coffee at
five before it was time to get to Heathrow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My duvet is calling,” said Gary as he stripped off. “I’m
exhausted.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your wife is calling,” said Cleo from the depths of her
duvet. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You don’t sound very tired,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Should I be?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By five everyone was assembled at Cleo’s dining table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have an announcement to make,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So do I,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ladies first, my love,” said Gary, who thought he knew what
was coming.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo held a document aloft. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is a copy of the deeds of this cottage,” she
announced. “If you look closely you’ll see that you are now on it, Gary. You’ll
have to sign at the solicitors, but it’s legal. Do I get a hug?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We all get a hug,” said Gary. “I’m back on cloud nine.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So what’s on your mind, Gary,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cleo was wondering what to do with all the new citizens she
is bringing into the world.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Go on!” said Grit, who knew what Gary was going to say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All this happened weeks ago, Joe. It’s as if we knew you
were going to turn up,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Done what?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Bought that bungalow next door. Me and our mother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But perfect, Joe,” said Grit “because you can have my
cottage if you want it. I’ll make a bed-sitter in the bungalow and be on hand
for all my grandchildren.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is like something out of a movie,” said Cleo. “I’m
lost for words.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I had to do something constructive, even though I did not
know I was going to become a father of twins again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that true, Cleo?” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure. Awesome, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m blown over,” said Joe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Alterations start next week,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not those Polish guys again,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They told me about the bungalow going up for sale and I got
in before the agent could.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Awesome,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charlie ran to her mother and hugged her tightly before
going to Grit and doing the same.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you coming to meet Charlotte, Grannie?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course, Sweetheart. Your Mummy will stay with PeggySue
and the twins.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll be glad when you all reappear,” said Cleo. “But you
should get going now. You know how awful the traffic can be.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was no denying that the Hurleys had got plotting and
planning down to a fine art, as Joe was finding out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit had been troubled that Joe was melancholy when left to
his own devices.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think he’s homesick,” she had told Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s missing his daughter, Grit,” Cleo had said. “But
she’ll be here soon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s at school, Cleo. Maybe he had a partner there and
hasn’t said anything.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How can we find out? We can’t search through his things.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We don’t need to, Cleo. I found a phone number when I
emptied pockets in a pair of jeans destined for the washing machine. I want to
ring that number. What do you think?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You should, I think If Joe was carrying that phone number around
it must be important to him”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The call was taken by a woman’s voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sonia here,” it said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you Sonia Butler?” Cleo asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. Not Butler.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sorry. I thought ...”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t ring off,” said the voice. “If you are looking for
Joe, he’s in the UK.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you know where?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wish I did,” said Sonia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you his …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not exactly his partner. He got this dumb idea of going to
the UK to look for his brother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo decided to approach Sonia with her usual directness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you in love with Mr Butler,” she asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t what business that is of yours, but I thought we
were a pair before he upped and left. Who are you, anyway?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m Joe’s sister-in-law.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You have to be joking.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On my honour. Joe found his brother Gary and I’m Gary’s
wife Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about his mother, Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sitting right next to me, Sonia.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can I talk to her?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hello Sonia.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t believe it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s true.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Charlotte is flying over to be with her father, Mrs …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hurley, but call me Grit. Even my sons do.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You must be a very happy woman, Grit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am. Why don’t you come over and see for yourself?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m coming, Grit. I did not want Charlotte flying over on
her own so I’m accompanying her. Joe doesn’t know. The school arranged
everything.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s wonderful, Sonia. I’m driving to Heathrow with my
sons and Gary’s daughter. I can’t wait to meet you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know there is no such thing as a perfect world, Cleo, but
the small world I live in is wonderful,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s why we have to make our own world perfect, Grit. I
just wish I had realized that sooner.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think it’s because we make do with what we have most of
the time,” said Grit. “And that’s just as well.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Except that when we perceive that our world is not as round
as it should be, we have to get out of it or change things.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The next one might not be as good as the one we left,
Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m all for taking a chance,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-55437553848726812502017-04-02T09:36:00.003+02:002020-03-20T20:33:35.678+01:00Episode 12 - Vaticination - the soothsayer's art<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Saturday August 9</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<h4>
Saturday <o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day started badly for Dorothy Price. She was officially
a partner in the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hartley agency, but she
had announced to all and sundry that she was retiring to a life of Beethoven,
gardening and other hobbies she had not had time to pursue. But now she bitterly
regretted that announcement. Being out on a limb was not to Dorothy’s liking.
She did so want to be part of things. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>But Dorothy did not feel accepted in the same way. Cleo
didn’t ask her advice as much anymore. Dorothy’s many hunches and ideas were
going to waste. She had reproached Cleo, but the reaction was shock. That was
nonsense. Dorothy was as involved as she wanted to be, Cleo said, vowing to be
more considerate of her friend’s feelings in future, even if she thought
Dorothy was fooling herself into believing such nonsense…On second thoughts,
was she? <o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting up early was something Dorothy liked to do,
especially in the summer, but she did not like to wake up from a nightmare, and
that is what happened that sunny Saturday morning. For reasons best known to
her psyche, she found herself sitting bolt upright in bed at six a.m. trying
the remember where she had left <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>her
father’s old handgun, which had been replaced by a slick ladies’ pistol that she
always carried around these days, despite Gary’s disapproval.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A pot of tea later, Dorothy fortunately remembered that she
had discarded the old laundry-basket with the floral lining that had been a
convenient place to store the gun, in exchange for an on-line purchase of a wicker
laundry-basket that was also a seat, but Dorothy no longer hid her lady’s
pistol. It was small enough to fit into a normal handbag, so Dorothy took to
carrying it around with her wherever she was going.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The new laundry basket had no lining so it was not an ideal
place to conceal a weapon which was a good excuse for being armed if one need one,
thought Dorothy. The old laundry-basket was retired to the garden shed, where
it could be used as a convenient container. Dorothy did not throw things away
until they had absolutely outlived their usefulness in one guise or another. The
old, heavy handgun would still be tucked away under the floral lining of the
old basket.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy dressed quickly and went to the shed. As a direct
result of that bad dream she had decided that the handgun should be handed in. She
had read the news in the Chronicle the previous day of a weeklong general
amnesty for old weapons being offered by the police on a national basis, news
that had probably triggered her dream. Yes, it was high time to stop hoarding
her father’s old gun if she were to go unpunished.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy did not lock her garden shed. Most people in that
road didn’t unless they had valuables in it. Nobody would want the old junk
most people kept there, so Dorothy was alarmed that the old laundry-basket had
gone. It did not take many seconds to realize that with the disappearance of
the laundry-basket the handgun had also gone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few seconds later Dorothy’s thoughts were dominated by the
realization that she had not only been robbed, but had no idea where the basket
or the gun was. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What would Gary say? What would Cleo say? Could she break
the news gently? After all, Dorothy was sincere about the arms amnesty and now her
noble thoughts had been thwarted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her intention to get some serious weeding done before the
sun got too hot was forgotten. She would have to own up to what had happened.
After all, she had been burgled. At breakfast time she called Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve got a problem,” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Go on. It sounds rather dramatic, Dorothy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My laundry-basket has gone, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you mean that someone has broken into to your cottage?
What else did he take?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. Not into my cottage. Into my garden shed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Forgive me for asking, but what was your laundry-basket
doing in the shed?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have a new one for the bathroom and the old one is useful
for storing the covers from my garden chairs.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What else did the burglar take, from your shed? And when?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He left me the chair covers and I don’t know when,” said
Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Think back to when you last went to the shed,” said Cleo,
who would have liked to take Dorothy more seriously, but could not equate her friend’s
annoyance with the theft of a discarded laundry-basket out of an unlocked shed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t you go into the shed every day, Dorothy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not every day. Gardening is usually weeding and harvesting
in August, so I don’t need other tools except the ones I keep in the coal shed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo was glad that Dorothy could see her amusement. Her
friend really was past retirement age.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course, it’s a serious matter that someone got into the
shed and took anything, Dorothy,” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not the whole story.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By now Gary had picked up the handset in the bedroom so that
he could listen in to a phone call that sounded as if was becoming tedious,
though Cleo was trying to put on a show of being interested.<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>The rolling of
her eyes in Gary's direction as he entered the living-room clutched the bedroom
handset showed him what she was really thinking and amused him no end. She put
the phone on speaker. Dorothy was really upset.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is the whole
story, Dorothy?” said Cleo. “Do you want Gary to look for the laundry-basket?
If so, say so!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He might want to when he finds out that my father’s old
handgun was stored under the lining.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary sat down and buried his head in his hands. Cleo was
silent. No wonder Dorothy was upset. Dorothy's father's old pistol had been the
subject of Gary’s disapproval ever since he had known about it, even though it
had got him out of one very sticky situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you sure, Dorothy?” said Gary. “Didn’t I tell you to
hand in that weapon?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh, hello Gary,” said Dorothy. “I didn’t know you were
listening.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cleo sounded upset, Dorothy,” he improvised. He was irate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I forgot about the gun, Gary. I don’t use it anymore, but
it was the only thing belonging to my father that I still have.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s no excuse, Dorothy. I suppose you do remember that
Paddy Kelly was killed with a powerful handgun,” he said. “It could have been
your father’s.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sorry,” said Dorothy, and Gary thought that Dorothy’s
decision to retire had been a good idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where do you keep the ammunition, Dorothy?” Cleo asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In the cutlery drawer,” said Dorothy. “It’s still there,
but the gun was loaded, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Words fail me,” said Gary. “The homicide squad is going to
have to look for a laundry-basket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It might not have been the gun that killed Kelly,” said
Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It could have been, Dorothy. This is a serious matter,”
said Gary, now sounding quite officious and not bit loving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you have an alibi for Monday afternoon?” said Gary. “You
might need one. I’ll send forensics in. Don’t touch anything in the shed,
Dorothy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, Gary,” said Dorothy timidly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
”You don’t seriously think that Dorothy could have shot
Kelly, do you? Cleo said,. After Dorothy had rung off and gone to her piano to
shed tears of remorse over the keys.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m trying not to think seriously about what happened to
that gun, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll send Hilda to look for the laundry-basket,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not until forensics have been, Cleo, and better not at all.
I don't want two eccentric old women meddling. I’ll phone Chris now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Dorothy does not meddle," said Cleo, feeling she
had to defend Dorothy, even though it was more than just careless of her to
consign a loaded gun to the garden shed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris was not sure if he should be amused by the story, but
he would come himself. At least there wasn’t a corpse to deal with.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But we can’t rule out that whoever stole the laundry-basket
found the gun and used it,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Will you be at Dorothy’s cottage?” Chris wanted to know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. I’ll have to look after Dorothy. I hope she has an
alibi,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You don’t seriously think that Dorothy would kill someone,
do you?” said Chris.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I seriously think it would teach her a lesson if we let her
think we suspected her,” said Gary. “I’ve told her a dozen time to get rid of
that old gun. She reacted by getting Greg Winter to organize a new one and she
did not hand in the old weapon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Maybe she forgot, Gary. Don’t get so worked up.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am not worked up, Chris,” Gary shouted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are in a state, Gary,” said Cleo when he had finished
phoning Chris. “You screamed at Chris as if it’s all his fault.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Someone is running around with that weapon, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK, but we don’t know if it killed Kelly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We know it could have,” said Gary. “Ask Dorothy where she
was on Monday afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can’t be serious.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If Chris compares the calibres and they are the same, it’s
possible, of course,” said Cleo. “We’ll find that out from size of the bullets
in Dorothy’s cutlery drawer and compare them with those shot into Kelly’s back.
We could also get Bertie Browne onto the search for the laundry-basket,
couldn’t we?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We might have to, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So tell me about the motive Dorothy could have had for
killing Kelly,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ask her,” said Gary. “I’m going to her cottage now, not
you, my love.. Chris is coming to collect some clues, but I’m hanged if I’m
going waste time questioning her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll have to talk to her, Gary. I’m going to tend to our
children. Don’t forget that you love Dorothy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo decided to phone Hilda.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have nothing to tell you,” said Hilda.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But have something for you, Hilda.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m missing my laundry-basket,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have two. I can lend you one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks, but I want you to go to Verdi’s supermarket and
post a request for a lined laundry-basket saying you want to buy one. If you
get a response, please let me know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did Dorothy Price put you up to this, Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What makes you think that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll do it for you, but not for Dorothy Price. I have to
get some shopping so I’ll get that note posted on the customer request board.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks, Hilda. I’d go myself, but I can’t leave the
children.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hilda thought that Cleo was probably suffering from
depression. No wonder, with all those children keeping her at home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo phoned Dorothy and told her what she had asked Hilda to
do. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I could have done that,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hilda does not know you had a lined laundry-basket and she
does not know that it was stolen, Dorothy. Let’s wait and see, shall we?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Very well. I can hear Gary talking outside to that forensic
man. They went round the back of the cottage. I’d better look what they are
doing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK, Dorothy, and if you could just remember where you were
on Monday afternoon it would save Gary being suspicious.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was here all day, Cleo. I saw Joe and Grit go past the
cottage in the afternoon, but I have no witnesses except that I told you and I
was at home at the time. How else would have seen Grit and Joe walk past?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Calm down, Dorothy. No one in their right mind could accuse
you of going to the Common to shoot at someone for no reason at all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does that include the cops?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gary is angry because the gun has gone. A private eye left
it in an unlocked shed. How you would you react?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How about this explanation: I stole the laundry-basket
myself and carried it unseen somewhere. I then retrieved the gun and lay in waiting
for Kelly. I then shot him because one of the eggs I bought from him was bad.
Is that enough of a motive?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t be silly, Dorothy. We all know you have nothing to do
with Kelly’s death,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you will go on suspecting me until the real killer is
caught,” Dorothy said. “Being a suspect feels terrible.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Come over later, Dorothy. Stay for supper. Gary is going to
the airport with Joe to collect Joe’s daughter. We can have a nice long chat.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You might be harbouring a murderess,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Don't be silly, Dorothy, or I might start suspecting
you of hiding something."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I wouldn't do that," said Dorothy, near to tears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll have to ring off now. One of the twins is crying. See
you later.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-5150907086182356052017-03-29T18:53:00.000+02:002020-03-20T19:30:25.226+01:00Episode 11 - Cautions and Precautions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<h4>
Friday <o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo and Gary’s reactions to Dorothy’s account of her talks
to Rita’s neighbours were predictable. Gary pointed out that if the witnesses
had seen something suspicious and had not already come forward, they were
unlikely to. Only one of the dwellers at house No 7 had been questioned so the
information was too scanty. Frank had indeed used a key to get into Rita’s salon
although he was supposed to have moved out. The only other useful information
was that Rita had received frequent visits from men. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>“She probably supplemented her income that way,” Dorothy
said.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope not,” said Gary. “Using a hairdressing salon as a
brothel would be undesirable, to say the least, and illegal to boot.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo decided that her first task would be to talk to Rita,
especially about the key and the true reason that Frank had moved out. Before
that could happen, the police hacker would call in the office and dismount
anything Frank had built into the technical works and transfer all the data and
any relevant emails from Frank’s designated sphere to a directory created for
the purpose. That would not take long, he assured Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It didn’t, quite apart from the password being written on a
piece of tape and stuck on under Frank’s desk. That was a common practice,
apparently, surprising in someone who had enough criminal energy to stash away
a fortune in heroin at a harmless hairdressing salon. Frank had kept his agency
business open for Cleo to consult so she automatically had a copy of cases he
had been asked to investigate. His other business was under figurative lock and
key.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I should have guessed,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s normal human behaviour,” said the hacker, adding that
there were inevitably private, undetectable pages on public computers if the
users knew what they were doing. The hacker guy was a slick type named Mack who
turned out to have joined the team at HQ after being caught by a different
hacker who wanted to profit from telling on his ‘colleague’. If that
explanation sounds like something out of a Pooh Bear story in which one
honey-stealer accuses another, they would not be far wrong. One hacker had been
‘set’ on another by MI5 and nobody told on anyone there – or did they? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suffice it to say that Mack survived whatever was going on
while the other hacker absconded and was never heard of again. Mack was in an
even better position of trust after revealing a lot of gunge on the central
processing unit at HQ. He had subsequently cleaned it all up and now did
regular checks – so he said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To Cleo’s horror, one of the checks on the office’s terminal
included discovering that Frank had organized full access to the drugs squad
database at HQ and also full access to anything private that Cleo had entered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Another nail in his coffin,” remarked Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll be lucky. I know Wetherby. He’s as slippery as an
eel,” said Mack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How do you know him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Trade secret. He calls himself Froth, Miss Hartley. He’s a
regular on dealer pages.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo refrained from asking Mack why he consulted drug sites,
hoping that it was only in his line of duty. She also refrained from pressing Mack
to tell her how he knew that Froth was Frank since she was sure that he would
not say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You seem to know a lot,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Too much for one person,” said Mack. “The problem is that
all good hackers can get into any ID and wreck havoc. I work for the bosses at
HQ these days. Others make a better use of what they find out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I should have thought a good job and a position of trust
were preferable to a prison cell, Mr Mack. I expect someone is keeping a watch
on you as well.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They’d have to prove something, Miss Hartley. And BTW I’m just
Mack,” said Mack. “My parents had the bright idea of giving me a first name to
match the second, so I’m Mackintosh Mcintosh spelt like on my card,” he said,
handing one to her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My mother named me Cleopatra, Mack. I won’t bore you with a
list of names I was called as a kid.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mack smiled and Cleo was sure he was too good to be true. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you think Froth could have hacked into anything else?”
said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s like an addiction,” said Mack. “Once you have the
knack, you can really go to town. He may have used a private laptop for other
excursions.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo vowed to warn Gary and through Gary, find out why Roger
and his colleagues had decided to trust Mack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit happily looked after the children on mornings Cleo had
to be out. Charlie had invited Helen and Brass’s daughter Lilac to play at the
cottage. Cecilia was packing to go on holiday and had no time. Cleo would leave
Grit with the children and meet Mrs
Colby at her office as arranged. She also planned to ask Rita to come to her
office later that morning. Mack had finished his work before Mrs Colby arrived.
She had taken the wrong bus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t you have a car, Mrs Colby?” Cleo asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No point. Mrs Hurley. I live within walking distance of my
job at the town hall and can go everywhere else by train or bus.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary was anxious to get to HQ but first he had to drop Joe
off at the car salesroom. He had decided to borrow a car until the one he had
ordered was delivered. Grit needed her mini more often since she had paired up
with Roger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So much for sluggish business at the agency,” Gary had said
at breakfast. “You’ll be inundated with witnesses of that bonfire once people
realize that their homes could also be in danger. We let them believe that if
it helps us to get nearer to catching the arsonist.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m glad I have a job for Dorothy. She was getting quite
suspicious of there being nothing to do. I wonder how Hilda is getting on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As long as she just spies through the nets she’s harmless,
Cleo. We’ll have to wait for more information about Kelly’s life and death and
Hilda will not be able to supply it by guesswork.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We can be sure that she will get in touch if anything
happens.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Assuming she sees it. I wonder who that car driver was,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Someone who did not know that the stone cutter had met his
maker, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That suggests that he was not from the trade. If Burton was
an artisan skilled enough to attract the custom of an international gem trader,
the news of his death would have been circulated.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That won’t make it any easier to find the guy,” said Cleo.
“I might not even be worth the trouble.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m actually more interested in Frank Wetherby’s
activities,” said Gary. “Kelly probably led a more or less blameless life
except for his activities as a pimp, so his killer could be from his personal
contacts rather than a business rival.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Couldn’t we make a determined effort to find his
relatives?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We can wait and see what’s in those files,” said Gary. “We
don’t know how many lies Kelly told about his origins. I doubt whether contacts
were followed up once it was clear that Kelly had not actually committed a
crime. We certainly let him go in the Magda case.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He was innocent Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Was he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What could have been his motive?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It sounds a bit ludicrous, but I’d tip on jealousy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mrs Colby was friendly, but nervous. Cleo showed her photos
of the twins and served coffee before asking the registrar what the problem
was. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know I should not have waited this long,” said Mrs Colby.
“But you were so busy with the wedding arrangements and impending birth that I
felt it would be wrong timing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would have been in touch myself, Mrs Colby, but the twins
came a month sooner than expected and I have been kind of busy ever since.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My problem can wait if it’s too much, Mrs Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s waited long enough,” said Cleo. “The babies are almost
weaned and my mother-in-law loves being in charge, so tell me what’s bothering
you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have a teenage daughter, Mrs Hurley, and she has left
home,” Mrs Colby started.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not unusual unless ….”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo hesitated and decided not to put any ideas forward. She
thought that Mrs Colby would have had time to do anything she could do herself,
but would not know about the effect lover-boys can have on vulnerable
teenagers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did she have a boyfriend, Mrs Colby?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not that I know of, Mrs Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you have her address, Mrs Colby?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. I got a letter from Joanna shortly before your marriage
telling me to leave her alone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So she’s been gone for up to five months, hasn’t she?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How old is she?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Eighteen.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then she is by definition an adult. I can’t look for people
who don’t want to be found and have not committed a crime. Do you know where
she went after she left home?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think she went to London. I got a postcard of Tower
Bridge that said she was fine and that’s the last I’ve heard from her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about relatives, Mrs Colby?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have a brother but no contact with him. I’ve been
divorced for about a decade. Jo’s father went to work on an oilrig somewhere.
He’s an engineer. Earns a lot of money I see nothing of. He was never
interested in his daughter, Mrs Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you think he might know where the girl is, Mrs Colby?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know where he is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then we should locate him and ask him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do we have to?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He may know something about your daughter. What is her full
name?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Joanna Colby”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll look for her, but if I find her I’ll have to ask her
if she wants you to know where she is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I understand that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you have a photo of her?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mrs Colby gave Cleo a couple of snapshots. Cleo scanned them
into her computer and said she would start right away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s such a pity that you did not tell me sooner,” said
Cleo. “The longer she is away, the harder it will be to find her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought she might come home of her own accord, Mrs
Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Parents never give up hope, Mrs Colby.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I never reported her as missing. Was that a mistake?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes and no. Being hunted down is not something anyone likes
and the police can be heavy-handed when the y ask around, which could lead to
someone else who is missing seeing that as a warning or even mean danger for
the person being looked for. Joanna might have disappeared for ever if you had
tried to find her through the police and she would recognize you and hide if
that’s what she wanted to do. What is your ex-husband’s full name?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Andrew, Mrs Hurley, but he liked to be called Andy so I
don’t know which name he goes by now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No middle name?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My husband will look for him. There is just one thing, Mrs
Colby,” said Cleo.” We will try not to make the search for your daughter
public, but such enquiries go through many hands, so we cannot rule it out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’d better not try to find her then,” said Mrs Colby. “I
need my job, Mrs Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t you need your daughter more?” said Cleo. “They must
both be located, your daughter because she has been missing for far too long
and your ex because he might know where she is. You will have no peace of mind
until you know the truth.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not sure I can ever return to such a sublime state,”
said Mrs Colby.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo was not impressed with Mrs Colby’s attitude to looking
for her daughter. The woman was steeped in selfishness and self-pity. Cleo decided
to go ahead with the hunt, not least because she herself was worried about the
girl. She would send Joanna Colby’s photo to Gary and ask him to put it through
the various databases available. A photo of Andrew Colby would have been a
help, but men could change their looks very easily with beards, glasses and a
new hairstyle or coloration, or no hair at all. She would ask Mrs Colby for a
photo of her ex only if it was not possible to trace him on the basis of his
name and occupation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary agreed that the girl must be found and thought likely that
firms hiring out oilrig workers might have the engineer Colby on their books.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo was just clearing up her desk before going home when
the phone rang. It was Bertie Browne, someone Cleo did not want to talk to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s all this?” said Browne. “Has the Colby girl gone missing?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who is the Colby girl, Mr Browne?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You know damn well who that is. You should not use your
desk phone if you don’t want information to get into the wrong hands, Miss
Hartley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What are you talking about, Mr Browne.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That police hacker did not do a good job, Miss Hartley.
Your phone is bugged. Didn’t you know that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Would you care to tell me in words of one syllable what you
are talking about?” said Cleo, wondering if the phone bugging had been
organized by Mack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I got a tip-off ten minutes ago that the registrar woman is
looking for her daughter. That can only be Colby.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m flabbergasted. I should thank you for phoning me,” said
Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes you should. So the girl has gone missing, hasn’t she?
That’ll make good reading in the Monday edition of my Gazette, Miss Hartley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t do it, Mr Browne. There would be dire consequences
for you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Stuff it, Cleo. Your call to Hurley was like you made a
public announcement.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m shattered, Mr Browne, and don’t address me by my first
name. I’m polite with you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK, OK. So you didn’t know about the phone-tapping. It
might only be a recent addition to your communications system. That hacker Mack
is rather an unknown quantity. I’m surprise that he goes in and out of HQ.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you understand what’s at stake, Mr Browne? Would you
like to be responsible for a suicide or murder even if it would make really
good reading in your Gazette?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You don’t understand the workings of the free press, Miss
Hartley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think I do, Mr Browne. Would you promise me to wait till
the Thursday edition if I promise to give you details of progress? It gives me a week and your Monday edition is
always very popular anyhow.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a long pause.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll do it, Miss Hartley. You are a decent person and your
brother- in-law brought in a lot of business. I’m now waiting for more
information about his reunion with his family.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thank you Mr Browne. You’ll get it. What’s more, I’ll
reward you for your discretion by telling you that Joe Butler is collecting his
daughter from the airport some time tomorrow. That’s a nice story he won’t mind
you telling, and I’m sure you will get more new readers by publishing a happy
story rather than a sad one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks, Miss Hartley. You are quite a girl,” said Bertie
Browne despite himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My husband thinks so, too,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The air seemed to be cleared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can I check back on Sunday morning,” said Bertie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure. You know my cell phone number. Better use it in case
someone is listening in to one of my net phones. But don’t expect a clear photo
of the girl. Maybe I can get one of the airport meeting, but the girl’s face
must not be recognizable; you know that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course, Miss Hartley. It might surprise you that I have teenage
kids of my own.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That does surprise me, Mr Browne. I thought you were …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gay? No. It’s all an act. People seem to like it that way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-transform: uppercase;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo had plenty to tell Gary when they met at the cottage
for a very belated lunch and she would have to break the news to Joe that his
reunion with his daughter was the price for discretion about the missing Colby
girl. There was also the small detail of her office phone being bugged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought he was crooked, and he is, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d get the police onto him if I wasn’t one myself,” he said.
“You’d better put a message on that phone saying it is currently being bugged
and to use your cell phone. I’ll get Mack in tomorrow for a little talk.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe had already taken the initiative by phoning Bertie with
the news that Bertie could finish the search off by saying that Gary and he now
shared a mother! He promised to get
photos for the following week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I told him Charlie is coming,” said Cleo. “He blur her face.
He has kids of his own.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How the hell do you know that?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He told me,” said Cleo. “We are quite good friends now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The news that Cleo’s phone at the office was bugged was more
dramatic. Gary wondered why Mack had not mentioned it. Had he installed the bug?
Did that provide prove that he or Frank Wetherby was a crook? The hacker had
not mentioned a bug, which was in itself suspicious Did Mack want to be sure
that Cleo’s business continued to be porous? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have to thank Bertie Browne for that coded warning,
Cleo.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It wasn’t coded. He rang to find out if the news about the
Colby girl was true and told me how he had found out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary continued to muse on whether Mack really had removed
one weak link and installed another. Why would he do that when he was trusted
to mend security leaks? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary immediately went to Cleo’s office and removed the bug. He
also checked for other security gaps, but could find none. He phoned his
office, but Nigel was not there and Roger had gone out for a round of golf He
could not tell either what the calls were about without leaving a message,
which he was not going to do since it would be doing a hacker a favour by
warning him. He had not decided how to approach Mack McIntosh. He wrote Roger a
text warning him of the ongoing hacker activities at HQ. Who had recommended
Mack?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo decided to go without a siesta, since she had not yet
talked to Mr Tailor alias R.D. Day. Dorothy had told her that Tailor knew about
the activities at Kelly’s farmhouse and would like to talk about them in more
detail. Before going there she passed on Dorothy’s information about Tailor’s
desire to purchase some or all of the Kelly property. Colin Peck was prepared
to advise Mr Tailor. He was glad to have something legal to practise on. The
files in the HQ archive were one scandal after another and riddled with faulty
judgments. Things got better after Roger Stone joined the management, but Colin
was planning to write about the subversive activities at HQ in earlier days.
Were they typical of what went on in the police force? Was subversiveness a
typical human trait? Cleo would give Mr Tailor Colin’s phone number. He could
ask for a consultation if he so wished.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The interview with Tailor at the coffee bar in Lower
Grumpsfield did not go the way Cleo had
meant it to. Tailor was grateful that Cleo had made the link between him and the
young lawyer possible. Surveyors had already been seen on Kelly’s land. It
would not be long before the property was put up for sale. He would have to
move fast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tailor’s description of what went on at Kelly’s farmhouse
was familiar to Cleo, but the confirmation was reassuring. Now it became essential
to find out if Robert Jones had been on the Common on that fatal Monday
afternoon. Kelly’s murder had taken place quite near. Where had Tailor been
that afternoon?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Am I a suspect, Miss Hartley? If so, it’s the police who
should be asking me that question.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But I’m asking it, Mr Tailor. If you could tell me that you
spend the afternoon at home with a female visitor, we could leave the police
out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a quant idea,” said Tailor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“For instance, if you were friendly with Rita Bailey…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rita?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Didn’t she stay with you on Tuesday night?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How do you know that?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Was she here all day Monday? Her salon is not open on
Mondays, is it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s just a friend.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Was she here at the weekend, too?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why do you need to know all that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Because you both need alibis, Mr Tailor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“For what?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Murder. Arson,” said Cleo. “You see, Mr Tailor, I’ve read
some of your books and the crimes you solve in them have a personal quality.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m leaving. This is ridiculous, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I expect we’ll meet again soon,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo felt gratified that Tailor had seemed very
uncomfortable with the suggestion that he committed crimes so that he could
write about them. She was less gratified that Tailor had left her to pick up
the tab for their coffee.<o:p></o:p></div>
ee.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-57557071414606339482017-03-29T18:44:00.001+02:002020-03-20T13:34:35.323+01:00Episode 10 - Arson, addiction and other delights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<br />
<h4>
Thursday cont.<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have you finished with your drug addict, Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. I referred him to a doctor and he’ll no doubt join a
methadone programme. It makes me so angry to see young guys ruining their lives
with drug abuse.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>“I’d like to see those responsible caught,” said Gary. “But
as long as the farmers in countries like Afghanistan rely on the harvest of
opoid-based drug plants for a livelihood and the drug barons can profit from
them, the battle to prevent drug addiction is doomed.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yeah,” said Cleo. “Drugs are like religion. You consume
them to get through life and they react by killing you slowly or fast,
depending on the dosage. The drug barons are the high priests of corruption.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Suspension of reality,” said Gary. “Alcohol abuse is also
rife and governments won’t curb it as long as they make money on the tax they
collect on every bottle. Money rules the world, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s not even mention smoking,” said Cleo. “People smoke
because they want to without thought for their own health. Until about 1947
smoking was thought beneficial and even now it’s a sign of elegance or coolness
for many.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“People take drugs so that they can slip into some oblivious
state that is preferable to their reality. Drinking in excess has the same
effect. The only difference between those addictions is that you don’t hear
governments preaching against alcohol.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Aren’t there bars at Westminster so that politicians can
drink themselves into oblivion – though many of them don’t need alcohol to get
them into that state?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s often a class thing, Cleo. If you drink fine whisky,
smart liqueurs or expensive bubbly, you are going with the elitist flow even if
you are working at keeping your alcohol levels high enough; if you go for beer
and cheap corn at pubs you are low class.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Drinking in small quantities now and again is pleasurable,
Gary. We do it as well.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But it’s easy to move on to emptying a bottle of wine every
evening and that is moving towards alcoholism, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And here we are, preaching again,” said Cleo. “Let’s move
on to our cases.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We haven’t even mentioned obesity yet. Overeating causes
ill-health, so I suppose drinking in excess works as a sort of curative on that
basis. Alcoholics don’t need food.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How cynical is that?” said Cleo. “What are you going to do
about Robert?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nothing for the time being. I’m not going to make a fool of
myself by detaining him without substantial evidence,” said Gary. “He won’t run
away.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can you phone the hospital and find out if Frank Wetherby
has regained consciousness?” said Cleo. “I don’t think they’ll give me any
information and I need to talk to him about what he was doing in the back room
of Rita’s salon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you expect him to tell you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know what to expect.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m going to look for information on his past, Cleo. It
might be better to start with his biography.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll talk to Frank when you’ve done that. At least Rita’s past
is fairly harmless, I assume, so I’ll talk to her about her relationship with
Frank. That may throw light on the fire. I suppose it was arson, wasn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Assuming Rita Bailey did not know about the heroin in her
storeroom, someone retaliated for something that had nothing to do with her and
everything to do with Frank,” said Gary. “But what if she knew what was in the
box and decided to do a little dealing herself?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You aren’t serious, I hope. Where would a homely village
hairdresser like Rita find customers for the stuff?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Killers don’t have to look like killers, and dealers don’t
look like dealers, Cleo. Frank may have put her up to it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This case is certainly more complex than just cornering an
assassin or an arsonist,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As soon as drugs are involved things get nasty. Chris
should have come to some sort of conclusion by now. I’ll phone him, shall I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through the two-way office speaker, Cleo could hear that
Chris was now convinced that the fire had been started deliberately.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“By an amateur?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“More than likely by someone wanting it to look like that,”
said Chris, “but whoever did it was inefficient.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It burnt the salon to a frazzle,” said Cleo. “That’s pretty
efficient, isn’t it, Chris?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Smashed glass from a window pane suggests that something
was thrown into the salon, but the door into the salon was not locked. Why
would someone risk smashing a window and throwing a Molotov cocktail in when he
could have gone in through the door?” said Chris. “Frank Wetherby had a key to
the main door. The assassin would have waited until he’d opened it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If the fire was meant to look amateurish, it’s rather a
shame that the fire brigade frustrating the plot by getting there too fast.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Surely someone saw
or at least heard was went on,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not necessarily if it was at night.” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But glass makes a noise when it smashes,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And neighbours mind their own business,” said Chris.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. Chris. We’ll wait for more results. I’ll be at home
later this afternoon,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Siesta time, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Maths homework, probably, Chris!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m disappointed!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think we’ll get round to a siesta,” said Gary when
Chris had rung off. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll survive,” said Cleo. “We need to make inquiries in Station
Street.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Couldn’t Hilda or Dorothy sniff around a bit?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think Dorothy would want me tell her to sniff
around, though she’s probably better at it than Hilda,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That comes as no surprise,” said Gary. “Hilda seems to
develop her theories in the safety of her own parlour.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have you considered the idea that the salon was not set on
fire by the same person as the one who followed Frank into that storeroom,
Gary,” Cleo said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s all too nebulous, Cleo. We need to find out who was
associating with Frank Wetherby. It’s possible that someone met him there, isn’t
it? If he had moved out of Rita’s flat the salon may have been the only venue
he had left,” said Gary. “The arsonist would then be someone who had followed
both of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But the assassin got out and left Frank to his fate,” said
Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He had walloped him unconscious, Cleo. That does not
indicate friendship between the two guys.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m now even more puzzled as to why Frank quit my agency,”
said Cleo. “If he was already up to some clandestine stuff, the office and all
that electronic equipment would be useful.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All that tells me that you did not notice anything amiss,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. Anyone who uses the office computer has his or her own
password for his or her own pages. Frank had his own terminal. I can’t say when
he was in the office. Private eyes improvise.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then we’ll have to get a Sergei surrogate to open up,
Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who’s Sergei?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A notorious Russian hacker.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Awesome! Can we do that – I mean get one?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s the way firms can find out if a database is hackable,
so that’s what they do.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then we’ll do it, Gary. Anything is better than guesswork.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll talk to Roger about using a hacker. He has the
contacts and it is a police matter. In fact, it would not surprise me if we had
one on the HQ premises. They don’t publicise their expertise!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We really need to know what Frank was doing in that salon.
Maybe he went there to collect some of his heroin supply and was being stalked.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He would have noticed that, surely. He isn’t a novice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Presumably not. I did not ask for a CV or anything like
that,” said Cleo. “In retrospect, that was reckless of me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If he’s up to something big, a little detail like a faked
curriculum vita would be like falling of a log, Cleo. I wonder if our friend
Frank was talented at cracking IDs.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d hate to think that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Story so far: Frank ditched the agency, moved in at Rita’s
and later may or may not have gone to London, but left his supply of heroin
with a street value of hundreds of thousands of pounds at Rita’s salon. It
doesn’t not sound likely, does it?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At least we know now that he could get along financially
without the Hartley Agency. I wonder where he was living if he didn’t go to
London.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We lack basic facts, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s the understatement of the year!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hang on a moment. I’ll phone Joe. He may be in his office and
want a bite of lunch,” said Gary. “Then it’s siesta time and after that I’ll
look for our pet private eye on various databases. I can do that at home so
I’ll sign off here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe’s office answering machine informed Gary that his
brother could be found at Romano’s any lunchtime and would be glad to talk
about ideas and articles for the new gazette.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Joe is making sure he gets feedback for his new venture.
I’ll go to Romana’s and find out how he’s getting on. He certainly isn’t
wasting any time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll drive home now, Gary. Grit needs a break.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. I’ll follow you as soon as I’ve had a chat with Joe. I
could bring us a takeaway.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a great idea. Something the kids can eat for supper,
please. No garlic!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just one thing, Cleo. You’ll have to get new keys for your
office,”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Frank gave me his key back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not before he had copied it, Cleo. I’m willing to bet on
that. I’ll get onto it now. You need those keys urgently.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a brief chat with Joe and the purchase of a small
pizza-to-go that he would eat on the way home plus two large containers of
pasta for later, Gary phoned the HQ guaranteed honest HQ locksmith and asked
him to change the lock at Cleo’s office. They would meet there at three. He
phoned Cleo to tell her of this plan, but he would come home before meeting the
guy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo hoped that Frank had not already been to the office and
cleared any telltale evidence of his activities. He could have used an app to
get rid of anything saved, but Cleo knew that cloud storage and an external
disc she kept at home would have copies of everything and she would change the
password immediately, which she did. That did not guarantee that changes had
not been made to the database, and she could not access Frank’s data without a
password even if she had copies of it, but since Frank was still recovering in
hospital, he would not have had an opportunity to deal with the issue himself
since that night at the salon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Would Rita’s computer skills stretch to plundering or deleting
data on cloud storage? Or worse still, did Frank have an accomplice? Maybe he
knew someone he trusted. Had that person turned on him? But surely the heroin
would have gone in that case, unless the assassin had been interrupted and made
his escape. But then the third person in the drama would have taken the banana
box. There were too many possibilities involving Frank, who had appeared above
board, but wasn't.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo made herself coffee and sat down to think. Grit fussed
around with the children. She was troubled that Cleo seemed to have so much
stress. She would have a chat with Gary about that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy arrived at the cottage a few minutes after Cleo had phoned
asking her to investigate the possibility of witnesses to the arson attack. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope the arsonist does not decide to burn down our
office, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All my data is stored elsewhere and we are in a conspicuous
position on the main street. Rita’s salon was more hidden from view and there
was no street lamp immediately in front of the house. Apart from that, I don’t
think the arsonist was trying to burn account books and diaries. Either it was
an attempt to kill Frank Wetherby or it was hooligans playing a prank.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll get going then,” said Dorothy. “People have short
memories.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy could not really explain it, but even the most
harmless of missions was a challenge and fun even when she was not dressed for
the event. The first house on Station Street was number 3. No one knew what had
happened to house number 1. Rumour had it that there had been a cottage on the
corner, but there was no sign of it and the building site had been used for a
memorial to WW11 victims and a little garden where tramps, tipplers and
teenagers could gather.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An elderly couple, Mr And Mrs Watson, lived downstairs at
number 3 and it was their bell that Dorothy rang first. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr and Mrs Watson had seen and heard nothing unusual the
previous night, and their son, who lived upstairs, was on holiday somewhere on
the continent. They were deeply shocked from the experience of having the house
next door set on fire and had bought several fire extinguishers that very
morning and mounted them in every room. Dorothy had to inspect all of them. Her
ruse that she had come from the council to check on safety precautions in the
neighbourhood worked so well that she decided to use it again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
House number 7 on the other side of Rita’s salon was a three
storey block of flats. Dorothy would have to work through them. Most of the
residents were still at work, but she did hit on one resident living on the
first floor. The woman, an older person whose name on the bell pusher was Lyon,
but who had introduced herself as Miss Humphrey, claimed to have seen it all,
but became very vague when asked to describe the persons she thought she had
seen going into the house, but had not seen coming out again because she had
gone to bed at the back. And no, she had not heard anything except a crackling
of fire and the fire brigade siren howling and waking decent people before
breakfast. No, someone else had phoned the fire brigade. Could she describe the
persons who went into the house?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“One was a man. Definitely a man,” said the woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Had you seen him before, Miss Humphrey?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh yes, if it was the same person,” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy wondered about the ambiguity of that statement and
about the overall sanity of someone who went to bed when the house next door
was on fire, or even when she had just heard strange noises.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you mean that there could be more than one man looking
like that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All cats are grey in the night,” was the retort. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you notice anything special about him or them?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The one I saw last night had a key, Miss Price. I think he used
to live upstairs with Miss Bailey, but I thought he had moved out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is he the only person you saw going in yesterday evening or
before the salon was set on fire, Miss Humphrey?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Set on fire? Wasn’t it a gas leak? I heard a bang.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Didn’t you get up to look?” Dorothy asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, but I can tell you in confidence that something was
going on in that house and it wasn’t hairdressing in the evenings and at
night.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What do you think it was?” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Men,” said Miss Humphrey. “Before and after her regular guy
moved in and out again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh dear,” said Dorothy. “Do you know anything else that
might be of interest to us health and safety people? I don’t think I can deal
with men in my position.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miss Humphrey either did not understand or did not want to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t either, Miss Price, but I think Rita is a past
master – or is it mistress?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy realized that Miss Humphrey was moving into
tittle-tattle, so she decided to end the interview.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll come back when the other occupants are at home, Miss
Humphrey. Take my advice. If you haven’t already got a fire extinguisher, you’d
better get one. The arsonist may want to make some more bonfires.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh I will, Miss Price, and thank you for checking on me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy could not decide if what the woman had told her
amounted to witnessing something relevant. She would consult Cleo before making
any more enquiries. She had only heard one piece of information that was
relevant: The man going into the house with a key was probably Frank Wetherby. Miss
Humphrey had not said and would probably not know if the other visitors were
for Rita. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rita would have to be questioned. If men went in and out of
her house, surely she would know about it unless they were visiting her, of
course. That could not be ruled out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy walked past Cleo’s office on the way to Cleo’s
cottage to report on her investigation. She was surprised to see a person
standing at the door waiting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can I help you?” she inquired.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m waiting for Mr Hurley,” explained the man. ”I’ve got to
change the lock.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you sure?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course I’m sure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, just let me check back with Mr Hurley,” said Dorothy
getting out her cell phone and pressing the emergency pad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where are you, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At home. Are you all right, Dorothy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“An individual is waiting for you outside the office.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Blast. He’s early. I’ll be over directly. Let the guy in
please, Dorothy. He’s going to change the lock.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can open up,” said Dorothy to the man.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The locksmith busied himself unscrewing the safety lock in
the door. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a pity about this lock, Miss,” he said. “It’s a good
as new.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Safety reasons,” improvised Dorothy. “Are you installing
keys that can’t be copied?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There’s no such thing if you know how, Miss. That’s why
people play safe and change the lock if there’s been a problem.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time Gary arrived, the locksmith had almost finished.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What a good job you spotted him, Dorothy,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It would have helped if I had known about the lock in
advance,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I only decided after we realized that our ex-detective
could have made a copy of the key. I’ll explain in detail later.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So I can leave you here now, can I, Gary?” said Dorothy. “I
need to talk to Cleo before I go home.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Stay for tea, Dorothy. I’d like to hear what you have found
out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy went to the cottage via Crumb’s cake shop, where she
bought a whole boxful of goodies. What she had to tell Cleo needed something to
sweeten it. Rita’s taste in men and her nocturnal habits would have to be
investigated. Dorothy already had a hunch about that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-1581955120048270972017-03-26T11:34:00.003+02:002020-03-20T10:52:17.712+01:00Episode 9 - Robert and the Green Monster<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<h4>
Wednesday cont. into Thursday<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time Gary got home, everyone else was assembled and
Dorothy was expected to come along with a report of what she had found out that
day. When she had delivered her report, it was clear that Gary could not defer
or even refrain from interrogating Robert Jones. One reason was Cleo’s oft
quoted theory about what makes a killer. If Robert Jones had killed Kelly, he
might decide to wipe out the other men with whom he thought Edith Parsnip had
seen fit to have sex. That was enough reason to haul him in as soon as
possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>“I’ll question him tomorrow morning,” Gary promised. “Today
was a bit crammed with other things, but I see your point.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’d better phone him,” said Dorothy. “Tell him when he
has to be at HQ. No discussion.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dorothy’s right. He’s not a friend but a suspect right
now,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Won’t it bother you, Cleo?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It would bother me a lot more if he decided to go on the
rampage and liquidate a few more of the men Edith bamboozled with her sex
fantasies,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit had been listening to the discussion. Now she commented
that they would all torture themselves until clarity was gained about the role
played by Robert in the events surrounding Kelly’s death, so speculation was
just a waste of energy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who is staying for supper?” Cleo asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll go home,” said Grit. “Joe will be working on his
newsletter this evening and I promised to cook for him. Then I’m going out with
Roger again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope you are not planning to move out of your lovely cottage,
Mother,” said Gary, who wondered about his mother’s long-term planning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No chance, Gary. I want to be near my children and
grandchildren. I have Joe to look after and Charlotte when she arrives.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Except that Joe will want his own place sometime soon,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then he’ll leave a space, won’t he? To be honest, I don’t
know what the future holds. I didn’t used to think I had one,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We are delighted with the way things are going, Mother,”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Enjoy the evening,” said Grit as she left. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We enjoy every evening, Grit,” said Cleo. “Even when the
kids are obstreperous.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On the other hand, I think we all need an early night,
especially me,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t tempt fate,” said Cleo. “We’ll start with the evening
and see where that leads us, shall we?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If I were not married to you, I propose right now,” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And I’d say yes,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Hurleys got their early night but at three in the
morning the phone rang.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t answer it, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It may be an emergency.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. Answer it, but don’t make me run around Upper
Grumpsfield for the rest of the night.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tailor here. Is that Miss Price?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. It’s Cleo Hartley of the Hartley Agency. I expect Miss
Price has put the calls through. She quite likes her sleep, Mr Tailor. What do
you want at this hour?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve just remembered something. Can I talk to Miss Price
about it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You‘ve called me, Mr Tailor. You can tell me instead and we’ll
deal with it in the morning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo wondered how momentous a forgotten thought could be to
induce a phone-call at three in the night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know who one of Kelly’s associates was, Miss Hartley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Associates?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think it was a customer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you know the name of this associate?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Robert Jones, Miss Hartley. That’s the butcher in Upper
Grumpsfield.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know who that is, Mr Tailor,” said Cleo. “Thanks for
telling me, even at this time of night. Get some sleep now. I’m going to. We’ll
talk later, OK?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK, Miss Hartley. I’m sorry to have bothered you. Good
night.“<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wow, Gary. Kelly was getting visits from Robert. Can you
figure that out?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not at this moment, but if you could just wait until after
breakfast I’ll think of something.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now you’ll have two reasons to question Robert.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That will just make it more complicated.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary sighed deeply and lay flat on his back, arms crossed, apparently
meditating. Cleo watched this scene for a few moments before lining up next to
him in the same pose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you counting sheep, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, just women in kimonos, Cleo. And do you know what? They
all look like you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not wearing my kimono.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The exception proves the rule.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo had mixed feelings about accompanying Gary to the
interview with Robert, even if she remained unseen. Fortunately one of the
drugs squad asked for her help with an addict they had picked up that night, in
her capacity of advisory sociologist. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo was glad she did not have to make a decision about
witnessing Robert’s ‘little chat’ with Gary. Working with drug addicts was not
something she liked, but witnessing her ex-husband undergoing a grilling was
not a happy prospect either.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since Robert had only been asked to attend Gary’s office for
a talk, he was not treated as a suspect. Nigel would be on hand as a witness.
He would sit in his usual corner of Gary’s office and take notes. Gary assured
Robert that it was normal procedure because every interview had to be recorded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think I know why I’m here, Gary,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you know, tell me Robert. I’d rather have it that way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s about Edith, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In part. Do still keep up contact with her, Robert?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes and no.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Which half do you want to talk about first?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I still like her, despite what she did to me,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You withdrew charges against her for rape, Robert, and the
court decided that official charges could not be proved conclusively.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s such a little person,” said Robert. “I’m ashamed that
I could not deal with her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But she’s had therapy, hasn’t she? She was instructed by
the judge to have anti-aggression therapy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wouldn’t call it anti-aggression therapy,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What would you call it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Promiscuity therapy, I think Cleo would say.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary reflected that that was a word Robert would not have
had in his vocabulary unless Cleo had put it there and as a description for
therapy it was totally inappropriate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What exactly do you mean, Robert?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“When she is on a sex overdrive trip, she finds someone to
spend her energy on,” said Robert sounding disgusted. “Such as Paddy Kelly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you sure?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I watched them,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You watched them? Does that mean that you stalked Edith?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I feel responsible for her,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary reflected that Cleo and Dorothy had explained the
situation almost in those words.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hate to do this, Robert, but I must ask you how you
managed to observe them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Edith went into the front room and I saw them take their
clothes off and she behaved in the same way as she behaved with me,” said
Robert. “Only Kelly enjoyed himself. He knew how to handle her, Gary. It was
humiliating.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So how long did you stare through that window?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Long enough.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary wished he had the support of at least one woman at what
was becoming rather a grotesque confessional for a guy weighing not far off
thirty stone. He orchestrated a break and managed to get Mia Curlew to his
office. He explained the situation to her briefly out of Robert’s earshot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Miss Curlew would like to ask you one or two questions,
Robert.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think I can tell a woman anything,” Robert said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can tell me, Mr Jones. I was raped as a young girl. I
know what it feels like.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did not know it could happen to a man,” said Robert as if
hearing Mia’s words was actually comforting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He didn’t react like a man, reflected Gary. More like a
mouse. To his own shame, Gary reflected that it was no wonder Edith had gone at
him like a fury unleashed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It can and does,” said Mia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary withdrew to his desk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The man you saw with Mrs Parsnip was coping, wasn’t he?”
said Mia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He was enjoying himself,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you resent Kelly’s conduct?” Mia asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was angry,” said Robert. “Edith was egging him on to do
obscene things and she was doing obscene things too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was your judgement, Mr Jones. They may not have found
what they were doing obscene. You have to take that into consideration.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can I ask you a question, Miss Curlew?” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How did you cope afterwards?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It took me a long time to get over it, Mr Jones. It’s
important not to be aggressive yourself.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary felt it was time he stepped in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So retribution is not the right way forward, is it,
Robert?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. Revenge did, I mean does not help,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In other words, killing Kelly was not therapeutic, was it?”
said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert looked startled. He stood up suddenly. Mia looked at
Gary. She had her hand on the handcuffs tucked into a pocket of her leather
jacket. Gary shook his head. Nigel got up and came nearer. He was horrified at
the scene, but Robert was a big man and Nigel thought Mia could use some help.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wait a minute,” Robert shouted. “Is that why I’m here? Do
you think I killed Kelly?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, did you?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert did not answer. He backed to the chair on which he
had been sitting and flopped down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s just retrace your steps, Mr Jones,” said Mia and Gary
looked at her thankfully. “How many times did you observe those sex scenes?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“About half a dozen times, then I knocked on the door.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was brave of you, Mr Jones. What did you want to
achieve?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wanted to get her out,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And did you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Edith came to door and said I was to leave her alone,” said
Robert. “She was naked, Miss Curlew.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At that moment she had no inhibitions, Mr Jones.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She said I could come in and join them or go home,” said
Robert. “I told her to put her clothes on. She laughed at me and then Kelly
laughed. I can’t repeat what he said and did then.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t want you to,” said Mia. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert looked helplessly at Gary and Gary wondered what he
could do with him. It was possible that Robert had killed Kelly because he had
judged him to be depraved and not fit to live.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The problem is that Kelly and Edith were not doing anything
illegal,” said Gary. “You were acting illegally by stalking and spying on
Edith. You do understand that, don’t you, Robert?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What would you have done, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you had taken my advice and had nothing more to do with
Edith, you would not be in such a mess now, Robert,” said Gary. “I suggest that
you go home and think about your own behaviour. You cannot see Edith as your
responsibility. She’s a grown woman. She can do what she wants as long as it
does not offend anyone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She offended me,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Only because you were spying on her. She is not answerable
to you, Robert.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Aren’t you going to arrest me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Should I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did not kill Kelly,” said Robert, “but I wish I had.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s talk again, Robert. “If you did not kill Kelly, who
did?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you letting Mr Jones go free?” Mia said when Nigel had
left the office to escort Robert to the main exit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We have no proof. I need the ballistics report and
identification of the weapon. I need to know if Robert Jones has an alibi. He
won’t get up to anything, Mia. He has a shop to run and that is his personal
love affair.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It might be a good idea to talk to Edith,” said Mia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think so, too. Would you do that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d like to know what kind of a woman she is and if that
all really happened,” said Mia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think you’ll find that it did, Mia, but go ahead. I’d
rather you challenged Edith than I leave it to my wife or Dorothy Price. Edith
is more likely to open up to a stranger and for all we know, Robert will spend
the afternoon with her at the vicarage.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That would make this morning’s performance theatricals.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He would not be the first culprit to act his way out of a
sticky situation, Mia.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo had drunk coffee in the HQ canteen until she had an OK
from Gary and was able to go to his office.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You look as if you went through a gruelling,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mr Jones did,” said Mia. “On reflection, it was rather an
ordeal for all of us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did he confess to anything?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, and I don’t think that his initiative went further than
stalking Edith, spying on her sex predation and feeling disgusted,” said Gary.
“I asked Mia to come because I needed female support. I thought he was more
likely to answer questions a woman he had never met put to him and it worked.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What do you think about him?” Cleo asked Mia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s very mixed up, Cleo. Sick with jealously, or is it just
possessiveness?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Both, I should think. But he is not a violent person,” said
Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not so sure,” said Mia. “At one stage he became very
belligerent.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you let him go, I see, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mia is going to talk to Edith and will warn her to get in
touch with the police if Robert stalks her again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll give her my cell phone number,” said Mia. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a good idea,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And we’ll leave her to you, Mia,” said Cleo. “I’d like to
know the names of any other men she has accosted.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So would I,” said Gary. “If they are anything like Kelly
was, she’s having a whale of a time.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-48912045412693071832017-03-25T08:20:00.002+01:002020-03-20T08:13:19.289+01:00Episode 8 - Cops Corner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<h4>
Wednesday cont.<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe had slept late, so he was in a rush when he did get up.
He had an appointment at eleven to discuss editing the Police Gazette. The
prospect was inviting. His concept was promising thanks to an almost sleepless
night. He dashed round the block with Dog, who had been given a welcome by all,
and told the animal that he would take him to the Common later that day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>The previous evening Grit had not reappeared after her
outing with Roger. He heard her creeping in at about seven thirty, but drifted
back to sleep. He wondered if Roger Stone would comment on his affair with his
mother.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
At about ten fifteen Joe called next door and found that
everyone had flown the nest, including his mother, who had taken the twins out
for a bit of fresh air and to order groceries for both households from Verdi’s
supermarket. Joe ate one of Cleo’s homemade bagels and drank cool coffee before
dashing to Grit’s car and driving to Middlethumpton. As usual until Joe had a
car of his own, his mother had thoughtfully left the car keys to her Mini alongside
her note wishing him luck and sending her love to Roger, which Joe thought was
slightly superfluous considering she had probably spent the night in his bed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe was genuinely overcome by the affection he felt for all
the Hurleys, but he had no time to dawdle over his feelings. He had to get that
Gazette going immediately. He was mentally fit in a way he had never thought
possible for journalism, which up to now he had avoided like the plague. To add
to his joie de vivre, on Saturday his own family would be complete with the
arrival of his daughter Charlotte. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roger was as amicable as usual. Joe wondered how much that
had to do with him dating Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I went to Oxford with your mother last night,” he started.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you have a good time?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Excellent. I’m going to marry your mother, Joe, if she’ll
have me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She sends her love, by the way,” said Joe. “We suspected the
romance, Roger.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Should I ask her sons for her hand first?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You have our blessing, Roger,” said Joe. “Have you popped
the question?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not in so many words, but I think she’s waiting.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m quite surprised that she hasn’t asked you yet!” said
Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Women are sometimes shy about taking the initiative.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gary, Cleo and I think you and Grit are exactly right for
one another.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In case you are wondering, my marriage to Grit won’t make
problems, Joe. I plan to retire soon and I rather hope that Gary will take over
my job. But if he doesn’t want it – I’ve asked him before and he turned me down
– I had a good colleague in Oxford in the old days. He actually likes being an
administrator and I think he will step in unless the colleagues upstairs have a
better idea. Apart from that, you will be answerable to everyone and no one
here. We’ll soon see if your concept works.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That sounds promising.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m glad you are going to take on the project, Joe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve brought a folder of ideas. I only compiled during the
night so there is no real continuity, but you’ll get the idea.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roger studied the layout suggestions and laughed several
times before he remarked that whoever had done the drawings would be a
sensation among the colleagues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was me, actually. I studied graphic design alongside
sport. There’s plenty of material to work on and I’d like it to be a step up
from Bertie Browne’s Gazette and make our rag readable. I want everyone queuing
for it!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, go ahead. I’m sure I’m speaking for everyone. I know
you got your office set up yesterday so you are raring to go. Do you need a
secretary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, but I will need to work with the printer so it would be
a help if I knew who that will be.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A lot of book printing goes on in the Far East these days, but
a local printer would be more convenient, I’m sure,” said Roger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where do internal memos get printed?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In the cellar. Colin Peck – that’s the lawyer sorting out
the archives – offered to take over that job. It saves money, too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We could probably print our paper that way, Roger. It would
definitely save money apart from us having to get a decent layout program and a
heavy-duty A3 printer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The original Gazette folded when the editor moved on, Joe.
He had an arrangement with a printer and we charged for the Gazette so I’ve no
idea what there is in the way of equipment.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where did the guy move to? I could talk to him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Past the pearly gates, Joe. Brain tumour. We were all very
upset and no one felt able to take over what was really his baby. That’s why
it’s really good that a newcomer will take it on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll do my best,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Our Gazette will be a hit, especially if you can run to a
word game or two. That would be a novelty appreciated by all. Your splendid
cartoons will encourage everyone to read the content, as well. We might also
find a new name to get further away from Bertie’s ad rag. ”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve been thinking about that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Any ideas?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How about ‘Cops Corner’?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That sounds good.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We could also add ‘the new police gazette’ to the title, at
least at the beginning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think you have a nose for this enterprise, Joe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks for inviting me to try, Roger. I can’t wait to see
how people react to Gary and me both working here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They will all have read your story by then, I’m sure. Bertie’s
rag will be out again tomorrow, won’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope so. I’m going there now to check that they have
actually written what I mailed them last night.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a good idea. Bertie’s a sly customer, Joe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll cartoon him shamelessly, but extol him to the skies in
Cops Corner for bringing me and my brother together. That will keep him at bay
for a while. “<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did he do that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. The little creep recognized our likeness immediately,
but ran the enquiry anyway since he needed padding for his adverts. He did not
charge me because I had threatened him with the Chronicle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But the publicity worked, didn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Fortunately! I had to get my photo published to get in
touch with the unknown person who thought I was him thanks to Bertie Browne,
who could have told me straight off if he hadn’t had an eye on the story for
his ad-rag.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Typically on the make, our Bertie,” said Roger. His name is
really Bernie, but he liked the sound of Bertie so he renamed himself. He likes
to be called Browne. I expect you’ve experienced his lord-of-all-I-see manners.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That makes him all the more cartoonish, Roger!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe thought about calling on Gary, but thought better of it.
He was on the way out of HQ after the interview with Roger when he was stopped
on the steps of HQ by a middle-aged woman. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wait a moment, Mr Hurley, Don’t you remember me?” said the
woman.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry, I don’t. I think you need to talk to my brother,
Mrs…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Colby.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mrs Colby. He and I get confused all the time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course. Hence that appeal in the Gazette! I’m a
registrar at the Town Hall down the road. I conducted the wedding ceremony
between Mr Hurley and Miss Hartley just over four months ago. I didn’t see you
there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was still in South Africa, Mrs Colby.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought it must be one of Bertie Browne’s pranks. He uses
all sorts of fake news to get people to look at the adverts in his paper, Mr …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Butler. Joe Butler at your service.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m glad Mr Browne was being truthful for a change.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Truthful with an axe to grind, Mrs Colby. He hoped that my
story would sell a few old cars. My brother is probably still in his office.
Shall I phone through for you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a good idea, Mr Butler. Are you working here now?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m a journalist, Mrs Colby. I’m planning to re-introduce
the Police Gazette, but under a new name.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I always used to read it. It kept me up to date with the
criminal element round here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ve decided to call it Cops Corner. I hope you’ll enjoy
reading it. It won’t be much like the old paper. I’m also a cartoonist, so I’ll
decorate the paper with a few well-chosen faces.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That sounds fun. A little humour does a power of good,”
said Mrs Colby.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the meantime they were standing at the reception desk.
Gary was in his office so Joe offered to take Mrs Colby there and say hello to
his brother, whom he had not seen that day. When Fay Colby saw the twins
together, she gasped with astonishment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are full of surprises, Mr Hurley,” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We are, Mrs Colby. I’ve only known about my brother for two
days. Nice to see you again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did your wife have a good delivery, Mr Hurley?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Post-haste. It only took about two hours from start to
finish, Mrs Colby. I now have two sons and to my collection of kids.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is Mrs Hurley back at work, Mr Hurley? I tried to phone
her, but I could not reach her this morning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We had a fire to deal with.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A fire?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At the local hairdressing salon, Mrs Colby. Then we went
back home briefly and now I’m catching up on my morning. Would you like me to
phone my wife for you to talk to her now?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That would be nice, thank you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll leave you to it,” said Joe. “I’m going to Romano’s for
a bite of lunch. After that I’ll be in my office, Gary. I have the all-clear
for my concept. Look out for Cops Corner very soon!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cops Corner?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Our new Gazette, Gary. I don’t want it confused with
Bertie’s rag.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good idea! I don’t think I can spare the time to go to
Romano’s now, but you’ll find Gloria there. She has taken up with Romano –
that’s the guy who runs the place. Give her my love! She’s quite a
mother-in-law.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that a warning?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll leave you to decide.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a small world,
Mr Hurley. You must be delighted to have a brother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s an understatement, Mrs Colby, and our mother is over
the moon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You must tell me the whole story, Mr Hurley. I’m
intrigued.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary phoned Cleo, who was now at home, and passed the
handset to Mrs Colby.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mrs Hurley, I’m sorry I haven’t called before now, but I
did not want to bother you with my problem.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s very considerate of you, Mrs Colby. I’ll be happy to
assist you. Could you come to my office tomorrow morning?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, that will be fine. I expect your husband will tell me
where it is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure. Ten a.m. OK?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s fine. See you tomorrow then,” said Mrs Colby,
handing the handset back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks again, Mr Hurley. If you could just tell me how to
get to Mrs Hurley’s office…” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Mrs Colby had left, Gary called Cleo again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll be home soon, my love,” he reported. “I’ll look in at
the school. Maybe Charlie will consent to drive home with me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s August, Gary. Charlie is at Helen’s. School vacation,
remember?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So it is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anything on Kelly yet?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, but Chris will not have had time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dorothy went to Lower Grumpsfield. I’m waiting for her
phone-call.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That should be enlightening. I hope she didn’t shoot
anyone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’d have heard about it by now. I’ll expect you for
afternoon tea, shall I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To Gary’s intense annoyance, Mrs Colby had clearly not gone
away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know I should not eavesdrop, but your wife is not using guns
at her agency, is she?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought you had left, Mrs Colby,” said Gary. “My wife has
a colleague who always carries a gun for her own safety. She goes to shooting
practice at the HQ shooting range, so she really does know how to aim and
fire.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t know that UK police were armed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“For a start, the friend is not with the police.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh, but the gun…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We all learn how to use firearms in the police force and
they are becoming increasingly necessary these days. We have to deal with nasty
and often unpredictable characters, Mrs Colby. They have no respect for human
life, often including their own as a form of perverse sacrifice to a cause that
seems to revolve around the destruction of civilization and nothing else.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My problem is not quite that dramatic, Mr Hurley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope my wife can help you, Mrs Colby.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So do I.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This time Gary checked that no one was eavesdropping before
closing his office door firmly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary was too busy to take a midday break.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Left to his own devices for lunch, Joe was given a hero’s
welcome at Romano’s.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why, Gary, you don’t usually have time for lunch these days,”
said Gloria.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not Gary,” said Joe, smiling at this repeat performance
of getting mixed up with his twin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you Gloria?” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Stop fooling around, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Romano came round the counter to give Joe a hug.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Scusi,” said Romano. “I don’t think she read the Gazette on
Monday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did too,” said Gloria. “I’m choosing a new car.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mamma mia! Not out of the Gazette. We’ll go to a showroom,
Gloria.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s going on here?” said Gloria. “What are you two guys
on about?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m Joe Butler, Gloria. Gary’s long lost twin brother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could have fooled me,” sniffed Gloria, mainly because
Romano seemed to know something she didn’t. “I didn’t know he had a brother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Neither did Gary, Mrs Hartley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can call me Gloria since we seemed to be related.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gloria put her arms out to embrace this new family member
with a warmth that almost knocked him over. The rest of the meeting went well.
Joe was literally bowled over by this vivacious coloured woman and charmed by
Romano, wondering how he coped with so much self-assertion and rather blatant
sex-appeal despite her age, which Joe calculated. Amazing! But he was glad that
Grit was less rapacious and certainly more ladylike. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Romano was his usual placid self. He and Joe understood one
another instantly. Romano quite obviously adored Gloria. His smitten looks at
Gloria said it all. She had awakened him to a new life with a vengeance,
thought Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Show Joe the menu, Gloria!” said Romano, stroking her
behind in an extremely possessive way. Joe wondered what Cleo thought of her
mother and suspected that Gloria was elsewhere not quite as showy with her feminine
charms as she was in the presence of Romano. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t bother, Gloria. I’ll eat whatever you surprise me
with,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I could get to like you, Joe,” said Gloria. “but maybe you
should stop wearing that checked shirt.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-87637871547520917862017-03-22T23:18:00.003+01:002020-03-19T23:33:12.117+01:00Episode 7 - Rita's salon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<h4>
Wednesday <o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was not part of the wedded-bliss package to have to take
a phone-call from anyone before breakfast. The twins had already needed a feed
at 5 and Gary had remarked then that the nights were getting perilously short
since he usually gave PeggySue her breakfast at 7. Phone-calls before 8 a.m.
were at the very least inconsiderate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>Rita Bailey had already raised the alarm at the local fire
station, which was down Thumpton Hill and served all the surrounding villages
as well as Middlethumpton. The fire brigade had arrived fast enough to stop the
fire reaching out to the upper floor of the little house in Station Road, but
it had almost gutted Rita’s hairdressing saloon and only a closed door between
the saloon and the back rooms had prevented the fire from spreading more
quickly.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Were you in bed when it happened?” Cleo asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. I was elsewhere, visiting,” said Rita. “I came to open
early because I have a regular customer at eight, and the flames were burning
the net curtains and coming out of the window,” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you leave a window open?” said Cleo. “Isn’t that
dangerous on the ground floor?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I forgot to check. I was in a hurry last night.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It might be the way the house was set on fire,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You mean someone did it deliberately. But why?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You may have an enemy, or a rival.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you mean that new hairdresser’s that’s now open at the
Wellness Centre?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s been there for ages.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But not open to non-members until last week. I will lose most
of my customers now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo thought that might happen because Rita either imposed a
pot cut or a perm on her customers, had given up on Cleo’s mass of curls, and
did not cater for male clients, in contrast to the Wellness Hair Centre that
had nicely manicured male barbers and was not sexist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your insurance won’t be too pleased about the fire if you
left a window open,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s another problem, Cleo. I’m not insured as a business.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was very foolish. What are you going to do?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know. Frank has gone to London so he can’t help me.
He took all his things with him, so I don’t think he’s coming back,” said Rita.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo did not want to comment on that. Frank Wetherby was a
lone wolf and it was a wonder that he had even moved in with Rita. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have the fire fighters finished?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nearly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have they said anything about what caused the fire?” Cleo
asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, but someone will
find out, they said.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have the police arrived?” was Cleo’s next query.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A patrol car came. I think they are going to send someone from
Middlethumpton to investigate.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Investigate what, Rita?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Arson, I suppose. I think the police always have to go to
fires.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could be right, Rita.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gary was listening in. At this point he drew his fingers through
his hair, making it stand on edge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d come to support you, but I have no one for the children.
I’ll send my husband before he goes to work.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary winced, but Cleo had already made the offer and smiled
sweetly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll come along when my mother-in-law arrives. My husband
is getting up soon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thank you. Weren’t you already up?” said Rita and rang off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rita says thank you,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I heard all that. Why the hell should I go there?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought you might want to,” said Cleo. “At least she wasn’t
in bed when it happened.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But I was fast asleep. A torch thrown through an open
window is quite a trusted way of dealing with a rival,” said Gary. “And there’s
always the almost infallible Molotov cocktail that comes in handy for such
actions.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Frank left her to go to London.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not surprised that he fled that nest. Where was she
last night? In someone else’s bed?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She did not say that. She got to the shop early from
somewhere else and the drapes were burning brightly. She might have been
visiting her parents, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No corpses handy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not so as you’d notice. I suppose she would have told me if
there had been. I got the impression that Frank Wetherby has left her for good.
I know he wanted to go to London. He told me that much before he left the agency.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t you think he’ll come back?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He took everything with him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That says it all. I’d advise you to close the agency altogether
if it wasn’t so damned useful,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s summer. Business is slack. I’ll give it this year,
Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Having you at HQ even part-time and in an advisory capacity
means that I can’t always consult the agency as I used to. The auditors would
ask why I was paying you twice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Which do you prefer, Gary? The agency with all its trials,
tribulations and good ideas or me doing good deeds at your institution?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a difficult question. I suppose that combining the
two will get tougher but is better for both of us,” said Gary, who had been
wondering how long it would take before they had this discussion and had, to be
honest, been avoiding it. “You won’t have time for the agency next year.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We still have Grit,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“For how long? She is going to marry my boss. I can feel it
in my bones.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s free to do what she wants, but the kids need her and
she knows it. And that is not just because I work. She needs the family.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She didn’t used to,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well she does now. Why don’t you get some clothes on and
take a look at Rita’s bonfire?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wanted to ask Roger about his intentions when he brought
my mother back from that jazz club.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re not her guardian, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I feel responsible.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then be thankful it’s Roger she likes, not some down and out
like Kelly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Talking of down and outs, I’ll have to talk to Robert
without delay. I’ll get to the shop and ask him when.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Robert is not down and out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He might be soon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You don’t need to make an appointment with a suspect,” said
Cleo. “Do you really think he shot Kelly?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve no idea. It would make both your ex-husbands killers,
wouldn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s hope you aren’t part of the pattern then.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope you are joking.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think it could happen, however.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks for that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d trust you with my life, so I’d trust you not to take
the law into your own hands,” said Cleo, and Gary had to be satisfied with that
explanation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anyway, Jay Salerno didn’t kill anyone,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He killed your unborn child, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He got away with that, thanks to Gloria swearing that I’d
fallen down some stairs.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No wonder she felt guilty later,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But I don’t believe that Robert is a killer,” said Cleo,
“though I’ve just remembered that butchers who go in and out of slaughterhouses
probably have a different attitude to life and death. You’d better stay clear
of Robert’s hatchet in case the guy still thinks he owns me. I’m not ready to
be a widow, even in a good cause.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So you think that good and kindly man you were once
foolishly married to could have killed Kelly, don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ask him!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary had been treated for burnout caused by the stress of a
difficult job and the distress of not being able to persuade Cleo to ditch Robert.
In the end he walked out on her, which was truly fortuitous. Gary hoped it would
not come to the ‘I told you so’ formula when he gave Robert any leeway at all.
It was not a good idea to believe in the innocence of friends and family since
prisons and police records were full of them. He did not want Robert to have
killed Kelly, but he had to take that possibility into account. Of course, Robert’s
attachment to Cleo was now past history, he hoped, but Robert was still furious
that he had not realized what had been going on under his nose. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert, the placid Welsh guy who sang well, ran a butcher’s
shop and according to Cleo would not hurt a fly, was for the moment the only
suspect in the Kelly case. Gary could not find a way of getting round that
other than by getting definite proof that the guy had been somewhere else at
the critical time. However, his first port of call had to be Rita’s charred salon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rita met him on the forecourt of the house, which had now
been given the all clear. The fire had not done any structural damage,
fortunately, but the saloon was a mess, caused not least by the copious amounts
of foam the firemen had sprayed everywhere to contain the blaze. Gary wondered
if Chris and the forensic team would find any evidence of a break-in or arson.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about the back room, Rita?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s locked from the inside, Mr Hurley. You can open it
from the salon side but need a key to get out again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Surely you could get out of a window.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. As you see, there are wrought iron grilles in front of
the side windows and you can’t even open them from the inside. It used be my father’s
house and he was fanatical about safety.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rita explained that she kept the key to get out of the
store-room on her key-ring because all the valuable hair-care products were
stored there and it was open when she was working, but when Gary opened the
door, he was fortunately not looking for the haircare products since to get to
them he would have had to step over the prostrate body lying face down on the
linoleum.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rita gasped. Gary sighed. He was almost resigned to finding
a victim. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Frank!” Rita cried. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What
are you doing here?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was Frank Wetherby and he was not dead. He had only
passed out. Gary thought he might have been overcome by carbon monoxide fumes
under the door, but what was he doing in the room? How did he get into the salon
and why?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary told Rita to open the windows and phone for an
ambulance. He turned the unconscious man on his side before phoning Cleo to
tell her who he had found. Frank Wetherby had a bleeding wound on the back of
his head. That must have knocked him out. There was no sign of an assailant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Grit has just arrived,” said Cleo. “I’ll be with you as
soon as I’ve taken PeggySue to the nursery.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t take too long,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t suppose you know why Frank came back, do you?” Gary
asked Rita. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The colour was returning slowly to Frank Wetherby’s cheeks as
he regained consciousness. Gary hoped that he could ask him a few questions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No,” said Rita. “How did he get in?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He must have a key of the main door.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank was actually clutching a key that Rita identified as
being the salon key. His visit had been clandestine. Had he been looking for
something? There must have been an urgent reason for coming if he had travelled
all the way from London.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The paramedics arrived soon with the local GP, Dr Mitchell.
Cleo arrived as they were going into the salon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your husband told me who they had found, Miss Hartley,”
said Dr Mitchell. “He used to work for you, didn’t he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He left. We thought he was in London.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, at least he’s
still alive,” said Dr Mitchell as he bent down to examine Frank.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Someone knocked him out from behind,” he diagnosed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How many keys are there of the salon, Rita?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know,” said Rita.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s pointless asking anyway. Copies are easily made. Isn’t
the key Wetherby used to get into the salon a copy?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rite compared it with own original and said it was. Anyway,
he had given the original back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve heard of that happening before,” said Gary. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You will have to change the lock and not hand
out any more keys, Miss Bailey.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is closing the stable door,” said Cleo. “What in
heavens’ name did the guy want here? He left you to go to London, didn’t he,
Rita?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought he had,” said Rita.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We may be making a mountain out of a molehill,” said Gary.
“Do you know what is stored here, Miss Bailey? Only hairdressing stuff?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The usual supply of shampoos, perms, dyes and so on. Frank
kept a box of stuff on a shelf in the kitchen. That’s where the washing machine
is and there piles of freshly washed towels on that shelf. I don’t know what is
in the box, but Frank said it would be out of the way down here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is the box still here, Rita?” Cleo asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s probably still on the shelf,” Rita said. “I’ll look,
shall I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moments later Rita came back carrying a banana box.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is it,” she said, putting it down on a table under the
window.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The assailant can’t have been looking for it if it’s still
here,” said Cleo. “It wasn’t hidden, was it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank was now conscious. He was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>nevertheless put on a stretcher ready to wheel
to the ambulance when he noticed his box.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What are you doing with my things?” he said, looking quite
nervous. “Don’t touch them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s in the box, Frank?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What are you doing here, Cleo?” Frank asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s the question we should be asking you,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Mitchell intervened.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No more questions, if you don’t mind. You can see that the
patient needs medical attention.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The paramedics bandaged the wound temporarily and wheeled
the stretcher out to the ambulance. Frank seemed to have gone back into unconsciousness.
Gary thought he might be play-acting so that he did not have to answer any more
questions. Falling into a coma was a lucky break for Gary even if it was only a
ploy. Frank’s banana box was still on the table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Frank may not even know what’s inside that box,” Gary said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He was possessive about it and then left it to its fate.
That is really peculiar,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have to open it,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s private,” said Rita. “You can’t do that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Either we open it here or I confiscate it and take it to
HQ,” said Gary. “We’ll have to look inside, Rita.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All right, but I don’t think you should.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Cleo and Gary had suspected, the box contained plastic
bags containing the white powdery substance that in other cases had proved to
be heroin of various purity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If that’s the genuine stuff, it’s worth a fortune,” said
Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s the old story,” said Gary. “Take your choice: Frank
was on a case and was offered a deal, or he was a dealer himself and bothering
other drug dealers around here. Judging from the blow on his head I would think
he had broken some gangster rule or other and was to be obliterated.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t believe it,” said Cleo. “We’ll have to talk about
Frank’s cases when I have called up my data from his investigations. I wonder
if the assassin actually looked for the box.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s assume the fire was started by a third party chasing
the second,” said Gary. “The door to the storeroom was fortunately still open.
The assassin slammed that door and got out through the front door. He will have
made a run for it and left Frank to his fate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That sounds logical,” said Cleo. ”It’s probably what I
would have done.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think we can safely assume that Frank was knocked down by
whoever was involved in some sort of deal and presumably it concerned drugs. We
need to find out if Frank had arranged to meet someone there. One thing is
clear. The fire was not aimed at you, Rita.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know what to believe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why would Frank go to London and leave a fortune in drugs
here?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He may have received the drugs for further distribution, Cleo.
The box looks pretty full. Do you have proof that he went to London?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. Do you, Rita?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rita shook her head. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve been very naïve,” Rita. “I thought he was nice, but he
just wanted a place to live for a while. Perhaps he was hiding out. Do you
think he was being threatened, Mr Hurley?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know any answers yet, Miss Bailey, but I’ll find
out. I’d advise you to go back to where you slept last night. It might be
dangerous for you to stay here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rita looked horrified. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just one more question, Rita,” said Gary. “Did Frank
receive phone calls on your house phone while he was here?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think so.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have to check. Can you give me the phone number?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rita produced a business card showing all the phone numbers
of the shop, home and her cell phone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll be in touch, Miss Bailey,” he said. “Don’t hang around
here. You should lock this storeroom since the salon is open at the front. I’ll
get a squad car to take Frank’s box to HQ.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The squad car came almost immediately. The officers were
armed. They explained that they had escorted a bank delivery van to several
branches, but that mission was finished for the morning. The cash was in the
bank safes and the van was now empty and standing at HQ while the driver and
his mate had lunch in the HQ canteen. The squad car would accompany the van
back to Oxford at 2 p.m. which is why the guns had not been handed in. Gary commented
that it was not a bad idea to be armed. There was a lot of heroin in that box. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No problem,” said one of the officers. “We’ll look out for
anyone following us and we’ll take it to the lab for analysis.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll run you home,” said Gary to Cleo, who had walked from
the nursery to Station Street. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks. I’m really shocked about Frank. I knew he was a bit
of a dark horse, but I did not expect him to be criminal.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Another case of it not being possible to tell if someone is
criminally minded by just looking at them,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t know him at all. He was even secretive about where
he was living, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He presumably had reason to be. At least you were not drawn
by default into his dark deeds.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, but he left quite suddenly, as if he had not planned
to, but suddenly found this desire to go to London. Not having enough to do was
just an excuse.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you know who his contact is in London?” Gary asked, “Always
assuming there is one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. He never mentioned anyone. How did he get himself into
such a mess?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have work on that, Cleo. Let’s have a coffee before I
go to HQ. I’ll try to get more information on your ex-private eye. Someone may
know something, even Brass. I’m starting to feel a sneaking sympathy for that
Sergeant in Frint-on-Sea. Maybe he smelt a rat, or even knew about one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could ask him, Gary. I expect he’d like to be rehabilitated.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a thought, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think Brass would have said something to me, even warned
me if he knew anything.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you sure? He wants to protect himself too, Cleo.
Spilling the beans about drug barons is dangerous even if you are only a cop.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Like the ancient Egyptians. The messenger delivers his
message and is then beheaded.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Aida. Act one,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If Dorothy had started her investigating by walking through
the village she might have seen what was going on in Station Street, but she
did not know about the fire at Number 5 because she decided to tramp across
country to Lower Grumpsfield. That route bypassed the village, took her down Lavender
Drive and along a public pathway that ran behind the Kelly farm to the main
road. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy was not sure how and where to best start asking
questions. The local pub at the far end of Lower Grumpsfield had a bad
reputation for rough and ready service to rough and ready customers and
probably did not open until midday. Her only other possibility was the coffee bar,
which now belonged to a chain and was doing surprisingly good trade. Dorothy
decided to try there. It was open for breakfasts that normally consisted of a
latté plus a stodgy bun, so she joined the queue and ordered some before
sitting at one of the window tables. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing had really changed since Mrs Grisham had run the
coffee bar. The red and white gingham table-clothes were still on the tables, a
pert assistant wore a matching apron and fiddled around with the complicated
espresso machinery while flirting nonstop with the customers, most of whom were
young males on their way to the polytechnic, which was the only higher
education establishment located in the district. Dorothy did not think those
teenagers could know anything, but a man looking like a rustic was sitting at
the next window table. He must be about the age Kelly had been. She would ask
him if he was a friend of the dead farmer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy did not have to wait long before the man actually
changed tables and sat down at hers. Normally she would have been indignant,
but that would have been foolish since she wanted to talk to the man anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m Tailor,” the man said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m Price,” Dorothy replied. “Do you have a reason for
joining me, Mr Tailor?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought you had asked me to,” said Tailor. “You nodded
and I decided that you wanted to talk to me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh,” said Dorothy. “Well I do, actually, but I was not
conscious of inviting you to join me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll leave you then. Sorry,” said the man.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, stay!” said Dorothy. “You look like a farmer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am a farmer in a small way,” Tailor replied. “I wanted to
buy some grazing land off Kelly. We used to have breakfast here, so I came here
for old times’ sake. My farmland backs onto Kelly’s, you see, but my farm is
not in Lower Grumpsfield. It’s actually in Upper Grumpsfield. For some reason
the planners splitting Grumpsfield put my property in Upper Grumpsfield so that
each village had a farm that could be bought up later for building.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did not know that authorities could do that,” said
Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’d be surprised at what they can do.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So I came across your land to get here, Mr Tailor, if the
public pathway runs through it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s right. I can put a stop to that if I buy the
adjoining land and put livestock on it. The pathway will have to be moved since
you can’t have people strolling through fields with bulls in them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, you certainly can’t,” said Dorothy, wanting to move on
to more relevant chit-chat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So did you get to buy the land, Mr Tailor?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. Mr Kelly said he would think about how much he wanted
for it, but now he’s dead. I expect you already know that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On the other hand, now the whole farm will be up for grabs
and I’ll grab it,” said Tailor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But Mr Kelly probably has relatives who will inherit,” Mr
Tailor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As far as I know, he has no family. That’s what he told
me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then the estate will revert to the country,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Surely not if I produce the document stating that I have
made a definite offer for some of the land. I don’t think anyone else could do
much with that bit of land since it has no infrastructure for building and is
not suitable for crops.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are very optimistic, Mr Tailor. When did you make your
agreement with Mr Kelly?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why do you need to know?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just interested, Mr Tailor,” said Dorothy. “I know a young
lawyer who might take on your case – and win.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now I’m interested, Miss Price. We made an arrangement on
Sunday afternoon. Then I had to get back to the milking. Cows are as regular as
clockwork. I prefer bullocks. Less work. I never saw him again and I have
nothing in writing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So you didn’t arrange to meet him on Monday afternoon, I
suppose.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I did, but when I got there he was not there,” said Mr
Tailor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where is there?” Dorothy asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On the Common. That’s where everyone meets when the pubs
are shut,” said Mr Tailor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Everyone?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course, I may have got it wrong,” said Tailor. “I stood
on the Upper side of the pond. I thought he would see me and wave. The Lower side
is easier to reach from Kelly’s farm, but he did not turn up,” he explained. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Or he was dead and lying so flat that you could not see
him,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The pond on the Common was almost a little lake, so walking
around it would take some time. The water flowed into it from the River Grump when
there had been enough rain, and out again through the River Huddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a splendid venue for dogs, since they
could have a paddle, chase the incumbent ducks and get really mucky. There had
been a fierce discussion as to who would get the Common when Grumpsfield was
cut up into halves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one had won, so
depending on which side you were on it was Upper or Lower Grumpsfield Common,
and half the pond belonged to the respective village. Huddlecourt Minor had had
no claim on the Common. It had its own common in the form of a stretch of grass
used for football and other sports at the far end of that village, where the
ground was fairly flat, but Huddlecourt Minor was a few feet more above sea-level
than the Grumpsfields.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wasn’t the Common a strange place to meet when you could
have met in Lower Grumpsfield – here, for instance?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mr Kelly wanted it that way. We would be on neutral ground,
he said.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But he did not come, you said.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t see him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you ever meet any of Mr Kelly’s friends, Mr Tailor?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why all these question,” said Tailor, realizing that his
brain was being picked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy fell back on her local history excuse. Tailor seemed
to believe it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Friends, did you say? I didn’t know he had any. He was a
ladies man’. I think he preferred carrying on with women to socializing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought Mr Kelly was rather scruffy,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Some women find that a challenge, Miss Price.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you know any of them?” said Dorothy, wondering if Mr
Tailor would think she was impertinent to ask. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I knew Magda ages ago,” he said. “That’s the woman he was
married to, but she was carrying on with others and I had my moments with her.
Unfortunately, she wanted to be paid, and I don’t pay for my fun and games,
Miss Price.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Understandable. But Kelly was surely not earning money from
the woman last seen there, was he, Mr Tailor?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy was surprised at how chatty the man was. Did he have
something on his chest, she thought. Everyone had something they would rather
forget, she conjectured, but he was talking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You mean that vicar’s widow, I suppose,” said Tailor. “She
doesn’t look like a sex bomb, but Kelly said she was different once she got her
clothes off.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy thought that fitted in with what she had heard about
Edith in her depraved state of mind, but she did not say that to Tailor..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I expect he encouraged her, Mr Tailor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She didn’t need any encouragement, Miss Price. I went there
once for some eggs and they were, well…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At it?” said Dorothy, now familiar with the euphemism preferred
in that district. She thought that Mr Tailor was trying to shock her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She had my clothes off before I realized,” said Tailor. “Then
she played games with both of us. I’d never done a threesome before. It was
enlightening.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy was appalled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why are you telling me all this?” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Because the woman is a vampire, Miss Price, and I’d like to
know if she is the reason Kelly is dead.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So would I, Mr Tailor. What do you think?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m going to ask her. She’s coming to my place tonight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Isn’t that taking rather a risk?” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not if I’m as forceful as she is, if you understand me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh. She’s visiting you for sex, is she?” said Dorothy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy could not think of a way she could report what she
was now hearing without being crude. She would have to report that information
in a factual way that might be helpful in the search for Kelly’s killer, but without
passing judgement. Dorothy could not help wondering how many men Edith had offered
herself to. How many times would she have to listen to the primitive
description Tailor had just given her of Edith’s behaviour?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If I tell you that I am a private detective working at the
Hartley Agency, will you tell me what Edith Parsnip tells you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought I recognised you earlier on,” said Tailor. ”Why
would I want to inform on her?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To save a nice man from being accused of Kelly’s murder, Mr
Tailor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You mean Robert Jones, I suppose. He had a motive, didn’t
he, although she treated him badly?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy was surprised that Tailor knew so much.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s all right, Miss Price. My farm does not keep me, but
my crime writing does. It pays me to be up-to-date on what goes on around here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t know we had an author in our midst,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t write under my own name.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you think I have read any of your books, Mr Tailor?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you read thrillers you may have come across R.D. Day,
Miss Price.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I expect the books are full of action and sex,” said Dorothy.
“I don’t read that kind of book.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not really, but Edith’s behaviour will certainly find its
way into my next novel. I thought I wrote imaginative gangster stories, Miss
Price, but there are countless people who act in a way that is almost beyond even
a novelist’s imagination. Edith would make an ideal gangster’s moll with her
inimitable talent for getting around men.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll leave you with an agency card, Mr Tailor,” said
Dorothy, rising from her seat. “I need information about Kelly’s activities.
You may be able to help me more than I can help myself.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll certainly try,” said Tailor. “Real life murder is
definitely more scintillating than fiction.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can we meet here for breakfast on Friday? I’d like you to
meet Cleo Hartley.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s the clever coloured woman, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, and she was married to Robert Jones for a while and
cannot believe that he killed Mr Kelly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll talk to her,” said Tailor. “Some of what I tell her
might change her mind.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy did not know if she had really achieved anything
that morning, apart from getting to know Tailor alias R.D. Day and finding out
more about Edith. She was no nearer finding a way of getting Robert off the
hook, but Cleo might have get Tailor to tell them something that could be
relevant. It was worth a try.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-49580420753019346572017-03-20T08:19:00.000+01:002020-03-19T21:01:25.205+01:00Episode 6 - Tittle-tattle +<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<h4>
Tuesday cont.<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How are you this afternoon?” was Cleo’s way into the phone
call with Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Fine, Cleo. How are you? Why the formality?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you serious about not retiring?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. I’ll keep going for a bit. It seems like the sensible
thing to do with you in the family way again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That sounds like a reproach,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It isn’t. I’m happy for you, but where are you going to put
them all?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>“Gary’s having another extension built at the back like a
sort of winter-garden. We’ll sleep there and turn our bedroom over to the
kiddies.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sensible.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you are not retired I have a job for you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not if it’s with Hilda Bone, Cleo. I don’t want to work
with that woman. She phoned me this morning, told me about Kelly and said you
had asked her to help you to find the murderer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She was jumping to conclusions and lying, Dorothy. I did
not tell her that Kelly was murdered and I was very specific about what she was
to do behind those net drapes of hers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a mistake to let Hilda Bone work for the agency,
Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought you were retiring, Dorothy. You know I can’t run
around asking questions here. I’m too conspicuous and what’s more, I’m married
to a cop.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s why I thought you would close down the agency. After
all, rearing five children is a full-time job,” said Dorothy. “You have Frank
Wetherby to help you in the agency. “Wasn’t he running things for months?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It worries me that Frank said he was bored and would go to
London for a bit. He has a friend there who is a store detective. I think
that’s what Frank is aiming for.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d be suspicious about that, Cleo. Rita will be sad, won’t
she?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rita Bailey?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rumour has it that Frank moved into her apartment above the
shop, Cleo, and Rita did not move out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that just gossip?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And hairpins, Cleo. I had to get some. I keep losing them.
Frank was cleaning the windows. It didn’t take much deduction to see what was
going on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I never had a close personal relationship with Frank,” said
Cleo. “We communicated by cell phone and at the office, but to be honest, I got
out of circulation when the twins arrived. I’ve no clear idea what he got up
to.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you are back now and I managing the agency as well as your
family.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Grit is marvellous. Since she moved into that cottage next
door I really have appreciated her help. And now we have an extra guy on
board.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now it’s my turn to say it’s awesome, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gary and Joe are great together and Grit can’t take her
eyes off them when she sees them getting on as if they’ve known one another all
their lives. I can’t believe all that has happened since yesterday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just imagine finding your child alive and well 40 years
later. It’s a miracle,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your new job will be a solo for Dorothy with Hilda stuck
behind her net drapes counting visitors, and sheep no doubt. Gary approves of
you getting to work <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and to be honest it
was his suggestion.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does that mean you hadn’t thought of it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I had, but I thought it might be too much to ask of you,”
said Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than don my cloche
again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Even if it involves Edith Parsnip?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Especially if it involves Edith Parsnip!” said Dorothy,
whose reasons to dislike Edith were many and various.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. I heard that she visited Kelly on several occasion,
Dorothy. I want to know why and when and if she was around there yesterday
afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And you are quite sure that is not a job for Hilda?” said
Dorothy, who was quite bruised at the idea that Hilda Bone could be included in
agency work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Quite sure. Hilda is fine spying behind her drapes, but I
don’t want her trooping around in our name.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. When do I start?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Soon,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then I’ll be on my way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just hold your horses for a moment, Dorothy. You don’t know
everything yet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think I can guess
the rest.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Go on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If Edith has been messing around with Kelly, Robert would
have a motive to kill him, wouldn’t he?” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But that would mean that Robert was carrying on with Edith
again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I heard a rumour that he is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You did not tell me that, Dorothy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s only gossip and not fresh.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Whose gossip?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My verbose neighbour’s: Jane Barker.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought she was busy trying to find a lodger.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At that time she was. The gossip came up incidentally.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s the way all gossip evolves,” said Cleo. “It’s a bit
like postman’s knock.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The trick is to filter the truth,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s why I’m putting you on this investigation,” said
Cleo. “You seem to have a knack of sorting out the truth from the lies.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Goodness. That is a compliment.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s meant to be. Let me know how you get on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now you hold your horses, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Go on!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We will also need to know where Robert was on Monday afternoon.
If your ex is not to be a suspect, we’ll have to prove that he was somewhere
else at the time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Kelly was shot on the Common, Dorothy. I shouldn’t think
Robert would go there on a Monday afternoon. He has a shop to run.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Maybe he took time off. He has an assistant.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Robert does not take time off, Dorothy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I beg to differ, but we’ll also need to know what took Kelly
to the Common, assuming he wasn’t carried there dead.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Chris Winter does not think he was moved after being shot.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. Then we need the calibre of the gun and who it belongs
to.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Assuming it’s licenced.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could ask around, Cleo. There’s a gun-shop in
Middlethumpton. It’s mainly for sport weapons, but I got my new pistol there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where did you get your licence?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Greg arranged it, but I already had a Home Office licence
from my father’s old pistol. I had to apply for that long ago, after he
bequeathed me the gun.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Awesome, Dorothy. I must confess that I don’t know the
regulations here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just believe me that it’s difficult to get a licence. It
helps if you belong to a shooting club or have a helpful cop to get you
organized.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But not every gun is licenced, is it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Guns are only licenced as belonging to the person who owns
them who has to have a licence,” said Dorothy. “We may be looking for a needle
in a haystack if someone has stolen a gun or carries it illegally. That person
will surely have disposed of a weapon used to kill. I know I would.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It may be a good reason not to be armed, Dorothy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No one knows I have a small lady’s pistol in my handbag,
Cleo, and I feel safer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t argue with that. Good luck with your research,
Dorothy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have you talked to Edith or Robert? That could be a better way
forward.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I certainly don’t want to talk to Robert,” said Cleo.” He
was acting strangely when he delivered the steaks yesterday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that why you suspect him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll have to think about that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you could talk to Edith. Shall I talk to Robert?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No Dorothy. We’ll leave that to Gary, but I’ll walk over to
the vicarage now and see if Edith’s at home.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let me know what happens. I won’t start my job until
tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dinner tonight, Dorothy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you inviting me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sure you’d like to meet Joe, wouldn’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t wait!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the children were home before Cleo got going to the
vicarage. As usual, Grit was amicable about baby-sitting and Joe said he would
help Charlie with her maths homework, which really meant that she would explain
it all to him. He could not help her with her French, but was a talented cartoonist
and soon had her laughing over characters he had met that day at HQ.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve made one of Gloria’s casseroles for tonight, Cleo,” Grit
announced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did my mother give you one of her sacred recipes, Grit?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She did.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s never given me one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This one is new, she says. It contains pasta instead of
potatoes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It must be one of Romano’s recipes then and it probably
looks and tastes like cannelloni or even lasagne, Grit, but we’ll enjoy it,
whatever it is! I’ll be back in about an hour.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll cater for the children. What about my big boys?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now you’re asking!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo walked to the vicarage. She needed more thinking time
than three minutes in the car would have given her and anyway, Gary had driven
to HQ in the red sports car and she did not like driving the heavy family van,
though it was really only a large car with a hatchback and room for three car
seats for the children when the twins were big enough to use them. Even so,
Gary was now thinking about changing that car for a mini-bus. He could carry up
to eight passengers without a carrier licence, he said. They would have to
limit the family to six or at the most seven children, regrettably.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think even I’ll have had enough by then,” Cleo had remarked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Famous last words,” Gary had said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edith was making tea for herself and Mary Baker, the young
curate. Mary had to go to a whist drive for OAPs and anyone else who could deal
with being beaten by superior card sharpers. She could not play whist, she
said. Edith was trying to explain the game. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why don’t you go, Edith?” said Mary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Because you are in charge now, Mary,” she said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you know everyone. Let’s go together.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think that’s a good idea, Edith,” said Cleo, who had
found her way round to the kitchen door and entered. “You should not forget all
those nice people who depended on you so much in the past.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But they don’t approve of me now,” said Edith.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why not?” said Mary Baker, who seemed to be in the dark
about Edith’s promiscuity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I need to talk with Cleo now she’s here, Mary,” said Edith.
“I’ll join you later, shall I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Promise?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Promise, Mary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mary Baker ate her beans on toast hastily and swallowed a
few gulps of orange juice before she headed for the church hall, where the whist
drive had been arranged. It was Tuesday, so the little group of Upper
Grumpsfield Muslims would be at prayer until seven, after which some of them
would join in at the card tables. Mary’s idea of promoting integration by
lending the church for Muslim prayers was going well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So now we can talk, Edith,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you want to talk about Robert and me, I’d rather not,”
said Edith.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That isn’t what’s bothering me right now,” said Cleo, “but
if you want to tell me something, I’ll be glad to listen.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He came back, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Were you kind and gentle with him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve been having therapy. I’m so ashamed of what I did to
him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So things are better between you now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The therapist said I could get the sex thing out of my
system by talking to Robert about it, but I had a better idea.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo did not really want to hear about Edith’s idea that was
to transcend talking to Robert about her problem, but she had to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you want me to guess, Edith?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think you can.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Try me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo wondered if she really should go ahead with what she now
suspected could explain Edith’s visits to Kelly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think you found someone with whom you could … well, enjoy
what you enjoyed with Robert that he did not want, but you did.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He paid me, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you go to help him with the housework? Everyone gets paid
for doing that kind of work.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought it would be like that and I needed the money, but
he wanted more, and I needed more, so we combined the cleaning with ….sex
games.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edith was lying. She knew all about Kelly’s past life and
present management of his illegal brothel. Cleo was sure that Edith had had
more on her mind than clearing up Kelly’s farm kitchen when she asked him for a
job, and it was quite obvious that Kelly would jump at the chance of
experiencing what had become a local scandal surrounding Edith. Not least, it
was important to Cleo that Edith confirmed what had been on Dorothy’s mind and
was now on hers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are talking about Paddy Kelly, aren’t you Edith?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, Cleo. Is that very bad?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t judge that. When did you last go there?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Early yesterday morning, as usual. We had a nice time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It took Cleo quite a lot of self-control not to make an apt
comment about Edith’s lewdness and Kelly’s shameless advantage-taking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He didn’t force you, did he?” Cleo had to ask.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh no. Cleo. He was nice to me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo decided not to ask Edith to describe what she meant by
that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And then you went home to the vicarage, I suppose.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. Robert said he would come in the afternoon because he
had arranged for his assistant to be at the shop, but he never came, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you sure?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Quite sure,” said Edith. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll have to go now. Can we talk again some
time?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure. I expect you know what happened to Kelly, don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edith shook her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You should know before you face those pensioners, Edith.
Paddy Kelly was shot dead on the Common yesterday afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh, no!” said Edith. “What shall I do without his support?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have to figure that out another time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I suppose so. Thank you for coming.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edith slipped into her winter coat. I was August, of course,
but Edith was shivering and white with the shock of hearing about Kelly’s fate,
thought evidently only as to how it would affect her life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo and Edith left the vicarage together. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So Robert could not claim an alibi from Edith for Monday
afternoon. Where did he go? He would have to produce a watertight alibi for the
previous afternoon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo would write her report that evening so that Edith’s
remarks would be documented before Robert’s alibi was investigated. Cleo did
not think he could have shot Kelly, but it was certainly a possibility.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Cleo got home she was amazed at the level of activity.
The babies had been fed their new commercial milk and cereal diet and got ready
for the night in a joint effort by Gary and Joe; PeggySue had finished her
supper and been bathed and dressed in her pyjamas; Charlie was laying the table
for dinner. Only Grit was nowhere to be seen, but that mystery solved itself
when Grit returned dressed for an evening out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wow! When will Roger be here, Grit?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He can’t make dinner but he’ll be here at nine to collect
me,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t know that Middlethumpton had a night life on a
Wednesday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It doesn’t. We’re driving to Oxford. There’s a great jazz
club there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So you won’t be back until very late, will you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll stay over and come home in time for breakfast,” said
Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That statement invited curious glances.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think I’m up to date,” said Gary. “Are you staying
the night at Roger’s place, Mother?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does that bother you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course it doesn’t,” Cleo chipped in. “Enjoy life, Grit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I plan to,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dinner’s in ten minutes,” said Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two youngest Hurleys were back in the permanently
installed playpen since that was the most practical solution to keeping an eye
on them when they decided not to sleep, PeggySue was fast asleep. Charlie was
now getting Joe to sketch her Daddy. The result was hilarious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If the cap fits…” said Gary, not really approving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cartoons are going to be a standard feature of the new
police gazette,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That should be an eye-opener,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll do court scenes as cartoons too, but the serious
kind,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How about coming to the table, you guys? Better not wait
too long. Charlie is already helping herself to salad.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The pasta casserole was pronounced delicious by all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve eaten it before,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gloria gave me the recipe,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Romano’s gourmet touch again,” said Gary. “We’ll have lunch
there tomorrow, Joe, if you have time. We could share a vast pizza.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll make time, Gary. I haven’t met Gloria yet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re in for a surprise,” said Grit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My mother is not always on her best behaviour, Joe, and
she’s as flamboyant as I am staid.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t remember you ever being staid,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think Cleo means normal,” said Dorothy, who had been
marvelling non-stop at the uncanny likeness of Joe and Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Bed-time, young lady,” said Gary, since Charlie was too
tired even to ask what staid was. “Come on, Joe. We’ll get the boys to bed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was going anyway,” said Charlie. “What’s staid, Daddy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll take you,” said Grit. Charlie was already a big girl,
but she appreciated having her grandmother to tuck her in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll all take you all,” said Gary, and they trooped into
the kiddies’ room. The chaotic bedtime proceedings had finished by Roger arrived
to collect Grit for their date.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“By the way,” Joe announced when Grit was safely out of
hearing distance, “I want it to be a surprise for Mother. Charlotte will be
here at the weekend.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wow! When did you arrange that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yesterday. I’m here to stay, Cleo, and I want my daughter
to be part of this family.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We want that, too, Joe,” said Gary. “Charlie will be
delighted.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She can go with me to the airport if you’ll allow it,” said
Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What a brilliant idea, but not instead of her hockey match,”
said Cleo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Definitely not. I’ll go along too, if I may,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll probably hate the hockey, Joe. Those girls are
vicious little amazons when you put a weapon in their hands.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope Charlotte plays, then. She could do with something
more temperamental than croquet on the boarding school lawn.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe decided to go home to Grit’s cottage and work on his
ideas for the police gazette layout after he had jogged to Jane Barker’s house
to collect Dog for his evening run. He had already decided to adopt Dog. Now he
had to break the news to Mrs Barker. To his surprise, his offer was received
with undisguised delight. Jane had not known what to do with the animal. It
howled all night in its kennel and made naughty heaps in the vegetable patch,
which was admittedly unkempt since Jane did not do gardening. She would pack
Emanuel’s food and doggie bowls in a large shopping bag and he could take the
dog now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s have an early night,” said Gary about half an hour
later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was about to go, Gary,” said Dorothy. “You won’t have to
throw me out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d never do that,” said Gary. “I think you must have more
to tell me, Ladies, so fire away..”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll just tell you briefly about my visit to the vicarage,
shall I?” said Cleo, and proceeded to leave her listeners in no doubt that
Edith had behaved in a depraved manner and Robert had a problem. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy would have to ask around about both of them. Gary
thought Robert would have to be questioned. He would have to see to that next
morning. If Robert did not have a believable alibi, he was really in trouble.
Cleo did not want to believe that Robert would go to such drastic length as to
kill, but as Gary put it, she had spent her life preaching that you could not
tell a killer from anyone else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary escorted Dorothy home while Cleo gave the twins their
last feed of the day. She was looking forward to having Gary to herself for a
change and hoped they could get beyond the shop talk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll take one of those communal showers, shall we?” he
announced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll wash the day right out of our hair,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And get in that shower cabin as long as we fit, bearing in
mind that our family is still expanding.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does that bother you after all, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Certainly not, my love. It’s all part of the package.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-79193629180244073122017-03-18T13:59:00.002+01:002020-03-19T18:16:24.650+01:00Episode 5 - Hilda joins the team<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<h4>
Tuesday <o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hilda Bone is never late. She is one of those people who
never have enough time for anything, so running late would be borrowing time
from the task designated to follow the one being tackled now. It’s a bit like
living in the future, but since living in the past is not an option, Hilda makes
the best of things. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>Hilda’s best of things includes shopping for bargains,
cooking for one and looking out of her parlour window through the binoculars
left to her by the late Mr Bone. It was that activity that was of interest to
Cleo now, though Hilda’s observations were as often as not interspersed with
theories and conclusions that Cleo could well do without.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As arranged, Hilda arrived at Cleo’s office bearing the
digital camera Cleo had given her in the only case in which Hilda had been
involved. She had also remembered to bring the page-a-day diary she had
inaugurated to keep track of her many and varied observations and explanations
thereof. She had left Mr Bone’s binoculars at home. They were seaworthy of the
captain status that the late Mr Bone had once awarded himself, but too heavy to
carry around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo was waiting. She had provided breakfast, lunch and
dinner teabags and fresh milk since Hilda had been brought up on teabags and
never drank milky coffee when she could get milky tea instead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where is your husband?” Hilda asked, looking around the
office.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s at HQ, Hilda. He’s a Chief Detective Inspector and has
an office of his own. He is not part of my agency. He doesn’t work here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh, I thought …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, he does not work for me, but I work at HQ a few hours a
week, Hilda, as a sociologist in a customer-care capacity.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know what that is,” said Hilda,” but it’s quite
nice here. I see that you have a nice carpet. Where is the blood stain that Mrs
Finch left?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was ages ago, Hilda, and she did not leave a blood
stain. She was dead when she got here. The blood was from stab wounds and this
is a new carpet, but you’ve seen it before.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t remember,” said Hilda. “It must be nice to have an
office with the police next door. I’m sure you feel safer now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure,” said Cleo. Sergeant Bradley and I cooperate where we
can. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not wanting to be subjected to stream
of questions from Hilda Bone, Cleo hastened to get back to the reason Hilda was
there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
”What I had in mind might be too difficult for you after all,”
she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t see why. I’ve managed up to now,” said Hilda, a
little frostily. “What do you want me to do?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, if you are sure…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m quite sure. I’m better at sleuthing than Dorothy Price,
and younger, too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo had no intention of discussing Dorothy with Hilda.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I want you to remember who came and went to Mr Kelly’s farm
in recent weeks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that all? I’ve made a list in my diary, Miss Hartley. I
need to keep track of the odd bods who go past my house.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s brilliant, Hilda, and do call me Cleo. I thought we
were on first name terms.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Were we?” said Hilda. “Do you want to see my list?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you have it with you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It just so happens that I do. Let’s start at the end, shall
we?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hilda took a large diary out of her very large handbag.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Which end, Hilda?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To put it bluntly, at Mr Kelly’s end. It was him in that
ambulance yesterday, wasn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was, Hilda.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did he survive?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Survive what?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know what, but he had a visit from someone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you know who?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, actually, I do. I just happened to be in my garden a and
the man asked me about that jewel grinder who once lived in the barn.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But that was ages ago.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I told him that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He said he had to talk to him and when I asked him why, he
told me to mind my own business, Cleo. Just like that. In those very words.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was rude of him, Hilda. So you didn’t tell him that
the stone cutter was dead.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, I didn’t. Serves him right!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t suppose you asked him for his name either, did you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. He was rude and I don’t need to know the names of rude
strangers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sleuth in Hilda was restricted to what she deemed
sleuth-worthy, Cleo mused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you enter him in your list, Hilda?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I may have.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo decided that Hilda’s curiosity was definitely not based
on the principles of detection, which was to note everything about an incident,
but on her personal vanity, curiosity and not least, animosity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anyway, I went back into the house and watched the farm
from my window. The man got back in his car and drove up the road to the
farmhouse. He parked it where I could see it and walked the rest of the way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you remember any detail about the car?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not really. I took a photo, but it doesn’t show much.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have you printed it, Hilda?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t print. I haven’t got a printer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have to change that, won’t we,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not buying one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll buy you one, Hilda.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d rather have the money,” said Hilda.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll be paid for investigating, Hilda. The printer was to
be an extra.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How long was the car parked in that road to Kelly’s farm?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It had gone next morning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So it was there all night, was it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It might have gone and come back again. I do go to bed at
night, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you remember what time the man stopped by your house,
Hilda?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let me see … It must have been last Saturday afternoon. I’d
been weeding my garden and he shouted over the fence. The weeding is why I was
outside, I remember now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The man can’t have been worried about being seen then, can
he? Would you recognize him again?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t know I would have to.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hilda looked nervous and her eyes darted around as if the
stranger was somewhere near. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You probably won’t, so you need not be scared,” said Cleo who
had already decided that the stranger was probably not interested in Paddy
Kelly since he had been gone a day before Kelly was shot and if he had
returned, Hilda was likely to have seen him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not afraid. What makes you think that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just a thought,” said Cleo. “Did you see Kelly after the rude
stranger in the car had gone?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh yes. He was counting his sheep in the front field. He
does that every Sunday afternoon, but he won’t do it again if he’s dead. Is he
dead?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, Hilda. He’s dead.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did someone kill him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s dead, but that doesn’t mean he was murdered.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If he wasn’t murdered, why are you interested?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hilda paused. Cleo waited. Hilda’s logic was infallible for
a change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are still into crime, aren’t you,” she said, “even with
all those babies to look after.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My mother-in-law lives next door, Hilda. She’s a tremendous
help.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about the man staying there? I heard that he is the
spitting image of your husband.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He only arrived yesterday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He must be related.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s my husband’s twin brother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Amazing. I hope you won’t get them mixed up.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, I don’t think I will. My husband is very special to me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s a lovely way of putting it. Mr Bone was special to
me - in a way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I suppose you saw the Gazette yesterday, didn’t you,
Hilda?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course. Your husband was in it, wasn’t he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s just the point, Hilda. It wasn’t my husband. It was
his brother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did your mother-in-law lose him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He was stolen. The whole story will be in the Gazette on
Thursday, Hilda, but that’s not why I’m here. Tell me more about recent events
at Kelly’s farm!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hilda had not known any of Kelly’s infrequent visitors
except for a woman who had been there often in recent weeks and the usual
stream of other women she did not take note of. There was also a stream of men
going to the farmhouse, but they were locals, she insisted, so they did not
count as suspicious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who was the woman who visited Mr Kelly regularly, Hilda?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I shouldn’t tell you that,” said Hilda. “I don’t usually
gossip.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think you should tell me,” said Cleo, an unwanted
suspicion crossing her mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think it was…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Edith Parsnip?” Cleo chipped in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How did you guess?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just a hunch, Hilda.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think a vicar’s widow should behave with dignity, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I agree, but we don’t make the rules,” said Cleo, her mind
going back to the troubled expression on Robert’s face as he delivered the
steaks. Did he know just how depraved Edith had become? She would hardly have
visited a guy like Kelly to pass the time of day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After making sure that Hilda would go on observing the Kelly
Farm, Cleo left. She wanted to think about Edith and her own view that someone
who has killed once will have no scruples about killing again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo felt uneasy about her decision to let Hilda help solve
the case of Kelly’s murder, but Hilda’s observation that Edith had been one of
Kelly’s visitors was useful even if it was causing the alarm bells in Cleo’s
head to ring very loudly. That was really a feather in Hilda’s cap. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How else would she have found out about Edith
before the scandal was bandied around the village? Cleo wondered why Hilda had
kept that observation to herself. What would Dorothy think about Edith’s
activity? She knew what Gary would say, and he did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Trouble, Cleo?” he greeted her when she rang him after
Hilda had gone home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What do you make of this, Gary? Hilda Bone saw Edith going
in and out at Kelly’s farm.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wonder if Robert knows?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Exactly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That would make him a suspect, wouldn’t it?” said Gary.
“Motivated by possessiveness and even jealousy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s what I think, too. Ballistics will have to identify
the gun that was used as soon as possible.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They will. Does Robert have a gun?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I never saw one, but it’s possible, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not really. People don’t run around armed here, Cleo. This
is not Chicago.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If Robert has a gun to defend his business, it would be
registered. He’s very particular about being on the right side of the law.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He wasn’t particular about the law of decency and fairness
in a marriage, was he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t ride that wave, Gary. He was afraid of losing me to
you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t defend him, Cleo. He’s a skunk.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m going home now,” said Cleo, ignoring Gary’s comment on
Robert, which she knew to have more than just a grain of truth in it.” Will you
be having lunch with us?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Try and stop me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll go shopping on the way home and get something tasty
before I collect PeggySue.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you going to ask Robert about his alibi, Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How can I do that before I know when Kelly met his death?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Exactly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He was alive on Sunday afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did Hilda tell you that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. Kelly counted his sheep every Sunday afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t suppose he counted sheep with Edith,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Colin Peck, a young lawyer and partner of Julie, Robert’s daughter
from a teenage marriage, whom Robert had only met 29 years later, was employed
in the archives at HQ. Part of his job was to digitalize old files, but he was
working backwards so that the oldest cases were left till last. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Colin had spotted hundreds of mainly legal howlers in the
files he had dealt with, indicating that the cases had often been closed prematurely
and unsolved or not even taken seriously enough to warrant an investigation.
That was before Gary’s time, but not before Roger Stone’s. It was all a bit
embarrassing, but Colin was tactful. He was employed to clear up the mess and
it was not his job to pick holes in the documents he was handling and forced to
evaluate, though he had dropped hints to Gary more than once. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo now rang Colin. She needed to know more about Kelly’s
colourful past. Colin would see what he would find, but was there any particular
reason?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They found Kelly shot dead yesterday on the Common, Colin.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That Common of yours gets its fair share of corpses,”
commented Colin. “I bet Chris Winter was overjoyed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think the forensics van finds its own way to Upper
Grumpsfield now,” said Cleo. “But I’m worried for a different reason.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Go ahead!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think you should know, but maybe not tell Julie just yet,
that her father is a possible suspect.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Never,” said Colin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You know about his dilemma with Edith Parsnip, I suppose.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Julie told me. A pretty awful woman, by all accounts. I
understand that she went for Robert like a Rottweiler with a bone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not just once, Colin, but I think he’s fond of her and
that’s the problem now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Go on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Edith was seen visiting Kelly on his farm.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But he was a retired pimp, isn’t he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He presumably had other charms.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“From the sound of your voice, I’d say you did not find him
charming,” said Colin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t. What if Edith had been going there to satisfy her
unhealthy sex drive, Colin? Kelly ran an unregistered brothel there. Fresh eggs
and customer service as a bonus, though I don’t think the fresh eggs were the
main attraction or even fresh. The local men patronized the establishment and
the women were up in arms.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So they all had a motive,” said Colin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I suppose they did,” said Cleo. “I hadn’t thought of that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t really mean that. You detectives always think the
worst, Cleo. Perhaps she went there to clean up now and again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll have to ask her, won’t I?” said Cleo. “I know she’s
quite hard up these days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“With five boys to rear, that’s understandable.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She doesn’t rear those boys, Colin. Their custody was awarded
to the vicar’s sister and they live with Beatrice and Oscar now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So Edith is footloose,” said Colin. “You can’t really blame
her for earning a bob or two, Cleo, and if that included cleaning clad only in
an apron, it’s not our business.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Put like that, it’s logical,” said Cleo. “But what if
Robert decided to put an end to that arrangement by doing away with Kelly?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Isn’t that a bit drastic?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does Edith live with Robert?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, but the Bishop instructed our new curate to let Edith
go on living at the vicarage. She now has the room downstairs that used to be
the vicar’s study and her utility room upstairs, where she seduced Robert and tried
to commit suicide. She shares the bathroom and kitchen. Apparently it all works
well.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would not want to use a room in which I had tried to kill
myself, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She probably does not remember. The balance of her mind was
definitely disturbed, Colin. That’s why she was released on the understanding
that she would have therapy and take pills.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So she can come and go as she wishes,” said Colin. “I don’t
suppose the curate has time to keep abreast with Edith’s activities.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The only relevant point is whether Robert knew where she
went, Colin.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I could ask Julie, but I don’t think he would have told
her,” Colin said, “and I’m not sure that she needs know that her father could
be in deep water.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The fact is that if Robert thought Edith was messing around
with Kelly, it might be a motive to kill him in her defence because I’m sure he
still feels responsible for her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll look through the old files, Cleo. He may have old
enemies or someone has caught up with him. The paper files are in alphabetical
order so it should not take too long. I’ll get back to you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’ll need to look up the Marble files, too,” said Cleo. “He
was his solicitor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks, Colin. I appreciate your help.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time Cleo got home with PeggySue, it was high time to
feed the twins. Grit was already anxious that Cleo had stayed away for a full
two hours.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can’t go away for hours and leave them to starve, Cleo.”
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would never neglect my children, Grit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll have to wean them then I can feed them and you can
stay away longer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re right, Grit. They can start with a little baby
porridge today and we’ll try them on that powdered milk stuff.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m glad you are sensible about it, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo fed the babies and got them ready for their siesta. In
the meanwhile Gary turned up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where’s Joe?” he wanted to know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Roger phoned him and invited him to go in for a chat about
his new job,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Roger did not tell me," said Gary. "What a sly
old fox he is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think Roger is fascinated by the idea of having you both
at HQ. It should cause quite a lot of confusion,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“ We have enough chaos as it is. Did he tell you that,
Mother?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just a hunch,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Joe will have to go on wearing those ghastly checked shirts
and incur Nigel’s scorn,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Be serious for a moment, Gary. I have reason to believe
that Robert can cope with what has come to light.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m serious about those shirts, Cleo. Is Edith his problem
again?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not again, Gary. I don’t think he ever stopped seeing her,
but she was two-timing him with Kelly of all people, not to mention all the
other locals who turned up at Kelly’s brothel.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I assume Hilda told you all that and you believe Hilda’s her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why would she make that up?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re the sociologist, Cleo. I have no idea what goes on
in that woman’s head, if anything.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wonder if Dorothy can find out more. There must be
witnesses. Somebody always sees something.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
”If you want my advice, get her onto it,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do right now,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lunch and siesta first, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kids first, Sweetheart.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-2910870335900175032017-03-16T22:39:00.004+01:002020-03-19T12:36:01.567+01:00Episode 4 - A murder is announced<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<br />
<h4>
Monday cont.<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary’s mobile rang again. It was Chris Winter, whose
forensic team was already on the job.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris Winter was a workaholic. He had taken over from his
laid-back predecessor, who had been headhunted to Scotland. It had been hard
taking over, but being indispensable and a keen researcher, he had found his
niche in Middlethumpton HQ . Having the same first name as his predecessor had
been complicated. At HQ there was no standing on ceremony.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>“You are coming, aren’t you, Gary,” said Chris.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m on my way now, Chris,” fibbed Gary. He went round the
family issuing more hugs and apologies for leaving them before roaring off in
the red car.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know who the corpse is,” said Chris, walking across the
grass towards Gary, who had parked on the road. The forensic van had driven
over the grass to the corpse. A crowd of nosey onlookers was assembling. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you going to tell me or are you protecting me?” said
Gary, “Is it a gruesome sight?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not particularly. It’s a man named Paddy Kelly; a weirdo,
colleagues told me. Swore he was innocent when accused of killing his parents.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“He’s a typical example of how we cops can run into brick walls, Chris.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Unless rescued by cute females.” said Chris, who had not
taken long to find out the lay of the land at HQ..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That too,” said Gary. “I don’t suppose Kelly had his
passport on him, did he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. The British like to be anonymous, don’t they?” said Chris,
a Scandinavian immigrant who had never quite got used to the lack of
registration and consequent difficulty in tracing anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Especially if they are about to be done in,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Kelly might have been killed by accident, of course,” said
Chris. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t believe that, Chris. Kelly antagonized quite a lot of
people. It will be fun finding out who was irate enough…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“…to take a pot shot at him? Whoever did <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that, emptied the barrel, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you think he was killed here?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Shot in the back, so he was presumably taken by surprise.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So it’s a yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a probable yes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why would he be on the Common when he has a perfectly good
farm to run around in?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Was he meeting someone, perhaps? Your guess is as good as
mine,” said Chris.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary took photos of the dead man. There was no way he could
have survived the barrage of cartridges that had ploughed into his back. Paddy
Kelly looked older than his years, quite apart from being stone dead. Gary
reflected that he could not be much over 50. Had he been in some sort of
trouble, got into bad company, built up bad debts? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary thought Dorothy Price might be the person to ask around
in the village. He did not like gossip, but sometimes it was the only source of
information. He would get onto it as soon as he could get away. Dorothy could
come to dinner and discuss it with him and Roger. He did not think Cleo would
know anything about activities connected with Kelly because she would have told
him. A quick phone call to Cleo provoked the comment ‘someone was bound to get the
guy eventually’. She agreed that Dorothy should be informed and would be
invited to dinner..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The local GP, Dr Mitchell, turned up on the Common, examined
the corpse for signs of life and issued an interim death certificate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nasty business,” he said, and went on his way, ‘to the next
house visit’ as he put it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The paramedics turned up eventually and wheeled a stretcher
towards the little crowd standing around and staring and beyond that to Chris
and Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It did not take long to deal with routine matters. The
paramedics left and would deliver Kelly to the lab at HQ, since there would
have to be a post mortem and that required an official medical report as to the
cause of death. The Coroner would announce a decision on the available
evidence. There could be no doubt that Kelly had not died a natural death. It
was up to the homicide squad to find the killer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo phoned to order steaks from Robert’s shop. She found it
difficult to talk to her ex-husband, but she needed those steaks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Everything OK, Robert?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. Shouldn’t it be?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You sound strained.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am strained. When do you want the steaks?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“By seven this evening, please.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll send my assistant, shall I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do what you think fit, Robert.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After Cleo had explained to Joe that she had been married to
the village butcher and he was angry that his world was being disrupted by various
elements, Grit and her newly found son departed for Mrs Barker’s house in
Monkton Way. Cleo would have rung Dorothy to invite her to dinner, had not
Dorothy rung first. She lived next door to Mrs Barker and just happened to be
looking out of her window.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cleo, Gary’s just passing my cottage with Grit. Where’s he
going?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That isn’t Gary, Dorothy. That’s one reason why you are
coming to dinner.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure. I’m inviting you for this evening at eight. Can you
come?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course. But why is Grit going next door?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This evening we want to celebrate the unexpected arrival of
Grit’s lost son and Gary’s identical twin, Dorothy. You’ve just seen him pass.
He lodges there. Mother and son only found one another today.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just explain in plain English, please. I can’t follow you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You saw the Gazette this morning, didn’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. I haven’t had time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, get it. I’ll hang on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barely three minutes later Dorothy exclaimed down the phone “That’s
really odd! I could swear that is Gary. I would not have thought he would like
having his photo in the Gazette, even by mistake.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is Gary’s twin brother, sold at birth after Grit had
been told he was dead.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Goodness. Like those goings on at the nursery on Thumpton
Hill?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Similar. I would have told you tonight, Dorothy. I wanted
to see if you knew who is who. I didn’t know you’d see him passing your
cottage.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I do have windows, Cleo!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you don’t always spend time gazing through them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s true and the story is amazing!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And you’ve already confirmed that Joe looks like Gary,”
said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So dinner will just be a social event, I expect,” said
Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could call it that except that Gary has a murder to
solve.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do we know the corpse?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Paddy Kelly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh dear!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You don’t sound very surprised, Dorothy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m surprised that he survived this long.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He was acquitted of murdering his parents.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If they were his parents.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There was no proof otherwise, Dorothy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you know why he was killed?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gary wants to ask you that question.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
”I’ll bring a fruit pi, shall I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll make ice-cream. See you later!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A phone-call from Gary followed closely on the heels of
Dorothy’s.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes Gary, what is it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can you invite Dorothy to dinner?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Done, Sweetheart. That lady is very curious.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“About the corpse?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“About your look-alike passing her cottage with Grit!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Going to visit his landlady, I expect,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure. Dorothy just happened to be looking out of her
window.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tired of thumping away at Beethoven, no doubt. I just
wanted to tell you that they are just taking Paddy Kelly to HQ. I’ll be home soon.
Shall get some wine on the way?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you sure it’s Kelly on that stretcher?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. What are we having to eat?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Steaks, but bring red and white wines. Dorothy prefers
white even with beef. She says it’s OK now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“French red and German white?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Great! Did you mean that it’s definitely Paddy Kelly? Maybe
he has a twin too!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That would confuse the issue even more. Kelly was shot in
the back as if he were labelled ‘Shoot here to kill!’ That old scar on his
forehead confirms his identity.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who could have done it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think the Hartley Agency will have to find out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Frank Wetherby has left, Gary. He would have been ideal,
but he went off to London since there was nothing challenging for him here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think Dorothy would do a better job,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But she’s sort of retired, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Only sort of.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What about Hilda Bone?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The nosy-parker who lives near Kelly’s farm?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s her. If anyone knows anything, she does,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But we can’t bypass Dorothy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We might have to, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s use them both!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not sure either would be pleased about that,” said
Cleo. “We’ll have to straighten it out with Dorothy first and maybe not even
tell Hilda Bone that she has a colleague.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m on my way home now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo rang Hilda Bone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“ Can you come to the office tomorrow at 10, Hilda?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that you, Miss Hartley? I’m surprised you remember me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How could I forget you? You were so helpful in that exotic
animal case.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, I was, wasn’t I? I’ll be there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo wondered if how much Hilda Bone knew or even understood
about what she thought was an exotic animal case. Her neighbours had, to use
Hilda’s words, ‘passed on’ and she had been told that violence was involved.
Hilda’s observations had been useful in that case, though she did not know just
how vital her information had been. Maybe the woman would have lost interest in
espionage now that drama was over and a family with noisy children had moved
into next door. They would hardly have been worth observing through the net
curtain. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shortly after six Robert Jones delivered the steaks
personally. Joe was sitting at the dining table pouring over Bertie Browne’s
used car adverts when he came in with the tray and stopped short when he saw
Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t know your new husband was at home,” he said drily.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert was nervous. His hands shook as he deposited the tray
of steaks on the kitchen worktop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gary isn’t at home, Robert. This is my brother-in-law. Joe.
Meet my ex-husband,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You must be joking,” said Robert. “Are you avoiding me,
Gary? No need. I have everything under control.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m Joe Butler and Cleo is not joking.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe immediately disliked Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t know that Gary has a brother,” said Robert.
“Wasn’t that Gary’s photo in this morning’s Gazette?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No,” said Cleo. “How much are the steaks, please?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t want your money, Cleo,” said Robert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then take mine,” said Joe, fishing some banknotes out of a
jacket pocket.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo was thankful that Joe had realized what was going on.
Robert had no choice but take payment for the steaks from a stranger. He
accepted the banknotes with a brief nod of acknowledgement and left. Cleo
followed him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought you were going to send an assistant, Robert.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I had the afternoon free, but I needed to check the steaks,
Cleo. I hope they come up to scratch.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sure they will, but that’s not what’s worrying you, is
it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What makes you think something is worrying me, Cleo?” said
Robert in a loud, cross voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought you might want to tell me. We are friends, aren’t
we?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Friends don’t need to know everything, Cleo. I’m late. I’ve
got to go.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert hurried down the drive to his delivery van leaving
Cleo wondering what had got into him and hoping he was not associating with
Edith again. Only a masochist would want to be friendly with someone who got a
kick out of humiliating him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let me pay you back, Joe,” Cleo offered. “Tonight’s my
treat.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Certainly not. I could see that you’re ex’s visit was not a
happy one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On reflection, my whole relationship with that guy was a shambles.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you going to tell me why?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To cut a long story short, I was having an affair with Gary
before and during my marriage.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You should not have married that guy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I had my reasons then, Joe. It took me a long time to
understand myself.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you do now, I take it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. I’m so grateful that Gary hung on till I came to my
senses.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You cannot imagine what finding my family means to me,”
said Joe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think I can, Joe, and I’m glad for Grit that her story
finally has a happy ending.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Beginning, Cleo. We are starting a new life together.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Thanks for stepping in just now, Joe.. Robert likes to
think I depend on him, though he actually left me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“From the way you said that I think it was a lucky break.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He left me for another woman.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The plot thickens.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It really does. Gary will tell you the whole story. To be
honest, I don’t want to go through it again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK Cleo. I dislike the man. He’s a bit too two-faced for
me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s what Gary says.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And for the record, tell that guy of yours that I have no
designs on you, but if you have a sister, I’d like to meet her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No luck there, Joe. My mother gave up men for about forty
years until she met her Italian boyfriend a few months ago.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m looking forward to meeting her, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who?” said Grit, entering. She had changed and looked
glamorous.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wow, Mother. You are quite a catch,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s what Roger thinks,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve changed because this is the happiest day of my life,”
said Grit aloofly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mine too, Mother,” said Joe. “Can I borrow one of Gary’s
shirts without checks, Cleo?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll get you one,” said Cleo, deciding that she would also
dress for dinner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By shortly before eight all the guests had arrived. Gary had
rushed in a few minutes previously, kissed everyone in sight and taken a one
minute shower before dressing casually. Everyone was astonished at how alike
Gary and Joe were. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m quite glad you ditched the checked shirt,” said Gary,
reacting to Joe’s smarter look.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This one’s yours,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Keep it!” said Cleo. “Gary has about thirty more.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charlie was thrilled to have an uncle, even if it would be
hard to explain the likeness to her friends. She drew Cleo aside to consult
her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just tell them you have twin brothers and a twin father,”
Cleo explained. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What if I get them mixed up, Mummy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You won’t. You don’t get Tommy and Teddy mixed up and your
daddy is very special.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But Joe is special too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not in the same way, Charlie.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Will I love Joe?” Charlie asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course you will. Your Daddy and Joe are two special
people who look alike. They think their own thoughts and have their own life
stories. You will know who your Daddy is because you are special to him too,
Charlie.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s simply awesome!” said Charlie, using Cleo’s
evergreen exclamation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is, isn’t it?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you going to love Joe, Mummy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not like I love your Daddy, Charlie,” said Cleo. “I’ll let
you into a little secret if you promise not to tell anyone until I tell
everyone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I promise,” said Charlie, now very serious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope we’ll have another Hurley baby in about seven
months, Charlie.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s simply awesome,” repeated Charlie as Gary came over to
them and asked what they were whispering about.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a secret,” said Charlie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK, Sweetheart. I won’t make you tell me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thank you Daddy, I gave Mummy my word.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary looked at Cleo. He had no trouble guessing what the
secret was, but no intention of saying anything. To describe him as being over
the moon would be an understatement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dinner was a great success. Robert’s steaks, grilled perfectly
by Roger, were praised to the heavens. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s it like having an even bigger family, Gary?” Roger
could not resist asking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Fantastic. The bigger the better,” said Gary, giving Cleo a
knowing look.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you looking for a job, by any chance, Joe?” said Roger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That really depends what it is. I studied journalism, but
I’ve been odd-jobbing as a tennis coach after finishing my competition career.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We need a new press secretary. Interested?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you offering me the job?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Give it a try.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK, I’d love to, but a trial first. If I’m not right for
the job I’ll move on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And…” Charlie started, but Cleo shook her head vigorously
and the child said no more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"What a great Idea!" said Grit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you a journalist too, Mother?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was. I still write occasional articles for one or two
S.A. papers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
”So I might even have read them,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wrote under the name of Porter. I got a divorce and came
here to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remarried and my husband
adopted Gary, hence the name.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So I was adopted twice,” said Gary. "And had three
names. What was the first?"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"My maiden name of Geiger, but don't think badly of me.
I was just a kid and your father was a participant at a conference. He simply
disappeared and never knew about you."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We'll find him," said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I doubt it," said Grit, “and I'm not sure I want
to."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Oh!" said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mummy adopted me,” said Charlie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s right, Sweetheart,” said Gary. “What was the ‘and’
for, Charlie?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charlie extemporized.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And I’m playing hockey on Saturday. Are you all coming?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes,” said Grit firmly. “Roger? You said you wanted to take
more time off!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll be there,” said Roger. “This family has captured me
totally, but I’ll leave now. Tomorrow as arranged, Grit?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, Roger. I’ll see you out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy decided that Grit had definitely made a conquest.
Then she looked at Cleo and decided that they would all have even more to do by
next Easter. She could not possibly retire when the agency needed her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m not retiring, after all,” Dorothy said, looking
pointedly at Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll have to tell them,” Cleo whispered to Charlie.
“Dorothy has guessed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charlie nodded. So much for the grownup secret.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There’s going to be another Hurley, folks,” said Cleo
coolly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perfect timing, thought Gary. He had welcomed his brother
with great enthusiasm, but Joe was his spitting image and might find his way
into Cleo’s affections. Now there was even less chance of him being usurped.
Anyone taking on Cleo would be taking on five kids. Not that he would let
someone else rear his children even if it were his brother. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought as much,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why am I the last to know?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t say that, Gary,” said Dorothy. “It reminds me of the
late vicar. He always said he was the last to know about anything.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Charlie was simply the first,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can live with that,” said Gary looking at Cleo in the way
that made her go weak at the knees. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Charlie had gone to bed, the business of Paddy Kelly’s
corpse was taken up, but soon dropped again because too little was known about
the man’s recent activities. Dorothy was not exactly pleased to hear that Hilda
Bone was to be asked to investigate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But you said you would like to retire from active duty,
Dorothy,” Cleo argued.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was before …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. That’s fine by me, but I’ve already asked Hilda to come
to the office. You’ll have to work together.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Two old girls on the warpath,” said Gary. “Unbeatables on
broomsticks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t mock us, Gary,” said Dorothy. “Or would you like me
to recite a list of the helpful things the agency has done for HQ?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Spare me that, Dorothy,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So what do you want us to find out?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What did Kelly do in the days before he was shot? Did he
have strange friends, gamble, take to drink, or whatever?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll find out, Gary,” Dorothy promised.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I thought you would,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As usual at the Hurley cottage, the day would end with milk
coffee and a review of the day’s events. The family had grown with the addition
of one brother and one expected junior, remarked Gary, who was nothing less than
delighted, despite Kelly’s murder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I woke up an only child,” said Gary. “It’s strange not
being just me anymore. I hope you don’t get me mixed up with my newly acquired brother,
Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe decided that Gary was being serious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No chance of that and you know it,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How do you feel about today, Joe?” Gary asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not like a rival for Cleo’s affection, Gary. I’m surprised
that you could think of it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you miss anyone in South Africa?” Cleo asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. I’m glad I followed my intuition. My friends in S.A.
thought I was mad to even try to find you. I’m over the moon about finding you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m stunned,” said Grit. “I love you all, and Joe, I’m so
glad to have you back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mother and newly found son embraced warmly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll join you, shall I?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Come on, Cleo. Let’s get some more coffee,” said Dorothy,
and the two sleuths left the newly reunited trio to their bear-hugs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How long have you known about the baby?” Gary asked Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“For sure since I went to the clinic a few days ago.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And you harboured the news over the weekend? What else do
you do secretly, Cleo?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Our love-making is not a secret, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not what I meant.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What did you mean?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll think of something.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy thought it was time for her to leave.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In fact, nothing is really secret in this household. My ex
was here today, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A rather unpleasant guy,” said Joe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think he has problems with his libido, Joe,” said Gary.
“I’ll tell you why, one day.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He doesn’t look gay,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not his problem,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dorothy remained silent during this repartee. She had
defended Robert too often, she thought. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I tried to talk to my ex when he turned up with steaks
after saying he’d send his assistant,” said Cleo. “He did not seem normal and
he had trouble believing Joe was not Gary. I wonder if he’s latched on to Edith
Parsnip again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would not put it past him. He’s naïve and deceitful and the
vicar’s wife is surprisingly experienced at seduction. He may even be getting
the thrill you did not provide him with, Cleo,” said Gary, getting his revenge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey!” said Joe. “Show me that lady!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t bother with Edith, but that little curate at the
church might be an interesting challenge,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Robert thought Joe was you, Gary, and I could see how his
face changed when he realized that I was not kidding.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Robert is a bit of a buffoon,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A sad one,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Clowns are sad, but their tears are painted on,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey, don’t get dramatic,” said Cleo. “I don’t even like him
anymore.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I never liked him,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Shall I walk you home, Dorothy?” Joe offered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can find my own way, thank you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is it safe round here?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have my pistol in my bag. I’ll get it out for the walk
home,” said Dorothy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe was amused. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is it licenced?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m leaving now, too,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll walk you home, Dorothy,” said Joe. “No argument! I’m
stilly lodging – until tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Jane will be sorry you see you go,” said Dorothy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not if I carry on walking Dog,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Shall we have a community shower while the three of us can
get in the booth, Cleo?”. A 50-50 chance.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t earn enough for another two at once.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could do a paper round,” said Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not a bad idea.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“When we’ve showered I’ll see to the twins and you can warm
my duvet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You could warm mine and I’ll see to Tommy and Teddy,” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They need me for their snack,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“OK. Message received.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If our sophisticated scheduling gets me to bed in time to
get some sleep, I’d be grateful,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll think about it. It’s been an incredible, wonderful day,
my love,” said Gary. “I don’t want it to end.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What makes me think it isn’t over yet?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-87471397208136508782017-03-16T22:03:00.005+01:002020-03-19T11:56:54.301+01:00Episode 3 - Toes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<br />
<h4>
Monday cont.<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The drive to Upper Grumpsfield took long enough for Joe to
explain that he had moved to Upper Grumpsfield the previous Saturday. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where are you living, Joe?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m lodging at Mrs Barker’s.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>Gary groaned. <o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’re almost neighbours,” he said, “but that’s not why I
groaned. You won’t want to stay there long. Jane Barker is a notorious
busybody.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve arranged to take her dog for walks. It makes the rent
cheaper. I’ve tried Dog out and he’s cooperative.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dog?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I call him that. Shouting Emanuel was embarrassing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know that white dog. Don’t take it to the pond on the Common.
The late Mr Barker took it there nearly every day and it came home looking as
if it had taken a mud bath after chasing the ducks. Even Mr Barker regretted
choosing a white dog.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I expect Mrs Barker will scrub it clean, Gary. She seems
very house-proud. She made a fuss about my shoes on the carpet. I was not to do
it again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I remember her demanding everyone to take off their shoes
before going into her place. Cleo won’t do that. You’ll like my wife, Joe.
She’s the love of my life.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The message was clear. Gary could just as well have said
‘Keep off the grass’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary parked his sleek red sports car on the road<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>going past the cottage. The family-sized
Hurley hatchback was parked in front. He only drove it if Cleo wanted to use
the red car, which was now officially hers. Grit’s smart black Mini was parked
in front of her cottage next door and in front of what Cleo liked to call the family
van.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s my mother’s car,” said Gary. “You’ll like her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sure I will,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“After you,” said Gary, opening the front door of the
cottage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo came towards them and had her arms already open for a
big hug when she saw that it was not Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t believe it,” she said. “You’d better stick with
those checked shirts. I don’t think I can tell you apart otherwise.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t exaggerate, Cleo. I know plenty of ways to make you
know who I am.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Name some!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo was nothing if not direct.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary was bashful. Joe was amused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
„Well, there‘s that small birthmark on my…“<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anyhow,” Cleo interrupted, her eyes wide with surprise at
Gary’s forthrightness, ”the likeness is awesome and welcome to our retreat, Joe.
I can’t think why Bertie Browne did not come clean.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I didn’t catch that,” said Gary. “Did you say retreat? Anyway,
Bertie never comes clean, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Compared with the junk in my office and at HQ, this is a
retreat!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tell me all about it, my love., then you’ll feel better,”
said Gary, moving round to hug Cleo from behind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Later Sweetie Pie,” said Cleo, getting her own back. “First
we need to find out why you two guys look so alike.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s your explanation, Joe?” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll make coffee,” said Cleo moving towards the kitchen.
“Don’t go away!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s unlikely,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a long story,” said Joe, going after Cleo into the
kitchen, followed closely by Gary. “I’ll keep it as short as possible.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe told them as much about his babyhood as he knew. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So your surrogate parents died without telling you any of
this,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They were nice people, Gary, and I loved them, and I’m not
even sure that my surrogate mother knew exactly where I had come from.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But she was to tell everyone that she had given birth to
you,” said Cleo. “Cream or hot milk?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A drop of cream, please. My parents moved to Pretoria very
soon after getting me. They made a fresh start where no one knew them so no
questions were asked.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A sensible move,” said Gary. “Though it was covering up
baby-trading.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think we should get Grit in on this, Gary,” said Cleo,
and Gary wondered if they were both thinking the same thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who’s Grit?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My mother, Joe. The lady with the Mini. What if she’s
yours, too? She didn’t tell me I had a brother, but I wouldn’t put it past
her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Surely she would have told you!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not if she thought you were dead, Joe,” said Cleo, putting
an arm round Joe’s shoulder. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary was starting to regret bringing Joe home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo moved over to Gary and tucked an arm under his, sensing
that he was nervous of her paying attention to Joe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit was heard coming down the cottage path crunching the
pushchair containing PeggySue, who was enjoying the bumpy ride over the
pebbles. The twins were taking their pre-lunch nap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There’s my mother now with my daughter. I’ll go towards
them,” said Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Stay here,” said Cleo. “Grit is in for a shock.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s keep it simple then, shall we, Cleo?” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary could not help thinking how Cleo’s mother would have
relished the situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re right, Joe. I’ll play it cool.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary and Joe smiled the same smile simultaneously. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe went into the kitchen with Cleo to make more coffee and
Gary went to meet Grit. He helped with the push chair, untied PeggySue’s reins
and threw her up in the air before bringing her into the living room tightly
enfolded in his arms. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not planning to throw me into the air, I hope,” said Grit,
following.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Unlikely, Mother, but I think you should sit down.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do I look tired? Have you cooked lunch?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sit down, mother!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo came back into the living-room. She called to Joe to
come in. She was getting her bit of drama, after all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who is this, Grit?” she said as Joe made his grand entrance
from the kitchen and Grit’s facial expression changed from relaxed to haunted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It can’t be Gareth,” she said. “He’s over here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m Joe Butler, Mrs Hurley. How do you do?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So what’s it all
about, Mother?” said Gary. “You don’t like people beating about the bush, so
don’t do it now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If I didn’t know he was dead, I’d think it was your twin,
Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was now Gary’s turn to be shocked. Joe’s hunch was bang
on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll have to explain that, Mother,“ said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It could tie in with what I already know,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What do you know, Joe?” Grit asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You first, Mrs Hurley!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was expecting twins and one died at birth,” said Grit as
tears welled up behind her eyes. “I’ve tried to forget, but I can’t.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I couldn’t either,”
said Cleo, putting her arms round Grit to comfort her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“According to my father’s diary, he bought me as a new-born,”
said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit looked bemused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe told the story again for Grit’s benefit. “I was bought!
I had apparently been rejected by my natural mother. The payment was to go
towards her welfare.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is monstrous,” said Cleo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But not unusual,” said Gary. “You know that, Cleo. The
trade in babies takes various forms and is flourishing. Leaving out Hollywood
stars who would rather adopt than ruin their figures by having kids of their
own, it stretches from surrogate mothers birthing kids that are then taken over
by the natural parents, to stolen and kidnapped babies, to babies declared dead,
but with no proof that they ever existed. We’ve had our share here in Upper
Grumpsfield, after all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I looked up the hospital records in Cape Town, Mrs Hurley.
There was an amazing number of still-births in those days, especially in cases
of multiple births.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We had a case of baby-trading here in Upper Grumpsfield a
while ago, Joe,” Cleo said. “That’s partly what Gary was referring to. Did your
father write anything else?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, but I did some research, Cleo. A doctor in Cape Town
apparently resigned his post there and went to East London to open a private
clinic. After that there were fewer still-born registrations in Cape Town, but
a lot more in East London.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Weren’t there detailed lists of so-called donors?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, but since it was all criminal that’s not surprising, is
it? There was never proof of any illegal activities. Most mothers just believed
the news and grieved,” said Joe. ”And I only know that much from a scribbled
note in a file at the registry office and a hand-written entry in my father’s
secret diary. Someone must have wanted to relieve their conscience at that
registry office.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t suppose there
were many inquiries,” said Cleo. “People don’t usually boast about buying their
children and the birth mothers are obviously innocent.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not always the case, Cleo. Some may not have wanted
more than one child,” said Gary. “Prostitutes give away their babies if they’ve
been careless enough to have one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Inconceivable,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But feasible and lucrative, to praise the pun” said Gary.
“A stud for new humans, in other words.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was so distraught that I did not even ask to see the
baby,” said Grit. “Later I realized that the little guy died without even
having a name.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You poor love,” said Cleo. “Was that in February?”. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Early February in Cape Town,” Grit said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I expect the doctor was obliged to use a surrogate corpse
if the mother insisted on seeing her dead child,” said Gary. “The whole
business is despicable.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The midwife must have been aware of what was going on,”
said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Like out case here,” said Gary, “she must have at least
known about the system and was probably being paid for her services and her
discretion. I expect she got a good job at that doctor’s new hospital. We’ll
find that midwife if she’s still alive.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And the doctor,” said Cleo. “But you’ll have to go via the
S.A. authorities.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ll do whatever it takes,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Once those babies had become the natural children of those
clients officially - because they would claim that rather than calling it adoption,
since it involved criminal acts - the deed was done,” said Cleo. “Those medics
might already have been panning their next coup.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We mothers left the hospital grieving for our lost babies,”
said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Even if a parentage was later challenged, identification
would have been impossible in those days, and if the child had not been perfect
and healthy, it would not be sold in the first place,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know what Charlie would say,” said Gary, “as if we needed
any proof.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Look at their feet!” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So you’d better do that, guys,” said Cleo and the men
solemnly took off their shoes and socks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The same unusual space between the first and second toes as
Teddy and Tommy!” said Cleo acting as jury and judge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit stood up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’d better have a big hug, Joe,” she said. “I don’t think
we’ll need a DNA test, but we can get Charlie to confirm that she now has an
uncle…. Or simply look at my feet!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My birthday is February 5<sup>th</sup>,” said Joe. “When’s
yours, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The same,” said Gary, joining in the big hug.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Better late than never,” said Grit, tears rolling down her
cheeks. “I’ve always loved you, Joe, and now I have chance to show it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grit embraced her twins again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If I had a violin, I’d play it now,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting to know his twin brother should have taken the rest
of Gary’s day, but it didn’t. As if to remind him that he was head of the
homicide squad at Middlethumpton Headquarters, Gary was forced to turn his mind
to his job when he answered the phone an hour or so later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where are you, Gary? I thought you would be at your desk,
but you aren’t!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry Roger. Something came up.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t suppose it was that photo of you in the Gazette
this morning, was it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roger Stone was not only Gary’s boss and head of crime at HQ
at management level, but also a good friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was,” said Gary. “That photo wasn’t of me but of my twin
brother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t believe it. Are you quite sure the man is not
bluffing?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s him on the photo and we have the same toes,” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roger laughed. “Did you say toes?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. Grit has them and my twins have them, too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What is it about those toes that makes them so
identifiable?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A bigger space between big and second toe, Roger. I expect
other people have that too, but everything else about our feet also matches.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s all a bit farfetched, isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps you should get a DNA test after all.
Chris can do one when he’s finished with the corpse we’ve just found on Upper
Grumpsfield Common.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that why you phoned?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I assume that you are now at home, Gary. Can you go there
please? I have a meeting any minute now otherwise I would go myself. I’m really
sorry to break up your family party.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s OK, Roger. Can you come to dinner tonight and meet
Joe?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d like that. Will Grit be there?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’ll be delighted to see you, Roger. Say eight o’clock?
Then most of the kids will be in bed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does Charlie have your toes, Gary?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, she takes after her mother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t wait to hear the whole story,” said Roger and rang
off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You heard that, folks. Dinner at eight and Roger’s coming.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s great,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Didn’t you have a date with him last night?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well yes, but …”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I approve, Mother,” said Gary, “and I’m sure we all
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll head for the Common now. A
corpse awaits me!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Terrible timing,” said Grit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Corpses don’t wait, Mother. Can you walk along to Jane
Barker’s with Joe and prise him out for dinner tonight? Always supposing you
want to be prised out, Joe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
”There’s nothing I’d like better,” said Joe. Two days of
Jane Barker had made him homesick for the B & B. One hour of family
convinced him that he come home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Would you prefer to sleep in my cottage, Joe? The second
bedroom is just about ready for occupation.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you inviting me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I want to get to know more about you and now we know who we
are, there’s no good reason for you to lodge with Mrs Barker, is there?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I suppose I could still take Dog for walks,” said Joe. “I’d
feel guilty if I didn’t.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s settled then,” said Grit, still wondering what had
hit her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Charlie will be home soon. Don’t go until she’s here,
folks. I want to see the look on her face,” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Blast. I can’t be here,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You will if you
don’t get moving,” said Cleo. “Reunions can wait, but corpses can’t.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-17200204032308323512017-03-16T14:11:00.001+01:002020-03-19T10:43:03.886+01:00Episode 2 - Look-alikes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoHeading7">
<br />
<h4>
Monday <o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Gazette always arrived together with the national Daily
Chronicle in Upper Grumpsfield. The newspaper boy, usually a pensioner earning
a few bob for the job, would roll the two newspapers together and push them
noisily though letter flaps. If you wanted to get up early, it was convenient.
If you wanted to sleep longer, it wasn’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The loud clatter woke Chief Detective Inspector Gary Hurley.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can’t that stupid boy be a bit quieter?” he protested.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>Cleo Hartley, now to everyone’s relief, especially Gary’s,
his wife, was still half asleep, but not destined to stay that way.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can’t you be a bit quieter, Gary? I fed Tommy and Teddy at
four and was hoping to sleep for a bit longer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry, my love, but the papers have come.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They come every morning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The Gazette may have a car we can get for your mother,
Cleo. She can’t go on driving around in that old jalopy for much longer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gloria can get her Romeo to buy her one,” said Cleo, now
wide awake. “Did she tell you that my old car is ready for the scrapyard?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Something like that. I’ll get the papers, shall I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Put something on. It’s cold.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It isn’t cold. It’s August.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s Britain.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can I borrow your kimono?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You don’t usually ask. Hurry back. We have at least half an
hour’s sleep left.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Is that what you call it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The badinage enjoyed by Cleo and Gary should not be judged
harshly, though their physical attraction to each other had not abated despite the
stress caused by crime and kids, as Gary liked to call it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sometimes I think a bit of burnout would be a nice change,”
he would say when things got particularly stressful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Been there; done that, Gary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So I have my love, and was all your fault.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It won’t happen again. Robert ditched me, if you remember.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Robert was past his shelf life, Cleo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On reflection, Robert was always past his shelf life.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll be back in a tick,” said Gary, as he trotted to the
front door croaking one of Frank Sinatra’s oldies. It was meant to be The Lady
and the Tramp, but it was barely recognizable. Gary’s love of singing was not
matched by his vocal prowess. He did not come back singing. He was furious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They’ve got my photo on the first page.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“In the Chronicle?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. In Bertie Browne’s Gazette. Someone named Joe Butler
wants to meet the person who looks like him, but it’s a photo of me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo stretched one arm out of her warm duvet and reached for
the paper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let me look, Sweetheart.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m getting back into bed until I’m forced to get up.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“PeggySue doesn’t force you. I thought you liked those early
breakfasts.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I do, but not this early. Move over. My feet are cold. Can
I share your duvet?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t you always?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are warmer blooded than me,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I beg to differ,” said Cleo, looking at the photo. In the
Gazette. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Since when have you worn a checked shirt?” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t wear checked shirts. I don’t like checked shirts.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This guy is wearing one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Then it can’t be me, can it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So who is it?” said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know him from Adam,” said Gary. “Joe Butler, it
says.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’ll have to talk to that editor about the guy. Surely he
hasn’t been doing photo-montages.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Photo montage of a living person like me without their
permission is illegal and I doubt whether he would want to provoke another
tussle with the law, so it can’t be me in a check shirt.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ask him, but not now, Gary! It’s only six fifteen and you
have warmed your feet for long enough. You’ll have to do better than that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You’re right. There’s something else I’d rather do now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At six forty-five what Cleo’s mother Gloria called ‘the
lovin’ had to give way to the morning. PeggySue, Gary and Cleo’s first child
together, was crowing away in her bed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She has a voice like yours, Gary,” said Cleo. “Or should I
call it a croak?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Since when have you likened husband and daughter to frogs?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If the cap fits…” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Charlie, the daughter Gary had brought into the marriage,
was still fast asleep when he went to collect PeggySue. Charlie was used to
PeggySue’s early rising and slept on regardless. Gary’s morning ritual included
getting PeggySue’s breakfast and his own and making the first espresso of the
day. Cleo would tend to the twins.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Teddy and Tommy were conceived while Cleo and Gary were
still having their affair and born just a few hours after their wedding. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the twins, now more than four months old, were replete,
changed and deposited to gaze at the dangling carved ornaments festooned above
their heads in the communal playpen, Cleo would take a quick shower, supervise
Charlie getting ready for her day and make breakfast for anyone who had not yet
had any. There was not much time for shop talk or any other talk for that
matter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On weekdays Charlie left the house soon after eight to catch
the school bus unless it was holiday time. Now the school holidays were in full
swing she had time to visit friends but still played hockey. Gary usually left
for HQ a bit later. If Cleo was going to work in her office, she took PeggySue
to the nursery at about nine o’clock or after, Gary’s mother, had arrived to
watch over the twins. On days when Cleo did not go to the office, Grit took
PeggySue and combined it with a visit to Robert Jones’s family butcher’s shop.
Robert was Cleo’s ex and she did not like talking to him as he always tried to
make her sorry for preferring Gary. So far, he had not said anything much to
Grit. He was wary of her acumen. Robert did not like people to be too clever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleo had started to spend two hours working in her Hartley
Investigation Agency office most mornings. Crime was not a major part of agency
business, though Gary was thankful for the brain-storming and other devices
that helped the agency to help the police when the need arose. Divorce cases
were ongoing events, lucrative thanks to the diverse side-lines partners tended
to pursue. Only diehard partners went on holiday first and divorced later. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Divorces were good for business, especially if settlements
were being pursued by the innocent party or the partner with the shorter cash
flow. Tracking wayward spouses was an integral part of any private
investigation agency. That, lost pets and lost pensioners, vetting schools, private
tutors, personal trainers, homes and nurseries took up quite a lot of detecting
time, but it was normally not police business.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PeggySue, a very lively toddler, was usually collected from
her nursery later by Grit, who now lived next door after moving into her
cottage almost overnight when the owner, an elderly lady who had had no one in
the world, died and left the property to Cleo for being a wonderfully kind and
thoughtful neighbour. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life was good. The twins were thriving. Gary was steeped
happily in the reality of finding the love of his life and being the head of a
large household. Cleo was stressed from loving the big family she had always
dreamt of having, managing her investigation agency, warding off a
till-possessive ex-husband, and spending several hours a week at HQ counselling
criminals and cops, the latter of whom tended to resent her advice, especially
if they needed it. Criminals usually ignored any attempt at reform. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On this particular Monday morning, Gary was obliged to ring
the Gazette, an action he normally preferred to avoid. He arranged with the
receptionist, a young woman named Doreen who had this week’s early shift, to
meet Joe Butler at the Gazette office at eleven o’clock that morning. Could she
please order the man in the identity photo to be there? She could. Since Doreen
had no clear idea of C.D.I. Gary Hurley’s looks, she had not commented on his
request.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gary was genuinely curious about this guy named Joe who was
his spitting image. Of course, Bertie Browne knew who Joe Butler’s double was.
Gary was surprised that the <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">g</span>azette
editor had not tried to avoid seeing Gary at the office. He could easily have
put the doubles in contact with one another. All the more reason to go there,
said Cleo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ah, Chief Inspector,” said Bertie Browne by way of a
greeting as Gary breezed in to the Gazette office. “Come through. I’ve been
expecting you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Does that mean that you left Joe Butler in the dark?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Press privilege,” said Bertie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Balls,” replied Gary. “You could have saved yourself the
trouble of splashing my likeness across half the first page.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh that,” said Bertie. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes that. As you well know, that is why I’m here. Your other
assistant also seems to be in the dark.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s usually in the dark. Does what I tell her, though.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You should know that Chiefs of Police don’t like being
displayed on first pages of Gazettes on every street corner. It cramps our
style, Bertie.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry, but it will help my business.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But not mine. Is my double coming or not?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bertie Browne looked at the receptionist and she nodded. If
Bertie thought Doreen was not aware of what was going on, he was up a gum tree.
Maureen had briefed her briefly. She was not going to risk her job, poorly paid
as it was. It opened a plethora of possibilities, as Maureen could tell her
from experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mr Butler should be here by now,” improvised Bertie. “And
don’t call me Bertie! I’m trying to increase respect among my associates.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t suppose you want to tell me who they are,” said
Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Secretaries and things,” said Bertie with a nod in the
direction of the receptionist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why did you not tell Joe about me, Bertie?” said Gary with
heavy emphasis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I couldn’t very well tell him anything, could I? It’s for
you to tell him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tell him I look like him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Further discussion was not necessary. Joe Butler entered the
reception area and stopped short when he saw Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Good God!” they said simultaneously. “We are alike.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Amazing,” said Bertie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was a good idea, wasn’t it, Mr Browne?” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I hope you’ll still think so when I introduce you to Chief
Inspector Gary Hurley, Mr Butler.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So you did know who my double is, didn’t you? I thought as
much.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anyone who spoke to me thought I was a cop, didn’t they?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Had Bertie Browne been less brazen, you might have thought
he was embarrassed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Console yourself! Knowing the Gazette, I expect it has
already got round that we are like two peas in a pod and you have been sent in
as an undercover agent, Mr Butler,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Call me Joe and I’m not an undercover agent.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Call me Gary. This individual who insists on standing on
ceremony is Bertie, isn’t it, Bertie?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was instant rapport between Gary and Joe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bertie scowled. Something about the look-alikes’ instant
alliance made him nervous. He had quite obviously used Joe’s dilemma for
personal gain. As if to confirm Bertie’s intention, the phone was ringing
nonstop with people either advertising their cast-off cars or claiming to know
the guy in the photo, but usually not wanting their own identity to be revealed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you happy now you know your double, Mr Butler?” said Bertie.
“After all, he is a cop.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m relieved, Bertie. I was really puzzled and I’m not a
criminal. I’m a tennis coach.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bertie winced at hearing his first name again and looked
daggers at Doreen, who was finding it all amusing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s go to my office at HQ and drink an espresso,” said
Gary to Joe, demonstratively not looking at Bertie, who never offered anyone a
drink.. “I’d really like to know why we look so alike. There were no details in
the Gazette, and you can meet my assistant. He’s dying for news.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mr Butler did not tell me anything printable,” said Bertie,
implying that Joe had said something he, Bertie, had been sworn not to reveal.
“The article on Mr Butler’s mother won’t be out till Thursday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Article, Bertie?” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, short note, then.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dragging a story out again, Bertie?” said Gary as Joe
protested that it was not what they had arranged. “Do you have a photo of your
mother, Joe?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. I don’t know her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can I have photo of you two?” said Bertie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t see why not,” said Gary. “People who know me will
have recognized me from the photo and everyone likes a happy end.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bertie Browne was relieved. He could not have printed a
photo of the two men without getting permission first unless he wanted to be
questioned about other activities he cultivated for when he wasn’t taking
photos.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“People will want to know that the mystery is solved, and if
you could find your mother yourself, Mr Butler…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll let you know, Bertie,” said Joe with a nod and a wink
to Gary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The look-alikes left Bertie Browne wincing at Joe’s
familiarity. Joe was surprised that Bertie had not printed his request to find
his mother. It occurred to Gary that he hadn’t read any of the Monday article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at that photo had sufficed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nigel, Gary’s assiduous assistant, who had been wide-eyed at
the idea of there being someone who looked like his boss but wasn’t, was
delighted to see Gary and Joe together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wow!” he said. “Two peas in a pod, but get rid of that
tatty shirt, Joe.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is Nigel, my assistant. Don’t take any notice of him.
He’s rather impulsive and critical about what people wear.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My shirt is not tatty, Nigel,” said Joe in a voice that
sounded like Gary’s except for the S.A. lilt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gary doesn’t wear checks,” said Nigel, as if Gary were not
present.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“At least we have different sartorial tastes,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do you play tennis, Nigel?” Joe asked, for something
neutral to say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, but I think Gary does, don’t you Gary?” said Nigel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I used to. I’m rusty now. Why tennis?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you had read the text in Bertie’s rag or had not been
too gobsmacked to listen at the Gazette office, you would know that I’ve been
coaching at the tennis club in Middlethumpton,” said Joe. “They’re an awful
bunch there. I wondered if Nigel could tell me something about them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry. I saw the photo and thought it must be trickery or
even destiny,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It might be the second. I assure you that it isn’t the
first,” said Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can tell you a lot about that tennis club,” said Gary.
“It’s a den of thieves. All the gangsters send their kids there for a bit of
upbringing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Money-washing, too, I expect,” said Nigel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How long have you been here, Joe?” Nigel asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“About two weeks, Nigel.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Will you teach me tennis?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you fit?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As a fiddle,” said Nigel, flexing his fingers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not violin; tennis, Nigel,” said Gary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m fit for both,” said Nigel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s drink an espresso and talk about why you came here of
all places, Joe,” said Gary. “It’s really uncanny how alike we look.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is, isn’t it?” said Nigel, chipping in. “You could have
fooled me if you’d come in here on your own Joe – except for that shirt.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nigel went into Gary’s cubby-hole cum kitchen to make the
espressos. Joe picked up a police gazette and studied the wanted photos. Gary
made a few phone calls including one to Cleo to say he was coming home soon and
bringing Joe. There was nothing particularly urgent to be dealt with at HQ. He
would take the rest of the day off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
faith1110http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358925817174593317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819720807762668740.post-72226670535951085712017-03-16T09:12:00.004+01:002020-03-19T09:51:00.375+01:00Episode 1 - Overture and Beginners<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<h4>
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: #595959; font-style: normal;">Seting the scene<o:p></o:p></span></span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe Butler was going to take his landlady’s dog for a walk
every morning. It was part of his living arrangements in the village of Upper
Grumpsfield. Mrs Jane Barker had only one lodger. She had recently lost her
husband and was trying to make ends meet. But her next door neighbour, a
retired pianist by the name of Miss Dorothy Price, said that Jane Barker was
lonely rather than poor and missing the heated arguments and scrapping. Jim
Barker was always right, he thought. Jane suffered, but not in silence. Dorothy
thought that Jane missed the invigorating air of disagreement. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>The dog that Mr Barker had left behind did not fill the gap
left by Mr Barker since taking it for walks was far too strenuous for someone
who had led a couch-potato life as long as Jane could remember. She had never
willingly gone for a walk with anyone, so why start now? <o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jane Barker believed that having someone human around would
make all the difference to her life. So she struck a bargain with her first and
only lodger. He would walk the dog and she would knock something off the price
of the room. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe had been referred to Mrs Barker by his B & B
landlady in the nearby market town of Middlethumpton. Mrs Brent did not let
rooms on a permanent basis, but knew Jane Barker from cookery night-classes
many years ago when Jane had described Mr Barker as a lodger. Mrs Brent had
attended the funeral of Mr Barker, after which there had been a respectable
selection of food to send him off to pastures new and a renewal of the ladies’
acquaintance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jane was grateful to have been recommended as an ideal
permanent landlady, though she was not sure about her being one becoming a
permanent state since it wasn’t her chosen form of community. She had only ever
catered for Jim Barker, and that had been a lot of work although Jim washed the
windows, vacuum the carpets, and mopped the kitchen floor, not to mention his
devotion to growing mountains of vegetables, including the potatoes that had to
be part of every hot meal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jim Barker did not like rice and declared that if he had
been meant to eat it, he would have been able to grow it. Jane’s argument that
he could not grow steaks, lamb chops and bacon was rewarded by Mr Barker’s
introduction of hens that not only provided eggs, but were an attraction even
from behind the 2 meter chicken wire fence he erected to keep them in. Protests
by Jane were greeted with Jim’s threat to replace the hens with vintage pigs.
After that, Jim had 3 weeks of pasta to put up with.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe appreciated his comfortable bed in an otherwise totally
strange environment inhabited mainly by the ghost of Mr Barker captured in
framed photos decorated with decently draped black ribbons, the last hens
having disappeared mysteriously. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the few visits that Dorothy paid to Jane these days, she
wondered greatly at the apparent devotion of her next door neighbour to the
dead spouse when she had never shown anything but the most spurious affection
for him while he was alive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The late Mr Barker’s dog was large, docile and white.
Someone with Old Testament leanings had named it Emanuel and even scorched the
name into its leather collar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe Butler was not religious. He did not relish the idea of calling
out ‘Emanuel’ when the dog wandered off on their first outing, but how could
you possibly shorten that name and keep it fitting for an aggressively
masculine dog like Emanuel? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe thought he would try a totally different name more in
keeping for a canine with an eye for female dogs. On his second morning jaunt
he settled for ‘Dog’ and Emanuel was obedient, as if he had also rebelled
against the previous biblical name and was glad to hear something that sounded
rather like a ‘woof’ instead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Mr Barker had brought home the dog now named Dog, it
had been a small puppy and completely adorable. No one had told him at the
animal sanctuary<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that the setter part of
Dog’s Heinz 57 breed would probably dominate later, but being a mongrel, the
dog would also be intelligent and wasn’t it a pretty shade of white? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mrs Barker liked cleaning things, so Mr Barker thought she
would be sure to keep the animal clean and white. She would overlook the fact
that her budgies were alarmed by the dog, since the cat threatened by Mr Barker
as an alternative would have been even more alarming. But even in the presence
of a dog like Dog the birds became neurotic, twittered endlessly in an ornate
hanging cage standing in the lounge, dislodged their bird bath so that it
soaked a corner of the bearskin rug and propelled seeds all over the
wall-to-wall Axminster. They had always done that, Mr Barker had said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mrs Barker took a dislike to Emanuel alias Dog, though
giving it back to the sanctuary now Mr Barker was no more would have been like
giving Mr Barker back to wherever he had come from, and even Jane had scruples
about that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, Jane had been known to curse the mess the budgies
had never made with such regularity <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>before the dog entered the house. The argument
went on and on. Mr Barker refused to let the dog sleep in a kennel outside. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three weeks of rice – a worse fate that 21 days of pasta -
instead of his beloved mashed potatoes had not persuaded Mr Barker that a
kennel was necessary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jane finally gave in to a compromise. Mr Barker and Emanuel
slept in the main bedroom and Jane moved into the guestroom, the door of which
she kept shut day and night. When Mr Barker finally departed this life, Jane’s
first action, long before Jim had been consigned to the local cemetery, was to
buy a kennel online with Dorothy’s help. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Forthwith, Dog slept outside in the kennel that was
furnished with the bearskin rug for comfort, that being a sort of apology for
banning Emanuel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe Butler was a very recent addition to the UK population.
Until he was in his mid-twenties tennis had absorbed his whole life, even
throughout his study course in journalism, a profession he had never
subsequently had any desire to enter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe had been a major asset to tennis in South Africa, where
he was born in Cape Town to a British mother and an anonymous conference
delegate and subsequently taken on by nice people, though at the time of
writing he did not know that his surrogate parents were not his real ones. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Joe retired from competitive sport, he coached
youngsters aiming for grand slam heights. He married a nice girl and they had a
nice daughter named Charlotte, but his nice wife proved to be anything but nice
enough for Joe, who had enjoyed a strict upbringing despite his casual genesis.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe had filed for divorce as soon as he got wind of his
wife’s promiscuous antics while he was still travelling in the name of tennis
if not as a player then as an overseer of fair play. He won custody of his daughter
and was a loving father when the girl was not at boarding school. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Butlers, Joe’s ersatz parents, had come into parentage
at an age when many youngsters were leaving home to explore the world outside
the nest. The family home was in Pretoria, to where they had removed
immediately after the arrival of Joe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day, Joe’s surrogate parents were among the unfortunate victims
of an amok driver who had decided to wipe out the people walking harmlessly
along the pavement before wiping himself out by wrapping his car round a convenient
tree. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The verdict was homicide by the driver of the car though he
had not lived to be punished for it. Joe’s parents had finished rearing Joe to
be a decent, morally upright human being. They had not deserved to be mown
down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe’s surrogate father had had a tidy mind. Over the years
he had written a daily account of his life. His diaries were kept under lock
and key. Joe only read them when it came to winding up the Butler estate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What he read in one of the early diaries took his breath
away. His birth mother had apparently been expecting twins and had been given
the impression that one of the two boys had died at birth. He was that boy. At
least, that is what Joe read between the lines. He rightly guessed that his
surrogate mother did not know how they got him. For Mr Butler it was price
worth paying for a contented wife.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The doctor and his accomplice, a midwife with skills that
went far beyond delivering babies were evidently involved in a lucrative trade
selling babies that they had declared to the mothers as still births. They had
cultivated their own set of ethics. One child was always left to the new mother
if it was decided that she wanted one. Any further children of multiple births
were removed and sold. The mothers believed that their babies had died. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neither the doctor nor his willing helper saw anything wrong
in what they were doing. After all, they were helping childless couples to have
a child of their own. Joe had subsequently been declared the birth child of Mrs
Butler. There was no evidence to suggest that he wasn’t except in that diary. The
strategic pseudo-birthing move had taken care of any neighbour who might have
remarked that Mrs Butler had not even been expecting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe had known nothing of his early destiny until he saw the
confessional in his father’s handwriting. The name of the birth mother was
given with an address in Cape Town. Disoriented from the discovery of facts
surrounding his birth, Joe moved back to Cape Town to look for his natural
mother.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually, Joe found out that his mother, an unmarried
young lady of Boer descent on her father’s side going by the name Geiger,
believed that her second child had been born dead. She had later married and
taken on her husband’s name of Porter. That much information was available on
application from the Births, Marriages and Deaths Registry. No marriage before
that had been registered so she really had been a single mother when she gave
birth to Joe and was still single until she married John Porter. Her divorce
from him was also registered. After that there was no information other than a
hand-written note that the divorced Mrs Porter had retained the name and moved
to the UK. There was no follow-up. Mrs Porter had to all intents and purposes
disappeared from the face of the earth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hope of actually locating her was fading, Joe realized, but
he would nevertheless try to find his mother in the UK. Everyone he knew told
him he would be wasting his time, but Joe had made up his mind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You don’t even know her current name. Where will you go
first?” they asked him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Easy,” Joe said. “Her married name is Porter.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The UK does not have ID cards. She might have married
again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll get a map of the UK and stab it with a pin like in the
game of putting a tail on the donkey,” said Joe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe’s girlfriend, a frosty teacher named Sofia, tried to
make him decide between her and the UK. The UK won.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The result of Joe’s haphazard orientation was
Middlethumpton, a market town not very far from Oxford. He would find lodgings
there and study his options, he told everyone. He could not be deterred from
his crazy plan. In the back of his mind he knew that somewhere in the UK a twin
was lurking. He did not tell anyone how he knew. He did not know if he looked
like his twin, or even if his brother was still alive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe left his daughter at her boarding-school in South Africa
where Sofia taught and arrived in the UK as a tennis coach. He immediately
found a club in Middlethumpton that was willing to employ him, but within days
was disillusioned with the many talent-free youngsters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe was sure that many parents had settled for tennis only
because they did not like horses or had no field to put one in, horse-riding
being the sport all British kids really wanted to do. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Used to the spaciousness in South Africa and the generosity
of his sponsors, Joe was dismayed by the mediocre tennis sport facilities and
would have quit tennis altogether after that first week if he had known what to
do instead. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Joe’s first outing after moving into a B & B in
Middlethumpton, he was spoken to by dozens of people, some disreputable and
dirty and some dressed in Saville Row suits, who all thought they knew him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe had read somewhere that there are only twelve types of
looks, so the chances of having one or a hundred doubles somewhere was very
high and people often thought they knew someone and didn’t. That applied to
Joe, who was of course new to the area. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe was a man of action. He decided that he must have a
look-alike in the district. If he did, he had to find him. He owed that to
himself and coincidences had been known to happen. He looked through the
freebie Middlethumpton Thursday Gazette as suggested by his landlady and
decided to advertise. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next day he called in at the Gazette office and requested an
interview with the editor. The receptionist, a pretty young thing with the name
‘Maureen’ pinned on her breast, did not look up from whatever she was doing.
She routinely refused the request and was explaining why the editor was not
available when he appeared and was about to address Joe by a name belonging to
someone else when Joe<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>introduced himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Explain,” commanded the editor “What are you doing here?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maureen finally looked up and gasped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have a double here,” said Joe. “I want to find him. You
just thought I was him. Will you tell me who he is?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bertie Browne with an ‘e’ was the editor in chief of the
Gazette, a post he had awarded himself since the staff consisted of him and two
receptionists, Maureen and Doreen, who worked in rotation. Bertie Browne
immediately smelt a story. Stories were hard to come by if you were not on the
press network. He knew exactly who looked like this man, but he would keep that
knowledge to himself and quickly silenced Maureen before she could spill the
beans.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of course we’ll help you, Mr …” said Bertie Browne, looking
daggers at the receptionist. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m Joe Butler. Call me Joe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Bertrand Browne. How do you do?,” said Bertie, offering Joe
a limp hand. “Call me Mr Browne. Come into my office and we’ll discuss your
request.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maureen wondered why her boss was not being straight with
Joe Butler, but she knew better than to argue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe was not used to formality and was quite embarrassed that
he had offered his first name to someone who was clearly hoping to command
respect by being awarded the modest title of Mister.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tell me your story, Mr Butler,” said Mr Browne, emphasizing
the title.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe decided not to tell Mr Browne about his father’s
diaries. In fact, he would only tell him anything that was absolutely
necessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“People have been talking to me on the street. They think
I’m someone I’m not, Mr Browne. If you would be so kind as to publish a photo
of me asking the person who looks like me to get in touch, I would be very
grateful.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How much is it worth to you, Mr Butler?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How much is it worth to YOU, Mr Browne?” said Joe, who had
already appraised Mr Browne’s dubious character traits. “Would it be better if
I go to the national dailies? I don’t think they would charge me for publishing
such a potentially interesting photo.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bertie Browne realized that he had met his match in Joe
Butler.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Half an hour later, a digital likeness to Joe’s liking had
been taken and Maureen was called on to type the text that would be published
the following Monday. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It will be in Monday’s edition,” Mr Browne promised, “along
with the football results and second-hand car market. If you don’t get results
I’ll publish it again on Thursday. Will that be to your liking?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A sardonic smile accompanied Bertie’s words. He wondered if
Joe Butler was like his brother. He would take care not to allow Joe to think
there was any friendship in the deal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thanks a lot,” said Joe. “I’m moving to Upper Grumpsfield
tomorrow, but you can reach me on my cell phone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can reach me on yours, Mr Butler. Give him the number,
Maureen!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maureen wrote the number down along with her own and “in
case you are lonely” in brackets.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let me know what happens, Mr Butler, so that we can publish
a photo of you and your double.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What should I charge, Mr Browne?” Maureen asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This one’s on the house,” said Bertie. He was not going to
risk losing the story to one of the national dailies over the weekend, and it
would be a good way of getting his own back for a recent incident in which HQ
was called on to mediate and which he preferred to forget.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s not the whole story, Mr Browne,” said Joe, who did
not care much for the way in which he was being ushered out of the building.
“I’m also looking for my mother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have you lost her?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve never met her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, dictate the story to Maureen and she can get my
approval. I have no more time now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With those words, Bertie Browne swept back into his office
leaving Joe at the reception desk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s quite a card, isn’t he?” said Maureen. “I do all the
work here, but he pays my wages so he has the last word.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maureen was loyal. She kept quiet about the identity issue
though she had immediately recognized the likeness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He wasn’t at all interested in my mother,” said Joe, as
Maureen handed him the scrap of paper with her and the Gazette’s phone numbers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s only really interested in attracting adverts, Mr
Butler, and writing articles that make people also look at the ad pages and
even place ads themselves. Your story is enough for a start. But don’t worry,
I’ll get it all sorted and the Gazette displaying your photo will be in
everyone’s letter box round here and available at supermarkets and newsagents first
thing on Monday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That sounds fine, Maureen.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He might go for a bit of romance too, Mr Butler.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Really?” said Joe, realizing that Maureen was now making a
diplomatic pass at him. “We could go for a drink this evening, Joe said.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve got a date for this evening. How about next week?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why not?” said Joe, wondering if Maureen always offered
herself and then drew back before a date could materialise. “Is Bertie gay,
Maureen?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He is, but I’m not,” said Maureen coyly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe decided to ignore Maureen’s renewed attempt to get off
with him. He wondered if Bertie Browne’s secretaries were both schooled in the
gentle art of flirting in order to attract custom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maureen would make a note of what was to appear in the
Gazette the following Monday and, depending on the Monday appeal, on the
Thursday. Joe told Maureen that his mother had moved to the UK. He thought that
if he could trace his double, he might also be able to find his mother since
they had probably moved to the UK while his twin was a schoolboy, so would
Maureen please not mention his mother in the Monday issue. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maureen thought it was all very exciting and quite unlike
any of the items she was otherwise obliged to write. This was on a different
plane from lost dogs, and superior to the loss of old people who had wandered
off in a demented state. Apart from that, thinking like Bertie would have done,
she calculated that at least two formidable articles were going to appear in
the Gazette, maybe three.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since Joe had very few possessions, the move fitted into his
backpack and was completed in one bus ride. He spent the weekend getting used
to his new surroundings and walking Dog all over the village and through
Monkton Woods. He even went to church, but stopped outside as St Peter’s was
not animal-friendly according to a notice in large print. It wasn’t until many
weeks later that he heard that the sign was not meant for normal people with
domestic pets, but for rural dwellers who might be tempted to bring a pig or a
goat for blessing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
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