A Servant of the Company (33 page)

The time had passed quickly, the early morning light heralding the start of a perfect summer’s day. The roads had been reasonably clear and they arrived at Diane’s flat at ten o’clock as planned. When Diane opened the door the smell of coffee percolating drifted through from the kitchen. Once they had exchanged greetings, the visitors were ushered into the sitting room while Diane collected a tray with scones, jam and cream to compliment the coffee.

‘You said ten o’clock arrival and you were bang on target. Not bad planning.’ Diane laughed at the figures relaxing in her sitting room.

‘Looking at the tray of goodies and coffee Diane, we are amateurs at planning. This is the professional touch.’ Carol gestured at the coffee table.

After coffee Carol stood up and thanked their hostess for her generosity and then said, ‘Now let’s remind everyone of the things that have happened since Wednesday night. Over to you Steve.’

He shuffled uncomfortably as the girls looked at him expectantly. Only Diane needed updating as Anthea had been briefed the night before, but often things were missed and new information might emerge. Arif’s predicament was discussed and a break from the flat was considered vital. Once he had moved the family, they would discuss the problem again. When he had finished there were no questions. There was general agreement that they all understood the present situation.

‘Only one more thing, I forgot to mention Steve.’ Anthea held up her hands. ‘Silly of me. I spoke to Sue on Thursday and she told me that the Police were no further on with the car bombing, and the brother of the murdered man had been charged with a double killing but it could be that he will be unfit to plead. So we can relax for a while on that front, although it’s not as though any of us has done anything which we could be ashamed of is it?’

If the whole business would just go away Steve would feel happier. Anthea’s reminder of things which had been removed to a lower division now loomed large again. He moved forward on his chair eager to change the subject, even though he knew the things which had unsettled him were all part of the same agenda.

‘Now Diane, your idea on paper is truly brilliant, but what about the actors? I’ve never done any acting in my life but Carol can’t wait. Isn’t that right Carol?’ Seeing her excitement from the time she had heard of the plan, he had tried to be positive about it. He could see Carol in the role of detective but was unsure of his own capabilities.

‘That my dear Watson is why we are here. By this evening you will be Oscar winning material, believe me. There will be no lunch, no coffee breaks no nothing unless you aspire to my exacting standards.’ They all laughed at her school ma’am approach but marvelled at her confidence. The atmosphere in the room changed, slowly enthusiasm overtook Steve’s despondency as Diane set to work on the prepared script.

Two hours later Diane held up her hand. ‘Enough for twenty minutes. You’re exceeding even my expectations. While Anthea helps me in the kitchen, you two take a passport type photograph with that instamatic camera.’ She pointed across the room where the camera lay beside other equipment. ‘If you stand against the wall there you’ll have a plain background. No smiling, a serious face for a serious occasion.’

Soon the rehearsals were reaching a professional level with Steve and Carol adding their own bits to the script. The result was music to Diane’s ear. ‘You would fool me folks and I know you’re acting. Now while you two have been rewriting my script, Anthea and I have prepared your credentials and here they are.’ Passing two plastic wallets to the actors she smiled as they examined the results of her ingenuity. ‘What do you think?’

‘What do you think Detective Sergeant?’ Steve grinned as he looked at Carol. The identity card was perfect, well it would fool most people. It was amazing how the computer and printer could create such a realistic document now embellished with a photograph.

‘Well, Detective Inspector I think it’s rather good.’ At that they all burst out laughing.

‘One more thing, here’s a notebook with the Surrey Police Coat of Arms, for use when you take notes from the O’Brien’s at Somerston Manor. You’re going into the Manor and you will be doing a thorough search. Now what else do you need?’ The school ma’am was at her most imperious. ‘Come now, what else?’ She tapped the coffee table with a spoon. ‘I’m waiting!’

The team looked blankly at each other hoping for illumination. There wasn’t any.

‘How about these?’ She opened her bag and passed several pairs of rubber gloves to her student detectives. ‘You don’t want to leave fingerprints all over the place do you?’ She smiled, her briefing was complete, and her students were now qualified to do what they had to do. It was in their hands.

‘I’m impressed Diane, you have achieved miracles today. Just one other thing might help too. If Steve and Carol have to take anything from the Manor they should have a receipt to give the O’Brien’s, it would make it even more official don’t you think.’

‘Thanks Anthea, I should have thought of that but you can’t be perfect all the time.’ Diane was not only pleased with her students, her planning was satisfying and would be even more so once a visit had been made to the Manor. ‘We know how, we know where, it’s now down to when. I think the sooner the better, what are your feelings?’

Following general agreement Diane suggested the following Saturday morning, with the team staying over on Friday night to finalise the plan.

‘Now that’s organised I feel a lot better. Now I must ring Arif if you don’t mind girls. He must be a worried man, I hope he has organised a visit to relatives or something.’

His call was answered by Sumi, ‘Sorry Steve, he’s out at the moment but we have arranged to go away this afternoon. I have a cousin in North London who keeps asking us to visit so we’re doing that. It is a bit scary isn’t it?’ She didn’t mention that Arif intended keeping watch on the building and observe discreetly.

The family was safely delivered to Sumi’s cousin, now Arif returned to the place where he could observe his shop. Waiting until six p.m. before going back to join the family, having spent all the time watching apart from an occasional dash to a nearby pub to use the toilets. By Wednesday he considered things were fairly safe, nothing had happened. Maybe the visitor had got what he wanted from another source. He would give it until Friday night but if nothing happened he would return with the family on Saturday morning. Sumi had been in touch with Mrs. Bronowski who had been delighted to get an invitation to have tea with them and also to discuss a possible visit to the playschool.

His week had been wasted, nothing had happened and when he opened the shop door, a pile of envelopes scattered around his feet. Things were back to normal.

‘Shall I ring Mrs. Bronowski now Sumi, it’s going to be a beautiful day and we could all take her for a picnic? The kids would love that.’ Someone new coming into their lives would be good for the children, particularly a charming old lady with so many stories to tell. And so it was arranged.

The weekend was over far too quickly for Anthea, her time with Steve had been wonderful but she still worried about him. Settling herself in front of the television she waited for the time when he would telephone. When the news started, it centred on a fire in South London where the bodies of two women, two children and one man had been found. Foul play was suspected.

How sad for that to happen to anyone thought Anthea. It was only when the camera showed the site that she recognised Arif’s shop front and flat. ‘Oh no, it can’t be. But there are only four in the family.’ She tried to reassure herself but she knew. It was Arif and his family. The fifth person she didn’t know.

She rang Carol’s number and got an instant response. ‘If I think you’re going to say what I think you’re going to say, we’ve just seen it. It is the flat isn’t it, there’s no mistake? I can’t put Steve on at the moment, he’s too upset. He’s blaming himself, I know it’s crazy but you know Steve.’ As they had watched the news and realisation set in, he had started to shake uncontrollably and she had been unable to console him. He was now sitting white faced with a look on his face she had never seen before. ‘I’ll get him to ring you Anthea once things settle down. I’ve tried Arif’s phone but the line’s dead. I think that confirms it.’

‘Thanks Carol,’ she heard herself say as she put the phone down. Things had been bad but now it couldn’t be worse. The murder, she was sure that’s what it was, must be linked to the Company. What she did know was that she was very frightened for Steve.

Her meal stayed on the tray untouched as she tried to put her thoughts together but she was far too upset. Had anyone called while she was at work? She was clutching at straws looking for something to do. She must speak to Steve, but Carol said she would get him to call. He must be in a bad way. Picking up Steve’s mobile phone she somehow felt closer to him. Switching it on she was startled to see there was a message waiting. Her fingers fumbled until she got what she wanted.

‘Hello Anthea, its Arif I’ve just remembered something, would you let Steve know. My mystery visitor had red hair and he had a Liverpool accent. Can’t think how I forgot that. Speak to you soon. Bye.’

The shock of hearing Arif’s voice was too much for her, dropping the phone on to the sofa she wept uncontrollably. Slowly she recovered her composure, to call her not long before his death was upsetting, but maybe he’d had a premonition. Could the red haired Liverpudlian be Steve’s man? She pushed the idea from her mind, it was too ridiculous, the chances of that happening were a million to one. But the nagging doubt kept recurring, she must wait for Steve to ring and he would put her mind at rest.

It was two hours before her phone rang and a subdued Steve spoke to her. There had been no confirmation of the names of those killed in the fire, but Steve and Anthea didn’t need it. Someone, either in or outside the Company had murdered a whole family, a very special family, but for what reason?

‘Steve I had an awful shock while I was waiting for you to ring.’ She paused as the tears started to flow. ‘Arif left me a message on your phone before...’ Her voice failed her, she couldn’t say it.

‘Don’t get upset Anthea, I know it’s difficult but we have to be strong. We have even greater reason to be calm and determined. Just tell me what Arif said.’ If only he could be with Anthea they would give each other the strength they both needed.

‘Sorry my love, I didn’t mean to get upset but...’ she paused again, ‘his message was that his visitor was probably a Liverpudlian and had red hair. It couldn’t be could it? When I thought about it a cold shudder went down my spine. What do you think?’ She was calmer now, the anger she felt over the family’s death was still there but now controlled.

‘My God, that’s some coincidence. There’s only one way to find out and we’re going to have to do it quickly. Who knows what happened at the flat before the family died. The danger is right in our back yard now, would you ring Diane and let her know what’s happened. If she has heard the news I don’t think it would enter into her head that it was linked to our problem, do you?’ Someone was on the prowl like a wild beast. He had his prey in his sights and was hunting. Tables had to be turned before it was too late.

Carol had left Amanda in charge of the Manchester office and had driven to Anthea’s with Steve, their suits in the back of the car. Diane had taken a day off as her appointments diary was empty, and she awaited the arrival of her friends so her plan could become operative.

The ‘detectives’ changed into suits once they arrived at Diane’s, collected their identity cards and other significant items to ensure they appeared the genuine article. Next came the opening part of their plot and Steve was nervous. He had to call the O’Brien’s and introduce himself. He would give no information to the O’Brien’s over the phone but sound serious in asking for their help. No clues, no questions answered.

When the call was over he mopped his brow. ‘Well, how did that sound?’ He felt it it had gone well. Mrs. O’Brien had sounded a little worried but anxious to help.

‘I think that is ‘Oscar’ material in my book Steve.’ Diane clapped her hands in appreciation. ‘Wouldn’t you agree girls?’

The girls did agree, but Steve raised his hands. ‘O.K. thanks ladies. Sorry I haven’t got time to sign autographs as we have to be on our way. The O’Brien’s are expecting us in the next hour.’

‘Don’t forget, you might have to consult with a higher authority. That’s me, and we are using our mobile phones.’ Diane was enjoying herself, it was far more exciting than a day at the factory. Pulling up into the lay-by close to Somerston Manor, Diane flashed her lights as Steve continued past her to his appointment, waving as he went.

Giving Carol’s hand a squeeze, he took a deep breath and got out of the car followed by Carol. The door of the Lodge was open and the O’Brien’s were waiting, their faces showing signs of concern.

‘Mr and Mrs. O’Brien. Good morning. I’m Detective Inspector Lambert and this is Detective Sergeant Chamberlain. Thank you for seeing us, I suppose you are wondering what all this is about. Well I can’t give you too much information at this stage but what I can say is that it has been reported that Mr. Simon Colbourne hasn’t been seen for some time and there is serious concern as no-one has been able to contact him.’

‘Oh dear, I thought he might have gone to Switzerland, have you tried the family home there?’ Mrs. O’Brien swayed and looked as though she might faint, but her husband moved close and put his arm around her waist.

‘We have checked that out, he hasn’t been there nor was he expected. Could we go inside and perhaps you could help us. Before this all gets too serious we have to find him.’ Carol was facing her audience determined that she too would be at least nominated for an ‘Oscar.’

They didn’t ask to go up to the Manor House but mentioned the possibility of information being in an office or study. Dan O’Brien suggested that they could check as he had keys to the house. It was going well. All four of them headed to the house.

The study was off the drawing room, the computer staring at them as they entered. ‘You’re the computer whiz kid Sergeant, I’ll leave it to you to get it started but first we have to glove up as we say.’ Turning to the O’Brien’s he continued, ‘We haven’t discovered criminal activity and hopefully there won’t be any, but these things have to be checked out. We like as few fingerprints around as possible. So Mrs. O’Brien, no more dusting and polishing for a while. Now Mr. O’Brien if you and your wife would check around the house and see if anything out of the ordinary strikes you, then we’ll have another chat.’

‘Bridget will know immediately, she looks after the house and has done for years. If there’s anything out of place she’ll see it believe me.’ Turning they left the room to begin their search which Steve could tell would be thorough.

‘I can’t get into his personal filing cabinet, it’s asking for a password. Now what do we do?’ Carol looked around the room searching for clues and inspiration but both were in short supply.

‘Give H.Q. a ring and ask for advice, they might have something.’ A smile crossed Steve’s face as Carol keyed in for Diane.

‘Hello Sir, D.S. Chamberlain here, we have come to a halt. The computer won’t allow us in without a password. What would you suggest?’ If the O ’Brien’s heard any of the conversation so much the better.

‘Sorry Sergeant, I haven’t a clue. Would it be something to do with his parents’ names or his old school? Something like that. Maybe the O’Brien’s can give you some help.’ At least they were in the house and the O’Brien’s were cooperating. ‘There’s something else, he had a dog. I can’t remember its name but there’s a gravestone in the garden. He talked about it as if it was his best friend when he was a child. You could check that out.’

She heard the O’Brien’s approaching and raised her voice. ‘Thank you sir, I’ll check those out and also have a chat with the O’Brien’s as you suggest. Goodbye.’

There was a knock on the door. ‘We’re not intruding are we?’ Dan O’Brien stayed in the doorway looking from one detective to the other.

‘No, no. Do come in. We had to check something out with our Chief and he suggested you might help us with a password. We have a few suggestions and perhaps you could tell us names and dates, things like that. Are you acquainted with computers?’ He was friendly but every bit the Policeman and these were his witnesses.

‘Sorry Sir, No we’ve never had the need you see, have we Bridget?’

‘He can’t even work the video, leaves it to me he does. Says he can’t see the symbols on the handset, but I think he’s frightened of it but won’t admit it will you?’ She nudged her husband and gave him a loving smile.

‘If you give me a list of things you want to know, I’ll write down the answers. Is that alright?’ They were a nice pair, typical Police but nice. He would do all he could particularly if it would help young Mister Simon.

Using the completed list, Carol worked through the possible passwords. It wasn’t until she had entered the gravestone inscription, the dogs name and date of death, that the screen opened up for them. ‘Thank you Mr. O’Brien, we would have been stuck without you.’

‘There’s another thing. Mr. Simon’s father gave me a sealed envelope which has the safe combination in it. It was as he said ‘just in case’. Well I think you should have it don’t you? If Mr. Simon’s passport isn’t there then he’s abroad somewhere. I know he always keeps it in the safe. If you give me a few minutes I’ll pop down to the Gatehouse and get it.’

He could hardly believe his ears, could there be more secrets locked away? The feeling of euphoria soon passed as he posed a question to himself, ‘Has he rumbled us and is going to ring the Police to check us out?’ He had to take the risk, keep a calm approach and let the tide flow.

The information showing on the screen was staggering. Businesses, locations, names, profits it seemed endless. ‘You had better print that off Sergeant. On second thoughts we’ll take the hard drive.’

‘Could I get you some tea or coffee while you’re working?’ Bridget needed to be busy, she couldn’t bear just standing around and she felt in the way.

‘This team drinks coffee Mrs. O’Brien. That would be lovely, both milk no sugar.’ Carol’s performance had lost none of its professionalism.

‘That’s the envelope Sir, Can I leave it with you so you can get on. I’ll go and give Bridget a hand.’

Steve’s eyes were shining, things couldn’t have been better. ‘Now for the safe, where is it?’ He walked to the door and called out to Dan O’Brien. ‘Can you show me where the safe is Mr. O’Brien, it doesn’t seem to be in the study.’

‘Sorry Sir, it’s in the drawing room. I’ll show you.’ He walked over to the picture, and in seconds it swung forwards revealing the safe. ‘There you are now, I’ll just go and help...’ Steve didn’t let him finish the sentence.

‘I would rather you stayed, if there are documents which we might find useful then we will remove them but I would like you as a witness just in case there is money. If that’s the case we will count it together and then put it back. That keeps us both covered doesn’t it?’

Dan smiled at the detective, he enjoyed seeing the professionals at work. ‘That sounds good to me Sir.’

There was no money in the safe so Dan left the Detectives to do their work. It did hold a number of files each carefully annotated and numbered. There was also a bundle of credit cards in a rubber band, two old mobile phones and a passport in the name of Simon Colbourne.

He called to Dan O’Brien. ‘We’ll take the paperwork just in case. Don’t worry I’ll give you a signature for anything we remove.’ The safe was locked and the envelope with the combination handed back to Dan O’Brien.

‘The coffee’s ready, would you like it in the study or here in the drawing room?’ Bridget had set a tray with two cups, she would not think of intruding.

‘We’ll take it in the study please. We have a bit of work still to do. Have you come across anything unusual around the house?’

‘Nothing is out of place at all, it’s just as it was after I cleaned up when Mr. Simon left.’ She had been thorough, checking the bedside drawers, bathroom cabinet and other places where she might spot something.

‘Thank you anyway, and thanks for the coffee. I think we should be finished in about ten minutes.’ He turned to Carol, ‘Would you ring the chief and let him know Sergeant, you know what he’s like. And would you give Mr. O’Brien a receipt for the files we’re taking.’ He had no intention of leaving a receipt, but it sounded convincing.

‘I thought you might need this.’ Bridget O’Brien handed Steve a plastic bag. ‘There does seem there will be things you need to take. It’s going to keep you busy I think, but if you can find Mr. Simon we’ll be so glad. With his parents away, we can’t get in touch with them. If they knew, they would be worried sick.’

The files were stacked in the bin liner which Steve lifted carefully to make sure things didn’t get mixed up. Simon Colbourne would have been impressed.

‘Thank you both for your cooperation. I’ll give you my number in case anything turns up that you think could help.’ Steve passed a piece of paper and pen to Dan who wrote down the number. It was nonexistent so couldn’t be traced, and with luck neither could he.

Once they were back in the car and heading for the lay-by, he let out a cry of delight. ‘We’ve done it, I can’t believe it. Wait until the girls see this lot.’ He could hardly keep still in his seat, a quick drive back was needed so they could start work.

Carol was the first out of the car, running over to Diane she said, ‘You’re a genius, nothing less. Your brilliant idea worked perfectly, you should see what we’ve got, it will make your mouth water. That friend of yours was a smooth operator as you will see.’

‘Ex- friend please. Remember he never did come back to me with another offer. Let’s get on our way and sort out your goody bag. I can hardly wait. By the way, I think it’s safe to take those gloves off now, you will look awfully suspicious if someone spots you gloved up.’ The laughter that followed helped to release the tension Steve and Carol had been under during their acting roles.

When Steve emptied the safe he had noticed files for both himself and Carol, but the one which caused him to catch his breath was for his old enemy Corporal Jennings. Justice would be done for Arif and his family. He didn’t know how or when, but the answer would lie somewhere with the papers in the bin liner.

The traffic was not too heavy and even traffic lights had been in their favour giving them a thirty-five minute journey back to Diane’s flat.

The bin liner was carefully emptied, the files from the safe put on one side to begin with. Setting up the hard drive would be done later. It all had to make sense and Diane with Carol’s help soon had a system working. There were a few legitimate businesses like Carol’s, the main one was a property Company with a long list of property holdings. These were overseen by an accountant and recognised by the authorities. Then there were the others, including drug teams, strip clubs, massage parlours and people trafficking.

Diane put her hand on her head and scratched it once or twice. ‘Do you realise these legit Companies can continue. Apart from the tax man, who knows about them other than the accountant? We do, so why can’t they carry on with a new board of directors.’ Her eyes were shining, lying on the floor in front of them was a fortune, even if there were a few loose ends to be tied up.

‘There’s something I haven’t told you.’ Steve shuffled through the pile. ‘There’s yours Carol. Here’s mine and...’ he paused, lifted up a third file and smacked it down on the floor. ‘There’s Corporal Bloody Jennings. Would you believe it? There’s no doubt in my mind now who was responsible for the deaths, that bastard. Excuse my language but you can’t know how much hate I have inside me for that man.’

Anthea put her arm around him. ‘I think we do know Steve and we’re behind you no matter what.’ Her eyes were filling with tears again as she thought about how much pain he had suffered because of Jennings.

‘That’s how Colbourne got to know about me. Would you believe it? Here in my file is my application to join R.L.G., I tore it up and put into a bin, now here it is sellotaped together as neat as you like. What do you think of that?’ She didn’t wait for a reply but continued, ‘Can we have a brief check on the other files before we break for something to eat, you never know what or who will turn up in them.’ Steve passed a file to each of the girls and took one for himself. The room was quiet as sheets of information were read and digested.

‘Here’s one that’s interesting Steve. Another Army man, the bomb maker himself, and he was paid five thousand pounds to dispose of you. If ever there was poetic justice the end result was it.’ As Anthea read it her brain was working overtime. There was something she must discuss with Steve but the others must be kept out of it.