As if by Magic (6 page)

‘I’m a very busy man, Ms...?’

‘Probably better if you call me “DS Daniel”,’ Jessica said, not wanting him to add any more informality to proceedings. She suddenly felt uncomfortable out of her work clothes.

For a moment, she thought Balthazar was going to ask her first name but instead he checked Dave’s name and then led them through to a large room which had a small stage at the front and large bookshelves along the full length. On the shelves, there weren’t many books, but instead all sorts of paraphernalia, including hats, gowns, photographs and crucially, Jessica noticed, a Rubik’s cube.

‘This is where I practice and plan,’ Balthazar said.

On the walls were various posters, showing tour dates from years gone by. The colours were bright, with big bold letters proclaiming “The Great Benvolio” and “King Balthazar” at various dates. He had been performing since before Jessica was born, although, as she glanced around the room, there didn’t seem to be anything from the past few years. Balthazar seemed pleased with the interest, standing aside and allowing Jessica and Dave to stroll around.

‘One of our mates would love all this,’ Jessica said as she looked at a black and white photograph of Balthazar wearing a black cloak and top hat. She couldn’t know for sure but the pose may as well have come directly after a “ta-da” moment given the grin and raised arms. He certainly had a lot more hair in the photo than he did now.

‘What’s that?’ Dave asked as he walked along the front of the room near the stage. There was a small platform with three steps leading up to it and an elaborate throne-like chair sitting on top.

‘Aah, my latest creation. I’m working on a trick called “the vanishing professor”.’ Balthazar deepened his voice, rolling the first “r” of “professor” extravagantly before throwing his arms wide. The impact was deadened slightly by the fact he was still carrying a glass and at least a quarter of it sloshed over the top on to the ground. He didn’t seem to notice, instead downing the rest of whatever it was and putting the container on the floor next to the door.

Jessica dug into the pocket of the jacket and took out three bags, each containing one of the stolen items. From the records, they knew Balthazar had registered four other items missing at the same time. If someone was returning them through the boxes, it seemed likely they were either somewhere else around the city, or had already been taken – or binned. She handed the bags to the man and asked if they were his. The descriptions from the file, including the engravings, matched exactly what had been dropped off.

Balthazar took the bags and began to examine each item without taking it out of the packet.

‘Are they yours?’ Jessica asked.

‘I think so... yes.’ He didn’t sound quite sure but Jessica could see from the way he was holding the objects close to his eyes that he needed glasses. Given the way he portrayed himself, she suspected he was too vain to wear them. ‘The engravings are as they should be,’ he added as he held the ring a centimetre or two away from his face.

Jessica nodded, while indicating for Dave to hand across the print-outs he had picked up. ‘We need you to sign these documents,’ she said. ‘After that you can have the items back.’

‘Where did you find them?’ Balthazar asked, taking the papers and looking at Jessica. He seemed concerned.

‘Believe it or not, they were all left on the streets of Manchester. Do you have any idea who might have wanted to do that?’

Balthazar patted his pockets, before Dave handed him a pen. He signed the papers and handed them back, shaking his head slowly from side to side. ‘Do you have any photographs of who left them?’

CCTV of Deansgate Tram Station had been checked and Tony had been seen leaving the box there too. He hadn’t mentioned the extent of what twenty pounds had paid for when Jessica had spoken to him that morning. She didn’t think it was worth mentioning him as she did believe the biggest part of his story, so gave Balthazar the same description of the young man in a suit that Tony had given her.

Balthazar continued to shake his head slowly. ‘I don’t know anyone who looks like that,’ he said.

‘Either way, we know you registered the stolen jewellery and antique watch at the same time, so we are looking out for the rest,’ Jessica said. The mystery of who had paid for the items to be left, and why, was buzzing in the back of her mind but she didn’t think there was much more Balthazar could add for now. Although the items were valuable, the chances were she and Dave would end up covering their regular cases by Monday. That’s if they weren’t in too much trouble for skipping training.

‘It must be your lucky day,’ Jessica added.

‘I suppose...’ Balthazar replied while holding the watch close to his face to inspect the markings. Jessica thought about telling him of the magician’s paraphernalia in which the items had been found but chose not to, thinking it could be useful information at some point.

Balthazar sat in a chair close to the door, so Jessica followed his lead by sitting opposite. She couldn’t make out his mood, he seemed more surprised to be holding the items, as opposed to pleased to have them back.

‘When were they taken?’ Jessica asked.

The question seemed to shake Balthazar back to the present, his voice suddenly sounding authoritative again. ‘A couple of years ago perhaps?’

‘And were they stolen from here?’

‘No, not at all.’ Balthazar waved his hand dismissively, as if the idea of anyone getting past the security gate, lights, bolts on the door and cameras was ludicrous. ‘I was doing a show in Manchester and they were from our locked dressing room.’

‘Why did you have them with you?’ Jessica asked.

‘They were part of the act, perhaps more tradition than anything.’

‘And which theatre were you at? The Palace?’

Balthazar shifted uncomfortably in his seat and didn’t meet Jessica’s gaze. ‘No...’

‘The Opera House?’

‘No, it was... a different type of performance.’

Jessica suddenly realised what he meant – smaller. ‘Where was it?’ she asked.

‘It was the Salford Arts Theatre.’

Balthazar stared at the ground, apparently embarrassed. Jessica only had to look around the walls to have some idea why. He had once sold out places like the Palace but was now performing in small art houses. It must have been a comedown. She felt a little sorry for him, especially because of her reaction to the way he had kissed her hand. He had obviously lived his life as a performer – it was part of the character he had become.

‘Can I ask you a question?’ Balthazar said quietly.

‘Yes...’

‘I’ve already been paid out by the insurance company. If these items all now reappear, what happens?’

Jessica looked at Dave whose face was blank. She guessed he would have to report it and then, in all likelihood, either pay the money back or give the items to the insurance company.

Rather than speculate, she advised him to make a phone call.

‘Maybe I should have them checked for authenticity’s sake,’ Balthazar added as Jessica stood ready to leave.

‘I suppose,’ Jessica replied, wondering if he was worried about how much he might have to pay back.

As he opened the door, Jessica could hear Ashleigh’s heels clicking nearby. Balthazar called after her, then said he had to go to his study and that she would show them out. As he hurried away along a nearby corridor, Ashleigh reappeared in front of them.

‘Hey guys,’ she said, ‘Whaddya think? It’s a pretty nifty practice space, isn’t it?’ Her smile was as wide as before as she again focused on Dave. She touched him on the shoulder and walked back into the room, spinning around to point at the posters with a click-clack of her heels and a pouting look towards Dave. ‘Balt has performed in so many massive venues. It’s brilliant, isn’t it?’

‘Were you with him when the items were stolen?’ Jessica asked.

Ashleigh stopped spinning and tilted her head again. It looked as if she had put more make-up on since answering the door as her eyes were darker and lips redder. ‘When was that again?’ she asked.

‘A couple of years back,’ Jessica clarified.

Ashleigh started counting on her fingers, although Jessica thought she should be able to get past two without having to resort to using her hands.

‘You know what, guys? I only started performing with Balt around a year ago.’

Ashleigh’s words sounded true, although there was something obviously put on about the manner.

‘Who was his assistant before?’ Jessica asked, thinking of the photos from the shelves.

Ashleigh scratched her head. ‘Oh, that would be Brenda.’

‘Who’s that?’

‘Balt and Brenda used to be married,’ Ashleigh said, speaking quicker than she had done the entire time, addressing Jessica rather than Dave.

Jessica was going to ask when they split up but the questions seemed to answer themselves, with the exception of one.

‘So why did you choose to start working with Balthazar?’

‘You know what? That’s a really interesting question,’ Ashleigh said annoyingly, twirling a strand of hair around her finger and sucking on her tongue. ‘I guess I just like performing and Balt gives me such a great opportunity to do that on stage. You only have to look around here to see everywhere he’s been...’

Ashleigh stood with one leg slightly bent, pushing her chest out again. Jessica had seen and heard enough.

‘Let’s go,’ she said, gripping Dave’s arm and beginning to walk.

Back outside, as he unlocked the car, Dave finally found his voice. ‘That was all a bit strange, he said.

‘What, your constant gawping?’

‘No, the fact
she’s
with
him
.’

‘Not everyone goes for the spiky-haired, gormless dimwit-look.’

‘Do you reckon it’s just the money?’ Dave asked, having apparently not heard the insult.

Jessica climbed into the passenger seat and slammed the door. ‘Well, she wouldn’t be the first.’

SIX

Jessica leant her head on the window of Dave’s car as he drove along the inside lane of the motorway.

‘Just go around him,’ she said, gesturing angrily at the lorry in front of them and raising her voice.

‘I do know how to drive,’ Dave replied, keeping his eyes firmly on the road.

‘You drive like my nan.’

‘I thought she died years ago?’

‘Exactly – but she’d still have her foot further down than you.’

Dave moved down a gear and checked his mirrors but didn’t change lanes. ‘Why does it matter to you? You’ve not even told me where you want to go.’

‘Because I can’t think properly with you dawdling along.’

‘What would you prefer?’

‘Well just because you’ve got a bald spot coming along, it doesn’t mean you have to drive like someone who’s touching seventy.’

Dave touched the back of his head self-consciously, smoothing a piece of hair down. ‘I think there might be something wrong with the car actually,’ he said, sounding concerned.

‘Really?’

‘Yeah, listen.’

Jessica stayed quiet for a few moments. Dave had some sort of extra-loud exhaust fitted, which was raging as ridiculously as always, but, aside from that, everything sounded normal.

‘I can’t hear anything,’ she said.

‘Shh, just listen.’

Dave continued to focus on the road, while Jessica remained silent for another minute.

‘Hear anything yet?’ Dave asked.

‘No.’

‘I’m not sure then. When it’s just me in the car, it’s absolutely fine and zips along nice and quickly. Now, when I put my foot down, it’s like there’s some enormous bulk in the front passenger’s seat, weighing it down.’

Jessica slapped him hard on the arm as Dave started laughing to himself. ‘You had me going then,’ she said. ‘I thought we were going to break down on the side of the road.’

‘We’ll run out of petrol first if you don’t hurry up and decide what you want to do.’

Jessica rested her head back on the window, before feeling self-conscious and shifting her weight more to the centre.

‘If this is just someone returning stolen goods,’ Jessica said. ‘Why would they go to the whole hassle of putting them in objects that could relate to Balthazar’s act, packing them up nicely, and then paying someone to drop them off? They could just post them, or hand them in anonymously.’

‘Maybe it’s all about showmanship, like Hugo said?’

‘I suppose... but then what do they get back? We don’t know who they are, so there’s no credit there and it’s not going to get much, if any, publicity either. What’s the point in putting on a show if no-one’s there to see it?’

‘Perhaps they just want to make things awkward for him? He claims the insurance money and then the goods reappear.’

Jessica rested her head on the back of the seat, thinking there was something she had missed. ‘It’s not that awkward, though, is it?’ she added. ‘You either keep the money and give the goods to the insurance company, or vice versa. The only way he would lose out was if he somehow ended up with nothing.’

Jessica stared out of the front window, watching the lorry edge further ahead, while cars zoomed past in the middle lane. ‘Do you remember that credit-check guy who did us a favour on the quiet a year or so back?’ she said eventually. ‘Wasn’t he one of your mates?’

‘He was one of my old school friends,’ Dave said.

‘Do you reckon he’d do me a favour?’

‘Probably not
you
– but if you want to owe me one, I could ask him.’

‘How about instead of that, I let you take the credit for my upcoming brilliant idea?’

‘Hmm,’ Dave said, not looking away from the road. ‘Pay me back that fiver and you’re on.’

Jessica thought for a moment, knowing she had no cash on her and wondering if Dave thought she was joking when she’d told him that earlier.

‘Done,’ she said, knowing full-well he had less chance of getting his money than she had of getting married anytime soon.

It didn’t take long for Jessica to get the information she wanted. Although it wasn’t strictly through the correct channels, they would have been able to get their hands on it sooner or later – it was just that she wanted it sooner.