*
She went to stand by the window where, beyond the new blind, it was if the night had been there forever as Tim explained Louis Perelman’s cunning duplicity. The details Jez had recalled, which she ought to read when she felt able.
Rita turned round.
"How had Frank got hold of it?"
"From the
Old Soldier
. Jez and Perelman went there regularly to buy, and he must have left it behind on his last visit.” He paused. “I'm amazed Frank never saw him."
"Are you?" Rita’s tone suddenly sharper. "So how did Jez get the money for drugs?" Another question she didn't really want answered.
"Perelman wasn't hard up at the time. Think about it. He treated them both."
The kitchen spotlights were suddenly too bright. Her insides too empty. She'd not eaten since Tim had last been there. "Why didn't one of those Monks give the diary back to me?”
"Supplying youngsters with a class A drugs is a bad move. Or maybe they never noticed it. One thing's certain now. Monk Inc. – even Denise - will be sticking to their right to silence."
Rita too, fell silent. Switched off one of the spotlights to reduce the glare. Tim didn't seem to notice the difference, but watched every one of her movements as she crossed over to the front door and drew its bolts across. He then shared his news about Jacquie Harper.
“I can’t feel sorry for her,” she said, sitting down again. “Perhaps I should.”
“No. She should have faced custody and the rest. Set an example.” He then lowered his voice to reveal how, on Saturday afternoon, he’d passed the Little Bidding bombshell to a journo friend on
The Gazette
, then Frank.
“I see there’s no reporter’s name. Wasn’t that a big risk?”
“Isn’t everything?”
“And Kayleigh’s drawing? How come that appeared?”
“I’m guessing that just before boarding the ferry, Frank must have found somewhere to fax it to that same paper. A good job too, because Briar Bank had mislaid their only copy. Or rather…” Here he stopped because Jane Truelove’s issues belonged to the past. “So bloody sad, really,” he said instead. “Still, what a gesture... At least he’s still got it on him, which is something.”
"I’m not sure about that. Nor her being associated with it.”
“She should be chuffed. And proud.”
“Incidentally, how did you contact Frank?”
“I’ve not been a cop for twelve years for nothing. You had to have some justice after so long. And I did tell him not to mention Kayleigh’s name, and to stay in touch with you.”
*
The clock struck eleven. Rita waited for its bleak chimes to end before speaking again.
"You’re right. I must see Jez’s diary, and,” she hesitated. “Where Frank ended up, if it's possible. Can you understand that?"
"Of course. I collected my Saab from Briar Bank on the way here, so once Kayleigh's home tomorrow, I'll take the three of you down south. Portsmouth CID will want to hear your side of things anyway. And you can pick up your mac belt too. I think I know why Perelman kept it. Why he killed Jez. And I suspect, Jip."
"Tell me."
"Jealousy."
"What? I don’t get it. He had everything. Or did."
"Except as he said to me, a real Mum and Dad. A real home." He then paused. "At least he could have had a brother."
*
The kitchen clock's luminous face showed midnight. Tim finally pushed back his chair and walked over to her. "Better start looking for that new house. For me as well, don't forget." His eyes said it all, and Rita pinched herself to make sure she’d not been hearing things.
"Are you serious?"
“Never more so.”
“I know your flat's being taken off you, but surely you'll still be based in London?”
He shook his head.
"I've requested a transfer to the Midlands.”
“Really?” Thinking of Rugby. “Why?”
“On medical grounds."
"Medical?"
"Yes. A common enough condition, and curable, I believe." He pulled her towards him, holding her close enough for his lips to meet hers in a crush of hope and longing and, from the corner of her eye, she noticed his hyacinths on the dresser had fully opened. Blue, the colour of holiday skies. Something she’d never want to forget.
"This condition?" She looked up to meet his gaze before he kissed her a second time. “Is it something I should know about?”
"I think they call it heart trouble."
END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks go to David Lewis of
Publish & Print
–
www.publishandprint.co.uk
for his patience, expertise and support