HIDDEN SECRETS (9 page)

“I’ve noticed you don’t have your surname on your identity badge, why is that?”

“No one can spell it or pronounce it properly,” he smirked.

“Oh I see; what is it then?”
”Szczcepanski”

“I see what you mean; we’ll leave it as it is.”

Joseph turned to go, but Alex called him back.

“Before I forget, I want you to take a case from reception to room 137, it belongs to Mrs. Preston she’s staying over-night.”

“Yes Sir, isn’t that the room her husband was in?”

“That’s right Joseph, now if there’s nothing else I’m busy.”

“No Sir, I’ll see to it straight away.” 

Joseph left the office, and Alex flicked through a pile of paperwork on his desk. A few minutes later, another knock sounded and he looked up.

“Come in,” he spoke loudly, and Sean Hughes entered the room.

“You wanted to speak to me Mr. Lawton?” he enquired nervously.

“Yes I do. Can you explain to me why you’re never around when I need you?” he asked sternly.

“I don’t know what you mean?”

“I was called to reception again,” he emphasised his words, “to deal with a guest, because you were nowhere to be found.”

“I’ve been busy stock-taking all day,” he lowered his head, to avoid making eye contact with Alex.

“Stock-taking,” he paused and nodded his head.  “Would that be with Kelly Barnes by any chance?”

“Yes, she wasn’t sure what to do.”

“I’ll assume you showed her then?” he replied trying not to smirk, even though he was angry with the young man.

Sean had nothing to say.

“Do I look stupid, and don’t answer that question. I know what you’re up to, and this is your last warning. If the standard of your work doesn’t improve in the next two weeks, I’ll have to let you go. Do you understand me?”

“Yes Sir,” the young man nodded

“You can go now.” Alex dismissed him and picked up the envelope that Joseph had delivered earlier. It was hand-written, and he tore it open to reveal a two paged document. After reading it carefully, he replaced it back in the envelope and hurried from his office.

CHAPTER 6.

SUNDAY MORNING OCTOBER 2
ND

After a restless night Kate woke early, and for a brief moment forgot where she was. When reality came crashing back, her heart thudded in her chest as the reality of her predicament registered. It had been a mistake to stay in the room Ben had occupied. Every time she closed her eyes, her head was swamped with images of him and this other woman. She was in the same bed, and the thought filled her with disgust and loathing. Leaping out of bed as if she had been stung, she took a shower and left the room. Downstairs she caught sight of Alex, and headed in his direction.

“Good morning Kate, did you sleep well?” he enquired.

“Yes thanks,” she mumbled, not wanting to admit the truth.

“Take a look at this; it as delivered last night by hand,” he passed her the envelope.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Open it, and see.”

Kate took the contents from the envelope and briefly scanned the two page document. The second page was signed and dated by her husband, with a note attached requesting Alex’s signature.

“This is from Ben,” she looked up at him. “I don’t understand, how did it get here?”
“I’ve already told you, it was delivered last night.”

“Ben was here last night and you didn’t think to wake me?” she was astounded.

“It was delivered by a woman.”

“Who was she?” Kate continued to question him.

“Mrs. Gilroy said she was between thirty and forty, with bleached blonde hair.”
“Well that narrows it down to a few million; it could even have been me in a wig.” Kate raised her voice, and glanced over her shoulder at Mrs. Gilroy.

“I haven’t got time to notice what people look like. I was given that envelope and told to give it to Mr. Lawton. She was only here for a minute at the most,” Mrs. Gilroy attempted to defend her inadequate description of the woman in question.

Ignoring her outburst, Alex turned his attention back to Kate.

“Whoever delivered this envelope wasn’t the same woman who was with Ben.”

“I think we should tell the police,” Kate decided.

“I did that last night, they’ll be here shortly.”

“Now we know Ben is involved with two women, if he’s still alive that is,” Alex spoke his thoughts.

“That’s very cruel Alex, this is my husband you’re talking about,” Kate stared at him.

“I didn’t mean to be cruel, I’m sorry.”

Ignoring him, she continued.

“Why didn’t Ben bring the contract for you to sign in person?” Kate asked.

“I’m sorry to point out the obvious Kate; but Ben’s gone missing!”

“I was asking a rhetorical question,” she replied vaguely and added, “he didn’t bring it himself because he’s not able to. I think he’s been kidnapped,” she sat back and stared vacantly towards the window.

“Why would anyone want to kidnap him?” Alex was confused.

“You said he could have been abducted, remember?” she raised her eyebrows.

“I wasn’t being serious,” he paused.

“Why would anyone other than Ben want my signature on this contract?” he added.

“You told me you’d already signed, and this contract was merely a formality,” Kate reminded him.

“I signed to accept that I.D.C. had secured the deal on the original document, but the terms were defined in detail on this contract. If I really wanted to, I could hire a top lawyer who could, and would say, without my signature on this line, the contract was null and void,” he stabbed his finger on the line.

“Are you going to sign it?”

“When I get proof that Ben is still alive,” he replied bluntly

“How do you intend to do that?”

“I’ll wait until I’ve spoken to the police,” he turned to go, then stopped.

“I nearly forgot, there are a few lines in the morning paper about Ben’s disappearance, it’s on page four,” Alex passed it to her.

Kate turned to the relevant page and read the few sentences that summed up ‘the missing business man’ as the editor had labelled him.

“I suppose he’s just another missing person, not very exciting reading is it?” she surmised flicking through the remainder of the paper, when something caught her eye.

“Look at this Alex; it’s the man in the morgue. Look at his face, it’s definitely him,” she said excitedly, pointing to the image.

“It could be him I suppose, but I really can’t be certain,” he studied the man’s face.

“No it’s definitely him; look at that strange birthmark on his neck. I noticed it straightaway.”

“It doesn’t really matter who it is he’s just another suicide.”

“Read that paragraph, I think you’ll change your mind.”

Alex took the paper and read the printed details beneath the dead man’s photograph.

“It says he was staying at this hotel before he died; well I never saw him and the police never mentioned it,” Alex was puzzled.

“He was a business man as well,” she read aloud.

“Forty two year old Lewis Alcott, who worked for Tortek Laboratory Supplies, was found dead on Tuesday morning. His death has been recorded as a suicide. He leaves a wife and three children.”

“I wonder who told them he was staying here.” Alex was thoughtful.

“Perhaps it was Mrs. Gilroy; she’s got a mouth like the Mersey Tunnel!” Kate smirked.

“Probably; Oh, I nearly forgot, if you give the police a photograph of Ben, the press will print it. It seems more human apparently if the public have a face to relate to.”

Kate searched frantically through the contents of her over-flowing handbag. Tucked inside an old diary, she discovered a photograph she had taken of Ben the previous Christmas. He had a huge grin on his face after a few too many red wines, but it had captured his mood perfectly. She smiled to herself, and passed the print to Alex.

“They can use this one, but it’s my favourite, and I want it back,” she emphasised.

“Of course,” he slipped it into his inside pocket.

As she replaced the contents into her handbag, Kate found one of the photographs she had received through the post.

“Look at this photograph Mrs. Gilroy,”

“You can call me Peggy,” she smiled.

“O.K. Peggy, could you just look at the photograph please?” she asked.

“Let me see it then,” Peggy leaned forward and studied it, then asked. “Who are they, your family?”

Kate frowned and replied, “I’m not sure who they are.”

“Well why are you showing it to me then?”

“Could the woman in this photograph be the same one who gave you the envelope last night?” she spoke slowly.

“I don’t know, she looks similar but I couldn’t be sure,” she wavered.

“That looks like Ben to me,” Alex remarked over her shoulder.

“I know, but he swears it isn’t.”

“Where did you get it from?”

“I received it through the post on Monday. There’s another twenty or so, all of the same couple.”

“How odd, if that man isn’t Ben, then I’d say he had a twin brother.”

“Even odder that he should disappear a few days later. The photos were addressed to me, but there has to be a connection, I just know it,” Kate frowned.

“Or it could just be a coincidence?” Alex raised his eyebrows.

“I don’t think so,” she paused, and glanced towards the entrance foyer, where two police officers were talking to Mrs. Gilroy.

“You’ve got visitors Alex,” Kate informed him.

“Damn, I was hoping we could have breakfast before they arrived.”

“Perhaps they could join us,” Kate suggested.

The two officers, Inspector Ralph Salt, and Constable Sam Newell introduced themselves to Alex, who was visibly irked by their presence. Kate studied the two officers, and surmised that Inspector Salt couldn’t disguise his occupation even in plain clothes. He was not smartly dressed, his overcoat looked relatively new albeit badly creased, and his dark blue suit serviceable, rather than fashionable. It was difficult not to notice his over-stretched trousers, which were hovering below a huge waistline, and only just clinging on to his flesh with the help of a leather belt. Not a young man, Inspector Salt had a kind face, and a surprisingly neat moustache. His once jet black hair sprinkled with grey, was brushed back from his face, revealing a high forehead and the beginning of a bald patch. In contrast, the young P.C. by his side was fresh-faced and anxious. The buttons on his pristine uniform shone like crystals above his highly polished shoes He glanced repeatedly towards his superior officer as he awaited instructions and guidance, but for now he was invited to join Alex and Kate for breakfast. Both officers gladly accepted the offer, and took their places at table. A selection of fresh fruit and cereal were followed by a cooked meal consisting of smoked fish or bacon, eggs, mushrooms, sausage and French fried bread.  With the exception of Kate, who had a small bowl of cereal, everyone ate heartily.

“That’s no way to start the day,” Inspector Salt commented on her meagre meal. “It’s no wonder you’re so thin.”

“That’s why you’re so fat,” Kate muttered under her breathe, as he stuffed another sausage into his mouth.

Their appetites appeased, and compliments passed on the high standard of the food, Inspector Ralph Salt made a remark concerning the suicide of Lewis Alcott.

“This is the same hotel that Mr. Alcott was staying in Mr. Lawton,” he questioned rather than stated a fact.

“So I believe, although I was not aware of his presence. I don’t personally meet all my guests.”

“It seems a bit of a coincidence though doesn’t it?” he persisted.

“Coincidences do happen. Now I’d appreciate it if we could discuss Mrs. Preston’s husband.”

Inspector Salt proceeded to question Alex about Ben’s disappearance, while Constable Newell took notes. He relayed the details of their meeting, and his consequent departure from the bar.

“The last time I saw him was in The Silver Bar. He was having a drink, and we arranged to meet on the following morning to sign the relevant paperwork,” he explained.

“We’ll need to question the bar staff, and any other staff who had direct contact with Mr. Preston.”

“I’ll make sure they’re available Inspector,” Alex agreed.

“Did Mr. Preston seem depressed or preoccupied to you?” P.C. Newell asked.

“Not at all, quite the opposite in fact. He’d just secured a million pound contract. It’s hardly a cause for depression is it?” Alex poured a coffee.

“What about you Mrs. Preston, would you say your husband was acting strangely before he left to meet Mr. Lawton.”

“It depends on what you mean by strange, he does have some strange habits,” she admitted.

“Did he say or do anything out of character?”

“No not really. He did phone me to say he’d be staying overnight which he hadn’t planned to do originally, but that’s hardly odd behaviour is it?”

“It could be relevant Mrs Preston,” Inspector Salt replied.

“Do you have a photograph of your husband?” Constable Newell looked up.

“I’ve given it to Mr. Lawton,” she looked in his direction, prompting him to pass it over.

“Could I have it back as soon as you’ve finished with it?”

“Of course, I’ll get a copy and make sure it’s returned to you.”

“I think you should mention the other photographs Kate,” Alex prompted her.

“What photographs are they?” Inspector Salt glanced in Kate’s direction.

“I received them through the post on Monday, I don’t know if they’re connected to my husband’s disappearance or not. The man in the photograph is definitely my husband, but he insisted it wasn’t,” she hesitated momentarily, and then continued.

“One of the photographs was taken at a café in Southpool. I could just about make out the name and phone number; I went there on the day Ben came here to meet Alex. Max, the cafe owner, recognised the couple in the photo, and told me they used to holiday there every year. They were name Gerry and Anne Parrish, but I didn’t know them. They had twin daughters, but one of them died in an accident. Apparently the couple split up, and Max didn’t see them again after that,” she looked up at the Inspector.

“That’s very interesting,” he paused and added, “I don’t suppose you have theses photographs with you?”

“Just the one; I took the rest out of my handbag, I don’t know why,” Kate took the print from her bag and handed it over.

“We’ll make a copy and return it to you along with the one of your husband,” he assured her, as he tucked the two photographs inside his wallet.

“Now Mr. Lawton, could you let me have the envelope and its contents that you received last night, and we’ll need to take a look at Mr. Preston’s room.”

Alex reached inside his inside pocket and took out the envelope.

“Could I have this back as soon as you’ve finished with it?” he asked.