Wednesday September 10
Cleo had to make do with that information and decided that
Gary would call her about anything he found unusual, but after a sleepless
night spent wondering why Robert was willing to accept her rather insolent
confession about her relationship with Gary rather than draw the consequences, Cleo
phoned Gary on Wednesday morning, ostensibly for an update on the Susan Smart
murder case, but in truth because she was feeling confused about the situation
with Robert, which she knew she had provoked through her indecisiveness.
Colin Peck, a trained lawyer and one-time lucky member of a
scheme offering internships with the Metropolitan Police in London, was combing
through the data bank, but so far without any tangible results. Anything
unusual would be passed on to Gary.
***
“Are you OK, Cleo?” Gary asked, noticing that Cleo was not
very forthcoming.
“I told Robert,” she said.
“Told him what?”
“I told him that we had slept together in Frint-on-Sea.”
“Good God. How did he react?”
“He asked me if I am in love with you.”
“What did you say?”
“I said I thought I was.”
Gary was overjoyed that Cleo had told Robert how things stood,
but anxious about her, since Robert was an unknown quantity, and men had been
known to resort to violence in order to retain what they saw as their property.
“That’s not how I interpret our intimacy, Cleo. If I remember
rightly, you held on too long even at our first hug for it to be a casual gesture,
and I would rather not discuss our love-making over the phone. Even saying that
much is too much in this joint.”
“Robert was just cynical, Gary; as if he already knew. In
fact, everyone except me seems to have known the truth, even Gloria.”
“So what happens now? He isn’t going to turn violent, is he,
Cleo?”
“I shouldn’t think so. My confession did not rob him of any
sleep. He’s more likely to be glad not to have to have intimate relations if
someone else takes on the work instead.”
“I don’t think of our trysts as work,” said Gary.
“Neither do I, but I think Robert is only interested in
keeping up appearances by being married. Family butchers have a family. Basta”
“Didn’t he manage for about 29 years without one?”
“He never mentioned having missed out, Gary.”
“So you are going to stay married for a bit longer, I
gather,” said Gary, wondering how much more of that tedious butcher Cleo was
going to endure.
“I’m going on a little trip with Robert this afternoon. I’ll
placate him. He was really angry last night, though he ultimately slept like a
log and sawed through the whole of Nottingham Forest. Can we talk in your
office tomorrow morning?”
“I think we should,” said Gary. “Maybe a visit to Romano’s
would also help you to see more clearly after you seem to have once again
upheld Robert’s marriage illusion. It’s time he found someone else to possess.”
“That sounds like a good idea.But this afternoon Robert wants
to go on an outing. I can’t refuse every time.”
“Robert is as thick-skinned as a rhinoceros, Cleo.”
“He has a similar temperament too,” said Cleo. “Has Sergeant
Llewellyn turned up in Frint-on-Sea?”
“I don’t know. Colin is combing through old files and data bases
for parallels with the fat man of Morlin Bay.”
“That sounds like Enid Blyton. Don’t you already have some
parallels?” said Cleo.
“Only suspicions. For instance, a guy who fitted the
description of Llewellyn hired a hostess at the agency not far from
Frint-on-Sea.”
“Why would he do that if he went regularly to that brothel,
Gary? Anyway, Llewellyn is notorious. I can’t have been him.”
“For a change of menu, perhaps.”
“And why would an agency have said anything about someone?”
“Colin, again, pretending to be a potential client and asking
if someone he said was a friend had also asked for a hostess.”
“Colin is turning into a first-class sleuth!”
“It happened to be my idea.”
“Don’t steal his thunder, Gary”
“Apparently the hostess agency needs descriptions on
phone-made dates that so that the hostess can identify the client.”
“Wouldn’t a red rose do the trick?”
“That too. The agency told Colin about a phone client with a
similar appearance to one he gave of the mythical friend: short, stocky and
fat.”
“So the arrangements were made on the client’s self-portrait ,were
they?” said Cleo. “That agency must still be in the predigital dark ages,” said
Cleo.
“Seems like it. The guy really did describe himself as short,
stocky and a bit too fat.”
“Of course, that description fits thousands of others, though
I’m not sure many would actually own up to it,” said Cleo.
“I phoned the same agency in Morlin Bay – and yes. there are
three - and they said that clients also had to take a red rose to their
assignation,” said Gary.
Cleo laughed at that.
“That’s quite romantic,” she said.
“I’m not sure that romance is included in hostess dates. More
likely sex, though a respectable agency leaves that to the hostess,” said Gary.
“Maybe that agency is also open to matchmaking – at a price.”
“Why would they mix that up with hiring out hostesses?” said
Gary.
“Just a thought.”
”Applause for the idea of finding out about the existence of that
agency, Cleo.”
“Thank Dorothy. It was her idea.”
“She never misses a trick,” said Gary. “Useful to have
around.”
“Hey, Romeo, we are all in this together, remember?” said
Cleo, laying on her Chicago drawl.
“OK, Lady,” said Gary. “Got it in one!”
“Now tell me what elso you know please, and no
prevaricating!” said Cleo.
***
According to Gary’s inquiries, the agency provided
respectable young women to accompany single gentlemen to social functions. In
this case, the agency said that the hostess who was to meet the fat guy was
named Angie and new to the job, but refused to give her surname. Unfortunately
for the client, Angie was athletic with a black belt in judo and she laid him
flat before running off.”
“That doesn’t sound like a cop, Gary. Surely Llewellyn would
have been able to defend himself.”
“Except that his avoirdupoir won’t have done is fitness any
good. So the guy was probably of a similar build. There are plenty of little fat
guys around, as you so rightly said.”
“You don’t think the guy thought the agency was a brothel, do
you?” said Cleo.
“I doubt it. Brothels are usually walk-in establishments and
they don’t normally make appointments. A hostess agency is moderately
respectable, and many men go for respectability even in their double lives,”
said Gary.
“So they go to a moderately respectable hostess agency instead
and hire a moderately respectable hostess for their immodest sorties.”
“There’s a large conference centre on the coast and there are
a lot of dinners and receptions. I suspect that the agencie all live on the
trade it generates through word of mouth recommendations between delegates.”
“That sounds like a lot of sleaze.”
“I epect Angie is in shock. She’s a clerk during the day. She
won’t have been told to expect monkeny business.”
“Oh boy!”
“And everything was arranged by phone. Normal procedure.”
“Surely they wanted a credit card number,” said Cleo. “I don’t
suppose it’s a charitable organization.”
“No, and I expect Immediate direct debit was done with a
credict card before the assignment, or for regulars it’s online-banking within
14 days through the conference centre so that wives don’t find out what their
men have been up to. If the troubadours don’t pay up, an invoice is sent to the
address and the regular partner can read it.”
“Assuming th address was not faked,” said Cleo.
“They check on that through the conference entre when
possible. So far the threat of exposure has been deterrent enough, apparently.”
“That conference centre does not sound respectable, Gary.”
“It probably isn’t, but money talks. I expect tcooking the
cliet’s bank statements cost extra. And I don’t suppose the agency inquires
after the activities of the hostesses. For conference delegates, their little
dvantures ends up as a single payment to the conference centre.”
“Neat,” said Cleo. “So the agency gets the money whatever
happens.”
“The hostess agency insisted that it does not represent
hookers, but given the Angie incident that’s hard to believe,” said Gary. “We
don’t know if the guy intended to kill her. Angie may only have been dealing with
some unwelcome advances.”
“Only? Thank goodness she had the presence of mind to do what
she did, Gary.”
“Angie reported the incident immediately and the police went
to a chalet quite near that conference centre where she had gone with the fat
guy, but forensics will have to get evidence of some kind before any more details are released. It could
be a coincidence that the woman’s description of the client fits Llewellyn.”
“What else did the agency tell you?”
“I talked them into telling me that the client in question had
said he was at a medical congress. So if it was Llewellyn or he was lying.”
“If they checked, they would know he was lying.”
“He might have paid cash,” said Gary. “Nice for tax evation.”
“Was there a medical congress?”
“I checked. It started on Monday.”
“So if it was that sergeant, he pretended he was at the
conference,”Cleo said. “ In my opinion that is highly unlikely. What about his
strong Welsh accent? Did the agency mention that?”
“No. All I have to go on is photos of all the delegates at
the congress. Thank Colin for that.”
“The whole business sounds extremely far-fetched. Anyway, why
would the guy go to a hostess agency when he has a perfectly good brothel to go
to, Gary.”
“The congress continues until Saturday. I’ll have to find the
right guy by then.”
“Always assuming our medic hasn’t left in a hurry and our Welsh
sergeant hasn’t completely disappeared. One of them could have been guilty of
both offences, one of which resulted in homicide.”
***
“I’m going to have to go to Morlin Bay myself,” said Gary,
and Cleo rather hoped he would ask her to go with him.
“OK. Not before tomorrow, surely,” said Cleo.
“I’d like to see you before I go so I’ll wait till after our
date tomorrow.”.
“I’m glad to hear that, Sweetheart.”
“But you ould take time off this ,orning and still be home to
share in the butcher’s free afternoon, couldn’t you?”
“At a pinch.”
“I wasn’t thinking of pinching.
“Neither was I, Sweetheart.”
***
Gary was astonished at being called Sweetheart quite out of
the blue. He phoned Romano to book ‘their’ room.
“Si si si!” said Romano.
“La bella donna di nuovo?“
“It’s always going to
be that woman, “ said Gary.
***
Not long after, Gary’s mobile danced a jig on his desk. It
was Brass informing him that he had seen Sergeant Llewellyn in town - at the
supermarket, to be exact. Brass had hidden behind some shelves.
“Where are you now, Brass?”
“Back in the station. Trouble with dog-licences.”
“Has Sergeant
Llewellyn turned up for work?”
“Not today. He could tomorrow, but not before 10.”
“If he’s in town, why doesn’t he get himself to work?”
“You’ll have to ask him yourself, Gary.”
“I will,” said Gary. “Keep me posted. I’ll try to get to you
by Friday at the latest. Don’t behave in a way that could make the sergeant
nervous or suspicious ifand when he arrives. Are you clear on that?”
“Yes, Gary.”
“Good lad. By the way, the job offer still holds, Brass.”
“Thank you.”
***
Gary was sure Brass would follow his guidelines, if only with
a view to not damaging his prospect of a new job. The sergeant would act as if
nothing had happened and Brass would just get on with his own job. A quick call
back to Cleo put her in the picture. He told her his trip to the seaside would
be on Friday. This time he asked her directly if she would accompany him.
“Sure, Gary. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
“OK. That’s settled then.”
***
The tryst at Romano’s was short. To cover why she had not
been at the office late morning, Cleo took a big pan of spaghetti carbonara
home. Her mother woud love it. Yo ucouldn’t eat sausage rolls all the time, she
would say, even if they did such a roaring trade in ‘her invention’ that she
made a trayful every morning. Robert would eat what was there- He had not
connected Romano’s with Gary and Cleo’s dates there.
It had been as difficult to part from Gary as if she were
leaving the country for a month.
“ Have a nice outing with Robert, and don’t forget our lunch
date tomorrow, will you?” said Gary as he helped Cleo to carry the pasta to the
car.
“I’m sure I won’t.”
Cleo would have loved to tell Gary about his daughter, but
didn’t. It was organized with Robert, and that’s the way it had to be. Anyway,
Gary said he was going to drive Morlin Bay to look at that agency, so he would
be on the road intil the wee small hours.”
***
Late Wednesday afternoon saw her and Robert at the airport
after an almost wordless drive accompanied by choruses singing spirituals. They
drank copious amounts of coffee while waiting for the Malaga flight arrival to
be called. Charlie rushed to the gate, hoping to meet her Daddy, but Cleo showed
her a new photo of him on her mobile phone and explained to that it he having
to work until almost bnext morning, and her arrival was going to be a big
surprise because he did not know she was coming.
***
Seeing the little girl’s crestfallen face when her Daddy was
onot there to met her made Cleo sorry she had not told Gary about his daughter coming home. Why
was she even making an effort to straighten things out with Robert?
“You’ll see him tomorrow,” she promised.
“Where do I sleep tonight then?” Charlie wanted to know. looking
at Robert quizzically she asked “Who is that man?”
“That’s my husband, Charlie.”
“You can share our daughter’s room,” Robert said.
“It’s terribly late already,” said Cleo. “We’ll go to your
daddy’s office in the morning and surprise him.”
***
“Are you hungry, Charlie?” Robert asked.
The girl nodded. She was very sweet, Cleo thought.
“What’s your little girl’s name?” Charlie asked Robert. She
had slipped her hand into his and took no further notice of Cleo.
“PeggySue,” replied Robert, who was now being tugged towards
a fast food outlet. Charlie had noticed that Robert was a soft touch, whereas
Cleo was quite bossy. Her mother’s new friend had tried to be friendly, but she
had told him he wasn’t her Daddy and never would be. Robert was different. He
had a daughter of his own and a friendly face. Grownups were all in all a
challenge.
“Do you really want that fast food?” Cleo said. “It isn’t
good for you.”
“It’s much better than that funny jumbled up rice stuff we
had in Spain,” Charlie retorted.
***
Because the plane had arrived on time, Cleo, Robert and
Charlie were back in Upper Grumpsfield earlier than expected. Gloria and
Dorothy were both waiting for them at the cottage. Cleo decided that Gloria had
probably not trusted Dorothy to look after PeggySue properly, so she would have
ditched the line-dancing.
“Is something wrong?” she asked. “What are you doing here,
Mother?”
“I just wanted to make sure….”
“Gloria does not think I could cope alone,” said Dorothy,
disgruntled and suspecting Cleo of asking Gloria to check.
“Well, we know you can. Gloria was interfering,” said Robert.
Now it was Gloria’s turn to look disgruntled, but Robert
assured both women that he was grateful that they took such an interest in
PeggySue’s welfare.
“Charlie’s going to sleep in the children’s room with
PeggySue,” said Cleo. ”Come along, Charlie. Your bed’s waiting for you.”
The two baby-sitters took their leave, going their separate
ways like two strangers.
Charlie yawned widely. She was very tired, and disappointed
that her Daddy had not been at the airport to meet her, but she brightened up
when she saw PeggySue, who was sleeping peacefully in her cot.
“It’s like having a sister,” she whispered.
Later, Cleo asked Robert if Charlie could stay there if Gary
had to be away.
“Has that sergeant turned up?” Robert asked.
“Constable Brass rang Gary and told him and he sent me a
text, but the guy had not been to work,” replied Cleo.
“Lucky for some! Are you going to Frint-on-sea, too, Cleo?”
“I may have to,” said Cleo carefully.
“We could talk to Edith about Charlie and PeggySue staying
there,” suggested Robert, who had no desire to look after the two girls in
Cleo’s absence.
“That’s a good idea, Robert.”
“Charlie will have to go to school next week.” Robert
continued. “She’s about the same age as the older vicarage boys, so she will
have to go to the Comprehensive in Middlethumpton if Gary lives in
Middlethumpton.”
“You’re right, Robert. I’ll talk to Gary tomorrow morning and
we’ll sort something out.”
“So you’re seeing Gary tomorrow?”
“I’m taking Charlie in to see him. No need to be suspicious.”
“Of course. Sorry I jumped to conclusions. What about
PeggySue?”
“Can you spare Gloria at the shop if Edith has no time in the
morning?”
Gloria was delighted to be asked again so soon.
“I’m not surprised,” she told Robert. “Somehow, Cleo seems to
want to be away a lot.”
“It’s her job, Gloria,” said Robert, hoping that was the truth.
“That’s settled then, Cleo,” said Robert after his phone-call
with Edith. “Edith will help, but Charlie is welcome to stay here for a bit,”
said Robert, careful not to be anything but generous .
“That’s really good of you, Robert,” said Cleo, “ but I think
she will be better off at vicarage.”
“Of course. Edith is marvellous with children,” said Robert.
“She’s had enough practice.”
“She’s a woman and a loving mother, Robert. We're like that - most of us.”
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