by K O'Hanlon
Pauline made it across the lobby wearing black jeans, her coat hiding the rear pockets. The security man couldn’t decide if they were jeans or trousers without asking to see her arse.
“Nice touch with the coat. You made it without parting with a twenty?”
“Did you have to bribe the man?”
“Let’s just say I threw him a bone and if he pulls me up again it’ll look like he’s after another tip.”
They drove towards the bridge project construction site which was now mostly a large area of mud where all the television vehicles and press had parked ready to set up their equipment. Frank saw the Bentley arrive and came over to greet them.
“Come this way to the mobile unit and I’ll go over the plan for the diggers. It’s a stroke of luck that someone had those monsters nearby.”
“Will we be ready for them by 5 this evening?”
“Yep, that shouldn’t be a problem it’s just a case of making room so I’ve got the boys moving all our heavy gear away from the hole. We’ve removed a large area of fencing for access to the field on the left here. The lighting is all still up from our own digging and your company signs are in various places around the site.”
“You’ve done a good job Frank I’m glad you could be here to oversee this project.”
“I like working for people who know what they’re doing, Mike. It was a terrible shame to hear the news about Ben, I still can’t believe it.”
“Yes it was sad. I lost a good friend and partner but life goes on and I guess I’ll be looking for a replacement some time soon. The company has got too big for one person.”
“Well I can give you the name of a woman who’s looking to move up the ladder. She’s very good at her job and would jump at the chance if the terms were right. I’ll jot her number down before you leave.”
Pauline could sense Mike’s eyes watching her for a reaction so she stood up and walked towards the door. “I’ll just go and look around the site so I can get my bearings for later.”
“Pauline.”
“What?”
“Take a hard hat and high vis jacket.”
Once she was out the door both men laughed quietly. “You’re a wicked bastard asking me to make up stories to get her jealous, Mike.”
“Frank, I want her as my partner, whether she likes it or not.”
Chapter Sixteen
S pike found a camp site to park his van within walking distance of the construction site. The hotel that he knew to be used by a few crew members was just a short walk away in the opposite direction across a field. He assumed that Sam Fairchild would also be staying there this weekend to get pictures of the meteorite that had been uncovered. Spike had done his homework and done it well. If only he had put equal effort into his projects when at school he might not be sitting here now in a dirty rusty damp ridden old camper van getting athlete’s foot around his crotch.
If he was to wind up in prison for benefit fraud he’d be treated like a wimp by the other inmates. The thought of that scared the life out of him. He’d rather be locked up for something more serious if he had to share a cell with a hardened criminal though he wasn’t sure how long his sentence would be if convicted for murder.
He would have a look around the hotel later when it’s dark and try to figure out which room his prey was staying in. The knife he carried in his pocket was sharp and ready to be used when he got the chance. He wouldn’t hang about. He was all fired up and ready. Once the opportunity presented itself he would strike.
James managed to reserve a room at the hotel where Sam would be staying but they wouldn’t hold it for long without payment. Mrs Highwater had agreed to look after Scamp when he told her he had a business trip and could be gone for a while. The woman actually liked having his little dog around, she felt safer with him in her cottage and he was good company.
James had arrived several days before the big rush so he wouldn’t lose the room and he could pay in cash. It was easy enough to get information from the locals, they talked about nothing else. The meteorite was constantly in the news as the digging progressed. Everyone involved would be there this weekend and there were plenty of people milling about. It would be easy to mingle with the crowd unseen by his chosen victim.
The construction crew foreman and a few engineers had rooms on the first floor to the side of the building. They had been booked into those rooms since the start of the bridge project and would use them until the job was completed. The fire escape stairs was their entrance when their boots and clothing was covered in mud. The hotel wasn’t posh but the manager wouldn’t let them trail dirt all through the lobby and into the lifts. James had to find out which room Samuel Fairchild was using. It shouldn’t be too difficult as the Fairchild name was known by many in the hotel.
The small handgun was loaded and ready. There was nowhere safe to leave it in his room so he kept it in his coat pocket with a sealed pack of latex gloves.
His plan for the perfect crime wasn’t totally perfect but he had been over it a thousand times in his head. He knew exactly what he had to do to pull it off. The hardest part would be getting into Sam’s room then getting back out without being seen. The traffic that ran by the side of the hotel was noisy. Heavy articulated lorries thundered along the road day and night. He felt sure that a shot from a small weapon fired just at the right time wouldn’t be easily heard over the noise. Once out of the room and back in the lobby he could sit in the corner near the bar with his phone in his pocket. There should be plenty of people around to hear the pre-recorded gunshot already stored on his mobile when he hit the play button. If questioned he would have a cast iron alibi along with every other person round the bar.
Toni was staying in a small hotel nearer to the town. She didn’t like walking anywhere that was wet and soggy with her high heeled shoes. Her silver Merc was parked in the street because the car park was full. It had already been sprayed with mud and clay from passing cars. She was starting to wish she hadn’t come. It wasn’t easy getting a seat in any of the coffee bars when you had nobody to sit and reserve a table for you. Everywhere was packed solid with people eating and drinking. Even the local greasy spoon café had a line of people queuing out the door. But she was here and she would confront Sam when he was on his own. She carried a mace spray in her bag in case he turned nasty.
For now she had to avoid bumping into Mike and Pauline. It wasn’t easy because she didn’t know which hotel they were staying in. She might have to phone her husband and find out from him if she couldn’t get any information from the local people in the area.
The best place for gossip seemed to be outside the post office so she hung around the entrance pretending to be interested in the cheap plastic keyrings that were hanging from a wobbly stand. After about five minutes a scruffy man tapped her on the shoulder and asked if she wanted a tee shirt with an asteroid on the front.
“I think you’ll find it’s called a meteorite.”
“Meteorite, Asteroid, Haemorrhoid, they all look the same Lady. Nobody gives a shit. Do you want one or not?”
“I’ll pass thanks.”
The man walked away but she could still hear him calling out.
“Get your asteroid tee shirts here folks, last few remaining, when they’re gone they’re gone!”
By Saturday afternoon the site was all ready for the arrival of the massive diggers. Mike was hoping they wouldn’t sink into the ground as it was now very wet and muddy near the entrance.
“Frank, we might have to think about removing some fencing a bit further along the road. If they come through the yard they might sink in all this shit.”
“I’ve got a huge roll of chain-link under that canvas. If it’s needed I’ll have the crew roll it out.”
“You reckon that’ll stop them from sinking?”
“If it doesn’t we’re fucked.”
Pauline came back just as they were testing the ground. “I don’t think they’ll get across this area Mike, they’re t
oo heavy.”
“Frank’s got chain-link if we need it.”
“Not sure if that’ll be strong enough for those earth movers on this mud but I found an old disused area over the far side with a hard surface. Looks like it was once some kind of industrial park but the buildings are long gone.”
“How far is it?”
“Not too far. Just behind that group of trees right over there.” Pauline pointed to a place over in the distance.
“So now we’ve got trees that need ripping out the ground?”
“No, because if you look along a bit further you’ll see bushes.”
“Brilliant! Put the kettle on, we’ll celebrate before they get here.”
“If I was your partner you’d be making your own bloody tea.”
“But you’re not my partner, Pauline. You’re my assistant.”
As she disappeared into the mobile unit to make the drinks she heard the two men laughing.
Frank’s voice was quite deep and it travelled through the thin walls even when he spoke quietly. “Maybe I’m stepping out of line here, Mike. But you two make a nice couple.”
“I can’t argue with that, Frank.”
“Does your wife know you still carry a torch for Pauline?”
“She will do soon when I tell her.”
“Well good luck with that.”
The two giant diggers arrived with a police escort just before 5pm and were directed further along the road which bent round to the overgrown opening that was once the entrance to a now demolished industrial site. They made short work of the bushes by crushing them beneath their enormous wheels. By 6 o’clock they were in position each side of the meteorite ready to dig underneath and lift the whole object plus the surrounding clay and dirt. The television cameras were all set and rolling. Flash guns fired as though a Hollywood star was about to walk down a red carpet any moment to receive an Oscar.
Sam was positioned in the best place for still shots wearing a hard hat and high vis jacket. Most were held back behind a fence for their own safety. Only television crews and local news media were allowed anywhere near the action but they still had to stay well back.
Spike was watching from behind the fence though his gaze wasn’t on the giant earth movers or the object that fascinated the rest of its audience. His eyes were fixed on Samuel Fairchild and he was aching to use the knife he carried in his pocket.
A woman watched from behind a family group as the diggers slowly started lifting the huge chunk of space rock from the ground. Her blonde hair was hidden beneath a woolly hat pulled low over her forehead. Her gaze went first to Sam but in the shadow of the lights she saw two people of greater interest. Both wore bright yellow jackets and hats. As the crowd cheered when the meteorite was at its highest point in the air she kept her eyes fixed on the couple. They started clapping and smiling before the man put his arm around the woman, pulled her close and kissed her cheek. His affection was genuine and natural. Teardrops formed in the woman’s blue eyes as she turned and walked away.
James had found himself a good place behind the fence to watch the drama unfold. He spotted the blue eyed lady easily. It was a face he had grown to love although she would never know how her grace and beauty had changed his life. He watched her walk away with tears falling down her cheeks and her sadness filled him with pain.
With her gone he focused on Samuel Fairchild. If looks could kill, Sam would be in need of a paramedic right now.
The meteorite was very slowly and carefully moved away from the site into the adjacent field. Frank Morris gave the order to fill in the enormous hole that it left behind.
Mike pulled Pauline’s hat from her head then removed his own. “Come on. Frank knows what to do. Let’s get back to the hotel and celebrate.”
“I think we deserve it. It’s been a long day.” They made their way towards the Bentley which was splattered with mud and clay all along both sides. “I wonder if the hotel has a no dirty car policy, Mike?”
“Probably, but when the pit bull sees the state of our jeans and boots I don’t think the car will matter.”
“It might cost you more than a twenty this time.”
They arrived back at the hotel and parked right by the entrance again. When the security man saw the state of their clothing he didn’t know whether to run towards them or away. His good sense told him it would be best if he made himself look busy and pretend he hadn’t seen them enter but Mike was having none of it.
“Excuse me. Could you arrange for a bottle of your finest champagne to be sent up to The Victoria Suite? Thank you.”
The pit bull looked shocked and flabbergasted. His eyes met Mike’s but refused to look down at the muddy footprints going the entire length of the lobby. “Yes, Sir. I’ll have it sent up right away.”
Once in their suite they each disappeared into their own bathrooms to shower and change. Room service had been in and the champagne was there waiting for them in a silver ice bucket with two ice frosted glasses.
“Let’s order dinner here instead of going to the dining room, Mike. I’m shattered.”
“Did Cinderella forget to bring her ball gown?”
“Cinderella doesn’t own a ball gown and if she did it would be made from the finest sacking and adorned with pasta shapes hand sewn by her fairy godmother.”
Mike just stood and looked at her. The smile he was wearing slowly changed to a more serious thoughtful expression.
“What’s wrong? Why the strange look?”
“Be my partner, Pauline.”
“Oh come on. We’ve been over this already. Anyway, Frank knows a lady who fits the bill.”
“No he doesn’t.”
“Oh so are you saying it was all made up?”
Mike just grinned and rolled his eyes.
“You rotten shit. You put him up to it!” She picked up a cushion and threw it at him.
“He thinks we make a great couple and so do I.”
“I would love to be your partner, Mike.”
His face lit up. “That’s …”
“But I can’t and I won’t.”
Mike dropped the bombshell that he’d been holding in all day. “I’m going to end my marriage, Pauline.”
“Oh, not for me, Mike. Don’t end it for me.”
“Don’t feel guilty, Sweetheart. It’s not for you. It’s for Toni, and me.” He picked up the hotel phone and pressed the service button. “I’d like to order menu selection number 4 for 2 people, Victoria Suite.”
Chapter Seventeen
T oni couldn’t get a dinner booking at her hotel for a table just for one. They were too busy to waste a table on one person when they had families of four or more all queuing in the lobby. She headed instead towards a small café in the centre of town. It was one of many that liked to tempt its customers through the door with faded laminated pictures of sausage egg chips and beans displayed in the window. In no way could it be classed as fine dining nor did it pretend to be with its bright green Formica table tops and hard plastic seating bolted to the floor. Food served here would most likely contain enough grease to rival any historic oil slick known for its destruction of marine wildlife, but she had little choice, it was this or nothing.
A folded laminated menu stood on the table with its corners curled under. The slightest movement would cause it to topple over. Inside were more faded pictures of fried cuisine that the great British public had a love of. Burgers, bacon, mushrooms, hash browns, all could be served with chips and a mug of tea. She ordered a cheese omelette. What could possibly go wrong?
As the café was getting busier and the evening rush of tourists was underway the waitress cleared the half eaten grey looking omelette and half empty mug of dark brown tea from her table. “Would you like to see the dessert menu?”
“No thanks. Can you bring me the bill please.”
“Sure.”
The waitress retrieved a scrap of paper from behind the counter with Cheese Omlit & Tea 7.95 scribbled on it and
slapped it on the table in a cracked saucer. Toni couldn’t decide which was worse, the food or the spelling. Both were appalling.
It was a relief to exit the café and its smells of burnt grease. She stepped outside into the night air and walked straight into Sam.
“Toni!”
“Oh God, you scared the life out of me.”
“What are you doing here? Mike didn’t say you were coming.”
“I was going to surprise him but I can’t remember where he said he was staying.”
“He’s up at that posh country club hotel it’s about ten miles or so from the site.”
“Oh yes, that’s the one, I remember now.”
“Well I’m off to find a pub. Can’t drink in my hotel they shut the bar too early.”
“Ok, well I’ll see you around.”
“See ya, Toni.”
They each walked in different directions then Toni thought of something and turned back. “Sam! Wait a minute!”
“What?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll get straight to the point because I don’t know how to say it.” She was starting to feel a bit scared now and wished she hadn’t called him back. It was quite dark and most people were inside various places eating and drinking. The street was deserted but her courage returned when she saw two very well dressed men in black suits exit a small Italian restaurant. They stopped beside a parked car. One lit a cigarette and they stood there quietly talking.
“Why have you got pictures of me on your phone, Sam?”
He was so glad it was dark so she couldn’t see his face turn red. “Oh so you looked at my phone. I thought you did.”
“Why are they on there?”
“It was going to be a surprise for your birthday. I wanted to paint you. Shame I haven’t had the time to do it. This photography thing really took off after I did your wedding photos.”
“That doesn’t explain why you took a picture of me in the store. You didn’t know who I was then.”