Eyes of the Innocent

by Christopher Wright

  Chapter 19

  The picnic site, more of a large pull-off really, had a view over houses, fields and woodland all the way down to the wide water of the Potomac. Not that Matt was taking much notice, nor was he really interested in the cold remains of the pizza.

  "Let's not risk phoning the funeral parlor again. Any suggestions?"

  He watched Zoé finish the final dregs of a second can of Coke. "Of course, Matt. We need to get in there before the burial tomorrow."

  "How, Zoé?"

  "Me, I want to ring the bell, force my way in, and make them confess that they have killed..." She broke off in tears.

  "It's an idea, Zoé. But it's not one that is going to work."

  "If we had a ladder we could look over the wall."

  "Yes, if we had a ladder. But we don't."

  Zoé hit him on the arm. "I know we do not have a ladder. Maybe we can get one."

  "And what are you expecting to see on the other side of the wall?"

  "The grave, of course. The grave they have dug for baby Jack."

  Matt rubbed his arm. Zoé had given him quite a heavy blow. Not that he was going to complain. She was desperate. And so was he. If there was a way to get inside the grounds or even look over that wall, it would be good. But the thought of seeing a freshly dug grave was traumatic.

  "Hold on," he said. "That casket was only delivered half an hour ago. I can't believe anyone's been buried yet. I got the impression Senator Harding wasn't back from work. Didn't the funeral parlor say the burial is tomorrow?"

  Zoé nodded. "You are right, Matt. Whoever is being buried there, they are not going ahead without the Senator. Perhaps we could go back to the house tomorrow and force our way in."

  "And the police come back and we get arrested. And then we never find out what's going on."

  Zoé gave a long sigh. "I think we need to phone a friend and get another opinion. Perhaps Steve Valdieri. Or Simon Urquet."

  Matt shook his head. "We're leaving Simon Urquet out of this. If we're going to need his help later, we need him to claim, hand on heart, he knew nothing about our plans. Not sure about Valdieri."

  "Ken."

  "What's Ken got to do with it? He's back in England." Matt looked at the dashboard clock. "It's going to be evening in England. Perhaps a bit too early for Ken to be tucked up with his wife having a passionate session right at this moment, although he does turn in early."

  "Ken is passionate?"

  "I doubt he can even spell it. Anyway, what made you think of Ken?"

  "He sometimes has the ideas bright. That is what you tell me."

  Matt started the engine and signaled a turn.

  "Where are we going, Matt? We must not get arrested."

  "We're going to drive back past the Senator's house. We're not going to stop, but let's see if there's anything interesting happening behind those gates. Mrs. Harding might be out with the baby in a stroller -- as they call them here. You're right, we need to speak to Ken." He laughed. "Better to do it now than later and spoil his night of passion."

  The large metal gates to the Senator's house were closed. No sign of any vehicle or anybody. Not even a sight of the house which was hidden around a curved drive and a row of conifers.

  A mile further on Matt saw a turning to the right that led to a development of less exotic houses. He checked his phone and noticed he had good signal strength. Ken's wife answered after a lengthy ring, and to Matt's disappointment she didn't sound out of breath. The night of passion hadn't started.

  Ken sounded annoyed when he got to the phone. "We're just having a late supper. We're off to bed soon. Where are you, kiddo? Locked up in some Yankee prison?"

  Matt explained Zoé's suspicions that Jack had been taken on orders from a Washington senator.

  "I'm sorry, kiddo. I really am. Washington. Big place. Have you phoned to update me, or is there some way Habgood Securities can help?"

  "Ken, how can someone look over a high wall without being seen?"

  "Is this some sort of riddle?"

  "No, Ken, it's what we need to do."

  "Then use a ladder."

  Matt could hear Ken's wife saying something in the background.

  "Ken, listen. The local police knew when we stopped the car outside the gates. There are a couple of surveillance cameras on a post. They're going to notice us getting a ladder off the roof of the car and leaning it against the wall."

  Whatever Mrs. Habgood was promising, it wasn't enough to entice Ken to bed. "You remember that parachute thing you did at the Helios Academy last year? You know, when you caught that naked woman by surprise?"

  "Paraglider, Ken. I had a camera on my helmet and was taking photographs over the high wall. And it was an official job."

  "I was just wondering, kiddo, if there's a high hill near the President's house."

  "Senator, Ken. And there's no hill."

  "How about a naked woman?"

  "Be serious, Ken. Anyway, how could I get hold of a paraglider out here?"

  "Sorry, kiddo." Mrs. Habgood had started up again in the background. Something about the food getting cold. "Sorry, can't help you this time."

  "Ken, Ken, you're a genius!"

  "Eh?"

  "Aerial photography. Brilliant!"

  "Eh?"

  "You've cracked it for us, Ken. I know exactly what to do now. As long as I can find the right person to help. Take it easy tonight, and think of your heart."

  As Matt finished the call, Zoé caught hold of his arm, but gently this time. "You are going to hire a helicopter?"

  Matt shook his head. "Not even rent one."

  "Do not joke with me, Matt. An aeroplane?"

  "They called them airplanes out here. Sorry, another poor joke. You're close. We're going back to Alexandria. I saw a model shop when you were getting the pizza, but I didn't take much notice of it at the time." He looked again at the dashboard clock. "If we hurry I guess we can be there before it closes. And I want to phone Simon Urquet after all. He needs to top up my account. We just don't tell him we're in Washington."