Sibling Rivalry

by E A Harvey

  "Sorry to disturb you. It's the police. Would you mind sparing a moment of your time" asked George Wentworth

  The door opened and an elderly woman appeared,

  “Yes officer what can I do for you" she asked on seeing his warrant card.

  "We are trying to get in touch with your neighbour, a Mr Heath, would you, by any chance, know where he might be”?

  "Actually I believe I do. I was getting out of the lift and he was waiting for it. He was carrying a suitcase, so I asked where he was off to”.

  "And did he tell you"?

  "Yes, he did. He said he was going to spend some time with his beautiful girlfriend”.

  "Did he not say where?”

  "Yes. He said he was going to France. I do know he has been seeing this new girl for some weeks now”

  "Thank you, madam. You have been very helpful".

  They took the noisy lift down to the ground floor.

  "Well at least it seems he is still alive. I had begun to wonder. But still it's a mobile number I have been calling so he should still pick up his messages. Trouble is if the phone is off or damaged we cannot find its location. Right one more trip to Mr and Mrs Peters. Let's see if we can get anything from the victim’s parents".

  "Good evening, so sorry to disturb you. I am DI Daniels and this is my colleague Detective Sergeant Wentworth. I am sure you would prefer to be left alone at such a difficult time but we do need to ask a few questions if you would not mind"

  "Yes, of course, won't you please come in? This is my wife, Brian's mother, take a seat please, what can we do for you Inspector”?

  "Do you know anyone who might want to hurt your son Mr Peters?”

  "No, nobody, Brian kept pretty much to himself; he would never hurt a fly. He certainly had no enemies that we are aware of. Why would somebody want to kill him, are you sure it was not suicide”?

  "Suicide, why do you ask? Did Brian have any personal problems? Was anyone putting pressure on him over something or other”?

  "My son was a lovely boy but he had many personal issues, things we could never get to the bottom of”.

  "Who were Brian’s friends Mrs Peters, at University or local, any girlfriends you know of”?

  "No Inspector, Brian had one girlfriend years ago but that went nowhere. As far as we know, his only friend was his roommate Patrick, our son kept himself very much to himself”

  "Do you have an address or do you know where we can find Brian’s ex-girlfriend”?

  "Yes inspector she still lives locally, I will write the address down for you”.

  "Well Mr and Mrs Peters thank you for your time. If there is anything you think which might help us please call me any time. Here is my card. Thank you once again, we are so sorry for your loss and will do all we can to bring Brian’s killer to justice. Please don't get up, we can see ourselves out”

  "George this address is just around the corner. Let's call on Miss Carol Simonds and see what she can tell us about Brian Peters and his "issues”.

  Five minutes later they pulled up outside the address and knocked at the front door. A pretty young lady opened the door and the two officers introduced themselves.

  "Excuse us. We are sorry to call on you without notice. Are you Miss Carol Simonds”?

  "Yes I am, what can I do for you”?

  Would you mind answering a few questions regarding an on-going investigation”.

  A voice from inside the house called out.

  “Who is that at the door Carol”.

  "It's OK daddy. It's the police"

  "Then ask them to come in Carol. Where are your manners?”

  "I was about to daddy. Won't you please come in? Yes through there"

  They went into a small living room where the girl's father sat in a wheelchair.

  "Sorry I can't get up. What can we do for you? My wife is out shopping at the moment but she should be back shortly if it's her you need to talk to”

  "Good day to you, Mr Simonds’s, sorry to disturb you. No it's your daughter we would like to ask a few questions if it is convenient"

  "Why what has she been up to? She is a good girl. She looks after me when her mother is not about"

  "No Mr Simonds’s, we are here to find out anything your daughter might know about a Mr Brian Peters"

  "Oh Bran, strange lad, always found him a little weird. What has he been up to”?

  "Daddy, please, what can I tell you about him, is he alright, has something happened to him”?

  “When was the last time you saw Brian, Miss Simonds"?

  "Not for, well it must be a year or even longer, I bumped into his mother recently and she told me he was at University. What has he done”?

  "I am sorry to inform you that Mr Peters is dead" said George Wentworth.

  "Oh my god, poor Brian, how terribly sad, how did he die, what happened to him”?

  "I am sorry but we cannot give you any more information at this point. We understand you had a relationship with him some time ago, can you tell us a bit about that"

  "Yes of course. I have to say that I had a strange relationship with Brian. In the beginning, I thought I loved him but soon realised that he didn’t feel the same way about me. The relationship lasted about six months before we broke up. There was no bitterness between us. In fact, I think Brian was a little relieved I called it off. We parted as friends but nothing more. I really am sorry to hear he is dead"

  "Do you know of anyone who might want to hurt him or want him dead”?

  "No, no one. He was a really nice guy. But why did you ask? Has he been murdered? Did someone kill him”? "

  As I said, unfortunately at this stage we can’t reveal any more information"

  "Strange lad” said the father from his chair

  "Inspector, could we talk outside please” the girl whispered in Sarah's ear.

  Sarah nodded at her

  “Then that’s all the questions we have Mr Simonds. Thank you for your help. Sorry once again to have taken up your time" said the Sergeant

  At the front door Carol turned to the officers.

  "I didn’t want to say too much in front of my father as he has some strange ideas. The reason Brian and I broke up was because he was gay. I honestly believed that he fought against it for years and I was his attempt at proving to himself, and perhaps others, that he could be straight. Maybe he thought if he had a girlfriend everything would sort itself out. In the end, he could try to hide it from himself but not from me if you know what I mean”? "

  Sorry Miss Simon's, what do you mean”? Said the Sergeant

  "Oh Sergeant are you thick. Sex" said Sarah.

  "Oops, sorry I get the idea, please carry on".

  "So, after 6 months of the relationship going nowhere physically, things eventually came to a head. One evening we sat down and I asked him out right, ‘Brian I believe your gay is that right? He broke down in tears and admitted it. We sat for hours and I told him that he had to come out or at least admit it to himself if he was to live his life without the torment he had hidden for years. I honestly believed, when I heard he had gone to University that it was to get away from his parents. He would never tell them, he said his dad was old school and would not be able to cope with it. I am so sorry he is dead, maybe he is rid of his torment and finally at peace". Carol broke down in tears and Sarah put her arms around the girl to comfort her until she stopped crying.

  "He even lived away from home rather than travel back and forth to University which he could have done, it wasn’t too far".

  "Thank you Miss Simonds, I am sorry we had to bring you such sad news. You have been a great help. Brian Peters was very lucky to have had such a good friend. If you do think of anything or anyone who might have wished harm to Brian please let us know".

  Sarah and George sat in the car for quite some time, both reading notes. Eventually Sarah started to shake her head and broke the silence.

  "I don’t know about you George, but now I am truly in the dark. Did Bria
n Peters really kill himself before our helpful friend fucked up the evidence completely? Why did a gay man let himself be tied to a bed by a woman unless once again he was trying to convince himself he was not gay? Was his visitor perhaps a prostitute? The Scott girls both have alibis. Did the girl with the nice legs perhaps have nothing to do with his death? Maybe he was murdered after she left.

  I doubt that but am far from certain”.

  Sarah walked into her home and headed straight for the refrigerator and the half-empty wine bottle, grabbed a glass from the overhead cupboard and filled it. “Right” she thought “I am due some time off work and I am going to take it. The superintendent will never give me permission to go back to Paris as part of the investigation, so I will do it with my own time and money. But if I solve this bloody case in doing so I will claim it all back in travel expenses. Besides, if I am truthful to myself, I would really like to see Rene again”.

  The next morning she booked onto Eurostar for the following day, then telephoned George Wentworth.

  "George. Yes it's me. What do you mean I don't often call you George? Anyway, just to let you know, I am taking a few days off work. No, I know I never take days off but I am this time. George, will you bloody well listen for just a minute. I am taking a few days off and what I want from you is for you to talk to Patrick Scott again. Go over every detail of him letting the victim down from the door. Also get a list of everyone who has visited the flat in the last month or so. And George, get the lads out and talking to any local prostitutes and show the Scott girls’ photos to see if they recognise them. You got all that? Good. Then call me if you find anything which changes what we already know. I’ll see you in a few days. Oh and also speak to some of the students at the boys Uni. See who knew the victim well. Talk soon".

  Chapter 21 Home

  "Mummy it's been absolutely wonderful being with you and seeing daddy so much better, and, although I am looking forward to seeing Gabby, I am going to miss you all so very much” "Darling, it's not as though you are thousands of miles away is it. We can get on Eurostar and be with you in no time and visa-versa, if we have to. I am pleased you have achieved so much. You have your beautiful wedding dress and a lovely matching pair of shoes. The underwear was a little… Well, the less said the better, less being the right word I think".

  They both laughed.

  "You and Pierre must decide where you will hold the wedding, London or Paris. Then there is the church to book, a venue for the wedding breakfast, a photographer, cars. Then there are flowers, dresses for your bridesmaids and it goes on and on, just like me". They laughed again.

  "Mummy, I love you so much". Penny reached for her mother and pulled her close

  “And I love you my darling daughter, and I you. Have you packed everything sweetheart? I am so glad you decided to leave your wedding dress with us. It would be terrible if anything happened to such a lovely thing".

  "Yes Mummy I have everything I need so stop worrying, I am a big girl now"

  "Yes you are, you have all grown up too fast for me. It seems it was a blink away when you were just beautiful babies and now you and Janet are both beautiful young women".

  Just then Peter came in the front door.

  "So glad I caught you before you left, give my love to Gabrielle when you get back and say hello to Pierre when he gets back from Singapore".

  "I certainly will Pete and remember that you’re welcome to come and stay with Gabby and I whenever you like. We can show you more of Paris and the next time you can bring your camera and you can visit the bird sanctuary once more".

  ”You’re on, have a safe trip home".

  He gave her a big hug and a kiss and disappeared upstairs to his bedroom.

  "Your brother is very happy for you, he thinks the world of Gabrielle and Pierre, and he is looking forward to the wedding as much as I am, I know he was so pleased that you let him join us looking for the wedding dress. It was a special day"

  A knock on the door signalled the arrival of the taxi. Peter, on hearing the cab pull up, ran down and picked up her luggage.

  Justine and Peter walked her out to the taxi; the driver took her case and put it up front.

  "Goodbye darling see you soon we hope".

  Penny kissed them both and climbed into the cab.

  "Where to love"?

  "London City Airport please cabbie".

  At Charles De Gaulle Airport

  "Penny darling it's so good to see you. I have missed you so much. I want to hear all your news. Come let me help with your luggage" insisted Gabrielle.

  They climbed into a waiting taxi.

  "Now tell me is the dress beautiful? Does Mummy love it? Did you buy wonderful shoes? Have you discussed where you and my brother will go on a honeymoon? You will live in Paris after your married? Oh please darling, I could not stand it if I lost you".

  "Gabby which question shall I answer first? The dresses are very beautiful and the shoes are wonderful. Where the honeymoon will be and where we will live is something Pierre and I will need to talk about. As long as I am with him it really does not matter".

  "Please oh please live in Paris.

  Chapter 22 Cockneys

  Weeks Earlier

  "What are you going to order? You have been looking at that menu it seems forever. Have you actually read anything on it, or is your head somewhere else”?

  "Sorry Bob. I spoke to Mummy earlier tonight. She told me that Penny is getting married and, you know, I am really happy for her, I have been such a bitch to her since we were kids and, despite it all, she never really got upset with me until you"

  "Then you are a lucky girl to have a sister who loves you in spite of everything. Right so can we order something. I am starving. There must be something there which you fancy".

  The waiter came to their table,

  “Are you ready to order folks”?

  "Okay Mr Bully" said Janet, looking at Bob. "I will have the chicken Chinese style plus chicken fried rice and, you know, I fancy a beer to go with it”.

  "Fine and I will have the sweet and sour pork, plain boiled rice, some extra sweet and sour sauce. And make those two beers please”.

  "You know Janet I never took you for a Chinese food sort of girl, I would have thought only fine dining was more your style”

  "So you thought I was a snob did you just because my family have money? Well let me tell you something, I might be an SW3 girl but deep down I am really an East End girl, pie and mash, jellied eels and cockles and whelks”

  "Yuk you must be kidding me, Mrs Cockney Girl. When did you ever eat that rubbish?"

  "Rubbish, rubbish? You have no idea what you're talking about, so tomorrow I am taking you out to eat and show you what fine dining really tastes like Mr Heath”

  "That's a deal then. So where are we going? Have you any idea where to get this strange food”?

  "Oh yes I certainly do”

  Their meal arrived and they ate while they joked about where they would go tomorrow.

  "Bob I will tell you a secret. Mummy is a cockney, she was born in Bethnal Green and her maiden name is Harvey. She is quite proud of it as well. Every so often she breaks into Cockney slang so watch out. You see if you're born within the sound of the Bow Bells which are in Cheapside in the City and not Bow in the east end of London as so many people believed it to be, and that makes you a true Cockney”

  The following morning they set off in Bob's car.

  "So young lady take me on this Magical Mystery Tour around the East End"

  "Right head for the Embankment and into Cheapside and I will show you Bow Church where the bells are"

  They stopped and quickly took a look at the church.

  "So if I can hear the bell in that church at the moment of my birth I am a cockney? That’s right is it?

  "Correct Bob, and then you will be the salt of the earth”

  "Now where, my know-all tourist guide”

  "Straight on and go left at Old Broad Street, turn rig
ht at the lights and left at the next lights”

  "How do you know your way around London so well, are you a London Cabbie or something”? "No but I dated one and I helped him do call-overs I think they were called when he was doing the knowledge”

  "Who haven't you dated Miss”?

  "A bus driver, so get out of this bus lane before you get a ticket, right at these lights. Well done your in Bethnal Green Road.

  "No, well done you, I am impressed. That was awesome. You're the one who should have been a taxi driver”

  "We need to park somewhere now and take a walk. I will show you some sights"

  They parked in Squirris Street where she told him that her cousins so many times removed had lived just after the war.