Sibling Rivalry

by E A Harvey

  Chapter 31 Social

  "Mrs. Scott I am sorry to disturb you. It's DI Sarah Daniels. There have been further developments in the case involving Mr. Peters. Will it be possible to call on you once more"?

  "That's fine Inspector, but my daughter is away somewhere with a new boyfriend and my son has gone back to work"

  "Well, to tell the truth, I had wanted to talk to them both, but you might be able to answer some questions if you would not mind"

  "I have just returned from visiting my husband and I am free for the rest of the evening if that would be convenient"

  "Yes it that’s fine Justine. I will see you in an hour".

  Later that evening

  "Please take a seat inspector. I must say I have not met many policemen or women but I always thought when they wanted to interview you it was more a demand. You are always so polite".

  "I do try Justine. I find that being polite gets more results. But I can be more aggressive if need be" she laughed.

  "May I ask you a question for a change Inspector; may I call you Sarah please"?

  "Please do Justine".

  "When you were here the last time I wondered what sort of a life you had in your spare time. I certainly do not mean to be rude and I know I am being nosey but that's how I am. But first, could I persuade you to take a glass of wine with me. Sarah, It's not very often I get to talk to another woman. Janet is fine to chat to but no matter how old they get they are still your children"

  "Normally I would say no thank you, to the wine, but I am off duty, in fact, I am here on my own time so yes please Justine that would be nice"

  "Red or white"

  "Red would be nice, thank you"

  "Good I have nice Pinot Noir"

  Sarah smiled.

  Justine raised an eyebrow at Sarah's smile.

  "I will tell you when you pour the wine as indirectly, it does concern you"

  Justine uncorked the wine and poured two glasses, handed one to Sarah and sat down.

  "So the story behind the smile, how does it concern me?"

  "The case I am working on concerning Mr. Peters has taken me to Paris as I am sure you know, I needed to find out if somehow your daughter had met him without your knowledge. Well I am afraid I learned nothing".

  "Sorry Sarah but where does the wine come into the story"?

  "Yes sorry I do often take a long way around to get to the point. Many years ago I had taken a holiday in Paris and I had called in at the local Gendarme where I met a detective. We spent an evening together, drank far too much Pinot Noir and we ended up in bed.

  Justine smiled. "And when you travelled to Paris this time"?

  "Yes we met and he accompanied me to see Gabrielle and Pierre DuPont and, of course, your daughter. And yes I stayed with him and yes we did".

  "Good for you Sarah. Tell me to have you ever been married"?

  "No, I never met a man that interested me that much. I was always too involved with the job"

  "And the French policeman, could he be the one"?

  "Ha-ha I really can't believe I am telling you all this Justine".

  "Shall I tell you why? It's because you're so into your work that you don't have time for yourself. When do you get the chance to talk to another woman, and you never answered, could the French man be the one"?

  "He is a great lover and we get on well but he is there and I am here. He would like it if I moved in with him, but am I ready to retire? I am really not sure"

  "Sarah if you would not mind me, maybe, saying more than I should, grab happiness when you can because it gets snatched away from you when you least expect it. Look at my situation".

  "I do know your right Justine".

  "Sorry Sarah Look how much of your time I have taken up and you wanted to ask some questions"

  "No it's fine Justine I have enjoyed our chat. Actually I wish I was not here to ask questions"

  “We have found out that Brian Peters was gay; we first believed that he was murdered by a man dressed as a woman. Because he had called out Penny's s name when he visited your home we showed her photo to some visitors to a gay club and they recognized her"

  "But that's ridiculous, Penny is in France and Janet was in bed on the evening he died. Even so, why would they be at a gay club? Janet for one has had by far too many boyfriends to be gay, I know that's not proof but I am sure I would know if either of them were"

  Also neither of them has ever meet Mr. Peters

  "And that is where the case comes to halt. Justine I have done something very unprofessional and my superiors would, I am sure at the very least, suspend me if they knew what had gone on tonight, I have discussed a case with someone whose family could be involved, but you are a lovely person and I wish we had met under different circumstances".

  "And I must apologize for filling you with wine and getting you to talk about yourself".

  "You realize that I need to fingerprint Janet and Peter but the prints will be destroyed once they have been eliminated. Would you ask them if they will both drop into the station when they are free? Between you and I would not bother with either but I must be seen to be doing my job".

  “I will let them know the instant I see them. I promise".

  “Goodnight Sarah"

  "Good night Justine. Thank you for this evening, it's been special".

  "Sarah. Please think about what I said. Grab happiness with both hands and hang on tight"/

  The next morning

  "Sergeant I may take myself off this case sometime soon"

  "Ma'am, why would you do that, why now when we are getting closer"?

  "Because I have got far too involved with the family and I feel I can't be constructive.

  I visited Paris knowing a possible witness was also in the country and did not bother to follow it up. And what was I doing taking time off in the first place?”

  But for now we shall see".

  Chapter 32 Witness

  "Robert Heath is in France somewhere. Maybe we can check with Hertz or some other rental company and see if he rented a car," said George Wentworth.

  "Fine, I will give Inspector De Salis a ring. Maybe he can help out. It will give us a chance to catch-up.

  "Good morning Rene, its Sarah, how are you"?

  "Good morning to you Sarah it's good to hear from you, I am fine thank you and you are you coming back to Paris to see me sometime soon"?

  "Who knows, Rene? I might, but for now I need a favour if you can spare me some time. I am trying to trace a possible witness who we know is in France. He might have rented a car at the airport or station some time ago, can you help"?

  "I should be able to find out something for you. Just give me his name and the dates and I will do what I can"

  "Merci Rene. I will email you the info right away. It's good to hear your voice. Speak soon. Bye for now".

  Sarah put the phone back on its cradle and sat and thought about Rene and what life would be like living in Paris with him. How unprofessional she had been visiting Justine Scott, but she knew why. She had needed to talk to a real person.

  “Pull yourself together “she said to herself and get on with the case.

  A few minutes later she sent the email.

  Chapter 33 Hospital

  "Goodbye mother, I will see you soon. Please do not worry".

  Gabrielle put down the telephone.

  "Gabby what's the matter? Is your mother alright"? Asked Penny.

  "Mummy is fine thank you, but her sister has had an accident and has been taken into hospital” “So what is happening? Is your mother going to visit her any time soon”?

  "Well, I was going to ask you could I borrow your car for a while to take her but a neighbour has offered to take her. She also has family in the same area"

  "Gabby it's not my car, it's ours and you take it whenever you want to. Are you sure you don't need it"?

  "No, we are fine thank you".

  “Then give my love to your mum and I do hope your aunt is not
to badly hurt"

  "Thank you, Angel. I will go and pack a few things plus a toothbrush and I will be ready to go. My aunt lives in Avilly-Saint-Léonard it's about sixty kilometres outside Paris. It takes about an hour and a half, so we will stay at auntie’s house".

  Twenty minutes later Gabrielle kissed Penny goodbye.

  "Mother has arrived, so I will see you as soon as we get back Penny"

  "Fine darling, be safe. I love you, Bye".

  Later on the telephone

  "Hello Mummy. How are you and how is my daddy"?

  "I am fine Penny thank you, but I am afraid daddy has slipped back. He did not recognize me at all yesterday"

  "Oh dear, and Peter how is he? Is he at home or off flying somewhere"?

  "Peter has gone back to work but I am a little worried about him. There is something upsetting him I think".

  "Is something worrying him at work? I know Monarch has problems".

  "It could be I suppose, but you know what his like. He never tells you a thing"

  "And my lovely sister is she home yet"?

  "No. I have not seen her since she met this new boyfriend. Peter heard from her but it was a really bad line. He thought Janet said she was in France but I think he may have got that wrong somehow".

  "So you have no idea who the new boyfriend is?

  "No I have no idea who he is. Did you know that Peter has a new girlfriend and her name is Brenda?”

  "A girlfriend, are you sure"?

  ”So he says"

  "Anyway, what's your news? How is Gabrielle and is Pierre back home yet"?

  "Gabby has left me all alone. Her aunt has had an accident and Gabby has taken her mother to visit her for a few days. I will miss her. And my fiancée has left me forever. Just kidding, of course, but he will still be gone a few weeks more"

  "Oh darling, I would come and visit for a while if I wasn’t so worried about your father"

  "Don't worry Mummy. I will be fine; I think I will do some shopping. Get some new curtains for the kitchen seems like a good idea"

  "Sounds like fun darling. Talk soon. Love you. Bye"

  "Love you too Mummy. Give my love to daddy and Peter when you talk to them. Bye".

  Chapter 34 Return

  "Good morning darling, did you sleep well"?

  "Yes I did, I always do. It must be this country air and the beautiful countryside".

  "Almost as lovely as you"

  "Oh Bob you're such a charmer, but I love you for it. Tell me what are we going to do today, darling? Anything planned"?

  "Sadly I need to return to the UK. My mobile phone has disappeared I might have problems at work which need to be sorted. And the hire car needs to be returned to Hertz, I have a few new clients who need courtesy calls. And, even if I had my phone it would be useless as there is next to no signal here".

  "Bob. If we need to go back then so be it, but I will be sad to leave here. It has been such a wonderful holiday in such a wonderful setting. Thank you for bringing me".

  "No Angel. I want you to stay here, I will only be gone a couple of days. I will sort out a new phone and check on the new clients. I will just make sure everything is ok and then get back here to my lovely girl".

  "Are you sure that's ok darling? I love it here and I would love to stay provided you will not be away too long".

  "Having found you, you don't think I am going to leave you for long do you, I will be back so fast you won't even know I am gone".

  "I will be fine, Bob. There is plenty of food in the cupboards and fridge, I think you bought enough food to last a year, and I can always walk to your friend's restaurant if I need a change”.

  "No I won't be long, I promise and I know you will be safe here. But right now let's have some breakfast. I am going to cook your favourite pancakes, and then I am going to make love to you so you remember me and don't run off with some good looking French man".

  "The pancakes were amazing and the sex was delicious. Now get going or you will miss your connection. Be careful Bob, and don't worry about me I will be fine".

  They kissed and Janet stood and waved him goodbye until the car was out of sight.

  She walked back into the cottage and gave a shiver of delight.

  “I have never been so happy; so in love. I must let Penny know that I am sorry for everything that's happened between us and see if she will forgive me. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have a double wedding and be proper sisters” she thought to herself.

  She started to wash up the breakfast dishes and her thoughts went once again to Penny,

  “I will call her and ask her if we can meet once Bob gets back”. But then she remembered. No signal.

  Chapter 35 Alexis

  “Another boring night” thought Alexis Dune as he leaned against a wall smoking his Gauloises. Being a nightclub bouncer was not the most challenging of jobs but he could sell drugs to the incoming clients. The club’s position meant he could see the police before they saw him, and, if he was truthful to himself, it was all he was capable of.

  He knew most of the regulars who passed in and out and he was ready with the little packets of powder or pills.

  Alexis was a well-known criminal to the Police and how he was still at large was down to sheer luck rather than any real cunning on his part.

  A taxi pulling up outside the club made him hurry. Some customers were at the club entrance. He had sold them some of his goods and he wanted them out of the way.

  The pair of legs that swung out of the cab doorway was enough to take anyone's attention and Alexis gave them his fullest.

  The body and face which belonged to them were just as deserving, so much that he threw away his cigarette and brushed down his ruffled hair.

  She paid the Cabbie and waited for the taxi to pull away before approaching the bouncer. "Bonsoir," he said, in a drawl which could have come from anywhere in the world.

  "Good evening" she offered back with a smile.

  "Oh, you’re English. Can I do anything for you"? He asked in a way which had many meanings.

  “I am sure you can“

  "What did you have in mind; I can do most things and supply all needs"

  "What's your name young man" she asked putting a hand on his.

  If this man was capable of blushing he almost made it.

  "Alexis “he offered, in a voice which surely did not exit from this brutish looking man.

  “Alexis, I am looking for something which even you might not be able to offer me".

  Her smile was very suggestive.

  "There is nothing I could not and would not do for someone as beautiful as you, what do you need? Has someone upset you? I draw the line at murder but can hand out a good beating if you wish".

  “Oh Alexis you're so gallant"

  "Do you need drugs? That is no problem. Whatever you need"

  "No, I don't want to ruin my body"?

  "You are so right. You’re perfect. So what is it you are after?"

  "Supposing Alexis, just supposing, I needed a gun, could you supply that"?

  "Hold on are you an English copper or are you with that foreign lot, Interpol"?

  "Alexis do I look like a policeman" she said stepping back so that he could look her up and down.

  This time he took an even longer look.

  “You certainly don't but if you are you can handcuff me anytime" he laughed.

  “But I did say I could beat someone up for you at a price"

  “And what price would that be I wonder”?

  “I think you know"

  "Who do you want to shoot, a husband, a lover, who"? “I don't want to shoot someone it's just a warning". “Warnings I can do for you"

  They stepped aside as he waved a couple into the club She turned her face away from them.

  “At a price” she laughed

  “Of course"

  "Coming from you it would not hold the same meaning Alexis. This needs to be personal if you know what I mean"

  “
No I have no idea what you mean but for a gun we are looking at money and a favour from you"

  “How much money are we talking?"

  “About four hundred Euros"

  “Fine Alexis shall we say tomorrow night same place and time"?

  The following evening

  “Hello Alexis do you have the weapon"?

  "Yes I do, and do you have the money"?

  “Of course"

  "Are you stupid English girl? Hand over the money. You come to my country and expect a man with a gun not to rob you. Hand it over" He pointed the weapon.

  She passed the bundle of money to him.

  "No Frenchman. I am not stupid. Count your money"