The Girl Who Walked Away

by David Adkins

  Chapter 17

  Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd March

  The next morning I was on an early flight back to London. I relaxed in my seat and considered what to do when I arrived home. It was now over two weeks since Smith had told me to leave the country within two weeks. I still had some financial matters to get in order but I felt I needed to leave quickly after my return both for my safety and my peace of mind. I was committed to America in my mind and there was no point in delaying. Cassie was not interested in me though I did, however, still wish to make things worse for Max Lucas if I could before I left. I hated that he had used Cassie to play me for a fool. I would probably remain in London for a few days before I set off in search of my American dream. That was enough time to attempt to put one more nail in Max’s coffin. Max had been willing to assist in the murder of two men for no other reason than monetary gain and I had not finished with him yet.

  It was early afternoon when I got back to my home in Lewisham. I now resolved to do what I had been putting off doing before I set off for Monaco. I had to ring a few friends and relatives and write to a few relatives who did not possess telephones and let them know my plans. I would simply say that I was going on an extended visit to the United States and I would keep in touch. It was a chore that I did not relish but it was necessary. I also needed to write to my solicitor with regards to my immediate plans. Once everything was settled then I could book my air passage to New York. I had decided I would like to see New York before travelling on to California.

  I was in the Estate Agents as soon as they opened and the business I had with them was settled quickly. I was soon on a train for Charing Cross and fortunately my bank was situated close by the station. The business with the manager took considerably longer than I expected but it was eventually settled satisfactorily. My money would be accessible to me without difficulty whenever I needed it. I felt like a most valued customer.

  Just a few minutes’ walk from the bank was my final destination, Charing Cross Police Station. This time Sergeant Bill Barrow was not on duty but Deputy Inspector Martin Solcombe was in the foyer pinning sheets on the notice board and so I approached him. “Good to see you again, Martin,” I greeted him.

  He turned around and shook my hand. “Mr Coulson, what brings you back to see us?”

  “I want to see Styles,” I replied.

  “I am pleased to see you for something has continually bothered me about the Lucas case.”

  “What is that?”

  “Who really killed Rupert Nesterman? We seem to have given up our inquiries and I don’t understand why.”

  “Perhaps you had the right man all along,” I offered. I had considered carefully what I would say to Styles. I would not breach the terms of the agreement I had reached with Smith and I could never breathe a word of the true identities of Nesterman and Deepdale but that still left me a little room for manoeuvre. I could not have said to Styles what I had just said to Solcombe and I had merely seized on an opportunity that had arisen.

  He was looking at me aghast. “How could that be?”

  “It was just a thought Martin and one that perhaps you should think about. Now is it possible to see Inspector Styles?”

  He wanted to ask more but I shook my head. He knew we were in difficult territory but he had no idea why. “I will take you to him.”

  Once again I entered Styles’ smart and tidy office. He looked up from his desk. “You again!” he exclaimed.

  “It is nice to see you too, Inspector.”

  “He turned up wanting to speak with you,” Solcombe explained.

  “Very well you can go, Inspector.”

  Solcombe nodded and left, closing the door behind him.

  “Sit down, Mr Coulson. What is it this time?”

  I sat down. “I have an agreement with Mr Smith as I think you are aware but I wanted to let him know that there are others who are making waves though I have told them nothing.”

  “You mean the newspapers. Yes, we are keeping an eye on the situation. Just make sure you tell them nothing and all will be fine.”

  “They will get nothing from me,” I assured him. “I just thought you should know.”

  “The matter is in hand, Mr Coulson.”

  “It was not actually just the newspapers I came about. There is another person who is showing an interest. I have heard it from a reliable source I will not divulge.”

  “Who is this person?”

  “Max Lucas has been asking questions. He is wondering why Nesterman was murdered. He is wondering about the identity of the girl who did the deed. He is a chancer and he sees the opportunity to make a little money if he can find out. He will probably never discover the truth but he is a rogue and not somebody you could ever trust. You may feel at some time in the future that you should discourage him.”

  “That is interesting, Mr Coulson, but why are you telling me?”

  “You work for Smith and I would not want you to think that any leak had come from me. I will never break the agreement.”

  “I work for Smith but I do not know all the details of what is going on. I have noted what you have said and I can guess the pretty source. I thought you were going abroad as part of the agreement.”

  “I am and I hope to leave in a few days’ time. When you are leaving the country indefinitely there is so much to do and so many loose ends to tie up in so many areas. I have just about completed all that. A new life awaits me, Inspector.”

  “Then go and start your new life and we will watch Max Lucas along with those nosy reporters.”

  I stepped into Charing Cross Road, my business in London completed. If I had made life slightly more difficult for Max Lucas then I had achieved something. He might find himself watched on his return to England and I smiled at the discomfort that might cause him. The station was just across the road so I would be back in my own home in little more than an hour though it would not be my home for much longer.

  That evening there was a knock at my door at quite a late hour. I opened it a little to see who was bothering me at 10 o’clock in the evening. I groaned when I saw a now familiar figure standing on my doorstep. “Mr Sugar, I really cannot help you any further.”

  “I need to speak with you.” He did not move but looked bedraggled though the weather was not inclement.

  I sighed and opened the door wider. “Come in,” I said in a resigned tone. “You know the way to the sitting room.”

  We sat down and I waited for him to speak. He duly obliged. “Did you get me the sack, Mr Coulson?”

  “Heavens no,” I exclaimed. “You have been sacked?”

  “I have.”

  “Rest assured I had nothing to do with it. I do not have that sort of power, Mr Sugar.”

  “If you had nothing to do with it then you can call me Colin.”

  I nodded. “Tell me what happened.” The man was a nuisance but this development interested me.

  “I think I found out something that I was not supposed to find out and you… you were involved which is why I thought you may have got me the sack.”

  “Explain yourself,” I invited.

  “There was a second murder in London just a short while after the Nesterman killing. A man called Clive Deepdale was murdered in the Mayfair Hotel in London. It should have been big news with the Mayfair Hotel being an upmarket establishment for it must have affected their business. However, it attracted surprisingly little publicity though of course it was reported in the newspapers but in a surprisingly low key fashion. There was no apparent connection between the two murders until I went to the Mayfair Hotel and started digging. Then I found the most surprising connection which was you.”

  He waited for my reaction. I was taken aback for what had happened is what I had feared could happen. “Go on,” I suggested.

  “You do not seem too surprised at my revelation. On the night Clive Deepdale was murdered there happened to be a Mr and Mrs Coulson staying on the same floor in the same hotel. I
did not know you were married.”

  “I am not. The lady was a friend and we were being discreet. It is a remarkable coincidence, but coincidences do happen.”

  “I don’t believe in coincidences. I then discovered that Nesterman and Deepdale were at one time both renting apartments in the Russell Square apartment block. Is that another coincidence?”

  “You were right when you described yourself as a bloodhound.”

  “And you were right when you said I might get my nose burnt.”

  “If you are implying that I burnt it, then you are wrong. Tell me what happened next.”

  “It had been a very successful day after many days of getting nowhere. I was feeling elated when I returned to my office in Fleet Street with these coincidences. My boss called me into his office and informed me I was sacked. I asked for an explanation but one was not forthcoming.”

  “I did warn you.”

  He continued. “I have a friend who works for The People and I phoned him and told him I was out of a job. He knew I was a very good reporter and he was sure he could get me a job on his newspaper. He phoned back later to tell me his editor had vetoed it. Now I’m unemployed.”

  “I did warn you.”

  “What is going on here?”

  “I cannot say. If I was to tell you I may well put my life in jeopardy and your life too. I have no wish to die and I have given my word which I have no wish to break. I have suffered just like you. You have lost your job and I must leave the country. I will be going abroad in a few days and I will not be coming back.”

  “I thought you had already gone. I have been trying to contact you for days.”

  “I took a short holiday to sort a few things out in my mind, but now I must go permanently.”

  “So you will disappear just like Max Lucas and Cassandra Mitchell?”

  “Yes I will disappear.”

  “Do Lucas and Mitchell know what you know?”

  “Cassie doesn’t but I am saying no more.” If the bloodhound continued sniffing I did not mind if he sniffed around Max Lucas. “You will get no more out of me.”

  “So some powerful person or persons have got me the sack and have ordered you to leave the country. They are obviously covering something up and it is big enough to threaten our lives. That is what you seem to have told me.”

  “I have told you nothing. What do you intend to do next?”

  “I am a reporter and I sense a massive story. It will be difficult to give up on it though I no longer have the resources of a major newspaper behind me.”

  “My advice to you is to give up on it. If you don’t you will put yourself in peril.”

  He stared at me. “I have little left.”

  “You have a lot,” I reminded him.

  “I truly don’t know whether I will give up on it. I might go back to the News of the World and give my word that if they gave me my job back I would not follow up on the story. Do you think that would work?”

  “It might. So you intend to drop it.”

  “The temptation will always be there,” he grinned.

  “Temptation should be fought.” I smiled back. “Have you a business card?”

  He looked surprised but took one from his pocket. “My home phone number is on there as well as the one for the office at which I no longer work.”

  “When I get to America I might give you a ring from time to time to see how you are doing, Colin, if that is alright.”

  “Sure it is. He chuckled. “You curious to know what I eventually do?”

  I smiled in reply. “You can’t tell anyone of this conversation or future ones. Do you agree?”

  “I agree.” He sat back heavily in his chair. “So America is your destination.”

  “America and a new life,” I said.

  He stood up. “I should go. It has been most interesting to talk with you. Please give my regards to Mrs Coulson,” he grinned.

  “I will,” I smiled and offered my hand.

  “Enjoy America,” he said.

  “Stay safe,” I replied.

  Colin Sugar left me in a thoughtful mood. He had discovered a connection between the murders of Nesterman and Deepdale but whether he would follow up his discovery I did not know. I had warned him of the dangers in doing so and that was all I could do. If the temptation proved too great for him I felt his first port of call would be Max Lucas. Any inconvenience that Lucas suffered when he returned to England was fine with me. I would ring Sugar in a few weeks’ time to see what decision he had reached. Perhaps he was happy to give me his number in case I was more forthcoming from the other side of the Atlantic. He would be disappointed if that is what he thought.

  Soon after Colin Sugar had left it was time to retire to my bed but just as I was pulling the covers over me my telephone rang. I was puzzled at receiving such a late call but I jumped out of bed and answered it swiftly. “Steve Coulson here,” I said.

  “Steve, are you well?”

  I recognized the voice at the other end of the line. “Yes I am, Jenna. I am surprised to hear from you, but it is good to hear your voice.”

  “You too. I was also worried about you.”

  “I am fine, Jenna. What about you?”

  “Yes, I am good too. Can we meet?”

  “You know where I live. Can you come tomorrow?”

  “No, it cannot be your home. You may be under surveillance and I do not want to put myself at risk. There is a cafe in Marylebone Station you may remember. Can you meet me there, tomorrow?”

  “Yes I can do that. How about 10 am?” I suggested.

  “10 am it is, and do try to make sure you are not followed. Sit down in the cafe at 10 am and I will join you once I have ascertained the coast is clear.”

  “It’s a plan. I look forward to seeing you again.”

  “Me too,” she replied.

  I had no sooner put the phone down when it rang again. “Steve Coulson, here,” I said.

  “You were engaged.” Inspector Styles’ disgruntled voice rang down the line.

  “Yes, I was speaking to a relative. I’ve been informing friends and relatives that I am leaving.”

  “Yes, of course.” His sigh crackled in my ear. “You had a visitor earlier this evening.”

  “You obviously know that Colin Sugar paid me a visit.” Jenna was right to worry that I was still being watched unless it was Sugar they were following.

  “Yes, the man has become an irritant. I am just checking to make sure you let nothing slip.”

  “There is no need to worry on that account for I told him nothing. My lips are sealed. However, as you probably know he has linked the Nesterman murder with the Deepdale murder.”

  “Yes, I know. His persistence is becoming a worry.”

  “Well, it is your worry and not mine. I did warn him to let the matter drop. He was distressed because he had been sacked as a result of his investigations. I warned him it might be more than his job next time, but that was as much as I said. I will be glad when I have left the country and got away from all this subterfuge.”

  “Good, you did well. I just wanted to make sure. Do go soon for your presence here is a worry for Mr Smith.”

  “I should be leaving within the week,” I assured him.

  “Good night, Mr Coulson.”

  “Good night, Inspector,” I replied.

  It was nearly midnight by the time I climbed into bed again. I would have to be very careful in the morning for I did not want to lead Styles or Smith to Jenna. It was well past midnight by the time I eventually got to sleep.

  *

  I left home at 8am the next morning, pushing back my plans to inquire about flights to America to when I returned home. I was careful as I stepped out of my house to look up and down the road but there was no sign of anybody let alone any suspicious looking individuals. I took every precaution as I made my way by a different route to Ladywell Station. I was also careful to look out for anything suspicious as I waited on the platform for the train
to arrive. It had reached the point where I felt that being careful had become second nature.

  After a train and bus journey I reached the grand old building that was Marylebone Station at 9.45. There was one major cafe in the station complex, and so I bought a pot of tea and a packet of biscuits and settled down to wait for Jenna. I went to a table over in the corner looking out towards the platforms. I had taken every step to make sure that following me would have been difficult if not impossible and I felt confident I had succeeded. Ten minutes later I saw Jenna enter the cafe and go to the counter. She looked across briefly at me and smiled and then also purchased a pot of tea. She came over to my table and sat down.

  “It is good to see you.” I smiled.

  “You as well.”

  “I made sure I was not followed,” I said.

  “You did well. I looked around before I joined you and I am also certain you were not followed.”

  “You are quite a professional.”

  “I have to be in my line of work.”

  “You completed your work at the Mayfair Hotel then.”

  “Carl Dengler was an awful creature and the world is a better place without him.”

  “Then justice was served,” I agreed.

  She nodded. “You accept that these Nazi criminals deserve to die… but you still don’t entirely approve of my work, do you?”

  “Justice needs to be meted out, but I don’t like to see you doing the dispensing for it is a very dangerous business.”

  “I am trained for it. It is my purpose.”

  I sighed. “Life has many purposes. Why did you wish to see me Jenna? I thought when I left the Mayfair Hotel I would never see you again.”

  “I needed to know you were surviving. The knowledge which I passed on was dangerous knowledge and there was something else that was bothering me.”