Valerie Simmons gave a deep sigh and spoke in a clipped tone.
“Mr Reynolds, or whatever your name is, apart from one other guest who only stayed here for the first two days of the week you mentioned nobody else booked in. So, whatever your motive is for calling me, you have wasted enough of my time. Goodbye.”
Gerry shouted down the phone at her in desperation,
“Wait! Mrs Simmons, do you remember the pregnant woman who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Matlock a few months ago?”
“Yes, I remember the incident, why do you ask”
“The lady who was in charge of your B&B called herself Valerie and claimed she was the second cousin of the woman, Sally Edwards, who died.”
Mrs Simmons’s voice mellowed.
“Yes, that is true but her name is Diane. What has this got to do with you?”
Alarm bells were starting to ring in his head, but Gerry felt he had no choice but to respond and was reluctant to go into great detail, he hoped she would not press him on the matter.
“Sally was my girlfriend and I went there to visit her grave.”
There was an audible gasp on the phone followed by a long silence before Valerie Simmons spoke again in a more sympathetic voice.
“Oh, I’m so sorry Mr Reynolds. But weren’t you notified that her ashes were scattered on the Garden of Remembrance?”
It took a full minute for her comment to sink in and even then Gerry had difficulty in comprehending fully what it meant. Once he grasped the situation all he could repeat to himself was the phrase,
“I’ve been conned! That sly, devious bitch has conned me!”
Valerie Simmons was unsure as to who Gerry was referring to and asked him to repeat what he had said more slowly. Having had a moment to gather his thoughts he said instead.
“Mrs Simmons, I believe Diane, if that’s her real name, has swindled me out of some money and she has probably done the same to you.”
“I’m not sure I follow your train of thought Mr Reynolds, please explain.”
Gerry did so.
If my name and the other people I saw in the breakfast room that morning are not in your guest register and we all paid cash then she will have pocketed the money for that week. How long had she been left in charge?”
“Just over three weeks.” the landlady said quietly, “If that’s what she has done it could amount to near £3000. Oh my God, I’m calling the police immediately.”
It was Gerry’s turn to show some sympathy, however he didn’t want his name mentioned in any enquiry.
“I’m sorry Mrs Simmons, I’ve lost considerably less than you. But I don’t want my name mentioned in any of this. I will deal with it in my own way. But would you please keep me informed of any developments.”
“But how do I explain to the police how I came to discover this fraud?”
“Give any name you like but don’t use mine. After all, you don’t have any further details about me do you.”
She agreed and added.
“There are a few other checks I can make first before calling the police. For instance, I have a contract with a laundry company and I can check how much linen they have collected while I’ve been away. If it doesn’t tally with the number of bookings shown then that will confirm your allegations. I will keep you informed of developments Mr Reynolds.”
Only after he put the phone down did the sense of nausea hit him. He thought he had done something to keep Sally’s memory alive. Instead he had been taken advantage of by a con artist.
Nobody could be trusted anymore, so, from now on whatever he could get hold of was his and nobody better try and stop him. He had tried to stay on the right side of the law but coppers like Gates wouldn’t believe him.
He vowed that he would stop short of using violence for violence sake unless it meant there was the risk of losing his freedom. An acceptance had slowly built up within him that he grudgingly had to admit to an increasing buzz of excitement when he was out on a job with either Ernie or Mark, a feeling he had never experienced in his earlier life. It was getting easier to understand the logic of the way his colleagues looked on their lives as they did.
27
Ernie couldn’t help noticing the change in Gerry’s attitude over the past few days so he decided to challenge his assistant.
“You’ve been quieter than usual for the past few days. Do you want to talk about whatever’s on your mind?”
“No thanks, I’ll sort it out for myself. I just need time to come to terms with a few things that’s all.”
Ernie shook his head.
“No Gerry, this is to do with Sally and your trip to her grave isn’t it.”
He was surprised at Gerry’s reaction.
“Just drop it will you! I’ll deal with it in my own way so back off!”
If Mark had spoken to him like that Ernie would have taught him a lesson of who was boss. But it was out of character for Gerry to act in that way. He knew he was right that it involved Sally but he let the matter drop.
Gerry had heard nothing from Valarie Simmons regarding Diane and her husband so after his confrontation with Ernie he decided to give her a call.
“Vicarage Road B&B, can I help you?”
Another unfamiliar voice greeted Gerry.
He sighed. Please don’t put me through that same identification routine again he pleaded to himself.
“Is Mrs Valerie Simmons available please, my name is Gerry Reynolds.”
There was a short silence before he heard the more familiar voice of the proprietor who sounded rather subdued.
“Hello Mr Reynolds, I take it you’ve heard the terrible news?”
“I’m sorry Mrs Simmons. I don’t understand, what news are you referring to?”
Gerry could have sworn he heard something that sounded like a sob before she replied.
“It’s poor Diane. She, and her husband Pete, were both killed in a car crash last weekend. Diane may have had her faults but not even she deserved such a death. I’m sorry Mr Reynolds. It’s too upsetting for me to say anymore.”
Before she had time to put the phone down, Gerry asked.
“It may be upsetting for you but could you give me a couple of details please. What was Diane’s surname and where exactly did the accident happen? If I have those details I can look up the story myself.”
Valerie cleared her throat before speaking.
“Her married name was Adams but she stopped using that when they released her from prison and the accident happened somewhere in Kent. Now I’m afraid that’s all I can tell you. If you want to know more, you will have to ask the police. I’m sorry I can’t help you any further. Goodbye Mr Reynolds.”
Before Gerry could ask another question the line went dead. There would be no point in phoning her back, there was a finality to her last remark. Gerry couldn’t go to the police so he waited a couple of days then approached Ernie. He knew an apology for his outburst earlier that week would be the least his boss would demand of him. Once that was out of the way Ernie made him divulge the full reason,
What’s your interest in this Adams woman?” he asked and wouldn’t agree to make any enquiries until Gerry told him the full story.
Gerry finished by asking.
“..As well as the story of the accident, I want to know why she was sent to prison.”
It took Ernie’s contacts nearly a week to come back with the answers but before divulging the information he wanted an answer from Gerry.
“How much did she squeeze you for?”
He looked totally embarrassed when he admitted.
“Over £1500 in cash, plus the brooch Mrs Stockwell gave me that was meant for Sal.”
Ernie’s smile had no warmth in it.
“You got off lightly there Gerry. Adams and her boyfriend stole the life savings of an old lady after knocking six bells out of the old dear. Fortunately, she survived the beating but ended up in a nursing home because she was no longer capable of looking afte
r herself.
“As for the accident, hubby Pete bought an open top sports car with your money and no doubt, other illegal proceeds and it’s believed they were heading for Dover to skip abroad.”
“According to witnesses he suddenly seemed to lose control of the car and they were both thrown out into a field. Unfortunately, right into the path of a large combined harvester! Pete hit the body work of the machine and broke his neck. Your friend Diane was not quite so lucky.”
Gerry was puzzled for one moment until Ernie explained.
“How so?”
“As I said, Pete was lucky, but Diane was thrown into the machinery itself! By the time the driver managed to stop his machine, there wasn’t much left of her ladyship.”
Gerry grimaced and looked away but Ernie had one other piece of information.
“In the glove box of the car they found your brooch. If you can make a positive identification of the item there’s a good chance you could claim it back.”
Gerry said nothing. He was stuck in a dilemma. It was meant to be and should have gone to Sally. It had been his intention to give it to her while she was alive but that opportunity was cruelly taken from him.
The only other alternative was to have the brooch buried with her ashes and those of the twins but Diane’s cruel deception denied him even that solace.
He stood up abruptly and spoke to Ernie as he headed for the door.
“No! I don’t want it back, too many negative memories. Besides I can’t meet Mrs Stockwell’s conditions of giving it to ‘my first love’. Let someone else try.”
When he was on his own in the room Ernie took a box out of his pocket and looked at the brooch inside. If Gerry didn’t want it then he would keep it until he could find a suitable person of his own.
Ernie also left the room and failed to notice the outline of an old woman who hung her head and wept ghostly tears.
Ernie and Mark were in deep conversation when Gerry arrived for work the next morning. It was unusual for Mark to get to the Centre before his flat mate, unless there was a special reason. As he joined the other two Ernie told Mark,
“It’s only fair we tell Gerry what we’ve been discussing Mark. We’ll talk about it over lunch. In the meantime, get together those details I requested.”
Mark nodded and walked away towards the pool area with a wide grin lighting up his features. Gerry tried to speak but Ernie interrupted him.
“Not now Gerry it will be explained to you later but do me one big favour. Put in a couple of objections to what we’re planning but back down when I insist on one point.”
Gerry was even more confused at Ernie’s last comment but he had no chance to ask for at least a hint of what was going on so he went to join Mark in preparing the pool for the morning session, hoping his colleague would shed some light on the mystery. No such luck, Mark was on cloud nine, completely encased in a world of his own.
The upstairs office was being redecorated so they met in the second office downstairs. Ernie began the conversation.
“Ok Gerry, this is what will be happening in the near future. Kevin wants to return to this country but he’s strapped for cash and he’s asked Mark for help.”
“Does that mean he’ll be joining us here?” was Gerry’s first thought.
Mark spoke before he could be stopped and ignored Ernie’s look of annoyance.
“Why not? He could teach us all how to get even better results.”
“Yeah, by using guns I’ll bet!” Gerry muttered.
“There will be no guns around here while I’m in charge” Ernie snapped and he continued, thus preventing the other two from getting into another argument.
“We do owe Kevin a big favour. After all, we couldn’t have got rid of Graham Bishop on our own. And remember, Bishop is being blamed for Mark’s handy work.
“Gerry, if you agree I will draw the money from the account I set up to hide our earnings from the scams. I think £10,000 will be enough to cover his air fare and set himself up when he gets back over here. Mark did you get the details of where to send the money?”
Mark nodded.
“It’s a Western Union office in Toronto but none of his old mates will fund him although they have the details as well.”
A look of concern showed on Ernie’s face.
“Damn, can you get in touch with his mates in Leeds? I forgot to mention before Gates has been promoted and joined the Regional Crime Squad in that area and Kevin’s mates better be on their toes.”
Mark nodded again and said he would contact someone once he got home.
“Better still, use the phone in here once we’ve finished lunch.”
Ernie and Gerry left Mark alone to make his call and once they were out of earshot of anyone else Ernie asked quietly,
“Gerry, you don’t think I would let Mark get his own way with the guns issue do you?”
They were joined by Mark who didn’t look very pleased.
“Problem Mark? Did you make contact” Ernie asked?
“Yeah, I got through and was told they already knew about Gates. He’s picked up one of their couriers and was still questioning the kid. They wouldn’t let him see a lawyer.”
Gerry spoke sympathetically.
“Unless he’s got the skin of a rhinoceros Gates will break him.”
Mark gave Gerry a disdainful stare.
“That kid is no Southern softie like someone I know.”
Ernie could see what was about to happen and only just managed to get between the pair before they came to blows.
“That’s enough Mark! What we have to decide is whether we send Kevin the money or wait a while longer for things to cool down.”
“Kev is broke. He needs that money right now. If he doesn’t have it by tomorrow he’s liable to do a stick up.”
Ernie was thoughtful, weighing up the situation. Finally, he made his decision.
“We can’t risk that. I’ll send the money this evening. You two will have to do the patrol tonight. And I don’t want any problems from either of you. Understood?”
Both nodded and Ernie continued.
“Ok Mark, I need a password that Kevin will know. I don’t suppose he’s got a favourite has he?”
Mark stayed silent for several moments before picking up a pen and writing something on a nearby pad and passing the sheet to Ernie.
“I don’t want anyone else to know, ok?” and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Ernie looked at the writing and he only just about managed to stifle the laughter welling up inside his chest.
Later that evening, after Mark and Gerry had gone out on patrol, Ernie went home to make a long distance phone call. Before doing so, he took the folded slip of paper out of his pocket, the same piece of paper he had found on the floor of the van upon his return from the trip to Australia. He smiled as he said quietly to himself,
“I’m afraid you won’t get the opportunity to show me how. Sorry, Kevin.”
The female voice on the other end of the line was courteous but efficient, and Ernie warmed to the strong Canadian accent.
“RCMP Headquarters, Toronto, how may I help you today.”
Ernie cleared his throat before speaking.
“Ah, good evening. My name is Chief Inspector Gates of West Yorkshire Regional Crime Squad. May I speak to your armed robbery response unit please? I have information about an incident that has been planned in your area.”
“Hold one moment please sir and I will transfer you to one of my colleagues.”
There was a thirty second delay before another person took over the call.
“Inspector Frank Jardine speaking, I understand you have information about a possible felony that is about to take place, is that correct Sir?”
“That is correct. We understand it is planned to take place at the Western Union office in the proximity of the main bus and coach station.”
After a short pause Jardine responded.
“Chief Inspector, do you have a
description of the people planning this robbery?”
Ernie pretended to rustle papers before answering.
“Only one person as far as we know. The last name he used in this country was either Kevin Yarrow or Kevin Ramsbottom. I must emphasise Inspector he is under suspicion for the murder of a Graham Bishop before he left the UK some five months ago. He is known to be a member of a local gang and frequently uses firearms in his robberies. As far as we know he is planning to carry out this felony at around eighteen hundred hours, Toronto time.”
Jardine suddenly sounded annoyed.
“Then, Chief Inspector, why weren’t we informed a lot sooner that this person was in our country?”
Ernie hesitated, the conversation was getting too complicated to continue so he started to reply and then remained silent.
“It was only brought to our attention a few days ago by ..” and then stayed silent, waiting for Jardine to respond.
“Hello Chief Inspector, I didn’t catch the last part of what you said, could you repeat it please.”
Ernie did not respond until Jardine repeated his request then simply said,
“Hello Inspector Jardine, can you hear me?”
Jardine responded, this time the irritation clear in his voice.
“Mr Gates, I still can’t hear you, are you still there?”
Ernie waited another ten seconds before holding the phone at arm’s length and calling to an imaginary person.
“Davies! This bloody phone has gone on the blink again, get it sorted.” and quietly replaced the receiver.
Jardine heard the click as the line went dead and sat for a moment, pondering whether to take any action. But a call about a possible firearms offence could not be ignored. He picked up the phone again and told the operator,
“Chloe, dispatch two units to the Western Union on Prince Street. I’m on my way there now. Oh, and get a message to my stepdaughter, Natalie, and tell her I can’t keep that dinner appointment tonight, I’ll contact her later.”
He quickly retrieved the body armour from his locker and went to change before leaving the office.
Meanwhile Ernie went to his bed, happy in the knowledge that another challenge to his authority would not arise. Would there be others? Well, he was ready if they showed their hand.
The Reluctant Villain Page 36