One Coffin Too Many

by Brendan O'Grady

Devoy stood up and grabbed the pile of reports from witnesses to the fire. He dumped them on Moore’s desk.

  “ This is what happens for starters. A stack of reports. I want you to go through them and if necessary start knocking on doors. “

  Moore stared at the pile with dismay.

  “ This is Burke’s job. “

  “ Correction. It was Burke’s job now it’s yours. “

  “ And where is Burke may I ask? “

  “ He’s on a special assignment. “

  “ You’re doing this just to punish me. Isn’t that your little game? “

  “ Angela, just do it. Okay? It’s an order. “

  “ I’m going to ask for a transfer – you can stuff yours. “

  “ Do as you wish Angela but don’t forget I have final say. I’m your superior. They’ll ask me to furnish a report on you and if you continue like that I won’t do you any favours. “

  “ And I suppose you’ll enjoy that? “

  “ But of course. What do you expect? “

  “ And you’ll do the dirty on me? “

  “ But of course. “

  “ You really are a swine, Frank. A swine. I’d just like to tell you that when you’re doing it your knees creak like an arthritic old man. “

  “ Praying, you mean? “

  “ You know perfectly well what I’m referring to. “

  “ Oh, screwing then. “

  “ Yes, screwing. “

  “ Well I never heard you complaining about a good orgasm but from what I hear your neighbours are upset when you climax. Your howling is upsetting their cats and dogs. “

  “ You really are a pig, Frank. “

  “ Good day, Angela and don’t forget the reports. I’m going home to recover. Don’t call me. I’ll call you. Don’t forget tomorrow is D- day. Be here at 8! “

  Just after two o’clock when Devoy was about to fall asleep on the couch the phone pinged. He picked it up just in time to see the photos coming in. It was as he expected. Roll on 5:30, he said to himself before he dozed off.

  At 4:30 he woke up and examined his phone. There were no new messages. He took a shower, grabbed a bite to eat and headed off for Cremin’s house. He arrived at five and parked the car down the lane out of sight. He hid in the tall grass and trees and waited.

  At 5:30 Margo’s Jeep swung into view and she parked right in front of the gate. She got out, looked around and started to try to open the gate again by pressing the button. The gate didn’t budge. Next she pulled at the chain but it was just an angry gesture. She knew as she did before she couldn’t open it. Devoy decided to show himself. He came up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around and gasped.

  “ Oh, Frank, “ she exclaimed, “ where did you come from? “

  “ I was up there, “ Devoy replied nodding at the trees.

  “ My god, your face. Who did that to you? “

  “ Oh, it was just an accident, Margo. I walked into something. “

  She took his head in her hands and examined his two black eyes.

  “ Sure it wasn’t another woman, Frank? “

  “ It was another woman but it was an accident, Margo. There’s no harm done. I’m alright, believe me. “

  “ You look really awful, Frank and your nose it’s swollen. “

  “ Believe me, Margo. It was an accident. I’ll get over it. “

  “ As you wish, “ she replied kissing him.

  She then pulled away from him.

  “ There’s something wrong with the gate, Frank and somebody has put a chain around it. “

  Devoy produced a key from his pocket.

  “ That was me, Margo. I disconnected the electricity and for good measure I put the lock and chain on it. “

  “ Why? It’s not your property, Frank. You’ve no right to do that? “

  “ Says who? “ replied Devoy feeling the anger in her voice.

  “ I say so. I’m the only one authorized to enter the house. “

  “ And I still have the warrant to block anybody going into the property dating back from last week. That didn’t cover the house as you well know but not anymore, Margo. I’ve a search warrant here for the house. I can enter it any time I want to – with or without your permission. In fact you’re not supposed to be here at all. You’re trespassing, Margo. “

  “ But you said it wouldn’t come into force until tomorrow morning. “

  “ I know but at my request they hurried this one up. Is that a problem for you, Margo? “

  She shook her head.

  Before she could say another word Devoy unlocked the chain from the gate and then climbed over.

  “ This reminds me of old times, Margo. Remember. “

  She didn’t answer but instead folded her arms over her ample bosom as if warding off his intentions.

  Devoy then opened the box housing the motor, reconnected the wires, inserted the fuse and switched on the electricity. A moment later he heard the lock disengaging and the gate slowly rolled across. Margo had already got back in her car. As soon as the gate was open she drove past him and out of sight towards the house. Devoy brought the gate back and disconnected again the electricity. He ran after her and finally caught up on her as she was opening the door to Cremin’s house.

  “ You’re supposed to wait for me, Margo. No entering without permission now. “

  “ Why do I get the impression you’re not being upfront with me. What’s going on, Frank?

  “ We’re here to finish what we failed to do the last time we were here. We’re going to open the safe with your help and then we’re going to empty the safe of all the things we last saw in there. You’ll accompany me to the station and we’ll report the treasure trove. Simple. “

  “ Very well, then, Frank. Let’s do it. “

  Devoy got down on the floor and started to manipulate the side of the billiard table. It came away revealing the safe. Devoy stood up.

  “ Your turn, Margo. Time you remembered your vital statistics. “

  Margo true to form hiked up her tight skirt a little and got down on her knees in front of the safe. Devoy noticed she was breathing deeply as if she were nervous or excited. He couldn’t tell which. He didn’t care. He enjoyed watching her breathing. It made him feel alive.

  She paused and then brought her fingers up. She closed her eyes and then turned the first knob. There was a nice reassuring click. She closed her eyes again and he saw her lips move as if she were calculating. She attacked the second knob and turned it. There was a second click. Her chest was heaving now with excitement and Devoy had a grandstand view of her voluptuous breasts. She looked up at him for a moment and then put her fingers on the third and final knob. But there was no click this time.

  “ What’s wrong? “ he asked.

  “ It’s not working, Frank. Something’s wrong! “

  “ What do you mean something’s wrong! It worked the last time, didn’t it? “

  “ Yeah, Frank, “ she replied in a imploring voice. “ It worked the last time but it’s not working now. Okay! “

  “ What’s the bloody numbers, then? “ he asked. “ Let me try them. “

  “ They’re written in here, “ she said, pulling down her blouse and exposing her bra and left breast.

  She pulled out the left cup of her bra and Devoy saw numbers written on the inside.

  “ I don’t believe it, “ he said.

  “ That’s where I hid it, Frank. I’m long-sighted and I can’t see very well with the bad light. Perhaps you’d like to try? “

  She looked up at him with a smile on face as if to say ‘ are you enjoying the view? ‘.

  Devoy felt the lust coursing through his body as he looked down at her breasts – the breasts that he was so well acquainted with and hoped to get reacquainted with again.

  Quickly he took off his jacket. He got down on his knees and came up behind her.

  He looked down into the left cup of her bra while she held it out for h
im to see.

  “ I can hardly see them, Margo. They seem to be faded. Maybe if we put on the light? “

  “ Here, “ she said standing up. She undid her blouse and threw it on the table and then did the same with her bra throwing it at Devoy. Devoy grabbed it and began to examine the numbers but they were washed out. He managed to peel his eyes away from her and look at the numbers.

  “ It looks like 36 -24 -36 but I can’t be sure, Margo. “

  “ I couldn’t have put on that much since the last time, Frank. Perhaps you better check again – physically. “

  By now she had sat herself on the table and was swinging her legs. Her breasts swung back and forth like pendulous fruit on a tree.

  Devoy’s tongue felt huge in his mouth and he began to advance towards her slowly anticipating every step of the way.

  He came up to her and she kissed him plunging her tongue into his mouth.

  “ Wait” she asked and she put her feet down on the floor.

  “ Tight skirts show off a girl’s figure but I think you’ve got the idea now, Frank. “

  Her skirt fell to the floor and she stepped out of it. She was now naked except for her panties.

  “ I’ll let you do the honour, Frank seeing as you like uncovering things. “

  Devoy wanted to laugh but he was overcome by a bout of lust he thought could kill him.

  He took down her panties and she kicked them away. He hurriedly got out of his clothes. She mounted the billiard table and lay there like a statue waiting for him. He followed her onto the table and entered her just as he did on other occasions. He took his time savouring her and she gave herself totally to him. Every move came naturally to them as if they had been rehearsing this act for ages and then they climaxed together in a long drawn out howl of pleasure that they tried to prolong but couldn’t. They were spent. Devoy looked at his watch.

  “ Is something up, Frank? “ Margo asked.

  “ I thought I heard my service phone buzz once or twice. Maybe I was imagining it? “

  “ You’re never at ease when you’re on duty, Frank. You’re somehow detached as if you’re preoccupied with something? “

  Devoy laughed.

  “ Don’t you think I’m on duty now, Margo? Devoting myself totally to you and wishing we could forget the world and stay like this, wrapped in each other’s arms, and waiting for the next mad bout of passion to overwhelm us. “

  Even as he spoke to her he felt himself getting aroused again.

  “ Take me again, Frank. I want you again – now, quickly! “

  He obeyed her and plunged into a world of ecstasy again.

  An hour later they were spent. This time Devoy heard the phone buzz.

  “ Shit, “ he said. “ I really have to get that. It could be important. “

  He heaved himself off the table and started dressing.

  “ Margo, I’ve a question to ask you? “

  “ A question? What sort of question, Frank? “

  “ What were you doing here today at lunch-time? “

  “ Frank, why are you asking me this? “

  He took out his personal mobile from his jacket pocket and brought up the photo.

  “ Because of this, Margo. Look at the picture. You’re trying to get in. Why? The rendez-vous was for 5:30 not lunch-time. “

  “ Oh, I was probably just passing and decided to have a look. “

  “ Touch the arrow on the screen, Margo. You weren’t just passing as you say – you were trying to open that bloody gate. Keep touching the arrow. “

  Margo put the phone down.

  “ You were spying on me, Frank. Why? What’s going on? “

  “ I wasn’t spying on you, Margo. Another cop did it. “

  Just then his other phone rang. Devoy picked it up. It was Angela.

  “ I’ve got to take this, “ he said. “ It’s police business. I’m going out into the corridor. You keep on looking, Margo. “

  Out in the corridor Devoy switched on the phone.

  “ Yes, “ he said tersely knowing Angela was at the other end.

  “ Frank? “

  “ Yes, it’s me. What’s up? “

  “ We’ve been trying to get you for ages. You’ve got to come in. “

  “ Listen Angela I’m having the afternoon off if you don’t mind. I’m trying to take care of my eyes. My nose is killing me. So leave me alone for a few hours. “

  “ As you wish. I’ll pass your comments on to Superintendent Sullivan. I just thought you’d be interested to know that Horgan committed suicide this afternoon. He hanged himself. “

  “ Is this some type of joke? “

  “ It’s no joke. We got the call from the prison an hour ago and we’ve been trying to get you since. “

  “ Is Sullivan beside you? “

  “ No, he’s in his office. He’s hopping mad. Seems Dillon got onto him. “

  “ That prick. “

  “ Yes, that prick. “

  “ Do you want me to come and collect you? Obviously with your eyes like that you don’t feel like driving. “

  “ That’s good of you, Angela. Give me twenty minutes. I’ll make it. “

  Devoy came back into the room and stopped. Margo was dressing herself and he thought a lot of women are sexy when they undress but here was one who was just as sexy putting her clothes back on.

  She caught him staring.

  “ What was that all about? “

  “ Some guy topped himself in prison. “

  “ How? “

  “ Hanged himself. “

  “ Somebody you know? “

  “ Yes, but I can’t go into details. It’ll be all over the papers tomorrow morning. “

  “ I see. Why where you staring at me like that, Frank? “

  “ I’m was admiring your sexuality. You’ve got it everywhere you know, Margo. It’s a great privilege making love to you. You’ve no idea what you do to me. I never tire of you, you know. “

  “ And there was I thinking you were going to lock me up? “

  “ I have to go now, Margo. I’m going to lock up. I was supposed to come back in the morning but the suicide has blown that. “

  “ Does this mean more spying? “

  “ Anybody and not just you who attempts to enter these grounds and this house will be arrested. “

  “ I see. That sounds drastic. “

  “ If you’d looked at the rest of the photos you’d have seen a couple pull up in their car and look the grounds over. But they didn’t try to enter. Probably house hunters? But you, you did your utmost to enter. Why? “

  “ I told you I was checking. “

  “ That’s not good enough. Now Margo, you know what’s in that safe and I know what’s in that safe. I don’t know if you’re playing some sort of game but when I’ve cleared up this suicide thing I’ll be back and I’ll expect you to remember the codes. You could land yourself in a lot of trouble if you are seen to be an obstacle in the pursuit of a crime. You’d be regarded as an accessory after the fact. You may be protecting somebody out of a misguided sense of justice. Don’t do it? Margo. Let the law take its course. Don’t cross the threshold to crime, Margo. It isn’t worth it. “

  “ So you’re going to lock me up then? “

  “ Don’t be silly, Margo. I can’t lock you up on a suspicion. You haven’t done anything wrong yet. The money and papers in that safe belong to the estate of the late Mr. Cremin. I don’t have to tell you that. Maybe you know more than you’re pretending. “

  “ You don’t trust me, Frank. You make love to me and when it’s over I’m a suspect. “

  “ Please Margo, don’t make it difficult for me. I’ve already compromised so far by not reporting what I’ve seen inside that safe. I did that to protect you. Honestly I’m at a loss to know what’s going on. There are far too many things happening, far too many strands. I haven’t even got the Cremin’s killer yet but I will. “

  “ So where do we go from he
re, Frank? “

  “ You’ve got to remember the code for the safe first and then we’ll take it from there. In the meantime I’ve got to get to the station. Duty calls, Margo. I’ve got to go. I’ll lock up this time. “

  “ Very well, Frank. You’re the boss. “

  Devoy kissed her and led her out of the house.

  “ Don’t forget the house is under surveillance as from today, Margo. “

  He followed her to the gate, opened it and watched as she drove off down the lane. She didn’t wave back as she usually did.

  An hour later he was sitting in Sullivan’s office along with Detective Moore. Angela was quiet and avoided his gaze.

  “ Well Frank, you finally turned up. “ Sullivan said.

  “ So I did. Can’t a man have a few hours off with two black eyes and an inflamed nose? “

  “ I’m sorry about that, Frank. I didn’t realize you’d two shiners. “

  “ I took a few painkillers and fell asleep. That’s why I didn’t hear the phone. “

  Angela cleared her throat.

  “ So run it past me again. “ asked Devoy.

  “ It seems Horgan tried to contact you. Now we know why. Anyway after lunch a letter was delivered to him. As per prison regulations the envelope was examined and they noticed something soft in it. Suspecting drugs, marijuana, they examined it and discovered it was plain ash from a fire. There was nothing else in the envelope so they’d no choice but to hand it over to him. He examined it and seeing the ash freaked out. A medical orderly was summoned and he gave Horgan a tranquillizer. Horgan fell asleep and was left in the infirmary. When the orderly called in a few hours later to check on him Horgan was nowhere to be found. After a thorough search he was found in the showers hanging from a bracket. It was too late to save him. He was dead. “

  “ So the ash was a warning? “

  “ So you say. Dillon is of the opinion you were harassing him. “

  “ Well Dillon would say that. Last week he was begging for a manslaughter charge, this morning it was for a full acquittal. “

  “ What did Horgan have to say? “

  “ Horgan had nothing to say. According to Officer Burke the man was in a catatonic state. That’s some type of deep shock according to the shrinks. “

  “ And how would Burke know that may I ask? “