One Coffin Too Many

by Brendan O'Grady

  “ Is something the matter, Inspector Devoy? “ she asked.

  Devoy shook his head.

  “ No, Mrs. Marshall. My mind was just wandering. “

  She gave him another smile.

  “ Most men feel like that in here, Inspector. It’s all the femininity on display. The average man finds it hard to concentrate. “

  Devoy laughed.

  “ I bet he does. Excuse me. “

  “ No excuse necessary, Inspector. Men will be men. “

  Devoy nodded and smiled.

  He saw Detective Moore shake her head in a disapproving fashion. This was the time, he thought.

  “ I suppose you were shocked to discover that Caroline was a lesbian, “ Devoy suddenly said.

  Mrs. Marshall who probably thought she could control Devoy with her feminine gestures was taken aback. She sat back in her chair and the colour drained from her face. Her tongue shot out and moistened her lips.

  “ Caroline a lesbian. Well I don’t know, Inspector. “

  “ I heard you say to Detective Moore she was a friend. Were you aware of her sexual proclivities? “

  “ Proclivities, Inspector? I’m a woman. Admittedly I’m separated but lesbianism. I don’t know. “

  “ It’s not a crime, Mrs. Marshall. It’s just we found compromising material on Caroline during the course of our enquiries and wondered was she being blackmailed. “

  “ Blackmailed? “

  “ Yes, blackmailed. “

  “ Oh, God. “

  “ Normally we wouldn’t have bothered with this interest but as you’re aware Caroline Gleeson died a criminal. We’re trying to establish what was it in her background that led her to take such criminal steps? “

  “ Oh, I see. “

  “ We’re talking here about the late Mr. Horgan. “

  “ Oh yes, I remember now. He was arrested for the murder of that poor man, Mr. Fallon at the nursing home. That was dreadful. “

  “ Yes, it was. “

  A silence descended.

  “ So you can’t tell us anything about her? “

  Mrs. Marshall shrugged in a very Gallic way and Devoy wondered did she know that his wife was French or was she just one of those numerous upper-middle class women who claimed to be been to the Sorbonne.

  “ Inspector Devoy, Detective Moore, I hope you don’t mind my saying so but I can’t help noticing the police seem to be preoccupied with Caroline Gleeson. Why? The poor woman is dead and buried. Can’t she be left in peace? “

  “ The thing is, Mrs. Marshall, we don’t know a thing about her background. Like most people who knew her and I knew her very well I went to her funeral and apart from myself, her editor Mr. Cronin and the printer there were no other men. She was mourned by women. Nobody else. No family, no brothers and sisters. So it seemed to us she had lots of female friends. So that’s who we are contacting. “

  “ I see, “ replied Mrs. Marshall scrutinizing Devoy and wondering whether to believe him.

  “ When you say you came across compromising material, what did you mean, may I ask? “

  “ Videotapes and CDs of lesbian couplings, “ interrupted Angela. “ Caroline was easily identifiable as she hadn’t bothered to go to the trouble of concealing her identity. In fact she relished being filmed even making sure the camera was on her face. It was exhibitionism pure and simple, Mrs. Marshall, nothing less. “

  “ Oh, my. “ replied Mrs. Marshall with a deep intake of breath. “ And the other women? “

  “ Oh, “ replied Angela, “ they took precautions. They wore masks. “

  “ Oh my God. And were you able to identify them? “

  Mrs. Marshall looked quickly from Devoy to Moore.

  “ We’re not engaged in a witch-hunt, Mrs. Marshall. Far from it. However, we suspect Mr. Horgan may have brought attention to himself in some way and this is tied in with these women. All we can tell for the moment is that they are married women – they wore wedding rings. It’ll take us some time to identify them but then it will only be to help us with our enquiries relating to Caroline’s criminal activities and nothing else. “

  Devoy stood up.

  “ We’ll leave it there, Mrs. Marshall. You’ve been very helpful. If you think of anything give us a call.”

  “ But of course, Detective Inspector Devoy. “

  As they made their way out of the boutique Devoy couldn’t keep his eyes off the provocative underwear. When he and Angela reached the door Mrs. Marshall called out to him. He turned to see what she wanted. She came up to them holding what appeared to be two magazines.

  “ Inspector, “ she said. “ I saw your interest in our merchandise and knowing how men get all flustered and shy looking at them I thought you might be interested in a catalogue. It’ll save you embarrassment, I’m sure. “

  She handed Devoy the catalogue. Devoy thanked her.

  “ And there’s one for you too, Detective Moore. I’m sure your boyfriend will be delighted. “

  Angela thanked her and accepted the catalogue.

  They said their goodbyes to Mrs. Marshall and closed the door after them. Devoy and Moore walked across the street to their car. Something told Devoy to look back. When he did he saw Mrs. Marshall in the boutique window. She was holding a provocative black nightie up to her body and smiling at him. He smiled back and got in the car.

  As soon as he got in the car he knew he was in for an earful from Angela.

  “ Wedding rings, what a bull-shitter you are, Frank. I never noticed any wedding rings on any of the women. “

  “ That’s because you weren’t looking for them. I’m a married man. It’s the first thing a man looks for when he’s surveying other women and doesn’t want any complications. “

  “ So that’s why she was giving you the come-on, you randy old dog and you were responding to it. “

  “ I had to, Angela. She was playing me. Hoping I’d be overcome by her display of sexuality. Whether she’s a lesbian or not she’s a fine looking woman and I don’t think any man would turn his nose up at her. She’s got it. There’s no doubt about that and she knows it. Maybe she’s bi-sexual. You know AC/DC like the Americans say or waste not want not as I’d put it. “

  “ And I suppose you’d sleep with her? “

  “ Well only in the line of duty, Angela. Only in the line of duty. “

  “ Once a pig always a pig. “

  Devoy laughed out loud.

  “ Only kidding, Angela. Only kidding. She wasn’t expecting me to break my silence with that sticky question. That came out of nowhere. That winded her. Put her on her toes. That and the remark about wedding rings. Did you see her eyes? The way they widened. “

  “ Perhaps, “ replied Angela. “ You’ll have a hard time breaking her. She knows how to manipulate men. She’s going to twist you around her little finger, Frank. You’ll have to be careful with that woman. She’s trouble. “

  “ In that case I’d better have a look through this brochure. Perhaps she sells handcuffs – you know the furry kind. “

  “ So what do we do now, Frank? She’s obviously watching us. “

  “ We’ll drive off and park somewhere down the street. She’ll do as Flood did. She’ll go and alert somebody else. “

  Angela glanced at her watch.

  “ It’s only eleven o’clock Frank. We could be waiting here for hours. “

  “ You’re right. If she’s going to move she’ll do at lunch time. That way it’ll seem normal. “

  “So are we going to sit here until then? “

  “ No, I was thinking. Why don’t you move further down the street and keep an eye out. I’ll go down to see Horgan’s secretary. Sullivan gave me the search warrant before I left. “

  “ And if Mrs. Marshall takes off? “

  “ Follow her. When she arrives at her destination call me. I’ll get there somehow. The important thing is to see who’s next in the link. We’re getting there slowly but we’re getting there. Mrs. M
arshall won’t be watching for us. She thinks she’s in the clear. But take care, Angela. Remember what happened to Carmody’s van. “

  Devoy leaned over and squeezed Angela’s thigh.

  “ I’m looking forward to seeing you in some nice lingerie soon, Angela. So, good luck. “

  Devoy got out of the car and walked down the street. Angela drove off. Devoy then went into a newsagents and began browsing the newspapers and magazines on display. Every now and then he looked up and glanced over at Mrs. Marshall’s boutique across the street. She was still looking out the window. Devoy bought a newspaper and walked out without casting a glance at the boutique. He headed on up the street until he came to the junction where Horgan’s estate agency was situated. He crossed the street. There was no sign of life in the estate agency. He pressed his nose against the window in the hope there might be somebody there but the interior was dark. He took his phone out and tapped out the number but it rang and rang unanswered. He then decided to call Angela but her phone rang unanswered. He looked down the street but there was no sign of the car. He tried her number again but it now went to answering mode. Annoyed, he switched off the phone and started back. Maybe she had moved further on up the street to escape detection. He felt there was something wrong. His instincts told him there was something amiss. He phoned the station and asked for Detective Moore and was told she was on duty somewhere. Did he want to leave a message? He hung up quickly. He started to sweat. He felt he shouldn’t have left her on her own. They were moving into deep and dangerous waters now. He walked on and spotted a coffee shop; He entered and ordered a black coffee and started to read the paper. He tried to collect his thoughts. He knew there was something wrong but what? While he waited for the coffee to arrive he phoned Angela again. There was no reply. The coffee came and he gulped it down hoping it would calm him but all it did was increase his tension. Angela was in trouble. He knew it.

  It was while he was scanning the newspaper to take his mind off his predicament that he felt a presence beside him. He looked up and his heart jumped. Mrs. Marshall was standing in front of him and the sight of her and the way she was dressed drove everything out of his mind. She was dressed in a tight black skirt with high heels. When she leaned forward she gave an ample view of her well-formed breasts that were well visible behind her white see-through blouse. He stood up to greet her.

  “ Mrs. Marshall, “ he said in an amazed tone as if he never expected to see her outside her element.

  “ Detective Inspector Devoy. What a surprise. “

  “ Yes, “ he replied. “ Won’t you sit down? “

  She gave him the same smile she had given him in the boutique. She sat down and crossed her well-shaped leg over the other looking up to see his approval.

  “ All on your own, too, Inspector. “

  Devoy nodded.

  “ Could I offer you a coffee or something like that? “

  “ Or something like that, “ she replied in a seductive tone raising her eyebrows.

  Devoy smiled and remembered what Angela had said about this woman.

  “ I’ll settle for a coffee and a cake if you don’t mind, Inspector. Maybe two. “

  Devoy waved his hand.

  “ Why not make it three? “

  The waitress appeared at their table.

  “ Two coffees and three cakes. “

  “ So what brings you here, Inspector? I never realized the police took their breaks here. I always thought you liked to hide away in your station canteen so as not to mix with the crowd. “

  “ I just happened to be in the area, Mrs. Marshall. “

  She gave him another smile.

  “ You should stop calling me Mrs. Marshall, Inspector. I’m Beatrice. “

  “ Beatrice it is then, Mrs. Marshall. “

  “ Tut, tut, Inspector. So what did you think of the catalogue? I’m sure you found something very interesting if you know what I mean. “

  “ Truth is, Beatice, I just haven’t had time to peruse it yet in any great detail? Sure I flicked through it but duty calls. The truth is I left it in the car. It wouldn’t be the done thing for a police inspector to be seen carrying a sexy lingerie catalogue about. You know what people are like. “

  Their coffee and cakes arrived and Mrs. Marshall set about arranging the table.

  Devoy ignored the cakes and started drinking his coffee.

  “ Watching your figure? “ asked Mrs. Marshall when she saw that Devoy was ignoring the cakes.

  “ Amongst other figures, “ replied Devoy. “

  Mrs. Marshall gave a little laugh.

  “ I can see you like the ladies, Inspector. “

  Devoy nodded.

  “ Yes, you could say that. “

  “ Speaking of figures, Inspector, I thought you might be interested in this. “

  She reached into her bag and brought out what looked like a telephone directory. She placed it on the table between them and opened it. It wasn’t a catalogue. It was a larger version of the lingerie catalogue she had given him earlier in the boutique.

  “ This is the full version, Inspector. We reserve this for special clients if you know what I mean. “

  Devoy nodded not knowing what she meant as he’d never bought anything like this before let alone ordered a catalogue.

  The catalogue was at an angle which made it difficult for Devoy to see the pages. Mrs. Marshall noticed his discomfort.

  “ I’m sorry, Inspector, “ she said. “ I’d better move closer to you so you can have a better view. “

  Before Devoy could utter another word she had moved her chair close to his and he felt her knees push into his legs. He looked her straight in the eye and she held his gaze.

  “ Let me guide you, “ she said and began to turn the pages with her right hand. Her left hand was now on her knee close to Devoy’s thigh.

  Devoy followed her long sensuous fingers as they slowly turned the pages letting his gaze linger over the delightful photographs which became more and more risqué as they went deeper and deeper into the catalogue.

  “ Tell me when you see something you like and I’ll stop. “

  Devoy swallowed. He was getting excited. He could feel Mrs. Marshall’s hand encroach on his knee. Her fingers began to move up his thigh.

  “ It’s a difficult choice, “ he managed to say. “ I’ve never seen such beautiful women before. Do you always carry this with you? “

  Mrs. Marshall’s fingers stopped and she looked him again in the eye.

  “ No, Inspector, I don’t. The truth is when you and Detective Moore arrived at my place I was preparing some lingerie for a special occasion this afternoon. “

  “ Oh, I see. I’m sorry we disturbed you. “

  “ It’s not what you think, Inspector. I didn’t have a rendez-vous with a man. “

  “ I wasn’t insinuating that, Mrs. Marshall. “

  “ I know you weren’t, Inspector. The truth is I was preparing these delights for the benefits of a few well-chosen ladies some of who were great friends of Caroline. “

  She let that piece of information hang in the air knowing that it would intrigue Devoy.

  “ Caroline, “ mused Devoy. “ Friends of Caroline. “

  “ Yes, we have little afternoons or soirees like that – just between ladies. Like Tupperware parties only more daring if you know what I mean. “

  She gave Devoy’s thigh a good squeeze.

  “ I think I get the drift, Beatrice. “

  “ Would you like to see them, Inspector? “

  “ I believe I would but maybe it’s not the place to conduct an investigation. “

  “ I think you’d be wrong there, Inspector. You’ll never get near them if they suspect you’re investigating them. They wouldn’t like to be exposed and it’s a small town if you know what I mean. But on the other hand they might open up under certain conditions. “

  “ And what would they be, Mrs. Marshall? “

  “ Anonymity. That’
s what we’re talking about. “

  “ And how do you propose to do that? Dress me up as a woman! “

  Mrs. Marshall laughed out loud.

  “ Good God, no, Inspector. You’d never qualify as a woman. “

  She continued to laugh and Devoy humoured her by joining in.

  “ Men are never invited to these get-togethers, you understand and certainly not husbands or boyfriends. The ladies wouldn’t feel at ease as you can well imagine. They want to see these items of

  lingerie paraded on the catwalk and if necessary try them on themselves. They want to try them out and see the reaction before they buy them. “

  “ I see. “

  “ If you like and if you’re interested I could introduce you as a potential buyer who wishes to remain anonymous. Of course you’ll have to conceal your identity. “

  “ My identity? “

  “ Oh, didn’t I mention that. At all these soirees one’s identity is a secret unless of course one wants to divulge one’s identity. In short, everybody will be wearing a mask. They’ll see you but not your face, you’ll see them but not their faces. Rather like that carnival they have in Venice. I’m sure you heard about it. “

  “ I have. Do you think they open up to my questions about Caroline? “

  “ That depends on the way you play it, Inspector. Incidentally, why do I have to call you inspector all the time? You know me now as Beatrice. “