by John Holt
“Scones,” repeated Mollie. “They are cakes, cookies, with cream and strawberry jelly. It was very, very nice.”
Kendall shrugged. “So I guess you won’t be wanting dinner then.”
Mollie shook her head. “I wouldn’t say that,” she replied. “All of this shopping gives you an appetite.”
Kendall smiled and stood up. He looked at her parcels as she started to pick them up. “Let me help you with that,” he said, pointing to the smallest package. “We’ll take these up to your room, get ready and get down for dinner.”
“Sounds good to me,” Mollie said. “And perhaps we should give the Chief Inspector a call. Kind of update him, you know.”
Kendall nodded. “Yes we’ll do that,” he replied. “He’s probably wondering if there’s been any developments.” Have there been any? Kendall wondered. Was he any further forward, or had he come to a dead end!
“I’m sure he’ll be delighted to hear from us. And then I’ll tell you all about my day,” Kendall continued, as they walked towards the hallway.
* * *
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kendall Makes A Call
Kendall looked around the room. “Where do you want these?” he asked referring to the armful of parcels he was holding.
Mollie pointed to the bed. “Just leave it down there,” she said. “I’ll put them away later.”
Kendall placed them on to the bed. “I hope there’s something there for me.”
Mollie looked at the parcels, and then looked up at Kendall. She smiled. “The phone over there,” she said. “Now should be a good time to ring.”
“Whittaker you mean” said Kendall.
Mollie smiled and nodded. “That was the idea, I thought.”
Kendall heaved a sigh. “Yes it was,” he agreed. “I was really waiting until I had something definite to tell him. At present I’m still very much in the dark.”
“I still think he’d like to hear from you,” Mollie replied. “Just update him, go on. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it, even though you’ve nothing definite to tell him. You never know he might have some ideas.”
Kendall wasn’t entirely convinced, but he had to agree that Whittaker would appreciate a call, whatever it was about. At least he wouldn’t feel forgotten. “Okay I’ll give him a call,” he said. He reached for the telephone. He asked for an outside line, and dialled the number. He looked at his watch. It was twenty minutes to eight. He hoped that Whittaker was at home, and not out to dinner, or somewhere.
“Good idea,” said Mollie. “Give him my love won’t you.”
Kendall nodded. “He’s not answering,” he said. “He must be out. Or not back from the office yet.”
Mollie looked up from the magazine she was flicking through. “He must be there,” she said. “Give it a few more minutes.”
“Well he’s not answering,” he repeated. “I’ll try again later.” He was just about to hang up, when a voice answered.
“Whittaker here.”
“He’s answered,” said Kendall, looking at Mollie, and smiling. “Good evening, Inspector. It’s Kendall.”
“Ah Tom, good to hear from you,” Whittaker replied. “How’s it going?”
Kendall paused for a few moments, and heaved a sigh. “Well I’ve got good news and bad news. What would you like first?”
There was an audible sigh. Chief Inspector Whittaker was not one who enjoyed games. “Just tell me Tom, whatever it is. Just tell me.”
Kendall was hesitant. What could he tell him, anyway? What great news did he have? “Well let’s just say that we have strong doubts that Brian did carry out the murder,” he said. “In fact more than doubts.”
“Well, that’s certainly good news,” the Chief Inspector admitted. “So what’s the bad news?”
“The trouble is I still need to convince the police,” Kendall started to explain. “I’ve no proof. So far we have drawn a blank as to who did it. We had a couple of suspects, but that came to a dead end.”
“That’s not so good,” Whittaker replied.
“You can say that again,” said Kendall trying not to sound so despondent.
There was silence for a few moments. “Tom,” the Inspector came back on the line. “Are things really that bad? I mean have you really got no ideas.”
“Oh I’ve got ideas alright,” said Kendall. “Possibly too many.” He paused for a moment and looked across at Mollie. He sighed. “By the way there has been a second murder.”
“Yes I heard about that,” Whittaker replied. “Constable Donovan kindly gave me a call. An old man name of Mulligan, I understand. So what’s that all about?”
I wish I knew, Kendall thought. Really knew, I mean. “Well it’s a bit complicated,” he replied. “But one thing I’m convinced that it’s connected with the first murder.”
“So clearly Brian didn’t do it,” said Whittaker.
“The second murder you mean,” replied Kendall. “Oh no, he certainly couldn’t have killed old Mulligan.”
Whittaker noted the obvious distinction that was being made. “So doesn’t that also put him in the clear on the first murder?” he asked.
Did it? Kendall wondered. Was it that simple? After all the two murders may well be connected, but that didn’t mean that they were necessarily committed by the same person.
“I think it does,” he replied. “But I still need to prove it.” He paused for a moment, and sighed. “And I still need to find the real murderer, and that won’t be easy.”
“How is Brian?” Whittaker asked. “You saw him in the prison didn’t you?”
How was he? How would anyone be in a place like that, knowing that you were innocent, but the cards were stacked against you?
“Bearing up I guess,” replied Kendall. “At least he knows that I don’t think he’s guilty. It’s not much I know, but it’s a start.”
“So do you have you any ideas?” asked Whittaker. “Any ideas at all.”
Kendall sighed. “It’s not ideas that worries me. I’ve plenty of those,” he replied. “No, it’s all kinds of odd things that’s going on here.”
“What kind of things,” asked the Chief Inspector.
Kendall said nothing for a while. “You should be over here, then you might get the idea,” he replied. “This is such a small village, and the people so close, I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole place was guilty. No one knows anything, no one wants to talk, and those that do, well, several are just telling lies.”
“I thought it would be difficult, but I hadn’t imagined it would like that,” Whittaker replied. “Do you have any suspects?”
Kendall sighed. “Oh yes, I’ve got suspects, in fact I’ve too many,” he said. “There are at least four possible.”
The Inspector took a deep breath but made no reply.
“By the way has your cousin got an attorney?” Kendall asked.
“Attorney?” repeated Whittaker. “Oh you mean a lawyer. Oh yes, we have no worries there. His newspaper has arranged for Sir Joseph Vickery to represent him. He’s a top man in his field.”
“Well at least that’s something we don’t have to worry about,” said Kendall. “Wish I could say the same for the investigation.”
“Is there any hope?” asked the Inspector.
“As I said I have a few things that throw doubt on Brian’s guilt,” said Kendall. “But nothing definite, and certainly no proof, not yet. And nothing definite as to who the real killer was.”
“How about those packages that they found in Brian’s house?” asked the Inspector.
“What about them?” said Kendall. “High quality heroin, I understand. The very best.”
“Well I can tell you Brian would never be smuggling drugs,” the Inspector started to explain.
“With all due respect Chief Inspector, I would expect you to say something like that,” Kendall replied.
“Tom I think you know me reasonable well by now. I’m a fair man, a just man,” Whittaker continued. “I�
��ve made mistakes in my life, many and I’ll probably make a lot more. I don’t say that about Brian simply because he’s my cousin. I say it because I truly believe it.”
“Go on I’m listening,” said Kendall.
The Inspector cleared his throat. “Well clearly they were planted, agreed.”
“I agree,” replied Kendall. “And I’m still listening.”
“Two packages wasn’t it?” asked the Inspector.
“That’s right, just the two,” Kendall replied.
“I’m willing to bet that there must have been several more packages from that same batch don’t you think,” said Whittaker.
“I would guess twenty or thirty at least,” said Kendall. “So what’s your point?”
“Simple,” replied the Inspector. “Whoever planted those packets must have the rest hidden away somewhere. Find them and you might find the real killer.”
Kendall heaved a sigh. It was a plausible assumption, but it didn’t really advance the investigation much further. The rest of the packages were probably long gone by now.
“It’s an idea, agreed Kendall. Not entirely convinced.
“You don’t sound too hopeful, said the Inspector.
“Oh no, it’s a possibility,” said Kendall. “Leave it with me, you never know.”
“By the way as I said I heard from Donovan,” Whittaker continued. “He’s been checking that Anglo-Irish company.”
“Interesting,” replied Kendall. “What did he find out?”
“Well, judging by their accounts for the past few years, it seems that the company hasn’t done much importing or exporting of anything, at least not in the normally accepted sense of the words that is. It should have closed down long ago.”
“Closed down,” said Kendall. “But why?”
“Simple,” replied Whittaker. “The company started just over three years ago. And in all of that time it has never made a profit. In fact the books show a thumping great loss. Whatever they’ve been doing I don’t know, but somehow it is still going.”
“Apart from that Dublin address, does it have any other offices?” Kendall asked.
“There’s none listed as far as we can see,” replied Whittaker. “It might be worth paying them a visit. It’s a Mr. Alex Peterson that you’ll want to see.”
“I’ve heard all about Mr. Peterson, He’s from the Ukraine, I understand,” replied Kendall. “Is there any other staff mentioned?”
“Peterson is the only Director mentioned,” replied Whittaker. “There doesn’t seem to be anyone else.”
“Right,” replied Kendall. “I was actually planning on paying Anglo-Irish a visit in the not too distant future. I’ll let you know how I get on.”
“I look forward to hearing from you,” replied Whittaker. “In the meantime if there’s anything else I can do, don’t hesitate will you.”
Kendall had to admit that he certainly wouldn’t hesitate, but he couldn’t think of a thing of anything at the present time. “I’ll keep in touch,” replied Kendall.
“Please do,” said the Inspector. “Give my love to Mollie, won’t you?”
“I certainly will,” said Kendall. He looked at Mollie, and nodded. “And she send hers to you. Bye for now.”
Kendall replaced the handset on to the cradle, and shook his head. “What now?” he murmured. “Where do we go from here?”
“Have you really got four suspects?” Mollie asked.
Kendall nodded. “At the very least,” he replied. “There’s Lynch, there’s the two fishermen, there’s O’Rourke, and there’s Mallory.”
Mollie shook her head. “You can’t really think Mallory is involved can you? I mean he’s our friend.”
Kendall shook his head. “Maybe he’s only pretending to be a friend,” he said. “Perhaps he’s really hanging round to keep us off the right track, or to know exactly what we are up to. I don’t know.”
“How can you say that?” replied Mollie. “He and Catherine have been very helpful.”
“Easy. And that’s exactly what I mean,” said Kendall. “Look how keen he was to take us to Cork. And how insistent he was to drive us to Kinsale. I’m sorry but I just don’t trust him. I don’t trust any of them.”
“Well I’m sure that you’re wrong,” said Mollie, sounding indignant. “You just don’t appreciate nice people, that’s all. Probably something to do with your upbringing.”
Kendall smiled, and shook his head. “Probably more likely to be that as a cop I learnt not to be too trusting, and to be more cautious.” He stood up. “Come on, let’s go to dinner,” he said as he headed towards the door.
* * *
Kendall and Mollie arrived back at the dining room at eight-twenty. They took their usual seat, and gave their order to the waitress,
“So now you can tell me how your day went,” said Mollie, as they sat down.
Kendall shrugged. “Well it wasn’t the greatest,” he replied. He then told her the details of his meeting with Mrs. Mulvy, and the subsequent conversations with Mallory, and O’Rourke.
Kendall shook his head. “Not very helpful I’m afraid,” he said. “Don’t ask me why, but I didn’t believe a word that either of them said.”
Mollie remained silent for a moment. “I don’t understand it,” she said finally, shaking her head.
“You don’t understand what?” asked Kendall.
“You said that Anthony had said that he was in Galway, the day of the murder, correct?” said Mollie.
Kendall shook his head. “He actually said that he was away on business that day. He thought that it was Galway, although he wasn’t actually sure. He was going to check, and get back to me. Why?”
Mollie thought for a few moments. “But he did indicate that he was away, somewhere, that day, right?”
“That’s right,” replied Kendall. “He couldn’t remember exactly where, but he said that he was away that day on business.”
Mollie shook her head. “He wasn’t in Galway that day, or any other place come to that, except right here in Killmacud,” she said.
“How on earth do you know that?” Kendall asked.
“He must have made a mistake,” said Mollie. “It happens.” She looked at Kendall and smiled.
“Alright, alright,” Kendall replied. “Just get on with it will you.”
“Catherine told me that the day of the murder was also their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, and they had a special family gathering arranged for that evening,” Mollie continued. “You know, all of the in-laws, brothers and sisters were to be there. Several had come over from England specially. There’s no way that he would have missed it.”
Kendall was about to respond when the waitress returned with their meal. She placed the dishes on to the table, wished them a pleasant evening, and left.
Kendall watched until she reached the door leading into the kitchen. He then looked at Mollie, and shook his head. “I don’t get it, why should he lie?”
“Well I’m not altogether surprised about O’Rourke,” said Mollie. “If it suited him he’d lie about his own mother. But Mallory, well that’s something else.”
“I agree,” said Kendall. “But what is he hiding? What isn’t he telling me?”
Mollie shook her head. “I don’t know,” she replied. “But I still think he’s the one who was helping Brian Charters.”
Kendall sighed loudly. “Well if he was, and I said if, he has a funny way of showing it. I mean why would he lie to us? Surely he would want to help.”
“Let’s ask him,” Mollie suggested.
Kendall nodded. “We’ll call on him on Wednesday,” he said. “That’s when he’s due back from his latest business trip.”
“Should we give Catherine a call to make an appointment?” asked Mollie.
Kendall thought for a few moments, and then shook his head. “No, we’ll surprise him,” he replied. He smiled and reached for the coffee pot. “More coffee?”
* * *
Chapter Thirty
The Boys Make a Discovery
The following morning Kendall and Mollie had just finished breakfast, when the dining room door opened, and in came Moira, the young waitress. “I’m sorry to bother you, sir, but there are two young boys outside,” she said. “They want to see you. I told them to go away, but they won’t go.”
Kendall shook his head. “They want to see me,” he said. “Are you sure?”
Moira smiled and nodded. “That’s what they said.”
Kendall heaved a sigh and looked at Mollie. “Best send them in then,” she said.
A few minutes later the dining room door opened once again, and Moira returned with Michael and Alan. They were looking very pleased with themselves.
“Hi guys,” Kendall called over. “Good to see you, again. Come on over.”
The two boys walked over to Kendall and Mollie.
“Take a seat,” Kendall said. The two boys sat down. “Would you like anything?” he asked. “Coffee, or something stronger perhaps.”
“Moira, two cokes for our guests,” Mollie interrupted. “And some cream cakes would be good.”
Kendall watched as Moira moved towards the kitchen. “So guys what can we do for you?” he asked once she was out of sight.
“We’ve found something,” announced Michael excitedly.
“A box,” explained Alan. “A wooden box.”
“Pirate treasure no doubt,” said Kendall. There was a sudden sharp pain in his left knee. He looked at Mollie. She glared back.
“Did you open it?” Mollie asked.
Alan nodded.
“And .....” coaxed Kendall.
“It was full of small white bags,” said Michael.
“Hundreds of them,” added Alan.
Michael looked at him and shook his head. He looked back at Kendall. “Take no notice of him,” he said, glaring at Alan. “There were about twelve I reckon. No more than fifteen.” He paused and reached inside a plastic carrier bag. “That’s one of them.” He handed it to Kendall.
The package was small, and held closed by a short length of pull cord. Kendall untied the cord, and opened the bag. Inside was a white powder. Kendall knew exactly what it was. Nonetheless he collected a small sample on to his finger. He then held his finger tip to his mouth. “Heroin,” he announced. “And good quality as well.”