A Case Of Murder (Kendall Book 6)

by John Holt

  He then re-secured the bag. “Does anyone else know about them?” he asked. Michael shook his head. “Good,” said Kendall. “Not a word about it to anyone, you hear?” He placed the package into his jacket pocket.

  At that moment Moira returned with the drinks and the cakes. She placed them on to the table, smiled and returned to the kitchen.

  “I’ll hang on to that one,” Kendall continued as soon as Moira was out of sight.

  Michael looked puzzled. “But aren’t you going to tell the police?”

  Kendall nodded. “Oh yes, we are certainly going to tell them, don’t worry about that. But I want you to keep an eye on that wooden box. I want to see if anyone comes looking for it. Just put the rest back where you found them.”

  Michael nodded. As he did so O’Rourke came out of the kitchen and walked over to where Kendall and Mollie were seated.

  Kendall held a finger across his lips. “Don’t say anything,” he mouthed to the boys. They made no response apart from a slight nod of their heads.

  “Hello lads, and what are you doing here?” O’Rourke asked the two boys. “Shouldn’t you be at school? Does your mother know where you are?”

  “She knows,” Alan replied. “And there’s no school today.”

  O’Rourke nodded. “Right you are, but I hope you’re not disturbing Mr. Kendall and Miss Adams here now.”

  “It’s alright,” interjected Kendall. “They’re no bother.”

  “See that you’re not,” O’Rourke said looking at the boys, and wagging his finger at them.

  “We met them down at the Cove,” Molly explained. “They showed us some of the things that they had found.”

  “Shells,” Kendall quickly added. “Sea shells. They have built up quite a collection.”

  Michael immediately opened up his carrier bag once again, and took out three small shells. He placed them on to the table. “We found them today,” he announced proudly. “What do you think?”

  Clearly O’Rourke wasn’t that interested in crustaceous remains. He heaved a sigh, and looked at Kendall. “So is there anything else I can get you?” he asked.

  Kendall shook his head. “Nothing for me,” he said. He looked at Mollie. “Anything for you?”

  Mollie shook her head. “No, I’ll just finish this coffee, then maybe we’ll take a stroll. It’s not a bad morning.”

  O’Rourke smiled, and walked away. Kendall watched until O’Rourke had returned to the kitchen. “Okay guys I think we’ve finished our little bit of business. You get back home now. Keep an eye to that cave won’t you?”

  Michael nodded. “Will do,” he replied.

  “You can rely on us,” added Alan.

  “Good lad,” said Kendall. “But don’t let anyone see you.”

  “We won’t,” said Alan.

  Kendall put his finger up to his mouth. “It’ll be our little secret,” he said. “And I’ll certainly be paying a visit to the police tomorrow. I’ll let you know what they say.”

  The two boys stood up. “Be seeing you then, Mr. Kendall,” said Michael. He turned to face Mollie. “Goodbye Miss.”

  Mollie smiled and nodded.

  “Keep in touch,” said Kendall. “And don’t forget. Our little secret.”

  Michael smiled. “Will do.” Then he and Alan walked towards the exit. As they got to the doorway they turned and waved, then opened the door and were gone.

  * * *

  Mollie shook her head as she watched the boys leave the room. “You know I’m puzzled,” she said. “I just can’t understand why a dealer would leave those packets in a damp cave like that. I mean they must be worth a lot of money.”

  “They probably are,” replied Kendall. “Neither can I, but you know I don’t think the dealer did leave them there. Not the main dealer that is. I doubt if he knew anything about them, except maybe that they were missing.”

  “What do you mean?” Mollie asked.

  Kendall heaved a sigh. “Well it seems to me that perhaps there was a bit of private enterprise going on,” he started to explain.

  Mollie was none the wiser. “I don’t understand,” she replied.

  “I mean, someone was clearly going into business for themselves,” Kendall continued to explain. “Helping themselves to a few packages, to pass on later.”

  “You mean the man who was found dead on the beach,” said Mollie. Kendall nodded. “Are you saying that he was bringing the drugs into the Country?”

  Kendall shook his head. “No, I’m not saying that at all,” he replied. “But what I am saying is that he may have worked for someone who was, and perhaps just helped himself to a small share.”

  “Do we know who that someone is?” asked Mollie.

  “The main dealer you mean?” Kendall replied, shaking his head once again. “No we don’t, more’s the pity,” he replied. “But there is that address on that envelope that was found in his pocket. Anglo-Irish Commodities. That might be worth investigating.”

  “But we still don’t know why he was killed,” said Mollie sounding disappointed.

  “No we don’t,” Kendall agreed, shaking his head once more. “But clearly drugs are involved somewhere.

  “Perhaps it was a dissatisfied customer,” suggested Mollie. “The merchandise not up to expectation, something like that.”

  “Could be,” replied Kendall, far from convinced. “But if he was branching out, going it alone so to speak, then what?”

  “Well the people that he worked for wouldn’t be too pleased would they?” suggested Mollie.

  “That’s right, they wouldn’t, and that would be a pretty good reason for killing him I would say,” Kendall replied.

  “So who was the murderer?” Mollie asked.

  Kendall smiled. “I wish I knew.”

  Mollie wasn’t to be put off. “But you have an idea,” she replied. “A hunch maybe, a gut feeling.”

  Kendall shook his head, and heaved a sigh. He was about to reply when he heard a noise coming from the kitchen area. He put his finger to his lips. “O’Rourke,” he whispered pointing to the door. He stood up. “How about that stroll you mentioned?”

  Good idea, said Mollie. “I’ll get my coat.

  * * *

  Ten minutes later Kendall and Mollie were walking along the High Street, in the direction of the park. It had suddenly turned cold, and Kendall pulled his coat over. “I thought you said that it wasn’t a bad morning,” he said looking up at the sky. It was dull and overcast.

  “Well it’s not raining is it?” Mollie said. Kendall said nothing but merely grunted. “Anyway, let’s get back to our discussion shall we. Who do you think is the murderer?”

  Kendall said nothing, but heaved a sigh. “Well If I was being pushed to give an answer, my guess would be the drug dealer himself, the main man,” Kendall replied. “Or at least he – or she – gave orders for someone else to carry out the killing.”

  “So who is the main man?” Mollie asked.

  Kendall shook his head. “Good question.”

  “Come on now, speak up,” Mollie coaxed. You think its O’Rourke don’t you?”

  Kendall started to frown, and heaved another sigh. “Did I say that?”

  Mollie smiled and shook her head. “No you didn’t, but you must admit that it’s quite possible.”

  “Okay, I admit it’s possible,” Kendall replied, shrugging his shoulders. “It could be O’Rourke, but it could also be those two fishermen, you know who I mean, or it could have been Lynch, or even Mallory.”

  “Alright so we know why he was killed,” said Mollie. “But why bring him ashore. Why not kill him and then just dump him out at sea?”

  “That’s another excellent question,” said Kendall. “I’m guessing now, but perhaps it was meant as a warning to someone, someone here in Killmacud.”

  “A warning,” repeated Mollie. “A warning about what?”

  “To keep your hands off of the merchandise,” said Kendall. “Don’t even think about going into b
usiness for yourself.”

  “Okay I can see that, but why here?” asked Mollie. “I mean nothing happens here.”

  “That’s right,” said Kendall “Nothing ever happens here, not since that German sailor was washed up on to the shore, seventy odd years ago.”

  “Yes it’s not the most exciting place on earth is it,” agreed Mollie.

  “Do you remember what Lynch said the other night?” asked Kendall

  “About the cinema you mean?”

  “Yes that’s right,” replied Kendall. “There’s not much else around here, the nearest cinema is thirty miles away, and that’s about it.”

  “I remember,” said Mollie “So it’s either O’Rourke’s, or the old box I’m afraid.”

  “Precisely, that’s why here, because it is so quiet, nothing happens here.” Kendall fell silent for a moment. “So it had to be something big, not just a simple murder. It had to be much more than that. And that warning was meant for someone right here in the town.”

  Mollie made no reply. A sudden thought had occurred to her. “So perhaps no one knows about those packages lying there in that box, in the cave,” she said. “Perhaps only the victim knew until now.”

  Kendall hadn’t considered that possibility, but it was certainly a valid point. If he had stolen the packages then it was quite likely that he had hidden them, and it was possible that no one else knew about them.

  Then Kendall remembered something. He nodded his head, slowly. “But someone else did know about the drugs,” he said. “Possibly not those in the cave, our Turkish friend was probably the only one who knew about them, but someone else knew about the drugs, that’s for sure, they had to know.”

  “Why do you say that?” Mollie asked.

  “Remember what the police said,” Kendall started to explain. “They said that they had found two packages at Charters’ home.”

  Mollie remembered. “That’s right,” she agreed. “So who put them there?”

  “That’s another very good question,” said Kendall. “I wish I knew the answer. But it certainly wasn’t Mr. Nadir was it? Either way I better tell Donovan about the drugs, and the police can take them away.

  * * *

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Some Interesting News

  Kendall replaced the handset, and looked at Mollie. “Right that’s all arranged,” he said. “I’m seeing Donovan in an hour’s time, so one more coffee, and then I’ll be off.”

  “So what did he say?” asked Mollie.

  “About what?” replied Kendall.

  Mollie shook her head. “Your news,” she replied. “That what.”

  Kendall shrugged. “I never told him, I thought I’d surprise him.”

  Surprise him, thought Kendall. It certainly would surprise him. Why were the packages still there after so long anyway? They were worth a considerate sum of money, on the street. And yet they had just been left there. It didn’t make sense. Why hadn’t they been removed long ago? Had they simply been forgotten? More to the point who had put them there?

  Good questions, all of them, Kendall thought. So who had left them in that cave? Abel Nadir, perhaps, but not likely, after all two packages had been used to incriminate his alleged killer; and certainly it wasn’t Brian Charters. So that left just one possibility. Someone else entirely, the murderer maybe. As always, Kendall never had a problem with questions. It was always the answers that stumped him.

  * * *

  Kendall was just about to ring the doorbell, when the door opened. “Ah, Mr. Kendall, right on time. I saw you through the window,” officer Donovan said, as he stood to one side to allow Kendall to pass by. “Come in, come in.”

  Kendall entered into the narrow hallway, and Donovan closed the door. “In you go,” he said. “You know where the office is.”

  “It’s good to see you again,” Donovan continued as he sat down at his desk. Kendall sat opposite. “So, how’s your investigation going?”

  Kendall smiled. Exactly how was his investigation going? Was he any nearer finding the murderer? Or was he really just wasting his time, as he had been told by so many others. Was he just clutching at straws, trying to make the evidence fit into his ideas. “Oh, two steps forward, and three back.”

  Donovan shook his head. “That’s not good,” he replied. “So perhaps that means that Charters is guilty after all.”

  Kendall said nothing, but merely shook his head.

  Donovan decided not to continue down that road. “How about some coffee,” he said. “And I’ve got some biscuits. I always like a mid-morning snack.”

  “Sounds good,” replied Kendall.

  Donovan stood up and went over to the corner of the room, where the coffee machine was kept. “So, tell me, what can I do for you?” he called out.

  Kendall stood up and walked over to where Donovan was preparing the coffee. He looked at the plate of biscuits that Donovan had laid out. He was pleased to note that amongst them, there were one of two chocolate ones.

  “I’ve got some interesting news for you,” Kendall said.

  “That’s sound intriguing,” said Donovan, walking back with the coffee. Kendall walked slightly behind carrying the biscuits.

  The coffee and biscuits were placed on the desk, and the two men sat down. “I don’t know if you know a couple of young guys, Michael and Alan?” Kendall continued.

  “Ah, yes I know them very well,” replied Donovan. “So what have they been up to? Not causing any trouble I hope.”

  “Oh no, it’s nothing like that,” said Kendall. “No they’re good lads.” He paused and picked up a biscuit, dunked it in his coffee, and took a bite. “The thing is they’ve been exploring down at the cove, there’s some caves there. Do you know it?”

  Donovan nodded. “I know where you mean.”

  “Well it seems that they have found something,” Kendall continued. “Something quite important.”

  “Go on, I’m listening.”

  Kendall took a drink and reached for the last chocolate biscuit on the plate. “They found a wooden box, and inside were several packages of heroin,” he replied. “They were found in a cave on the north side of the cove, about a hundred yards in.” He dunked the biscuit and took a bite, brushing the crumbs away.

  “Heroin,” repeated Donovan. “Are you sure?”

  Kendall looked offended. Was he sure? What a question. Ten years with the NYPD was more than enough for him to be sure. He knew heroin when he saw it. He knew the smell of it, he knew the taste of it. He opened the briefcase he had with him, reached inside and took out a white packet. “This is one of them,” he said. “And I think you’ll find that package is identical to the ones found in Charters’ house. And I’m betting they came from the same batch.”

  Donovan looked at the packet. “It certainly looks similar,” he said. He untied the cord and opened the packet. He dipped his finger into the white powder, and then placed a small sample on to his tongue. “Heroin right enough,” he said, as he re-tied the cord. “And that came from the cave you mentioned.”

  “It did indeed,” Kendall agreed. “And the box I mentioned containins fifteen more of them, sitting there right now. I suggest you arrange to take a look and take them away as quickly as possible. I’m sure the boys would be happy to take you.”

  Donovan reached for the telephone and dialled a number. “I’ll get on to it straightaway.”

  * * *

  Ten minutes later the arrangements had been made. “They’ll be there within the hour,” Donovan said. “I said I’d meet them down there. Could you get the boys to meet with us?”

  Kendall nodded. “No problem,” he said. “In fact they are probably already there, if I know them. More exploring. More adventures.”

  Donovan smiled. “Oh to be young again, eh.” He took a drink. “How about coming along yourself? I can show you where they found poor Mr. Mulligan.”

  Kendall nodded. “Why not,” he replied.

  “I wonder why Charters left them
.” Donovan continued. “I mean why were only the two packages found at the house? Why leave the others?”

  “A fair question,” said Kendall. “Maybe he never had the time to collect them,” he suggested

  “It’s possible,” agreed Donovan.

  Kendall shook his head. “Possible, but it doesn’t seem likely to me,” he said. “If he had the time to collect two he could easily have collected the rest.”

  “Why do you suppose he left them?” asked Donovan. “In a damp cave like that. It just doesn’t make sense to me.”

  “That’s another good question,” Kendall agreed. “But who knows the mind of a criminal.”

  “Good point,” said the Constable. “Who indeed.”

  Kendall took another bite of the biscuit. “But you know, I don’t actually believe that Charters knew anything about the drugs.”

  “What are you suggesting?” asked Donovan.

  Kendall paused for a moment, trying to get his thoughts into some kind of order. What was he suggesting anyway? He took a deep breath. “It is quite possible that our friend from Turkey, the dead man, stole those packets, and intended to go into business for himself.”

  The officer looked puzzled. “Go on I’m listening.

  “Those fifteen or more packets are only part of it,” Kendall started to explain. “I believe that somewhere there is a main dealer, and our Turkish friend was working for him. One day he decides to go into business for himself. He takes a few packets and hides them, intending to sell them. His boss finds out and gives orders for him to be eliminated. Two packages are planted at Charters house to incriminate him. And, I’m guessing, whoever planted those two packets, must know about these others.”

  “That’s assuming that the two packages were planted, as you suggest,” said the officer.

  “They were planted alright,” said Kendall. “I’m certain of that, and I am now convinced that Brian Charters wasn’t the murderer.”

  Donovan shook his head. “Can you prove it?”

  The one question Kendall had been dreaded, but he knew would be raised. Could he prove it? No he couldn’t, but he was convinced.