Kendall (Kendall Book 5)

by John Holt

  All of my love

  All of my kissin'

  You don't know what you've been a-missin'

  Oh boy, when you're with me

  Oh boy, the world can see

  That you, were meant, for me

  Officer George Purcell was seated in a window seat staring out at the passers-by, slowly sipping his coffee, and chewing on a blueberry muffin. He saw Kendall come in, stood up and waved. Kendall waved back in acknowledgement, and made his way over to the corner where the officer sat. As he passed by the counter he called out to Rosie, ordering his usual.

  “A coffee, and a quarter pounder with fries, coming up,” yelled Rosie. Kendall turned and smiled. She smiled back. “Our little secret,” he whispered as he passed by, and winked. Rosie looked puzzled but said nothing.

  “Hi Kendall,” said Purcell as Kendall took his seat. “How’s it going then?”

  Kendall thought for a moment. How’s it going? It wasn’t going at all. Okay so he had the office set up, he even had a secretary, or he should say business partner. All he needed now was that lucrative job that he knew would come along. Just the one good job that was all he needed. The one with the hefty fee attached to it. One job it wasn’t much to ask for was it? He shrugged. Clearly it was. He had no work at all, except for the missing husband, and now this surveillance job, which he was doing as a favor to the department.

  “Oh you know, can’t stop.”

  “Glad to hear it, Kendall,” replied Purcell. “Only I thought that I had heard different.”

  “Different,” repeated Kendall. “What way different?”

  Purcell took a drink of his coffee, and brushed away some crumbs. “Oh just the odd word that’s going round, you know how it is. Nothing but rumors I expect.”

  “Rumors,” repeated Kendall. “Saying what?”

  “Nothing really,” replied Purcell. “The word is that you were a little short of work that’s all. In fact I hear that you actually had no work at all.”

  Kendall was about to answer when Rosie came over with his order. She placed the tray down on the table in front of him. “Enjoy,” she said and walked away.

  Kendall took a bite into his burger, and looked at Purcell. “I don’t know where you’re getting your information from,” he said. “But you are being misinformed. Nothing could be further from the truth.” He raised his arm in a sweeping motion. “Hearsay, that’s all it is, nothing but malicious gossip.”

  “Maybe you’re right,” replied Purcell, not entirely convinced. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “Oh sure I’ve got so much on I’ve had to turn stuff away,” Kendall continued, as he took another bite on his burger. “You just wouldn’t believe. In fact I don’t really have the time to do this job, but you know, as a favor. I couldn’t refuse the guys.”

  “I appreciate that, Kendall,” replied Purcell. “I really do. In fact you know the Captain said only the other day that we could rely on you.”

  “Right enough, I’m pleased to help out my old colleagues, any way I can,” replied Kendall, picking up a handful of fries. “But can we get on? Time is wasting, and I do have other things to do.”

  “Oh yes, sure, of course you do. What do they say, time is money,” replied Purcell as he reached for a briefcase. He opened it and withdrew a blue colored folder. “There’s not much here that you don’t already know” he said indicating the folder. “But there’s some up to date information that might be useful.”

  “Go on I’m listening,” replied Kendall.

  “They moved out of the City about three weeks ago,” Purcell started to explain. “We now have an address for them. They have rented an apartment at Shortridge Court, do you know it?”

  Kendall shook his head.

  “It’s over on Elm,” Purcell explained. “Apartment 22, a two bed-room place, on the second floor. Neat, and tidy, nice quiet neighborhood. Here’s a photograph.”

  Kendall looked at the photograph for a few moments. It certainly looked neat and tidy, but he wondered how long it would remain a nice quiet neighborhood with the Sullivans in residence. He handed it back to Purcell, who returned to the folder.

  “So what can you tell me?” asked Kendall.

  “It’s all a bit vague, replied Purcell. “They have been meeting up with someone on a pretty regular basis. Why we don’t know.”

  “Do you know who the person is?” Kendall asked.

  Purcell shook his head, and placed two photographs in front of Kendall, He pointed. “That’s the person, but it’s very blurred, can’t make out any details.”

  Kendall continued to look at the photograph for a few moments. “That looks like the alleyway next to Mike’s place over on Collingwood.”

  “It is,” agreed Purcell. “Do you know it?”

  “Slightly,” Kendall replied. “Have you anything else I should know?”

  “One last thing,” Purcell replied, as he withdrew another photograph from the folder. “This is a recent snap of Ray. You can see that he’s taken to sporting a moustache.”

  Kendall took the photograph, and smiled. “Looking quite smart ain’t he,” he said. “And wearing a proper suit, and tie. I barely recognized him.” He handed the photograph back. “Why he looks almost human. What’s he up to I wonder?”

  Purcell returned the photographs to the folder. “That’s what we want you to find out, but we’re guessing that he’s up to no good.” Purcell drained his cup, and tapped the folder a few times. “Hope it helps.” He picked up his briefcase, and stood up.

  As he did so Rosie came up to the table. “Can I get you boys anything else?” she asked. “Another coffee, maybe? Another muffin?”

  That sounded good to Kendall. Maybe just the one more burger as well, or perhaps a slice of Rosie’s apple pie and cream. “Well I wouldn’t mind ….”

  “No, nothing thank you,” interrupted Purcell. “We’re about finished.” He looked at Kendall, and slid a piece of paper across the table. “I just need your signature on this receipt.”

  Kendall looked up at Rosie. “As my friend eloquently put it Rosie, we’re about finished, so no apple pie I’m afraid.” Rosie smiled and walked away.

  Kendall looked at the paper lying in front of him. “Receipt?” he repeated.

  “For the file,” Purcell explained.

  “Oh sure,” Kendall replied. He signed the document and passed it back.

  Purcell slid the folder across. “Keep in touch.” He waved and walked towards the door.

  Kendall watched as Purcell stopped at the counter, said something to Rosie, and then continued on his way.

  A few minutes later Rosie came over to Kendall’s table. She placed a small piece of paper on the table.

  Kendall looked at the paper, and then looked at Rosie. “What’s that?” he asked.

  “The tab,” she replied. “He said that you would take care of it.”

  “He said?” repeated Kendall. “Who he?”

  Rosie pointed towards the exit door. “The gentlemen who just left,” she replied. “He was sitting with you, don’t you remember? He said that it was your treat.”

  * * *

  Chapter

  Thirteen

  Like Fedex

  “This is Alan Thorpe reporting from Pacific House where Senator Dan Warwick has just formally opened his inquiry into phone hacking, by announcing that he would not be operating a Court of law, and that it was not his task to administer punishment. It was also reported today that the Sentinel had hired an ex-police officer to carry out surveillance on two prominent lawyers representing victims of phone hacking. It is understood that the police officer has been covertly following lawyers Mark Lewis and Charlotte Harris for the past ….”

  * * *

  “Hi Kendall,” Mike said as Kendall entered the bar later that day. He shrugged as he lowered the sound on the television. “Well the enquiry has started for what it’s worth.”

  “Not a lot would be my guess,” replied Kendall. “It’ll be n
othing more than a waste of time and money.”

  “Don’t you just get fed up with this constant news about hacking?” Mike continued.

  Kendall nodded in agreement, looking up at the television. “You can say that again,” he replied “It’s either that, or more gloom about the economy, or worst still another government idea to grab our hard earned money.”

  “You’re not wrong there my friend,” Mike responded. “So what can I get you?”

  “The usual,” replied Kendall.

  Mike poured a whiskey, a double and placed it on the counter in front of Kendall.

  Kendall took a drink as he looked around. “Kind of quiet today isn’t it,” he said.

  Mike looked around. “It’s early yet. Give it an hour.” He looked at the wall clock. “They’ll be in from the offices soon. You know a quick one before running for the train.” He started wiping down the counter. “Never fails.”

  “Do you know the Sullivan brothers?” Kendall asked.

  Mike stopped wiping the counter and looked up. He nodded. “I know them. They’ve been coming for the past couple of weeks. Ray’s in here all the time, most nights. Billy he comes in occasionally.”

  “Do they ever talk to anyone?” Kendall asked.

  Mike shook his head. “No one special,” he replied. “Just anyone who happens to be around, they are very sociable guys.”

  “When were they here last?” asked Kendall.

  “Billy was here about five days ago.” Mike paused for a moment. “No it was four days ago.”

  Kendall nodded. “What about Ray?”

  “Ray, he was here last night,” Mike replied. “Throwing his money around, showing off, spending money like it’s going out of style.”

  “Will he be in tonight do you think?” asked Kendall.

  Mike nodded and shrugged. “Is water wet?”

  Kendall smiled. “I don’t know, I never touch it myself.” He took a drink. “Except maybe for a drop or two in the scotch.”

  Mike nodded. “Try about eight,” he suggested.

  Kendall smiled then drained his glass. He stood up. “I’ll see you around Mike.” He turned and walked towards the door.

  * * *

  A few minutes before eight Kendall was standing at the intersection opposite the entrance to Mike’s Bar. It was raining heavily, and a wind was stirring. The forecast for the evening had been cold, but dry. Kendall could take cold. Sure he preferred hot, but cold was all right. What he hated was the rain. Even worse was the rain and the wind. He shivered and turned up the collar of his jacket. Put on your heavy coat, Mollie had said. Oh I don’t need that, he had replied. It won’t rain.

  He looked up at the sky. The rain was getting heavier. He heaved a sigh and wrapped the coat closer around him. He moved back into the doorway in an attempt to get out of the rain. It didn’t help.

  Intersection

  The last thing Kendall wanted to do was to follow someone, at night, in the pouring rain. But that was exactly what he was doing. He would much rather have been at home watching the match. He shrugged. The only consolation was that the match would probably have been cancelled anyway, due to the weather.

  He checked his watch. Eight o’clock. Any minute now, he murmured. He stepped out from the doorway and looked down the street. It was completely deserted. It looked in the other direction. There was no one around. He smiled. Who in their right mind would be out on a night like this anyway? Lunatics and private detectives, he murmured. Same thing I guess.

  Kendall stepped back into the doorway. From his vantage point he could see the entrance to Mike’s Bar quite clearly, about fifty yards away. A white cab slowly drove past and stopped about thirty yards past Mike’s Bar. Somebody got out and started to walk back towards the bar. He was carrying a small attaché case. He suddenly stopped. Kendall looked over at the bar. Two men came out and started to walk towards the man. Kendall couldn’t see them clearly but he knew who they were, the Sullivan brothers, Ray and Billy.

  Just what were they up to, Kendall wondered. Knowing the Sullivans it wasn’t just a friendly social meeting. And just what was in that attaché case?

  The three men met at the entrance to a narrow alleyway which led to the rear of the bar. They turned into the alleyway, and within a few seconds had disappeared from view. Now what? Kendall wondered. Should he follow them, or should he just wait? He looked over to his left. The cab was still there. Kendall decided to wait. He looked at the cab once again. “Four two seven,” he whispered. “White Cabs, four two seven.” He took out his notepad, and wrote down the details, trying very hard to keep the paper dry. He added the phone number, 791 2727. He looked back at the alleyway. There was no sign of the three men.

  Would they be back? Kendall wondered, or was there another way out of the alley. He looked back at the cab. Clearly the men were expected to return at some point. Kendall looked up at the sky. There was no let up in the rain. He wrapped his coat around him tightly, and settled down as best he could, to wait.

  * * *

  Thirty minutes later a figure emerged from the alleyway and got into the cab. The cab drove away. A short time later two men came out of the alleyway, and turned to the left, towards Mike’s bar

  * * *

  The two men walked into the bar. Kendall waited a few minutes and then followed. As he walked in he could see the men seated at the bar, Mike had just served them. Kendall slowly walked up to them, and stood behind them for a few moments.

  “Hello boys,” he said as he squeezed their shoulders hard. “What a pleasant surprise.”

  Ray, the older of the two turned slowly. “Why Mr. Kendall,” he stammered surprised. “Fancy seeing you here.”

  “It’s a small world,” replied Kendall.

  “Yeah we heard you left the Precinct,” said Ray.

  Kendall smiled. “You know what they say boys, a change is as good as a rest. I heard that you moved out as well.”

  “We just fancied a change,” said Ray trying to sound light hearted.

  Kendall moved round to the bar and sat down. “This is really very nice,” he said. “So how about I get you a drink?”

  Ray stood up and quickly drained his glass. “Love to Mr. Kendall, but got to go,” he said. “Come on Billy drink up.”

  Billy looked up at his brother, puzzled.

  “Drink up, I said,” repeated Ray.

  Kendall placed his hand on Billy’s shoulder and pressed down. “Aw come on now. One drink,” he said. “For old time’s sake, you’ve got time for one drink surely.”

  Ray shook his head. “No can do Mr. Kendall,” he said quickly. “Things to do, you know how it is. Come on Billy.”

  Kendall nodded. “People to see, deals to make, yes I know how it is Ray. It’s the same with me,” he replied. “But come on one drink can’t do any harm now can it?”

  Ray sat down and smiled. “Sure, sure,” he said quickly. “Guess we got time for one drink.”

  Kendall smiled and sat down. “That’s better,” he said, as he signaled for a round of drinks. “Like old times eh. Remember?”

  Ray nodded his head nervously. “Sure,” he said trying to smile. “Just like old times.”

  “Mike, I’d like you to meet two very good friends of mine,” said Kendall. “This calls for a celebration, so three scotches, if you please.”

  Mick poured the drinks and moved further down the counter.

  “So how are you boys?” asked Kendall.

  Ray nodded and smiled. “Oh can’t complain Mr. Kendall.”

  “So what are you two boys up to then? Not up to your old tricks I hope,” said Kendall as he looked directly at Billy.

  “Aw gee Mr. Kendall,” said Ray sounding hurt. “We don’t do that no more.”

  “That’s right, Mr. Kendall,” chipped in Billy. “We’re going straight now.”

  “Straight,” repeated Kendall smiling.

  “That’s right,” said Ray. “We got a little business now, for ourselves you know.�
�

  Kendall nodded. “Is that right? That’s good to hear. What kind of business is that then?”

  “Oh we run a delivery service you know,” replied Ray.

  Kendall nodded once again. “A delivery service eh, that sounds good,” said Kendall. “You mean like the U.S. Mail, or maybe Fedex?”

  Billy started to laugh. Ray nudged him hard in the side. “Oh no nothing like that,” replied Ray. “Just the odd package, you know, just small stuff, nothing big.”

  “Package?” repeated Kendall. “Not the white powder type of package I hope?”

  Ray shook his head. “Ah now we don’t do nothing like that, Mr. Kendall. You’ve got us all wrong.”

  “Have I?” said Kendall, taking another drink.

  “Sure you have Mr. Kendall, sir,” said Ray.

  “You know us Mr. Kendall,” said Billy. “We don’t do that kind of thing.”

  “I just thought that may be you were branching out,” replied Kendall.

  “Oh no, not us,” stammered Ray.

  “Glad to hear it Ray,” said Kendall. “So what kind of package are we talking about?” he asked.

  Ray stood up. “We really got to go,” he said, pulling Billy’s arm.

  Kendall shook his head. “Have another drink,” he said, and signaled to Mike. “Same again over here.”

  A few minutes later Mike the drinks arrived. “Here you are boys,” he said as he placed the drinks on the counter. “On the house.”

  “That’s mighty nice of you Mike,” said Kendall. He turned to face the two men. “Don’t you think that’s nice boys?”

  Ray nodded, Billy said nothing.

  “Aren’t you going to thank Mike here?” said Kendall. “I think a thank you is called for, don’t you?”