by John Holt
Carter smiled and stood up slowly. “Then we revoke your license, Mr. Kendall, as simple as that. We take away your license. You will no longer be able to operate in this State.” He paused for a moment, and shrugged his shoulders. “Or indeed, any other State, I’m afraid.”
That didn’t actually sound that bad, Kendall thought. So they took away his license, so what? It was only a piece of paper, and nobody ever asked to see it, anyway. He started to smile, he could live with that.
“If, however, you still persist with your endeavors, then you will be arrested,” Carter continued. He looked at Kendall and started to grin. “Harassment is against the law in this State, Mr. Kendall. Do please think about it won’t you.” He looked up as he heard the waiter approaching the table. “We don’t really want to think about things like that, do we? It’s too nice a day.” He smiled once again. “Ah, here is the waiter with your meal, I believe. So I won’t delay you any longer, but do remember what I said, please.” He stood up. “Enjoy your lunch. Mr. Kendall. The food here is excellent, I understand.” He looked at the tray as the waiter drew near. “Next time, you should try their Waldorf Salad,” he said. “It really is quite wonderful.” He then turned and quickly walked away.
* * *
Chapter Twenty-Nine
A Bad Taste In The Mouth
“Pakistan Observer”, Islamabad, Tuesday – “Yesterday evening, the Federal Minister for Health, Mir Ahmed Ahkbar confirmed the first case of the Rican Flu virus in Pakistan. He added that the patient had been diagnosed with the illness three days ago, and that he had subsequently recovered and the disease had not been transmitted any further. As many as twenty-five suspected patients were screened for the virus, and the situation was now under control, as all preventive measures had been taken in that regard, the Minister stated while replying to a written question on the floor of the National Assembly.
There was a subsequent question regarding the availability of anti-viral drugs in Pakistan. The Minister replied that a vaccine was expected shortly. In the meantime anti-viral drugs were sufficiently available in government hospitals to treat any patient suffering with Rican Flu. Doubts were expressed by a number of Opposition members. The Minister, however, confirmed that the drugs were readily available. He also stated that the health ministry being cognizant of the risk posed to human health due to this disease had provided training to the health care providers to cope with any emergency situation caused by the Rican flu virus. “Due to the increase in reported cases worldwide, and fatalities associated with the flu virus, all precautionary measures have been adopted at airports and seaports to monitor the disease,” he continued. He said that the health officers at the international airports, seaports and border posts were screening suspected travelers. The ministry of health was also planning to install thermal scanners at entry points to detect cases and procure pre-pandemic vaccine whenever it became available, he added. He said that in a circular issued, all educational institutions were advised to inform parents that children with flu like symptoms should not be sent to school. Also, the general public had been advised to observe etiquettes while coughing and people with flu like symptoms must avoid visiting public places and physical contact with others.”
* * *
Kendall looked out across the waterway. The rain had just started to fall. The forecast was correct then, he thought. Carter had also been right. It certainly did feel hotter, a lot hotter. Kendall pushed his plate to one side, and stood up to leave.
As he did so the waiter came over and stood by his side. He glanced at the discarded lunch. “The lunch wasn’t to your liking today, sir?” he said.
Kendall looked at him and smiled. “You could say that lunch has left a bad taste in my mouth.” He slowly walked away. He suddenly stopped and turned around. “Not your fault though, Jason,” he called out, and then quickly left the restaurant.
* * *
It was getting late, and it was beginning to get dark in the office. Kendall had been sitting at his desk for almost three hours now. He had been thinking about that conversation with James Carter. Going over and over in his mind what had been said; trying to decide whether the man was genuine, or was it some kind of game, a strange trick that someone was playing on him. Or was it really a warning to keep off? Had it been some kind of a threat? Leave Trenton alone, Kendall. Leave them alone, or else.
Over in the corner the television was switched on. It was CNN. There was another of those constant news reports about the epidemic. The total number of cases of Rican flu had risen sharply over night. Kendall looked up as the reporter began. “It is now estimated that worldwide there have been six thousand eight hundred and forty confirmed cases of the so-called Rican flu. There have been over three hundred and fifty deaths.”
Kendall got up from his seat and slowly walked over to the corner. He reached down and switched the television off. “Three hundred and fifty deaths,” he whispered. He shook his head. Somehow, in some way, those deaths were connected to the death of Richard Dawson. He didn’t know how, or why. He just knew it. He shook his head once more. “How?” he murmured. “What was that connection?” He turned around and slowly walked back to his desk. He sat down and reached forward to switch on the desk lamp.
As the light came on he saw the business card that was propped up against it. He reached for it. “James Carter,” he read. “Government House, Tallahassee.” He started to tap the card on the desk.
He kept thinking of what Carter had told him. “The governor would be most appreciative if you would ease up a little. You know what I mean?” Kendall nodded. He knew what he meant. Keep away from Trenton that’s what he meant. He held up the card, and found the telephone number. He looked over at the wall clock. Almost six o’clock. Would they still be there? It was worth a try. He reached for the telephone, and started to dial. A moment or two later the call was answered.
“You are through to Government House,” a recorded voice said. “If you know the extension number of the person you want, enter it, now.” There was a slight pause. “You now have four options,” the voice continued. “If you wish to speak to someone regarding Tourism and the State Parks, dial one; for business and trade, dial two; for environmental issues, and global warming matters, dial three; for local taxation, dial four; to hear these options again press the star button, or wait for an operator.” The line went dead for a few moments, and then the recorded music started to play. A few moments later a voice came on the line.
“Government House,” a young lady said. “My name is Karen. How can I help you today?”
Kendall was a little surprised. He hadn’t actually expected the number to be genuine. “Do you have a Mr. Carter there?” he asked. “Mr. James Carter?”
There was a slight pause. “Yes, we do, sir,” the young lady replied. “Shall I put you through?”
Kendall shook his head. “Oh, no, thank you, that won’t be necessary,” he stammered. “That’s fine. By the way can you tell me what his role is?”
The young lady was puzzled. “What his role is,” she repeated. “I don’t quite understand, sir.”
Kendall took a deep breath. What was not to understand, he wondered? It was simple enough, wasn’t it? He took another deep breath to calm himself down. “What is his function,” he replied. “I mean what does he actually do?”
“Oh I see,” said the lady. “Mr. Carter is the Assistant Commercial Director. He is primarily involved with businesses within the State, promotion, business legislation, investments, that kind of thing. Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to put you through?”
There was no response. Kendall had already hung up. “Assistant Commercial Director,” he murmured. “Clark certainly has friends in high places that’s for sure.”
Firstly it was the Coroner’s office warning him off of the case. Now it was the state governor. “I imagine the president will call tomorrow,” he murmured. “Wait till he finds out that I never voted for him.”
So Car
ter was genuine, and he really was warning me. He shook his head slowly. But why, what was the problem? Why was it so important to protect Trenton Pharmaceuticals? Kendall started to tap the desk nervously, his fingers striking the desktop faster and faster and harder and harder. Suddenly he stopped and looked up. “How did he know about Joe Louis?”
Obviously Carter had been talking to Alan Clark at Trenton Pharmaceuticals. So what does that mean? It means that Trenton is worried, that’s what it means. It means that I’m on the right track. Suddenly he sat upright. All right, so Carter was genuine, but he certainly hadn’t spoken to Mollie, had he? So what did that mean? It obviously meant that he was being watched. He started to smile. He stood up and went over to the window. He pulled the curtain back a little, and peered out. It was beginning to get dark. As far as he could see there was no one around. Somehow though, he just knew that somewhere, lurking in the shadows, someone was keeping a close eye on him.
There was a sudden flash of lightning, and a loud crack of thunder. Kendall looked up at the sky. Dark clouds were forming. There was another crack of thunder. He smiled and turned away from the window. We are in for a storm. It was going to pour down and whoever was out there was going to get very, very wet.
“At least I hope that they do,” he said.
* * *
Chapter Thirty
Two And Two Equals Murder
“The Courier”, Adelaide, Tuesday - “It was reported today that a fourth person has died in South Australia after being diagnosed with Rican flu. South Australian health officials stated that the twenty-five year old man, who was admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with underlying medical conditions on the nineteenth, died yesterday evening. The man’s death brings the national total of deaths from the current epidemic to forty-four.
The South Australian health department report that the Royal Adelaide Hospital, in line with advice from the World Health Organization, and the Health Ministry, has undertaken appropriate infection control procedures and practices to limit the spread of the virus, and the risk to other patients, visitors and staff. At the present time nineteen people are being tested for the virus and several hundred others are being sought.”
“The Independent”, Auckland, Tuesday – “New Zealand reported twenty-eight new cases of Rican flu on Monday, the country’s largest single day’s jump. It is the first time Rican flu has been recorded in a patient who had not travelled abroad or been in contact with someone who had been, Health Minister Greg Nichols said in announcing that the number of cases in New Zealand had now reached ninety-nine. In a further statement the Health Minister has warned that the southern hemisphere could be facing more cases during its annual winter flu epidemic.”
* * *
Kendall looked up from the papers that he had been studying. He stretched his arms into the air, and yawned. He shook his head, and then he rubbed his eyes. “This was definitely no accident,” he announced. “Richard Dawson was murdered. Of that there is no longer any doubt whatsoever.” He rubbed the side of his face, and sighed.
“I knew that long ago,” Mollie said imperiously. “I said so right from the start, remember?”
Kendall looked at her and shook his head. “You had a feeling, that’s all,” he said. “His mother said that it was murder, so it had to be murder.” He pulled his shoulders back, and pushed his chest out. “Whereas I rely on sheer brilliant deductive reasoning coupled with a logical mind.”
She shook her head, and started to smile. “I still knew from day one, never doubted it for a moment.”
Kendall sighed. How could you compare her illogical feelings, her intuition, with his deduction? Why even try? He looked down at his desk, and looked at the photographs of Dawson and his girlfriend. He slowly turned the photographs over. “Punta Rojas,” he murmured “August.” He shook his head. “But it wasn’t Punta Rojas, was it?”
Kendall slid the photographs over towards her. “They weren’t taken in Punta Rojas. They were taken at Niagara Falls. That’s what she told me.” He paused for a moment. “Angela Hall, I mean.”
Mollie knew who he meant.
“Why, you can just see the falls in one of the shots, look.” He shook his head. “I missed it, I don’t know how, but I just did.” He sighed and took a deep breath. “Some detective I am,” he muttered. “It was Niagara, and not Punta Rojas.”
“So Richard Dawson must have made a mistake,” Mollie suggested helpfully. “And just put the wrong information down. Perhaps he had a lot of photographs all around him, and he just got confused.” She paused. “It happens. It’s easy enough, even to the best of us.” She looked at Kendall and smiled.
Kendall looked at her, and nodded. Oh yes, it happens, he thought. He was quite often confused, and made a mistake. But somehow he just could not imagine Dawson making a mistake. He was so careful, so methodical: checking, and re-checking. If Richard Dawson had made a mistake, it was a deliberate one. Somehow he was trying to link the old photograph of Punta Rojas, with the new references to the area. Kendall didn’t know how, but somehow the two were linked. “It was murder, all right,” he repeated slowly
“What did you say?” asked Mollie.
“I was just adding two and two together,” Kendall explained.
“And the answer is?” asked Mollie
“The answer is two and two equals murder,” Kendall replied. “But why, and who killed him?”
“If it was murder, and it certainly was, what about those two witnesses?” asked Mollie, “They said that it was an accident, didn’t they?”
“That’s right,” Kendall replied. “They said it was an accident.” He shook his head. “I don’t know, perhaps they were right. Perhaps it was an accident, after all.” He shook his head. “Now I’m getting confused again.”
Mollie smiled. “It’s not the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last,” she said.
Kendall glared at her. “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” he said.
Mollie smiled and shook her head. “Well, you deserved it.” She put her hand on his arm and patted it gently. “Don’t forget our other witness,” she reminded him. “Joe Louis. He saw the whole thing remember, and his evidence suggested that it was anything but an accident.”
Kendall shook his head. “I don’t think we can make too much of that,” Kendall replied. “In fact it’s clear to me now that poor old Joe Louis had actually seen nothing. You just can’t rely on him.”
“Why not?” asked Mollie.
“Clark told me that Joe was a little simple,” Kendall started to explain. “Harmless, but well, you know. He was just trying to appear important, that’s all. He didn’t see anything at all. Why, he wasn’t even there. He was sick or something. Clark had sent him home.”
“Maybe,” Mollie replied. “But I’m not entirely convinced. Don’t forget what Barbara had said. She was surprised to hear about Joe being sick, remember.”
“That’s right she was surprised,” Kendall replied. “Let me think, what was it she actually said?” He paused for a moment trying to think of the exact words. He suddenly smiled as he remembered. “Unwell? I can’t say that I noticed, he always seemed very fit to me.”
Mollie nodded her head. “That’s right,” she said. “She also said that she actually thought that it had been Joe who reported the accident.”
“I’m sure that someone said that Joe was up to his tricks again, telling his stories,” Kendall said heaving a sigh. “That’s what she said alright.”
Mollie took a deep breath and thought for a few moments. “Let’s just suppose that it wasn’t an accident, and that it was murder,” she said. “Then what Joe said he saw would make sense, wouldn’t it?”
“Go on,” Kendall said. “I’m listening.”
“Just think about it,” Mollie replied. “If Joe did see what he said he saw, wouldn’t that answer some of your questions?”
“What questions?” asked Kendall, becoming more and more intrigued.
Mol
lie held up one finger. “Firstly, the blood stains in the car, but not on the wall.” Kendall nodded. She held up a second finger. “Second, there were no other injuries.” Kendall nodded once again. She held up a third finger. “Three, there was no damage to his clothes.” She smiled at him. “Do I need to go on?” she asked.
“No,” said Kendall, slowly nodding his head. “That’s fine.”
“It makes perfect sense to me,” said Mollie.
Kendall looked at her and smiled. “Perfect sense,” he agreed. Then he slowly started to shake his head, puzzled once again. “There’s something wrong though,” he continued.
“What’s wrong?” asked Mollie.
“According to Clark, Joe was sick that day, so he couldn’t have seen anything,” Kendall replied. “Besides he did tend to exaggerate.” He shook his head. “And don’t forget there are still the other two witnesses.” He looked at Mollie. “They had seen the whole thing as well, remember. They had seen Dawson walking quickly away from the building, and across the car park. They saw him trip on the curb. They saw him lying on the ground, and they saw him taken away by the ambulance.”
Mollie shook her head. “So what?” she said. “Joe said he saw the whole thing, didn’t he? And then suddenly he is killed in a road accident, a wretched hit and run driver, another simple but tragic accident.” She shook her head. “I don’t think so, another murder, more than likely.” She looked at Kendall. “So who are you going to believe, the two eyewitnesses or Joe?”
“You’re absolutely right, it has to be Joe,” Kendall replied. “It provides answers to so many of my questions. There was no accident, Richard Dawson did not trip. He wasn’t alive in the ambulance, he was already dead lying by that wall.” He paused for a moment. “In fact he was already dead when he had been carried from his car, to that low brick wall where he had been found.”
Mollie sat silently for a few moments. Then she looked up at Kendall. “If it wasn’t an accident,” she said quite slowly. “Then our two so-called witnesses were lying.”