by June Tate
‘Mr Coleman was told this morning. Seems the flat’s been well and truly trashed.’
‘Is Miss Teglia all right?’
‘Yes, sir. She’s at her mother’s place.’
Immediately after his business luncheon was over, Johnny drove to the Langford Hotel and spoke to the receptionist, who called Victoria’s room. She asked for him to be sent up to her.
When she opened the door, Johnny took her into his arms. ‘Are you all right, darling?’
Any animosity she may have felt towards him melted as he held her. ‘I’m a bit shaken to be truthful. You’d better come in.’ She proceeded to tell him what happened.
‘But who would do such a thing? Do you keep anything of value there?’ he asked.
Shaking her head she said, ‘No, only clothes. Any spare money I keep in the safe in my office.’ She hesitated. ‘You don’t think your father had anything to do with this, do you?’
‘Dad?’ He looked surprised. ‘Why would he be mixed up in this?’
‘I don’t know. Call it a gut feeling if you like, but he was the first person I thought of. I’m sorry.’
At that moment Lily knocked on the door. When she saw Johnny she was taken aback. ‘Good afternoon, Mr Daniels. This is a surprise.’
‘I heard about the break in when I was at the club, I rushed over to see that Victoria was all right.’
‘She’s fine, thank you.’ Turning to her daughter, she said, ‘The police say you can now return to the flat so when you’re ready we’ll go.’
‘Let me drive you both there,’ Johnny quickly offered.
Lily was about to refuse but Victoria accepted before she could say anything, and the three of them drove there together. When they arrived and Victoria opened the door, both Lily and Johnny were shocked at the mayhem before their eyes. They looked at each other, then at Victoria who, having seen the mess for the second time, was furious.
‘How dare they do this to me?’ She stepped gingerly into the room being careful of the broken glass littering the carpet. ‘This is wanton destruction!’ she cried.
‘Let’s try and tidy the place up,’ suggested Johnny. ‘Then you will be able to see if there is anything missing.’ And the three of them set to, to clear the debris.
Eventually, Victoria was able to search through her things. ‘Nothing seems to have been taken,’ she declared. ‘All the drawers in my bedroom have been emptied, clothes tipped out, more things broken but, as far as I can see, that’s it. There were one or two things in my jewellery box, but they were on the floor and broken, not taken. It doesn’t make sense.’
Johnny was quiet. It didn’t make any sense to him either. The broken mirrors were expensive. One or two porcelain figures would have earned a few pounds to a burglar, but they were just broken. It was almost as if Victoria was being sent a message . . . but what about?
‘Where is the engagement ring that Bruce gave you?’ Lily suddenly asked.
‘Oh my God! I forgot about that,’ said Victoria and she rushed to a small bureau in the corner where the top was open and papers strewn about. She opened a small drawer. ‘It’s gone! As far as I can tell, it’s the only thing missing.’
‘But no one would break in and take just one object when there are other pieces that would have brought in hard cash,’ Lily said. She looked at Johnny Daniels. ‘Don’t you think that’s strange?’ There was a challenge in her expression as she waited for his reply.
He knew from her past experience with the underworld she thought the same as he did. ‘Yes, I do find it strange.’
‘What are you both trying to say?’ Victoria demanded.
‘This is like a warning,’ said Johnny. ‘But about what – and by whom?’
Her nostrils flared with anger. ‘What about those two thugs who came to the club wanting me to pay for protection?’
‘What two thugs? I never heard about this?’ Lily looked at her daughter, demanding an answer.
Victoria explained what had happened and how Johnny had intervened.
Lily glared at him. ‘Do you think this gang had anything to do with this?
He shook his head. ‘No, I don’t. I went round to see Max Reynolds and had a chat with him.’
‘In other words, you threatened him.’ Lily was defiant.
‘If you like to put it that way . . . yes I did.’ His gaze didn’t flinch from hers.
‘But who else would have a reason but him?’ Victoria now intervened. ‘No one else has caused me any trouble.’
‘You must tell the police about this,’ Lily insisted. Turning to Johnny she added, ‘I’m sorry to involve you with this but you must see that is the only thing to do?’
How could he say differently? ‘Yes, of course.’ But he didn’t like it. He would have preferred to have handled this himself. Now he would be called in to be questioned and that would put him in a bad light with the law, especially with his background. Up until now, he’d been able to put that behind him running a successful business, away from London and his father. Now, once again, he’d be under suspicion. He, above all, wanted to know who was behind this, who had placed him in this insidious position. Now it was he who was angry.
Seventeen
Once Victoria had reported the theft of her engagement ring and told the police about the visitation of the two men and Johnny Daniels’ intervention, they asked him to come to the station and give a statement. He went along, albeit reluctantly. Detective Inspector Bill Cole, the man in charge of the case, took him into an interview room and asked him to sit down.
‘Let’s begin with the two men who came to the club, shall we?’
Johnny told him what happened and what he said to them to make them leave. There was no point at pretence, the police were well aware of his lineage.
‘I believe your father was in Southampton recently,’ Cole said. ‘You met at the Club Valletta.’
‘Yes, that’s right. He wanted to discuss some business with me.’
The detective raised his eyebrows. ‘Really? What kind of business?’
‘We are both in construction and he was having problems with delivery dates, he wondered if I was in the same boat, that’s all. If our deliveries don’t arrive on time, it sends work schedules up the spout and makes for dissatisfied customers and neither of us want that.’
‘We’ve made some enquiries about your business, Mr Daniels; you have a good reputation in the town it seems.’
‘I hope so, my business depends on it.’
‘Then why did you mention your father to these two men? This wouldn’t help your reputation.’
‘These men were thugs, they only understand one language.’
‘As you would well know, being the son of one of London’s major villains.’
Johnny looked at the detective and quietly said, ‘My father has yet to be charged with any villainy – as far as I know.’
‘Let’s not beat about the bush, Daniels, we both know what your father is. Now, I want to know what you said when you went to see Max Reynolds.’
‘I warned him about doing any harm to the Club Valletta.’
‘In other words, you threatened him.’
‘No, Inspector, I warned him. Miss Teglia and I are close; I was just looking after her interests, that’s all.’
Bill Cole sat back in his chair with a bemused expression. ‘Life’s strange, don’t you think? You, the son of a villain – she, the daughter of another.’
‘Neither father ever charged with a misdemeanour, you should remember that, too. Besides, I run my own business and so does Miss Teglia; neither have anything to do with our fathers.’
‘That would be difficult in her case, her old man died when she was a baby, but she still has his blood in her veins. But I digress. For now I need a statement from you as to what happened when you took Miss Teglia and her mother back to the flat and discovered the loss of her ring. I’ll be visiting Mr Reynolds and will give him a warning. I’m not having trouble from him on my pat
ch.’ He stared at Johnny. 'You best think about that, too, Mr Daniels.’
‘I’m in Southampton to do a good job for my clients, that’s all. My business is a legitimate one. I would like you to remember that!’
‘As long as it stays that way, I’ll be a happy chappy. Now I’ll get my man to give you a pad and pen.’
Johnny was left alone for a moment. He breathed a sigh of relief. Police stations made him nervous. He wrote out his statement on the pad he was given and left the building. Once outside, he lit a cigarette and walked quickly away. Damn, he thought. He’d hoped to have kept clear of any police involvement during his time here, but now they would be on his tail always. But he still had one problem. Who had trashed Victoria’s flat and why? He would fix an alarm system for her and check on the one she had at the club too, because he felt that this was only the beginning. But when he arrived at the club, George Coleman was there. He strode over to Johnny.
‘A word . . . in my office.’
George closed the door behind them. ‘Do you know anything about this break in?’
‘No of course I don’t! Look, George, I love Victoria, I wouldn’t harm a hair on her head, you’ve got to believe me.’
The older man saw the sincerity in his face and did believe him. ‘So what the bloody hell is going on?’
‘I don’t know but the whole thing smells to me.’ And he told him why. He also told him about Max Reynolds and the two men who called when George was away. ‘I can’t honestly believe it was them. Not after I saw Max.’
‘So, who would have a motive to harm or cause Victoria trouble? She must be in somebody’s way,’ George remarked.
Johnny shook his head. ‘Beats me. After all, she just runs the club; she doesn’t step on anyone’s toes, so who could have it in for her?’
George shook his head. ‘I’ll do some asking around.’
Sandy moved back to Southampton the next day and, once he’d unpacked his things, he walked along Bernard Street to see Victoria, but it was George Coleman he saw first and heard about the break in.
‘This was no ordinary burglary,’ George said. ‘Stuff of value was just trashed . . . apart from Bruce’s engagement ring which was taken. For the life of me I can’t think of any motive.’
‘Maybe I can,’ said Sandy.
Coleman was immediately watchful. ‘Then talk to me.’
‘Old man Daniels isn’t best pleased with his son at the moment, thinks he’s getting too big for his boots.’
‘I don’t see the connection.’ George looked puzzled.
‘Pat knows he’s sweet on Victoria. What better way of getting at Johnny, but through her?’
‘Are you serious?’
Shrugging Sandy asked, ‘Can you think of a better reason?’
‘But Pat is big league; he wouldn’t send his men to do such a menial task.’
‘Maybe he got someone local to do it for him?’ Sandy suggested.
‘Like who?’
‘I’ve no idea, to be honest.’ Sandy pondered on the problem. ‘Well I’ll be doing the rounds tonight, let my mates know I’m back in circulation. Maybe I’ll hear something. Give Victoria my love.’
Johnny, meantime, was up a ladder, fixing an alarm system at Victoria’s flat. She watched with interest. This was another side to him she’d not seen and it intrigued her.
‘I had no idea you were so proficient,’ she remarked with some amusement.
He paused and stepped down from the ladder to pick up some wire. ‘You seem to forget, darling, that I have to earn a living. I’ve been in this business since I was a young lad, helping my dad.’
At the mention of his father, Victoria’s smile faded. ‘Tell me about him.’
Climbing back up the ladder, Johnny said, ‘Not much to tell really. He’s a hard man to know. There wasn’t a lot of affection in our house for me or my mother.’
‘I thought he looked cruel,’ she said quietly. ‘He was polite. But although he smiled, his eyes were cold. I got the feeling he didn’t like me.’
Johnny paused for just a second in his work, then carried on. ‘Whatever do you mean?’
‘I don’t know, just a gut feeling, that’s all.’
‘I shouldn’t worry about that. My father doesn’t like many people at all. He doesn’t have the time or the inclination to try. His life is his business.’
Victoria would have liked to question him further about just what kind of business, but thought better of it. Since the break in she and Johnny had made up and she didn’t want to spoil the closeness they had now.
A ring at the doorbell stopped any further conversation anyway. Johnny immediately got down from the ladder.
‘I’ll get that,’ he said sharply.
‘It’s probably my taxi,’ she called after him.
And so it was. She kissed him and said, ‘I am going to work. Look in later if you can.’
When he was alone, he sat down and thought about her comments about Pat. He remembered the disparaging remarks his father had made about Victoria and frowned. Surely he wouldn’t have been behind the break in? What reason would he have had? It was ridiculous. He climbed back up the ladder.
It was Saturday night and the club was packed. The tables were fully booked, as were the rooms. The three-piece band was playing and the gaming room was in full swing. Henry Charterhouse and Roger Bentley were there with some friends, playing roulette when George Coleman walked over to them.
‘Ever get any news about the robbery, sir?’ He asked Henry.
‘No, George, the blighters got away with it. I wish I’d had the new alarm system that Roger and my friend in Romsey had fitted. My goodness, young Daniels was a great help.’
‘Mr Daniels?’
‘Yes, after my bad luck he suggested this new alarm just on the market. By Jove it seems to have worked because Edward Mansfield thinks someone was looking his property over at one time. A couple of chaps got talking to his chef in a bar and he let slip they had this system. It only came to light when his housekeeper refused entry to two men after he left instructions that no one was to be allowed in the house without his permission. We put two and two together.’
George Coleman walked slowly away, going over in his mind the information he’d been given, trying to make sense of it all.
Victoria was walking among the tables making sure her clients were happy when she saw the door open and Bruce Chapman, dressed in civvies, walk in. Her heart seemed to miss a beat and her breath catch in her throat. It had been some time since she broke off her engagement and his appearance took her by surprise. She walked over to the bar where he was ordering a drink.
‘Hello, Bruce, you’re looking very smart. It’s strange to see you out of uniform.’
He turned at the sound of her voice.
‘Hello, Victoria.’ He smiled fondly at her. ‘How lovely you look, how are you?’
Gazing at the man who’d meant so much to her for so long, there was a strange feeling of comfort and familiarity. She was pleased to see him, which unnerved her a little.
‘I’m fine, this is a surprise.’
‘I’ve just got back to base after being away on manoeuvres and I longed to see you.’ He reached out and took her hand. ‘Have a drink with an old friend?’
‘Of course, my usual.’
They found a vacant space and sat down.
‘I’m happy to find you alone,’ he quipped. ‘I thought your new boyfriend might be in attendance.’ He said this without animosity and she had to laugh.
‘We don’t spend every minute of the day together.’
‘So he’s still in the picture then?’
‘Yes, I’m afraid so, Bruce.’
‘Would that stop you from coming out with me tomorrow? Only I’m soon to be stationed in Malta for some time and it would be nice to see you at least once before I leave.’
Victoria didn’t feel she could refuse and in any case she wanted to catch up on his news. Bruce would always be a part
of her life although they were no longer engaged.
‘That would be lovely, what had you in mind?’
‘How about a trip to Lymington? I can get hold of an admiralty car; it seems a pity not to take advantage of that. I could pick you up about ten o’clock at your place.’
‘I’ll look forward to it. Look, I’m sorry but I have to get back to work, as you can see we have a full house tonight.’
‘No, that’s fine; we’ll talk some more tomorrow.’
He watched her walk away knowing he was still in love with her.
Promptly at ten o’clock the next morning, Bruce was at Victoria’s flat as planned and they drove through the New Forest to Lymington, parked the car and walked around the small town, stopping for coffee at a small cafe near the harbour.
It was a bright day and the sun shone over the yachts tied up at the jetties. A soft breeze caressed the halyards and rustled among the sails. It was a peaceful and picturesque scene to gaze at as they sat together chatting.
Bruce was telling Victoria about his days spent at sea on manoeuvres . . . and how he’d missed her. ‘To be honest, Victoria, when you broke our engagement, I was glad to get away, only you came with me. Like it or not, you are part of me and I missed you more than I can say.’
She felt dreadful. ‘I am so sorry, Bruce. When I accepted your proposal, I didn’t envisage anything other than spending my life with you, but . . .’ She didn’t know what else to say.
‘Then Johnny Daniels came along!’
She just nodded.
‘So what else has happened in your life since last we met?’ he asked, not wanting to talk further about the man who came between them.
She told him about the break in of her flat.
He was appalled. ‘Thank God you weren’t there! What are the police doing about it?’
She explained. ‘But Mother and Johnny think the whole thing very odd.’ And she told him why.
‘A warning?’ His brow furrowed with concern. ‘Has anything else happened since?’
She shook her head. ‘No, everything has been quiet on that front.’
‘Do you think it has anything to do with Daniels?’