Cain muttered to Julia, “Ignore her, she’s being very rude.”
Joe came out of the office next, his arm around the shoulders of an older man. “Julia! I’m glad you’re here. This is Ivor Walsall. Ivor, this is Julia Blake, she’s amazing. She does all my cleaning, I’d be lost without her.”
Julia looked at Ivor. Good-looking, expensive suit, dark hair flecked with grey and a slightly tanned face. Julia guessed him to be in his late forties, maybe early fifties.
Ivor held out a hand to Julia. She took it and noticed that Ivor held on to it too tightly. “Ah, Julia Blake. No wonder Lorraine is feeling jealous. You’d better watch yourself around that young woman, she doesn’t deal well with competition.”
Julia pulled her hand back. “I’m not competition.”
Cain helpfully added, “Julia is far too old for Joe.”
Ivor barked with laughter making everyone jump. He fixed Julia with his gaze. “I think Julia is the perfect age for any man.”
Julia swallowed the disgust rising in her throat. She’d met men like Ivor Walsall before. He could keep his lingering looks and twinkling eyes to himself. Julia looked at Joe and said, “You were going to tell me about an interview.”
“Oh yes,” Joe looked back over his shoulder towards the Karl Rayburn’s office. He lowered his voice and said, “There’s a position that’s come up at our Hong Kong office. Ivor thinks I’ve got a good chance of getting it.”
Ivor butted in, “I certainly do. I’ve been around the block enough times to know talent when I see it. Joe’s got his interview tomorrow. What are you doing tomorrow, Julia?”
“Cleaning. Good luck with your interview, let me know how it goes.”
“Thanks. I’m going to go over some questions with Ivor now.”
Ivor moved even closer to Julia. Julia titled her head back slightly, that aftershave was quite overpowering. Ivor said, “I’ve got a desk over there, at the back of the room. You know this is the management floor. I’m one of the managers. In fact, I’m the deputy manager.”
“Congratulations,” Julia said. “Joe, didn’t Lorraine say she was going to wait in the car for you?”
“Oh, yeah. I’ll send her a text. She can make her own way to my apartment. I’m sure she won’t mind.”
Ivor let out a low whistle. “She will mind. Watch your step with that one, Joe, she’s got a temper.”
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience,” Julia said.
A flinty look came into Ivor’s eyes. He swiftly turned to Joe and said, “Come on, mate, we’ve got work to do.”
Joe gave Julia and Cain a smile and walked away with Ivor towards the back of the room.
Cain said, “That Ivor fancies you.”
“I don’t fancy him,” Julia replied.
“Good, because I don’t like him. He’s like an oily snake.”
“Very perceptive. Mr Rayburn’s office is empty now, apart from him.”
Julia and Cain walked into the corner office. Karl Rayburn gave them a tight smile as he picked up his phone.
Julia was shocked at how tired he looked. He hadn’t looked that tired on Friday. She felt a wave of sympathy for him, it can’t be easy being the manager of a company like this.
Cain quickly emptied the bin. Karl Rayburn left the office, still talking on the phone, whilst Julia vacuumed his office. He returned to his office as soon as they walked out. He closed the glass door behind him. Julia shot him a backward glance. Karl Rayburn rubbed a hand across his eyes as if trying to wake himself up.
Julia put the vacuum away and then walked with Cain towards the lift doors. Julia looked towards the end of the office but couldn’t see Joe. She did see Ivor Walsall. He was standing and had his arm around the waist of a well-dressed older woman. They were laughing together. Must be his girlfriend.
Cain said he would see how Fred was getting on whilst Julia went to the basement to empty the bin again.
Julia didn’t mind, she could do without his hysterics. And, she wanted time to think. When she’d looked back at Karl Rayburn in his office, there was something so sad about his expression. It was as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. As Julia emptied the bin she silently wished him a good night’s sleep. She yawned. She needed a good sleep herself. This was going to be a hard week of work. Cain’s happy face flashed into her mind, it would be worth it when they went on holiday. She yawned again. She’d be glad when this week was over.
Chapter 7
Cain was as giddy as a kipper when Julia picked him up the next morning.
He started talking the second he opened the passenger door. “Julia, you have to book some activities at the holiday park because they’re so popular. Me and Ray are going on the army assault course. Shall I book you on to it too?” He got in the car and sat down.
“No, thank you. I won’t be doing anything like that.”
Cain gave her a puzzled look. “But it’s the only one of its kind in the country.”
“No, thank you,” Julia repeated. She yawned. “Oh, I am sorry. I’ve only done one long day and I feel done in already.”
Cain fastened his seat belt. “I can’t believe you were going to do all this extra work on your own.”
“I’ve done it before.” Julia looked wistfully out of the window. “I wish sometimes that I did work for someone else. It must be lovely to work somewhere where you get paid holidays, and someone to do your work when you’re ill.”
Cain said, “I was thinking about that last night. If you had more people working for you, you could take time off easier.”
Julia looked at him. “I’m not sure about that, it sounds like more responsibility.”
Cain gave her a wise look. “You’ve got to expand to grow your business. You’ve got an excellent reputation, and you’ve always got a list of potential clients. You could have an army of cleaners working for you. Then you could stop doing as much cleaning work yourself and have more of a managerial role.”
Julia smiled. “I’m impressed with your knowledge Cain. I’ll think about it.”
Cain hadn’t finished, “You could go to night classes to learn more about management.” He gave her a small smile. “That’s what I’m thinking of doing. I never took my exams when I was younger, you know, with being in prison. I want to learn about things, I want to know more.”
“And so you should. I’m proud of you, Cain, you’ve come a long way since that day that I interviewed you, you were so nervous.”
“It might help you to become a good manager if you were in better physical shape. That assault course would be just the thing. We get to cover our faces in mud!”
Julia laughed. “The only thing on my face will be a luxury face pack. And I’m fit enough already, sort of. We’d better get going, we’ve got a full day of cleaning and the office work after that.”
Julia drove to their first client’s home. Her yawns came frequently during her cleaning work. Despite feeling tired, she noticed that Cain worked extra hard and quickly so that Julia didn’t have to do as much. Perhaps having a fleet of friendly cleaners would be a good idea.
They worked hard all day, only stopping for a quick lunch, and then continued through the afternoon.
Julia drove into the multi-storey car park in Leeds at 5 p.m. She said to Cain, “We’re a bit early. Let me take you for something to eat. I know you’ve been doing more than your fair share of the work today. Where do you want to go? There’s plenty of places to choose from.”
Cain said, “Burger and chips. That’s good enough for me. Thank you.”
Julia took him to the nearest fast-food chain. She thought about getting a chicken salad for herself but her rumbling tummy decided otherwise. Julia informed herself that she needed the energy boost that only a large cheeseburger could provide. She would have a salad tomorrow.
Once they had finished their meal they headed over to the offices of Inkwell’s Insurance.
Julia said, “We’ve made it in time. It�
�s not even six yet. If we work quickly we could be done in less than two hours. Don’t start chatting to Fred. I know he’s lovely but he’ll slow us down.”
“I had a good chat with him yesterday when you went to the basement. He met his wife when he was in the army. He told me he hated leaving her behind when he had to go overseas. He made a note of the places he went to and he promised his wife that he’d take her to those places when they retired.”
“That sounds romantic. Did they go?”
Cain shook his head. “No, she died before he retired. Fred didn’t have the heart to go on his own.”
Julia paused outside the revolving door of the building. “Oh, that’s so sad. Did you ask Fred why he was still working now? He’s well past retirement age.”
“I did ask him. He says he gets lonely at home. And he doesn’t sleep very well at night so this night job suits him perfectly.” A stricken look suddenly crossed his face. “Julia! You don’t think something awful is going to happen to Fred, do you?”
“Such as?”
“Such as someone murdering him! You know what happens when you work near someone, a murdered body usually appears at some point. It’s like you’ve got a curse surrounding you.”
Julia tutted in disgust. “I haven’t got a curse surrounding me. Don’t forget that you’ve found the murdered bodies too. It could be you that’s cursed.”
“No, it’s definitely you. You found bodies before I even started working for you.”
Julia thought for a moment. “That is true. I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything. And I’m sure that old Fred is going to be alright.”
Cain didn’t look convinced. “Just don’t get too close to him, just in case.”
Julia sighed and shook her head. “I’ll try and keep my cursed self away from him.” She moved towards the revolving door and stepped into a segment. Cain got in the one behind. Julia called over her shoulder, “No messing about today with this door!”
Cain didn’t say a word, he was looking straight ahead.
Julia exited the door and waited for him. “Cain? What’s wrong?”
Cain pointed towards the reception desk. “It’s Fred, he’s crying.” Cain jogged over to the old man, Julia followed him.
Fred was dabbing at his eyes with a tissue. He looked up when he heard Cain and Julia approaching. He waved the tissue at them and said, “Don’t mind me! I’m being emotional. It’s my age. How are you two today? Shall I get your cleaning trolley out?”
“I’ll get it,” Cain said. He walked towards the room where the trolley was kept. He threw Julia a pointed look and indicated his head towards Fred.
Julia moved closer to Fred’s side. “What’s wrong? Is there something I can do?”
Fred dabbed at his eyes again. “No, lass, it’s fine. It’s my wife’s anniversary that’s all. She passed away ten years today. I miss her so much. We had all sorts of plans. Don’t pay any attention to me, I’m just a foolish old man!”
Despite telling Cain earlier not to start any chats with Fred, Julia knew she couldn’t leave the old man like this. She gave Fred a kind look and said, “Tell me all about your wife. Where did you two meet?”
It was a full twenty minutes before Julia and Cain felt they could leave Fred alone. His tears had dried and he had a bright smile on his face. As Julia and Cain finally walked towards the lift, he called out, “I’ll see you in a bit, I’ll be on my rounds soon.”
Cain stepped into the lift. He gave a little shake of his head. “I don’t like leaving him. I’ve got an awful feeling that something terrible is going to happen. Can you feel it?”
“No,” Julia lied.
Chapter 8
A woman dashed into the lift just as the doors were closing. She had a phone pressed to her ear. She flashed Julia and Cain a quick smile and then pressed the button for floor eight.
Julia recognised the woman as the one who had been talking to Ivor Walsall the previous night, the one she assumed to be his girlfriend. Julia couldn’t help but listen to the conversation the woman was having.
“Ivor, I’m not sure. I know you keep telling me it’s for the best but it doesn’t feel right.”
There was silence as the woman listened to Ivor’s reply. Then she said, “I suppose you are right. I’ll stick to the original plan. I’m on my way up now, I’ll see you in a minute.”
Julia and Cain left the lift at floor seven. As Cain pushed the trolley towards the desks he said, “I wonder what that was all about. Do you think she was talking to the same Ivor that we met yesterday?”
“I’m sure of it. I saw them looking very cosy together last night.” She narrowed her eyes. “I wonder what they’re planning.”
Lorraine Carver stalked towards them, her chin held high and her mouth pinched into a tight line.
“Good afternoon,” Cain called out cheerfully.
Lorraine shot him a look of disgust. “You’re late.” She focused hate-filled eyes on Julia. “I shall be reporting this to Mr Rayburn. That other cleaner was never late. Why are you so late? Tell me!”
Julia looked at the woman and coolly said, “I don’t work for you, I don’t need to tell you anything. We will be working our agreed two hours. If you move out of the way, we can make a start.”
Lorraine’s nostrils flared and she looked as if she wanted to say a lot more to Julia. Julia put her hand on the cleaning trolley and guided it towards the first set of desks. She heard a huffing noise coming from Lorraine but she ignored it and reached for the first bin that needed emptying.
Cain came to Julia’s side and whispered, “She’s gone now. She’s flounced off down the office. She doesn’t like you at all.”
“I’m not very fond of her either.” Julia looked up at the clock on the wall. “It’s nearly time for their meeting. As soon as they go, I’ll get the vacuum out and we’ll speed up a bit.”
Cain looked towards the far side of the office. “I think Joe’s trying to get your attention, he’s waving at you.”
Julia sighed and reached for the next bin. “I don’t have time to chat with him. Ignore him, I’ll speak to him later if we have time.”
“Too late, he’s heading down this way. And that Lorraine is at his side.”
Julia dumped the contents of the bin into the main bin on the trolley. She felt someone tap her shoulder. She turned around to face the smiling face of Joe.
“Hi! I won’t keep you long,” he began.
Lorraine put her hand on his arm and said, “We’ve got to go to the meeting now.”
Joe didn’t look away from Julia. “Thanks for your good luck text this morning.”
“You sent him a text!” Lorraine screeched.
“Yes,” Julia said. “How did the interview go? Will you be moving to Hong Kong any time soon?”
Joe’s smile faltered. “No, it seems I’m not quite ready yet. It was a good interview though, all good experience. I’m sure other positions will come up.”
Lorraine added, “It’s for the best. This isn’t a good time for Joe to be leaving the country. Is it Joe?”
Joe didn’t look at Lorraine. He gave Julia a quick nod and said, “Thanks again. Looks like you’ll be coming to my apartment for years to come! I’d better go. Catch you later. Nice to see you again, Cain.”
Cain said, “Catch you later.”
Lorraine managed to throw Julia another disgusted look before she turned away.
Fred had appeared silently behind Lorraine and Joe. Lorraine walked right into him. “Watch where you’re going! What are you doing, creeping up on people like that? I think I should report you to Mr Rayburn. You’re too old to be working here.”
Fred tried to move away. “I’m so sorry, miss. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Move!” Lorraine ordered.
“I can’t miss, you’re standing on my foot.”
Everyone looked down at Fred’s feet. Lorraine’s sharp heel was resting on Fred’s left foot.
Joe gasped and pulled
Lorraine brusquely to one side. “For goodness’ sake, Lorraine! Watch where you’re walking. Those shoes are like lethal weapons! Fred, are you alright? I apologise on my colleague’s behalf.”
Fred nodded and gave Joe a watery smile. “I’m alright. It’s my fault.”
“Yes it is!” Lorraine shot out.
Joe pulled Lorraine away and muttered another apology to Fred. He strode away down the office, Lorraine tottered behind him.
Julia went to Fred’s side. “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want me to look at your foot, it could be bleeding.”
Fred gave her a small smile. “I’m okay, honestly.” He gave a laugh. “I’m not having a good day, am I? I’ll leave you two alone. I need to get on with my rounds.” He patted Julia’s arm and shuffled away.
Cain said, “I do not like that Lorraine at all! Are you sure I can’t knock her over with the trolley? I could make it look like an unfortunate accident.”
“Don’t tempt me. No. Let’s ignore her and crack on.” Julia looked around the office. “Everyone’s gone for the meeting now, I’ll get the vacuum out.”
Julia whizzed around with the vacuum cleaner whilst Cain emptied the remaining bins. They had a quick visit to the basement so that Julia could empty the main bin. Cain stood guard by the lift doors in case any vampire rats appeared.
They headed towards floor eight and were soon emptying more bins. The management meeting ended and people filed out of Karl Rayburn’s office. Julia ignored the look that Lorraine threw her as she walked past.
Cain’s hands tightened on the handles of the trolley. He muttered to Julia, “Just say the word …”
They worked their way up the office. They were interrupted at one point by Ivor Walsall. “Hey, Julia, do you think you could do some cleaning work for me?” This was said with twinkling eyes. “I could always do with some extra help in the bedroom.”
Julia didn’t have time for this. “We’re fully booked at the moment. Sorry. Excuse me, I need to get to that bin behind you.”
Murder Makes A Claim (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 8) Page 3