by MA Comley
Lorne glanced up to see Tony leaning against the doorframe. “I take it we’re going out now.”
“Off in five, if that’s all right with you.”
“No problem. I’ve just got to move a couple of bags of dog food in the kennels for Charlie, and I’ll be with you.”
• • •
Sheila Davison greeted them with a sadness-tinged smile. After shaking hands, she invited Lorne and Tony to take a seat opposite her in her small office.
“How can I help?”
“You can tell me if you’ve noticed any change in Karen recently?”
“Nothing that I can think of. Karen’s worked for me for the past five years. Exemplary attendance and work record. If there had been anything out of the ordinary, at least one of those things would have slipped, wouldn’t it?” The woman picked up her fountain pen and placed the lid on it before setting it back down on the ink blotter in front of her.
Lorne nodded. “Have you employed any new members of staff lately? I’m wondering if there has been a conflict of sorts that I should be aware of?”
“No. We’re a small firm, and the staff have worked with me for years. Times are tough. If anything, I’ve had to lay some staff off, not take any extra on. Things would have to be pretty drastic around here for me to sack Karen. Like I’ve said already, her work is exemplary.”
“Oh well, I guess that draws a line under that possible issue. Have you noticed any change in her at all over the past few weeks? Anything?”
“Thinking about it, she seemed brighter in herself, more confident, I suppose I’d have to say. I never really got around to asking her why.”
“When did you notice the change in her?”
“That’s hard to say. Maybe a month or so ago. I could have a word with the other members of my staff to see if they can come up with anything. Maybe she confided in one of them.”
Lorne smiled. “That would be great.”
Sheila Davison left her office and returned wearing a frown.
“Something wrong?”
Sheila sat down in her chair again and clasped her slender fingers in front of her. “Only in the respect that no one has any further news that I can pass on to you. It’s a mystery why she would disappear like she has.”
“A mystery we intend solving, if we can, Ms. Davison. We won’t hold you up any longer. If anything else comes to light, will you ring me?”
“Of course, that goes without saying. I have your number. I hope you find Karen soon. This place isn’t quite the same without her.”
Lorne and Tony shook hands with the solicitor and then left the office.
“The ex-boyfriend next?” Tony pressed the key fob, and the doors unlocked with a clunk.
“Yep, it’s not far from here. Let’s hope something comes of that visit, because we’re going to struggle if that meeting turns up blank, too. Why would a well-liked woman just disappear like that?”
Tony started the car and looked down at the address Lorne had scribbled on a piece of paper. “Well, they wouldn’t, unless they met someone who wanted them out of the way.”
“Met someone or knew someone already?”
Tony raised an eyebrow. “Well, that’s what we’re about to find out now.”
CHAPTER FOUR
They waited impatiently on Paul Cram’s doorstep for around five minutes before he finally dragged himself out of bed and opened the front door, wearing boxer shorts and a wrinkly off-white T-shirt that said, ‘Even hunks have off days.’ Looking at the state of him, Lorne found herself agreeing with the statement. Her skin crawled as she struggled to push down the threatening shudder.
“Yeah, what do you want?” he asked with half-shut, sore-looking eyes.
“Paul Cram?” Lorne asked, taking an instant dislike to the grubby man in his late twenties to early thirties.
“Yeah. Who wants to know?” He squinted as he spoke.
Tony barged past him and into the hallway of the terrace house that seemed to have been converted into flats.
“Hey, you can’t do that. I’ve got rights! Call him off,” he told Lorne.
Lorne shrugged. “Not until we’ve had a little chat.”
Cram’s eyes narrowed as his gaze flicked between Lorne and Tony. “About what? And who are you?”
“You want to do this here so your neighbours can hear?”
“Whatever. Unless you tell me who you are, we’re staying put.”
Lorne gave him one of her business cards.
He read it and frowned when he looked up at her again. “Private investigators. Investigating what?”
“The disappearance of Karen Meldrew,” Lorne said.
“Your ex-girlfriend,” Tony quickly added to refresh the man’s memory.
Cram sneered at Tony. “I know who she is. When did she go missing?”
“We don’t know exactly. Sometime over the last few days. Have you seen her?” Lorne asked.
Cram leaned against the dreary sepia-coloured wall covered in scuff marks and gouges from where people had rested their bikes against it. As he folded his arms, his mouth moved from side to side as he thought. “Not for a year or so.”
“Really?” Lorne asked dubiously. The man’s demeanour was screaming at her not to trust him.
Cram’s lip curled, and he glared at her. “Yeah, really.”
Tony stepped forward, and the man pressed back against the wall. “Don’t take that tone with my wife. You hear me?”
Cram raised his hands in front of himself. “All right, big man. Back off. I’m the one being accused of something here. I got a right to be antsy. I told you I ain’t seen Karen in over a year. We didn’t exactly get along too well come the end.”
“Yeah, we heard,” Tony jumped in before Lorne had the chance to reply.
“Things happen. Shit happens,” Cram said, warily backing away from Tony’s intimidation.
“Which is why we’re here talking to you. Are you carrying a grudge?” Lorne asked the question wearing one of her friendly smiles that inspired people to confide in her.
“A grudge? About what?”
“Did she finish your relationship, or did you?”
“To be honest, I can’t remember that far back. I got bored with her months before the relationship, if you can call it that, ended.”
Lorne and Tony exchanged glances. “And you haven’t seen her since your relationship ended?”
“Nope. I’ve not laid eyes on her since she packed up and left.”
“Why did she leave?”
“Not really sure. She just did. I did my best to put up with her nagging me about spending too much money on my car or down the boozer, but you know how it is?” He directed the final part of his statement at Tony. “It wears you down after a while.”
“I wouldn’t know. My wife doesn’t nag.” Tony replied matter-of-factly with a look of disdain.
“Ain’t you the lucky one?” Cram mumbled.
Lorne held back the snigger teetering on the edge of escape. “Let’s cut to the chase here. According to Karen’s sister, Stacy, she seems to think you might have a score to settle with Karen. Have you?”
He thrust away from the wall, and Tony raised a wary hand against his chest to push him back. “Now wait just a minute. That bitch has always hated me. Every opportunity that came her way, she jumped on it and twisted the knife just that little bit deeper. I ain’t seen Karen—I’m telling you.”
“You seem awfully angry to me, Cram. Which tells me one of two things. Either that’s guilt speaking, or you genuinely haven’t seen her. Let’s put it this way. If she came knocking on your door right now, what kind of reception would she get?”
He didn’t have to think about his answer for long. “I wouldn’t be pleased to see her, but then I wouldn’t slam the door in her face if she was in trouble. She knows that she can still count on me when times get tough. I wouldn’t turn my back on anyone who needs my help.”
He sounded genuine enough, b
ut Lorne relied on her gut feeling, and in Cram’s case, something didn’t feel right at all. Maybe she felt that way because of what Stacy had said about the way Cram had treated Karen when they lived together. She wasn’t sure. But she did know that she couldn’t force the man to tell them anything. If she were still a copper, she would have dragged him down the station for questioning. That was the only downside she had encountered since becoming a PI. She made a mental note to ring Katy the second they got back in the car.
Lorne shrugged at Tony, then turned to Cram. “Okay, we’re going to leave now. You have my number. If she should contact you for any reason, please call me straight away. Both my mobile and home numbers are on the card.”
“I doubt she’ll get in touch, but if she does, yeah, I’ll ring you. Mind if I go back to bed now?”
Tony glared at the man, seemingly as annoyed by his flippant attitude as Lorne was. “Yeah, get back to bed. On benefits, are you?”
Lorne pulled her husband’s arm and walked towards the front door.
“Yeah, I’m on benefits. Why? Wanna give me a job?” Cram shouted after them.
Closing the door behind them, Tony said, “Not if you were the last miserable shit alive on earth, mate.”
Lorne laughed. “I’m going to ring Katy. That was our only lead, and look how that turned out.”
“I’m not sure about him. Christ, why would anyone find that attractive.”
“You certainly have a point there. He’s disgusting. But then, us women do have weird tastes at times where men are concerned. I mean, look at what I got lumbered with.” She ran ahead out of his reach and jumped in the car. She was busy dialling Katy’s number before he got in beside her. “You can’t touch me. I’m busy.”
He gave her a mock sneer and mouthed, “You’ll keep.”
The phone rang for two rings before Katy answered. “DS Foster, how may I help?”
“You’ve got two days to get two million together, or your teddy gets the chop.”
Katy laughed. “Holding my teddy to ransom again, are you, Mrs. Warner? Shame on you. The depths some people will go to.”
“Yeah, you’d know all about that, of course. How are you, hon?”
“Stressed, as usual. How are you after…Sam’s passing? Sorry I haven’t been in touch lately.”
Tears misted her eyes as her father’s smile filled her thoughts. “Bearing up. It’s been a struggle, but we’re almost there. Some of us are handling the loss better than others. Don’t feel guilty about not getting in touch. I appreciate how busy you must have been after getting reinstated.”
“I’ll drop by and tell you my latest news soon. I promise.”
“Sounds ominous. Why don’t you stay the weekend? We’re planning a barbecue. Obviously, that’s if the weather behaves itself. Oh, and your services are required to be a judge in a contest between Charlie and Tony.”
“They are? I could do with a break, and I’d love to see you and the rest of the gang. Speaking of which, how’s Charlie?”
“An omelette challenge. Charlie’s fine, virtually back to full health now. Right, now that the niceties are out of the way, I want to run a case past you.”
“I’m up against it today, but I’ll see what I can do for you during my lunch break, if that helps?”
“I really don’t want to add to your stress.”
“Nonsense. I know you wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t necessary. Fire away.”
“If you’re sure. No rush to get back to me today. Bring whatever you find out with you tomorrow if you like.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Let’s have it.”
Lorne gave her a quick resume of the case and asked Katy to do a background check on Paul Cram as thoroughly as she could manage, given her workload and the time frame.
“He sounds like a right charmer,” Katy said, “and you’ve got no other leads on why this Karen Meldrew should disappear?”
“Nothing that we’ve uncovered yet. I’m going to get the keys to her flat and have a look there.”
“Yep, I would do that, too. It’s pretty weird for her to go missing. I must say it doesn’t bode well.”
“Yeah, that’s my sentiments exactly. See you around twelve tomorrow? That gives you a chance to have a lie in.”
“Thanks. You’re so thoughtful. I’ll see you then. Say hi to Tony for me.”
“Will do. He’s sitting right beside me now.”
Lorne hung up and immediately rang Stacy. “Stacy, it’s Lorne Warner.”
“Oh, thank goodness. I was going out of my mind with worry. Have you found her?”
“Not yet. Sorry to get your hopes up unnecessarily. We’ve been to see the charming Mr. Cram. No joy there, I’m afraid. I’m getting an ex-colleague of mine to do some digging into his background. I was wondering if you would allow us to look through Karen’s flat, at her belongings. Maybe we’ll find something there to go on. At the moment, we’re simply chasing our tails. We need something solid to work with.”
“Of course, anything to help. Now, where did I put her spare key? It’s not much, a pokey one-bed place. It’s all she could afford after Cram left her up to her eyes in debt.”
“At least it’ll be easier to find a clue or two, if there are any to be found, of course. I’ll drop by now and pick up the key. Is that all right?”
“I’m going out in half an hour. Can you make it before then?”
“We’re on our way now.”
• • •
They arrived at Stacy’s house within fifteen minutes. Stacy was on the pavement, waiting for them. Tony hopped out of the car, and Stacy dropped the key to Karen’s flat in his open hand.
When they tracked down the address to a busy housing estate, they found Karen’s flat in darkness. Despite the sunny day outside, Karen had neglected to open the lounge curtains before she’d left her flat, or had she? The sparsely decorated lounge and bedroom contained very few hiding places. Lorne and Tony split up to conduct a thorough search. Lorne volunteered to hunt through the bedroom while Tony was happy to search the lounge and tiny kitchenette just off it.
Twenty minutes later, Lorne rejoined her husband in the lounge. “Anything?”
“Nothing at all.”
“I found her laptop. That might be of some use, but I bet it’s password protected, knowing our luck.”
Tony held out his hand to take it, opened the lid, and switched it on. “Yep, password protected as you predicted. Maybe Stacy knows what it is.”
Lorne rang Stacy’s mobile. “Sorry to trouble you again, Stacy. We’re at Karen’s flat. Her laptop is here, but it’s password protected. Any idea what it might be?”
“Crumbs! I used to know. What was it?”
“No rush now. I can hear how manic it is there. We’ll take it home with us. Give me a call if you remember it, will you?”
“Will do. Sorry I’m not much help.”
They hung up. “Not much we can do, except keep trying to break the code.”
“Let’s get back. We’ll do it at home.”
“Wait, I’ll just search around again. There might be a case for it in the wardrobe.” Lorne dashed back into the bedroom and pulled aside the few clothes the woman had. There, tucked at the back, was the battered laptop bag she was looking for. “Found it.” She waved it around as she entered the lounge. Tony slotted the laptop into the cushioned fabric case, and they left the flat, eager to get home to start their investigation. Lorne hoped Karen had noted down the password and hidden it in one of the pockets, like most people seemed to do.
CHAPTER FIVE
After a very restless night, Lorne got out of bed at six and crept downstairs to let Henry in the garden. She intended to leave Tony to sleep awhile longer. Half the reason she’d had difficulty sleeping was that he’d been fidgeting and twitching the majority of the night. She made a note on a sheet of paper on the kitchen table to call the doctor for advice about his fitful sleeping and the obvious pain his leg was causing h
im, knowing full well that her husband wouldn’t. However, that wasn’t the only cause behind her inability to sleep. The case had reached the part where frustration was about to set in, which in this case, was extremely early.
The previous afternoon, Tony had spent hours trying to get inside Karen’s laptop. Lorne’s check of the computer bag had come up blank. Tony had then used all the information they had about Karen, which proved to be very little, and tried several times to gain access to the computer with no luck.
After contemplating their lack of progress over a mug of coffee, Lorne started preparing the salad that would accompany their planned barbecue. The sun’s rays filled the kitchen, bringing a smile to her face. She felt blessed because usually when they organised a family barbecue, the heavens opened, and they got drenched. As she chopped the vegetables for the coleslaw, she wondered if Katy would bring any worthwhile news.
“Morning, beautiful.” Tony stood behind her and gathered her in his arms.
“You scared me. I thought you were still in the land of Nod.”
“I felt you get out of bed and couldn’t go back to sleep. Thought I’d get up and help with the preparations.”
She turned around and kissed him hard on the lips. “Ever the thoughtful one. How’s the leg?”
He released her and moved over to boil the kettle. “It’s fine.”
“Tony, don’t lie to me. You need to see the doctor if it’s causing you so much pain.”
“I know, and I will. I promise. Let’s get today out of the way first, eh? Have you been out to check on the dogs yet?”
“Not yet, and stop changing the subject. I’ll ring the doc later and make you an appointment. That’s the end of the matter.”
“Yes, boss. Any reason why you haven’t checked on the inmates yet?”
“Only that I didn’t want them making a noise at this time of the morning. Leave it another half an hour or so. Charlie should be up then. I’d rather leave her to deal with the dogs first thing. She’s got into a good routine now. It would be a shame to spoil it.”
“I’ll go and shower and then get things set up for the barbecue, after another cuddle.”
Lorne stepped into his arms, and they shared another lingering kiss before a cough disturbed them.