by Zach Abrams
“Cold is good for me and don't bother with the corkscrew because it's a metal screw cap. Only the best.”
“Okay, most bottles are screw tops or synthetic corks now. When I`ve holidayed with my folks in France, we would go along to the wine shop or cooperative with our own containers and they would fill them up with locally produced wine out of a barrel, at prices starting at not much more than a euro a litre. Most people use three or five litre plastic tanks. The wine tastes really good too, although it doesn't travel well or keep very long. It doesn't get a chance to anyway. There's so much stupid snobbery with wine and you get some people claiming that it should always have a real cork. I remember reading that as many as a third of the bottles sealed with cork are infected and the wine tainted.”
“Yeah, I've read that too. Listen, you said you'd something to discuss about the case. Let's get all the business out of the way and then we can enjoy ourselves.”
“Sounds good to me. There have been a few developments since you left this afternoon. Nothing too earth-shattering, but you never know where it might lead to.
“First of all, we're meeting in the office tomorrow at ten to compare notes, brainstorm what we have and identify who does what next.
“Now, the new things we have. Donny has been working in Pitt Street and carrying out some background research. He has Mathewson's mobile and he's been going through the address book and linking the names and he's also been checking the activity on the phone log.”
“Okay, standard checks, what's he come up with?”
“Everything and everyone you'd expect, various members of the family and managers, some employees and various other business contacts from the industry and the local community. Chuck Holbein was in it and the dates and times tied in with what we might have expected from what she'd told us. However, he found there was also a number of calls both received and made to another number. It turned out to be a Mister Yakimoto, or should that be Yakimoto san, I've never been too knowledgeable on Japanese titles.”
“You don't need to be, Mister will do, and if he doesn't like it then too bad. Who is he?”
“He's the International Commercial Director of Teiko, they're a large, fast growing Japanese-owned drinks company. Donny checked into them and it's an old established business which used to produce sake, but only in the last thirty years they started making whisky in Japan. They've been very successful and won a shed-load of awards in the international markets. Over the last ten years, they've grown enormously and they've made a number of acquisitions of European and North American companies. I reckon Mathewson's being talking to them as well about selling Benlochy. Donny said there were a couple of angry sounding voice messages left yesterday morning asking why Mathewson didn't turn up for a planned meeting.”
“Very interesting. Has Donny contacted him yet?”
“No, he wanted to check with you first.”
“Okay, when we have the team meeting in the morning we can sort out who'll take it forward. Anything else?”
“Yes, Mathewson's two children are due back from holiday tonight. They're on the last B.A. shuttle so they're probably at Heathrow as we speak waiting to board. I've arranged we can go out to their house to speak to them in the morning. Georgina knows to expect us. Also, Callum McPherson's due back tonight as well. You remember he's the Materials Controller, the other senior manager. He went away on Wednesday night because he had meetings up north to see a number of suppliers. We've spoken to him on the phone and there was little point in dragging him back early. He ought to be home by now and we've arranged to see him in the morning as well.”
“Is that the lot?”
“I reckon it's enough. For the meeting tomorrow, I've arranged Sanjay, Phil, Donny and Mary will all be there. Are you available for it?”
“Yes, I was intending to come in for part of the morning and I reckon it would be worth being in on it.”
While they'd been talking, Sandra had served the pie on a plate along with some vegetables she'd heated in the microwave. Alex had opened and poured the red wine and they'd already quaffed their way down most of the bottle. They were both feeling comfortable and mellow and a little intoxicated.
“I have some cheese and biscuits if you'd like or we can go straight to the dessert.” Sandra offered.
“I'm really quite full up. I'm happy to skip the cheese and I don't know if I could manage dessert either. I really enjoyed that, good food, good wine and best of all good company.”
Sandra felt her cheeks burning but didn't know if it was from embarrassment or intoxication. “You are very kind but the meal was just thrown together from items I picked up at the supermarket. One day, when I have more time to prepare, I'll cook for you ploppelly,” she replied stumbling over her consonants.
“You cook too? What other hidden talents might you have?” Alex asked in a slightly leering tone.
She went to the cupboard and lifted out two snifters with a bottle of Remy Martin and walked back and placed them on the table. She stood next to Alex and stroked his face before lowering her own towards him and grazing his lips with hers. “I've been saving this for a special occasion. I think it's a lovely way to end a meal and we could take our glasses through next door.”
“I'm sorry but I'm going to pass on the brandy too. We both need to be up and driving tomorrow morning and you know how paranoid I am about drink driving. I've had about as much drink as I can take for me to be totally sober to drive tomorrow. Let's keep the brandy for another time but I can think of better ways to celebrate.” Alex stood and pulled Sandra against him, he framed her face between both his hands then gently kissed her eyes and nose before their mouths came together. After a few seconds, Sandra withdrew a pace and held Alex's hand in hers as they walked from the kitchen towards the bedroom.
Chapter 17
The room was still dark as Alex's eyes fluttered open. The curtains hadn't been properly closed and the yellow glow of a streetlight reflected through the crack. When he turned his head, he could just make out the clock radio on the far cabinet showing a few minutes before seven a.m. The air was warm and only a sheet covered his naked body. Sandra was still asleep beside him, her arm stretched loosely over his chest. He could feel her warmth and hear her steady rhythmic breathing. He took a moment to admire her shapely outline, her slim muscular limbs which had so recently been intertwined with his own. He carefully lifted her arm to enable him to escape, slipping from under the sheet. As he collected his clothes and reached the door, he looked back at the bed and fought the temptation to slip back in to resume their physical union. Alex walked into the bathroom and turned the shower to cold, deciding it best to cool his ardour if he was hoping to get any work done. His head was still a bit muggy from the combined effect of his exertions, lack of sleep and the after-effects of the wine. A few minutes standing under the ice cold jets and he felt more ready to face the day.
Alex tore the wrappings off the new toothbrush Sandra had provided and discovered it hadn't only been a joke when she said she'd purchased extra hard. He cleaned his teeth but found the tough bristles tearing at his gums and he made a mental note to replace the brush with something softer. The disposable razor allowed him to clean his face but not as effectively as his own razor, and again he thought he'd need to supply a more appropriate replacement. Sandra had done well in providing for him at all and he was grateful. He hoped staying over could become a regular occurrence but didn't want to seem too presumptuous bringing his own gear.
Alex threw on his clothes and stepped out of the bathroom, only to see Sandra walking towards him. She looked sleepy and her hair was tousled. She was wearing a dressing gown over her shoulders but the front hadn't been tied, leaving her exposed. The effect of the cold shower was instantly lost as he found this appearance was more sexy and more alluring than if she'd stayed naked.
“You're up bright and early.”
“Yes, I need to get back to Shawlands to collect my car and papers. I was just about to c
all a taxi.”
“No need for that, just give me ten minutes to come to and I'll drive you over.”
Sandra followed the direction of Alex's gaze. She smiled, and shrugging the gown from her shoulders, it fell on a heap at her feet. “I'm going for a shower, care to join me?” Sandra reached for his hand.
“I've already had one, a cold one, but I think the effect's worn off.”
“All the more reason for another.” Sandra met no resistance when she led Alex back into the bathroom and assisted him in disrobing. She turned on the shower and stepped under the jet, but only for a split second. “Bloody Hell, you were serious about having it cold.” She adjusted the thermostat and then more cautiously stepped back under the flowing water, reaching out to draw Alex in with her. They took turns in lathering one another using soap-covered hands and fingers to explore each other's form, pausing over lumps and bumps, creases and crevices. Their lips came together and their tongues wrestled as, amidst laboured breathing, they vied to bring comfort and pleasure to one another.
It was over an hour, instead of the ten minutes suggested, before they left the flat for Sandra to drive Alex home. In that time, they'd exhausted their sexual appetite, at least for the time being, having showered as well as being fed and watered.
Sandra turned on the ignition, and as the engine fired into life, so did the car radio.
`We're caught in a trap
And I can't walk out
Because I love you too much baby'
Roland Gift's unmistakable intonations greeted them singing the Fine Young Cannibals cover of `Suspicious Minds.' Albeit with a different intended meaning, so much of the lyrics represented Alex's and Sandra's current relationship and their discussion of the previous evening. Simultaneously, they looked at each other, laughed ironically, and their hands met as they both reached to switch off the radio.
* * *
Alex raced up to his flat, collected his briefcase and car keys and returned before Sandra had time to complete turning her car around. They both headed back into Glasgow to find suitable parking and made their way back to their office. Alex arrived within a couple of minutes of Sandra and he noted that the rest of the team were already at their desks. He wasn't certain if it was just his imagination or whether he detected covert glances and smiles being exchanged as they looked between him and Sandra.
“Is this your weekend clothes?” Phil enquired, eyeing his casual wear. Alex realised, with time being short, he hadn't thought to change into his normal working attire. `Maybe I'm becoming paranoid and that's all they were looking at,' he pondered.
“I'm only here for an hour or two then I'm taking my boys out. I'll stay for the meeting, of course, but I won't be taking part in any interviews. Since everyone is now here, why don't we kick off early?”
Alex pulled the team together and they all sat in a circle. “Let's go over what we have. Sandra, you start and everyone else cut in whenever you think of anything.”
“Right, Boss. We've got loads of questions and not too many answers. The answers we do have just lead us to even more questions, so we really need to find something to give us a breakthrough. We know Mathewson died sometime on Wednesday night, probably between the hours of midnight and one a.m. He was hit by a single blow to the head and died almost instantly.
“We haven't found the weapon nor can we be certain what it might have been. The wound was small and circular and caused by some force so it could have been something like the head of a hammer or another thing that could be wielded. Maybe even a pole like a spear.”
“Could it have been something fired, like a pellet from a gun or a slingshot?” Mary suggested.
“I don't think so but we can't rule it out. There's also the charade with the broken racks and bottles and the mystery about the glass. What was it and where has it come from? It could be a red herring but it might also be an important clue if we could only work it out.
“For motives, we have too many options. Mathewson has upset a lot of people over the years. As always, family have to be considered as prime suspects. Mathewson's fought with many of his. His marriage is a sham and he has issues with his brother-in-law and father-in-law. We don't know yet about his children. He's had at least one failed business in the past, so he's certain to have made enemies there. He's been trying to sell Benlochy, which could have upset a lot of people, and we know he's been involved in supplying illegal booze, therefore it's most likely he's been involved with organised crime to do it. As if that's not all been enough, he's a serial womaniser. It would probably be easier to identify anyone who didn't have a motive to kill him than those who did.
“Now for opportunity, that's pretty tricky. The body was found in the cask room and he wasn't recorded as being in the distillery. We're fairly confident he used the tunnel but we've got no evidence to prove it.
“Was the murder premeditated or was it a spur of the moment thing? We still can't be certain. Who would have known where to find him? And of those, who was either already on the premises or else knew how to get in without being noticed? Whoever it was knew how to cover up. They didn't leave any evidence and they removed the weapon. That suggests premeditation, either that or whoever it was must have been really smart and able to improvise.”
“Or very lucky,” Phil added.
“Yes, possibly.”
“If it wasn't someone already in Benlochy, could Mathewson have brought them in through the tunnel?” Sanjay asked.
“That's distinctly possible, otherwise they knew about it themselves and let themselves in. When I mentioned being able to cover up, that applied to the tunnel and the shack and not just the distillery, so whoever it was is really well organised and knows enough about investigative procedure to know how to hide.”
“Do you think it's specialist knowledge or just picked up from watching T.V. or reading novels?” Mary enquired.
“Who's to say? I don't believe it's specialist, but that's only a guess because it's been good enough not to give anything away.
“Let's run through potential suspects and alibis.”
Donny kicked off. “There's all the family for starters. His wife Georgina claims to have been home alone and doesn't have an alibi. His two kids we've still to speak to later today, but we already know that at the time of the murder, they were on holiday at Klosters, and we've confirmed with the hotel that they were on the slopes on both Wednesday and Thursday, so it rules them out.”
“I don't disagree, but we don't have confirmed statements to completely close them out yet,” Sanjay added.
Sandra continued, “Next there's the father-in-law, Daniel Burns, and we know they have a history and more recent disputes about the company sale. But Daniel has limited mobility since his stroke, and in any event, he was given an alibi by his servant, Travers. So that would take collusion.
“Then we have Quentin. He and Mathewson detested each other, so no shortage of motive, but why now? His wife Fiona gives him an alibi and they confirmed their son Frank was home too. Samuel wasn't home until very late, and we've still to corroborate where he said he'd been.”
“That's number one on the `to do' list,” Sanjay noted.
Resuming her summary, Sandra followed on, “The other brother, Stanley, seemed to get on okay with Mathewson. Arguably he'd be disadvantaged by his death, but we can't be certain he saw it that way, particularly with the talk of selling out. He was at home and his partner, Barry gives him an alibi.”
“What about outwith the family?” Mary asked.
“To start with, there's his sexual partner on the night of his death. We've still to track down who that is.”
“Maybe it's like a black widow spider; she has sex with men and then kills them,” Donny suggested.
“I don't know, for someone really special, I might be prepared to take the risk. Only one lick of the honey pot and then dead. What do you say Sandra?” Donny leered.
“You can forget about the sex, but I might just have to kill you a
nyway. Go on with your summary.”
“For other possibilities, there are the other managers at the distillery,” Donny continued. “Patrick Gillespie's about ages with Daniel Burns and doesn't look like he has the strength to strike a match, never mind a killing blow. His statement shows he was at home, alone, at the time of death. Gillespie's nephew, Callum McPherson, is a more likely prospect. If he knew about the sale talks, he wouldn't have been too happy, not with his strong Nationalist views. He's been away and we're due to talk to him today.”
“When did he leave?” Sanjay asked.
“That's what we need to find out. His first meeting was in Inverness at ten a.m. on Thursday. He was meant to drive up Wednesday afternoon or evening which would rule him out. The company has its own flat so there aren't any hotel records for us to check. He could have been around for the evil deed and still have had time to get away, then be up in good time for his meeting.”
“We can find out more when we speak to him. Surely he must have credit card usage or receipts which could evidence where he was and when. Certainly if he went up on Wednesday, he's bound to have bought a meal or a coffee or something, quite possibly a petrol receipt. Having said that, be careful if he's too quick in offering that type of corroboration because it's fairly easy to fake,” Sandra suggested.
“Yeah, yeah, we know. Trust nothing and nobody, the standard rules,” Donny mumbled dismissively, then continued with his appraisal. “There are loads more employees at Benlochy, and it's sure as shit that Mathewson will have pissed off most of them at some time, but no obvious contenders for the starring role. If we look outside the distillery, it's the same story, a near infinite number of folk he's screwed or screwed with but no obvious prime suspect. With all the talk of a takeover, that brings in a whole new raft of possibilities and there's some important names involved. Chuck Holbein's known to have been in negotiations. She's already been interviewed, and this Teiko character could be seen today. God knows who else is lurking in the background, as if we don't have enough problems without importing them. No offence, Sanjay.”