by Adele Abbott
I spent the best part of an hour trying to talk Sheila out of giving herself up to the police, but she was adamant it was something she had to do.
“I’m sorry, Kat, but I’m feeling really tired now. I’d like to go and have a lie down.”
“But, Sheila, please. Please don’t—”
She stood up. “There’s something I need to give to you before you go.” She went to the sideboard, and took something out of the top drawer. “Give this to Anne after Don’s funeral, would you?” It was the missing Rolex. “I only took it to make them think there had been a burglary. Tell her that I’m sorry, would you?”
***
I don’t remember walking to the station or getting on the tube, but the next thing I knew, I was at the Sidings.
“Kat? Are you okay?” Zero was at his desk. “You look terrible.”
“I’m fine.”
“Is it your friend? Is she okay?”
“Err, yeah, she’s alright.”
“Do you want a coffee?”
“Yes, please. Make it stronger than usual, would you?”
“There you go.” He joined me in my office. “Hot and very strong.”
“Thanks.” I took a sip.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Positive. You’d better brief me on the two new clients who are coming in this afternoon.”
“Okay, but first, I’ve managed to track down Leroy Sanders. I’ve got an address for him.”
“I won’t be needing that now.”
“How come?”
“I just won’t. Let’s talk about the new clients.”
Before we could, my phone rang.
“Kat, it’s Bruce.”
“Hey.”
“I just wanted to let you know that your buddy, Charlie Beale, has been arrested. He’ll probably be charged with dangerous driving.”
“Right.”
“Is that it? I thought you’d demand he was charged with attempted murder.”
“What good would it do? Realistically, that’s never going to happen, is it? Thanks for letting me know.”
“Hold on. That’s not all. I thought you might be interested to know that the Bell brothers, Alan and Kevin, have been arrested, and charged with the murder of Ray West. Apparently, Westy had been playing around with Alan’s wife.”
The Bell brothers were notorious thugs who ran an illegal betting operation out of a garage in Lewford. No one with even half a brain would cross them.
“Oh? Okay, thanks for letting me know.”
“That’s it? I thought you’d be—”
“Thanks, Bruce. Bye.”
***
That evening, Graham phoned to ask if I wanted to go over to his place, but I fobbed him off with the excuse that I had a headache and needed a quiet night in. I’m pretty sure he knew I was giving him the brush-off, but I didn’t care. All I could think about was Sheila.
When my phone rang, I was sure it would be Graham, trying to get me to change my mind.
“Kat, it’s Pat.”
“What’s wrong? Is it Vi?”
“Yeah. I don’t know what’s happened, but there was a police car and an ambulance at her house.”
“Is she okay?”
“I’m not sure. I asked the policeman, but he wouldn’t tell me anything.”
“Did you see her?”
“No, by the time I got out there, the ambulance had already gone.”
“Do you know where they’ve taken her?”
“Not for sure, but I’d guess University Hospital.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll get straight over there.”
By the time I got downstairs, my Uber ride was waiting for me. The journey only took a few minutes, but it felt like a lifetime. If anything had happened to Vi, I’d hunt down the perp and kill him.
As my ride pulled into the drop-off point, I spotted a police car parked near the main entrance. Standing next to it was Constable Sharp.
“Where is she, Sharpy?”
“What are you doing here, Kat?”
“Looking for my grandmother. Is she okay?”
“She’s fine.”
“Where is she? I want to see her. What did that scumbag do to her?”
“She isn’t here.”
“Which hospital did they take her to?”
“She’s not in hospital. She’s down the station.”
“What’s she doing there?”
“Being questioned.”
“About what?”
“Assault, I’d guess.”
“You’re not making any sense, Sharpy. Her neighbour told me there was an ambulance at her house.”
“That was for the conman. From what I hear, your grandmother caught him going through her drawers, so she chased him out of the bedroom, and pushed him downstairs. He’s got a broken leg and concussion.”
Chapter 25
Nine months later
Sheila gave me a little wave from across the huge room. I never ceased to be amazed by just how bright she was whenever I visited her.
“Thanks for coming, Kat.” She stood up and gave me a hug.
“How are you? You’re looking well.”
“I’m great. What about you?”
“Same old, same old.”
Ramsford prison was a two-hour train journey from London. I tried to visit Sheila at least once a month, if I could. After pleading guilty to manslaughter, she’d been sentenced to eight years behind bars.
“How’s that young man of yours, Kat?”
“Graham’s just fine.”
“Have you moved in together yet?”
“You asked me the same thing the last time I was here. The answer is still the same. No.”
“Why not? What are you waiting for?”
“I’m perfectly happy with the current arrangement.”
She gave me that look of hers. “What about Graham? How does he feel about it?”
“I’ve told him that he’s happy with the current arrangement too.”
“You never change. Just don’t let him slip through your fingers. The good ones don’t come along very often.”
“I’ll bear that in mind.”
Her smile suddenly faded. “I had an unexpected visitor last week.”
“Oh?”
“Anne came to see me. She sent in a request just after your last visit. She was the last person I thought would want to visit me.”
“How did it go?”
“She was lovely. I’d been terrified about seeing her, but she seemed to go out of her way to put me at ease.”
“What did she have to say?”
“Just that she didn’t bear me any ill will.” Sheila reached into her pocket for a tissue. “She said she’d forgiven me. It’s much more than I deserve.”
“Don’t be silly. If Roy’s daughter can forgive you, then the least you can do is forgive yourself.”
“I’ll try.” She wiped away a tear. “Anyway, I want to hear all of your news. How’s the business going?”
“Really well. We’re run off our feet.”
“You shouldn’t be wasting your time coming to visit me, then.”
“Don’t be soft. I can always make time for that.”
“Is that young man with the funny name still working for you?”
“Zero? Yeah, he’s doing great. When I originally set him on, I thought he’d just be doing the admin stuff you used to do, but he’s working on cases more or less full-time now. He’s a natural. And when it comes to computers and stuff like that, he’s a genius.”
“That’s fantastic. And there’s enough work to keep the two of you busy?”
“Too much. I’m using a couple of other people on an as-needed sub-contract basis.”
“I hope they’re not like Westy.”
“Nothing like him. They’re both down-to-earth, honest guys. And you’ll never guess who I’ve got working in the office now.”
“I’ve no idea.”
“Sonya.”
“The what?” I laughed. “Who calls it that?”
“I do. She tried to show me one of her catalogues once. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
“She handed her notice in at BuyVrator a couple of weeks ago, and now she’s working full-time in the office. Much to Zero’s displeasure.”
“Doesn’t he like her?”
“She scares him. You know how she can be: larger than life and twice as brassy. He has absolutely no idea how to deal with her. She only has to say good morning to him and he blushes.”
“Poor little love.”
“He’ll get used to her.” I grinned. “Eventually.”
***
On the train journey back into London, my phone rang.
“Hi, Grandma.”
“Are you tired of breathing?”
“Sorry, Vi. How are you?”
“I’d be a lot better if a certain granddaughter of mine hadn’t forgotten where I live.”
“I was only over there last week.”
“It was the week before.”
“Sorry. It’s just that I’ve been so busy.”
“I still haven’t met that boyfriend of yours. Why are you hiding him? Is he ugly or something?”
“I’ll bring him over to see you the next time I come.”
“You said that the last time, and the time before that.”
“This time I definitely will. I promise.”
“When?”
“How about next Wednesday?”
“Okay. Does he like corned beef hash?”
“I doubt he’s ever had it, but I’m sure he’ll love it.”
“Okay. Next Wednesday it is, and don’t come alone or I won’t be best pleased.”
“We’ll both be there. I promise.”
As soon as I was done with the call, I gave Graham a ring.
“Hey, City Boy, how’s it hanging?”
“It’d be a lot better if I got to see you more often.”
“It’s funny you should say that. What are you doing next Wednesday evening?”
“Wednesday? Nothing, I don’t think.”
“In that case, you and I are going out for dinner.”
“Not the Gerbil. Anywhere but the Gerbil.”
“Do you like corned beef hash?”
“Do I like what?”
“That’s what I thought you’d say. We’ve been invited for tea at my Grandma Vi’s.”
“Isn’t she the one who threw that conman downstairs?”
“She didn’t throw anyone down the stairs. Don’t you recall that the police accepted her version of events? He tripped in his hurry to get away.”
“Oh yeah.” Graham laughed. “I also remember you telling me that he was lucky she hadn’t battered his head in while he was lying at the bottom of the stairs.”
“You’ll love her, I promise.”
“Okay, it’s a date.”
***
When I arrived at the Sidings, Zero was at his desk, muttering under his breath.
“What’s up with you?”
“It’s that stupid woman again.”
“I assume you’re talking about Sonya?”
“Who else? She does my head in.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s just nipped out to buy a sausage roll or twenty. Do you know what she left in the top drawer of my desk?”
“It wasn’t another sex toy, was it? I had a word with her about that last week.”
“No, it was this.” He took out a small book titled: Fashion Tips for Nerds.
“Oh dear.” I tried not to laugh, but I couldn’t help myself. Zero was a real asset to the business, but his fashion sense left a lot to be desired.
“What’s wrong with what I wear?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head. “Much.”
We went through to my office, and started to review the cases.
“Hello, anyone home?” The woman’s voice came from the outer office.
“We’re through here!”
It was only then that I spotted the look of horror on Zero’s face.
“Mum?” he said. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been asking you to show me where you work for months, and it’s obvious you’re never going to, so I thought I’d come and see for myself.” She turned to me. “I hope you don’t mind, Ms Royle?”
“It’s Kat, and of course I don’t mind. Take a seat. Would you like tea or coffee?”
“A coffee would be nice.”
“You heard the lady.” I nodded to Zero. “Off you trot.”
“I can’t remember the last time Nero made me a drink,” she said.
Nero?
Zero looked as though he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him.
“Why don’t you leave your mum and me alone so we can have a little chat?” I said, once we had our drinks.
He didn’t look thrilled at the idea, but he skulked out of the room anyway.
“I have to be honest with you, Kat, when Nero first told me he was coming to work for you, I was a little worried, but it’s done him a power of good. He’s so much happier, and much more confident now. Thank you for taking a chance on him.”
“No thanks necessary, Mrs Smith.”
“Call me Freda.”
“He was taking a risk too, Freda. When he joined me, there was no guarantee the business was going to make it.”
“But things are okay now, aren’t they?”
“Definitely. We’re going from strength to strength. And that’s in no small part, due to your son.”
“That’s great to hear.”
The two of us chatted for half-an-hour or so before Freda went on her way.
“So, Nero?” I grinned. “Is there anything you’d like to tell me?”
“Okay, I lied about my name. I hate it. Everyone calls me Zero.”
“It’s okay. You can call yourself whatever you like, just as long as you do your job.”
“Do you promise never to call me Nero again?”
“Cross my heart.”
“She might not,” Sonya said through a mouthful of sausage roll. “But you can bet your bottom dollar that I will.”
“If you do, I’ll kill you!” Zero shot her a look.
“That’s enough!” I thumped the desk. “You two have got to learn to work together or you’ll have me to answer to.”
“It’s not me, it’s her,” Zero protested. “We were okay until she joined us.”
“I said that’s enough, Zero. You and I still need to run through the current cases. Sonya, have we had any new enquiries this morning?”
“Two.” She swallowed the last of the sausage roll. “A guy reckons his neighbour is an alien. I filed that one in the nutter file.”
“Right.”
“The other one sounds more promising. The MD of a business called Reed Brothers called. His company manufactures some kind of component for mobile phones. He reckons one of his competitors is trying to steal his designs. I said you’d give him a call back later today.”
“Great. And have you brought the accounts up to date?”
“I’ve made a start on them, but I might need the emperor’s help.”
“In that case, can I suggest you try to be nicer to him? And you can start by calling him by his chosen name.”
“But Kat, it’s just a bit of fun.”
“Sonya! Ask him nicely.”
“Do I have to?”
“Unless you can manage to do the accounts all by yourself, then yes.”
“Okay. Will you help me with the accounts, please?”
“Sorry, were you talking to me?” Zero shrugged.
“Will you help me with the accounts, please, Zero?”
“It will be my pleasure.” He couldn’t have looked any smugger if he’d tried.
Just then, a delivery man came through the door; he was red-faced and out of breath.
“You should get a li
ft in this place. Is this R.K. Investigations? I’ve got a parcel for Kat Royle.”
ALSO FROM ADELE ABBOTT
If you’ve enjoyed Murder On Account, be sure to check out
Adele Abbott’s long running series:
The Witch P.I. Mysteries
What would you do if you discovered you were a witch? That’s precisely what happens to private investigator, Jill Gooder.
If mystery, magic and laughter is your thing, then you’ll love the Witch P.I. Mysteries.
Book #1 - Witch Is When It All Began
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