‘Thank you, Dave, I’m fine. You look wonderful?’ said Barbara.
‘Thanks, I try my best. Barbara, you look great too!’
‘Thank you, Dave.’
‘Barbara, where is my intolerable boss?’
‘Where do you think, Dave? What does he enjoy most of all from life?’
‘Ha ha. Football and beer.’
‘Yes, most definitely, but instead of beer today he has tea with his beloved biscuits. He is waiting for you in the living room. I will bring you some tea,’ reported a smiling Barbara.
‘Thanks,’ said Dave.
When Dave Tanner entered the living room and saw his boss’s happy face, he greeted him as a little boy rejoices in a gift.
‘Good evening, boss!’
‘Hi, sit down!’ Duke pointed to a chair across from him.
‘Thanks,’ said Tanner and he sat in the chair.
‘Livingston v Rangers? What is the score?’ asks Dave Tanner.
‘Nil, nil. What do you say, Dave? Did you make a detailed list of all Danielle Jackson’s mobile calls?’ inquired Steve Duke.
Dave Tanner neatly took out some papers from a folder and said, ‘Yes, I got the results, there are a lot of interesting things. Danielle Jackson, for example, lovingly corresponded with Craig Davidson. She told him that she was ready to leave her husband for him, her sister’s husband.’
‘Yes, a very tangled triangle indeed,’ noted Steve Duke, dryly. ‘They were very clever in hiding this relationship from their family. Jennifer Davidson was confident that her sister and husband did not like each other.’
‘I checked Craig Davidson’s alibi and he’s missing at the crucial time. True, he was in the “The Criterion” pub that night, but between eleven thirty and twelve he was nowhere to be seen,’ noted Dave Tanner.
‘Love is blind,’ said Steve Duke.
‘Yes, here is one interesting example of Danielle’s correspondence with her brother-in-law, Craig. “My favorite, I can’t resist my feelings. I want to sleep and wake up in your embrace. I can’t stand his gaze, I can’t and don’t want to be with him any longer…”’ read Dave Tanner, who then handed his records to the chief inspector.
‘By the way, Karen Henderson, for some reason, dislikes her son-in-law, James Jackson, and his parents,’ added Steve Duke. ‘They never liked Danielle.’
‘Boss, there may have been a reason.’
‘We’ll see, Dave. Now we have two suspects. I would like to know if the family was aware of this love triangle?’
‘Perhaps they guessed or were aware of some clues to the relationship. Chief, it seems to me that the father of Danielle’s child may well have been Craig Davidson. Just wondering, did he want another child?’ said Dave Tanner.
‘Moreover, how did the husband react to his wife’s betrayal? Does Jennifer Davidson know about her husband’s infidelity and the treachery of her sister?’ Steve Duke questioned, thoughtfully.
‘By the way, Jackson doesn’t have an alibi for the time of the murder either. The barman from “The Abbey” pub said that James Jackson drank a lot that evening, but he left the pub sometime around 11.20 p.m., then returned almost an hour later,’ reported Tanner. ‘And Danielle Jackson has two personal bank accounts: in one, there’s around seven thousand pounds, with fifty thousand pounds in the other.’
‘As they say, made a deal — walk boldly,’ said Steve Duke.
Barbara, meanwhile, gave Tanner a cup of tea and sat down on the sofa.
‘Thanks, Barbara, you are, as always, very kind,’ said Tanner with a smile.
‘The relationship between the Jacksons and Davidsons is all so confusing and difficult to reconcile,’ said Steve Duke, dryly.
‘Bad family relations,’ noted Dave Tanner.
‘Are there any other unfortunate family ties?’ asked Barbara.
Steve Duke sighed heavily, thinking to himself that his wife had recently shown an unusual interest in his work.
‘Everything happens in this life, Barbara,’ answered Dave Tanner in a friendly tone.
‘If there is no harmony, warmth and love in the family, then there is nothing to save,’ said Barbara, sadly. Harmony in the family. What is that? Is it the ability to sense each other’s feelings or family well-being? My children have grown up, now they have their own lives, I have a good job and decent husband — everything is in its place. So, I’m a happy mother and wife, and I’m fine. So why then is my heart so depressed that I want to cry and scream… Barbara thought to herself.
‘Do not forget, please, tomorrow at eleven a.m., we must visit the Simpson couple. Mark Simpson asked for a meeting on Saturday morning,’ said Steve Duke, thoughtfully.
‘Chief, I’ll pick you up at ten thirty,’ said Dave Tanner.
‘Steve, are you working tomorrow? I thought that you were going to dedicate Saturday and Sunday to your family?’ said Barbara, disappointedly.
‘After lunch tomorrow and all day on Sunday I will be at your disposal. I hope that you will be at home on Sunday morning, and not with your precious friends,’ said a displeased Steve Duke.
Dave Tanner got up from his chair and coughed, then apologized, saying, ‘Sorry, but I have to go home. Goodnight!’
‘Okay. See you tomorrow,’ Steve Duke said in an even voice, not getting up from his chair.
‘See you tomorrow. Barbara, I wish you a good weekend!’ said Dave Tanner in a gallant voice.
‘Thanks! Have a good evening too!’ said Barbara, accompanying her guest to the door.
‘Barbara, we need a serious talk!’ shouted her husband from the living room.
Barbara was always afraid of the phrase, “we need a serious talk”. In her experience, after this “serious talk”, she always felt guilty and stupid, although later, she understood enough that it was only a delusion from her insecurity. Each time she convinced herself that she would not allow it any more.
‘Barbara, I’m waiting for you,’ said Steve Duke in a calm tone. ‘Please, sit closer.’
Barbara confidently sat on the sofa opposite him and looked at his thoughtful eyes, trying to understand what issues were disturbing him.
‘Steve, I will listen to you carefully?’
‘Thank you, Barbara. How are you?’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Yes? It seems to me that you are upset about something.’
‘Steve, I’m fine. And you are fine, but not here, at home, often enough.’
‘Is something wrong with us or with me, Barbara?’
‘I do not know; I just feel some kind of emptiness in our family.’
‘I understand, the children have grown up and gone, and we were left alone. Maybe we should get a dog? What do you think?’
‘Steve, you understand that animals need to be looked after and loved. And who will do this?’
‘We, me and you, my dear spouse. Forgive me for not being the best husband, spending all my time at work, but I love you very much and we have a great family.’
‘Steve, you are a good husband and we have beautiful children.’
‘Barbara, I noticed that you had an interest in my work.’
‘Interest? No, dear, you are mistaken?’ said Barbara, guiltily.
‘You have changed very much, Barbara. You have become a much more confident woman recently, but you are still not capable of deceiving me. I respect your honesty. What did these crazy foreign women start?’
‘Nothing, they have nothing to do with it,’ said Barbara, tightly.
‘You know, murder is no joke,’ said Steve, strictly.
‘Steve, understand, Kristin just wants to write an article about the murder. Oh God, she will kill me, I let her secret slip. Steve, did you interrogate me? And I believed in you, and you…’ Barbara said, furiously.
‘No, Barbara! I wanted to warn you against stupidity. Believe me, I will not betray you,’ reassured Steve.
‘I do not believe you; you just did your job. Goodnight, Steve!’ said Barbara and quietly
left the room.
Family Dinner
‘Thank you, my darling, for this delicious dinner! There is nothing more romantic than a candlelit dinner, quiet, relaxing music, wine, and a beautiful woman for company. What else is needed for happiness?’ Cameron said, gratefully.
‘Happiness, my darling! Because happiness is really fleeting, to achieve it, one must understand exactly what gives pleasure in life. We have something that gives us joy in life, and this should be protected,’ uttered Kristin.
‘Yes, my dear, we have everything,’ Cameron confirmed. ‘In a week’s time, Christopher will come to visit his beloved parents. He misses your culinary masterpieces! Not without reason, your husband is very proud of your skill.’
‘When you cook with love, you seem to put all your soul into this food. And it is a piece of this love and soul that makes the dish so tasty and unique,’ Kristin proudly expressed.
‘It turns out that this is all so easy, you just need to learn how to invest your soul,’ answered Cameron, smiling.
‘Yes, this is a special school of the Lavoine family,’ Kristin recited.
‘Who would doubt that, Kristin Lavoine?’
‘Dear husband, I need to inform you of something.’
‘To inform me of something?’
‘Yes, I want to try myself in the field of journalism. I have a chance to explore a completely unknown, but very creative and fascinating business. I have decided to write an article about the murder of Danielle Jackson.’
‘Kristin, journalism is a good idea, but not in the sphere of crime.’
‘Dear, please do not forget that I am a sociologist and know about all the effects of crime on society.’
‘It’s potentially dangerous for you to write about this topic. I think you need to change your mind?’
‘Sorry, but this is my final decision.’
‘I want a calm and peaceful life, Kristin, this is not a safe thing to do.’
‘Cameron, I just want to write about this story, and not to investigate.’
‘Kristin, do not be like a whimsical child. You have to grow up,’ said Cameron in a harsh tone.
‘These are not whims, you think mistakenly, my dear husband. Goodnight!’ Kristin said in exasperation and got up from the table.
‘Kristin, you are acting like a child.’
Kristin silently left the dining room, went up to her room, took her small black backpack from its drawer and pulled out the “Pigeons with a heart” pendant. She began to consider its decoration in detail. Her head spun with all sorts of questions, Around the neck of Jennifer Davidson hangs the same “Pigeons with a heart” pendant. Maybe Danielle Jackson lost her pendant? Who is Mark? The pregnancy of Danielle Jackson… Who is Danielle Jackson’s tattooed man? Why can’t James Jackson forgive himself? What pain did he inflict on Jennifer Davidson? Why did the parents of James Jackson dislike Danielle? Why is there so much sadness and suffering in the eyes of Jennifer Davidson?
‘Kristin… Kristin! What’s the matter? Your phone rings continuously, but you don’t hear a thing. Darling, I’m worried about you,’ Cameron pronounced uneasily and handed the phone to Kristin. ‘I think we need a little holiday to France.’
‘I was just lost in thought, dear. I’m fine, my son will come to us soon. Missed call from Martina, sorry, dear, maybe something urgent, I need to call back,’ said Kristin quietly and dialed her friend’s phone number.
Cameron nodded in agreement and smiled happily.
‘Hi, Martina! No, I did not sleep. No, we do not mind. Come. Are you here? I’ll open the door now.’
‘Cameron, Martina and Marco are here,’ whispered Kristin, excitedly.
‘Here? I’ll open the door,’ said Cameron in a calm tone.
‘Thank you, dear!’
‘Hi! Do you meet unexpected guests without irritation? We are Italians, just like the French we love surprises. We have good wine, and we decided to have a glass of wine with you,’ exclaimed Martina.
‘That is a great idea, we haven’t all seen each other for ages. Hi, Martina! Hi, Marco! How are you?’ Cameron greeted them in a clear voice and gently hugged his wife. ‘Kristin, bring the wine glasses.’
‘I’ll help you, Kristin,’ said Martina.
‘Thanks, friend. Men, go to the living room, and we will bring glasses for wine and cheese,’ said Kristin, enthusiastically.
Kristin took the wine glasses out of the cupboard, then cheddar and Parmesan from the refrigerator and Martina began chopping the cheese.
‘Martina, I’m so glad you decided to spend this evening with us,’ said Kristin, quietly.
‘So am I. My intuition suggested that tonight should be special. And here we are,’ expressed Martina, smiling. ‘The first toast I want to drink is to our friendship.’
When the women entered the living room with the wine glasses and cheese plate, the men stood up from their chairs synchronously. Cameron poured some wine into the glasses and Marco gallantly handed theirs to the ladies.
‘Today, we drink French wine,’ said Martina.
‘Why French, not Italian. Who chose?’ inquired Kristin.
‘Guess, Kristin,’ said Martina.
‘Of course, Marco!’ Kristin exclaimed.
‘Bravo, Kristin!’ said Marco, happily.
‘What a delicious wine, just paradise,’ Kristin admired.
‘I agree, an excellent choice,’ Marco praised himself.
‘Oh, yes, if you cannot praise yourself, no one will praise you,’ said Martina.
‘Martina, I once noticed a long time ago that Italians, like the French, love to engage in self-praise,’ Cameron said, modestly.
‘Why it is only we who like praise and not you Scots?’ Martina asked in surprise.
‘The Scots are modest and restrained people, while you — Southerners — are impulsive,’ said Cameron in a calm tone.
‘Yes, darling, we are,’ said Kristin, quietly. ‘However, a combination of impulsiveness and restraint gives a good result.’
‘Darling, I would even say an excellent result,’ confirmed Cameron, quietly.
Déjà Vu
‘Girls, my fingers are numb from the cold! Tomorrow I’ll certainly wear my warm gloves!’ declared Kristin.
‘Kristin, after a hot cup of coffee, you will quickly warm yourself up. In the morning, when I left the house, the air temperature was +5,’ Barbara noted.
‘Barbara, today your favorite bartender is working,’ Martina reported, opening the door of the coffee house.
‘Hi! Today it’s a cold morning. Did you not freeze?’ said the young Polish barista overflowing with affability.
‘We are still frozen, just numb,’ answered Martina.
‘Three americanos and three croissants?’ clarified the barista, smiling.
‘Yes, please,’ answered Barbara.
‘Hot coffee with a croissant will surely warm us, and if not, we will take a bottle of good red wine,’ remarked Martina.
‘Martina, you enjoyed a glass of wine in good company yesterday. At that time, I was suffering alone,’ expressed an offended Barbara.
‘Sorry, Barbara, next time we go together. Even if your gendarme does not like this idea,’ Martina said, proudly.
‘Hi, Kristin! Where are you? We are here. What are you thinking about?’ said Barbara.
‘I’m here, just enjoying the beautiful music,’ answered Kristin, smiling. ‘There is always relaxing music here.’
‘I think that you meditate on the meeting with Jennifer Davidson. Maybe you will cancel this meeting. I don’t want you to go there alone. I’m sorry I can’t give you my company. At noon, we should be in Edinburgh,’ expressed Martina with disappointment.
Barbara carefully looked into Kristin’s eyes and said, ‘Kristin, forgive me, but we do not like any of this, we worry about you.’
Kristin did not expect such an outburst, she smiled slightly and replied to the surprised looks, ‘Girls, are you kidding? I’ll just watch and w
rite. If I like this activity, then I will probably go to work for the police, Barbara’s husband’s assistant.’
‘Ha, ha, and I’m your assistant, Kristin,’ remarked Martina.
‘Kristin, Martina, this investigation is not a game and it could be very dangerous,’ said Barbara in a serious voice.
‘Girls, I have to leave you, we still have things to do before going to Edinburgh,’ mentioned Martina.
‘My detective is also going to leave for some meeting, but breakfast is not ready yet,’ said Barbara. ‘By the way, Steve promised that he would spend this weekend at home, although he was going to question the witness this morning.’
‘Which witness?’ Martina asked.
‘I do not know for sure, but think it was some doctor called Mark Simpson,’ Barbara answered shortly and got up from her chair. ‘I am late. Bye, bye, hugs. Until Monday, call me.’
Martina and Kristin responded simultaneously, ‘See you, Barbara.’
‘Kristin, did you notice that she ran away from our question?’
‘Yes, Martina, but we should not forget that she is the wife of a detective, and does not have the right to disclose information.’
‘Yes, you are right. Marco is waiting for me. I’ll call you in the evening.’
‘Well, do not worry. I’ll go home too, it’s already nine a.m. We’ll have breakfast and then come back to meet Jennifer Davidson. But Cameron needs to be informed that I will be away for some time… Oh, God.’
‘Kristin, what happened?’
‘I forgot that we’re booked for the theatre this evening to see the opera, Carmen.’
‘To Edinburgh?’
Kristin abruptly rose from the chair, hugged her friend and said, ‘Yes, Martina. I’ll run. I will call you.’
‘Remember to call, good luck!’
On the way home, Kristin’s head spun with all sorts of nonsensical phrases, I do not know for sure… to some doctor called Mark Simpson… One thing I can clearly say is that Danielle Jackson loved only herself… About a month ago, I heard her mockingly talking on the phone with some man named Mark… You’re a doctor…
‘Oh, mon Dieu, am I confused? Who will help me? Jennifer Davidson? Why do I have high hopes for today’s meeting with Jennifer Davidson?’ Kristin mused.
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