Strictly Murder (23 page)

"I've got a hair appointment in half an hour," said KD as I walked into the office. "So I'll catch up with you and any reports later, if that's OK?"

"Yes, fine."

"I really must find a new hairdresser. This one cuts beautifully but I can't stand her. She's such a dreadful topper."

"A topper?" Was this a new term for a hairdresser that I'd not come across before?

"Yes, you know the sort. Whatever you've done she can top it. You've had a ten pound win on the lottery but she won thousands. Spent your holiday in Fuengirola? She went to Fiji and, of course, your minor op was nothing compared to her surviving terminal cancer."

"She did?

"Did what?"

"Survive terminal cancer?" I asked stupidly.

"Don't be ridiculous, Verity. You can't survive something that's terminal."

She looked at me crossly.

"Oh, of course not, sorry."

"Are you all right? Only you don't seem quite 'with it', this morning?"

"I'm sorry, my mind's elsewhere. I was thinking about two Charlotte Neals"

"Two of them? Isn't one enough?"

"Well, if you remember, Superintendent Plover said that another girl had died at the same time."

"Ah, yes. I do remember you saying something about that. My mind had latched on to the local one and forgotten the other. What about her?"

"Well, I think I'd like to look into that case a bit more. It might come in useful, if not now, then sometime in the future."

"Yes, why not? I quite like the idea of having a stockpile of cases to choose from. Right, I must dash. See you when I get back."

I waved a hand as she passed and then reached for the phone.

"Miss Long? Yes of course I remember you." said George Plover in answer to my question. "I've been meaning to call you."

"Have you remembered something about the Charlotte Neal case?"

"Not exactly. It was something that happened later."

"Oh?"

"Her parents had moved away to the coast by then and her father came to the attention of the local force when he was reported for following and harassing a young girl down there. He claimed he'd only been walking behind her. Nothing could be proved and no further action was taken. I thought it might interest you, for your story, I mean."

I laughed.

"It's Kathleen Davenport's story, not mine. I'm just the leg man but thank you. I've made a note and will pass it on. I actually called about the other case. The Charlotte Neal that was killed in a hit and run accident."

"Oh, yes?"

"You said it happened up north somewhere. Can you remember where?"

"Well now, let me think."

The line went quiet for a moment before I heard him muttering to himself.

"Up north or north somewhere? North, north … oh! Of course! You still there, Miss Long?"

"Yes."

"It was Northworthy. Can't remember who was in charge, though he might still be on the force if he was young enough at the time. Is that any help to you?"

"Loads! Thanks, Mr Plover."

"You're welcome."

Northworthy. I did KD's trick of swivelling on my chair while I thought about things. Coming to a decision, I fetched the road atlas from the bookshelf. Northworthy, nestling on the edges of the Peak District, appeared to be a sizeable town about a hundred miles from Crofterton. I put the atlas away and Googled it. The search engine reckoned it was 102.4 miles from centre to centre and the route looked fairly simple; drive across country to the M1 motorway and then turn left. I could get there in a couple of hours, but what I really needed was a contact in the local police force and I could think of only one way to get it. With a trembling hand I dialled the number of Crofterton police station.

"May I speak to Detective Sergeant Stott, please?"

I gave my name as requested then waited while the connection was made, praying that the sergeant would answer.

"Verity! What a lovely surprise."

Damn! And damn my heart for leaping so when I heard the sound of his voice. Get a grip Verity, I told myself, and stop acting like a fool.

"Good morning, Inspector Farish. I was hoping to speak to your sergeant."

"Won't I do? And why so formal?"

I ignored the second question

"Very well. I wonder if I might ask a favour, please?"

"Yes, of course I'll take you for dinner again. Unless you'd prefer the cinema, only these days they don't turn the lights down low enough for me to snuggle up and kiss you. I could book seats on the back row, though."

What was the man wittering on about? After my words on Monday, I'd expected him never to want to speak to me again. Now he was burbling away, sounding a bigger fool than I felt.

"I'm thinking of going away."

"Oh."

Suddenly, he was serious.

"Yes, I'm going to Northworthy."

There was no need to tell him it was only for one night.

"And what delights does Northworthy hold that I can't provide you with here?"

He was definitely in a silly mood this morning. Maybe they were making progress or had a breakthrough on the case.

"It's work. I'm researching a case for KD."

"So you will be coming back?"

Did he sound eager or was I just hearing what I wanted to hear in his voice?

"Yes."

"And this is where you need the favour is it?"

"Yes, I need the name of an Inspector or even a Superintendent at the police station there."

"Do you, indeed? Well give me a moment."

I waited impatiently, tapping my fingers on the desk while he found the information I'd requested.

"Right, I've got your names. Chief Inspector John Rock and Chief Superintendent Darryl Andrews. I met John Rock on a residential training weekend a few years back. I'll give him a ring and let him know to expect you."

"That is very kind. I hope to call in some time on Friday."

"I'll let him know. Take care of yourself, Verity, and stay out of trouble."

"I will do my best, Inspector," I promised.

He gave a sigh.

"Well, make sure you do. Bye."

I made several more phone calls and wrote a whole pile of notes, both for myself and my employer, before KD got back to the office.

"Hi. How are you getting on?"

"Fine," I said. "I've put all the notes I've made and all the information I have on the other Charlotte Neal on your desk."

She nodded as she helped herself to coffee. With her newly dyed, feather cut hair and black Chanel-style suit she looked like a giant crow.

"And I've spoken to that nice retired policeman, who remembered that the hit and run happened in Northworthy."

"Ah ha."

KD sat at her desk.

"So, if it's all right with you, I thought I'd drive up there tomorrow night and spend Friday researching.

"I did a book signing in Northworthy once."

She wrinkled her nose. KD hates book signings.

"Stayed at a lovely hotel not far from the centre. The Georgian. Friendly and comfortable and reasonably priced. Save your receipts and put it on expenses."

"Thanks, KD."

"When will you be back?"

"Oh, Friday night, all being well. I'll be in for work as usual Monday morning."

I didn't want her thinking I was spending the whole weekend on her expense account.

"Have you told the police yet about that attack on you?"

Her abrupt change of subject threw me.

"Nnn … no," I stammered. "I haven't had the time."

Or the right opening. It was difficult to say 'By the way, I think someone's trying to kill me' when your mouth is covered by a kiss or you're having a flaming row.

"Nonsense. You seem to be spending enough time with that Inspector. Is he sweet on you?"

I blushed.

"I very much doubt it. I'm just his chief suspect for the JayJay murder."

I turned away, pounding at my keyboard, entering 'Georgian Hotel, Northworthy,' into Google.

"Are you sweet on him?"

I have to admit she was nothing if not persistent.

"You could do worse. He's in a good job and it's about time you settled down."

I ignored her, refusing to look away from my computer screen.

"And you're still young enough to have kids. I quite fancy being a surrogate grandmother."

"Stop it, KD. You're about as subtle as a train crash. And you're beginning to sound like my mother."

I swung round ready to lay into her and stopped at sight of her grin. She'd been winding me up. Well, two could play at that game.

"Anyway, I've got more than one string to my bow. You forget I had dinner with Greg Ferrari last night."

Her grin disappeared quicker than a ferret up a drainpipe.

"I don't like that man. Be careful, Verity. It could be him who's trying to kill you."

If I was right about the Charlotte Neal connection then, yes, he probably was. I didn't let on to KD that this was one of my reasons for journeying north. Knowing her, she would only try to stop me and I was determined to get at the truth of Mr Ferrari's background.

"Oh, I don't think Ferrari is any more serious about me than I am about him." I said, casually. "But it was a useful evening, none the less, and the food is always good at
Chez Jacques
."