The Collectors Book Six: Black Gold (The Collectors Series 6) (29 page)

              She chuckled. “Couldn’t have been all bad. Fancy a coffee at my place?”

              “No thanks. Early start in the morning.”

              Charlie couldn’t sleep. He leant against the headboard, his mind in a whirl. By six he gave up trying. He showered, dressed and ate breakfast.

              At Lavender House, he stood at the entrance and removed a buff envelope from his pocket. He checked its contents.  With determination he entered and found reception.

              “Can I help you?” asked a blonde middle-aged woman.

              “I hope so. Last night I dropped Victoria Smythe here at eight. It was dark and she paid too much.” He smiled and placed his envelope on the desk. “This is her change.”

              The woman grimaced. “I’m sorry; she passed away during the night. You must be Charlie. She said you’d be back and I was to give you this.”

              Confused, he took the two envelopes, thrust them in his pocket and left.

For an hour he drove around without direction. Why he returned to her house was a mystery. He sat and read a note attached to the envelope.

Dear Charlie, I’m pleased you came back. Please find a copy of my letter of instruction to my lawyer.

“What’s this about?” he muttered as he opened the envelope.

To Brian Menges, 10 High Street, Wapping. This is my last Will and Testament. Everything I have is given without condition to Charlie, (a taxi driver) a man who made my final day wonderful.

Three signatures followed with names and addresses in block capitals.

              He stared at the sky and grinned. “Maybe there is a God. Thanks, Vicky.”             

If you enjoyed these, there are many more to be read in the soon to be published, “
Under the Covers.”