Weekend in Weighton Final Amazon version 12-12-12 (36 page)

‘It depends.’

‘On?’

‘If you don’t go with the rusty gate, it’s likely down to Jimmy.’

‘And if I do?’

‘It points to Kip Nkongo losing it big time, picking up a cord from somewhere and strangling Elaine. Everything else is just a sideshow.’

Hobbs resumed his battle inspections, clasping his hands together as he went. The expression on his craggy face shifted between the benign and the begone. ‘Thanks anyway,’ he said.

‘For what? We still don’t know who did it.’

Hobbs made a series of knowing nods. ‘I know more than I did. A lot more. And I know what questions to ask next. We’ve got Tony Porson to question yet. Sooner or later, one of them will crack.’

Hobbs made his way to the door. ‘By the way,’ he said, turning around. ‘I’m working on your one and a half requests. A deal’s a deal.’

I didn’t answer; I just stared at him. His words – the mention of Tony Porson and
that
phrase – suddenly took on a different meaning and smashed around my head. The neon sign was blinking. In fact, it was blinking furiously.

When I didn’t reply, he said, ‘Is there something else? Don’t tell me it’s gone up to two requests now?’

‘No. One and half it is.’ I stood up quickly. ‘
One and a half
is the answer!’

Hobbs let his head tilt to one side. ‘It’s been a long day, Eddie, why don’t you sit down and relax. You can probably go soon.’

I motioned at the chair he’d been sitting on. ‘I think you need to sit down.’

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Sunday – 22:53

I strolled into the waiting room, blinking at the bright strip lights lining the long, narrow space. As I viewed the gathering of usual suspects, a movement in the far corner made me turn. Two familiar figures stood up together in a kind of slo-mo harmony, as if they were auditioning for synchronised swimming.

I smiled and tipped my head for them to sit down. Kate raised her eyebrows, folded her arms, and sat down. Mum continued to stand, clasping her hands to her chest as if I’d just been reprieved from death row. As I neared her hugging range, she reached out to embrace me. I saw tear droplets forming in her eyes, contemplating escape down her cheeks.

‘It’s been non-stop worry all day, Edward.’

I gave her a gentle squeeze. ‘I know.’

‘Tell me it’s all okay?’

‘I’m getting there, Ma. Honest.’

‘Have they let you go?’

‘I keep telling you, I’m just helping with enquiries.’

Behind Mum’s back I saw Kate mouthing, “Well?” in an exaggerated lip synch movement. I gave her the “so-so” hand tilt.

‘Come on, Mum, sit down.’ I guided her back into the hard plastic seat.

‘What is going on, Edward?’ She looked at me anxiously, her fingers twisting a paper tissue. ‘Even your Uncle Bob doesn’t seem to know.’

Nausea lurched in my throat. ‘That fink.’

‘Edward, please. Don’t speak about him like that. He works here.’

I pulled a face. ‘Not for much longer, I hope.’ Before Mum could move to challenge, I switched to my best puppy look. ‘Nothing’s going on. It’s working itself out. Anyway, glad to see my favourite girls getting along so well. Hope you’ve not been yakkin’ about me.’ I winked.

‘What else would we possibly talk about?’ said Kate.

‘The search for “Higgs’ Boson”?’

‘Who’s he?’ said Mum.

‘The missing snooker player.’ I looked from Kate to Mum. ‘Our Kate’s still big into her darts and snooker. It’s how she stays in touch with her Weighton roots.’

‘He knows me so well,’ said Kate, her smile lilting with sarcasm. ‘Don’t forget rugby league.’

Mum took Kate’s hand in her own. ‘Well, yes, we have been catching up, haven’t we, dear?’ She paused to place her other hand on top, making it a hand sandwich. ‘Kate very kindly came and got me earlier and we’ve sat here patiently all night.’ She gave Kate a beaming, future-mother-in-law smile. ‘She hasn’t changed a bit, has she?’

I looked Kate up and down. ‘She’s filled out here and there.’

‘Don’t be rude, Edward.’

‘It’s all right, Mrs Greene,’ said Kate. ‘I’m used to it.’

‘So, are you two …’ Mum wiggled a finger between us. ‘You know what I mean. Is that why Debbie–’

‘Mum, please.’

‘I’m here to give Ed legal representation,’ said Kate. ‘That’s all.’

I nodded. ‘It’s what she does best.’

‘So why did Debbie decide to–’

‘Mum, can we leave the “Weighton Confidential” stuff ‘til later?’

 Kate cleared her throat. ‘And as your
solicitor
, Ed, how about you update me on all matters pertaining?’

‘Yes,’ said Mum, ‘we’ve been waiting hours for news.’

I looked around to check no undesirables were listening. ‘I can’t say too much, but they’re working on a new theory.’

‘Like “Higgs’ Boson” you mean?’ said Kate.

‘Well, not far off. Bugg’s as close to a large human collider as you’ll get.’

‘Am I supposed to know,’ asked Mum, ‘what you two are talking about?’

I touched her arm. ‘We have to talk in code. Walls have ears. Especially police station walls with two-way mirrors.’

‘So,’ said Kate, ‘they haven’t charged anyone?’

‘No. But I think they’re close. Hobbs has asked me to stick around.’

‘Does that mean you’re in the clear?’

‘Hey, I was never on the charge sheet.’

‘Yeah, right.’

After a pause I eyed them both. ‘Look, just because I have to stay doesn’t mean you guys do. Why not get off home? That’s what I came out to tell you.’

Kate gave me the Jedi stare. ‘You’ve got time to talk to your mum first –
properly
.’ The force of her stare didn’t weaken as she stood up. ‘You two have a chat and I’ll get some coffee.’

As Kate backed away I looked in her eyes and smiled, thinking, “Yes, I
must
talk to my mum,
properly
. Us two will chat while you get coffee”.

With Kate gone, I squeezed Mum’s hand and said, ‘There’s no need to worry. I’m not a suspect anymore. I’m just helping out. That’s why they asked me to stay.’

Mum kissed me on the side of my head. ‘I’m so relieved. And proud. Your Dad would be, too.’ She looked into my eyes. ‘It’s not too late, you know. It’s what your Dad wanted, you know that. And after this … well, they’ll be desperate to recruit you, won’t they?’

‘After this, I don’t think they’ll want to see my face for a long stretch.’

‘Don’t be silly. I’m sure they’d take you. And it would be a proper career.’

 I shook my head. ‘It’s not right for me, Mum. Sorry.’

She gave me a stern look, but all I could do was shrug back.

‘How about college, then?’ She said it brightly, but more in hope. ‘It’s not too late.’

‘We’ll see. Right now, I just want to enjoy twenty-four hours without taking a body blow.’

‘But you will give up this private detective thing? Won’t you? Please, love?’

I declined to look her in the eye. ‘I’ve already got my next case lined up. A missing cat. What can go wrong?’

‘No, Edward. I’m putting my foot down.’

‘Have a heart, Ma. I’m that cat’s only chance.’

‘Life is not a quick fire round, Edward. You have to start taking it seriously sometime. You’re twenty-six. You can’t go on drifting.’ She shifted in her seat, pretending to look around. ‘Anyway, what does Kate say?’

‘Kate?’

‘Well, I take it she’s your new … you know. And in her position she can’t associate with a dropout.’

‘Mum, that’s like rioters using escalators to loot the “Trafford Centre
”.
Wrong on so many levels.’

‘Whatever do you mean?’

I grabbed the back of her hands. ‘We’ve both told you already. She’s my solicitor, that’s it. And anyway, she’s got some hotshot boyfriend.’

‘You make a nice couple. You always did. And you never stopped moping when she left.’ She gave me her “mother knows best” smile. ‘Who’s been helping you all day? That says something. And she likes you. I can tell.’

‘It won’t happen. It’s just overspill from the old days. After tonight we’ll settle in to that standard Christmas and birthday card routine.’

‘Leave it to me. I’ll have a word.’

I pinched her arm. ‘Forget about it.’

She was quiet for a few seconds, but the next batter was padding up. ‘And Debbie? What happened there?’

‘No offence, Mum, but I’ve been answering questions all night. It would be nice if it eased up.’

‘It’s just – she rang and told me–’

‘That she dumped me?’

‘I wouldn’t put it like that.’

‘No, but
I
would.’

‘Well, she did have cause.’

‘You’re supposed to be
my
mum, not hers.’

‘The thing is, if you talked to her, made it up to her, I’m sure she’d have you back.’

‘I will talk to her. But it’s not that simple.’

I looked away, closing my eyes. The tiredness was making a final assault on my northwest face, and I could feel bruises beginning to throb all over. But the time had arrived to unveil the baby elephant also sitting in the waiting room.

‘As a bit of role-reversal, Mum, I need to talk to you about
your
love life.’

Mum adopted her belligerent pose. ‘I know you don’t like Bob, but–’

‘I don’t, but it’s not that.’

‘What, then?’

‘It’s complicated.’

‘I’m not senile. Well, not yet.’

‘Okay, I’ll tell you straight.’ I sat forward in my seat. My ribs were throbbing so I had to anchor my elbows to my thighs and rest my chin in my hands. ‘As part of this whole crap-fest of a case, I found out Bob has been leaking information to the wrong people.’

‘Wrong people? Like phone hackers you mean?’

‘Not exactly, but you know. Those of a criminal persuasion.’

Tears made a re-appearance in her eyes. ‘What will it mean?’

‘He’s under investigation.’

‘I see.’

‘You need to prepare yourself, Mum. He may have a case to answer.’

She started to fiddle with her hands as a couple of stray tears finally made tracks down her cheeks. ‘There’s something else, isn’t there? Something you’re not telling me?’