by Diane Ezzard
“I see.”
“That was a terrible affair with Nigel Hastings, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.” Sandra didn’t look keen on engaging in conversation.
“They were all a member of that club. What do you think about Fred being a member of the White Brethren Society?” Dotty guessed that Fred was involved too and hoped her hunch would pay off.
“I’m sorry?” Sandra frowned.
“You know, the club they go to once a month.”
“Oh, I don’t get involved with all Fred’s business.”
“I’m surprised. I mean they have such radical views. Do you agree with their ideology?”
“I’m not racist but I agree in giving Britain back to our own people and that foreigners should be sent home.” From Sandra’s comments, Dotty now knew exactly what Fred was involved in — the same organisation as Julian and Nigel. Her blood began to boil at Sandra’s insensitive remark. The Asian guy cutting a client’s hair two seats down heard the comments and raised his eyebrows. Dotty watched as he picked up speed with his scissors. Expertly he chopped away, but there was now a ferocity about his movement. The pace that the hair disappeared off the woman’s head mesmerised Dotty. Whilst she was in awe of his talent, she wondered what was going through his mind listening to their conversation. His client was oblivious to what was happening. She took the cup off the saucer and sipped her coffee.
“Someone ought to change the subject.” Sandra’s stylist sensed an atmosphere brewing.
“I’m just saying. We’re passionate ecologists and that shouldn’t be taken out of context.”
“From what I’ve seen of the people in the organisation, many of them are right-wing bullies.” Dotty’s neck muscles tensed. She was having difficulty containing her anger towards the woman and her beliefs. Thankfully, Sandra’s stylist felt the tension between the two women and suggested Sandra move to the back of the salon. Sandra agreed and scurried off, holding a magazine on her knee.
Marie continued to talk to Dotty as though nothing had happened. She smiled and asked how she wore her fringe. By the time Dotty was ready to leave she had calmed down. Sandra hadn’t surfaced back into the main body of the room so there were no further confrontations. When Dotty went to pay, the Asian worker came over to Dotty. He whispered in her ear.
“Just for your information, she is racist.”
“Sorry?” Dotty looked puzzled.
“Sandra Peterson.” He looked towards Sandra and scowled. “Pixie, Sandra’s usual stylist was off sick one week so, when Sandra came in, I was asked to do her hair. Sandra went mad. She said she didn’t want someone from a different culture doing her hair because they wouldn’t understand how she liked it. She shuddered when I touched her shoulder.”
“You’re joking?” Dotty put a hand over her mouth.
“I’m not and I was born and bred in South London. I have as much right to be here as she does.”
Dotty’s head was spinning when she left the salon. She couldn’t believe people could be openly racist in this day and age. Should she mention anything to Dave when she saw him later?
Chapter 24
Neither of Dotty’s parents was home otherwise she may have told them about meeting Sandra Peterson. Instead, she continued to build up a resentment against her for her insensitive comments. She checked her appearance in the mirror, having applied a final coat of lip gloss. She was about to step out the front door when her phone rang.
“Hi, Kylie. I’m on my way out to meet Dave. Is everything alright?”
“I’ve had a weird phone call from Delphinia.”
“Why, what did she say?”
“Well, she doesn’t have your phone number, but she asked me to pass on a warning to you.”
“What do you mean, a warning?”
“She wasn’t precise. She told me that she hadn’t seen anything specific but that she had seen a premonition and there was water involved.”
“Well, that’s old hat. I mean I found Nigel, and she knows that. Who is she trying to kid?”
“She told me to warn you to be careful of what you are getting involved in. There may be something else. She said if you were concerned then you should ring her.”
“I’ll pass on that one. I won’t let her spook me out.” Dotty also told Kylie about her visit to the salon and Sandra’s behaviour.
“I see. So, all three chums were involved. Anyway, have a lovely time. I thought I’d tell you what Delphinia said. Enjoy your afternoon with Dave and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Both girls laughed.
“That means I can do anything.”
“Exactly.”
Dotty was on her way to her meeting with Dave. They planned to drive up to London together. She had agreed to drive as Dave’s car was in the garage. She smiled at him when he got in the passenger seat and she held her cheek towards him hoping for a peck at least but nothing was forthcoming. They chatted away on the journey up to Dulwich. It was nice to find someone with a common love for art.
“Art and crafts were the only things I could do at school. Everything else I was rubbish at.” Dotty kept her eyes on the road ahead as she spoke.
“I was good at art and sports, a strange combination. You’ll probably laugh at me, but my two favourite subjects now are cookery and needlework.”
“No, it’s great for a man to be in touch with his feminine side. You must cook for me sometime. I also love cooking.” Dotty felt a warm glow inside when they discussed all the things they had in common.
“I’d love that.” Dotty seemed to have the knack of getting men to cook for her. Maybe once she got her own place, she’d be able to return the favour. “So, what sort of things do you like to cook?”
“I enjoy baking. My chocolate profiteroles are to die for.”
“You don’t look like you eat much of your baking. Do you work out?”
“I do a bit of weight training and I run. I have to stay fit being in the police.”
They arrived at the Dulwich Picture Gallery to see the Rembrandt exhibition. Dave had been to the gallery before so could direct Dotty.
“Seen anything of Wayne lately?” he asked.
“I won’t be seeing him again and I never went back to his place that night you saw us.” Dotty looked straight ahead as they walked up the pathway towards the building.
“Oh, it’s nothing to do with me. It’s a shame that things didn’t work out for you two. I probably shouldn’t pry but what went wrong?”
“We weren’t well suited. I think we wanted different things. We didn’t have as much in common as you and I do.” Dotty smiled and linked Dave’s arm as they walked in towards the reception desk.
“It’s important to find a partner with similar interests otherwise when the lust wears off it will all go pear-shaped.” Dotty laughed at that remark. “Here let me get these.” Dave insisted on paying, so Dotty said she would treat Dave to coffee and cake in the café afterwards.
They strolled around viewing the collection of paintings which included work by Gainsborough and Reubens.
“Are you any good at art, Dave?” Dotty took hold of Dave’s hand as they walked through the various rooms. The way he seemed reticent to have any bodily contact with her, she assumed he wasn’t a tactile sort of guy.
“I enjoy painting and I’ve done a couple of courses. I’m better at drawing. How about you?”
“I’m probably the same. I love to paint and find it very therapeutic but it’s only when I joined a night class that I found time for art. We should have a day out in the summer and take our boards and easels and a picnic and do some landscape painting.”
“That sounds like a great idea.”
Dotty let go of Dave’s hand as she went up to have a closer inspection at some paintings. She was totally in awe of the artists’ skills and thoroughly enjoyed the outing.
“Thank you for bringing me,” she said afterwards as she tucked into a cream scone in the café.
“Well actually, you
brought me.”
“Thanks for suggesting it. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you. Maybe we could do it again sometime?”
“Yes, that would be nice. You know how it is with work though. I’m very busy and it’s frowned upon if we turn the overtime down.” Dotty couldn’t tell if Dave was making excuses, and that this was his way of letting her down gently.
“How are things going with the Nigel Hastings case? Have your lot arrested anyone yet?”
“I don’t think so. As you know I’m not involved with the murder squad. You’d have to ask your friend, Wayne about that.”
“I doubt I’ll be doing that. Tell me, if you were trying to research an organisation of right-wing extremists that you couldn’t find anything out about, how would you tackle it?”
“Is the organisation legal?”
“I don’t know.”
“Have you tried the dark web?”
“No, and you’re not the first person to suggest that.”
“I hope you’ve not got yourself involved with something you shouldn’t.”
“No, of course not.” Dotty coughed and popped a splodge of cream on top of her scone. “It’s a nice place this, Dotty said, looking around.
“Yes, we must definitely come again sometime.”
Dotty looked across into Dave’s blue eyes and when their eyes met, for a moment she was lost in the ocean beyond them. She had enjoyed the afternoon and Dave’s company more than she expected to. Although she knew he was good looking, with their previous encounters they hadn’t had the same connection as they had today. She realised now that she had initially chosen the wrong police officer. Hopefully, Dave wouldn’t hold it against her and would give her a chance to get to know him better.
“Do you have a girlfriend, Dave?”
“No, I….” Dave looked like he was about to say something then changed his mind. “No, I’ve not.”
“I would definitely like to see you again.”
“Good.” That appeared to be a very uncommitted response. Maybe Dave wasn’t into her at all. She would have to wait and see.
They were still both very chatty on the drive home and Dotty dropped Dave off at the police station. He said that he had things to do before his shift started. Dotty was impressed with his commitment. In fact, Dotty was impressed with Dave all round. She would keep her fingers crossed that he contacted her again.
She drove home with a smile on her face reliving their conversations. He hadn’t kissed her, but she put that down to dropping him off outside work. He would no doubt be embarrassed to show affection in front of his colleagues.
The roads were clear as she drove up the bypass. She kept a check on her speed as the winding of the roads began. As she grew closer to home, her thoughts turned to food and what to have for supper. She turned a corner and looked ahead. A man stood in the middle of the road flagging her car down. She wouldn’t normally stop but he looked in distress. She pulled up her car along the A272 as she was about to cross a small bridge over the River Arun. He shook his hands, pointing to the water below. Climbing out of the car, she went over to where he pointed.
“What is it? What’s the problem?”
“There’s a dead body down there by the water’s edge.” Oh, not another one, Dotty thought. Inside she cringed.
Chapter 25
“Don’t look. You don’t need to see the body. I’ve pulled him clear of the water, so he doesn’t get pulled out with the current. Can you phone the emergency services?” The middle-aged man wore a raincoat and cap. With his arms extended, he shepherded Dotty away from the site.
“Have you tried CPR?” Dotty asked.
“It’s too late, the poor bugger’s gone. There’s nothing more we can do for him other than inform the authorities.”
Dotty climbed down the embankment and looked up at the bridge.
“Did he jump?”
“It’s possible, especially as there’s no one else about but there is a lot of blood around his throat area.”
Dotty made the call to the ambulance and police service and climbed back up to the road to wait for them. She squelched across the muddy terrain. Even though the stranger told her not to look, she couldn’t help herself and the sight of blood made her nauseous. She steadied herself against the brickwork. The chap poked around with a stick close to where the body lay.
“I think you should leave that to the police,” Dotty cried out. He ignored her. She took in a few deep breaths and gulped. The shock of seeing another body in such a short space of time sent her head spinning.
Within minutes, two police cars arrived. She groaned when she saw who got out of the first vehicle.
“Well, if it isn’t that meddlesome woman, Dotty Drinkwater,” Wayne said to his colleague. DS Evelyn Collins tutted.
“What the blazes are you doing here?” She frowned. “Might have known you’d muscle in where there was a body involved. You seem to make a habit of it.” She plunged her hands into her deep coat pockets then marched down the slope towards the body.
“We think he may have jumped.” Dotty shouted after her. She was only trying to help but her comments went down like a lead balloon. She hadn’t even looked properly at the dead body.
“This was no suicide,” DS Collins called out. “The man’s throat has been cut. Get the team down here and seal off the area.” She started giving her orders out and Dotty walked towards her car. Wayne pulled her arm back.
“How come you’ve not returned any of my calls?” he hissed.
“I’ve been busy.” Dotty should have told him she didn’t want to see him again, but it wasn’t a smart move to make an enemy out of a policeman.
“Busy, my foot. I know your sort. You lead men on. You’re just a tease.” Two of his colleagues were in earshot of their conversation.
“Wayne, please. This is neither the time nor the place.” Dotty’s feet shuffled as she checked to see who was listening in.
“We’ll need a statement from you. Hey, Sergeant Mason, sort this out. I’ve got more important work to do than talk to Miss Nosey here.” If Dotty was offended by his words, she didn’t show it. She wanted to retaliate with something equally cutting but bit her lip. The rage inside her festered though and she would have given anything to have been beamed up away from that scene. She wished she’d taken the other road home. She could kick herself for coming this way, all to save a couple of minutes. At this rate, she’d be lucky to get home before midnight.
From the police comments, anyone would think she wanted to be involved yet that was far from the truth. She longed to be tucked up in front of the TV with nothing to do with dead bodies. The officer took her statement and eventually allowed her to leave.
When she got in, it was a different matter. She couldn’t wait to tell her family and friends about what happened. She also went over to let Betty Simpson know the following morning. They had nicknamed Betty Radio Sussex because she was such a blabbermouth and Dotty took great delight in passing on any news that she heard before Betty. There was a certain sense of satisfaction in telling her something that she didn’t know yet. Word got around about her discovery sooner than she expected. Dave phoned her later that morning.
“I believe you had a bit of excitement after you left me last night.”
“You could say that. Word travels fast.”
“I hope you’re not too traumatised by the whole thing.” Dotty thought how different Dave’s caring nature was to Wayne’s.
“The most traumatic part was bumping into Wayne again.”
“Oh dear, it’s like that, is it?”
“I’ve hurt his feelings because I haven’t been in touch but to be honest, he seems to get upset about the slightest thing.”
“He’s a bit of a hothead is Wayne. You probably had a lucky escape, deciding not to see him anymore.”
“I wish I’d known what he was like sooner.”
“Mm, so, have you heard who the body was that you stumbled upon down by the river?”
“No, is it someone I know?”
“I think so, it’s the bank manager, Fred Peterson.”
“Oh dear, I suppose his wife, Sandra has been told?”
“She will have been, yes.”
“He was a friend of Nigel Hastings, wasn’t he?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“Very interesting.”
“You keep away, Dotty. Leave it to the police.”
“I will, Dave and thanks for letting me know who the poor soul was.”
Fat chance she would leave well alone now she knew who he was. The call from Dave ended and the cogs started up in Dotty’s brain. The more she thought about it, the more she believed the organisation Fred and Nigel were part of had something to do with what was going on. It was too much of a coincidence. Dave had warned her to stay away from the dark web but maybe it was now time to do some research.
That evening she went over to Rachel’s. Rachel was the most computer savvy of the three friends and she had entrusted her bloke, Harry from accounts to help. He was a whizz on computers so came in handy at a time like this. The three of them sat around Rachel’s computer drinking mugs of coffee as Harry explained what the dark web was all about and how to access information.
“The internet is a much bigger place than you realise,” he said, as the mouse clicked and opened up a site. “What you guys are probably aware of is only a small section of what is out there. There are lots of shady corners lurking.”
“So, who would use it?” Dotty asked.
“People who want to hide their true location, people buying recreational drugs. There is a lot of illegal activity goes on and each layer of the dark web get more secretive than the last. It is hard to find out who is behind many of the sites, but it isn’t just used for illegitimate stuff. People in closed, totalitarian societies can use it to communicate with the outside world.”
