Night Watcher

by Chris Longmuir

  ‘Worried about Julie, are you?’ Sue whispered. ‘Maybe we should ask for surveillance in case our weird friend tries some funny tricks.’

  The bleakness in Bill’s eyes increased. Anything could have happened to Julie after he left her last night, but he had been so angry at her deception, and angry with himself for having been sucked in, that he had not given it a thought. ‘You don’t think . . .’

  ‘Don’t worry, I phoned the store. She’s there. Apparently went in early.’ Sue tapped a fingernail on Bill’s desk and looked at him with narrowed eyes. ‘Maybe she’s another one who couldn’t sleep.’

  Grant Donaldson stopped beside them. Bill had not seen him coming. ‘Briefing meeting,’ he hissed. ‘It might be helpful to the investigation.’ The sarcasm in his voice was barely masked.

  ‘Sorry, sir.’ Sue stood up. ‘Coming, Bill?’

  The two of them walked over to the other side of the room where everyone was clustered round the display boards. Blair Armstrong was finishing his feedback.

  ‘What were your impressions of them?’ Andy was frowning.

  ‘He was more nervous than she was, but she doesn’t seem to have much up top. Pretty little piece though.’ Blair looked thoughtful. ‘I thought they were both lying through their teeth.’

  Sid Low chipped in. ‘I’m not sure about Blair’s assessment of Mrs Moody. I thought her simple act was just that, an act. I think you’ll find the lady’s very clever, probably more so than her husband.’

  ‘So,’ Andy said, ‘Ken Moody’s still in the frame as a suspect. What about Mrs Moody?’

  ‘I’d say she was the jealous kind,’ Sid said. ‘Do anything to keep her husband.’

  ‘Any word from the victim’s husband yet?’ Andy looked round the group.

  ‘There was a phone message this morning from his place of business. He’s expected to return from France on Monday. He’ll come into the office as soon as he gets back.’

  ‘Have you checked out his movements yet?’ Andy scribbled on the white board.

  ‘Didn’t think there was any point until after we’d found out where he’s been for the last few days. But it’s down as a task still to be done.’

  ‘Thanks, Jill,’ Andy said. ‘Bugger’s not in any hurry, is he?’ He added a note to his previous scribble before looking up. ‘Bill, you’ve been going through the stuff we removed from the house. Did you get anything from it?’

  ‘Some photographs and addresses,’ Bill studied his fingernails. ‘We’re following up the leads.’ He knew he should have provided the information he had gleaned about Julie, but there would still be time if other leads did not work out. He caught Sue’s curious glance, but ignored it.

  ‘Sir,’ Sue pushed herself to the front of the group. ‘I wondered if we should provide surveillance for Miss Forbes. She might be in danger, and it could pay off if it leads us to the murderer.’

  Andy gave her a sharp look. ‘Where is she just now?’

  ‘In the store, sir. I checked this morning.’

  ‘So she should be safe enough for the time being. Can you lean on the staff to keep tabs on her and phone us if she goes anywhere?’

  ‘Yes, sir. But what about after work, sir, that’s probably when she’ll be at her most vulnerable.’

  ‘That’s very true.’ Andy smiled at Sue. ‘I admire your concern and the keen way you pursue your duty so, in the circumstances, I’ll allocate it to you.’ He turned away grinning. ‘You and Sid can commence your surveillance from, say five o’clock, before the store closes until, let’s say, midnight. After that, Blair and Jill can take over until morning when you’ll be back on duty again. Satisfactory?’

  ‘I suppose I asked for it,’ Sue said afterwards. ‘But the bugger didn’t need to enjoy it so much.’

  ***

  Out of habit, Julie went to her office in the food hall, but it had been stripped of everything apart from the bare desk and empty filing cabinet. It now looked more like a largish cupboard than an office and had a deserted air. She sat for a moment in her chair trying to feel something at the loss of her private space, but there was no regret, nothing. But then it never had felt like her office, her private space, she had left all that in Edinburgh. She was starting to feel she would never see Edinburgh again, but Adrian had promised to keep her job open until Christmas, and this was only the 29th of November. She still had time.

  It was with a sigh that she entered the lift and used the key she had been given to reach the top floor where the executive offices were. She supposed she had better show willing and start work there, at least until all this fuss was over. Bill’s voice still echoed in her mind, ‘Don’t you realise this puts you in the frame for Nicole’s murder?’ At some level she supposed she had known this, but she had pushed it down somewhere deep within herself and ignored it. Oh yes, she had wanted her revenge on Nicole, but that had not included murder.

  The lift doors grated open and she stood for a moment before she plucked up courage to enter the main office. It was certainly a lot more luxurious on this floor, deep carpets instead of cord, works of art on the walls instead of posters and, as she entered the main office, she noticed that even the clerical assistants had mahogany desks instead of veneered chipboard.

  The office manager, Evelyn, hurried over to greet her and introduce her to the typists and clerical staff. She took Julie on a tour of the clerical suite pointing out where everything was, where the various facilities were and where the financial staff, accountants, clerks and such like had their offices. Finally Evelyn ushered her through the glass doors to the executive office area where the carpets were even deeper and the artwork more valuable.

  ‘I checked with the police and they said it was all right for you to have Nicole’s office.’ She swung the door open. The room was large with a massive desk, leather swivel chair, double-door filing cabinet, deep-buttoned leather settee and armchair, coffee table and drinks cabinet. Julie had seen smaller lounges.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind having Nicole’s office. After what’s happened,’ Evelyn said, her voice tentative. ‘But Patrick said you had to have it.’

  Julie smiled, ‘And what Patrick says goes, I take it.’ She did not like the office, did not want to be here and most definitely did not want to be reminded of Nicole. But on the other hand, she did not want to upset Evelyn.

  ‘It’ll be fine, Evelyn,’ she said.

  ‘I’ve sorted out your stuff and put it in drawers and the filing cabinet. I hope that’s all right,’ she sounded anxious. ‘Oh, and your briefcase is on the desk. I didn’t want to open it.’

  ‘That’s fine Evelyn, I’ll call if I need you.’ Julie waited until Evelyn left the room and walked over to the desk. It was not her briefcase. It was Nicole’s. She sat down and stared at it. She should give it to the police, but then there might not be anything important inside. She leaned over and snapped the locks open, took a deep breath and lifted the lid.

  It contained very little. Some sheets of paper, a file labelled Development Plan and right on top a passport. Julie fingered it. Although she had not said anything to Julie, maybe Nicole had been planning to go abroad. She laid the passport on her desk. She should give this to the police maybe it would be a clue to Nicole’s death. What if she had been planning to run off with Ken, for instance? Julie turned the passport round and round teasing the pages between her fingers until she came to the photograph, but it was not Nicole’s face that it pictured. It was the face of a man, handsome, with longish hair and a strong chin. Scott Ralston the name said, but that was impossible. How could it be Scott’s passport if he was in France? That was where everyone thought he was, unless, of course, he was not there. The possibility that he might never have left Dundee flitted across her mind, but she dismissed it. There was probably some logical explanation.

  She put her hand out to the phone, but just then her door opened. ‘Settling in are we?’ Ken lounged in the doorway and she hurriedly pushed the passport into a drawer.

&n
bsp; ‘Yes thank you,’ she said keeping her voice level and ignoring the sarcasm she thought she could detect.

  He crossed the room towards her, leaned on the desk and threatened, ‘Don’t think you’re going to get in my way. Patrick already has me marked for greater things so just be careful.’

  She had no intention of letting him know he frightened her so, keeping her voice cool, she said, ‘The last thing I’d want to do would be to get in your way. In fact there is a distinct possibility I might not stay too long with this firm. So I’d be obliged if you would leave my office.’

  Once he left she relaxed, leaning back in her chair until the shaking subsided. Ken Moody, she decided, was a dangerous man underneath all that boyish charm.

  She had completely forgotten about the passport.

  ***

  Sue parked the car outside the back entrance of Patrick Drake’s Department Store at exactly five o’clock.

  ‘I really mucked it up for you tonight, Sid,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘That’s okay,’ he said. ‘I didn’t have anything on anyway. Besides, it’s overtime. Not often you get that nowadays.’

  ‘I suppose so,’ Sue said. ‘But I’m starting to think it would’ve been better if I’d kept my mouth shut.’

  ‘What and lose the chance of nabbing a murderer? It’s our big chance, Sue. Could mean promotion if it works out.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Sue said. ‘As long as we don’t fall down on the job and, instead of rescuing the damsel, we have us another body. Mind you, I don’t know what they could demote you to. Office cleaner maybe?’

  Sid grinned. ‘You sure this is the way she’ll come out?’

  ‘Sure, I’m sure. I checked it with the security guy. All we have to do now is sit and wait.’

  CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

  The day passed in a flurry of activity leaving Julie no time to think, and when a myriad of small sounds, indicating that the staff were finishing for the day, it came as something of a surprise. She looked at her watch, tempted to join them, but Patrick expected her to read the Development Plan before Monday’s meeting. ‘I’ll look forward to your comments,’ he had said, so she could not avoid reading it. There was also her office to sort out, although she supposed that could maybe wait. And there was the little matter of being in the store on her own, although it was not so long ago she had spent the night there, in a state of oblivion needless to say, and she had been safe enough.

  She shrugged her shoulders. She could not go through life scared at every shadow. In any case she was probably safer inside the store than outside on the street. There was always the security system for added protection. Usually it was Harry who provided this. He stayed in the store until the last person left and, if anyone was working late, he checked their workplace at regular intervals. She reached her hand for the phone, but hesitated before she lifted the receiver. It would be better to go downstairs and let him know, it was more of a personal touch, and she did not want him to think she had become uppity now she was part of the executive staff.

  Except for a few security lights the store was in darkness, so Julie took the lift to the basement rather than the first floor because she knew her way round the food hall and it held no terrors for her. She clattered up the half flight of stairs, banged through the access door and into the back corridor. Light streamed from the doorway of Harry’s small room, shafting across the corridor, brighter than the illumination from the fizzing ceiling bulbs. Music thumped, something modern and catchy which was a good indication Harry was there.

  Harry was standing in front of the sink filling his kettle when Julie reached his door. He turned round to look at her, ‘Working late tonight, Julie?’

  ‘You must be a mind reader, Harry.’

  ‘It doesn’t take much mind reading when you’re standing there with no coat on.’ Harry grinned at her. ‘Want a cup of tea before you start?’

  ‘No, thanks anyway, I only came down to ask if you’d wait back for me? I shouldn’t be any later than about eight o’clock.’

  ‘That’s okay, Julie. I’m not doing anything later tonight anyway, so I’m just as well here. I’ll let your guardian angels know you’re working on.’

  ‘My guardian angels? What d’you mean, Harry?’

  ‘Oh, I thought you knew. You’ve got a police guard. Two nice officers sitting in a car at the top of the alley waiting to escort you home.’

  Julie was thoughtful as she returned to her office. She had not known about the police guard and was not sure how she should react to this bit of protection, if that was what it was. Somehow or other she had a suspicion that Bill was behind it and that he was looking out for her. Her steps quickened into a jaunty stride. Maybe their relationship could be rescued. She slowed as it suddenly crossed her mind that maybe she was being followed rather than protected, which meant she was under suspicion. But no, she quickened her steps again. They would not have made their presence known to Harry if that was the case.

  The executive floor had a deserted feel, but once Julie was in her office with the door closed she felt safe and secure. She opened the Development Plan file and started to study it, she had also found some of Nicole’s notes which she referred to from time to time, and she had tapped into Nicole’s laptop.

  Harry checked on her once and she lifted her head, waved and smiled. The next time she looked at her watch it was almost seven o’clock. She stretched her arms above her head, did some neck exercises and then went to the executive loo, a luxurious facility with marble floors, tiles, gold-plated taps and fluffy towels. Ten more minutes, she thought, as she washed her hands, that should do it and then I’m off home.

  A slight sound sent her nerves zinging into overdrive. She opened the door, but there was nothing to be seen. Probably Harry checking up, she thought, but the back of her neck was prickling.

  ***

  ‘Thanks for letting us know,’ Sue shouted to Harry as he hurried back down the alley. ‘That’s a bummer,’ she said to Sid. ‘She’s working late. Eight o’clock the security guy said.’

  ‘Maybe we should go and come back then, What d’you think?’

  ‘I suppose we could,’ Sue mused. ‘Bill wouldn’t like it though. He’s got a thing for this one.’

  ‘Bill doesn’t need to know.’ Sid grinned at her. ‘I won’t tell him if you don’t.’

  ‘I don’t know. What if she finishes earlier than that? We’d miss her. Then he’d know.’

  ‘Yeah, I suppose.’ Sid lapsed into a gloomy silence.

  Ten minutes later Bill tapped on their window. ‘She not out yet?’

  Sue rolled the window down. ‘She’s working late until eight o’clock. The security guy let us know.’

  Bill stared up at the darkened store. ‘Not sure I’d like to be locked in there by myself.’

  ‘Security guy’s in there with her.’

  ‘Is that Harry? The one Mrs Ralston accused of being the stalker.’

  ‘Jeez,’ Sue said, ‘I never thought about that.’ She got out of the car and stood beside Bill as they looked at the store together. ‘Mind you, he’d be stupid to try anything with us being here.’

  ‘I suppose you’re right,’ Bill said. ‘But keep an eye on it. If she’s not out by eight o’clock let me know.’

  ‘Sure thing.’ Sue returned to the car, less confident than she had been.

  ***

  The store had been quiet for a long time before he discarded his disguise and emerged from the toilet where he had been hiding since before closing time.

  The food hall was deserted and dark and he moved silently between the aisles, feeling his way to the door that led onto the stairs. He did not want to risk using the lift, it would make too much noise.

  Pausing on the stairs, he listened. Faint music drifted upwards. He followed the sound. Everything would be lost if he was seen and he wanted no witnesses.

  ***

  The corridor was quiet enough and, although she felt foolish, Julie crept along as
quietly as she could. Her office door was open, but maybe she had left it that way. The rustle of papers, however, was certainly not her imagination. All of a sudden she knew. It was Ken, poking and prying into what she was doing. It was like him. He was a nasty piece of work, and he was not going to get off with it.

  ‘What the hell d’you think you’re doing?’ Her voice tailed off as the man turned round. It was not Ken. He was tall, extremely attractive, and looked just like his passport photograph. ‘You’re Scott,’ she said. ‘But what are you doing here? And why are you going through my papers?’

  ‘I’m sorry, I thought this was Nicole’s office.’ He looked confused and apologetic. ‘I was just looking for something,’ he murmured, ‘something that belongs to me.’

  Julie instinctively knew what he was looking for. ‘Try the top right hand drawer,’ she said.

  He moved behind the desk and slid the drawer open, removing his passport. ‘Ah,’ he said. ‘Thank you.’ He held it in his hand while he gave her a puzzled look. ‘How did you know what I was looking for?’

  Julie did not answer his question. ‘I thought you were supposed to be in Paris?’ She walked towards the desk, keeping it between them, although she had no sensation of danger.

  ‘No. I went to Manchester instead.’ His voice was slightly flustered, although his eyes were steady and focused on her. ‘Why did you think I was going to Paris?’ He sounded puzzled.

  Something about his attitude unnerved Julie. She did not know what it was, but it left her feeling distinctly uneasy. ‘Nicole told me,’ she said. ‘Why would she say you were in Paris when you weren’t?’

  ‘Why indeed,’ he said. His voice was light and soothing, but the expression on his face had tightened. ‘What else did Nicole tell you?’

  Something in the tone of his voice unnerved her. ‘You shouldn’t be here, you know,’ she said, reaching for the phone. ‘I’ll just contact security and get you shown out.’