“Pardon? Is this some sort of orgy thing?” Pearl asked.
“That’s disgusting,” Ryan said with a tut. “You can let me out here if you’re going to be doing … I can’t even say it.”
Derek laughed. “There’s nothing sordid going on. People of advancing years still have lives too. There are activities going on in this church. We have bingo and dancing. We have quizzes and games. We even go on coach trips sometimes. I’ve only been a few times since I lost Dorothy.” He pulled up to the entrance of the church.
An elderly man with a bowed back shuffled towards them. He smiled when he recognised Derek. He waved his hand in greeting and moved a plastic cone to one side so that Derek could drive into the main car park.
Derek let his window down. “Thanks, Charlie. How are you?”
“Mustn’t grumble. It’s good to see you again, Derek. We’re busy today.” He gave Derek a salute and waved him through.
Derek slowly moved forward. He said to Ryan, “Is Owen still following us?”
“He is. Is this your plan? Owen will follow us in here. That old fella isn’t going to stop him.”
“Just you watch.”
Derek watched the scene behind him through his mirror. Pearl and Ryan watched through the back window.
Owen tried to follow Derek into the car park. Charlie put his hand up and stopped him. Owen put his window down and gesticulated towards the car park. Charlie gave him a firm shake of his head and then placed a plastic cone in front of Owen’s car. Owen revved the car up and made to move forward. Charlie slammed his hands on the bonnet of the car and glared at Owen. Owen tried to move forward again. Charlie moved in front of the car and stood there with his hands on his hips, a defiant look on his face.
“Oh, look at him,” Pearl said. “The old fella is shaking, bless him.”
“That’s not out of fear, that’s just his wobbly legs. He’s having his knees done soon,” Derek pointed out.
Ryan shook his head. “I don’t think Owen’s frightened by him. He’s revving the engine, my engine, again. I think he’s going to run your friend over.”
“Just watch.”
Charlie stood his ground and glared at Owen, steel in his eyes. Owen revved the engine louder.
“It’s like a stand-off from an old cowboy film,” Pearl noted. “Oh, look. Owen’s retreating.”
Derek nodded. “He’s no match for Charlie. Right, I’ll park up and we’ll go inside.”
A few minutes later, they walked into the church hall. It was bright and full of old people talking, chatting and laughing.
Pearl said, “This is lovely, Derek. Why don’t you come here more often?”
Derek gave her a small smile and muttered, “You’ll see why in a moment. You might not like it.”
There was a sudden shriek from the back of the hall. “Derek! It’s Derek! Hi Derek!”
The floor shook as women of a certain age rushed towards them.
“Derek! You promised me a dance!”
“Shift out of the way, Dolores! He said he was going to play poker with me!”
“Back off! I saw him first!”
Ryan laughed. “Ha! Derek is a babe magnet! This is hilarious!”
Derek put a smile on his face and bravely awaited the onslaught from his eager female friends. He didn’t dare look at Pearl, he knew she’d be fuming. He could already feel the heat coming from her. He felt a sudden pang of guilt. He didn’t want to hurt Pearl’s feelings. That was a new emotion for him. He’d only ever felt like that about Dorothy.
Chapter 10
Derek had spent more time than he wanted to at the church hall. Pearl had taken a seat at the far side of the hall and had sat there with her arms tightly folded against her chest. She’d been very formal with Derek when they all returned to his car later. She’d informed him that Ryan needed a break and that she’d be taking him to a quiet place for a while. Ryan had said he was okay. Pearl had insisted, quite loudly, that he wasn’t and she knew best. The ghosts had then disappeared.
Derek had spent a quiet evening on his own at home. It had given him a chance to think about the case. He’d written his thoughts down and he knew what he had to do next.
After breakfast the next morning he called out for Pearl in his kitchen.
She appeared within a minute with Ryan at her side. Her arms were still folded and Derek wondered if she’d been like that all night. She sniffed and looked around the kitchen. “On your own then?”
Ryan winked at Derek. “Or did you get lucky and you’ve got a visitor upstairs? Ow! What was that for?” He rubbed his head and looked at Pearl.
“My hand slipped.” She folded her arms even tighter. “Right, what are we doing today, Derek? You’re still alive so I’m presuming Owen didn’t follow you home and murder you in your sleep.”
“Would you like it if he did?” Derek said with a twinkle in his eyes. “Then I could be a ghost with you and we could wander around this Earth solving crimes together.”
Pearl’s arms dropped. “Derek! I would never want that! I would never want you to get hurt!”
Ryan smirked. “If you were ghosts together you could make sweet ghost-love!” His hand flew to his head. “Ow! Will you stop hitting me?”
Pearl ignored him. “Derek, I don’t ever want to put your life in danger. If you want me to disappear and take annoying ghosts with me, then I will.”
Derek held a hand up. “I don’t want that at all. I said I’d help Ryan, and I will do.” He smiled at Ryan. “You look in better spirits today. Oh! Spirits! Ha!”
“That’s a very lame joke,” Ryan replied. “I do feel better though. I was thinking about Alex. I’m glad he’s got his life sorted out. I am worried about Lara but it’s a vague worry, as if it doesn’t really matter any more.”
Pearl tapped Ryan on the arm. “You’re losing your attachment to her, there’s a reason for that. You know something about her but you’re trying to distance yourself from it. And don’t forget what you said about someone else dying.”
Ryan leant against the kitchen worktop, a dejected look on his face. “I’d forgotten about that. Thanks for reminding me. I feel sad again now.”
“You’re welcome.” Pearl turned to Derek. “So, what are we going to do today?”
“We’re going to meet up with Lara again. I phoned her last night and told her I’d like to discuss a personal matter with her. I think she felt bad for being so curt with me yesterday. We’re going to meet at a pub later on this morning.”
Pearl nodded. “Good. We’ll come with you. Unless …” she looked down at her dress. “Unless you’d rather be alone. You might want to visit that den of iniquity again.”
Derek chuckled. “You mean the church? No, I’m not going back there for a while. The woman are too … shall we say, friendly?”
Pearl looked up. “I can think of more appropriate words for them but I don’t want to say them out loud.”
Ryan snorted. “You should have heard what she said about them last night! She had to explain some of those words to me.” He quickly ducked as Pearl’s hand came towards him. “Ha! Missed me.”
Derek switched the kettle on. “Let’s have a cuppa and a chat about this case. Well, I’ll have a cuppa, obviously.” He reached into his pocket and took out his notebook. “I’ve written some things down.”
Ryan straightened up and reached into his own pocket. “You need a tablet, Derek, one like this. You can fit all sorts of information on it.” He looked down at his tablet and frowned. “That’s weird. I’m getting a list of Lara’s clients again. But it’s different from last time. Not all of her clients are listed this time, just some of them. Why’s that happening?”
Derek sat at the table and took a pencil out of another pocket. “That could be vital information. Give me those names, and any other information that’s on your tablet.”
Ryan did so and then said, “Why would I have this information? It’s nothing to do with me or my murder. Is it?”
“You need to be careful, Derek, love. He can’t hurt us,” Pearl said. “But he can hurt you.”
Derek made his cup of tea and returned to the kitchen table. He talked about the case with Pearl and Ryan. They agreed with his plan of action.
Derek looked at his watch. “Time to go. I’m a bit early but you never know what the traffic is going to be like.” He stood up and gave the two ghosts a big smile. “Cheer up you two! I’ll have this case solved in no time! I’ll soon find out why Lara lied to us yesterday, and why she’s involved with Owen again. My plan can’t fail.” Even as the words left his mouth Derek knew that his plan would most likely fail.
Chapter 11
They arrived at the pub twenty minutes later. Ryan stared out of the rear window all the way and constantly informed Derek that he wasn’t being followed.
Pearl sang along to a tune on the radio. It was a song from the fifties. “One of my favourites,” she told Derek when it had finished.
Derek said, “One day, Pearl, you’ll have to tell me more about yourself. I’d love to know more about you.”
Pearl tapped the side of her nose. “I’d rather remain a woman of mystery. Is this the pub? It looks nice, not like what I was expecting.”
Derek reversed into a space near the back of the car park. “Pubs are much friendlier places now. There’s no smoking and most of them do food.” He gave her a casual look and added, “When was the last time you were in a pub?”
She cackled. “Don’t go fishing for information, Derek!”
Ryan said, “I can see Lara’s car. Hang on, she’s being followed by Owen. What’s he doing here?”
Derek turned the engine off and reached into the glove compartment. He took out a pair of binoculars and held them up. “Be prepared!” he said to his passengers with a grin. He trained the binoculars towards Lara’s car.
Lara parked up and switched off her engine. She got out and leant against the driver’s door, a sheaf of papers in her hand. Owen parked next to her and got out of his car.
Derek lowered the binoculars and shared a shocked look with Pearl. “By heck! He’s a big lad, isn’t he?”
“He certainly is. Built like a brick … building. Look at his arm muscles!” Pearl said.
Derek raised the binoculars again. “Looks like there’s a bit of argy-bargy going on. Lara doesn’t want to part with those papers. Owen’s having a go at her. His face is all twisted and he’s moving closer. Oh! He’s raising his fist! Pearl, I might have to go out and rescue her!”
Ryan said, “Just a minute. He’s taken the papers and now he’s getting back in my car.” His voice broke. “Lara’s crying. What has he been doing to her? Derek, can you help her?”
“Of course.” Derek put the binoculars away and swiftly left his car. Owen drove out of the car park without seeing him. Derek moved over to Lara who now had her head in her hands, her shoulders were shaking. Derek gave a polite cough.
Lara moved her hands. She blinked at Derek. Recognition dawned. “Mr Quill! You’ve caught me crying again. What must you think of me?”
“I think you need a friend at this moment. And a strong drink. Let me buy you one.” Derek crooked his arm towards her.
Lara sniffed and gave him a weak smile. “You’re like my knight in shining armour. I would love a strong coffee.” She put her hand on his arm.
Derek chuckled and said, “More like an old fella in a knitted cardigan. Let’s get you settled inside and you can tell me everything.”
He led Lara towards the pub entrance. Pearl and Ryan followed behind. Derek heard Ryan say, “He’s got a way with the ladies, old Derek.” A second later he added, “Ouch! Now what?”
Derek picked a corner table and told Lara to take a seat. He quickly got them both coffees and then sat opposite her. He handed her a fresh handkerchief in case she needed it. Lara had kept his other one but Derek didn’t mind, he had a drawer full of handkerchiefs at home.
Lara was more than happy to tell Derek her troubles. “You must think I cry all the time. I don’t. I did cry a lot when Ryan died. My heart was broken. That man who you’ve just seen me with in the car park, he’s called Owen Reeves. I used to date him a long time ago. He wasn’t kind to me when we dated and it took me a while to get out of that relationship. Ryan helped me through it. But when Ryan died Owen contacted me again. He said he was a changed man, he said he was sorry for all the pain he caused me. I must have been feeling weak because I agreed to meet up with him. And now I can’t get rid of him.” She cupped her hands around her drink.
“I know it’s hard for you, lass, but you know you have to end things with him. I can see the sadness in your eyes. This fella of yours, Ryan, what would he say to you if he could see you now?”
Lara smiled. “I know what he’d say, and I can’t repeat it to you.”
She didn’t need to. Ryan had just voiced his opinions on what he would like to do to Owen.
Lara sighed. “You’re right, I have to end it. It’s complicated though. Owen is involved in some business that I …” She stopped and clamped her mouth shut. She looked away.
“Some business?” Derek persisted. “I saw him taking some papers from you. Does he work in the same sort of business as you?”
Lara looked at him and gave a mirthless laugh. “You could say that. Let’s not talk about him. Did you want to talk more about a life policy with me, Mr Quill?”
Derek nodded. “I was thinking about it, yes.”
Lara looked from left to right. She lowered her head and said in a low voice, “I would advise you not to take a policy out with us. It’s not safe.”
Derek lowered his head too. “What do you mean, not safe?”
A cold voice interrupted them. “I thought it was you. I don’t want any trouble.” They both jumped guiltily and looked up at the waitress who was glaring at Lara. “I think it’s best if you left now. We don’t want any accidents again, do we?”
Derek was shocked at the hate in her voice and was about to ask her to leave.
Lara’s face turned red and she hastily got to her feet. She collected her handbag and said quietly, “I’m going. Sorry.” She shot an apologetic look at Derek. “I’m so sorry. I have to go. Remember what I said about a policy.” She walked rapidly away, keeping her eyes downcast.
Derek looked at the waitress. “What was all that about?”
The waitress sniffed and gave Derek the once-over. “Are you in on it too?”
“In on what?”
Another sniff. “Never mind. Do you want another coffee?”
Derek pulled his cup closer. “No. Thank you.”
The waitress sniffed again and Derek felt like offering her a handkerchief too. She turned on her heel and walked away.
“Well!” Pearl exclaimed. “What was all that about? Ryan? Have you any idea what’s going on?”
Ryan shook his head. “No.” His hand flew to the side of his head and he winced. “But I think I’m remembering something. It’s something to do with some paperwork that I had at home. Derek, can we go back to my house? I think there’s something I need to look at. It’s something important.”
Derek drained his cup and stood up. He gave the waitress a friendly wave as he left the pub. She gave him a suspicious glare.
Derek drove towards Ryan’s old house. He gave a nervous laugh. “I’ve got a feeling that we’re being followed. Ryan, are you sure that Owen isn’t following us?”
“I can’t see him. But he might have changed cars.” Ryan was kneeling on the back seat, staring out at the road.
Pearl rubbed her tummy. “I’ve got a funny feeling too. Derek, you need to be careful.”
“I will.” He stopped in
front of Ryan’s old house.
Ryan spun around in his seat. “Alex! There’s something wrong with Alex!”
Chapter 12
Ryan shot out of the car and over to the front door of the house. He disappeared through the door.
Derek raced out of his car and ran after him. Pearl was right behind him. Derek rapped on the door. “Alex! Open up!” He turned anguished eyes to Pearl. “Can you do something? Can you go inside?”
Pearl nodded and stepped through the door. Her face poked out a second later. “Derek! You have to get in here now! Break the door down.”
Derek didn’t hesitate. He shoved his weight at the door. It didn’t budge. He tried again and again, ignoring the excruciating pains that were shooting through his shoulder and arm. Finally, he heard the splinter of wood and the door moved. Derek shoved it open and ran into the house.
Pearl was waiting for him in the hallway. She pointed towards the living room. “Quick!”
Derek ran in. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Alex lying on his back on the carpet. Ryan was at his side waving his hands uselessly through his brother’s face. “Wake up! Don’t be dead!”
Derek dropped to Alex’s other side and picked up his wrist. “I can feel his pulse. It’s very weak. Let me get him into the recovery position.” Derek moved Alex’s body onto his side and then phoned for an ambulance.
Pearl knelt on the carpet next to Derek. “Will he be alright?”
“I’m not sure,” Derek replied as he put his phone away.
Ryan ran his hand through his hair. “This is all my fault! I shouldn’t have made you come here yesterday. We upset him and now look what he’s done!”
Derek did look closer at what Alex had done. A bottle of nearly empty whisky lay at Alex’s side. Derek sniffed the area near Alex’s face. “He’s certainly had a drink or two.” He looked closer. “Look at his mouth, you can see bruises near his lips. I think he was forced to drink a lot of whisky. I think someone is trying to make this look like suicide.”
Pearl And Derek Mysteries - Box Set 1 Page 8
