Swindled

by Mayes, June

  Scott didn’t remember meeting Tina face to face although he had heard about her through the office grapevine. There just wasn’t much he could add to the investigation. David on the other hand was able to give a brief account of Tina’s brush with himself and Beth in the hallway. The detective frantically took down notes but there wasn’t much else to say.

  Beth thought about the drunken blond girl that had bumped into them the day before. Had it only been yesterday that she and David had watched Tina leave the funeral with a teary eye?

  “I don’t think that she liked Anne very much from what I remember Brian saying.” Beth said when David had finished. She wracked her brains for anything else that might help the detectives. She vaguely remembered Brian complaining that the two secretaries were at each others throats all day. That is when they were actually speaking to one another. Other then that Tina was just another face in the office.

  “They didn’t get along,” Vickie agreed as the detective paused in his writing to look at them.

  “What makes you say that?” he prompted looking from Vickie to Beth.

  “Well they were both at the funeral and went out of their way not to say anything to each other. It seems strange now because so many of the office people were making a real effort to comfort one another,” Vickie explained cautiously. It was all idle speculation really. They didn’t know Tina well enough to say much more.

  Beth looked at the detective and took a deep breath. “Actually I got the impression that she was Brian’s latest romantic interest,” she said. They had to tell Joseph. He would no doubt hear it from somewhere else if he didn’t already know that Tina was one of Brian’s flings. She closed her eyes and went on to explain what Tina had said the day before about being hid in Brian’s closet. David confirmed it and the detective wrote more in his notebook. It may be nothing but maybe it would help.

  The detective took down notes once they had finished and there was a pause in the conversation. “Was it a common thing for him to do? Get involved with staff?” he asked.

  “Well it wasn’t uncommon,” Beth responded shrugging. She looked up at the detective. “You might want to look in Brian’s bedroom closets again,” she added lightly rubbing her finger along her bottom lip. She wasn’t sure she should be telling him this but it might be important to the investigation. She wanted to help after all.

  Joseph looked back at Beth. Scott and David also both turned and focused their eyes on her. Vickie rubbed a hand over her eyes and groaned softly. Beth tried not to grimace. She was getting herself into hot water, again.

  “Why?” Joseph asked calmly watching Beth’s face flush a light pink. Whose bright idea had it been to get that paperwork anyway she wondered?

  “Well you’ll find some evidence,” Beth explained feeling awkward. She had hoped that the police had recovered the bra themselves, deluding herself that it was probably not important to the investigation. A wild hope she realised but it was what had made her feel better about not pointing out their discovery earlier.

  “And you know this how?” Joseph asked prompting her again for more detail.

  “I was in Brian’s flat after he died. Along with a friend of mine, Karin Hollgate,” she said glanced over at her sister. “We were picking up documents for our business and we came across a few items of, um clothing.” The detective made notes as Beth explained what had happened including Karin and Beth’s frantic adventure in the closet. By the end of her explanation Beth could have sworn there was a small smile on the detectives face. She shook her head she must be imagining it.

  To the side Scott was having a whispered conversation with his wife. It sounded like he was forbidding her from ever leaving his sight again. Beth tried not to snicker. No doubt the two of them were going to have another of their heated discussions about just what classified as adult behaviour. It was an ongoing debate with them. Vickie always argued soundly that any man, grown or not, who jumps up and down to support a team of guys kicking a leather ball around could hardly be classified as adult. Scott on the other hand seemed to think that the regular adventures that Vickie found herself dragged into by Beth and friends could constitute purely childish tendencies. Beth sometimes wondered if the two of them had decided to get pregnant just to have another play mate around.

  Beth shook her head as Vickie replied to Scott that she was of sound mind and body and if she wanted to go out she could. Scott didn’t look like he believed her. Beth looked over at David to see how he was taking it; she hadn’t had the chance to explain the story the night before. He had a look of comical disbelief on his face and just looked at her with those piercing eyes of his. No doubt he thought she was a mad woman. Sometimes Beth herself thought she was certifiably insane. Breaking in had seemed like such a good idea at the time.

  “He was known to um like his secretaries,” Scott said diplomatically pulling himself back to the conversation at hand after the detective cleared his throat once or twice. The other detective stayed well in the background looking more like an enforcer then an investigator. He had managed to drag his eyes off David which Beth thought probably took a great deal of self discipline.

  “Brian’s exploits were legendary to everyone who knew him. Discrete he was not,” Vickie added with a sigh. It was embarrassing just how many young, blond secretaries Brian had gone through over the past few years. The man had either had an incredible stamina or a regular supply of Viagra.

  “Is there anything else we can help with?” Beth asked the detective. She had a small hope that all this would go away now. They had done what they could and she wanted to get back into her comfort zone far away from the hostilities of the outside world.

  “Yes,” Joseph hesitated clearly he didn’t want to continue but felt compelled to do so. “I need to ask all of you where you were last night.”

  “What!” Vickie and Beth exclaimed together. Beth sat up straight. She had, over the course of the interview, relaxed against David’s body without even realising it. With Joseph’s words ringing in her ears she pulled away and sat feeling like a target once again.

  “I don’t believe it. You can’t think its one of us?” Scott said. He was shaking his head at the detectives. Its seemed in conceivable that within one week they were pretty much back where they had started, on the target list for the local Met.

  “It’s routine for the most part. Although I can’t help feeling you,” the detective said looking at Beth, “are more involved then you’re letting on.” He didn’t react to their outrage or seem perturbed by their response to what he was saying. Maybe it was routine for him to throw families into turmoil Beth thought. Maybe he was just jaded to human responses to accusations. She shivered.

  “Again? You think I killed someone again?” Beth said faintly feeling like she was going to pass out. This was the second time in a week that she was being considered a suspect in a murder. David started laughing and gently pulled her back against him. In a second he had diffused the potentially fraught situation. He explained calmly and pointedly to the detectives that he had been with Beth all night. Scott and Vickie had been in the house as well and retired together. His matter of fact approach seemed to put an end to the detective’s questions. David had been firm and clear on their stance and without much more discussion stood to escort the men out of the house.

  By the time the detectives left Beth was just about recovering from the shock of it all. Vickie and Scott had gone into the kitchen to put breakfast together and no doubt finish their ‘discussion’ on the merits of staying out of trouble. Beth just sat there. She hadn’t been able to speak; she was so stunned by the entire situation. Another death and yet more pointed questions about her whereabouts. Beth could hardly credit it. David came back and sat down pulling Beth back into his arms as he did so. She went gratefully, she needed the comfort of his strength and support.

  “Are you jinxed?” he asked looking amused as he rubbed her lower back in small circles. She relaxed against him. “What is it? If t
rouble can’t find you, you go and look for it? A closet?? Beth you are jinxed,” he was quietly shaking with laughter.

  “No I’m not,” Beth said stubbornly knowing she sounded childish. “I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I thought he would need to know that they missed something.”

  “Oh he did need to know,” David agreed resting his chin on her head as he tucked her against him and gave her a hug. “Of course the fact that you, his murder suspect, had to point out that he missed something was probably not what he wanted to hear.”

  “Men are so sensitive,” Beth huffed. Anyone would think she had gone out of her way to make trouble for the man. “I was helping him and he acts like it’s a crime,” she said mildly outraged. It was hard to hold onto her anger and fear when she felt so safe in David’s arms.

  “Technically going in to your brother’s flat was a crime.” David said still laughing as he leaned back to look at Beth. His dimple made the strong planes of his face softer and more gentle. He was without a doubt one of the handsomest men Beth had laid eyes on. He didn’t have boyish good looks or rugged model type features. His face had character and came alive when he spoke to her and laughed with her. She reached up and put a hand against his cheek.

  “I had a spare key!” she argued without heat. “And it was our paperwork,” explaining herself.

  “Yes but no invitation. In fact, you were going there specifically to take something. That I think you’ll find is stealing,” David continued with a smirk on his face. She laughed back at him. He was endearing.

  “I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” Beth said stubbornly giving him a mock glare. Sparing with him was such a pleasure she thought as David leaned forward to catch her hand.

  “You did the right thing,” he said growing serious. “You could have kept quiet and not put yourself back on the detectives wanted list again but you didn’t. I admire you for that.” He kissed her hand and looked at her with those beautifully deep blue eyes.

  “Do you?” Beth was sounding very forlorn despite their previous levity. There was a niggling worry that this could all blow up in her face. Doing the right thing and telling the detective about the bra may not have been the right thing for her. She felt gratified that David at least thought it was worth the chance. He pulled her more tightly against him.

  “Yes. I think you were an idiot to go to Brian’s flat in the first place but I’m glad you told the detective,” David agreed smiling down at her. He kissed her gently on the lips and set her on her feet. Together, hand in hand they went off to find breakfast.

  Chapter 33

  Feeling emotional was not the way into a business meeting Beth told herself two hours later. David had run to meet a client one hour before leaving Beth to panic about the meeting with her neurotic sister while Scott was at work. The two sisters had got themselves worked up into a mild state of panic within minutes. Now Beth stood alone in front of the formidable glass-fronted office building trying to calm down.

  Taking a deep breath, she quickly let her breath out again. She was wearing one of her new designs but in their haste Vickie had made it smaller then Beth needed. Breathing in deeply risked popping out and revealing all. As it was her breasts swelled over the top of the turquoise satin making her look nearly indecent under the white transparent button down top she was wearing. A turquoise silk skirt cut on the bias and white strap sandals completed the outfit. Beth had tied a bow in matching colour to one of the straps and she was done. Hair up in its usual twist and an old fashioned doctor’s case in hand filled with samples. She really was as ready as she could ever be.

  The reception was marble and glass with vaulted ceilings. Everything had its place and matched. The receptionist herself looked like an ice sculpture poised and efficient. At the corner of the desk was a pot plant clinging to life. Other then Beth it seemed to be the only living thing in the room. As she introduced herself, she could feel the eyes of the security guard assessing her and she had to admit at least to herself that the outfit she was wearing was a thin line away from call girl. Still wearing their wares, she figured, had worked at the funeral so why not try it again. She crossed her fingers behind her back as she headed up in the elevator.

  Stephen met her at the door to the lift as they opened. He looked as reputable and distinguished as she remembered. Grinning at her, he led them into a nearby boardroom to meet two of the company’s senior buyers. There was a suppressed glee in Stephen’s movement and he seemed more excited then she was about the range. Beth took it as a good sign that he talked about where they would stock the merchandise rather then if they would. She felt the stress leave her body. What will be will be she decided and it looks like good things this time around.

  “What did I tell you? Will these pieces make an impression or what?” Stephen asked his buyers with a jovial tone of voice. He looked incredibly pleased with himself as he introduced Beth and waved a hand toward her ensemble. She wondered if she should pirouette. It seemed almost expected.

  The woman sitting at the table stood up at the same time as her colleague but had her vibrant eyes glued on Beth’s bra. Her hair was a pile of curls that looked fit to burst from their confining pins. There was a bright eager look about her as she surveyed the way Beth’s cleavage swelled out of her top.

  “Wow,” she said. “I don’t suppose you have another one in that case of yours?” she asked grinning at Beth. “I have a hot date tonight and that would be perfect!” Beth grinned back. It was nice to have someone really appreciate their work. This was exactly the type of woman that the sisters had in mind when they designed their stuff. High powered, professional, sophisticated women who when they let their hair down were ready to have fun. Beth figured she couldn’t have planned a better reception if she had managed to bribe the buyers.

  “I have one in yellow that will look fantastic with your skin tones or maybe one with feathers?” Beth raised an eyebrow and looked the woman appraisingly. “What are you planning on wearing tonight?” This was the fun side of business. Matching styles and sets with personalities and occasions. This was the type of thing that Beth’s creative mind thrived on.

  “Susan Jackson,” the lady introduced herself as she shook Beth’s hand. “And I’m wearing a dark green bustier that yellow would set off very nicely, thank you. You’re good.” She gave a smile and nod at Beth. A fellow woman who understood the need to show off and play when not working hard, Beth decided. She liked her.

  Beth laughed as responded, “I try!” She turned to shake hands with the other gentleman in the room.

  “Mitch Adams,” he said with a disarming smile. He was an average sort of man with an open friendly face. He looked like a good guy to work with. “I don’t think there is anything in that little bag of tricks for me.” Giving a greedy grin he continued, “I do know, however, a few fine retail establishments that would give their eye teeth for a product like that within their hallowed halls,” he said with a wave toward Beth’s top. “Oh and at home as well, I’m sure!” he added as an afterthought. Everyone chuckled.

  “Actually,” Beth returned with a sly smile. “I may have something in my bag of tricks for you to take home. Let’s just say it’s something special for your wife that you can take advantage of yourself!” They all laughed again, starting the meeting off with a high note. Beth unloaded scraps of lace, satin, feathers, and leather adorned with all manner of decoration. There wasn’t one design that the buyers couldn’t place with one of their boutiques. They loved the variety, the different styles and the quality. Beth braced herself as they got to the inevitable discussion around costs but her fears were unfounded. The team seemed to feel the costs were reasonable.

  An hour later Beth looked around to find Stephen, Susan and Mitch were arguing good-naturedly over the various styles they preferred. This was how business should always be done she decided. With good people who were willing to try new ideas and give credit or money where it was due. While the bottom-line was undeniabl
y important so to was the product and that was what seemed to take precedence here. She smiled and focused back on the question at hand.

  Before long they had hashed out the details like payment and timings. Because Stephen’s company provided only exclusive boutiques with their merchandise, they were looking for a moderate volume of stock which Beth and Vickie would have no trouble providing. Clutching the order in her hand, Beth left the meeting walking on air. With the stock they had already and the designs in the works, the business was well on the way. She wanted to jump in the air and tap her heels together. After all that hard work they had done it!

  Chapter 34

  By lunchtime Vickie and Beth sat in a coffee shop just off Oxford Street celebrating the success of their first purchase. The coffee shop was on the corner of a little square. The whole area had a historical feel accentuated by the cobble stones and the traditional fronted pub on another corner. It was a tiny slice of untouched London life just a minute away from the rushing bustle of busses, people and cars that filled the famous shopping street. The coffee shop had probably been there longer then any of the high street shops had been in existence. With its bullet glass panes and low ceilings it felt like the twins were stepping back in time.

  “So we’re in the clear?” Vickie asked sipping her frothy cappuccino. They were sitting in the front corner of the shop soaking in the atmosphere and watching the people in the street as they wandered by. It was just cold enough for the heating to be on low so there was a warm feeling in the air. Coming in from the crisp weather into the welcoming heat had been bliss.

  “Well we’re on the right track. We can make the first payment toward the loan and pay for some supplies for the next range,” Beth explained. “It’s more then we could have hoped for and the timing is just perfect.”

  “With all the excitement of the last few days it almost feels like a bit of an anticlimax doesn’t it?” Vickie asked as she watched another shopper struggle into the shop and drop relieved into a chair at a nearby table. Beth shook her head at her sister. She decided that pregnancy must be making Vickie feel invincible. Hadn’t she felt the same panic that had consumed Beth over the past week? Where was the neurotic and chaotic sister that Beth knew so well? Here in her place was a calm and sensible replica who drank her caffeine without a worry in the world.