Jack of All Trades

by DH Smith

  Both cars drove off.

  Chapter 52

  ‘I heard it all,’ said Carol. ‘A ring on the bell, Donna went to the door…’

  She, Jack and Joanna had congregated in the kitchen in their excitement at the police action.

  ‘I was in the lounge,’ she went on, ‘waiting for you to come down, Joanna, and I distinctly heard Inspector Henderson say ‘I am arresting you for the murder of Leon Ward. You do not have to say anything…’ I rushed out into the hallway where Henderson had two other cops with him. And they took her away.’

  ‘Did she say anything?’ said Jack.

  ‘She said, ‘I’m innocent. I never did it. It’s all a mistake.’ I ran after them, tried to get more out of Henderson, but he just brushed me aside. ‘We have the evidence,’ he said, ‘it’ll all come out in court.’ So I ran back in to get you, Joanna, then rushed out to the summerhouse. It was all so quick. Two minutes and she was gone.’

  ‘Donna arrested,’ he said, floored. ‘Of all people. I can’t believe it.’

  ‘It’s a bombshell,’ said Joanna. ‘Meek and mild Donna, smashing Leon’s head in with a hammer. Who could believe it?’

  ‘Why would she do it?’ said Jack. ‘She’s been here, what, five years – why?’

  ‘She had a motive,’ said Carol. ‘Leon was bribing her son’s social worker to tell Donna that he didn’t want to see her.’

  ‘Why?’ said Joanna. ‘I know Leon was an ace bastard. But what was in it for him?’

  ‘Eric is his son,’ said Carol. ‘And schizophrenic.’

  Joanna threw her hands up. ‘No one tells me a thing round here. His son. Since when?’

  ‘Twenty-five years,’ said Jack.

  ‘She told me in privacy who the father was,’ said Carol. ‘And I had to respect that, Joanna. But it’s not private any longer.’

  ‘How did she find out Leon was bribing the social worker?’ said Joanna.

  ‘She read his emails when he was in the shower.’

  ‘Never trust servants. I knew it,’ exclaimed Joanna.

  Jack ignored her. ‘She’s been so happy the last couple of days. Got to see Eric, they were phoning each other, going to the pictures this week… That’s not how a murderer behaves.’

  ‘They must have evidence,’ said Joanna thoughtfully. ‘Fingerprints and so on.’

  ‘I just don’t believe it,’ said Jack. ‘Not Donna.’

  ‘I’ll sort out a solicitor for her,’ said Carol.

  ‘I want to see her,’ exclaimed Jack. ‘I don’t believe she did it. Not in a million years. And I need to hear what she has to say. How do I get a prison visit?’

  ‘She won’t be in prison yet,’ said Carol. ‘Not proper prison. They’ll take her to the police station for questioning. Keep her in a cell overnight. Tomorrow too probably, maybe longer, while they question her. After that they’ll take her to a women’s prison.’

  ‘Can I get to see her at the police station?’ he said.

  Carol pursed her lips. ‘They won’t like that. Interrupting their interrogation.’

  ‘We’ve got to hear her side.’ He gritted his teeth. ‘I could go to the station and try to argue my way in. We can’t just leave her there.’

  ‘I can get you a visit,’ mused Joanna. They both looked to her, surprised at her confidence. ‘Henderson will fix it for me.’ She smirked. ‘I’m sure he will.’

  They glanced at each other, wondering what she’d been up to. She caught them and added, ‘I am an adult, you know.’

  ‘Thank you, Joanna,’ said Jack, half guessing the how of it, and not caring. ‘I’d be grateful if you can arrange it.’

  ‘I’ll do it now.’ She rose.

  ‘One more thing before you go,’ he said. ‘You’ve got dry rot in the summerhouse. A bad infestation, under all the floors I reckon. The boards will have to be burned, and we’ll have to get wood treatment in.’

  ‘I’m having a rethink on the summerhouse,’ said Joanna. ‘It was my home from home when Leon was around. I could sleep there, work there, do whatever there. But now he’s gone. Well…’ She paused for them to catch up. ‘I’ve been wondering if I need it any longer.’

  Jack threw his hands wide. ‘Do what you want. It’s yours. But please, Joanna, make up your mind.’

  ‘It’s not my fault things have changed,’ she said sharply.

  ‘Sorry,’ he conceded. ‘I’m rather spaced out at the moment. But I can’t do anything until you decide what you want. Carry on or knock the place down.’

  ‘Give me a few hours to think it over,’ she said.

  ‘While you’re considering I’ve a door to fix in one of your houses. If he’s in. Phone me as soon as you’ve fixed up the jail visit.’

  ‘Stick around for five minutes, I’ll do that now.’

  Joanna strode out of the kitchen.

  ‘Never Donna. I do not believe it,’ said Carol shaking her head. ‘She’s just not the sort.’

  ‘She brought me a coffee and croissants an hour ago,’ said Jack. ‘She was over the moon at being in touch with Eric again.’

  ‘I know,’ said Carol. ‘She was glowing.’

  ‘Do you know a good solicitor?’

  ‘I do,’ she said. ‘But he’s not cheap.’

  ‘I’ll pay,’ said Jack.

  ‘How will you do that?’

  In a half whisper, he said, ‘I’ve got the fifty thousand.’

  Carol smiled. ‘Might as well put it to a good cause.’ Then added, ‘Thank you for last night.’

  ‘Thank you for being there.’

  They gazed at each other across the table. Joanna could just be heard from the lounge.

  ‘Would you like to come over for dinner?’ said Carol.

  ‘I’d love to.’

  ‘Sevenish…’

  Joanna strode in, pleased with herself.

  ‘That’s all settled. 3 pm at the cop shop. He’ll give you half an hour.’

  Chapter 53

  ‘Life and death of a slum landlord,’ read Carol.

  ‘A gripping headline,’ said Joanna. ‘With lots of unpleasant photos.’

  The paper was spread out on the lounge table and both were reading the double spread article, which went on for a further two pages.

  ‘A tenant who asked not to be named,’ read Carol, ‘and Josef – not his real name. Everyone he interviewed refused to give their name.’

  ‘It’s awful,’ said Joanna, ‘splashed out like this. And now all mine.’ She looked up to the heavens. ‘Thank you, Leon.’

  ‘You don’t come out badly,’ said Carol still reading the article. She read: ‘Mrs Ward, the writer of the Forest Fairies books for children, said, ‘My husband never talked about his properties. But now I know, I’ve taken action straight away, shutting down the loan scheme and sacking the collectors. No one should have to live in fear.’

  ‘I’m not sure I quite said that to him. But I suppose it’s a fair gist,’ said Joanna. ‘Now we must plan what to do next. How to make it a proper company. There’s plenty of money in renting without…’ She waved her hand over the newspaper, ‘all these shenanigans.’

  ‘I’ve not been involved in housing,’ said Carol. ‘I need to do some research. Find out how bona fide companies work. Who they employ.’

  ‘I think we leave Mr Timms and Mrs Ball there for the time being. They know everything.’

  ‘Just till we get a new team in place.’

  Joanna nodded. ‘Yes. I don’t want to be known as a slum landlord.’

  ‘Operation Clean Up then.’

  The bell rang. They looked up to the CCTV screen. Four young women were at the door.

  ‘The Forest Fairies,’ said Joanna. ‘Pay their taxi, will you?’ Then a thought. ‘Donna is not here. What are we going to do about coffee and cakes?’

  ‘Let’s meet in the kitchen, then I can see to it.’

  ‘Good idea.’

  Carol went to the door. Joanna crossed to the kitchen and took the stool a
t the head of the long table, just as the young women came to the kitchen door and stood there, unsure where to go.

  ‘Take a stool,’ said Joanna. ‘We’ve had an emergency, so we are meeting here for a change.’

  They took their places round the table. Joanna wished she could remember their names. There was Penny, and the plump one, who hardly ever said a word, whose name she could never recall – and the two new girls, what’s their faces. Well, she didn’t have to remember any names anymore. She was getting out.

  ‘I’d like to introduce you all to Carol.’

  ‘Hello, everyone,’ said Carol.

  There were mumbled hellos.

  ‘Carol is taking over as editor and will be your contact from now on. I shall be Editor-in-Chief but you won’t see much of me. And I suspect you may not mind that one bit. I expect the same high standard of writing, the same respect for deadlines and full attendance at these planning meetings.’

  ‘I’m sure we’ll make a great team,’ said Carol, smiling round the group.

  Joanna rose. ‘Well, I shall leave you, Forest Fairy writers, in the capable hands of your new editor. I’ll remain in the background, keeping in touch with your progress. Over to you, Carol.’

  ‘Thank you, Joanna.’

  And Joanna left them.

  ‘I don’t know you,’ began Carol. ‘You don’t know me. So we need to introduce ourselves. I’m Carol Cole. I’ve lots of administrative and business experience with various large companies. I edited an in-house magazine for a couple of years. But I’m new to this area of writing, so I’ll be grateful for your input. We can grow together. Now, let’s go round the table one at a time. I want to know your name, your background, and what you’ve done so far with Forest Fairies. I’ll put a kettle on and find some cake somewhere. Then we’ll start with you, Penny.’

  Chapter 54

  ‘Where’ve you been the last couple of days?’ said Jack.

  Dan was sitting on his bed. He was clean shaven, his face very red as if the action had been too rough on his skin.

  ‘I stayed over at the Sally Army.’

  Jack had brought the door in and was unscrewing the broken one with its botched repair. He’d be pleased to dump that example of his work.

  ‘Why the Sally Army?’

  ‘The collectors were round asking for me,’ said Dan. ‘I thought better make myself scarce. And I had a bit of a skinful. You know, the pressure. Blew my cash, and ended up at the Sally Ann.’ He coughed, a painful, thick throaty cough.

  ‘You know the collectors have been sacked,’ said Jack.

  ‘I heard something about that,’ he said, still emptying his throat. ‘Is that straight up?’

  ‘Yes. Mrs Ward sacked them yesterday. They’re gone.’

  ‘’Bout fucking time.’ He shook his head. ‘Them bastards have had it all to themselves. The terror they’ve caused. I’d have ‘em shot. Couple of years back, man on the ground floor killed himself.’

  Jack pricked his ears up and stopped working.

  ‘Why was that?’

  ‘He was a sitting tenant, wasn’t he? Had a controlled rent. So they wanted him out. The bastards. They had music playing day and night, drilling, bad enough up here. He got visits, threats, his electricity got turned off, radiator flooded. They were going to get him out, one way or another. And in the end it was another. Couldn’t take no more.’

  ‘How come they got away with it?’

  ‘There was an inquest,’ said Dan. ‘What a sham! We were witnesses, everyone in the house. We were schooled what to say. What a peaceful, pleasant house it was. How George, that was his name, was depressed.’

  ‘You all told lies?’

  ‘It was that or get your head kicked in. He was a nice fella. I used to talk to him. He had vegetables growing out back, till they covered them in cement.’

  ‘What was his full name?’

  ‘George. Funny second name.’ He scratched his chin. ‘Can’t remember. She’ll know, your colleague. She’ll tell you.’

  ‘How will Carol know?’

  ‘She’s his daughter. I saw her at the inquest. She said she wasn’t when she came here the other day but I knew she was.’

  ‘Carol his daughter? The man who killed himself? You sure about that?’

  ‘Course I’m sure. I may get pissed, but I still got a few brain cells undamaged.’

  ‘Any of your neighbours might know his second name?’

  Dan shook his head. ‘No. Been a changeover since then.’ He clicked his fingers. ‘I know how.’ He rose. ‘Downstairs. He still gets mail.’

  The two of them went down the stairs into the gloomy hallway. Dan started picking up mail off the broken, scuffed lino.

  ‘Here’s one,’ he said in triumph. ‘George Osaki.’

  ‘Let’s see what else we can find,’ said Jack.

  They went through everything that was on the floor and on the shelf. Some of the mail had plainly been there years, covered in the seasons like leaf mould on a forest floor.

  They ended up with seven letters addressed to George Osaki.

  ‘I’ll keep these,’ said Jack.

  ‘What you going to do with ‘em?’

  ‘There could be a connection with Ward’s murder.’

  ‘Whoever did that deserves a medal.’

  ‘Except someone’s been arrested who didn’t do it,’ said Jack. ‘Enough of this. Let’s get your door in smartish. I’ve got a lot on this afternoon.’

  He sent Dan off to get a couple of coffees and cheese rolls. And set to work on the door. The old one was soon off. Now he had to finish. The plan was to get to Mia’s school over lunchtime, between 12 and 1 pm.

  He fitted the new door. Too tight. That was always the pain, getting a good fit. And so he had to take it off again and plane the bottom. Second time round it fitted nicely.

  His coffee was cold, he’d only had half the roll, but he got the lock and door handles in by 12.30.

  ‘Can you do me a favour, Dan – and clear the rubbish. Or I’m going to be late.’

  There were the shavings, sawdust and offcuts.

  ‘Sure, pal. You run – and I’ll clear up. You gave me the best news I’ve heard in years. Them collectors gone. Sure, pal.’

  ‘Ta Dan. Thanks for everything.’

  Dan stood at the top of the stairs to see Jack rushing off with his tool box.

  Chapter 55

  He arrived at the school gate just as the bell was being rung. He attracted a playground assistant who knew him and she let him in. In the mêlée of children running for their lines, Jack searched for Mia.

  Then Mia was running across the playground.

  ‘Dad! Dad!’

  He ran to meet her and she grasped him round the waist. Then stood back, staring at his face.

  ‘You’ve still got your black eye, Dad. Going though.’

  ‘Every time I look in the mirror, I think, how did I get that shiner.’

  He held up a little bundle.

  ‘You got them,’ she cried.

  ‘All signed. And all yours.’ He handed over the fairy books.

  She checked they were signed. ‘Great!’ Then turned to him. ‘I don’t know whether to keep them or go for the phone.’

  ‘Do whatever you want, love.’

  ‘Can you get some more?’

  ‘Flaming hell, these were hard enough to get.’

  ‘Have a go.’

  ‘You don’t hate me anymore then?’

  ‘Course not. When did I say that?’

  He decided not to remind her.

  ‘Your mum hates me.’

  Mia screwed up her nose. ‘She hates Jim even more than you. He’s moving out.’

  ‘Is he really?’

  He was surprised how much the news pleased him.

  ‘They had this terrible row. Swearing and everything. Stuff getting thrown. I was sent to my room. But I could still hear all they said.’ She beamed. ‘And he’s off today.’

  ‘You won�
�t miss him.’

  ‘Never liked him.’ She reflected. ‘Think I’ll go for the phone and the bracelet. Or maybe the necklace. Get us some more books, Dad. Alright? Must get to class or I’ll be in trouble. Bye, Dad.’

  And she was off running.

  ‘See you Saturday!’ he shouted.

  ‘Let’s go up the hill with the telescope,’ she yelled back.

  ‘Yeh! Let’s.’

  And she was in the school door.

  Part Four: Confronting The Killer

  Chapter 56

  ‘Half an hour, strict.’

  Henderson opened the door of the interview room for Jack. It was the room where he’d been interviewed himself just the day before. Donna was sitting at the table, pale, clearly agitated.

  ‘Jack!’ she exclaimed when he came in. ‘They think I killed Mr Ward.’

  He sat down opposite her.

  ‘I know you didn’t,’ he said.

  ‘Oh,’ she sighed, wiping her brow, ‘I’m glad someone believes me.’

  ‘Has the solicitor come?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I don’t know whether he believes me either. But he’s good. He doesn’t let them shout at me.’

  ‘Have you spoken to Eric?’

  She shook her head. ‘I’m scared to. What can I say to him? We’re just getting to know each other again.’ She started weeping. ‘I don’t want him to think I’m a murderer.’

  ‘I’ll go and see him. I know you didn’t do it. I’ll impress on him that you’re innocent.’

  ‘Oh, would you, Jack. My phone’s in my flat, in the drawer in the table. His number’s on it. I can’t remember it. I’m all befuddled.’

  ‘I’ll phone him. Joanna’s got a key to your place. We haven’t got long, so let’s get to the nitty gritty. What evidence have they got on you?’

  She closed her eyes. ‘Oh Jack, it looks bad. You see, I went into Mr Ward’s room after the party. I couldn’t sleep, I was so upset and angry. I was going to have it out with him. I didn’t care if I lost my job. He was paying off that social worker…’

  ‘Were you thinking of killing him?’