by M A Comley
“No. It’s official police business,” Katy said.
“Just a moment, please.” The receptionist left the desk and knocked lightly on the door behind her.
“Come in,” a voice boomed, and the woman slipped inside the office.
Katy raised an eyebrow and whispered, “Okay, this looks promising.”
The door opened again, and the receptionist reappeared, accompanied by a slim, suited man of around six feet, eyeing them both suspiciously.
“You wanted to see me, Sergeant Foster?” he asked impatiently.
“Yes, in private, if you don’t mind?” Katy replied.
“Come into my office. Can I offer you a drink?”
“No, we’re fine. Thanks all the same.”
AJ followed Katy into the man’s executive office. One of the walls was lined with bookshelves full of leather-bound reference books. Katy suspected there were probably a few first-edition copies included in the display. Another wall consisted of floor-to-ceiling glass, and the view over the city took Katy’s breath away for an instant. She could imagine the scene at night, all the varying shapes and sizes of London’s historical buildings lit up and glistening amidst the midnight sky.
“Take a seat. What’s this about, Sergeant?” he asked, tucking himself securely behind his highly polished mahogany desk.
“We’re looking into an incident regarding a former colleague of yours.”
“Oh, and who might that be?”
“Lance Hardy.”
His frown deepened, but Katy didn’t feel as if the man’s reaction pointed to him knowing anything about the case. There again, it was possible that he attended a local amateur dramatic society and gained the ability to act surprised when the need arose.
“Are you telling me that you don’t recognise the name, Mr. Richman?”
“Oh, I recognise it all right. What I don’t understand is where this conversation is leading, Sergeant.”
“Then I’ll fill you in. First of all, I need you to clarify why you are no longer in business with Mr. Hardy.”
“Ah, I get it. That’s police talk to see if our stories match, am I right?”
“You’re very smart, Mr. Richman. So?”
He relaxed back in his chair, not showing any signs of stress or aggravation.
“So. He accused me of screwing up a major deal for our company.”
“And did you?” Katy asked.
“These things happen in business, big business. He was on holiday at the time with his family. I suppose I was an easy target to apportion the blame.”
“So why did you leave the partnership?”
“It was an issue of trust. I trusted him, but it wasn’t reciprocated. Yes, we lost a lot of money on that deal. I’m talking millions of revenue here. But it was no different to the deal he screwed up a few months before.”
“I see. So you felt hard done by. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Not exactly. The kind of business we deal in—imports and exports, that is—well, there’s always some idiot out there prepared to undercut the big boys. And yes, I regarded our firm as one of the big boys. Sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and move on to bigger and greater things.”
“And you’re saying that Mr. Hardy didn’t see it that way?” Katy asked.
“Indeed. It was a case of ‘I can screw up, but when you do it, that’s totally unforgiveable.’ I got tired of all the grief he directed at me and told him to buy me out.”
“Which he did, right?”
Richman nodded. “Yes, without any ensuing slanging match. The whole deal was sorted out within a week.”
“And you found this job quite quickly after you finished working there?” Katy asked as AJ jotted down the man’s answers in his notebook.
A smile broke out on his face. “This is my new business, Sergeant. I could never work for anyone else after running my own business for years.”
“I see. So are you telling me that you’re now in direct competition with Mr. Hardy?”
“I am.”
“Is that even ethical? Isn’t there some kind of law about starting up the same sort of business within a certain number of miles of your preceding one?”
“There is, and I think you’ll find that this office is just outside of that range, Sergeant.”
“That’s good to know, and since setting up this business, have you and Mr. Hardy crossed paths at all?”
“No. There’s no necessity for that to ever happen. What exactly is going on here? Am I allowed to know?”
“We’re investigating a major crime. I’m sorry. I can’t go into further detail at the present.”
“Major crime involving Hardy? I don’t understand. Has he done something illegal?”
“Not exactly, no,” Katy replied cagily.
He flung his arms up in the air. “Then I have to tell you that you’re not making any sense. Are you insinuating I’m involved in this ‘major crime’ somehow?”
Katy scratched her forehead. “We’re looking into the crime from all angles. At this moment in time, that’s all I’m willing to divulge.”
“Well, unless you’re willing to enlighten me on what has gone on, I don’t see what further use I can be to you. So if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting to attend first thing with a client.”
“Okay, thank you for your time. There may be a need to question you in the future if things progress and more information comes to light. Can I count on you coming down the station for an interview should that occur?”
“Of course.” He showed them to the door and shook their hands.
“What do you make of him?” AJ asked after he and Katy had stepped into the elevator.
Katy, feeling a little queasy due to the swift descent, shrugged in response. Once they’d left the lift, she said, “At this point, I’m not sure what to think of him. He seemed rather cool, wouldn’t you say?”
“I agree. It could be a sign of his innocence, though, right?”
“It could mean a lot of things. We’ll bear him in mind as the case continues. We should get to the station, maybe contact Lorne to see what’s going on with her.”
***
Warrior paced the floor, constantly keeping one eye on his watch and the other on the woman feeding her child in front of him. “Isn’t he full yet?” He leaned forward and yelled in her ear.
Bethany cowered away from him and clutched her baby tighter in her arms. “He’s a growing lad. He needs regular feeding, which you’re not allowing me to give him. Please, let me stay up here. If you keep me locked away, my baby will be neglected. He’s young, needs his mother near him for reassurance.”
He leaned in again and raised his hand, ready to hit her. She flinched and shied away. “Less of telling me what I should and shouldn’t do, lady, you hear me? This isn’t some kind of effing holiday camp.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again, I swear.”
“Yeah, right. I’m betting you’ll be tempted to have the same conversation tomorrow morning, too. Well, I’m warning you, don’t. Or I’ll do something to the sprog, right?”
“I understand. I’m sorry.”
He ignored her once his watch registered 8:53. He hit the redial button on his phone. “Simpkins, you there yet?”
“Yes, I’m just going up the steps to the Marriot Hotel now.”
“You’re going to be late,” he taunted.
“Please, give me a few minutes’ grace. The traffic was at a near standstill on the way over here.”
“Just this once, as I’m feeling generous. I’ll call back in two minutes. I want you to locate the restaurant. If you’re not at the restaurant by then, either the kid or the mother will suffer a broken bone or two.”
“Don’t! I’m almost there now,” Lorne shrieked.
He hung up and sniggered. “I love sending you women in a flap. Don’t think that I won’t ever make good on my threats. This woman detective has both of your lives in her hands. If she screws up, I’ll have no
hesitation in finishing you both off. Yes, ten mill is at stake, but there’ll be other opportunities for me to get my hands on that kind of dosh.” He hit the dial button again, and Lorne picked up before the first ring ended.
“I’m here.”
He grunted. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. What do you want me to do?”
He laughed at the out-of-breath inspector. “Right, listen very carefully. I worked hard on this cryptic clue. You have thirty minutes to find it.”
“Okay.”
“Food from every nation around the world, but the clue you are seeking is from these shores.”
“Christ, is that it?”
“Yes. You have until nine to find it. If you don’t, you know what I’ll do.”
“I’m on it now.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Lorne hung up and frantically searched the outside of the restaurant. “How the hell am I supposed to work this out, Sean?”
“We’ll do it together, Lorne. Stay calm.”
“Does he mean the clue relates to something inside the restaurant or out here? Can we even get inside at this time of day?”
“I should think so. I’ll ask at reception?”
“No wait.” She clasped his arm, preventing him from leaving her. “Of course we can get inside.” She tried the door and found it locked. “There must be another entrance. I’ve never heard of a hotel restaurant not serving breakfast, have you?”
“You’re right.” Sean ran to the end of the corridor then drew her attention by whistling. “Over here.”
Lorne joined him, and they rushed into the room set out for a breakfast sitting. Lorne scanned the area; only three tables were occupied by hotel guests, who all looked their way with enquiring glances when they barged into the room. She pointed at the buffet-style breakfast. “We should see what food they’re serving up.”
Sean started at one end of the line while Lorne began at the other, and they met in the middle. “What do you think?” Sean whispered.
“It has to be under the English breakfast dishes, yes?”
“Okay, but how would he get anything under the dishes. Isn’t that a bit obvious?”
Lorne tutted. “I don’t know, Sean. I’m open to all suggestions or bright ideas. Feel free to chip in when the need takes you.”
“Now don’t start taking your frustrations out on me, Inspector.”
She sighed. “Sorry. I’m bound to be a bit tetchy. Just ignore me.”
A young female chef appeared behind the counter, holding a plate in her hand. “Good morning. What can I get for you?”
“Sorry, we’re not waiting to be served.” Lorne flashed her warrant card. “Is there a manager around who we can talk to?”
The woman placed the plate back on the pile and raised a finger. “I’ll just get him for you.”
She returned with a man in his early thirties, wearing a tall chef’s hat. “Can I help you? You couldn’t have interrupted me at a worse time, so if you wouldn’t mind being quick, I’d appreciate it.”
“Sorry, we realise you’re busy.” Lorne glanced over her shoulder at the meagre occupancy of the restaurant. “I just need to ask a few questions.”
The man smiled briefly and clarified his previous statement. “The rush is about to happen any minute.”
“And we’re on a deadline to save two people’s lives, so if you’ll just bear with us for a few minutes.”
“Okay, you’ve got my attention.” The man stepped closer to the counter and rested his hands on the metal shelf.
“We’ve been given a clue from someone regarding this restaurant. We think it has to do with the English breakfast you’re serving. Will you allow us to take a peek under your serving dish?”
“Of course.” He lifted the silver dish off the hotplate.
Lorne inspected the area only to find the element and nothing else. “Hmm... okay. Well that’s scuppered that idea.”
“Anything else you wanted to ask? I really need to get on, Inspector.” the chef asked, replacing the dish.
“We have this clue: ‘food from every nation around the world, but the clue you are seeking is from these shores.’ Hence me thinking it had a connection with the English breakfast. Any ideas?”
The chef shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’ve never been one for crosswords. That does seem to be a very cryptic clue.”
Lorne nodded. “Thanks for your help. If we promise to keep out of the customers’ way, would you mind if we continue to search the restaurant?”
“Feel free. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.” The man smiled and returned to the kitchen.
Lorne faced Sean and shrugged. “What next?”
“I have no idea. Let’s think about the clue logically.”
“I have—over and over, and still, nothing is coming to mind.”
“Then we’ll have to search every corner of this restaurant before it gets any busier.”
Lorne nodded. “I agree. The question is, Sean, what the hell are we looking for?”
“I’m sure it will become obvious once we find it. Until then, I’ll go from left to right, okay?”
They separated, and under the watchful eye of the patrons already seated at the tables and any new arrivals coming into the restaurant, they began their search. Lorne picked up everything she could find on each of the vacant tables, but it was useless. She was nearing the edge of her designated search area when she heard Sean call her name.
She rushed over to him. The smug look on his face made her want to slap it. “Stop milking it, boss. What have you found?”
“See for yourself.” He pointed at the menu on the table they were standing alongside.
Lorne picked it up and found a keyring attached to it. “A keyring? What’s that all about?”
Sean shrugged. “I guess we’ll find out once Warrior rings you.” He glanced at his watch. “Which should be anytime soon.”
Lorne went up to the girl behind the counter. “I’m taking this as evidence, okay?”
“Sure. I’ll let my boss know. Glad you found what you were looking for.”
Lorne and Sean walked down the steps of the hotel. “Come on, ring, you bastard.” As if Warrior had heard her, her mobile rang. Is he watching us? No, he can’t be. He’s at a location with the woman and child. “Hello.”
“Got it?”
“Yes. I’m confused, though. It’s just a keyring,” Lorne replied, surveying the immediate area to see if they were being observed by anyone. If not the abductor he might have an accomplice following and watching them. No one stood out amongst the commuters on their way to work.
“You’re supposed to be. All will become apparent over the next thirty-six hours. How are you standing up to the task, Inspector?”
“Don’t concern yourself with my well-being. Let’s get on with things.”
He snorted. “Eager, aren’t you? I have a feeling you’re the kind of person who doesn’t appreciate being out of control of a situation. Am I right?”
“Tell me who wouldn’t feel the same way I do in my current situation.”
“Granted. Right, here’s an easy trek for you. Make your way over to Hamleys Toy Shop. Got that? I hope you recognise how nice I’m being. Get it while you can, sweetheart. Things will become more difficult as the day progresses.”
“You think this is easy? Battling the traffic at this time of the day, are you crazy?” Lorne bit down on her tongue, knowing she shouldn’t have tried to goad the kidnapper.
“Feisty bitch. Mind you, I have been warned about that.” He laughed and hung up.
“Quick, we need to get back to the car.”
“Did he give you a time limit on this trip?” Sean asked, trotting after Lorne back to the car.
“No. Which makes me suspicious. We need to get on the road ASAP.”
Sean opened the car, jumped behind the steering wheel, and set off.
Lorne held her hand out. “Give me your phone. I’ll ring the station, see if Katy has ar
rived yet.” He threw the phone in her lap. “Hi, Katy. It’s me.”
“Lorne, I didn’t recognise the number. How’s it going?”
“I have a feeling, by the end of our stint, we’re going to feel like we’ve been slowly tortured to within an inch of our lives.”
“Agh... that bad. Anything we can do to help from this end?”
Lorne thought for a second. “Actually, I’m calling for an update of how you got on with Richman. However, now you’ve raised the point, I think we should sort the team into shifts. I need to have someone on hand in the incident room twenty-four-seven. Can you arrange that?”
“Sure. What about the overtime? Can we afford it?”
Lorne turned to look at Sean, who was busy lane hopping, manoeuvring the car through a gap in the traffic. “I’m sure the chief will agree to that in this instance. He’s a little busy right now to confirm it.”
“Yes, I agree,” Sean shouted to Lorne’s amusement.
“Ooo... so you can multi-task after all.” She giggled then straightened her face again when she renewed her conversation with her true partner. “This guy is taking pleasure in making us run the length and breadth of London. We’re already en route to our third location of the morning.”
“Shit! Right, I’ll make this short. AJ and I set off early to try and catch Richman at home; we were too late. We caught up with him at the office instead. Didn’t really get anywhere. To me, he seemed surprised by the events unfolding. No sign of recognition, leading me to think he has nothing to do with the crime. I don’t think we should discount him out of hand just yet, though.”
“I agree. Look, someone is either pulling this guy Warrior’s strings, or he’s plucked up the courage to abduct the Hardys off his own back. I’m inclined to believe it’s the former. We need to chase up any CCTV footage regarding the car he pinched. Can you sort that for me?”
“Sure. What about calling a press conference. Shall I organise that, too?”
Lorne nodded and clicked her tongue. “Yeah, go for it. Someone might know where the car is or the route it took. At the moment, we have no idea. That car is going to be the key to this investigation.”
“That’s what I think, too. Let’s get it out in the open as soon as poss. Want me to run that past Hardy first or just go ahead?”
