HIDDEN SECRETS

by Catherine Lambert

  “I’m going out for an hour or so Bill. If anyone wants me tell them to phone back later, and don’t give them my mobile number, got it?” he informed his co-editor.

  “O.k. Dan, see you later,” Bill didn’t look up as he continued to type out a report on his laptop.

  It was now quarter to one, and Danny had his doubts as to whether Pat would even turn up at Benny’s. Pushing open the door to the cafe/bar, Danny was shocked to discover Pat sitting alone in a corner sipping a coffee. His appearance was different, and he could almost pass as a smart, albeit somewhat dated human being.

  “Danny, sit down its good to see you,” Pat stood up and shook his hand.

  “Hi Pat, what’s with the clothes and coffee mate? I almost didn’t recognise you,” Danny smirked.

  “I’m off the drink for good. I want to come back Danny. I’ve had enough of being in the gutter.” Pat was convincing, but Danny still had his doubts.

  “I’ve heard it all before. The last time I saw you it was the fags you’d given up. How am I supposed to believe you?”

  “I need nicotine to help me concentrate; it stops me from thinking about alcohol.” Remember when we worked together on the Dorkins case?”

  “Of course I do, it was our biggest story ever,” Danny nodded.

  “It was just me, you, cigarettes and coffee day and night until we cracked it. We even made the police look inadequate. It can be the same again.”

  “I’ve given up smoking. It’s not allowed in the office anymore. Passive smoking and all that jargon,” Danny replied bluntly.

  “Well some things never change. Give me a job mate, something challenging. I’m sick of reporting on School sports days and the Mother’s Institute,” Pat pleaded.

  “You’ve not been in any condition to cover anything remotely important Pat. You’ve even let me down with what I’ve given you.”

  “Just give me a chance to prove I can do it, Please Dan. I won’t let you down.”

  “I don’t know Pat, it’ll be my job on the line if you do,” he hesitated.

  “If you don’t give me a chance, no one else will. I may as well have a drink now.”

  Danny sat in silence contemplation as he pondered his next course of action. Pat had let him down before, and he had no way of knowing if it would happen again.

  “You’ll have to give me a few days to see what’s available, and I want to make sure you’re off the drink. Come to the office on Friday and I’ll see what I can do, but I can’t promise you much,” he was already regretting his rash decision.

  “Thanks Dan, I really appreciate this, let me buy you a coffee,” Pat sighed with relief.

  “I’d make you buy me lunch if I didn’t know you were broke.”

  “Not for much longer Danny,” Pat vowed.

  “Don’t let me down Pat, I’m putting my neck on the line for you,” he warned.

  CHAPTER 5.

  SATURDAY AFTERNOON

  Kate had only visited Exeter on a handful on occasions, and due to her pre-occupied state of mind, did not know the location of either the police station or the Lotus Hotel. Luckily, Alex Lawton’s mobile number was still stored in her phone, and he directed her for the last two miles of the journey. Ten minutes later, she pushed open the double doors and stood in the foyer of the magnificent hotel. Ben was right, it was fantastic but in the present circumstances it was difficult to appreciate the grandeur.

  After announcing her presence to the receptionist, Kate took a seat and waited for Alex to appear. Five minutes elapsed before a man, immaculately dressed in a grey pinstripe suit, approached her. He was actually a very handsome man, although she felt disrespectful for even thinking it given the situation. Perhaps this was the reason Ben disliked him so much. He was the type of man women would love, and men would hate. It was also difficult to tell his age, he could be anywhere between forty five and fifty five.

  “Mrs. Preston, I’m Alex Lawton. I’m sorry we have to meet this way.”

  Kate shook his hand and nodded without speaking.

  “Can I offer you a drink or something to eat?” he asked in gentle tone.

  “No I’m fine thank you. I’d prefer to get this over with if you don’t mind?”

  “Of course, my car is outside if you’d like to follow me.”

  “I was hoping to stay overnight my case is still in the car,” Kate said.

  “You can see to it later. I’m sure we can find you a suitable room.” He ushered her towards the door she had just entered through. The car that awaited them was as auspicious as the hotel, not that she was impressed by fancy cars, it could have been a horse and cart as long as it served its purpose, which on this occasion, was a very unpleasant one.

  Kate made no attempt to make conversation during the short car journey. Alex respected her silence and looked out of the window. When the car finally came to a halt outside the police station, Kate felt her stomach churn and her heart pound in her chest. Alex held the car door open as she stepped out onto the pavement.

  “Would you like me to come in with you Mrs. Preston?”

  “Yes please.”

  Kate walked reluctantly behind Alex and followed him into the building. He approached the reception desk and spoke to the duty officer. A few minutes later, they were led to a small waiting room and escorted inside. For what seemed like an eternity, the couple sat in silence until the door eventually opened. Three men entered the room and introduced themselves. Two were uniformed police officers, and the third, whom Kate soon discovered was the Coroner, wore a black suit. He was speaking to her now, but she wasn’t listening. Could her husband be lying dead in the next room? What would he look like; she had never seen a dead body before? Gripped by panic and light-headedness, she grabbed Alex’s arm to steady herself.

  “Are you alright Mrs. Preston?” he caught sight of her ashen face.

  “Could I have a glass of water please?” her voice quivered.

  “Of course, I’ll be right back,” a police officer replied.

  Kate regained her composure, and tried to overcome the feeling of terror that was threatening to consume her. She had to be positive, it couldn’t be Ben’s body in the morgue it just couldn’t be.

  “Are you ready to view the body now?” someone asked her.

  The body, that body could be her husband. Kate thought it sounded so cold and cruel.

  “Yes I am,” she whispered.

  After passing through two more doors, the group assembled outside the morgue. The words screamed at her, while her mind conjured up terrifying images of what lay behind the dreaded door.

  “Before we go inside Mrs. Preston I have to ask you if you’ve ever seen a dead body before?” the coroner asked.

  Kate shook her head then remembered her dead father, but remained silent.

  “Don’t be alarmed by the appearance and discolouration of the skin. The deceased man, who fell to his death, received a head injury. I’m sorry to upset you, but you need to be aware of the fact before you view the body. If you recognise this man as your husband, just nod your head. The body is covered with a sheet, and you will be shown the face only,” he spoke slowly in a comforting tone.

  Kate was unable to speak, and continued to nod her head in agreement.

  The door opened, and she walked unsteadily into the room, which was bare and cold with a large table in the centre. A body draped in a white sheet lay in the middle. Straightaway she knew it wasn’t Ben; he was shorter, and slimmer. She wanted to laugh out loud and cry with relief. The sheet was lifted and she saw an unfamiliar face, motionless and mottled. Congealed blood stuck to the unfortunate man’s head, as he lay anonymous in death. His appearance couldn’t have been more different than Ben’s. Kate shook her head.

  “That’s not my husband,” she spoke the words slowly and clearly.”That’s not my husband,” she repeated the words.

  “Thank you Mrs. Preston, and I’m sorry for the distress you’ve been caused.”

  The body was covered
, and Kate was led out of the room. Her relief was immense, but the stress of the occasion was too much, and she broke down and cried.

  Alex put a comforting arm around her shoulder.

  “Let’s go,” he spoke softly to her.

  “You will have to make a statement about your husband’s disappearance Mrs. Preston,” a police officer informed her.

  “I can’t do it now, I need to get out of here,” Kate’s voice was weak and emotional.

  “I have already given Sergeant Jefferson a detailed account of the circumstances,” Alex replied, and led Kate back to the car. The initial dread of seeing her husband’s body had faded, and she began to wonder who the dead man was. He would have been some other unfortunate woman’s husband or son, but thank god it wasn’t hers'. It might sound heartless and selfish, but that was how she felt, even though Ben was still missing.

  The car arrived back at the hotel, and Kate dashed towards the entrance without waiting for Alex. She went straight to the nearest ladies toilet and vomited violently until her throat hurt, and the bitter taste of bile filled her mouth. After splashing her face with cold water, she dragged a comb through her hair, and went in search of Alex, whom she found engaged in a conversation with an elderly lady behind the reception desk. Unaware of her presence, she waited for a lull in the conversation before she spoke.

  “Could I talk to you Mr. Lawton?”

  “There you are I wondered where you’d got to.”

  “I need to talk to you in private,” Kate repeated her request.

  “Of course, but I would prefer it if you called me Alex,” he smiled at her.

  “That’s fine, and I’m Kate,” she replied.

  “We can talk in my office if you like,” he offered.

  “O.K., do you think I could have a coffee?” she asked.

  “Would you prefer something a bit stronger?”

  “No thanks, coffee will be fine really.”

  “Could I have your car keys? I’ll send someone to get your case and take it to your room. I’ve given you a ground floor suite, you should be comfortable there. Now if you follow me we can talk in private.”

  Kate followed him along a narrow corridor which led to his office, where his name was elaborately inscribed on a brass plate. The interior was as ornate as she had expected, with a stunning deep crimson decor. A mahogany desk and chair stood in the bay window, where plush velvet curtains brushed the carpet. Positioned around the room were various items of office furniture, overlooked by a magnificent oil painting above an open fire place of marble and brass. Alex ordered coffee as she studied the room.

  “Would you like to take a seat?” he asked.

  “I was just admiring the painting, it’s beautiful,” she replied as she sat down.

  “It was a gift from a wealthy guest. I believe it’s a Constable, but I’m no expert.”

  A young waitress arrived carrying a tray, which she placed on one of the tables. Alex poured the coffee.

  “Help yourself to cream and sugar.”

  Kate took a sip and then looked at Alex.

  “I’ll come straight to the point; I need to know exactly what happened before Ben disappeared.”

  “I understand, but there was nothing out of the ordinary; we had lunch and discussed the contract. When we agreed the finer details, I signed and left Ben in the bar. He was eager to draw up the final documents that evening for me to sign in the morning, before he left. When he didn’t appear for breakfast, I sent a member of staff to check his room, which was obviously vacant. I found out later that he’d checked out at six thirty. The receptionist summarised he was in a hurry, and a little distracted. I was surprised he hadn’t left a note or any explanation. He’d been so eager to land this contract, it just doesn’t make sense at all,” Alex shook his head and sipped his coffee.

  Kate was thoughtful for a while before she asked the next question.

  “You said you left him in the bar?”

  “Yes, I had paper-work to attend to, and our business was finished,” he replied.

  “He phoned me from his room, I don’t recall the time but it wasn’t late. He said he was having a drink with you and your niece,” Kate re-called the conversation.

  “My niece?” Alex looked confused.

  “Yes, that’s what he said.”

  “I don’t have a niece; in fact I don’t have any family except for a brother in America,” he explained.

  “Could it be his daughter?”

  “Unfortunately not, my sister-in-law can’t have children. Believe me Kate, I do not have a niece and I’ve got no idea who this woman could be, or why she would pretend to be a relative of mine.”

  “Did you see Ben with this woman?”

  “No, he was alone when I left him. When I returned to the bar a few hours later, he’d gone to his room.”

  “The bar staff may have seen them together,” she suggested.

  Kate drained her cup and poured another.

  “We can check with them later. Did Ben tell you this woman’s name by any chance?”

  “Yes, he did, Emma. He told me he had a meal and drinks with you and your niece Emma,” she re-called the details.

  “Why would he lie about her?”

  “I don’t know, but I can guess,” Kate frowned.

  “Oh, I understand. Has he done this sort of thing before?” Alex asked cautiously.

  “Oh yes, but this is definitely the last time he does.”

  “Do you think he could have left with this woman?” Alex asked.

  “No I don’t. He loves me I know he does,” she defended her husband despite his lies.

  “I’m sorry, but you did just say he’s done this sort of thing before.”

  “He wouldn’t just walk away from this contract it means so much to him. If he had intended to leave me for this woman, why didn’t he wait until he had your signature on the document,” Kate was confused and angry.

  “I had already signed to accept Ben’s company as sole agents; he was merely making a few adjustments. Legally I’ve signed the original contract. The one Ben was preparing was to amend the fees and terms,” Alex explained.

  The conversation was interrupted by a phone call. Alex took the call, and after a brief discussion hung up.

  “I have to go to reception. Would you like to come with me? It might be a good idea to check the register for any single women who may have arrived on the same day as Ben.”

  The couple walked back to the reception area, where a young man was querying his bill.

  “I didn’t take lunch. I’ve been in a business meeting all afternoon,” he explained calmly.

  “Well according to my records Mr. Gregory,

  “What seems to be the trouble Sir?” Alex interrupted her.

  The young man explained his predicament whilst Alex listened.

  “If the gentleman says he didn’t take lunch Mrs. Oliver he didn’t take lunch, now please deduct it from his account.”

  The matter was concluded and the young man left the hotel.

  “In future Mrs. Oliver if a guest is adamant that an error has occurred on their bill, will you please deal with the matter yourself or inform Sean Hughes, that’s what he’s paid for. I have far more important matters to attend to,” he reprimanded the receptionist, and Kate felt sorry for her.

  “I don’t know where Mr. Hughes is, he isn’t answering his phone,” she attempted to defend her inadequacies.

  “I’ll have a word with him later; now I’d like to see the register for yesterday’s entries please.”

  Without replying, Mrs. Oliver opened the register at the relevant page, and then turned to answer the ever-ringing phone; clearly grateful for the distraction. A minute later, she turned her attention back to Alex, who was studying the entries.

  “That’s Ben’s signature, and a young couple who arrived later, and Mr. Gregory, who’s just left. The only other entry is; I can’t read this. What does it say Mrs. Oliver?”

  “It’s a
n Egyptian name, I think its Neophytou.”

  “Was it a man or a woman?”

  “A man an old man, he said he was a doctor,” she replied meekly

  “Well that rules him out. Whoever this woman was, she certainly didn’t sign in, and she was not allocated a room.”

  “Perhaps she didn’t need one,” Kate pointed out.

  “Well, someone must have seen them together in the bar. Who was on duty last night Mrs. Oliver?” Alex demanded to know.

  “Which bar are you talking about?”

  “I think we were in The Silver Bar.”

  That would Tony and Paul behind the bar, and Kelly and Nadine were waiting on.”

  “Thank you Mrs. Oliver.”

  “Just one more question; when Mr. Preston checked out, was there anyone else with him?”

  “No, he was on his own and in a hurry.”

  “Right, now have you any idea where Mr. Hughes is?”

  “He was stock-taking in the cellar with Kelly half an hour ago, but I don’t know where he is now.”

  “Stock-taking,” he paused and added.

  “Tell him I want to speak to him in my office will you?” he informed her.

  Alex turned away and Kate followed him to the Silver Bar, which lived up to its name. It shone and sparkled under a spray of coloured lights. Steel tables and tubular seats were arranged in the four corners of the room, with a dance floor in the middle. It was ultra-modern, and in stark comparison to the rest of the hotel.

  “So what do you think Kate?” he asked

  “It’s just very shiny,” she replied, for want of a better word.

  “This is one of six bars in the hotel, and each one is individual. We endeavour to cater for all ages and taste. It gives clients a more personal choice of atmosphere to relax in. The Mahogany Bar attracts the more senior guests, and this one for example is more popular with our younger clients,” he explained.