by Adele Abbott
Huh?
“Sid and I have decided to start a new business venture together.”
“What about She Sells?”
“That will continue as it is. In fact, the two businesses are complementary.”
“Are you opening a fish and chip shop?”
“How could you suggest such a thing? I could never eat fish.”
“Sorry. Just my little joke. So, what is this new business venture?”
“It’s going to be called The Sea’s The Limit. Catchy, eh?”
“I guess. And what will it be, exactly?”
“A marine centre. There’ll be huge tanks containing all kinds of marine life. That’s why Sid and I are taking the scuba diving lessons. We’ll be able to swim among the fish and other sea creatures. It’ll be fantastic.”
“It’s certainly ambitious. How will you finance it?”
“The bank is extremely pleased with our figures, and they’re willing to fund most of the expansion.”
“And where will it be located?”
“Right here.”
I glanced up and down the street. The only shops which weren’t occupied were very small. “Here, where?”
“Behind She Sells. There’s a large warehouse which backs onto the shop. It’s been empty for years. We’re going to convert that; work should start on it next week. I’m so excited, Jill. It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”
“I’m really pleased for you, Betty. I can’t wait to see it.”
Chapter 12
On my way back to the office, I bumped into Brent from I-Sweat, or as Deli had so succinctly put it: one of the sweaty boys.
“Hi, Brent. How’s business?”
“Really good, thanks. Memberships are up this month. We haven’t seen you for a while, though.”
“Busy, busy. You know how it is.”
“You really should keep up the exercise.”
“I know. I’ll try.”
“We’re still having that weird problem with the animal hair that appears overnight. It’s a complete mystery.”
“Maybe the cats from the area are working out in your gym during the night?”
He laughed. “I guess that must be it.”
“I hear you’ve sub-let one of your rooms?”
“Yeah. It’s too small for us to do anything with, so we thought we may as well make a little money from it. How did you hear?”
“Deli told me.”
“She’s quite a character, isn’t she? Have you met her partner?”
“Nails? Oh, yeah, we go way back.”
“That guy never stops biting his fingernails.”
“I know, but if you ever need a decorator, he’s your man.”
“Good to know.”
***
Jules was knitting what looked like a Christmas jumper.
“You’re a bit early with that, aren’t you?”
“It’s for Gilbert. I figured if I started now, it might be finished in time.”
“I’ve just seen Lules and Norman in Coffee Triangle.”
“He’s tutoring her on bottle tops.” Jules rolled her eyes.
“Do I have any appointments this afternoon?”
“There’s nothing in the diary.”
“Good. Hopefully, I’ll have time to get a few things sorted out.”
“Paperclips or rubber bands?”
Winky was still hard at work, making his tin foil hats. He’d accumulated a large pile of them.
“How many are you planning to make?”
“As many as I can.”
“How many have you sold so far?”
“None.”
“Is there really any point in making more if you haven’t sold a single one yet?”
“Do you want to know what your problem is?”
“I suspect you’re going to tell me whether I do or not.”
“You have no vision. Me? I’m what’s known as a visionary.”
“Okay, Mr Visionary, are you seriously trying to tell me that you expect to shift enough of these silly hats to raise the money to pay back Big Gordy?”
“Yep. Piece of cake.”
You had to admire his confidence—however misplaced it might be.
I had all afternoon to review the Washbridge Flyer case.
Whoops! Spoke too soon. The temperature in the room dropped dramatically. Which of my many ghost acquaintances and relatives would it be this time?
“Dad? Blodwyn? What a nice surprise.”
“We haven’t interrupted anything important, have we?” he said.
“Well, actually, I was just about to—”
“Good. We just had to come over, and—”
“Not so much of the ‘we’,” Blodwyn interjected. “I told you that Jill would be busy.”
“As I was saying,” he continued, regardless. “Have you heard what your mother and that Welsh clot are up to?” He started to laugh. “Guided tours of Gnome Central.”
“Mum did mention it.”
“Did she tell you the best bit, though? She’ll be acting as the guide. I’m going to take the tour, just to see your mother squirm.”
“That’s not very nice, Dad.”
“I don’t care. Have you forgotten that she accused me of stealing her stupid gnomes? She still hasn’t apologised for that.”
Oh boy! Parents? Who’d have them?
My dad was still laughing about the gnome tours when Blodwyn finally managed to drag him away. At least now, I’d be able to get some work done.
Spoke too soon—again!
Luther came charging through the door.
“Sorry to burst in like this, Jill, but this is an emergency.”
Jules followed him into my office; she’d obviously been powerless to stop him.
“It’s okay, Jules. Make us some tea, would you?” I waited until she was out of the room, then asked, “Whatever’s wrong?”
“Someone has hacked into my computer, and they’re threatening to publish all of my clients’ data on the internet. If they do that, it will be the end of my business. I came to see you because I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Have they demanded any kind of payment?”
“No. The only thing I’ve received is an email that said they’d be in touch on Thursday. They said to stay by my computer, and be ready to act on their instructions. That’s the day of the accountant awards.”
“You’ll still attend that, surely?”
“How can I with this hanging over my head? What if they release the data while I’m at the awards? I don’t know what to do, Jill.”
Jules brought the tea through, so I waited until she’d slopped it down on the desk.
“I might know someone who can help,” I said.
“Really? How?”
“My associate is an expert with computers—particularly on the subject of hacking. If anyone can help, he can.”
“That’s fantastic. When can I meet him?”
“That won’t be possible. My associate is what’s known in the business as a ‘white hat’. He’s one of the good guys, but he values his anonymity above everything else. He won’t agree to meet you. You’ll need to give me access to your office and computer, but you can’t be there when he does his thing. Can you live with that?”
“Of course, but we don’t have much time.”
“Leave it with me, and I’ll contact my associate as soon as I can. Once I’ve got hold of him, I’ll let you know when we need access to your office. Okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks, Jill. My whole career is in your hands.”
No pressure, then.
As Luther was leaving, he glanced over at the corner of the room.
“Are those tin foil hats?”
“Err—yeah. Jack is having a conspiracy theory themed party at his office. I said I’d help out by making the tin foil hats.”
“Oh? Cool.”
As soon as he was out of the office, I called Winky out from under the sofa.
�
��You’ll have to find somewhere to store those hats. People will think I’m some kind of nutter if they see them.”
“That boat has long since sailed.”
“I need a favour.”
“I figured as much when I heard you talking about white hats. Like you know what that means.” He scoffed.
“I need you to get hold of Tibby the Hack.”
“He’s on holiday.”
“For how long?”
“He’s on the Norfolk Broads for a couple of weeks.”
“Can you get him back here?”
“Not a chance. Tibby loves his boating. I do know someone else who could help, though.”
“Who?”
“Tubby the Hack.”
“Tubby?”
“He’s Tibby’s fatter, older cousin.”
“Is he any good?”
“He taught Tibby everything he knows.”
“Great. Can you get him to come and see me PDQ?”
“Tubby doesn’t come cheap.”
“Surely, you can get him to do me a good deal?”
“It seems like ages since I had any red salmon.”
“Okay. I’ll buy some.”
“How much?”
“Lots. Now, will you get hold of Tubby?”
At least that was sorted. Now, I could get back to the Washbridge Flyer case.
“Sorry to trouble you, Jill.” Jules popped her head around the door.
“What is it?”
“There’s a young woman here who would like to see you. Shall I tell her you’re too busy?”
“Who is it?”
“She said her name is Alicia.”
Great! That was all I needed.
“Show her in.”
“Shall I make more drinks?”
“No. Don’t bother. She might poison it.”
“Sorry?”
“Never mind. Just show her in.”
“Thanks for seeing me, Jill.” Alicia edged towards my desk, but didn’t sit down.
“What do you want? I’m very busy.”
“I’ll only take up a few minutes of your time.”
“I’m listening.”
“I know you don’t trust me.”
“I wonder why?”
“I don’t blame you, but I really am trying to make a new start with Glen.”
“So you said. Just don’t expect me to believe it.”
“That’s why I came here today. I was hoping that there was something I could do to convince you that I mean what I say.”
“I highly doubt it.”
“Ma Chivers still wants you and your grandmother gone, you know. What if I could find information that you could use against her?”
“And how do you propose to do that? From what I hear, Ma Chivers has washed her hands of you.”
“I still know lots of people who are close to her. Some of them are as disillusioned as I became, but are too afraid to make the break from her.”
“Why do we need your help? We seem to be doing just fine by ourselves.”
“That’s just it. She’ll wait until your guard is down, and then she’ll strike. I may be able to warn you when that’s going to happen. What do you have to lose by agreeing?”
“Do what you like. As I’ve said before, I’ll judge you on your actions not on your words because we’ve already established they’re worthless.”
“Okay. Thanks for hearing me out, Jill.”
And with that, she skulked out of my office.
***
I gave up trying to work on the Washbridge Flyer case, and decided to call it a day. On my way out, I found Lules with her sister, in the outer office.
“Hi, Lules. How’s the swotting going?”
“Brilliantly. Norman is a great teacher. I’m going to knock them dead at the Miss Bottle Top competition.”
“That’s fantastic.”
“Ask me a question, Jill.”
“Sorry?”
“About bottle tops. Go on, ask me anything.”
“Okay. Who in their right mind would want to collect them?”
Jules laughed. Lules didn’t.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “When is the competition?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“I’m sure you’ll do just great. Anyway, I’m going to call it a day. Bye, both of you.”
When I got to the toll bridge, Mr Ivers was still wearing the sling; he looked very fed up.
“How are the elbows, Mr Ivers?”
“Still giving me grief.”
“No luck replacing Bert, then?”
“Not even a sniff.”
It was then that I had one of my brilliant ideas.
What? Of course I have them. Haven’t you noticed? Sheesh!
“I might just know someone who will do the job, Mr Ivers.”
“Really?” His face lit up. “Who?”
“A friend of mine. He’s fallen on hard times recently. I can have a word with him if you like?”
“Yes please, Jill.”
Fortunately, Jack wasn’t home, so I was able to magic myself over to the bridge on the road to North Candle.
“Give me some money!” Cole appeared from underneath the bridge.
“It’s only me.”
“Oh, hello, Jill.”
“I may have some good news for you.”
“I could really do with some.”
“How would you feel about working in the human world?”
“Doing what?”
“It just so happens I may have found the ideal job for you. It’s based on a bridge, and all you have to do is collect money from the people who cross it.”
“I can do that. It’s what I specialise in.”
“I know. That’s just what I thought.”
“But I’m worried about being in the human world. Won’t I stand out?”
“Not at all. The human you’ll be working with is so weird that no one will notice you. What do you say?”
“How would I get there?”
“If you’re interested, I could magic you over there now?”
“I’m scared.”
“You were afraid to go to Candlefield, but it was okay, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah. I enjoyed it, actually.”
“There you go, then. And besides, you need the money.”
“I really do.” He took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s do it.”
I grabbed his hand before he could change his mind, and magicked us over to the toll bridge.
“Mr Ivers!”
“Jill? Where did you come from?”
“This is Cole who I told you about. He’s had lots of experience collecting cash on bridges.”
“That’s fantastic.” Mr Ivers opened the door to the pay booth. “Come in, Cole. You can start straightaway.”
I gave Cole the thumbs up, and then hurried back home.
Another satisfied customer.
Chapter 13
The next morning, after I’d showered and dressed, I found Jack staring out of the lounge window.
“What are you looking at, nosey?”
“I’m not nosey. I’m just taking a healthy interest in our neighbours.”
“Why is it that when I take a healthy interest in something, I’m being nosey, but when you do it, that’s okay?”
“Those new neighbours across the road are seriously weird.”
“They’re rude—that’s for sure.”
“They have all the curtains closed.”
“Maybe they just prefer the dark.”
“They’re probably vampires.” He grinned.
“That must be it. Maybe Blossom is a witch, too?”
“Now you’re being silly. Blossom is an old dear. We should ask her over for dinner sometime. She must be lonely in that big house all by herself.”
“Maybe, but not this week. Will you be home for dinner tonight?”
“I’ll be late because I have to sort out my dress suit.”
“Make sure you
get a receipt so we can claim the money back from Grandma.”
“Did she say she’d pay?”
“I did.”
After Jack had left for work, and before I left for the office, I called Desmond Sidings.
“It’s Jill Gooder. Sorry to call at this hour.”
“Not a problem. I’m an early riser.”
“I’d like to take a look around The Flyer. How soon could you arrange that?”
“It’s not possible at the moment because the police still have it locked down as a crime scene.”
“Okay. Will you let me know when they release it?”
“Will do.”
“In the meantime, I’d like to check a few things with you. How many members of staff are typically on board the trips?”
“Typically, just two: the driver, and the guard who is also responsible for the buffet.”
“Just those two? Really?”
“Yes. We have to keep costs to a minimum.”
“How can the guard do everything by himself?”
“The drinks and snacks that are available are all pretty basic: Sandwiches, crisps, that sort of thing.”
“Am I right in thinking that there’s no way for the engine driver to access the carriages while the train is moving?”
“Correct. The only way to do that is to get out of the engine, and walk down the platform.”
“How many stops does The Flyer make?”
“It doesn’t. It effectively travels in a large circle. Most of the passengers are only there for the experience of travelling on a steam train.”
“Okay. Just one last question. It appears that there were different guards on the two journeys. Is that usual?”
“Thomas West handed in his notice after the first trip. That’s why Stephen Pearce was on the second trip.”
“Okay, Desmond, that’s very helpful. Don’t forget to let me know when I can see the train.”
It occurred to me that Stanley Sidcup and Barbara Hawthorne might have been on The Flyer when Carol Strand was murdered, so I gave them both a call.
“Hello?” Stanley sounded distracted.
“Stanley, it’s Jill Gooder.”
“Is it urgent, Jill? Only the parrot has just got out of its cage. Momsy was trying to clean it out, and it flew off.”
“I just wondered if you were on The Flyer on Sunday?”
