by Adele Abbott
Chapter 20
“I’m beginning to think that sandpit of yours was not such a great idea,” Jack said, while eating his muesli, and staring out of the kitchen window.
“You agreed it would be good for when the kids came around.”
“I know, but over the last couple of days I’ve noticed paw prints in the sand. I hope the local cats haven’t decided it’s a huge litter tray.”
“They’d better not have!” I joined him at the window.
“Look, over there.”
Oh bum! Those weren’t cat paw prints; they were too square.
“It’ll probably be okay. We’ll see how it goes.”
Jack finished his muesli, put the dish in the sink, and then went through to the lounge, where I heard him switch on the early morning TV news. While he was engrossed in that, I slipped outside.
“Joey! Hey, Joey!”
“Who’s Joey?” Megan was standing next to her dustbin.
“Joey? Err—he’s—err—a budgie.”
“I didn’t know you had a budgie.”
“It’s Jack’s, actually. He’s always kept budgies, ever since he was a kid.”
“What’s it doing outside?”
“I didn’t realise it was out of its cage, and I opened the back door.”
“Oh dear. He could be anywhere by now.”
“He won’t go far. He’s done this before.”
“I could help you look.”
“No, that’s alright. He’ll turn up.”
“Okay, and by the way, I have some good news. Ryan’s parents are coming over for dinner at my house next week.”
“That’s great. I told you there was nothing to worry about.”
“I know. I feel silly for getting so worked up about it. And now, I’m really nervous about meeting them.”
Not as nervous as they’re going to be on their first trip to the human world. “I’m sure everything will be fine. They’re bound to love you.”
“That’s sweet of you to say. Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to help you to find Joey?”
“No, it’s fine. Thanks, anyway.”
I waited until Megan was inside her house, and then tried again, “Joey!”
“Is the coast clear?” The tiny sand sloth popped his head out.
“Yes, but be ready to disappear if Jack comes out.”
“Okay.”
“You’ve got to be more careful about leaving footprints in the sand.”
“Whoops! Sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it. Jack thinks all the neighbourhood cats are using the sandpit as their litter tray.”
“A few of them have tried to, but I ran them off. That’s why my footprints are everywhere.”
“I appreciate you keeping the cats away, but you really will have to clean up your own footprints, otherwise Jack may decide to get rid of the sandpit. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”
“Definitely not. I’ll be more careful in future.”
When I got back in the house, Jack called to me, “You’re on the TV.”
Sure enough, there I was, standing next to Desmond Sidings. It hadn’t occurred to me that they might have caught me on camera.
“They got your good side.” Jack grinned.
“What do you mean, good side?” I checked the mirror. “Are you saying I have a bad side?”
“Of course not.” He gave me a peck on the cheek. “Both of your sides are equally beautiful.”
Back on the TV, the interview with Desmond Sidings was over, but they were still covering the Washbridge Flyer story. On screen now, was a man, standing in front of a block of flats. According to the caption at the bottom of the screen, the man was Thomas West, the guard who had been on the first Flyer trip. If I remembered correctly, he’d handed in his notice shortly after that.
“What exactly did you see?” the female interviewer asked.
“I saw Mr and Mrs Shore in the front carriage before the train left the platform. They looked as though they were celebrating something.”
“Are you sure about that?” the interviewer pressed. “There’s been some speculation that Mr Shore may have murdered his wife, and then committed suicide?”
“I can only tell you what I saw. They seemed perfectly happy together.”
“Did you see anything at all that gave you cause for concern?”
“No, but then I was busy serving food in the buffet car for the whole of the journey. The first I knew that something was wrong was when the body was discovered near to the toilet.”
“I understand that you resigned after that first trip?”
“That’s right. It upset and scared me a great deal. And, after what happened on the second trip, I’m glad I did. I could have been the murderer’s next victim.”
“Have you spoken to that guard?” Jack asked, after the reporter had handed back to the studio.
“Not yet, but he’s next on my list.”
***
As I walked from the car to my office, I noticed that the headlines on several of the national newspapers were related to the Washbridge Flyer murders. That surprised me for a couple of reasons: First, they seemed a little late to the game because it was now several days since the second murder. And just as odd: why would the nationals cover the story at all? I quickly skimmed several of the articles, and then all became clear. They had all picked up on the ‘serial killer on train’ angle. One thing that all the articles had in common was that they all featured interviews with the guard, Thomas West.
***
What a contrast! Jules looked so much happier than the last time I’d seen her.
“Morning, Jill.” She beamed. “Isn’t it a wonderful day?”
“I’ll let you know when I’m awake. I take it that you and Gilbert have made up?”
“Gilbert?” She pulled a face as though she’d just bitten on a lemon. “That wimp is history. I don’t know what I ever saw in him and his stupid bottle tops.”
“How come you’re looking so pleased with life, then?”
“I have Lules to thank, really. It was her idea. I would never have dreamed of using a dating app, but she said I had nothing to lose. And bingo!”
“Bingo?”
“I’ve got a date.”
“I don’t want to rain on your parade, but are you sure about this? Online dating can be a bit dodgy.”
“This one seems to be perfectly legit. I’m meeting him for lunch today.”
“I guess a lunch date should be safe enough, and it will give you a chance to make sure he isn’t some kind of monster.”
“He’s a hunk, Jill. A real man—not like that wimp, Gilbert.” She took out her phone, and brought up a photo. “See what I mean?”
I did. The guy was ripped, and then some. He was very good looking too. “WARMA? What’s that?”
“That’s the name of the app. It stands for Where All the Real Men Are. Clever, eh?”
“I guess. I’m just glad to see you happy again. I hope your lunch date goes well. You don’t need to hurry back.”
“Thanks, Jill.”
When I went through to my office, Winky was fast asleep on the sofa. The pile of tin foil hats had disappeared; he’d sold the lot. What an accomplished conman that cat was.
While he was asleep, I tiptoed over to the sofa, crouched down, and felt underneath.
Eureka! Just as I’d expected.
Just then, Jules came through the door.
“Have you lost something, Jill?”
“Err—I—err—no. I was just checking for dust.”
“Oh? Okay. Your accountant is here; he has a woman with him. He wondered if you could spare them a moment.”
“Sure. Just give me one minute, and then send them through.”
I dusted myself down, and slipped the ‘evidence’ into the bottom drawer of my desk.
“Luther, Maria, this is unexpected.”
“I’m sorry to turn up like this,” Luther said. “I just wanted to tell you my
big news.”
“Are you two getting married?”
“What? No, of course not.”
Maria pinned him with a glare.
“Not that there would be anything wrong with that.” He backtracked. “It’s—err—just not why we’re here.”
“He won the award,” Maria said.
“The Accountant of the Year?”
“Yes.” Luther looked like the cat who had got the cream. “I still can’t quite believe it.”
“Fully deserved, I’m sure. Where did Seymour Sums come?”
“Third, so even if I’d been a no-show, he still wouldn’t have won.”
“You two will no doubt be celebrating, then?”
“We’re going out for dinner tonight. Why don’t you and Jack join us?”
“Thanks, but we’ve already got something planned,” I lied. “I guess this means you’ll be putting up your hourly rate now?”
“For new clients, yes, but not for my existing customer base, and definitely not for you. In fact, I’m going to give you a twenty-five percent discount for the next twelve months by way of a thank you.”
“That’s very generous of you.”
“The award is good news for me, too,” Maria said. “Luther reckons he’ll need more clerical and admin assistance to cope with the increase in business he’s expecting. He’s asked me to work for him.”
“But what about the red trouser suit? Won’t you miss that?”
She laughed. “I’m going to burn that thing when I leave.”
“I wouldn’t do that. Grandma will charge you for it.”
“It’s your sister I feel sorry for. She’s already run off her feet.”
“Does she know you’re leaving yet?”
“No. I’m going to hand in my notice next week.”
“Thanks for the tip-off. I’ll give Kathy a wide berth for a few days.”
By the time Luther and Maria left, Winky was awake—or at least, half-awake.
“How’s a cat supposed to sleep with all this noise going on?”
“This is my office.”
“Couldn’t you have talked to them out front? You could see I was asleep.”
“No, I couldn’t, Mr Conman.”
“Who are you calling a conman?”
“I don’t see anyone else in the room.”
“That’s slander.”
“I don’t think so.” I took the hat and sunglasses out of my drawer, and put them on. Then, using my best Winky impersonation, I shouted, “The aliens are coming. Run for your lives.”
The door to my office flew open, and Jules rushed inside. “Jill? Are you alright?”
Oh bum! I’d got carried away, and shouted much louder than I’d intended.
“Yes, thanks, Jules. I’m fine.”
“You were shouting something about aliens. And, why are you wearing that hat, and those sunglasses?”
“Oh? I—err—I was just practising my lines.”
“Lines for what?”
“The—err—amateur dramatics production that my sister has signed me up for.”
“Really? What’s the play?”
“It’s—err—The Unexpected Guest.”
“What part do you play?”
“The inspector.”
“Let me know when it is. Me and Lules will come and support you.”
Oh bum!
“You are unbelievable,” Winky said, after Jules had gone back to her office. “Lies just come tumbling out of your mouth, don’t they?”
“That’s rich coming from you.”
“At least my lies earn me money. All you ever manage to do is dig yourself into yet another hole.”
“Jules will have forgotten about this by the end of the week. She has much more important things on her mind. Anyway, was the tin foil hat con worth it? Do you have enough cash to pay back Big Gordy what you owe him?”
“Almost, and I’m sure I’ll be able to scrape up the rest before he comes to collect. Now, can I have my hat and sunglasses back, please?”
Chapter 21
I’d told Jules that she could have a long lunch, and she’d certainly taken me at my word because it was just under two hours since she’d left the office. Normally I wouldn’t have minded, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out where she kept the staples.
I was in the outer office, going through the desk drawers when I heard Jules’ voice on the stairs; she was chatting and giggling with someone.
“Sorry, Jill. I didn’t mean to stay out this long. This is Dexter.” The young man who followed her into the office was even bigger in real life than he’d looked in his photograph. He was a man-mountain, and there was one very obvious reason for that—obvious to me, at least.
He was a werewolf.
“Hi.” Dexter stepped forward, and shook my hand. His grip was so strong, I thought he was going to crush it.
“Dexter asked if he could see where I worked,” Jules said. “I hope you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.”
“Were you looking for something, Jill?” Jules asked.
“Nothing important.” I started back to my office, but then hesitated. “Dexter. I could use some help to move something. Would you have a minute to lend me a hand?”
“Yes, of course.”
He followed me through to my office, and I pushed the door closed behind us. I’d have to make this quick otherwise Jules might think I was making a pass at her new boyfriend.
“What’s your game, Buster?” I said, in a hushed, but hopefully threatening, tone.
He took a step back; he obviously hadn’t encountered a crazy witch before.
“Nothing. Honestly.”
“Jules works for me, and I’m very protective of my staff. Do you understand?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Why are you over here, dating humans?”
“This is my first time.”
“What’s going to happen when it’s the full moon?”
“I’ll go back to the Range in Candlefield.”
“You better had. If you harm one hair on Jules’ head, you’ll have me to answer to. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Good. Now, off you trot, and just know that I have eyes everywhere.”
“Okay, thanks.” And with that, he crept out of my office.
“Very intimidating.” Winky nodded his approval. “Psycho killer comes naturally to you, doesn’t it?”
***
I’d read and re-read Helen Drewmore’s journal, but I was still unsure what it all meant. I deliberately hadn’t told anyone else about the real reason for my trips to CASS, but now it was time to get someone else’s take on the contents of the journal. Maybe a fresh pair of eyes would see something that I’d missed. And what could be better than one fresh pair of eyes, than two pairs?
I took a deep breath, and called Aunt Lucy.
“Hi, Jill. You only just caught me. I’ve been out with Barry.”
“I wanted to talk to you and Grandma together if that’s possible?”
“Is something wrong?”
“No—err—no. I just need some advice.”
“What about?”
“It’s kind of complicated. It would be better if I told you when I get there. Is Grandma around, do you know?”
“She was earlier. She gave me a lecture about pruning my roses. Would you like me to nip next door to check?”
“If you don’t mind. If she’s in and has time to spare, will you let me know, and I’ll pop straight over?”
“Will do. I’ll ring you back in a couple of minutes.”
While I was waiting for a call back, I heard Dexter leaving. I’d been very hard on him, which was a little unfair considering his relationship with Jules was no different to mine and Jack’s.
My phone rang; it was Aunt Lucy, confirming that Grandma was there with her.
“I’m on my way.” I grabbed the journal, and magicked myself over to Aunt Lucy’s house.
&nb
sp; “This had better be good,” Grandma said. “I was planning to lance the boil on my big toe.”
“I’m sorry to be a bother.”
“Take no notice of her, Jill.” Aunt Lucy shot Grandma a look. “We’re here for you whenever you need us.”
“What’s the book?” Grandma gestured to the journal.
“I haven’t been completely honest with either of you about my recent trips to CASS.”
“I knew it,” Grandma said. “I knew you were up to something.”
“Let her tell the story, Mother.”
“I’ve been trying to find out who this man and woman are.” I opened the locket. “I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’m somehow connected to them. The first time I went to CASS, I sensed that I knew the place, even though I’d never been there before.”
“It’s called déjà vu.” Grandma shrugged. “I get it all the time.”
“It was more than that. When the pouchfeeder snatched the young boy, I was able to head it off by using a hidden passageway that no one knew existed. How did I know it was there?”
“What does any of this have to do with that book?” Grandma’s patience was clearly wearing thin.
“I’ve been back to CASS a couple of times, and while I was there, I saw the two people in my locket.”
“They’re at CASS?” Aunt Lucy said.
“Yes—err—no—err—what I mean to say is that they’re not actually there.”
“You’re making even less sense than you usually do,” Grandma grumbled. “And I wouldn’t have thought that was possible.”
“What I saw was just a memory. At least, I think that’s what it was. The young woman is Braxmore’s daughter, Juliet.”
“Braxmore?” That seemed to get Grandma’s attention.
“Yes. And the young man is Charles Wrongacre’s son, Damon. They’d planned to marry, but Braxmore wouldn’t allow it.”
“How can you possibly know all of this?” Grandma said.
“It was as though I was in the room with them. Another woman was there too: Helen Drewmore was Juliet’s handmaid and companion. This is her journal.”
“How did you get hold of that?” Grandma asked.
