The Daisy Dunlop Mystery Box Set: Lost Cause, Lost & Found, Lost Property

by JL Simpson

  *

  Daisy reached out of the car window, and pressed the buzzer for the gate.

  “What?” Solomon's voice growled out of the speaker.

  “Nice way to greet your partner. I need to speak to you.”

  “So speak.”

  “It's not something I want the whole forest to hear. Let me in.”

  The gate swung open, and the wheels of Daisy’s car spun before she sped up the driveway and came to a stop beside Solomon’s four-wheel drive. She climbed from the car, to find Solomon standing on the front doorstep. His hands were in his jeans pockets, and he was scowling at her.

  She'd seen that expression before. “Did I interrupt something?”

  “You did not.”

  She crossed the drive, and shouldered her way past him and into the house. “Liar, liar, pants on fire.” She raised an eyebrow. “And I bet they just about are. Did Belinda drop by?”

  Solomon glared at her. “Keep your voice down.”

  “Have you been putting the moves on Mavis? What about Belinda? You do remember Belinda. Don't you? Tall, blonde, stunning, body to die for, and long legs that were wrapped around your waist a couple of days ago.”

  Daisy walked and talked her way to the kitchen, where Mavis sat nursing a glass of water. The policewoman looked up. “Who had her legs wrapped around his waist?”

  Solomon shook his head. “No one. It was a misunderstanding.”

  “A misunderstanding?” Belinda was besotted with the man, and he’d given every impression he was interested. Daisy really didn’t want her friend to suffer a broken heart. Daisy snorted as she opened the cupboard and took out a cup. “Is that what you're calling it? That's hardly romantic, and I'm sure Belinda will be horrified when she find out.”

  “Who's Belinda?”

  “Solomon's girlfriend. Didn't he mention her?”

  “She's not my bleedin' girlfriend. She was helping me on a case.”

  Daisy put her cup on the kitchen bench. “That ended up in bed?”

  Solomon took hold of her arm, and started to drag her back toward the front hall. “What do you want, Daisy?”

  She grabbed the back of a chair and fought Solomon off, before tugging her jacket straight. “A cup of coffee and a fake ID.”

  Mavis shoved her chair back. “I should go and check on Molly.”

  Daisy watched the sway of the young woman's hips as she left the room, and sighed with disappointment for the friendly florist. “You're a liar, Solomon. What happened with Belinda had nothing to do with the case. You never take me to bed, when we're working together.”

  Solomon stepped up behind her. She could feel his body heat and smell his woody cologne. His voice was laced with anger as he whispered, “I'd no idea you wanted me to, Princess.”

  She shoved her butt backward, and realized her mistake. Solomon growled deep in his throat. Bugger. He must really be in need of female companionship, if her innocent remarks had his motor running. Unless he was so hot for Mavis, he hadn't calmed down from what was going on before Daisy arrived.

  “I don't, and I wouldn't, even if you were the last man alive.”

  “So why are you jealous then?”

  “I'm not. I just don't think you should be messing Belinda around.”

  “Belinda was a mistake.”

  Daisy turned and stared up at him. “And Mavis isn't? You've got a child in the house, who could have walked in on you, for God's sake.”

  “So you've not had sex since Sherman was born.”

  Daisy could feel the heat in her face. “Not in front of him.”

  “So how did Paul's underpants end up on the top of the TV in your living room the other week?”

  Daisy shifted her attention to the coffee maker. Solomon stepped back and she got busy filling her cup. “Shouldn't you be concentrating on whatever case you're working on?”

  Solomon took her cup from her and added three sugars and milk, before handing it back. “I am concentrating on the case.” He walked across the room, and shut the door to the hall. “I'm winning Mavis's cooperation. She has access to the police computer.”

  “You're seducing her for information. Now that's sleazy.”

  “Sleazy or not, you'll not be telling her.”

  Daisy sighed. “Okay, but on one condition.”

  “Has this condition got anything to do with Belinda?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. I want to find out who Cliff is.”

  “What?”

  “His name's not really Cliff Richards, and he changed the topic when I asked him who he really is, although he did mention a sister and nephew. I want to find his family for him.”

  “Are you going to bill him for our time?”

  “No. It's not about money. It's about doing something nice for someone.”

  “Doing something nice won't pay the bills.”

  “Come on, have a heart. I've sent him into a kennels undercover for the week. With his help, I could crack the case by the weekend.”

  “Why did you not go undercover yourself?”

  Daisy shrugged. “I had other things to do.”

  “Such as?”

  She drained her cup and placed it in the sink. “Such as make enquiries.”

  “I'm just leaving, so how about you go and enquire some more?”

  “Before you go, how do I get a fake ID?”

  “What are you wanting it for?”

  “I plan to go undercover as a newspaper reporter at a dog show in Bristol, on Saturday.”

  “I'll see what I can do.”

  Daisy planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks. You're lovely, no matter what other people say about you.”

  He scowled, and rubbed his face with the palm of his hand.

  “I'll see myself out.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Solomon closed the front door, and turned to find Mavis and Molly at the bottom of the stairs. He smiled, and the little girl ran into his arms. He lifted her up and rested her on his hip. Mavis smiled, and leaned against the banister.

  “Was dat Daisy?” Molly asked.

  “It was.”

  “She didn't comed and talk to me.”

  “She had to leave, but you'll see her again.”

  “Wiv Rosebud?”

  “Who's Rosebud?”

  Molly put her finger to her lips. “Shush, Da. I can't telled you. It's a surprise.”

  “I don't like surprises.”

  Her bottom lip stuck out, and tears welled in her eyes.

  “Shh.” He kissed her cheek. “Don't cry. I'll like it, if it makes you happy.”

  She smiled, and his heart ached with love. When he gave her a squeeze and blew a raspberry on her neck, she giggled and hugged him back, wrapping her arms around him and pressing a sloppy kiss to his cheek.

  “I love you, little angel.” He’d kill anyone who ever hurt her.

  “I love you, Da.”

  He glanced up at Mavis. She straightened up, and he smiled. “I've got to go out for a while.”

  Mavis held her hand out to Molly. “Let your dad go to work, and then we can drive to the park and feed the ducks.”

  Solomon set Molly on her feet, and she ran to Mavis. “Can I wear my fairy dress wiv the wings and the sparkly crown in my hair?”

  “Sure you can. Say goodbye to your dad.”

  “Bye, Da.”

  Solomon blew her a kiss before grabbing his keys and jacket. He glanced at Mavis. “You've my number, if you need me.”

  “Yes. Don't worry. I'll be super alert and careful.”

  “Aye. I'll see you both later, then.”

  Molly tugged Mavis's hand. She turned, and they both climbed the stairs. He watched until they disappeared from sight

  *

  Daisy slid down in her seat, and waited until the black four-wheel drive had driven past, before switching on her engine and pulling back out onto the road. She kept the vehicle in sight, but stayed as far back as she could.

  The SUV pulled ont
o the road to Southampton. She sighed with disappointment. This adventure would be short and sweet, if he was only going into the office.

  He could have asked her for assistance. It wasn't like she hadn't helped him before. She’d cracked the first and only case they'd worked on together. Okay, so Solomon had helped a little, and he'd saved her from a car bomb. She owed him big time for stopping her from being turned into bloody confetti.

  She slowed as they approached a junction, letting a blue sedan pull in between her and Solomon. The black vehicle took a left. She swung around the corner, and came face to face with the back end of the SUV. She slammed her foot on the brake, and closed her eyes. Brakes screeching, her car filled with the acrid smell of burning rubber. She screamed as her hatchback shuddered to a halt, throwing her toward the steering wheel and then hurtling her back in her seat. The belt tightened around her middle. Slowly, she cracked an eye open, to discover she'd missed a collision with the back of Solomon’s vehicle by a couple of inches.

  Solomon stood at the side of his SUV with his arms folded. She smiled and waved. In response, he strode toward her car. Eyebrows low over his cold blue eyes and his mouth a thin line, he looked ready to kill someone, and as she was the only person in the street, she figured it had to be her. The car had stalled when she stopped. She turned the key. The engine gave a gagging whir, but refused to kick in. She tried again, pumping the accelerator until the car filled with petrol fumes.

  The driver's side door was ripped open, and Solomon’s face appeared inches from her own. “Now you're wanting to go somewhere other than up my arse.”

  “Solomon! What a coincidence.”

  “I suppose you'll be telling me you were on your way to a dog kennels.”

  “I was. I was.”

  “You're a lousy liar, and an even worse driver.”

  “I missed you, didn't I?”

  “Why are you following me?”

  “I'm not.”

  “You can't tail someone in a bright green car and pretend it didn't happen.”

  “So you think I should have traded the yellow one in for something other than green? Something a little less obvious?”

  A horn tooted, and she glanced in the rearview mirror. “We're blocking the road. I should be going, anyway.”

  “Pull over to the curb and park.”

  “Why?”

  “I've something to discuss with you.”

  “Do you promise to be nice?”

  “Daisy!” His voice was a deep growl.

  She turned the key, and the engine sparked to life. “I'm parking. I'm parking. No need to get your Calvin Kleins in a bunch.”

  “I don't wear Calvin Kleins.”

  “No?”

  “Park the bleedin' car.”

  He got back in his vehicle, drove further down the road, and parked.

  She pulled in behind him, and took a deep breath. She got out of her car and took her time locking it up, before stepping around to the passenger side of his vehicle, opening the door, and climbing inside. The SUV’s engine was still idling, and before she could ask what he wanted, he pulled out into the road and floored the accelerator.

  “What are you doing?” She wrestled her seatbelt across her body, and buckled up.

  “Driving.”

  She made a big show of looking at her watch. “Is that the time? I have an appointment in half an hour.”

  “Call and cancel it.”

  “What?”

  “Cancel it. I need your help for a couple of hours.”

  “What do I get for helping you out?”

  “Experience.”

  “Will it be an enjoyable experience?”

  He glanced at her, his eyes dark and smoldering. “Everything you do with me is an enjoyable experience, Princess.”

  “Someone has a big head.”

  His mouth turned up in a lopsided smile.

  She slapped her hand over his mouth. “Don't say anything. I refuse to swap sexual innuendos with you. Do you promise to behave like a gentleman?”

  Solomon nodded, and she pulled her hand away.

  He snorted. “Don't tell me you've finally given up flirting, when I’m about to put it to good use?”

  “Only with you.” She frowned. “What do you mean put it to good use?”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Solomon drove around the corner from the Cock and Bull, and parked. Daisy glanced out the window and then at him, as he leaned across her to reach into the glove compartment.

  She shrank back into her seat. “What are you doing?”

  “Don't get excited, Princess.” He pulled out a box, and flipped it open. “I'll be needing you to wear this.”

  “A wire? And where am I going? Not in there?” She nodded her head at the pub.

  “Aye, you're going in there.” He undid the top button of her tight fitting cream shirt.

  Daisy slapped his hands away. “I can do it.”

  “What are you so worried about? I’ve seen breasts before.”

  “Not mine.”

  “Are they different?”

  Daisy glared at him. “They’re breasts with one nipple each, like everyone else’s.”

  Solomon smiled, as Daisy snatched the device that looked a lot like a clip-on iPod out of his hand. She slipped the microphone inside her cleavage, and Solomon leaned closer. “That’s some lovely underwear.”

  She moved away from him, and began to fasten her blouse. “What is your obsession with women’s clothing?”

  He chuckled. “I have an eye for fashion, and I’ve helped a lot of ladies with their underwear over the years.”

  Daisy rolled her eyes. “With taking it off, you mean?”

  “I’ll not deny it.” He reached over and pulled her hands away from her blouse.

  “Leave the top buttons undone, but not so much you can see the microphone.”

  She stared at him. “You want me to go in there flashing my wares? Do you hate me that much?”

  “I don't hate you at all, darlin'.”

  “Don't try your Irish charm on me. I'm immune.”

  “I’ve no need to charm you. You owe me.”

  “What?”

  “If you'd not mentioned Belinda to Mavis, I would still be at home milking her for information. Instead I’m here looking for it myself. Seeing as you messed up my plans, it's only fair you step in and help. I can’t go in there because I might be recognized, unlike your good self.”

  “How did you ever guess I'd never been to a pub in a part of town that makes Baghdad look like a holiday camp?”

  “Lucky guess.”

  “Paul would kill you if you, if he knew you made me go in there.”

  “That's why we'll not be telling him.”

  “I don't keep secrets from Paul.”

  Solomon smiled, and leaned closer. “Liar. You've not told him I'm his half-brother.”

  “Fine. Whatever.” Daisy glanced in the side mirror and watched a couple of low lives disappear into the pub. “Just tell me why I'm going in there, and what I have to do.”

  “You're looking for someone called Nobby. If you’ve no luck, you’ll be asking around to see where Nobby can be found.”

  “How will I know who Nobby is?”

  “Bald, lumpy head, with a Nobby tattoo across the forehead.”

  “Easy. So I find Nobby, and then?”

  “You want to score some cocaine.”

  *

  Daisy stared at him. “I what?”

  “You'll only be needing enough for personal use.”

  “You want me to walk into a pub and look for someone I've never met before, and then blurt out that I want to buy drugs off them, and all this while wearing a wire. I know following you was wrong, and mentioning Belinda to Mavis was childish, but I think death is a bit of a severe punishment.”

  “What punishment would you prefer? Should I spank you?”

  She glared at him. “You wouldn't dare.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Do
n't tempt me, Princess.”

  “I refuse to play your silly games, or to go in there.” She folded her arms.

  “If not for me, then do it for Molly.”

  “What?”

  “I want you to go in, and ask Nobby for cocaine. Your usual supplier, Lisa Brown, is in custody, and the man she suggested you try in her stead, Leo Thompson, appears to have gone missing.”

  “Lisa?”

  Solomon wrapped a thick strand of her strawberry blonde hair around his finger, and tugged her head until their faces were inches apart. “I'm trying to keep Molly safe. Now will you please go inside, before I'm forced to kiss you?'

  His breath warmed her lips, and his eyes appeared heavy lidded. Her gut twisted, as he ran his tongue along his bottom lip. She placed her hands on his shoulders and shoved, but he didn’t budge. “If you think because I interrupted you and Mavis, I'll step into her shoes, you've finally gone mad. All that unrequited passion must have starved your brain of blood and oxygen.”

  “I've no more desire to kiss you than you have to be kissed. We're starting to attract an audience. Men only park with women around here to screw them.”

  Daisy shrank back in her seat. “Cocaine, you say? How much, and how do I pay for it exactly?”

  “Five hundred pounds worth, and you'll get the money and meet wherever you’re told to collect it. There’ll be no dealing going on in the pub, unless you both have a desire to serve some time at the big house.”

  She scrambled to undo her seatbelt, before grabbing the door handle.

  “Princess.”

  She glanced back, and he leaned over and planted a quick kiss on her lips. “Good luck.”

  With a glare, she slid from the vehicle, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. The man had no concept of boundaries.

  Her heart pounded, her knees felt weak and mouth dry, as she made her way toward the pub. The last time she'd heard about this place was on the news, a couple of months ago. Local hooligans got restless after Southampton lost a soccer match. What started as a bit of social disorder, quickly escalated into a full blown riot, with cops on horses, looting, and Molotov cocktails. Thank God, the streets seemed quiet enough today. Southampton won their last match, so the local youth were probably still hung over from celebrating their team's success.