“From the Covent Garden attack. You know she was there?” Lawrence nodded. “I helped her prep for the press conference at Scotland Yard. Crowley pushed her. He’s made out publicly that she can identify this bastard bomber. Now, whether she can or not, it means she could be in the line of fire.”
“Christ, that’s disgusting. I read about it in the papers today. I never brought it up with her, though. I know she was there when the bomb exploded, but do you really think she could be in danger?”
“Who knows? We’ve had no further contact from the IRA, and I would say they’ve gone underground—which is not a pun about them bombing Covent Garden bloody Underground station. . . .”
“Have you been over there?”
“Course I have; got to go back later. Just came over to see how the lab’s doing at piecing together the bomb fragments. Be handy to know its construction in case we need to diffuse any others this bomber plants.”
Lawrence acknowledged Dexter’s comment with a nod. Dexter ate his steak & kidney pie quickly and moved on to a bowl of sticky syrup pudding swimming in custard. Lawrence sipped his coffee, feeling ill just watching the speed at which Dexter was eating.
“Why do you eat so quickly?”
“I’m hungry . . . I was up at the crack of dawn. So, are you trying to pull Tennison?”
“No, I am not!”
“Jimmy Church was looking after her last night.”
“My God! Don’t tell me he’s after her?”
“I meant he arranged her protection . . . he got Stanley to house sit in her flat.”
Despite his concern for Jane, Lawrence couldn’t help laughing. The infamously scruffy Stanley had never been one of his favorite undercover officers. Before he could question Dexter further, Jane returned.
“I don’t think your food is going to be very appetizing now. Let me get you something else,” Dexter offered.
“No, thank you . . . I’m fine. I’m not that hungry, and I suppose I should really be getting back to the lab.”
“What time are you leaving?” Dexter asked, and Lawrence raised his eyes to the ceiling. “Just wondered if you wanted to have some better food this evening?” Dexter scraped the last of the custard from his bowl.
“Oh, I would have liked to but I’ve got someone coming to see me about renting a room in my flat.”
“Ok, well . . . maybe another time. Are you here tomorrow?”
“Yes, for the next few weeks, I think. I’ll just have to wait to be told.”
Dexter pushed back his chair as he wiped his mouth with a paper napkin.
“Okay, I’m off. Good to see you Paul, and maybe I’ll see you tomorrow, Jane.”
She smiled as he walked off and Lawrence shook his head.
“Bit of advice, Jane: I’d steer well clear of him. He may be good at defusing bombs, but he’s got a bad reputation when it comes to women. Thinks he’s God’s gift to the opposite sex. If you like, I can run you home tonight. I’ve got my car.”
Jane hesitated and then leaned forward. “So have I . . . it’s the yellow VW and it was my car that Crowley was moaning about being parked in the wrong bay. I just went out to move it.”
Lawrence laughed. “Good for you! Where are you living? You said you had a new flat?”
“I’m actually not that far from you . . . in Melcombe Street, near the Baker Street entrance to Regent’s Park. Are you still living in the mews there?”
“Yes . . .” He paused. “Well, another time. I can pick you up and we can come into the lab together.”
“Let me give you my phone number.”
Jane jotted it down in her note book, tore out the page and handed it to Lawrence. As they left the canteen together she felt rather flattered. First she’d had attention from the “ladies’ man,” Dexter, and now Lawrence.
Later that day as she was signing out, she saw DCI Crowley waiting for her. At first Jane thought he was going to reprimand her for parking her car in a reserved space, but he didn’t mention it. Instead he asked her how she had found her first day, and hoped it would prove to be a good experience for her. He didn’t wait for her to reply.
“As far as your safety’s concerned we haven’t received any threats or warnings.”
“Well, sir, I doubt that the IRA would give a warning if they were going to murder someone!”
“This is no joking matter, Tennison, far from it. You need to be watchful and take precautions, and ensure that we are always aware of your movements.”
“Yes, sir. Am I to come back here in the morning?”
“No, not immediately. That’s also why I wanted to have a word with you. The old woman you tended to after the explosion has been identified. Her full name is Daphne Millbank and she has come out of her coma. As you have a connection with her I want you to visit her at the hospital tomorrow morning and talk over what she may be able to add to your statement. I have people there, and DS Dexter will also be with you. Afterward he’ll take you over to Covent Garden underground station and walk you through exactly what happened and then I’ll see you back here.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Right, off you go . . . and remember to take precautions. Just be wary of anyone you don’t know contacting you, and keep a low profile until we can ascertain our position.”
As Crowley watched Jane walking away, he hitched up his baggy trousers. There had been no communication from the terrorists since they had claimed responsibility; the press release had not flushed them out. Everything suggested they had gone to ground, but after years of experience on the bomb squad, he knew not to trust the quiet after the explosion. Jane was still in danger.
Chapter Eight
Jane was caught up in heavy traffic and didn’t arrive home until after seven. She parked her car in a space a short walk from her flat and as soon as she got inside she called Pearl Radcliff to say that she was at home if she wanted to come over to view the room. She had a quick bath and put on some casual clothes, before checking the spare room to make sure that it was immaculate after Stanley’s stay. As she was making herself a cup of tea the doorbell rang. Jane went to the intercom.
“Who is it?” she asked.
“It’s Pearl Radcliff.”
Remembering the advice about being cautious Jane asked her to wait for a moment. She went into her bedroom and looked out of the window onto the street below. She could see a woman standing on her own by the front door and went back to the intercom.
“Come up to the top floor,” Jane said, pressing the door entry button and replacing the receiver.
She opened the front door to her flat and waited as Pearl came slowly up the stairs. As she appeared on the small landing Jane greeted her.
“Hello, I’m Jane Tennison. Could I ask to see some identification?”
Pearl was a slim young woman, with short cropped hair in a Mary Quant style. She was wearing a green beret and a dark green overcoat, and was slightly out of breath. She smiled at Jane.
“Quite a way up, isn’t it? Will my driving license be enough? I’ve got my passport as well, but I’ve never been asked to show it before . . . hold on a moment.”
Pearl rooted around in her large leather shoulder bag and then produced her driving license and passport for Jane to look at.
“Sorry if this sounds a bit officious, but it’s just for security purposes.” Jane glanced at the license in Pearl’s wallet, then handed it back.
“Please come in.”
Pearl followed Jane into the flat as she shut the door behind them.
“I’ll just show you around first,” Jane said, “and if it’s to your liking we can talk over a cup of tea. It’s obviously not a large flat . . . The bathroom’s here, and then this is my bedroom. The room for rent is this one.”
Pearl said nothing as she followed Jane. She peered into Jane’s bedroom, then went into the small bedroom and walked around, looking inside the fitted wardrobe and the small chest of drawers, which had a mirror and glass tray on the top.
“Well, that’s it,” Jane said. “Apart from the kitchen.” As Pearl had not said a word she couldn’t tell whether she liked the room or not. She walked into the kitchen. “Fridge, washing machine and cooker are all new.”
Pearl nodded, still not saying anything.
“I’m charging ten pounds per week, which includes everything . . . so there will be no expenses on top of the rent.”
Pearl nodded, showing no reaction.
“So, what do you think?”
“Well, it’s smaller than I had hoped. But it’s very fresh and clean. My only worry would be that we’ll be sort of on top of each other, unless we come to some arrangement.”
“Yes, I agree. Do you want to take your coat off and we can discuss how we can make it work?”
Pearl took off her coat and beret, and Jane put them both on a hook in the hallway. When she returned, Pearl was sitting on one of the breakfast stools. Jane put the kettle on and took out two cups and saucers, milk and sugar and a small tea pot.
“What work do you do?” Pearl asked.
Jane hesitated, then said that she was a detective with the Metropolitan Police.
“Oh, gosh . . . Now I understand why you were so officious about seeing my identification. Do you wear a uniform?”
“No, I’m plain clothes now.”
“Oh, that must be exciting.”
“It is. And you work at Madame Tussaud’s?” Jane asked, as she filled the tea pot with boiling water.
“Yes. I’ve been there for a few years now. I run the ticket office and sometimes do the tours when we’re very busy. We’re always busy, but in the summer it can be exhausting, especially during the school holidays.”
Pearl was wearing a neat blouse and pleated skirt. She had on rather sensible lace up shoes, but Jane presumed this was due to her having to be on her feet most of the day if she was doing tours. She had a nice soft voice, with a slight accent.
“Where are you from?”
“Originally Southport in Lancashire, but I came to London about eight years ago, to study at the polytechnic. I never finished the course though. It was economics and I didn’t sort of fit in. Money was short so I did a few part-time jobs. Eventually I called it quits and worked as a receptionist for a couple of companies, while doing a secretarial course. Then I went for the job I’m in now. I never meant it to become full-time but I really enjoyed it, so I’ve worked my way up and it looks like I’ll be staying put.”
They chatted while they waited for the tea to brew, establishing that neither had boyfriends, and that Pearl was an only child.
Pearl watched as Jane poured their tea, then helped herself to milk and sugar.
“You wanted to see my references. I’ve brought a few letters, including one from my present employer, and one from the landlady where I’ve been living for the past two years. I’ve got to move out as she’s sold her house and they’ve already exchanged contracts, so she wants me to leave as soon as possible.”
Jane smiled as Pearl handed her a stack of papers in a large envelope. She began to sift through them as they drank their tea. She carefully read the letter from her landlady, which said that Pearl had been a pleasure to have as a tenant, and confirmed that she had always paid the rent on time. The landlady had also given her phone number should further information be requested.
The letter from Madame Tussaud’s was equally commendable. Signed authenticated copies of Pearl’s wage slips confirmed she was paid every week.
“I’m impressed.” Jane said, passing everything back to Pearl.
“I have to be methodical in my work, so I’ve tried to give you everything you might need.” Pearl neatly refolded the letters and placed them back in the large manila envelope.
“I noticed that you don’t have a television,” she added. “I’ve got a small portable set, if I could bring that, but I don’t have too many personal belongings. As I said, I visit my parents regularly and as I’ve got to wear a uniform to work I don’t have too many clothes. I’m rather careful as you can probably detect, but I’ve sort of been forming a plan for my future, which is why I really wanted to rent the room from you, as it’s well within my budget.”
Jane cocked her head to one side. “Can I ask what you’re planning?”
“I would love to travel to Australia and New Zealand. I’ve got a cousin who lives in Sydney . . . it will obviously be a couple of years before I’ve saved enough to take a year out, but that’s what I’m working toward.”
“I’ve never been traveling,” Jane said, pouring herself another cup of tea.
“I’d like to go back-packing . . . you know, really have time out. But it will be costly as I won’t be able to get a visa to work there. So it will be a lengthy holiday. I haven’t been on a proper holiday for as long as I can remember. Southport is such a lovely seaside place, so when I have my week’s holiday that’s where I go, and it doesn’t cost anything more than the train fare.”
Jane lifted the tea pot to ask Pearl if she would like another cup, but she shook her head.
“Are you seeing other people who are interested in renting the room?”
“I have had a few people applying, but I’ve been very caught up with work,” Jane lied, hoping she didn’t sound too eager.
“Well, I’ll really need to know quite soon. I could move in this weekend.”
Jane took her cup to the sink, and ran the water to rinse it out.
“Pearl, you seem to be perfect . . . but I really need to have a think about it. And while you’re here we should discuss a few things that we need to agree upon before I make any decision.”
“Oh. I really thought I’d sort of covered everything you’d need to know about me.” Pearl looked downcast.
“You’ve been thorough, and I really appreciate it. But when you first came into the flat you said that it was rather small, and that we’d need to agree on how we can live together and not get on top of each other.”
“Oh yes, I completely agree with that. It’s always best to get things out in the open at the very start, and not let them build up and become awkward.”
“Obviously, I’ll have to ask for a deposit, as well as a month’s rent in advance.”
“Yes, I’m happy with that . . . how much is the deposit?”
Jane thought about what Stanley had said about unpaid rent. “Just a week’s advance is fine. Is ten pounds okay?”
Pearl nodded. The sharp sides of her well-cut hair curved into her cheeks as she leaned forward. She wore very little makeup, and had pretty, slanting, greenish eyes. Her nose was rather hooked and she had a wide mouth with small, neat, white teeth.
“I’ve never rented or shared a flat with anyone before,” added Jane, “so I’m rather inexperienced about putting together a list of ‘dos and don’ts’ . . . but I think we need to discuss it before we finalize anything.”
“Absolutely. I can give you a check for the deposit, and if you want I can have my rent paid directly into your account every month . . . whatever method you prefer.”
Jane picked up Pearl’s cup and saucer and put them into the sink beside her own.
“I don’t want any boyfriends staying overnight. I’m willing for you to have friends visit, or perhaps have dinner, but I don’t want anyone staying. It’s obviously a very small flat and I think it would be too inconvenient.”
Pearl cocked her head to one side and gave a slight smile. “Does that also include you not having any men staying over?”
“Yes, it does. Also, we’ll need a bathroom rota as there’s nothing worse than wanting to get off to work and finding the bathroom is occupied.”
Jane continued listing everything she could think of, and was now jotting down details in a note pad. Pearl was very amenable to all her requests, and suggested getting a joint “flat” diary so everything could be organized on a day-to-day basis.
Jane made a few more notes and finally they discussed cooking and how they would arrange their meals. Jane sa
id she would call Pearl the following evening with her decision as she wanted to sleep on everything they had talked about. Pearl was clearly disappointed, but said she would wait for Jane to make contact. By the time Jane had cleared the kitchen and got into her nightdress it was after nine. Jane felt guilty about not calling her parents and was just about to dial their number when the phone rang and it was her father.
“I’ve just had that nice superior officer of yours, DCI Church, here, giving me advice about how your mother and I should take precautions following on from your press conference.”
Jane was surprised, and concerned for her parents. Church hadn’t mentioned he’d be speaking to them.
“What did he say? Was mum OK?”
“Your mother was out, so it was a private conversation between him and me. He said for me not to get anxious but they were keeping an eye on you, and he gave me some general advice about our own home security, ‘just to be on the safe side’ were his exact words.”
“He should have spoken to me first.”
“How bad is all this, Jane? I mean, I don’t want your mother being made even more anxious. She’s been in a terrible state since the bombing and I daren’t let her near a newspaper. You’re front-page news in all of them.”
“It’s not that bad, Daddy. Church and the others are just being overprotective. Besides, I’m stuck in a lab at Woolwich which is guarded by MOD police, so I’m perfectly safe.”
“I’m sorry if I overreacted, dear. I’m sure you would have contacted me if you were worried about your safety.”
Jane knew it was the last thing she would do under the present circumstances. She quickly changed the subject and told him about her interview with Pearl Radcliff. She relayed all the questions she had asked, and told him about the letters of recommendation.
“So, is she moving in?” her father asked.
“Not yet. I just wanted to run it all by you first to see what you thought.”
“I appreciate that dear, but she’ll be sharing with you, and the most important thing is what you thought about her. Did you like her?”
“Yes, I did. She’s quiet and unassuming, and spends most weekends visiting her parents in Southport, so she won’t be at the flat and getting in my way. She’s agreed to pay a deposit and a month’s rent upfront.”
Good Friday Page 12
