A Perfect Likeness

by Roger Gumbrell

‘Every copper’s nightmare. Footslogging, door to door stuff. We need to visit all agents to see if they recognise the photo of Victoria and find out if a Victoria Campbell has purchased tickets within the last two years.’

  ‘Hard work,’ said Jackie not relishing the thought.

  ‘Yes and most of the time you draw a blank. But it’s necessary and you never know, we might be lucky. And I’ll tell you something, Jackie, I have the strongest feeling that we are going to be lucky.’

  Chapter 8

  Trish’s first day at work was not accompanied by the weather of the day before. It was overcast and cold. She had no thoughts about leaving her coat behind.

  The formalities were minimal. Temporary, part-time and cash payments. She was introduced to the day-staff member and given her ID card.

  ‘Don’t remember having my photo taken,’ said Trish looking at her picture.

  ‘You didn’t,’ said the young radio operator. ‘Our security system catches everyone who enters the harbour area. Greg pointed you out and we used it. It’s a good one, looks as though you were posing for it.’ She chuckled.

  ‘Big brother working overtime. Best watch my step; don’t want my new manager catching me creeping home early.’

  ‘Pity the weather is not like yesterday, but it will improve as the afternoon progresses,’ assured Greg. ‘Here are the questionnaires, one for each berth. The berth number is in the top right hand corner. Should only take about five minutes to complete. Mind you they do enjoy a bit of a chatter. There will be a great number who are not here, but don’t worry, we’ll catch up with them another day. Weekends are always good and you’ll be surprised at the number of owners who come along and spend a few hours just sitting aboard their boat without a thought of taking it for a spin. I suggest you start from this end,’ he pointed to the pontoon where the larger cruisers berth. ‘It will give you a chance to get a closer look at Red Star. I’m sure Sylvia Page will be there and you might even catch sight of her other half. Can’t stand him myself, far too handsome. Actually he’s a great guy. Good hunting and any problems, give us a call on this.’ He handed her a two-way radio hanging from a long shoulder strap. ‘Just press the ‘transmit’ button to call us. It works well everywhere, except where the hotel straddles the access to the lock. Now you know where to hide should you fancy a bit of peace.’

  ‘He seems a nice boss?’ Trish said to the radio operator as Greg disappeared into his office.

  ‘Very nice,’ she said, ‘but the company takes total advantage of his good nature. They pile so much work on to him and now this wretched survey. He’s really getting himself worked up about it. I hope you will be able to get it finished.’

  ‘I’ll do my best.’

  Trish had spoken to six berth holders by the time she reached Red Star. She took a discreet glance across to her dream boat. The ‘twin’ was there, watching Trish and waiting her turn to be approached.

  Trish walked towards Red Star, so much bigger now she was standing next to it. ‘Hello, I’m Trish Lister, Marina Security.’

  ‘Hi, I’m Sylvia Page from Star Boats. I noticed you wandering around chatting to various folk. Thought you might get around to me sooner or later. How can I help?’

  Trish considered her likeness to Victoria was even more remarkable now she was only a few feet away from her. The navy blue two-piece looked appropriately nautical although her perfectly styled hair suggested something more formal than lounging on a boat. ‘I only started this morning and the boss has suggested I make myself known to as many berth holders as possible and see whether they could spare a few moments to answer a question or two on security within the marina.’

  ‘I see, well, welcome to the marina and I hope you enjoy working here. It’s always good to have security staff about. Having said that, we have never had a problem although I believe some people have had the odd piece of equipment go missing. Come aboard, Trish, for a moment or two. I know Greg, he won’t mind, he’s a decent sort. Good customer relations I call it and then I can answer your questions.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Trish receiving a steadying hand from Sylvia Page. She made a hasty scan of the boat and couldn’t refrain from commenting. ‘Wow! This is beautiful, there are definite advantages to having money.’

  ‘Yes there are, but this is a company boat and has to work hard for a living. It’s not sitting around doing nothing very often. Fancy a coffee? Just made it and I always make a pot rather than a cup.’

  ‘Would be most welcome, but I don’t want to upset him on my first day, do I?’ Trish was uncomfortable, but couldn’t understand why. She was friendly enough, but… ?

  ‘Come on, take a seat. I’ll sort Greg out if he should complain. Sugar?’

  ‘Thanks, just one please. Can’t give it up altogether. It seems most of the smaller craft are owned by weekenders so I’ll need to go around again on Saturday. It is going to take an absolute age to speak with every berth holder and I suspect I won’t be able to catch them all. It must be wonderful working with boats, especially when they are like this one. I just adore everything about the sea. You are so lucky.’

  ‘Boats are all I have ever known so, maybe, I take them for granted. I grew up in Florida, went to school there and worked for my father in his boat brokerage and hire business. A lot bigger than this one of course. When my father had an offer for Star Boats Florida that he couldn’t refuse we decided to return to England. He set up Star Boats again and I’m still working for him. Now I tend to do a lot more and he a lot less, but don’t ever say I said so. We are always busy so it’s nice for me to take the odd few minutes break when I can.’

  They completed the questionnaire in rapid time. ‘That’s the quickest yet,’ said Trish.

  ‘We’ve got more important things to talk about than silly old surveys. I see by your ring you are married, Trish, do you have any children?’

  Trish thought quickly; she only wore the ring because she couldn’t get it off. ‘Yes, two. One of each. We need the money so I have to work. Good job I have an understanding mother who adores her grandchildren and loves to see them when they finish school. What about yourself, Miss Page, is there anyone special in your life or are you too busy?’

  ‘Yes to both. My man works for the company and, I think, he’s just about to arrive.’ Sylvia Page looked towards the inner entrance of the harbour as Blue Star returned from a scuba trip. ‘His name is Tom Rawston. We had worked together for some time before we realised we were in love. It was just like the story books. He’s a lovely man, but I don’t know whether we’ll ever get married. Too many complications. Now, I must get to work. Thanks for your time, Trish, it’s good to be able to talk to another woman now and again. I don’t get much opportunity these days. Perhaps we can do it again?’

  ‘Yes, I’d like that. Thanks for your hospitality.’ But having coffee and a chat with Sylvia Page was not something she would look forward to. It was an event she would try to avoid at all costs. Outwardly she appeared to be a very nice lady, but those eyes. Trish shivered at the thought of them believing they showed the real Miss Page.

  ‘Hi, Sylvia,’ shouted Rawston after perfectly positioning Blue Star alongside her bigger sister, ‘see you’re having another busy day.’

  ‘Less of your cheek and remember who’s the boss around here. Have a good trip? Silly question,’ she said turning to Trish. ‘Every trip is a good one and he always gives the clients that little bit extra. Don’t you, Tom? Like getting on for forty-five minutes in this case,’ she said looking at her watch.

  ‘Be good to the customer and they‘ll always come back for more,’ said Rawston.

  ‘Tom, this is Trish, the new security lady. Started this morning and I’ve told her you are already spoken for.’

  Trish laughed. ‘Hello, Mr Rawston, nice to meet you. Better dash, don’t want my job to finish on day one. Thanks for the coffee, Miss Page.’

  ‘The name is Sylvia, and I always try to get here abou
t this time for a break.’

  ‘A bit risky having security on board, isn’t it?’ asked Rawston taking Sylvia Page’s hand and guiding her below deck after Trish had left. He felt his senses swimming. He wanted her. He was desperate and she knew it.

  ‘Thought it a good idea to check her out. The family are desperate for money and she is more worried about what Greg would think than anything else. Seems a nice woman, but…’ She stopped in mid sentence and they kissed. ‘But I don’t want you getting any ideas about her, Tom Rawston. She’s very pretty and I might just get a bit angry.’

  ‘Message understood, Ma’am, but permission to show just how I feel about you,’ he said tracing her curves with the palms of his hands.

  ‘Permission granted, sailor, but your next clients will be here in twenty minutes.’

  *

  Trish was glad there was no one at the next few berths. She was thinking what a good likeness the sketch was of Rawston and although, as Wendy had said, the sideburns were now longer there was no doubting it was him. I’ve got them both now, but what are they up to? She was considering the possibilities when the sound of her name over the two-way radio shook her back to reality.

  ‘Trish, return to marina reception. Need you to take over radio watch for an hour or so.’

  ‘Sorry, Trish,’ said Greg when Trish returned, ‘I’ve had to send her to head office. It won’t be a problem for you, everything you need to know is here. Weather, high and low tides etc. Not that low tides bother us with our twenty-four hour access. Nevertheless, just read it as it’s written, okay. And don’t forget to record every call. Telephone and radio. No one is about today, except Tom Rawston, of course, and I suspect he’ll get in one more trip. He’s bound to call in so just acknowledge and record. Saw you on Red Star earlier with Sylvia Page, nice lady and her father, Edward Page, is also a decent sort. Tom is the worker though, ex SBS and building his nest with the bosses daughter. Good luck to him, deserves as much as he can get after what he’s been through. I’ll be in the back office if you need me.’

  Trish didn’t waste the opportunity and began thumbing through the log-book. Star Boats appeared up to three times a day. She wrote down all of Red Star and Blue Star entries for the past six months to later check for any obvious patterns. She glanced out of the large panoramic window and saw Blue Star was leaving its berth. Trish fidgeted in her chair and readied the handset knowing Rawston was about to call. She didn’t have time to think about what to say.

  ‘Draycliffe Marina, this is Tom Rawston on Blue Star. I’m just leaving the harbour for a two hour scuba trip. Over.’

  ‘Blue Star from Draycliffe Marina, your message is noted. Out.’ Trish logged the call and picked up the binoculars. She went straight to Red Star and focused in on Sylvia Page. Even at that distance she felt a sense of danger.

  ‘Hi,’ said Greg, ‘heard you talking, everything alright? Tom Rawston, no doubt? Checking on our Lady Sylvia?’ He pointed at the binoculars in her hand.

  ‘No, no.’ She quickly placed them on the desk. ‘No, just having another look at Red Star and she was getting off. They are so lucky.’

  ‘Agreed, but they work hard. At least Tom does. All hours of the day and a number of night fishing trips as well.’

  ‘Can’t be much fun.’

  ‘It’s money. Trish, any chance of a coffee? I’m falling asleep in there.’

  *

  Trish hummed her favourite Abba track as she made her way to the staff car-park where she expected to be met by Jackie. She was satisfied with her achievements of the day and considered her investigation had moved on. More importantly, she had not felt any craving to knock back a crafty tipple. Except when she walked passed The Marina pub and caught the smell of her beloved alcohol. Her new found determination drove her on to the take-away sandwich bar where she bought lunch to take back to the office for herself and Greg. She had taken an alternative route back to avoid her downfall.

  ‘And how was your first day at work?’ asked Jackie as soon as Trish was in asking distance.

  ‘Patience,’ returned Trish reducing her pace to a dawdle for the final few yards in an attempt to irritate Jackie.

  ‘Okay, okay, I take it you are quite happy with the way it went.’

  ‘Well now, where shall I begin? I’ve had coffee with the ‘twin’, a Sylvia Page. I’ve met the boyfriend, Tom Rawston, and have the name of the father, Edward Page. I also have the dates and times of all the trips made by their boats, Red Star and Blue Star, over the last six months. Yes, I’d say it went quite well, don’t you think?’

  ‘I’m impressed, but what about my day do I hear you ask?’

  Trish tugged at her arm and laughed. ‘You do, you do. Tell me.’

  ‘I have been busy listing all the travel agents in the town. Twenty-three of them; a lot more than I thought there would be. There were a few more that are advertising for booking on the internet. Is it possible she might have used them?’

  ‘Don’t think so, too much detail needed and if she’s on the wrong side of the law she wouldn’t want that. I expect she paid cash, gave a false address and collected her tickets. We’ll make an early start in the morning and I reckon we can get in a couple of hours before I start work. Jackie, will you wait for me while I’m at the meeting, please?’

  ‘Of course I will. You’re not thinking of running off again are you?’

  ‘No, no more of that. I’d just feel that much easier knowing you are close by.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll be in the café opposite.’

  ‘Thanks, you’re a gem. I have some work for you if you would like to keep busy?’

  ‘Try me.’

  She took the list of Star Boats trips from her bag. ‘How about taking a look through these to see if you can come up with anything exciting? Something we can really get our teeth into.’

  *

  Trish left the hall with another lady. They stopped to speak on the pavement and Trish pointed across to the café where Jackie was waiting. ‘No I’m fine thanks. I have my friend waiting across the road. She’s been wonderful. Thanks anyway and thanks again for making it so easy for me. Bye.’

  ‘My group leader,’ said Trish. ‘Offered me a lift home. A lovely lady, so understanding and didn’t make a big deal about me missing the last meeting. She treated us all as if we were the most important people in the world. Oh, Jackie, I think, or should I say I hope, I’m going to get this sorted out. I was so nervous I could easily have turned away, but I knew you were watching me. That was the real motive for wanting you to wait; I knew if I tried to do a runner you’d be there like a shot. Still, once I got inside I needn’t have worried, everyone was so kind. I had to introduce myself and explain my problem. Told them it started when my husband left me. Another lady, about the same age as me, said she became alcoholic due to the same reason. It took her family and friends a long time to persuade her to join the AA. I’m so glad I’ve got you and Mack. Do you know, even the group leader is an alcoholic. I said to her that surely she meant she used to be alcoholic, but she told me I will never hear an alcoholic say they are cured. They use words like sober or recovered. I admit to having felt a bit down at that time. I told them I didn’t want to be considered an alcoholic for the rest of my life, but they said it was something I would have to accept as safe drinking will never be possible again. I’m just going to have to make do with zero alcohol drinks in the future if I want to lead a happy life. I can do it, Jackie, I know I can. I am going twice a week from now on. Sorry to bore you, but thanks for listening. Right, tell me what you have come up with.’

  ‘First of all, I’m not bored; I’m delighted. And I know Mack is going to be as well. Okay, now my turn. Red Star doesn’t seem to do much, the odd half day cruise and not much else. Except, that is, for a five day trip to Spain a few weeks ago. Appears to be an awful lot of money standing around doing very little; how on earth it earns it’s keep I really don’t know.’

  ‘Y
es, I know about the Spain trip. They caught a fishing net in the propellers and were in some sort of danger for a while. It’s all in the log book and it also contradicts what Miss Page said about Red Star not spending much time in the marina.’

  ‘Blue Star is the workhorse,’ continued Jackie, ‘it seems to go out twice or three times a day, often seven days a week. I’d like you to go through it yourself, but the only real pattern seems to be the ‘night fishing trips’ as you’ve indicated against the times. Every three weeks, give or take the odd day or two on occasions. They always depart at 12. 30am and return between 3. 30am and 4am. Could be something, could be nothing. I must say, what enjoyment can anyone get from bouncing around in the middle of nowhere in total darkness.’

  ‘Some men are strange creatures, but it could be worth following up. Do we know they are fishing? Do we know there are only men aboard? Could be many possibilities. I’ll make some discreet inquiries.’

  ‘What I don’t understand, Trish, is why they notify all their trips like they do. If they are up to no good why not just sneak out without advertising it to the world?’

  ‘Because they wish to do things according to the book, even though they don’t have a legal requirement to do so. Or, maybe they are up to their necks in some criminal activities and wish to give the appearance of being whiter than white. Whatever the reason, we are going to find it out.’

  Chapter 9

  They made an early start. Trish decided they would begin their ‘tour’ of travel agents in the town centre and include Draycliffe’s famous ‘Alleys’ area. A labyrinth of winding, narrow roads most of which had become permanently traffic free whilst others allowed access for loading and unloading between nine and eleven only. The majority of shop fronts had been modernised to the detriment of Draycliffe’s old-town district, all in the interest of seducing shoppers to spend.