McQueen's Agency

by Reynolds, Maureen

  ‘Edna, what is that smell?’

  Edna was confused. ‘Smell, what smell?’

  ‘The smell from your bucket.’

  ‘It’s just soap, water and Dettol disinfectant.’

  Dettol. Molly recognised it now. That had been the smell in the lounge last night but she hadn’t been able to identify it.

  Edna gave her a queer look but Molly said she would see her in the house. True to her word, Edna appeared five minutes later, her face all red and sweaty. She pulled off her overall and took the scarf from her hair.

  ‘That’s better,’ she said. ‘I should have done our turn of the stairs last night but I was too tired. I’m hoping the stairs will be dry before the upstairs neighbours go to church.’

  Irene was bustling about making sandwiches and filling a large message bag with a flask, cups and a small bottle of lemonade. Billy was playing with his cars.

  ‘We’re taking Billy to the beach at Broughty Ferry today. The forecast says it’s going to be a glorious day and we want to make the most of it,’ said Edna.

  ‘I’ll not keep you more than fifteen minutes Edna,’ said Molly. ‘I want to make up the timesheets today and Mary will invoice the grocer’s shop with the bill. How did you get on?’

  ‘Oh, I loved it. The people were great and made me feel welcome, and in a way I’m sorry the job is finished but Nancy, the clerk, is coming back tomorrow.’

  Molly said, ‘I was in the office on Friday and there are some more new jobs that have come in. I’ll leave the details with Mary and you can pick them up tomorrow morning. Now I’ll not keep you back from the beach.’ She gave Billy a smile. ‘You’ll be wanting to build sandcastles, won’t you Billy?’

  He gave her a shy look and nodded.

  ‘I’ll walk down the stairs with you,’ said Edna.

  When they were outside the door, she said, ‘Why were you asking about the smell, Molly?’

  Molly hesitated. She didn’t want to commit herself to admitting someone had been in the house and the Dettol may have been used by Marigold. But Edna was waiting for an explanation.

  ‘I had a terrible day at Cliff Top House yesterday. Everything seemed to be wrong, I was sleepy when I left and almost had an accident with the car. Then, when I got home, I fell asleep but was wakened by a sound. Sabby, that’s our cat, was in the house when I went to bed but, when I woke up, she was outside and there was a faint smell in the lounge. I couldn’t put my finger on it until now, but it was like the smell of Dettol.’

  Edna looked astonished. ‘Dettol?’

  Molly was embarrassed. ‘Well I think it was but now I’m not so sure. Then there was the surprise engagement of Kenneth to Nelly Marten. I’ve mentioned her to you. I can’t get over the feeling that it was all news to him, and his sister Lena certainly wasn’t happy about it.’ Molly realised she was talking too much but she had to get it all straight in her head and maybe Edna could give her some help, even if it meant rubbishing all she had said. Then she remembered the footprint and mentioned that.

  Edna looked worried. ‘I think something’s not right Molly. It’s probably a domestic situation but you’re right in the middle of it. How long do you think the job will last?’

  That is the question, Molly thought. ‘I hope it’ll be a week or two at the most. Lena’s arm must be getting better and hopefully the plaster will be coming off soon. In a way I’ll be glad to finish but it pays well and it’s keeping the agency afloat because I get my money every week.’

  Molly looked back at the close. Two elderly women were coming down the stairs. They looked at Edna and one said, ‘I see the stairs have been washed. We always do our turn on a Friday, Edna.’ With that they walked away down towards Dudhope Road.

  Edna smiled at them but after they passed, she said, ‘But you don’t hold down a job and have a five-year-old boy, Missus Bell.’

  Molly noticed that she looked drawn and worried. ‘Here I am talking about myself. What about you, Edna, are you all right?’

  Edna said she was fine but added, ‘Sometimes it all gets a bit much, Molly. Mum tries her best and I’m grateful for her help with Billy, but she shouldn’t be lumbered with a young child all day. Still we’re going to have a good day out at the beach but I expect there will be a long queue for the buses.’

  Molly left her to finish her Sunday plans and hurried to the Wellgate. The office was dim and cool and she got that feeling of pride when she entered the building. This is all mine, she thought.

  Mary had left a detailed account of the jobs waiting to be filled. Some of the smaller ones had been allocated to Jean and Betty but there was one that would suit Edna; two weeks at an office in the Eagle Jute Mill. The address was Dens Road. The wage clerk was off ill.

  Molly put on the kettle. She still felt slightly woozy and sick but there was work to be done so she quickly wrote out the details of jobs that were now complete for Mary to make up the invoices tomorrow and get them posted.

  Molly’s mum had a saying, ‘Think of the devil and he will appear.’ And she was thinking of Mary when the girl appeared at the door, with a friend.

  ‘I thought I saw you, Molly,’ she said. ‘We’re off to the beach at the Ferry. This is Margaret, my friend.’

  Molly had a quick word with Mary about the work the next day and as they were about to leave, Mary said, ‘Last Saturday, when Rita and I went to the swimming baths, we found a handbag, which turned out to be stolen. I saw that chap, the one I met at the dancing. He was on a boat with an older man. Rita left me and I think she was on that boat. Something happened because she hasn’t been out all week and she’ll not talk to me about it. She looks scared.’

  Molly felt herself go cold. It must have been Mike and Joe. She shuddered at the thought of a young girl being with Mike.

  ‘They live in the house I’m working at so I’ll tackle them tomorrow and find out what’s been going on. Now, away you go and enjoy yourself.’ Molly went to the door and watched as they walked down the street.

  Well that was clever, she thought, offering to tackle the gruesome pair, but if Rita had been harmed, they shouldn’t get away with it.

  Life was becoming more complicated by the minute. And she hadn’t seen the policeman yet.

  Charlie made his way to the Wellgate a good half an hour before his appointment with Molly McQueen. He wanted to see the agency for himself and see if any visitors went in or out.

  He was standing across the road, smoking a cigarette when two young girls went in. It looked as if one of them knew the owner as she was really chatty while her friend stood in the background. Then they were gone.

  The owner had come to the door with them and he was surprised to see a young woman. He had somehow thought she would be older. She was a very attractive girl.

  He threw the cigarette down on the road and ground it out with the heel of his shoe before walking over to the shop. He noticed it had been newly painted and looked quite smart and fresh. He knocked on the door.

  Molly, who was doing her invoices, looked up. Charlie held up his warrant card and she opened the door. The interior of the office was as fresh and as smart as the exterior and although there wasn’t a lot of furniture, it still looked business-like.

  Molly sat down behind the desk while he took the other seat across from her. He would have preferred the interview to be held without a desk separating them but there was no way he could request this.

  As it was, Molly was nervous. Not that this meant anything because Charlie knew that even the most innocent of people were usually nervous when faced by the police. In fact, some of them looked downright guilty even if they hadn’t committed any offence.

  ‘I just want to ask you some questions, Miss McQueen,’ he said, hoping his voice sounded casual. Molly said she didn’t understand why he should come to see her.

  Charlie took the small photo of Harry Hawkins from his pocket and placed it on the desk.

  ‘This man was a steward on The Golden Queen last year. A
ship I believe you were on when you returned from Australia. Have a look at it and tell me if you remember him.’

  He was looking at her as she took the photo and scrutinised it quite intently. She frowned in concentration. ‘Yes, I do remember him being on the ship.’

  ‘Have you had any contact with him since then?’

  ‘Contact? Of course not. I hardly spoke to him on the ship and I’ve not seen him since. Why are you asking all these questions, Detective Sergeant Johns?’

  ‘This man drowned a few weeks ago in the harbour and I have reason to suspect it wasn’t an accident.’

  Molly looked at the photo again. ‘Oh, I’m really sorry about that. He was so kind to me on my journey home.’

  Charlie looked at her sharply. ‘So you became friends?’

  ‘No, no. He would come to the cabin to tell me when the meals were being served and because I didn’t go to the restaurant during the day, he very kindly offered to bring me some food to the cabin.’

  Charlie didn’t say anything but looked at her.

  Molly knew she would have to tell the entire story; something she had decided to lock away but now this policeman was sitting there and watching her.

  ‘I left Dundee with my sister Nell in 1949 for a new life in Australia. On the trip out we met up with Tom who also came from Dundee. When we settled in Sydney, Tom and I became good friends and we talked about getting married. Then Nell got a job in Queensland and I went to visit her. She had met a man called Terry and they were getting married. I was a bridesmaid at the wedding and we all had a wonderful day.

  ‘Tom couldn’t come because of his job. He was an electrician in a small company and they had a big contract to finish. After a great holiday with my sister and her husband I set off for Sydney but when I arrived I was met with the news that Tom had been killed in a car crash. The man who was driving the car didn’t have a scratch on him. Tom used to tell me about this colleague and his driving. He said he was one of the worst drivers he had ever met. I begged him not to travel with him, but as it was the company’s van, Tom had no choice.

  ‘I went slightly berserk with grief, especially as the culprit had escaped with no injuries and he didn’t even go to court. He claimed a small child had run out in front of him and he had to swerve to avoid him. It was all put down to an unfortunate accident. Then I heard later that he caused another two crashes but thankfully no one was injured badly. He got the sack after that but it was too late for Tom.

  ‘I stayed on for a short time then decided to come back home. On the ship, I wasn’t the best of company so I kept to my cabin except for my evening meal and a walk around the deck late at night. This man, Harry, was very kind and seemed to be worried about me but that is all. I never saw him again and I didn’t know he had left The Golden Queen, let alone was in Dundee, and that’s the truth.’

  She suddenly got up and walked to the filing cabinet. ‘Why was he in Dundee? The big liners don’t come here. Did he have family here?’

  Charlie sighed. ‘No, Miss McQueen, he didn’t. As far as Harry was concerned he was a stranger in a strange city yet he met someone who knocked him out and pushed him into the river.’

  Molly shivered. ‘That’s horrible. He was a really nice man and didn’t deserve to die like that.’

  Charlie stood up. ‘I think that’s all, Miss McQueen. I was hoping you could give me some information on him and I’m sorry for your loss. It must have been a hard time for you.’

  ‘Oh, it still is, believe me, but I’m hoping this venture with my agency will keep me busy and take my mind off my loss.’

  ‘Are you back living with your parents?’

  ‘Yes I am. They’ve gone to Australia to be with my sister Nell when she has her baby in a few weeks time. My father retired recently and this is a holiday for them, as well as being there for the birth of their first grandchild.’

  ‘Do you know anything about the people who bought your parents’ house in Strathmartine Road?’

  ‘No I don’t. My mother wrote to me in Australia and said they were selling up and moving across the water to Newport. It was all done by the time I came home.’

  She sat down again. ‘I’ve got lots to do. Is that all you want to ask me?’

  ‘Yes it is, and thank you for seeing me.’ He went to the door and Molly saw him out.

  When he reached the pavement, he heard her lock the door and he smiled to himself.

  He was no further forward and he suspected that this case might never be solved. It would be treated as an accident, just like Miss McQueen’s friend Tom. No doubt the driver was going too fast and driving recklessly but he had escaped Scot-free. But that’s life, he thought as he made his way home to his flat in Dens Road. Not all the baddies face justice.

  Tam was having mince and mashed tatties for his dinner and Ina Kidd said there was pudding. ‘I’ve made custard with a dollop of jam,’ she said.

  Tam still hadn’t been out since his assault and Rover sat in his basket and looked at him with a baleful eye. Tam tried to ignore him but Rover kept making little yelps as if to get his attention.

  ‘I know I haven’t been out with you, Rover, but Jock takes you out.’

  Rover got up and wagged his tale. He came over to the table and sat looking up at his master.

  Mrs Kidd came in with the plate of custard and jam and a bottle of milk. She was followed by Jock.

  ‘I was just thinking, Tam,’ said Jock. ‘What about going out with me and Rover for a walk? It’s a great day.’

  Tam felt his throat constrict with fear and he gazed at the plate of yellow custard and red strawberry jam. He wasn’t sure if he could manage to eat it.

  Jock was still talking. ‘It’s not like you’re going to be out on your own. I’ll be there and nobody will tackle me willingly.’

  That was true because Jock manhandled a crane every day at the docks and he was a big, muscular man.

  Tam started to say he couldn’t but he caught sight of Rover gazing up at him with his brown pleading eyes.

  ‘All right, Jock.’ He looked at Mrs Kidd. ‘I think I’ll leave my pudding and have it at teatime, if that’s all right.’

  He got up and put on his jacket. Jock beamed. ‘That’s the spirit, Tam. Never say die.’

  Rover was ecstatic and danced around the two men as Jock tried to put on his lead. ‘Now, lad, calm down or we’ll never get away.’

  The heat hit Tam as soon as he stepped out onto the pavement. The street was busy with families all heading off somewhere for the day and there was a festive spirit in the air.

  Tam suddenly felt enjoyment as they strolled towards the docks.

  The Shore Terrace bus stances were busy, especially the one for Broughty Ferry. The queues stretched right beyond the City Arcade and almost reached Crighton Street. The children were becoming fractious in the heat, wondering when they were going to see the sand and sea but there had been extra buses laid on and the queue slowly made its way towards the front. However, more people kept joining and it never seemed to get any shorter.

  The two men made their way to the Victoria Arch and meandered towards the various wharves and bridges that connected the various small docks It was quite busy here as well as people took the chance to walk in the warm sunshine. Jock let Rover off the lead and he briskly made for the edges of the road where there were a hundred smells to be investigated.

  Jock said, ‘Is that where the man drowned?’

  Tam said no, it was nearer the cargo ships that were docked at the wharf but he didn’t want to go there, he said. So the two men turned and walked back. They were almost at the entrance to the Victoria Arch, or the Pigeon’s Palace as it was also called, when Jock called Rover to come and get his lead back on.

  There was a huge crowd of people all strolling or walking at the entrance and they mingled with the crowds standing at the bus stances. Suddenly Rover took off. He was barking loudly as he ran towards the road. Some of the people scattered out of the way and Jo
ck, taken by surprise, said, ‘What on earth is he up to?’

  Tam darted forward and called his name. Rover stopped and came back to the two men.

  He was still growling quietly and he was shaking.

  Jock put on his lead. ‘He’s never done that before, Tam. What got into him?’

  Tam was suddenly very afraid. ‘He saw who attacked us, Jock.’

  Jock looked sceptical. ‘How can you know that?’

  ‘When he was a puppy, the man in the shop where I bought him hadn’t been very good to his animals and Rover always growled every time we passed the shop. Just like now. After the shop was sold to someone else, the growling stopped. You can take my word for it … he saw our attacker just now.’

  Jock looked towards Shore Terrace but there were hundreds of people there. The person responsible for the attack on Tam and Rover could be any one of them. He scanned the crowd but no one looked suspicious. He said this to Tam.

  ‘Oh no, the person is long gone. Otherwise Rover would have bitten him and we would know who he was.’

  As that person hurried away, they were in shock and a deep anger welled up inside. They made up their mind to sort out that yapping dog and the old man once and for all.

  23

  Edna was washing her hair which was full of sand. They’d had a great time at the beach, Billy especially. Edna and her mum had relaxed on deckchairs which they had been lucky to hire, while Billy had spent the entire afternoon building his sandcastle. Although Edna looked calm, she was still nervous and apprehensive. There hadn’t been any more contact since Arbroath but she sensed he was still watching her.

  The entire beach was a mass of humanity as people were all intent on enjoying the warm sunny day. Children ran in and out of the sea. In spite of the weather, the water was cold, so not many swimmers lingered for long in the waves.

  When she bent down to help him finish off his masterpiece, Billy had scooped a bucketful of sand which he had tipped accidentally over his mum’s head. Edna had tried combing it out but she could still feel the tiny gritty bits in her hair.