Looking For A Reason (#4 - D.I. Paolo Storey Crime Series)

by Frances di Plino

  Paolo laughed. “Let’s hope we can follow the money trail when Pat lays it out for us. I’m going to call the centre and make an appointment for you and I to see Mason, Dave. Andrea, see if you can get a transcript of the minutes for the council meeting when the matter of the CCTV cameras was raised. I don’t know why, but something is niggling at me that the person who dumped our victim knew those cameras were no longer functioning. See if it’s on public record, would you?”

  He picked up the receiver and dialled Mason’s office.

  “April Greychurch, how can I help you?”

  “Hi, is Mason there?”

  “Hello, Paolo. No, sorry, he’s away until tomorrow. Anything I can help you with?”

  “I don’t think so. I need to talk to him about a council matter. Can you book me in to see him tomorrow morning?”

  “Sure thing. How does ten suit you?”

  “Perfect. See you then.”

  He replaced the receiver and looked up at three puzzled faces.

  “You didn’t mention the financial report,” Dave said.

  Paolo smiled. “No, because it could be April who’s behind the fraud. With a bit of luck neither of them will have any idea of the real reason we’re going over. It looks like one of them has been doing some creative accounting; with a bit of luck we might surprise the guilty one into making a slip.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Paolo was overjoyed to see Katy that evening. They were still incredibly close, but since she’d been involved with Danny, the time he could spend alone with her was limited. Naturally so. Paolo wouldn’t have had it any other way. Soon she would be going to university, moving out into the world to make her own way. But there was no denying he missed the long hours they used to spend playing video games, going to the movies, or just discussing anything and everything over a burger and fries in the dreadful places she used to love so much. Even that had changed recently. If he offered to take her out for a meal these days, it was more likely she’d choose an Italian restaurant over a plastic burger. Paolo grinned. That, at least, was a change for the better.

  The pizza delivery arrived and they settled down on the couch. With the boxes open on their laps, they used the ‘fingers before forks’ school of eating, tucking into the steaming slices of food heaven before turning to the reason for Katy’s visit.

  As Paolo took the boxes through to the kitchen, he realised Katy looked more pensive than usual and his stomach lurched. He’d been hoping this wasn’t a big deal, but the look on her face told him he probably wasn’t going to like what was coming.

  Taking more time than he needed to pour out the drinks, he knew he should get back into the lounge and face whatever it was head on, but he was a coward where Katy was concerned. What if she wanted to move in with Danny? His brain said fine, she’s old enough to leave school this year, but his heart said no, no, no! She was his baby. Seventeen was too young. Hypocrite! his brain screamed. Seventeen was old enough for you and Lydia. Yeah, but times were different then, heart insisted.

  Paolo smiled, remembering the years of happiness he and Lydia had shared. Then he lost all desire to smile as he thought about the hit and run, intended for him, that had taken the life of Sarah, their other daughter. He’d not only lost a daughter that day, but also his wife when he clammed up and couldn’t share his grief.

  Putting off the moment when Katy would tell him why she was there, Paolo decided now was as good a time as any to ask why Mason might imply she and Danny had defaced the plaque.

  He walked back into the lounge and put the glasses onto coasters on the coffee table.

  “Katy, I haven’t had chance to talk to you since that night at the youth centre,” he said, sinking into his favourite armchair. “Montague Mason seemed to think you and Danny should be considered suspects.”

  Katy choked on a mouthful of lemonade. When she could finally speak, her eyes gleamed with anger.

  “That slimy toad! After all the work we’ve put in over there? What did he say?”

  “Nothing of any consequence. Just that you two shouldn’t be left off the list of potential vandals.” He hesitated, but decided to plough on. “Has he ever, you know, made a pass at you? I wondered if–”

  He stopped when Katy burst out laughing.

  “What? What did I say?”

  Tears streaming from her eyes, Katy shook her head.

  “Made a pass at me? Dad, what century are you living in? It’s Danny he fancies. Not that I blame him. I fancy the pants off him myself. Thank goodness the feeling is mutual.”

  Relief that Mason hadn’t tried it on with Katy was quickly quenched by Katy’s open statement of lust regarding Danny. Being a Dad sucked, Paolo decided. On the one hand he wanted Katy to be happy. On the other, he also wanted to rip Danny’s head off and feed it to any ravenous animal he could find.

  Fighting the urge to say something that would alienate Katy forever, Paolo forced out a smile.

  “I realise that, Katy, but what is it young people say now? Too much information.”

  She laughed. “I know, but it’s so easy to shock you. I couldn’t resist it.”

  “Tell me,” Paolo said, “should I be worried about Montague with the younger boys who come to the centre?”

  Katy shook her head, her smile fading. “I don’t think so. I mean Danny is legal age and looks even older than he really is, but Montague definitely fancies him. I haven’t noticed him looking funny at any of the younger ones, but I’ll keep my eyes open for you. Okay,” she said, “it’s time to tell you why I’m really here tonight. It’s partly to do with Danny and partly to do with my future.”

  Paolo braced himself. “Go on, fire away.”

  “You know we do a lot of volunteering?”

  Paolo nodded. It was one of the things about her that filled him with pride.

  “Well, we want to take a year out and volunteer abroad. I’ve been looking into it and VSO have a youth scheme for 18 to 25-year-olds, which is perfect for me and Danny–”

  “Whoa, just hold on a minute. Who or what is VSO?”

  “It’s a government funded set up. Just listen for a minute, Dad. Mum won’t even give me chance to explain what I want to do. She just goes into one about university and not missing out on my place. I still want to go to uni, but I want to spend a gap year volunteering first. Dad, I really, really, really need your help.”

  Paolo tried to take it in, but her words were so far removed from what he’d been expecting that he had difficulty processing it.

  “Okay, slow down a bit. Is this organisation on the level? Have you looked into how long they’ve been around and who is behind it?”

  “Jesus, Dad, I am a policeman’s daughter! Of course I have. The board are all big nobs in the city or important people, like judges. Half of them have titles.”

  “Fair enough,” Paolo said, feeling his way into the conversation. “What does it cost? I mean, if you’re going to be abroad for a year doing voluntary work, how will you live?”

  “The VSO provides living accommodation, meals and even pays us a small fee. Obviously, it would be great to have some money of my own, which is another reason I wanted to talk to you. I know you and Mum put money away for my uni fund, but can I use some of it? I can always get a student loan when I get back to cover whatever I spend.”

  “Let’s leave the money side of it for now, okay? Where will you go? Will you be safe? You’re not thinking of going into war zones or kidnap areas, are you? If that’s the case, it’s a flat no from me.”

  Katy threw up her hands. “What is it with you and Mum? I’m not a child. No, I won’t be going anywhere dangerous. At least, not more dangerous than living right here in Bradchester, or have you forgotten what happened a couple of years back?”

  Paolo’s stomach muscles contracted as if she’d punched him straight in the gut. Katy was right. She’d probably never be in more danger than she’d been back then.

  His feelings of guilt must have shown on his fa
ce, because she put her hand on his arm and squeezed it.

  “I’m sorry, Dad. I had to raise what happened because it puts things into perspective. Volunteering is something I really want to do. Please, help me talk Mum round.”

  He could see by the look on Katy’s face she wasn’t going to give up her dream. Knowing her as he did, he could imagine her going anyway, with or without their approval and consent. Then what would happen? Lose contact with her for a whole year, not knowing where she was or what she was doing?

  “I’ll talk to your mum, but–”

  He didn’t get to finish. Katy launched herself at him. When he finally surfaced from the hug, he held up his hands to stop the flow of thanks.

  “Listen to me, Katy. I’ll talk to your mum, but I’m not sure any words of mine will help. In fact, it might be better for me to tell her I’ve forbidden you to go. There’s more chance that way of her packing your bags for you.”

  Katy laughed. “She’ll listen to you if you put on the charm.”

  Paolo grinned. “If I did that she’d know straight away something was up, but I’ll see what I can do.”

  Long after Katy had left, Paolo couldn’t get the image out of his mind of his little girl travelling to a disease ridden place he’d probably never heard of to work with people who didn’t even speak her language. Part of him was proud, but his overwhelming emotion was fear. If he felt like this, how the hell was he supposed to convince Lydia to let Katy have her way? Oh well, that was a problem for another day.

  Realising he would just catch the local news, he reached out for the remote control. As the screen flickered to life, he was amused to see Clementine and about twenty supporters marching up and down the canal path waving ‘Save Our Canal from Greed’ placards. Simpson Holdings vast warehouse office complex loomed in the background. Paolo wondered what Fletcher Simpson thought about having a protest on his doorstep. Probably thought it would help to bring awareness of his plans. He’d be likely to think all publicity was good publicity, especially if the person leading the objection to it was someone as offbeat as Clementine Towers.

  Paolo settled back to listen as the interviewer pushed a microphone in Clementine’s direction.

  “Would you like to tell our audience why you are protesting the renovation of the canal? Surely its upgrade would be good for Bradchester?”

  To Paolo’s surprise and, he was ashamed to admit to himself, disappointment, Clementine the nutter was absent, leaving behind an articulate woman. She put forth all the arguments he had used earlier when explaining to Dave what his objections were to Simpson’s scheme.

  He was about to flick over to another channel, when a movement in the background caught his attention. A man, looking remarkably like Derrick Walden, was leaving the office block. Paolo sat forward, screwing up his eyes, trying to block out the figures in the foreground. As the man walked towards the car park at the side of the building, Paolo became more convinced than ever it was the swimming coach. Now what, he wondered, would someone who was such a fan of Montague Mason be doing visiting the offices of Mason’s sworn enemy?

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Paolo and Dave arrived at the youth centre twenty minutes ahead of their appointment time with Montague. Paolo had filled Dave in on what he believed he’d seen the night before and planned to speak to the swimming coach before going upstairs to confront Mason about the finances.

  “Are you one hundred per cent sure it was Walden you saw?” Dave asked as they walked from the car to the youth centre’s main entrance.

  Paolo almost said yes, but stopped himself. Was he one hundred percent certain? Almost, but not quite. The buildings had been in the background, made miniature by the camera angle and perspective, which meant the man had been too out of focus for certainty, but the way he walked and his stance were pretty conclusive in Paolo’s mind.

  “I could be wrong. Of course, I could, but it looked like him to me. Anyway, there could be a perfectly rational explanation for him being there. Maybe he’s giving lessons to a member of staff, or something along those lines. We’ll soon find out,” Paolo said as they passed through the double doors and into the lobby.

  Following the signs to the swimming pool, they passed rooms buzzing with activities. Paolo felt a surge of pride at the way the young people of Bradchester had flocked to the centre to take up all the opportunities on offer. This was just what the town needed to get it up and running again. Yes, the canal renovations would provide some jobs and improve tourism, but here local young people were being trained, counselled and helped. The youngsters passing through this centre would at least have a fighting chance at making something of their lives.

  As the thought entered his head, hard on its heels came the remembrance of his conversation with Katy. One of the delights in store for him today was a visit with Lydia to discuss Katy’s plans. He almost shuddered. Whatever the outcome for Katy, it probably wouldn’t go well for him.

  They reached the pool area and turned towards Derrick Walden’s tiny room. The door was closed, so Paolo knocked on it before turning the handle. As he opened the door, Arbnor came round from behind Derrick’s desk.

  “What are you doing in here?” Paolo asked, surprised at the look of guilt on the caretaker’s face.

  Before the man could answer, a voice from behind Paolo echoed his question, only Derrick Walden sounded more angry than surprised.

  Arbnor looked down, seemingly fascinated by his feet. “Nothing, I was doing nothing,” he whispered. “Just making sure all is well in here. I go in all the rooms to check. Every day I do my rounds.”

  Derrick pushed past Paolo into the room and strode behind his desk, almost knocking Arbnor to the floor as he did so. He scanned the effects neatly placed on the surface and seemed to be satisfied that nothing had been touched because he visibly relaxed.

  “I touched nothing. I was just checking the room.”

  “Well, in future, stay out of here unless I’m in the room. I don’t want you poking around through my personal space. Get that?”

  Arbnor nodded and scurried out. Paolo watched him disappear in the direction of the main hall before going in and sitting down next to Dave who was already settled with his notebook at the ready.

  “Have you got a moment?” Paolo asked, promising himself he’d look into Arbnor’s odd behaviour later.

  Derrick smiled. “Sure thing. What can I do for you today?”

  “I just wondered what reason you had for visiting Fletcher Simpson yesterday?”

  The smile wavered briefly, but then returned. “I didn’t. What makes you think I did?”

  “I saw you on the news last night. While Clementine Towers and her friends were waving placards and enjoying their five minutes of fame, you left Simpson Holdings and headed for the car park.”

  Derrick shook his head. “Not me. You must have been mistaken. I’ve never been there in my life.”

  “Hmm, it was certainly someone who looked remarkably like you. Even had a jacket just like the one over there,” Paolo said, pointing to the jacket Derrick had removed and hung on a peg before sitting down.

  Derrick glanced at it and laughed. “I think that jacket could be seen on any number of people. I bought it in the market and the guy selling them was doing a roaring trade.”

  Paolo stood up and signalled to Dave to do the same. “My mistake. I could have sworn it was you, but as you say, it couldn’t have been.” He headed for the door, but turned back as if he’d just thought of something. “In fact, I should have known it wasn’t you. There’s no way you’d have anything to do with someone so opposed to Montague, is there?”

  He watched Derrick’s face to see if there was any flicker of guilt, but not a muscle moved.

  “Exactly,” he said. “The man’s a slime ball. What reason could I possibly have for going to see him?”

  Paolo didn’t answer, just smiled and said goodbye.

  He waited until they were halfway up the stairs to Mason’s office before s
peaking.

  “What do you think, Dave? Lying or telling the truth?”

  Dave laughed. “Oh, lying, definitely, but why?”

  Paolo shrugged. “No idea, but we’ll be keeping a closer watch on Derrick Walden from now on. If he’d admitted being there, but told me it was none of my business, that would be fair enough, but the fact that he felt the need to pretend it wasn’t him tells me something is going on that he doesn’t want us to know about.”

  When they entered April Greychurch’s office she looked up and nodded in the direction of Mason’s closed door.

  “I told him you were coming about council business. I should warn you, he’s not a happy bunny this morning. Something’s upset him, but I’ve no idea what. There are times when I think I’m working in a lunatic asylum. That bloody woman has been in here again this morning wanting to speak to Montague about joining her protest group. He refused to see her, said he was too busy, but she’ll keep coming back until she gets her own way and who will have to deal with her? Me, that’s who! I fall over her everywhere I go in this place. Honestly, if I didn’t need the money, I’d stick to my volunteer phone counselling and never deal with anyone face to face.”

  As she paused for breath, Paolo smiled in sympathy and moved towards Mason’s door.

  “We’ll go in to see Montague and get out of your hair.”

  She gave a whatever shrug and glared at her computer screen.

  “As I said, he’s expecting you.”

  Paolo tapped on the door and then held it open for Dave to go in ahead of him. Closing the door behind him, Paolo grimaced at Montague.

  “What’s wound up April? I’ve never seen her like that before today.”

  “How would I know?” Montague snapped. “I thought you were here to ask questions about council matters, not the miserable, or otherwise, disposition of my staff.”