by Neal Davies
“No, fortunately Jim figured out what was going on and allowed them to do their work. What really upset him was after the cleaner had finished some new furniture arrived and he’s not happy with you at all, firstly, because you didn’t tell him, and secondly, because the other detectives are asking for new furniture as well. Oh, and by the way, at what stage were you going to let me in on your little spending spree?”
Sebastian, feeling foolish for not letting Jim know about his plans; snaps back at Cynthia, “That’s the easiest question you’ve asked so far. I was going to inform you tonight, so I could surprise you the way you wanted to surprise me with the bug you got for my shoe.”
“Sarcasm’s the wit of a fool, you know Seb!” He can see he’s only antagonising Cynthia further and that’s the last thing he wants.
“Yes I know; my apologies. Can you let Jim know I’m on my way and darling, can you try to soften him up a little before I get there please?”
“I’ll ring him but you’ll have to take care of the rest.” The phone goes dead so Sebastian quickly turns his car around and heads toward the station.
On the drive in, Sebastian considers everything Cynthia’s said and believes he knows what he has to do to make things right and hopefully appease the tempest within Jim. He knows he’s in it deep but hopes his newly devised plan will save his bacon. He makes a brief stopover at the store where he purchased his furniture and then continues on his way.
Chapter 10
DEBRIEF WITH JIM
Sebastian pulls up outside the police station, takes a deep breath and ponders how he’s going to handle the situation he is about to walk into. Once he prepares himself for the onslaught he heads up the steps and inside. As he’s walking past some of the detectives he smiles, but most of them put their heads down, while others just glare at him. He becomes conscious of his own stride as his body tenses. He doesn’t dare go directly to the dust pit until he’s spoken to Jim about his plan.
On entering Emily’s office he finds her diligently typing at the computer as usual. She catches sight of him out of the corner of her eye. Immediately she stops what she’s doing and lifts her head, “Good afternoon, Mr Cork. Jim’s expecting you.” He thinks she’s forgotten that it’s ok to call him by his Christian name but then realises she’s angry as well.
“You can call me Sebastian or Seb, Whichever you prefer. What sort of mood do you think he’s in?”
“I’m not sure Mr Cork, you’ll have to ask him yourself. Oh and I must say your office is looking quite a treat, unlike some of the others around here!”
Sebastian has worked for himself for so long that he’s having difficulties fitting in as a team member and can see he needs to adapt if he wants to connect with the others in his new environment. Emily rises from behind the desk, knocks and opens Jim’s door, “Mr Cork is here to see you sir.” An almost immediate and abrupt response rebounds from the other side of the door,
“Tell him to come in and shut the door behind him!” Emily, still stony faced, is about to repeat Jim’s words, but before she can, Sebastian’s eyes go skyward, then back down.
With a sigh he says, “it’s ok, Emily, I heard him. Thanks anyway.” He enters and Emily quickly shuts the door behind him, not wanting to be involved in what’s about to unfold. He feels like a hunk of beef that’s about to be fed to a lion.
Before he has a chance to sit, Jim lets him have it with both barrels. “Bloody hell, Seb! What in the world are you thinking? Look, I know you’re new here and you have your own way of doing things. But the police force is an extremely structured organisation and I can’t afford to have someone come in here and undermine my status! Otherwise this place would be in shambles and I’d be laughed out of my office. I don’t get it! What was going through your mind when you sent the cleaner and furniture here without talking to me first? I’m telling you now, if it wasn’t for the commissioner telling me to give you another chance, you’d have been out of here on your arse. Don’t get me wrong Seb, this isn’t personal. But I just can’t afford to have you undermine me like that!” Sebastian, whilst agreeing that Jim has a valid point, also thinks that he’s reacting irrationally to the whole situation.
He feels he needs to take control now by sorting out the mess he initially created. “You’re right, I can stand here and say I was going to ring you and let you know, or that I was trying to save you money by getting the room cleaned and furnished at my own cost. But in reality it was about me. And I didn’t consider the repercussions it would have on you and your men.” Sebastian has already heard from Jim’s own mouth that the commissioner wouldn’t allow him to get rid of Sebastian. This gives him some leverage and he continues with even more momentum. “I humbly apologise for what I’ve done and perhaps it’s time to admit to myself this isn’t for me.” As the anger falls from Jim’s face it turns into concern.
“Now hang on a minute, Seb! Things aren’t that bad and we all make mistakes, especially when we’re new to something. Maybe I was a bit over the top and you just need a bit of time to adjust. So sit down and tell me how the interview with Gina went.” With just a few words, the humbling of character and a little leverage from the commissioner, Sebastian has turned a balling out into a meaningful discussion.
Now he’s ready to put the icing on the cake. “If it’s ok with you Jim, I’d like to run something by you first.” Jim nods his head in acceptance. “On my way here I thought about what I’d done. I also thought that you may want to fire me. So I just wanted to make things right for you and your men before I left. When I was in here the first day, I noticed that a lot of the office chairs were in pretty bad condition. So as a parting gift I ordered 20 brand new ones. I’ve asked the store to hold off on delivery until I confirm that you’re ok with it. I’d rather you didn’t tell the others that they came from me if you decide to accept my offer. I only hope that it’ll set things right between you and your staff.” Jim puts his elbow on his desk and rubs his brow.
“What do I say to that? The chairs they have now are in tatters and I’ve put numerous requests in. But our budget is so tight at the moment we only have enough for the basics. They’re even looking at the cost of the toilet paper we’re using, which is like bloody sandpaper anyway! It’s so bad people are bringing their own; including me! So your gesture could actually pick up moral around the place. Thanks Sebastian, it’ll be greatly appreciated.” Sebastian finally gets to sits down.
“Fantastic! But please, it’s not from me ok?” The room is a lot cosier now and Jim slowly eases back into his chair.
“Not a problem, now let’s get down to your debrief. How did the interview with Gina go?”
Sebastian sits forward and explains what happened at the shelter and how Patrick told him that Frank had been molested by Sam. He informs Jim that he believes Frank may have bashed Sam and his mother, before he ran away. He also lets him know about the stocky fellow leaving the apartment, as well as his interview with Gina and how she had driven to Sam’s immediately after it.
Jim, nodding his head in disbelief, looks across at Sebastian and remarks, “You’re kidding me right? You found out all of this in a matter of days? Incredible! Thank God I didn’t argue with the commissioner when he said to have patience with you. You may be unorthodox but whatever you’re doing seems to be working.”
Sebastian continues, “Oh, one more thing. I believe that Gina is capable of having someone murdered, but I don’t believe she had anything to do with Frank’s demise.”
This time Jim leans forward and becomes assertive, “Come on Sebastian! From what you’ve said about how much she hated him, and how she went to Sam’s place after the interview, common sense would tell us that she conspired with Sam to kill him.”
Sebastian bites his bottom lip and looks pleadingly at Jim, “I agree with you Jim. It really does look bad. But I’m asking you to trust me on this. I honestly don’t believe she had anything to do with it and I’ll tell you why, when she said to me, “If I’d done
it, I’d have made him suffer!” It came from the depths of her black soul and she meant every word of it. She hated him in the worst possible way.”
Jim opens his hands while pushing his head forward and interrupts, “Well isn’t that all the more proof she participated in his murder?” Sebastian, becoming frustrated by what he sees as Jim’s ignorance, “affirms I’m sorry Jim, I can’t agree. When Tony told me how she pleaded with her late husband not to leave her after he caught her whipping them with the jug cord, and how she promised she wouldn’t touch the boys again if he stayed; she patently stayed true to her word. Yet on his passing, she immediately began abusing them again. This tells me she’s cold, calculating and under-handed. She plans things out and will wait for as long as it takes to execute her revenge. If she had taken her revenge on Frank, it wouldn’t have been a quick bullet to the head. She would have made sure he suffered, slowly and painfully, before he died.
The other thing that made me sure it wasn’t Gina was; if she’d done it, she wouldn’t have told me she wanted him dead. She would’ve kept playing it cool. I believe a lot of her anger came from not being able to make him suffer and God help him if she had.”
Jim sits back again, “Ok, what about this son of hers, Sam. He fits the description alright and he definitely had motive?”
Sebastian thinks for a moment, “Yes, he’s a possibility. But until I talk to him, I won’t be able to gauge whether he is capable or not.” Jim’s phone rings, its Emily reminding him of another appointment. He looks across the desk and says, “Sorry Seb, we’re going to have to leave it there. As far as Sam goes, I’ll let you interview him, but it’ll have to be done here. If he’s the killer, you’ll be much safer here than on your own. I must insist on it, Seb!” Sebastian tightens his lips and nods his acceptance.
“That’s fair enough. You’ve got a deal.” Jim, looking much happier than when the meeting began, rises to his feet to see Sebastian out.
“Good! I’ll arrange it for Monday. I’ve got some free time and I’d like to be in the observation room during your interview with him. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Sebastian rises to his feet.
“Of course, I’ll just pop over and make a couple of calls from the dust pit and then head home. Unless there’s something else you need me for?”
“No, no, that’s fine with me, Seb.” Sebastian heads to his office and can’t believe the difference a good clean and some new furniture has made. As soon as he sits behind his new desk he rings Cynthia and tells her he’ll be home in an hour, then rings the furniture store and asks them to deliver the office chairs he’d ordered earlier. He arranges it so he’ll be gone as the chairs are being delivered.
It’s quiet in the Cork household that evening. Cynthia is still angry with Sebastian over not being able to contact him during the day. She spends most of the evening in her office at the rear of the house sorting through paperwork and bills that have been neglected over the past week. In the meantime, Sebastian is in the study relaxing, sipping on bourbon and focusing on what had occurred that day. He’s constantly sorting through his thoughts and separating the probable from the unlikely. After awhile he begins to feel a little guilty and leaves the study, goes to the kitchen and puts the kettle on. Cynthia is his world and he’s never comfortable when she’s angry with him.
She works tediously away in her office while still trying to keep her thoughts of anger in check; he comes knocking on her door. She slams the pen she’s using onto the desk, her eyes roll to the back of her head and she responds abruptly, “Go away Sebastian I don’t want to talk to you!” But as usual he remains persistent and the door opens slowly. He pokes his head in cautiously and queries, “Is there any chance I can come in, my love?”
She turns to glare at him and sarcastically replies, “If go away means come in, then by all means enter. But we both know it doesn’t, so leave me alone, Seb!” With a childish grin on his face he asks, “If I don’t speak, can I quickly come in and give you something and then leave?” She places her elbows on the desk and grasps one hand inside the other while rubbing her forehead over her knuckles,
“Make it quick, Seb. I’m really not in the mood!” Sebastian’s head disappears momentarily and then he opens the door with his shoulder. He’s carrying a silver tray with a pot of tea, cup and saucer, jug of milk and her favourite raisin toast on it. He places it and the white napkin he has slung across his arm on the desk and turns to leave. She takes one look at the tray.
“Stop right there Sebastian Cork!” He stops in his tracks but keeps facing the door. She continues on, “Do you know how frustrating you can be sometimes?”
Still facing the other way he replies, “Yes, my love, I do. But I also know that you’re the last person in the world I’d ever deliberately hurt.”
Well thank you for my lovely tea and toast.”
He’s about to turn around and face her when she admonishes, “Don’t you dare turn around!” Thinking he’d done enough to patch things up he’s surprised by her response.
“But, but…”
“Don’t you but me, Sebastian! Go to the kitchen and get a cup and saucer and come back and join me.” The rest of the evening went more smoothly than it had begun.
Chapter 11
A CLOSING CALL
It is 8am on Sunday morning and Sebastian and Cynthia have a routine of sleeping until at least ten. Today isn’t going to plan though as they’re awoken by Beethoven’s fifth coming from Sebastian’s phone on the bedside table. Sebastian puts both hands over his face, clears his throat and says crudely, “Oh hell! Who’s calling at this ungodly time?” Cynthia rolls over and away from him and places one of her many pillows over her head.
She mumbles, “If you really want to know; answer the stupid thing!”, and then goes back to sleep. He snatches up the phone and snaps, “Hello, who is this!”
“Sorry to disturb you Sebastian, it’s Jim. Just ringing to let you know, your appointment with Sam has been cancelled for tomorrow.”
“Don’t tell me he’s skipped out?”
Jim, also sounding tired, replies. “You could say that. He’s been found dead at his home. Looks like a suicide. We also have proof that he’s your murderer my friend.” Sebastian sits bolt upright in bed.
“What! Sam Portola?”
“That’s right! We found him in his lounge chair with a single gunshot wound to the head, thanks to an anonymous tip off this morning. There was a patrol car sent to the address and they spotted his body through a side window. They also found a suicide note on the coffee table in front of him admitting to the crime.
“You’re kidding me. What did it say?”
“I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”
Sebastian, still a bit moody from being woken early, snaps, “Come on Jim! It’s too early for games, stop holding back. There’s got to be more than that to prove he’s the killer!”
“Ok Sebastian, here it is; ballistics has confirmed that the gun he shot himself with was the same one that killed Frank. Now after what you told me about Frank being the one that disfigured him, I went back over the old police reports from the night that Sam and Gina were attacked and they confirmed that Sam was found in Frank’s bed. There’s no doubt Sam had motive. And as you said, his mother went straight to his home after you’d interviewed her. So maybe she tipped him off that we were onto him.
I just want to thank you for the work you put into this case. Will we see you Monday?” Sebastian is silenced by the news, “Are you still there Sebastian?”
“Ah yes, sorry! Are you arresting Gina as well?”
“Not at this stage. There’s not enough evidence and as you said you don’t believe she was involved. So if you don’t, I’m damn sure a jury won’t either.” Sebastian, being the type of person, who likes to have time to process his thoughts, finds himself emotionally numbed by a phone call that not only wakes him from his slumber but shocks him with an unexpected outcome. He finds it hard to be intellectually responsive.
Cynthia is so startled by his persistent shaking that she convulses her way to an upright position and yells, “What! What’s going on?” He realises she must have been in a deep sleep and that he’s gone a bit too far in his eagerness to wake her. He pulls her close to him and holds her to make her feel secure.
“It’s alright my love. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to startle you.” Still hyperventilating, she struggles to regain her senses. She pants, “My God Sebastian, what were you thinking? You could have given me a bloody heart attack!” He holds her tighter.
“I know. I’m so sorry, it’s just that Jim called and told me that Sam had committed suicide with the same gun that killed Frank.”
She wiggles herself into a more comfortable position and replies, “That’s fantastic news, Seb! All the work you’ve put in has paid off.” He slightly bows his head and then looks back at her inquisitively, “Then why doesn’t it feel right?”
“Because it didn’t unfold the way you expected it to. It was a sudden finale, instead of an unravelling. It stopped dead in its tracks and there was no closure for you.” He pressures himself into a grin.
“I suppose you’re right. But I’m still not completely sure.” He lies down again but can’t settle, so he gets up, showers and goes downstairs to make himself breakfast, while Cynthia drifts back to sleep.
Sebastian spends most of Sunday moping around the house like he’s lost his best friend. He thinks about ringing Tony and telling him the news but he still has a lot of anger toward him due to the incident at the shelter. There is very little clarity in Sebastian’s thinking at the moment, apart from a compulsion to go to the station and examine the files to make sure all loose ends have been tied up. The reason he doesn’t want to ring Tony is he believes if Tony is told that they know who the killer is and then discovers later that the information is incorrect, it’ll only serve to emotionally antagonise him further.
