by Neal Davies
“No reason, none at all, just wondering. I’m married myself, and happily married at that.” Paul places his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder.
“That’s ok; there are a lot of older gay guys who married back in the day because homosexuality was looked upon as abnormal.” Sebastian moves as close to the door as he can get, quickly glances with bulging eyes at Paul’s hand on his shoulder and then at Paul. Paul is wearing a big cheeky grin on his face and begins to chuckle.
“You bastard, you had me going then!”
Paul still laughing says, “Yeah I did, didn’t I?”
Sebastian, still frowning, presses, “Well?”
Paul, feigning innocence returns, “Well what?”
“Well, are you gay?”
“What if I am? Will that change our working relationship?” Sebastian stops outside the work shop and pulls hard on the hand brake.
“Of course not, provided we know where we stand.” Paul smiles cheekily.
“I’m still not sure where you stand, Seb. You’ve got a bit of a look about you know.”
Sebastian begins nodding his head from side to side and murmurs to himself, “What the hell have I got myself into?” Paul undoes his seat belt and strains his ear toward Sebastian, “What was that, Seb?”
“Nothing, just get out. We’ve got work to do!
As they step onto the pavement, Paul holds his hand out flat and points the way to the office door “After you, Seb.” Sebastian reluctantly leads the way and glances back only to find Paul with a cheeky grin raising his eyebrows in a gesture of approval.
Sebastian growls at him “Cut it out!” but Paul continues to raise his eyebrows and smile. They enter the office and a young man in white plastic overalls with a face mask hanging around his neck greets them with “Can I help you?”
Sebastian responds, “Yes, I’m looking for Barry.”
“Which one are you after? Junior or Senior? Dad owns the shop, he’s the senior, and I’m his son, Barry Junior” Sebastian explains to him that they’ve come to talk to his father regarding a car he repaired. He gives Barry an approximate date, description of the car and the name of the person that brought it in. He doesn’t tell him the car was used in a hit and run murder. “I’ll get Dad for you if you like but I can tell you everything you need to know about that car. In fact, I can show it to you” Sebastian and Paul look at each other in surprise and Paul takes over from where Sebastian left off.
“Are you saying you know where it is?”
“Of course! It’s out the back I drove it here this morning. Let me explain; When Mr Maxwell came in with it I was an apprentice at the time. He was a big guy with an air about him and spoke in a very dignified manner. He was only a young guy; probably early to mid twenties. He told Dad he’d inherited some money from his late aunt and only wanted a cheap job done as he was going to trade it on a new car. I told the old man I loved it and he thought it would make a good first car for me, plus I’d get additional experience working on it. Dad made an offer to Mr Maxwell, which he accepted, and I’ve had the car ever since.
Sebastian jumps in, “Can you describe Mr Maxwell for us?”
Before he gets the opportunity, Paul reaches into his pocket and pulls out a folded photo copy and asks, “Better yet, is this the man?” He unfolds the paper and shows Barry while Sebastian stands there fuming. “Well, the fellow in the photo looks older but I’d say that’s him, that’s Mr Maxwell! Is he wanted by the police?”
Sebastian moves to interrupt this time, “That’s an old photo but the only one we could find. Thanks for your time Barry, we’ll be in touch.” Sebastian shakes Barry’s hand and turns to walk out. Paul stands there for a split second, not understanding why the interview has come to such an abrupt ending. He shakes Barry’s hand and follows after Sebastian at a quick pace to catch up.
Once outside he confronts Sebastian. “What was that all about? We hadn’t finished our questioning!”
Sebastian, still angry, snaps back, “It ended the moment you showed him that mug shot. Where did it come from?”
“That’s what took me so long when you went to the car at the station. I quickly looked up Colin Maxwell’s file, printed it off and then told Jim we were leaving. I was trying to help. How else, are we going to be sure if he knew the guy or not?” Sebastian can see Paul is just following police protocol but he also realises that he is a young man that thinks on his feet and is eager to learn.
He decides to explain his own methods, “Listen Paul I understand that you’ve been trained in a particular way and I want to explain why I didn’t want you to go to Mr Maxwell’s file in the first place. When I interview someone I want to hear from them their raw untainted thoughts and opinions. The moment we depict a culprit to them we implant thoughts and detract from the memories and opinions they have from their own recollections. In other words, if I was a reporter who had made an appointment to interview you about your best friend, your memories, thoughts and opinions will be focused on good times, fun times and even sad times. But if on arrival I told you that he had committed a murder, those thoughts would diminish, your mind would be overwhelmed with confusion and you would focus on the person you don’t know, rather than the one you do. This can lead to vital information regarding a case being missed or lost in the haze. We need to work out a method of combining my interview skills with your police training. Do you think we can do that, or do you feel we need to part ways?” Paul has been enlightened by Sebastian’s methods and is keen to learn more.
“I’m eager to continue working with you, but for someone who’s an expert on communication you seem to be lacking in certain areas.” Substation is taken back by his comment.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, from what I understand, you lecture at universities around the globe on the art of communication, yet you didn’t take the time out to explain to me why you didn’t want me to look at Colin Maxwell’s file. If I were you, who already has insight into how I’ve been trained, then I wouldn’t have expected any less from me.” Sebastian can see this young man has a very good point and apologises.
They both get in the Bentley with new found -respect for each other. As Sebastian is about to start the motor, Paul admits, “You know something Seb, I’m pretty impressed with your technique and I’d like to learn more.” Sebastian smiles and starts the motor.
“Oh, before we go anywhere, could I have a look at that picture you have of Colin Maxwell please?” Paul pulls the crinkled piece of paper from his pocket, unfolds it and hands it to Sebastian who places it on the steering wheel. The photo depicts a solidly built man with dark hair, moustache and beard. Paul is becoming a little impatient as Sebastian seems to be in some sort of trance- like state as he continues to stare at the photo.
“Where are we off to next, Seb?” Sebastian shakes his head as he returns to the real world.
“Do you have your gun on you?” Paul’s brow furrows, “Of course I do why?”
“We’re going to surprise Gina Portola with an unannounced house call, and she does have a rather large man mountain for a personal assistant. I’m afraid that once I start questioning her over her husband’s murder things are going to get a little tense, if you know what I mean.”
This is the kind of action that Paul’s been hoping to be involved in. “He won’t be a problem Seb. I have your back.”
Sebastian turns his head to face him, “No heroics Paul, if I can keep the situation calm, make sure you go with the flow.” Paul shakes his head from side to side in disappointment.
“Look Seb, you really need to stop treating me like a kid. I didn’t spend all my time in Special Forces training to run into a shit fight with my eyes closed. Please, show me a little respect!” he pleads. Sebastian lets his chin fall to his chest in shame.
He then lifts it back up, “Again, I need to apologise and this probably won’t be the last time. I hope you’ll be a little patient with me as I’ve become so accustomed to working alone over the years. The
re will need to be a period of adjustment for me. You have to give me credit for one thing though; I did communicate my feelings to you.”
Paul blinks slowly in acknowledgement, “Here are my thoughts, you do all the talking and if I see any movement to harm you, I’ll respond. How does that sound?”
“That sounds fair Paul. I appreciate your patience.”
Paul smiles at Sebastian with one of his cheeky grins and teases, “By the way Seb, do you ever have thoughts about men?”
Sebastian turns and frowns at Paul, “Oh, just shut up!”
Paul’s grin grows, “So is that a yes?” Sebastian puts the Bentley into gear and doesn’t utter another word until they reach Gina’s house.
Chapter 22
DECEIT AND DECEPTION
Sebastian pulls up at the gate and announces his arrival. Christopher answers, “Hello Mr Cork, Mrs Portola has just popped out for a moment but said she won’t be long. Did you want to come in and wait, or return later?”
“If it’s all the same to you Christopher I’d like to come in and wait.”
Christopher, sounding like he’s in a tin can, echoes back through the speaker, “That’s not a problem, Mr Cork. I’m sure she’ll be pleased to see you after what you’ve done for her son.” The gates open and Sebastian and Paul head down the driveway to the house where Christopher stands on the steps to greet them. Just as they pull up Sebastian’s phone rings and Cynthia’s on the other end.
“You were right Seb; Gina took $50,000 out of her account two weeks prior to Carlo’s death and another $50,000 two weeks later. As far as Colin Maxwell goes, he did two years for breaking and entering and is wanted for jumping parole. He couldn’t have left the country but seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.”
“Well done, my love. That gives us enough evidence to bring Gina in. Oh by the way, I understand that protocol would require us to have back up, so would you mind ringing Jim and getting him to send a car over to Gina’s house please?” Cynthia reminds him, “You be careful, Seb!” He glances at Paul and placates her, “It’s all good my love. I have Paul here with me and he’s well equipped to handle the situation.” He says his goodbyes and informs Paul of the news. “That’s fantastic Seb! But I’ll have to take over now as I’m the only one that can arrest her.” Sebastian nods in agreement.
“I understand Paul, but as I said be on your guard, as Christopher is hired to protect her. So I suggest we give nothing away until she arrives back.” They both get out of the car simultaneously and begin their walk up the steps. Christopher opens the door to allow them in.
“I rang Mrs Portola and told her you were here. She asked me to help you in any way I can.”
Sebastian is quick to reply, “That’s fantastic! Would you mind putting your hands behind your back and this fine young gentleman accompanying me will arrest you?” Christopher and Paul look at Sebastian in astonishment and simultaneously say, “What?” Sebastian’ maintaining a serious face, apologises, “Oh, I’m sorry! You two haven’t been properly introduced yet. “This is Paul, who has been assigned to partner me. And Paul, this is Christopher, AKA Colin Maxwell.” Christopher’s face turns from astonishment to anger and he throws a punch at Sebastian, but Paul is quick to intercept and has Christopher flat on his back with his hand firmly gripping Christopher’s throat. “That was quite rude of you to interrupt like that, Mr Maxwell. You never gave me the opportunity to tell you that Paul here served in the Special Services.”
The backup arrives and takes Colin Maxwell away. When Gina arrives home she immediately asks Sebastian where Christopher is. He explains to her that he’s just been arrested and taken to the station. “What are you up to this time Sebastian? I’m just a little tired of your antics!”
Sebastian looks at her with disdain, “Let’s not beat around the bush Mrs Portola. We both know his name is Colin Maxwell, and we are both aware he’s the man that ran down your husband while under contract to you! Now until we get downtown; Paul will take over and I’ll speak to you later.” Paul reads Gina her rights, and then graciously gives her the opportunity to get what she needs. A second police car arrives to take her to the station and Sebastian and Paul get in the Bentley to follow. On the trip back Paul is staring out the side window again and is obviously annoyed with Sebastian, “Ok Paul, what’s going on? You’ve been quiet since we left Gina’s estate.”
Paul’s head slowly turns to face Sebastian, “You’re the man with such wonderful insight, perhaps you can tell me what you feel is bothering me!” Sebastian is surprised by his sarcasm, as most the time he has been quite jovial, but he also knows he’s heard similar sarcasm from Cynthia and usually because he’s been offensive without knowing it.
“I’m supposedly an expert in many fields but it I’ve never professed to be perfect and I apologise if I’ve offended you in some way.”
Paul, still maintaining a serious glare responds, “Look Seb, I gather you recognised Maxwell from the mug shot but how hard is it to tell me before I walk into a shit fight without any preparation! Whatever your motives were for doing that, there is no excuse for endangering me in that way! That’s the last time, Seb. If it happens again I’m done!” Sebastian has no doubt Paul means what he has just said. Sincerely he confesses,
“Yes, I see what you’re saying. That really was bad wasn’t it? Sometimes my thinking gets ahead of my common sense but that’s certainly no excuse for endangering others. I really would like to sit down and discuss how we can work to build on each other’s strengths and overcome the flaws in our working relationship. I do apologise.” Paul seems appeased by Sebastian’s honesty.
“That sounds like a plan.” He concedes. “Now tell me, how did you know that Christopher was Maxwell? I certainly wouldn’t have recognised him from the mug shot.” Sebastian glances over in Paul’s direction and then focuses his eyes back to the traffic ahead.
“Have another look at that mug shot, Paul.”
Paul pulls the print out from his pocket and scans over it as Sebastian explains, “In that shot, Maxwell has pitch black hair, a moustache and beard. It may not seem like a big change but a clean shave and a good dose of peroxide can make a huge difference to someone’s appearance. The other thing is, when we first see a mug shot we look at the photo and our thoughts begin to automatically fill in the blanks. The harshness of Maxwell’s looks would immediately give an impression of an uneducated man with a rough voice, and not that of a well pronounced, smooth one. The other thing that put me onto him was something that Cynthia said to me on the phone. She told me he had done two years for armed robbery, then broke his parole and disappeared off the face of the earth.”
Paul interrupts, “So you figured he’d blown the money he made from the hit and run or he wouldn’t be committing a robbery, and once out goes to Gina and perhaps blackmails her into giving him money. She may have hired him to keep him close and make sure he doesn’t open his mouth.”
Sebastian glances over at Paul and smiles, “Well, well, well! I can see that you are quick to learn. Well done!” Paul turns his head to the side window and smiles to himself.
Chapter 23
THE INTERVIEWS
It’s not long before they are back at the police station and in Jim’s office. Jim has a grin ear to ear. “Well done to the two of you!” Paul steps forward and shakes Jim’s hand,
“I don’t know about it being the two of us, as Seb did most of the detective work. Then it was Sebastian’s turn to shake his hand,
“I just want to thank you Jim for putting me with Paul. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to be one of your better assets, and as for me being the star in all this; I’d probably be flat on my back unconscious if Paul hadn’t stepped in front of me and dealt with Mr Maxwell’s attack. Speaking of which; I was wondering if I may interview our murderess friends?” Jim takes a seat and leaves Sebastian and Paul standing.
“You can interview Maxwell. But I’m afraid Gina’s clammed up until her lawyer ar
rives.”
Sebastian smiles, “I thought that’d be the case, but the thing is Maxwell is the one I really want to talk to, and I’d like Paul to join me in the interview room if possible.” Paul’s chin goes back into his chest and his eyebrows rise in surprise.
Jim is quick to reply, “Not a problem, Seb. I’ll arrange it now.”
“One other thing Jim, can I have a second alone with you before we head down there?”
Paul leaves and waits for Sebastian outside. “What is it Seb, Jim urges. Not working out between the two of you?”
“No not that at all. I wasn’t lying when I said he’s good. Don’t take this question in the wrong way but, is he gay?” Jim bursts out laughing.
“You’re kidding me right?” Sebastian frowns,
“No, not at all, and I don’t see that is so amusing! Forget I asked.” Sebastian turns to walk out.
“Now hang on a minute Seb, I didn’t mean to offend you. What I find amusing is he’s dating one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen and half the guys in the building are envious of him. She models for a lingerie company and they’re engaged to be married. So he is far from being gay. What made you think he was?” Sebastian can now see that Paul had got the better of him and was now slightly embarrassed that he didn’t see through his little game.
“Nothing, nothing at all. Just a ridiculous thought I had, but I can now see how silly it is. Thanks Jim. I’ll head to the interview room now, if that’s alright?”
“Not a problem. Don’t start too soon though, I’ve got a couple of calls to make and I’d like to observe you and Paul from the adjoining room.” Sebastian leaves the room only to find Emily flirting with Paul. Sebastian clears his throat, Emily takes a step back from Paul and her vivacious attitude changes to a more subdued and professional one.
Paul is quick to move on, “Do you want a coffee before we head in Seb?” Knowing he has some time to spare he agrees. Once they’re sure Jim is in position they enter the interview room where Colin Maxwell awaits them.
