The Inspector Walter Darriteau Murder Mysteries - Books 1-4 David Carter (autobiographies to read txt) 📖

there is no Mr Hymas,’ she said, smiling at the pretty girl. ‘You know how it is, went his own way, thank the Lord for that, liked the booze, you see,’ and she pulled a crazy face. ‘Got a bit handy with his fists too when he was worse for wear,’ and she nodded slowly at the girl, as if it were a dire warning. ‘Horrible man!’

‘Which flat do you live in?’ asked Jenny.

‘Number one, though we prefer to call them apartments. I have the whole place to myself at the moment, everyone’s out, so it’s quite nice to see you. It gives me someone to talk to. Mr Kenson and Mr Watson, they have the top flats, they go away together every May, never miss. They rent a place in Spain for two weeks. But they are not homo-funnykins, and all that peculiar business, they don’t sleep together, or anything like that, or at least I don’t think they do,’ and she grinned mischievously at Jenny, and added, ‘But who knows?’

‘And flat number two?’ asked Walter.

‘Nicest people you could wish to meet. Samuel and Samantha Holloway. They keep a lookout for me, run me on errands sometimes, bring me back heavy shopping, spuds and stuff, and the odd bottle of how’s your father,’ and she winked at the pair of them. ‘Tell you the truth I don’t know what I’d do without them.’

‘They’re husband and wife?’ asked Jenny.

‘No, silly... brother and sister.’

‘And they are away at the moment?’

‘Yes.’

‘Do you know where?’

‘No, but I do know something very important is about to happen.’

‘Oh yes, like what?’

‘He’s a writer, you know. She does fashion, but it’s him who’s had the big success.’

‘What’s that, then?’

‘His new book, of course. Been a huge hit in America, he was telling me the other day. He’s going to the United States in a few days to collect his prize, a million dollars, can you imagine?’

‘Is he tall?’ asked Jenny.

‘No, not really, not as tall as this big fellow.’

Walter and Jenny shared a look. Jenny wanted to giggle. Walter hid a scowl.

‘And the sister; is she tall?’ asked Walter.

‘Pretty much. Not huge, but taller than her,’ she said, glancing back at Jenny.

‘Lovely slim figure, I’ll bet,’ said Walter.

‘Oh yes, mine was like that one day, you know,’ and suddenly she appeared guilty, as she ran her hands across her not overlarge stomach.

‘When are they due back?’ asked Jenny.

‘Tomorrow evening, he was most specific about that, said they would be back tomorrow evening.’

‘Tell me, Mrs Hymas,’ said Walter, ‘have you ever seen them together?’

‘Pardon me?’

‘Have you ever seen Sam and Samantha together?’

‘Of course I have, well at least I think I have, I must have done, mustn’t I? They have been in my flat many times.’

‘And both at the same time?’ asked Jenny. ‘Say, had a meal together, you and the two of them round the table?’

‘Well, no, we never eat together. We are not that close. But I get a separate card and present from them every Christmas. One from him, forward sloping writing in blue, and one from her, backward sloping writing, in black. Generous they are with their presents too, I’ll say that. More so than misery guts Kenson and Watson, sounds like an estate agents, don’t you think? Kenson and Watson. Yuck!’

Walter smiled.

Jenny did too.

‘I want you to do us a big favour,’ said Walter.

‘Anything to help the police.’

‘Don’t tell Sam and Samantha we called. We want it to be a surprise. It’s to do with the book, you see,’ and he touched his nose and winked.

‘Ooh, is it? How exciting. I won’t say a word.’

‘And one other thing.’

‘Yes?’

‘Would it be OK if we waited in your apartment tomorrow until they came home?’

‘Sort of a nice surprise for them both?’

‘That’s correct,’ said Jenny, ‘a smashing surprise.’

‘Of course you can. I’ll tell you what I’ll do; I’ll bake some fairy cakes. My fairies have won prizes right across Chester.’

‘Don’t go to too much trouble,’ said Walter.

‘It’s no trouble at all, tell you the truth, I’ll enjoy the company, it’ll make such a pleasant change.’

‘We’ll come just after lunch.’

‘Come whenever you like. I won’t be going anywhere. The kettle is always thinking of boiling.’

‘That’s the spirit,’ said Walter. ‘Thanks so much, Mrs Hymas, you’ve been most helpful.’

They smiled at her one last time and turned away and retreated to the car park.

She didn’t go in until they were out of sight.

Round the back, Walter went to the window of flat 2, placed his hands on the glass to shade his eyes, and peered in.

‘See anything?’

‘Not really, these lace curtains don’t help. Just a normal kitchen as far as I can see, maybe a stove.’

‘You think it’s him or her?’

‘Not sure. As soon as we get back to the station, arrange a search warrant. If he doesn’t show tomorrow, we’ll turn the place over, see what’s in there.’

‘OK, Guv.’

‘Yeah,’ he said, thinking of something else, as he turned back the car.

‘Guv?’

‘What?’

‘Would you ever think of kicking in the door, taking a sly look? You know, just in case.’

Walter turned back to her and peered at the door. Glanced at her again. Course he’d thought of it.

‘That, WPC Thompson would be illegal, and in any case, if we did, and made a mess, and there was nothing of interest in there, it might warn the bastard off if he came home later when we weren’t here. Understand?’

‘Yes, Guv. I see.’

‘Come on,’ he said. ‘There are things I want to research in the records.’

Jenny started the car and headed back toward the city.

Walter laughed inwardly.

He could hardly believe what he had just heard.

The young WPC advocating breaking and entering on the off chance they might stumble on information. What were they teaching them at Police College these days?

Showed initiative though, you had to grant her that.

Walter giggled.

Jenny glanced at him from the corner of her eye and wondered why he was tittering.

His mouth was dry. He needed a pint. He needed several pints.

Chapter Forty-Three

Karen was discharged