Chapter 18

 

It was somewhere close to eight thirty the next day as Mr Jones drove into the village and past the drive to the cottage. A Dull, dreary but dry morning. He flicked his glasses up and massaged the bridge of his nose. They were irritating him. New and too tight and would be going back when all this was done. Whistling almost silently in his usual absent minded way through his teeth with a sort of hissing whistle he looked in the rear view mirror and saw Donny’s car come out, turn the other way and head off down the lane. That made him smile. A proper smile though, one of those smiles full of satisfaction. With that copper out of the way his job would be a lot easier. Simple even. That old butler would be a pushover and the lady… well she would not be able to resist his charms. And he laughed a most uncharacteristic proper laugh. Things were looking up alright he thought. He started to concentrate and his smile returned to that almost evil smirking smile that was permanently formed by his thin lips and the whistle became just a bit louder.

Just past the village store was a small parking area. Stopping there, getting out of the car and lifting the back door Mr Jones changed his brown brogues for thick soled walking shoes. He tucked his trousers into his plain grey socks and unbuttoned his black jacket. At the back of the parking area was a three bar fence with a gate and a public footpath sign pointing across the fields to the far woods. The keep dogs on leads because of cows grazing sign looking old and battered. The field was thick lush grass with cows grazing way off in the distance. The line the path took could be seen quite clearly snaking up the gentle climb towards the trees although it was just crushed down grass indicating little use. Not so attractive to dog walkers with them on a lead.

Going through the gate and along the path for about three hundred metres ensuring he was alone. Pulling his gun from his jacket pocket he unclipped the magazine knowing he had reloaded but checked anyway. Pushed it back with a click and charged the chamber. He returned it to his pocket but kept hold of it leaving his right hand hidden. From the path he could see the back of the cottage partially hidden by screening trees. It was about fifty metres across the grass to the back garden.

Looking each way making sure no one had appeared, his slouched run took him to behind a tall oak tree in the centre of the boundary with the cottage. The rear of the cottage was now visible and he could see through the kitchen window through to the sitting room thinking that things were getting better. The sitting room at the front meant entry would be easy to conceal through the kitchen which was empty.

Slipping through a gap in the trees and under a timber rail in the corner of the garden he moved the short distance along the side border to the corner of the cottage where he waited for a few seconds making sure he had not been seen. Ducking low under the kitchen window he stopped beside the door, turned back, raised up enough so he could see through the window and kitchen door into the sitting room. He could see Lilly sitting on the sofa talking to her butler who was standing holding a tray with two mugs.

Mr Jones tried the door carefully and silently twisted the door knob. It was locked with a standard pin tumbler lock fitted above the knob. Nothing special. Another result he thought. Letting go of the gun and reaching into his inside jacket pocket he retrieved a lock pick set. It took him less than two minutes to line up the pins on the shear line and the door silently opened.

The gun was in his hand as he moved through the kitchen around a small table, leaving wet footprints.He stood against the wall next to the sitting room door. He could hear talking. Heard Lilly say something and he recognised the butler’s voice that replied. Then he heard a third voice say, “Have you thought of anything Lilly. Is there anything that you can remember that would give a clue where the ledger might be?”

Mr Jones thought, “The detective but I saw him leave. There must be a fourth person. Another copper?” But he then thought it made little difference. He had the upper hand of surprise and there were only three in a small room that he could cover easily from the doorway.

He silently stood in the doorway in full view, momentarily still, taking in the scene before he was noticed. Lilly on the sofa, the butler with his back to him standing very erect in his black suit with his tray and Donny sitting in an easy chair near the corner out of sight of the kitchen. The detective.

Pointing his gun at Donny he said in his deliberate way of talking, “Well Mr Detective Caruthers you need to stay seated. Oh and don’t move. You looked kind of surprised to see me.”

“Not surprised,” said Donny, “we’re overdue I think. Just wondering is all.”

“The butler.” was all Mr Jones said and while Donny was nodding in understanding he continued, “hardware?”

Donny put his hand in his jacket pocket and pulled out the Beretta, “just this,” he said.

“Good choice. Bit messy though. I prefer this,” waving the .22. Neat, light and simple to use. “on the floor with it please. That’s it by your foot and kick it this way. Remember, no other moving.”

The gun slid towards him as he turned to Max, “please sit down next to the lady and of course you stay still as well. Max put down the tray on the coffee table and sat quite close to Lilly. “Now Mrs Beauchamp but I think I’ll call you Lilly. Now Lilly please stand up and come over to me. No sudden movements. Mr Detective, did I notice you move?” And Donny sunk back into the chair but was still ready. There was no way this man was leaving with Lilly.

Then it all happened at once. The crunch of car wheels. The sound of a slight quick revving. Then silence. Then two doors slamming. Then laughing voices. Mr Jones looked towards the front. Max stood up. Suddenly slightly squatting. Mr Jones moving. Lilly sitting back down. Donny across the room and on top of Lilly protecting her. Key in the front door lock. The door opening. Max pivoting on his left leg kicking out catching Mr Jones on the thigh. Mr Jones staggering but not going down. Passing Max and heading for the front door. Max stooped low and picked up Donny’s gun in a daft movement and flicked off the safety. Turned and pointed it at Mr Jones. But with Gloria in the doorway and Bobby behind did not fire. Mr Jones raising the gun. Pointing it at Gloria. Bobby seeing the gun roughly pushed Gloria to one side and she stumbled against the wall. Moving as fast as he had ever done Bobby crashed into Mr Jones who went down but rolled sideways getting onto one knee and turned and pointed the gun at Bobby. Max, afraid of hitting Bobby, fired but deliberately high hitting the wall above the door. Mr Jones turned and was out of the door and sprinting down the drive.

Donny stood up, looked at Max who gave him the gun. He was then out of the door running fast after Mr Jones and saw him throw open the Focus door, start up, backed onto the road and away just as Donny caught up and was left half holding the door handle before being thrown free.

 

 

Bobby had got up that morning early and slipped on jeans and T-shirt and trainers. Lilly was already up and downstairs sipping tea. He could hear clattering in the kitchen and Max humming and the toaster ping.

“‘Morning Lilly. Up early again then?” he said.

“I’m always early Bobby. Us old folk don’t need too much sleep. You should realise that by now.”

“Sure but one day when I’m down here first sipping tea and eating breakfast you’ll say something like, ‘I slept in Bobby, don’t know why but I just slept in.” You'll say that as you creep in from the stairs all sheepish because there’s still sleep in your eyes. Then I’ll say something like, ‘ten years of getting up early and you’ve a right to sleep in.’ What d’you think?”

“I think you need a cup of tea and toast. That’s what I think.”

Max came in with his tray and two mugs and slices of toast, “I heard you come down Bobby. Black tea and what for the toast?”

“Marmite please Max,” said Bobby, “you’ve gotta have Marmite on toast in the morning. It’s the only thing to have.”

Max replied, “not for me. I’m an Old English Chunky Marmalade guy with white toast.”

“Gloria only does white bread. As Sid in the pub says, ‘she don’t do the brown stuff.’ You like a ham and cheese sandwich Max?”

“As it happens I am quite partial,” said Max.

“Gloria does a great ham and cheese sandwich. We’ll go to the pub one time, you and me Max. A lads day out. She’ll make you one. One of her best with all that fresh white crusty bread and that tangy deli cheddar cheese and thick cut gammon ham fresh off the bone. But no pickle. You like pickle Max?”

“Can’t say that I do,” said Max, “certainly not that brown stuff.”

“A man of good taste,” said Bobby, “I can see we’ll get on just fine you and me will. Eh Lilly. What d’you think?”

“Just fine Bobby. You’ll both get on just fine.” said Lilly and she laughed.

“Where’s Donny?” Bobby said all of a sudden.

Lilly said, “He’s gone for a shower. He slept down here last night. Just in case he said. He was over there on that chair when I got up. Said it gave him the best angle for the front door. He had the outside kitchen door locked and this internal one has a bolt on the sitting room side so he said he would get enough warning if anyone came that way. He’ll be back in a minute.”

Just as she finished speaking Donny came in from the kitchen, from the downstairs shower room. “That’s handy having a shower in that loo. Saves a whole heap of up and downing. Hi Bobby. You ok?”

“Sure I am. I love all this cloak and dagger stuff, it’s just like the movies. It could be any Film Noir B movie set.”

“Bobby’s on form today then,” said Donny.

“He’s on form alright,” said Lilly.

“Yeah we’re having a ball, aren't we Lilly?” said Bobby.

“We are,” laughed Lilly, “we’ve been talking about the movies. You know Bobby is a proper movie buff?”

Donny said, “I sure do, I’ve had the story for the last six months. Anyway I’m sorry I got you into this Bobby.” And sat down on the easy chair.  

“No Problem Boss,” said Bobby, “I’m going to pick up Gloria soon but forgot I don’t have my car here do I? Can I borrow yours? I'll only be an hour or so. She’ll be ready.”

Donny chucked Bobby the keys and said, “don’t hang about. I want to stay flexible today.”

Max said, “tea Donny?”

Donny said, “sure, please,” and Lilly said, “I'll have another please Max. And Donny went and sat in the armchair behind the door to the kitchen.

 

Gloria was on the doorstep waiting at eight forty five. She was excited. She had not felt excited like this before and the feeling thrilled her. The white blouse she was wearing was tight but not too tight and with the top two buttons undone she felt just that small show of expectation was enough. Blue faded jeans and red low heels were a great complement and completed a low-key casual look. She leaned against the porch post feeling the happiest she had felt for as long as she could remember. She ruffled her hair that she’d taken care to let hang casual when drying it wondering who this mysterious lady was she was going to meet.

Just before nine and Bobby pulled up in a silver car. “New car?” she said.

“It’s Donny’s. He’s at the cottage we’re going to and mine’s at home so….”

“So who’s this lady I’m going to meet? You’ve gotta give me the gen so I’m not thrown totally in the deep end.”

“She’s the lady I’ve been advising on investments. You know the one who phoned when we were outside the pub on Friday. She’s in a bit of trouble and I’m helping her out. She’s staying in this little old cottage and wants to meet you.”

“Why me?” said Gloria.

“Because I told her about you. How we watched movies together and everything.”

“I hope not everything, Bobby,” she said with one of those looking over the eyebrow smiles.

“Yeah I told her all the details, all those little things that happen and the way you….”

“No. You didn’t?”

“Of course not. I just told her about us and how I really like you. That’s why she wants to meet you. She’s real nice and I think she likes me and so she wants to meet you.”

“What sort of trouble?”

“Trouble that will take some explaining. Donny’s there and maybe he’ll explain. Nothing to worry about though.”

They chatted as Bobby drove the twenty minutes or so to the cottage. He pulled into the driveway and up to the door parking behind Max’s car. Gave the throttle a little tweak and a quick rev then turned the key off.

“Why’d you do that little revving thing when you turn off the engine?”

“Because it’s what they do in the movies. All of them do it when they arrive. It’s like a quick rev up to say we’ve arrived.”

That made Gloria laugh as they got out and slammed the doors. “That’s just so stupid,” she said and laughed again.

She was still giggling as they reached the front door. Bobby opened it and pushed it wide to let Gloria go in first. Then he looked up and saw Mr Jones staggering past Max pointed the gun at Gloria. Without any thought he just pushed her to the side. Then ran at Mr Jones hitting him full on knocking him over and onto his side. Mr Jones got up raising the gun but he saw Max with Donny’s gun pointing it at him, then shoot. Seeing an irretrievable situation Mr Jones moved quickly to the front door and out running down the driveway.