03 Dead Man's Stone by T.G. Reid

Author:T.G. Reid
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9798803219323
Publisher: Glass Work Press
Published: 2022-04-16T23:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

As Bone had predicted it took Baxter all of forty seconds to locate Gordon Enright’s address. His house was only three streets away from his colleague Jerry Bramble’s, on the south side of Kilwinnoch. She also found out that Enright was a volunteer on the scheme for four years, but 79 was his last stint. Walker knocked on his door and rang the bell again but there was still no answer.

“Can I help you?” A voice behind her made her turn.

“Gordon Enright?” Walker said to a slight-framed, elderly man lingering by the front gate.

“No, I’m Gordon’s next-door neighbour,” the man replied.

“Do you know where Mr Enright is?”

“And who wants to know?” the neighbour asked with a suspicious frown.

“I’m DI Walker from Kilwinnoch Police Station,” she replied, holding up her lanyard.

“Has something happened?”

“Not at all.” Walker smiled. “Any idea where I can find him?”

“He’s gone on holiday. I’m looking after the house while he’s away. You know, watering the plants and keeping an eye on things. I’m Stanley Fletcher, chair of the local neighbourhood watch.”

“Do you know where he’s gone and for how long, Mr Fletcher?”

“He goes up to Loch Lomond every couple of months. He’s got one of those teeny wee boat caravan things moored up there. Bloody death trap, if you ask me. I was on it with him once and thought I was a goner. Bloody thing isn’t stable.”

“Did he say when he’ll be back?”

“He’s just gone, so…” He thought for a moment. “What day is it today?”

“Tuesday,” Walker replied.

“Then that’ll be Sunday.”

“Does he often go away at short notice, then?” Walker asked.

“Generally, no, but he takes notions.” He rummaged in his cardigan pocket and produced a set of keys. “I’m on my way in now to check everything.”

“Would you mind if I accompany you?” Walker asked.

“Oh yes, that would be excellent as I’m a bit worried about the security on Gordon’s kitchen door and perhaps you could advise?”

“Certainly,” Walker replied and stepped aside while Fletcher unlocked the front door.

“Smell that?” Fletcher said as they stepped into the hallway.

“Yes. Does the house have a damp problem?”

“They all do. I’ve had the damp course men in so many times, but these houses are no longer fit for purpose, I fear.”

Walker scanned the tidy, old-fashioned hallway.

“I usually start in the living room,” Fletcher said, and Walker followed him down the hall and into a modest living space. “The security locks on this window are fine, I think.” Walker went over to look.

“Yes, double bolted. Even Harry Houdini couldn’t open that,” Walker said.

“That’s a relief as all the downstairs windows have the same,” Fletcher replied. “A few months ago I arranged for a lovely PC from your station to come and give a talk to the neighbours on home security.”

“What about upstairs?”

“Ah yes, well, I think he still has to update those.”

“I could check them, if you like?” Walker offered.

“That would be grand. While you’re doing that I’ll nip round and water the plants, and then perhaps you could have a look at the back door?”

“Of course,” Walker replied.

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