A Case of Bloodshed in Benidorm (A Midthorpe Murder Mystery Book 2) by David W. Robinson & darkstroke books

Author:David W. Robinson & darkstroke books [Robinson, David W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: darkstroke books
Published: 2019-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Baldock was still furious when he collected his mother from the Hotel Praia at a few minutes to one. Masters had not shown his face all morning and there was a general feeling that he had sneaked out and shot off to Valencia or Alicante on business. Meanwhile, on checking his iPad, Baldock could not find a copy of the contract in question.

It was doubly frustrating for him. He was determined to confront the man and give him a good hiding; something Raymond Baldock would never normally consider.

He was still thinking about it, still drawing a blank when he climbed into the taxi with his mother.

“Carrer el Pont,” she ordered the driver. “Friar’s.”

While they moved off, turning left onto the broad dual carriageway of Avenida del Mediterráneo and its mix of up- and downmarket shops, bars and restaurants, its high rise, mid- to upper-quality hotels, Janet raved about the restaurant.

“You’ll like it, Raymond. It’s run by an English family, and the food is genuine British, just like you get at home. And it’s close to the town centre and the old town if you fancy a bit of quality shopping.”

“I don’t shop, Mother.”

Baldock remained just as taciturn and uncommunicative for most of the ten-minute journey, confining himself to non-committal grunts in response to her enthusiasm.

Friars was a small, discreet place, opposite the end of Calle Gambo where the quality shops Janet had talked about, were located. For a Friday lunchtime it was busy, most of the patrons, dressed as Baldock had expected, in holiday wear, their sun hats, thin vests and T-shirts advertising them as British tourists every bit as much as sporting the Union Flag would.

Jimmy, the proprietor, a stocky and powerfully-built man in his mid-forties, was pleased to see one of his favourite customers and showed them to a table in a quiet corner where Janet promptly dispensed with the menu. “I’ll have the roast beef, please, Jimmy.”

“And what about your toy boy, Janet?”

She laughed. “He’s not my toy boy. He’s my son.”

Jimmy chuckled. “Sorry, gel. What about you then, sonny?”

Baldock glowered. “I’ll have the same as my mother… served with a little respect, if you can manage that.”

“Ooh.” The waiter pouted. “Coming right up, my lord. What you having to drink, Jan?”

“The usual. Easy on the Campari, plenty of soda.”

“And for you, boss?”

“I’ll have a beer.”

Jimmy ambled back to the bar, and Baldock glared again at his mother. “Just how well do the people of Benidorm know you?”

“Oh, not well, but there are a few who have got used to me. I always have lunch at Friar’s when I’m here. The food’s wonderful and Jimmy gives us a good laugh.”

“Us?”

“Tim and me, usually. But Tim’s not with me, is he? He’d look a bit out of place on a hen weekend?” Her face became more serious. She reached across the table and took her son’s hand. “Never mind Tim. I’m with you, and I worry about you. I worry about Keith, too, but not as much as I do about you.

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