Not Dead, Only Resting by Simon Brett

Author:Simon Brett [Simon Brett]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Severn House Publishers Ltd
Published: 2012-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

‘MAXINE RUTTEMANN AGENCY,’ said a nasal female voice at the end of the telephone when Charles rang through on the Monday morning.

‘Hello. I believe you have an actor called Gary Stane on your books.’

‘Yes.’

‘Oh, good. I’m trying to make contact with him.’

‘Is this theatrical work you’re talking about?’

‘Well . . .’ An electric typewriter hummed over the line as Charles tried to frame his approach.

‘I mean, is it an acting or a dancing job?’ the girl’s voice clarified.

‘It isn’t exactly a job,’ Charles confessed. ‘I just want to make contact with him.’

‘I see.’ The nasal voice took on a new scepticism. ‘I think perhaps you’ve come through to the wrong agency. I book Gary as an actor and dancer.’

‘Yes. But you must have a phone number for him. I’m sure you could –’

‘His escort work,’ she continued, riding above his voice, ‘is handled by Intro/Outro.’

She gave him the number and rang off abruptly.

Charles dialled the new number.

‘Intro/Outro Agency.’ Again it was a female voice; again nasal; but this time it was American. Charles wondered. He was sure he could hear the same electric typewriter working away.

‘Was I talking to you a moment ago?’

‘Sorry?’ asked the American voice.

‘I was just talking to the Maxine Ruttemann Agency.’

‘This is the Intro/Outro Agency,’ the American voice repeated blandly. If she was the same girl, she certainly wasn’t giving anything away.

‘Yes. Of course. Listen, do you have a young man called Gary Stane on your books?’

‘We have a lot of very charming escorts, sir, and I’m sure if you were looking for company, we could provide someone with whom you would have a most enjoyable evening.’

‘Yes. It’s actually Gary Stane I want to meet.’

‘Have you spent an evening with him before?’

Her reply was incautious, implying that Gary Stane definitely was on the agency’s books. Charles decided it was time for a little tactical lying. He wished he had started the conversation in his Croydon insurance assessor’s voice, but pressed on in his own.

‘Er, yes. Some months ago. Had a most pleasant time. And at the end of the evening I did say how . . . er, pleasant it would be if we could meet up again when I was next in London.’ There was a pause. The girl had not yet risen to the bait. ‘I come down on business from time to time,’ he went on.

‘Yes.’ The girl spoke slowly, thinking. Her American accent sounded weaker. Charles was almost certain it was the girl from the Maxine Ruttemann Agency. ‘Well, listen, I think it might be possible to arrange another meeting with Gary.’

‘I would be most grateful.’

‘Presumably if you’re only down on a brief trip, you’d like to meet soon.’

‘Please.’

‘This evening?’

‘That would be ideal.’

‘Well, look, I’ll have to speak to Gary and see if he’s free. Is there a number where I can reach you?’

Charles felt disinclined to give the Hereford Road one. ‘Erm, no. I’m rather in transit at the moment. Between meetings. You know, I’m down for an insurance conference.’

He

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