Strange Beginnings by Ted Tayler

Author:Ted Tayler [Tayler, Ted]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-10T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

“I enjoyed your Lieutenant Columbo moment, Blessing,” said Gus when they reached the car.

“Who, guv?” asked Blessing.

“A TV detective, way before your time, Blessing. It was a trademark move of his. Just as the villain thought he was off the hook, Columbo asked a telling question.”

“We don’t believe Stephanie Reeves is a villain, guv, do we?

“Of course not, but the packed lunch could be a game-changer. Theo never mentioned it. It adds another item that requires an explanation. We already have a missing mobile phone. Did the same person remove them from Marion Reeves’s car, and if so, why?”

“I wonder if the builders saw Mrs Reeves carrying it when she left the house that morning?” asked Blessing.

“I’ll ask tomorrow,” said Gus. “Along with questions about their behaviour while they worked at Oakley Road.”

“They sound a couple of creeps, guv,” said Blessing. “But because they took a close interest in everything Marion and Stephanie did in the months they worked at the house, those men can help check what we’ve learned from Theo Reeves and his daughter. Although they got distracted by the females in the property, they had a unique view of the way the family interacted.”

“That’s an excellent point, Blessing,” said Gus.

As he drove them back to the office, Gus thought listening to Milligan and Preston would be like watching a dreadful reality programme where the builders would be the camera. The Reeves family would become celebrities that were a complete mystery.

As long as it helped explain some questions that remained, Gus was happy to sit through it. That was tomorrow’s torture; this afternoon, he had to face Martyn Street.

“I wonder whether Serena Campbell will be working this afternoon, guv?” said Blessing as Gus parked the Focus.

“I’ll keep an eye out for the lady, Blessing,” said Gus. “I need to concentrate on getting the most out of my conversation with Martyn Street. Luke’s car is here already. I’ll take him with me to Wilton later.”

Gus and Blessing exited the lift and entered the office.

“Can we spend five minutes agreeing on our plan for this afternoon’s meeting, Luke?” asked Gus. “I want you to prevent Arthur Jackson from contributing too much to the conversation. It might paint you as the bad guy, but I need Martyn Street to trust me throughout the meeting so we get the maximum benefit.”

“I understand, guv,” said Luke. “I’ll drive to Wilton if you wish. We need to leave by a quarter past two. When do you want that five minutes chat?”

“Let’s do it at two o’clock, Luke,” said Gus, checking the clock on the far wall. “We’ll get our files updated with what Blessing and I learned from Stephanie Reeves this morning.”

“What were the major points you took from the meeting, guv?” asked Alex.

“Stephanie has a lovely home,” said Gus. “She and her partner are in full-time employment and doing well. She’s five months pregnant. As for her relationship with her father, I would describe it as cordial. Stephanie is an independent young woman these days, with her drink problem firmly behind her.

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