The Fall by White Robert

Author:White, Robert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert White Books
Published: 2020-07-10T00:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

Constable Steve Willis had taken Bob Higgins’ advice.

He parked his patrol car outside the Benson house on Cromwell Road, this time armed with a set of questions for the occupants.

Unlike his earlier visit, the gates to the driveway were closed and a Range Rover Vogue sat gleaming in the afternoon sunshine, almost touching the double garage doors.

Out on the road, parked in front of Steve’s car, was a white Mercedes van. As the young cop stepped from his Astra, he could see two men in carrot coloured overalls, tearing out the house’s ageing alarm system. The one the thieves had so easily disarmed.

After the horse has bolted.

Willis pressed the bell at the side of the gates. He waited a moment before the unmistakable shape of Tara Benson strode down the drive. Gone were the jeans and t-shirt from the previous day, her change of attire, more suited to a night on the town. Revealing didn’t come into it. She caught his gaze, read his thoughts.

“Before you say anything, Blondie, it’s the only thing those beasts haven’t had their mitts on. I bought it last week. Pretty colour, don’t you think?”

“Fetching,” offered Steve who couldn’t help but wonder if the bright yellow skimpy number was for the benefit of the two young alarm contractors currently watching Tara’s every move. He gestured towards her five inch spikes. “And matching shoes, too,” he smiled.

Tara pouted.

“I’m only out in the open because my husband’s too tight to install electric barriers,” she said. “It falls to me to let guests in and out… welcome or unwelcome.”

Pulling one of the ornate cast iron gates open just enough to allow the cop inside, she examined him again, just as she had in the garden the day before, head cocked.

“I thought you had all you needed, Blondie?”

“Just a few more questions, Mrs Benson,” said Steve. “And a chat with your husband if I may?”

She snorted her derision at the mere mention of her partner.

“He’s inside,” she said. “You’ll find me in the summer house if you need me.”

At that, she turned and strode away, the visiting contractors’ eyes following her back the way she came before she disappeared through the side gate.

Steve stood and scratched his head. One of the workmen, who was up a ladder removing the old alarm box looked down at him and nodded. He was of similar age to the cop with a shock of sand coloured hair and a cheeky expression.

“Alright mate?” he said jovially.

“Not bad, pal,” offered Steve.

“Bang tidy that eh?” he smiled nodding in the direction of the now closed garden gate. “Cracking tits n’all.”

“I hadn’t noticed,” said Steve with a smirk.

The guy lowered his voice.

“Tell you what though, she’s a fuckin’ nightmare. Been going off in there all morning,” he said, thumbing towards the house. “She’s been giving him plenty ever since we arrived.”

Steve shrugged. “She’s just upset.”

On his previous visit, Willis had felt a great deal of sympathy for Tara Benson. Despite her rock hard façade when speaking to him, he knew just how traumatic the burglary had been for her.

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