AVARICE: Gripping Scottish detective crime fiction by Pete Brassett

Author:Pete Brassett [Brassett, Pete]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: THE BOOK FOLKS contemporary crime fiction publishers
Published: 2016-07-14T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Munro joined West at the breakfast table, her plate piled high with square sausage, black pudding, extra bacon, one fried tomato, two tattie scones and a runny egg.

‘This,’ she said, stuffing her cheeks as though she’d not eaten for a week, ‘is what makes this job worthwhile.’

‘Where’s your porage?’ said Munro.

‘If I wanted a bowl of gruel,’ said West, ‘I’d get a part in Oliver Twist.’

Munro smiled.

‘Okay, by the by, we’ve no car this morning, so we’ll have to get a taxi.’

West, grinning, sat back and downed her cutlery.

‘So, someone stay out last night then?’ she said.

‘No, no,’ said Munro, ‘it’s at the station, broken down. I’ve telephoned young Duncan and asked him to arrange a mechanic.’

‘So, how’d you get back? Did you take the bus?’

‘That was my intention, but I was forced to accept a lift instead.’

‘Isobel?’

‘Aye, Isobel, that woman will not take no for an answer, and, if you must know, it was just a lift, no drinks and definitely no supper. Which reminds me, I thought you were stepping out with Sergeant Campbell last night, did you enjoy yourself?’

‘No,’ said West, ‘early night.’

‘I see, well, I’ll not pry, just as long as you’re okay, not upset or anything.’

‘No, not upset, thanks for asking. Let’s just say that under that burly exterior, is a very immature … so, what’re we doing first?’

‘Well, once we’ve got ourselves some transport, we’re away to see Inverkip’s very own Mr. Personality of the Year.’

* * *

Munro was content with his ageing Peugeot Estate. It was comfortable, lived-in, a little frayed around the edges and, unlike the squad car he’d unofficially hijacked from the pool, it provided a degree of anonymity.

‘Shall we have the sirens?’ said West as she eagerly slipped in to the driver’s seat.

‘No Charlie,’ said Munro, ‘we shall not. Travelling in a glorified ice-cream van, we’re conspicuous enough as it is. We don’t need to draw any more attention to ourselves.’

* * *

Rudy Kappelhoff downed tools as the squad car pulled up outside his shop, opened the door and, for the first time since they’d met, smiled. He wiped his hands on his apron and welcomed them inside.

‘Mr. Kappelhoff,’ said Munro, ‘I hope we’re not disturbing you.’

‘No, whatever I am doing can wait. Come, we will sit in my room, it is more pleasant.’

West shrugged her shoulders in disbelief as they followed him through to the back.

‘I will make you tea or coffee, or a glass of milk, if you like?’

‘No, thank you,’ said West, ‘very kind, but I’m fine.’

‘Inspector?’

‘No, thanks all the same,’ said Munro, frowning, ‘but if you don’t mind me saying so, Mr. Kappelhoff, you seem a little … subdued, not your usual, ebullient, self. Are you sleeping alright?’

Kappelhoff sat down and smiled.

‘I am sleeping very well, Inspector,’ he said. ‘You want to know why? Because the anger has gone. Whatever my Freida did in the past, whatever reasons she had for leaving, she has made up for it now. She has taken my anger with her.

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