The Automobile Assassination by Porter M. J

Author:Porter, M. J. [Porter, M. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
ISBN: 9781914332869
Amazon: B09JCFPBQ1
Goodreads: 198353732
Publisher: M J Publishing
Published: 2023-09-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Thursday 7th September 1944

The following day, having donned his much-hated blue trousers and jacket, Mason walked to the police station with only a slight limp. His back felt much better, and he was wearing his black boots, on Annie’s orders, just in case he ended up in a field again. Annie was having none of it that he’d not been near a field. In the end, he’d bent and laced up his boots and left before she could scold him further.

Constable Williams greeted his arrival with a cheery ‘good morning’ as he opened the door to a loud shriek of protest.

“Morning Sir,” O’Rourke called to him, and Mason was almost smiling until he saw Jones’ aggrieved expression.

“Sorry, Jones. I have to go to Birmingham again today. Hopefully tomorrow.” Jones nodded, but he looked none too pleased. For a moment, Mason considered allowing O’Rourke to make the trips alone, but she wouldn’t get quite the respect she deserved from Doctor Lucey. He might not even remember that she was from Erdington and had been asked to intervene by Roberts. No, he’d go with O’Rourke and help Jones when he had more time. The man was so contrary.

“Are you ready?” he asked O’Rourke. She had a large folder in front of her, no doubt filled with fingerprints and photographs. She was also carrying the camera bag.

“I don’t want to leave anything. We might need to take photographs of the garage at the Automobile Association regional office or some such.”

“No, that’s a good idea. I’ll get the fingerprint kit as well.”

“I’ve already put it in the Wolseley,” O’Rourke announced. “As you say, we need everything with us.”

Mason grinned.

“Come on then. Let’s see what today tells us.”

O’Rourke had arranged appointments with Dr Lucey for 9.30 am and with Bettie for 11 am. Roberts was going to meet them at the mortuary. Roberts had agreed to take the fingerprinting details they had back to the main office in Birmingham. Mason tried to make himself comfortable in the Wolseley as they drove through the quiet streets. It wasn’t that early, but people were tardy to be about their business now that the darkness of early morning was beginning to linger beyond the heady days of early summer.

His boots were heavy, and his trousers were too short, meaning a draft worried his ankles.

O’Rourke was cheerful at his side.

“If it’s the same man, then what does it all mean?” she asked him.

“I wish I knew, but it might explain the imprint on his forehead.”

“Um, yes, I’d forgotten about that. I wonder if he stole the motorbike and sidecar as well, or rather, the RSO?” O’Rourke was enjoying using the term the Automobile Association used.

“We won’t know that, not yet. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Yes, of course, you’re right, Sir. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologise, O’Rourke. I’ve been thinking the same thing. Annie was telling me there are some rumours about who the poor man is. Some say he’s a German spy, others that he’s a double-agent and has been killed by the British now that they’re advancing into the occupied territories.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.