A Genuine Mistake by Ted Tayler (miss read books txt) 📗

had character and were more of a deterrent in the middle of town than on the outskirts, no matter how smart the buildings might look.

The team had arrived before him, even though it was still only ten minutes to nine. Everyone was keen to get started on the Hogan case. Gus travelled up in the lift and hoped they caught a break and found something that would offer a fresh lead to follow.

“Good morning, each,” he said. “Luke, give me a name.”

“Nick Barrett, guv. He’s expecting you in his office at ten o’clock.”

“Is he now? Where does he work, anyway? Barrett was at school with Gerry Hogan, wasn’t he? Is he in the same line of business?”

“Nick Barrett was more than an old school chum, guv,” said Luke. “They spent time together before Hogan married. Barrett was the best man at his wedding. Barrett’s head of a law firm these days.”

“Who do you want to ride shotgun, guv?” asked Neil.

“I reckon you deserve a crack at this one, Neil,” said Gus. “Alex will be knee-deep in Gerry Hogan’s business dealings for a few days.”

“I’ll drive us to Bradford-on-Avon, guv,” said Neil.

“You don’t need to leave for ages, Neil,” said Lydia. “It’s only a fifteen-minute drive.”

“Is there something we can do in the meantime, guv?” asked Neil.

“You can put a date in your diary,” said Gus. “I think we’re overdue a night out at the Waggon & Horses, don’t you? Everyone put in a good shift last week on the Duncan case. Shall we say nine o’clock on Friday night?”

“No problem, guv,” said Neil. “Melody will enjoy a night out. Was there anyone else we should invite?”

“Who did you have in mind?” asked Gus.

“Rick Chalmers helped me out when the rest of you worked on the Ivan Kendall murder, guv,” said Alex. “It would have taken longer at the Hub on that other business if I’d been working alone.”

“Can I invite Divya, guv?” asked Blessing.

“I suppose so, Blessing,” said Gus. “I don’t know where Rick’s working at present. He could be unavailable if he’s working undercover.”

Gus hoped that was the case. None of the team was aware of Kassie Trotter’s spicy piece of gossip involving Rick and Vera Butler. If Rick turned up with Vera on his arm, that could make for an awkward evening.

“If you can get hold of him, and he’ll be there, just let me know in advance,” he said. “I don’t want to have to borrow money from one of you to get the first round in.”

Ten minutes later, Neil could sense that Gus was itching to get on the road to Bradford-on-Avon. No matter how long they’d be hanging around outside the law firm’s offices before Nick Barrett invited them in.

When they reached Neil’s car and were seated, Gus told Neil to wait before starting the engine.

“What did you make of Nick Barrett’s statement, Neil?” he asked.

“Not sure I recall it word-for-word, guv,” said Neil, “but the gist of it was that Gerry Hogan knew that his future lay in financial affairs from an early age. Barrett saw him as someone who would never get caught drinking underage, go shoplifting, or mix with the wrong crowd. He said that Gerry did his utmost to steer clear of trouble.”

“What did the tone of that statement tell you about Nick Barrett?” asked Gus.

Neil started the car, drove slowly out of the car park, and turned left towards the river.

“We know that Barrett’s a lawyer,” said Neil, “I imagine he went into the profession straight from university. So, he’s well-educated, aged around sixty, still living in the same town where he went to school.”

“Did you check what type of law he handles? Family law, perhaps? Did his firm help draw up the will that Gerry’s sister, Belinda, considered challenging?”

“I don’t think so, guv,” said Neil. “It’s mostly employment law and personal injury claims that the firm of Barrett, Atkins, & Flook handle.”

“I reckon the station car park will be closest to the firm’s offices, Neil,” said Gus. “Do you know where you’re going?”

“I’ve driven here once or twice, guv,” said Neil. “The Tithe Barn’s worth a visit, and Melody and I strolled along the canal one Sunday afternoon last year when the weather was fine. We sat and watched a barge negotiating a lock. Always good for a laugh when the people who hired the barge don’t have a clue what they’re doing.”

Neil parked the car near one of the ticket machines in the large station car park. He studied the board through the windscreen.

“We’re not likely to be here for much more than an hour, are we guv?” he asked.

“Pay enough to cover us for four hours, Neil,” said Gus. “You can claim it back on expenses. I want to sit and listen to what Nick Barrett has to say.”

Neil knew Gus Freeman better than to query his methods. He was riding shotgun on this trip, clearly with nothing else to do but listen. Any questions he might have had in mind would have to wait until Gus gave him the nod.

They walked past the indoor swimming pool, where excited and raucous sounds suggested that dozens of local children were enjoying a morning dip as part of their school holidays.

Two minutes later, they were walking on Head Street and looking for the firm of Barrett, Atkins, and Flook.

“Here we are, guv,” said Neil. “It looks as if it’s been here for a fair few years, doesn’t it?”

“Established in the 1920s according to the brass plaque at the side of the door,” said Gus. “Joseph Barrett would be Nick’s grandfather, I presume. Nicholas followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. I wonder when Atkins and Flook became partners?”

Neil and Gus stepped inside the hallway. Stairs led to the first floor, and