The Inspector Walter Darriteau Murder Mysteries - Books 1-4 by David Carter (microsoft ebook reader TXT) 📗

you could give us a name...’

‘How am I supposed to do that?’ said the girl, sitting back in her chair, folding her arms, disappointed.

‘That’s life,’ said Karen.

‘Can we go now?’ said the mother.

‘Sure,’ said Walter. ‘We’ll be in touch if there’s anything else.’

‘Are you gonna run us home,’ said the girl.

Karen shook her head. ‘Sorry no, we’re too busy; we don’t run a taxi service.’

‘Typical,’ muttered the mother as she ambled out. ‘We try to help and this is all we get.’

‘Bye, Walter,’ grinned the girl, as she followed her mother out.

When they’d gone Karen said, ‘PM’s in on Maggie O’Brien. Carbon monoxide poisoning confirmed cause of death.’

‘Not a surprise.’

‘Are we off then?’

‘Not just yet.’

‘Well, that was a complete waste of time.’

‘You think so?’

‘She was a right little madam. I wouldn’t trust anything she said; and asking for a reward, well...’

‘It wasn’t a complete waste of time. We now know for sure we are looking for a white he-she thing, we also know it was no accident, it was indeed murder, and we know what it was wearing, and best of all, we know it has a nice bum.’ Walter chuckled at his summation.

Karen grinned too and said, ‘And what proportion of the population possess a nice bum?’

‘Not as many as they used to.’

‘Too true.’

‘We have someone else to interview,’ said Walter.

‘We do?’

‘Lee Davies, he should be here in a mo.’

‘When did you fix that up?’

‘Visit to Gents. Just one thing, I might ask you to step outside for a minute.’

There was a short silence as Karen pondered on what Walter had in mind.

‘Don’t do anything rash,’ she said.

‘Me?’ he said, pointing to his chest. ‘As if.’

He went outside and a minute later returned with Lee Davies. Karen gave him the once over. About twenty, wiry build, short mousy hair, blotchy white skin, drawn face, as if he was not unacquainted with illegal substances. He glanced at the girl. Half smiled; she was all right, for a copper.

‘Sit down, Lee,’ said Walter.

The guy sullenly sat and Walter joined Karen opposite.

‘What’s this all about?’ he said.

‘You were in Mostyn at the time of a murder.’

‘Was I?’

‘You were with Chloe Evans.’

‘Was I?’

‘We don’t want to know anything about that,’ said Karen. ‘We are only interested in the murder.’

Lee shifted in his chair, wondered what to say.

The black fella began talking again.

‘Chloe witnessed the murder.’

‘Did she?’

‘Don’t mess with me!’ said Walter. ‘You are in enough trouble as it is!’

‘Didn’t see nottin’.’

‘You saw nothing at all?’ clarified Karen.

‘S’wot I said.’

Karen and Walter glanced at one another. Walter nodded her away, and she stood and left the room.

‘What’s all this caper, then? Fancy your chances, do ya?’ said the lad.

Walter stood up and went round the other side of the desk, bent down and whispered in the guy’s ear.

‘I’ve got something to say to you.’

‘Really?’

‘Don’t you lay your hands on that girl again.’

‘Oh yeah? Fancy her yourself, do ya?’

Walter drew his big hand back and cuffed the guy over the ear. There was an audible slap. Karen heard it sitting outside.

‘Hey! What the hell! You can’t do that to me!’

‘I just did. Just making my point.’

‘She’s my girlfriend.’

‘She’s fourteen.’

‘Have you seen her?’

‘That has nothing to do with it. She’s a child, and it’s what’s in here that counts,’ and he tapped the guy’s head with his middle finger.

‘And if I don’t?’

‘I will make it my business to put you away for five years, and the place you will go offers special treatment for people like you. When you come out your bum hole will feel like it has had a red-hot poker permanently rammed up it! Understand me?’

Lee shrugged, never said a word.

‘Understand?’

Lee nodded.

‘I’ll be watching you, Lee Davies. Now get out of here before I change my mind.’

Karen watched the door burst open and Lee galloped out.

‘He’s mad, your friggin’ boss!’ he shouted, and he hurried away through the doors.

Walter came out, rubbing his hands together.

‘What was that all about?’

‘I was just giving him a little parental advice.’

Karen cocked her head and peered over her non-existent spectacles.

‘Now then,’ he said, grabbing his raincoat, ‘time to head home, I wonder if Jock’s place will still be open.’

‘God, I hope not.’

Chapter Fifteen

In the morning Walter was again late in the office. By the time he ambled in, it was obvious the refresh meeting was about to start. Mrs West peered at him and said, ‘Been sleeping slow again?’

‘Sorry I’m late, ma’am, I’ve been to a funeral.’

‘Sorry to hear that. No one close, I hope?’

‘Colin Rivers’ funeral.’

‘You thought the murderer might have attended?’ said Karen.

‘It’s possible, it’s not unknown.’

‘Were there many there?’ asked Mrs West.

‘About a hundred.’

‘Did you know anyone?’ asked Karen.

‘Only Marian, and the daughters. They were in bits.’

‘Anyone suspicious?’ asked Mrs West.

‘The murderer wasn’t there.’

‘How do you know?’

‘There were no pert bums on display, outside of the Rivers’ family.’

Karen grinned.

Cresta said, ‘Is this a private joke or can anyone join in?’

‘It will become clear when Karen gives her update.’

Everyone turned to Karen.

‘Away you go, K,’ said Walter.

Karen glanced at her notes and began.

‘We have a description of the railway killer. Height between five foot four and five foot seven, short for a man, tallish for a woman, slight build, pert bum,’ and she grinned, as one of the young guys shouted, ‘Wha-hey!’

‘Shut up,’ scowled Walter.

‘Rules you out, Thompson,’ another of the young blokes whispered to Jenny who turned and pulled a face.

Karen continued, ‘The killer is white and was wearing tight designer blue jeans, grey sweatshirt, overlarge baseball cap, and new blue and white Adidas trainers. I need to stress that our eye witness could not confirm whether the suspect was male or female.’

Cresta couldn’t wait to jump in, blurted, ‘I am becoming more convinced it’s female!’

‘There’s your pert bum,’ said the same guy from earlier.

Walter shot him a look and mouthed, ‘Sorry, Guv.’

‘A smart new black or dark hatchback was seen driving away.’

Walter added, ‘It may well have blackened windows, hence the witness could not ID the driver.’

Karen nodded and said, ‘It’s