A Servant of the Company (30 page)

‘He’s not there nor is he expected. I think if we were honest, that’s what we all expected isn’t it?’ Diane now considered herself to be part of the group and she didn’t want a ‘bit’ part. ‘Let’s have coffee, then we can have a think about the next move.’

‘Agreed Diane.’ Carol turned to Steve and Anthea, ‘Even at University she always got her priorities right.’ The laughter was a tonic and helped to dispel the doubts which each of them felt.

They continued to speculate but no-one could think of anything positive to do apart from Anthea suggesting she contact Arif again. Following further discussion it was decided that Anthea should ring Arif and try to arrange a meeting.

Remembering her last visit, Anthea felt comfortable about another meeting. She would wait until she spoke to Arif, check his reaction and if it was as she hoped it would be, then she would introduce the others to him. 

‘Would you be available next Saturday Carol, I know the Agency will keep you busy until then?’ A week seemed a long time to wait, she was eager to move on but needed support to back up her approach to Arif. ‘How would you feel if Steve joined me while you covered your office? He could get the train and I could pick him up and after the meeting take him back to the station. You wouldn’t be on your own at night. What do you think?’ There might still be a risk from within the Company but would Carol be prepared to take it?

‘Great idea Anthea. If you let me know the date once you have spoken to Arif I’ll get one of the girls to spend a day in the office with me. If I tell them it’s to get administrative experience there shouldn’t be a problem. Somehow I get the feeling we won’t be hearing from the Company, I can’t say why, just call it women’s intuition.’ A week ago Carol would not have been so keen to agree to the suggestion, but as more clues emerged she was feeling more relaxed. Her major fear was a visit from the Police over the experience at the ‘Poplars’ and the subsequent deaths of two men.

‘Diane, I ‘m sorry we have taken up so much of your free time, your help has been brilliant but I think we should be on our way. I don’t want to have you involved in our sordid little mess and then have you suffer because of it.’ It had taken a lot of thought to approach Diane in the first place. She had willingly become involved but now should be left without problems hanging over her head. Carol wanted the friendship to continue but not at the cost of Diane’s career.

‘Don’t be silly Carol, I’ve done what anyone would do in the circumstances. It hasn’t been much, but like you I’m now beginning to think Simon might have come to a bad end. You are welcome to stay as long as you like, there’s a lot at stake and if I can help at all...’ She didn’t finish the sentence as Steve interrupted.

‘Carol’s right, we can’t thank you enough for what you have done but we must take the responsibility now. She was speaking for all of us, you have a good life and we don’t want to leave any blemishes on it.’ Rising from his chair he picked up his jacket before turning to Anthea and Carol. ‘We should make a move now. Don’t think that we don’t appreciate things Diane. Would you like Carol to keep you in the picture should anything else crop up?’ He had never felt more awkward, they had to go but they mustn’t leave Diane with the impression she was now being rejected.

‘I understand, but yes do please let me know how things are going. If I hear any more about Simon Colbourne, I’ll ring you Carol. And also I’d like to know the result of your meeting with Arif. I’m in this with you and any help no matter how small, believe me it’s given willingly.’

She had never heard anything like the problems surrounding her friend, there was an answer out there somewhere and she would love to find it.

It had been another step forward and now they were facing a brick wall, a wall without graffiti which might point them to their next goal.

‘Would you mind if I took a diversion back to your place Anthea, I really must call in and check out my flat? I’ve been trying to come back each weekend to collect my mail and make sure there are no water leaks or other such disasters? It will add a couple of hours to the time before you get home but I would appreciate it.’ Carol still worried that Hugo might return and in her absence take his spite out on her belongings. Anything she had was the result of her own efforts. Until she met Hugo she had never been in debt and had bought the contents of her flat only when she could afford to pay for them. The fear of him was less than that from the Company, but it still persisted.

‘You’re the boss today Carol, we’ll go along with whatever you say. If there were stars for judgement, you would get five for this morning’s work. Anyway we’d like to see your flat, it might give us some ideas for the future, don’t you think so Anthea.’ It wasn’t a problem, they had so much to thank Carol for.

‘He’s right Carol, to your place and don’t spare the horses. Well, within the speed limit anyway.’

Once again Carol’s estimate was accurate, they arrived back at Anthea’s two hours later than it would have taken by a direct route. Her flat was as she left it two weeks earlier, most of the letters had been for recycling and those that needed action she had put into her handbag. ‘I don’t know about you girls but I feel shattered.’ Steve stretched himself in the armchair, ‘Shall we have a carry out tonight, a quick telephone call and they would have it ready in fifteen minutes.’ Both girls looked tired, it wasn’t just the journey, the psychological pressure was beginning to tell.

There had been agreement on the meal which Steve organised and collected. ‘Now, what about tomorrow? I must telephone my mother, she must think I’ve been sent overseas or something. I keep meaning to ring but other things have taken priority and I know that I shouldn’t have let that happen. I’ll make up for it in the morning. Did you manage to get hold of Sue in Manchester?’ He looked at Anthea, ‘I bet you’re in the same boat.’

‘I don’t know where the time has gone, look at it now, it’s almost Sunday. In the morning I will ring her and also try to get Arif to agree to a meeting next week, the sooner the better.’ Anthea could understand how Steve had neglected speaking to his mother, so much had happened.

‘Would you mind if I leave you two, I’m shattered and need my beauty sleep. Do you mind if I use the bathroom first Anthea?’ It had been a hard day, she would be asleep before Steve and Anthea went to bed. They deserved some privacy for their lovemaking.

They would not embarrass Carol, the night before they had thought things were perfect, tonight would be a repeat.

All three had a peaceful night and were refreshed on Sunday morning. After breakfast they checked the internet to see if there had been any progress on the Manchester explosion and murders, but if any new clues had been found, the Police had not released them to the Press who still considered both killings drug related. In some respects they were right.

By eleven o’clock all the calls had been made. Steve’s mother was pleased to hear from him. He told her about leaving the Army for a management job in Manchester, and said he would tell her all about it when he came home. The mention of a very good salary seemed to put her at ease. She knew he could make something of himself and now was doing just that. Her news pleased him, she had found a new boyfriend who had a small electrical business and was a real gentleman. How she deserved some quality of life. This might be the chance she needed and Steve told her so. She had been pleased at his response, the thought of telling him had been worrying her but now she could relax and start to really enjoy life. Her son was doing well that was all she needed to know.

The telephone in Arif’s flat was answered by Sumi who seemed to be delighted to hear from Anthea and after a chat about the children and Sumi’s art she handed the phone to Arif.

Now was the time, Anthea took a deep breath before she spoke. ‘Arif, we’ve got to meet again. There’s something very strange going on with this Company of ours. Very strange indeed. I’ve found another member of the Company who is equally as worried and as you are the only other person I know, I think we should put our heads together and try to work out what’s going on.’ The suggestion was now with Arif and she hoped he would agree to her suggestion. She was tense and shuffled to get into a more comfortable position.

There was something not quite right about the Company, he now had to admit it not only to himself but to Sumi and he wasn’t sure how she would take it. ‘Do you mind if I talk to Sumi first, I really don’t know what to say?’

‘Please do Arif, she must be told and I know she has sound judgement. Whatever she says, I will accept, but if it’s no, I will be very surprised.’

She was not surprised, Sumi had immediately agreed to the meeting which they would have at one o’clock on Tuesday. Anthea would have preferred Monday but it was Sumi’s day to help out at the summer school attended by their children. Naturally she wanted to be at the meeting so Tuesday was agreed.

The last call had been to Sue. As soon as she had heard Anthea’s voice she smiled. ‘Well hello stranger. How are things going? I’m not being sarcastic, I know the pressure you’re under. We can talk, Greg is on duty today. I haven’t said anything to him and won’t unless you say so. Trust me.’ There was a lot to make up for, she had treated Anthea badly and now it was payback time.

Anthea told her friend all that had happened since their last meeting, hardly pausing for breath. It was all so clear in her mind that nothing was omitted. ‘The only snag is that we have now come to a full stop. We haven’t a clue where to go from here.’ It was good to talk to Sue, she was a good clear thinking sounding board and Anthea knew she was keen to help.

‘As far as I can see there is only one answer, but how you could do it I haven’t the faintest idea. I bet your man has a computer and he’ll have stuff stored on it which would help you. From what I’ve heard so far, this man is a meticulous type, there’s no way he could keep track of everything in his mind. Unless he’s a genius of course. Somehow you’ve got to get into that computer, secrets will be there I’m sure.’ How she wished she could continue with the investigations, but Anthea was right, her relationship with Greg was far too important to risk losing it. ‘Do let me know how things go Anthea. As you will have heard on T.V. there’s no movement on the other business and Greg hasn’t mentioned the case. In gangland killings I think they’re just pleased that there are one or two fewer villains to deal with.’

‘Thanks for your advice Sue, you seem to be able to home in on a problem and immediately see a way out. You don’t know how grateful I am. Now forget about our little problem and concentrate on that man of yours, there are not many like him about these days.’

‘Now who’s giving the sound advice? I’ll make sure he has a pleasant surprise when he comes home. If he’s not too tired that is.’ Sue’s laughter was infectious.

‘Must go now Sue, I’ll speak to you soon. Bye.’ She felt better, Sue had that effect on her with her sound common sense and irrepressible humour.

‘What was that all about, any more laughter and you would have woken the neighbours.’ Steve grinned, he loved hearing her laugh and seeing her smiling face.

Playfully she prodded Steve, ‘That girl should have been a detective. She has made a suggestion which I think is probably right but neither of us know how to achieve it.’ Anthea told them about Sue’s idea and after much discussion they all agreed that a computer database was a strong possibility and it was probably at the Manor House. ‘I don’t think he would have information about his criminal activities on the factory computer, so I think we can count that out.’

‘Yes, it is a strong possibility but how to get into the Manor is the problem. Even if we did get in he’s almost certain to have locked his information away on the computer and we would need his password to get into it. There’s always the chance that he’s not as bright as we think he is, but somehow I doubt it.’ Carol could in her mind see a desk with an innocent looking computer sitting on it. While each of them pressed keys, the only information it would divulge were the words ‘Error. Pleases insert password.’ Quickly dismissing her negative thoughts she returned to her usual positive self. ‘For every problem there’s a solution, we’ll have to keep working on it.’

The discussion was interrupted with the sound of a telephone ringing.

‘That sounds like my mobile, I’ll just go through to the bedroom and check.’ Her bag was open and the sound continued. Taking the phone, she answered the call.

‘Diane, you are up and about early. Thanks for everything you did for us yesterday, you don’t know how much it meant to us.’ With all the early morning activity in the flat she had completely forgotten to ring Diane and thank her. ‘You have beaten me to it, I was about to ring you.’ It was a little white lie, she would suffer from guilt for some time to come.

‘I was worried after you left, and once I got into bed I couldn’t sleep so that’s why I’m ringing. You’re safe and sound that’s all that matters, now I can settle down in peace and read the Sunday papers over breakfast. How are you all today?’

‘All our help is coming from friends. You made a huge contribution yesterday, and Anthea’s friend today suggested that there must be a computer in Simon Colbourne’s Manor House which probably holds all the remaining clues. We think she’s right but can’t come up with a solution to get to them. It’s not an easy one is it?’

Listening to the information, Diane’s brain had been working hard. ‘I may have a solution, but it would take some very good acting to carry it through. We’ll have to meet again as soon as possible. I’m beginning to get quite excited about this little scheme. No-one would get hurt and you might just get the information you want.’ Diane picked up her diary, leafing through the pages she arrived at the following week. I have a meeting in Newcastle on Thursday, I was going to fly up but the weather’s good and a little drive would be good for me. If I drive up on Wednesday afternoon we could get together in the evening. I’ll book in at the Lowry. What do you think?’