The Lottery Ticket (14 page)

Roger was beginning to get impatient as the band played on and on dance after dance. He wanted the party to end now so that he and Elizabeth could celebrate this surprise together.

The time was coming up to midnight and as the dancing began to slow down Elizabeth took Roger’s hand and led him to the front of the band and took the microphone off the stand.

Elizabeth announced. “This has been a night to remember I’m sure you will all agree. I just have one more surprise to bestow on Roger before the night is complete. Before I announce the surprise I would like you all to form a circle which Roger and I will stand in”, Elizabeth announced.

As the guests shuffled into a large circle Roger wondered what this surprise could possibly be. The guests were equally puzzled at what the surprise might be. As they all stood in utter silence a member from the back of the band stood up and made his way to the microphone that Elizabeth had replaced on its stand.

Roger turned to see the man make his way to the front of the band and take a hold of the microphone. Roger immediately recognised the face and looked at Elizabeth as if his whole world had fallen apart.

The instruction from the microphone was aimed at the circle. Please join hands and secure the two people in the centre so they cannot be freed the man instructed. Convinced they were joining in some sort of party game they all joined hands and stood firm.

“I want you all to witness the arrest of Mr Roger White for the crime of breaking and entering the property of the 32 Sissons Road, Pederston and stealing items and the winning lottery ticket that has financed this lavish party and enabled Mr White to buy this property”, came the voice of Detective Sergeant Davis.

This was not the only surprise that spoilt White’s evening and it too was about to change his life forever.

“Read him his rights Detective Constable Jenkins”, Davis instructed Elizabeth. She had been on his case from the presentation and had been working under cover for Sergeant Davis all along. She it was who walked into the Indian restaurant with Davis all those months before. Because it was dark he did not recognise her and only saw D. S. Davis.

Out in the drive Roger felt betrayed by Elizabeth and felt sure that even after what had just happened in the house she still had feelings for him. This thought was soon shattered when Elizabeth told him what she really thought of him and how loathed she was that he could put his family through the embarrassment and degradation they had suffered and walk away from them and also to put the Campbell family through all the hurt they must have gone through was.

She went on to explain that all the time she was with him she could not even bare him to touch her. Her thoughts were only of the part she must play in putting him behind bars.

Roger still couldn’t get his head around what had just happened to him. He felt sure he had covered his tracks.  Then it dawned on him that he had confided in Elizabeth and that she must have relayed all that information to Sergeant Davis.

Before being placed in the back of the waiting police car he had to suffer the indignity of being told by Davis that he always got his man and that he would never be a true lottery winner.

The house was sold and all the contents and the proceeds were given to the Campbell family as their rightful lottery win. They decided that although they could not replace the sentimental items that were stolen they could go on holiday again and this time they decided to take Julie and her family with them. The difference this time would be the alarm system that David had installed.

Sergeant Davis decided that the cut back in the force was the ideal time to hang up his cuffs and enjoy his retirement. Would he ever give up being a fence? We will never know will we.

The End