Ugly Duckling (18 page)

'Ian told me you wanted it so I hope it’s the right one'

Ian looked at the CD then John with some confusion 'I told you what J.D?'

'This album for Liz. You told me this morning in the text.'

'I don't think I did J.D. I've never heard of them!'

'You said in the text L.P 2night!' John was quite annoyed at Ian's denial. The rest, including Liz burst out laughing.

'J.D. That's L.P, Laughing Pig. 2nite, tonight.'

John blushed at his own stupidity, 'Come on We'd better get to this club, you've got work to do.'

Ian, still laughing, got up and left with John to go to the Straight Round the Bend Club.

Before the morning briefing John and Ian were comparing notes with some of the others that had visited clubs and pubs the previous night, nobody had come up with anything new and they were all left wondering how Roger Green could remain so anonymous.

'It's as if he doesn't exist' Ian commented 'Nobody recognises him or even knows the name, even the press release turned up nothing.'

'But we know he does exist Ian, DNA doesn't lie. We know he was in America, there was a fire and although he was presumed dead he somehow escaped the fire and arrived back here. Somebody somewhere must know him.'

'Perhaps J.D he was badly disfigured in the fire so now he wears a mask. You know like that bloke out of the phantom of the opera!' Ian looked please with himself for coming up with the theory, John just looked. 'OK perhaps not like him, but maybe he doesn't look like the photo any more'

John considered this statement in his usual way, expressionless with blank eyes. 'It’s a possibility, if he got badly burnt in the fire, would he have been in hospital in the U.S? Maybe had some cosmetic surgery? He didn't seem to like his family, after all he killed his own Dad, so perhaps he saw it as a way to change identity.' thoughtfully he pulled a cigarette from his desk draw and sucked on it, unlit. 'Ask the Americans to check it out, they might not have considered that.' he replaced the cigarette back into the draw, 'you could be on to something. We'd better start this briefing and let the team get on with their work.'

It was a quick briefing just covering old ground. The enthusiasm that had been so obviously present on previous days was beginning to wane, they desperately needed a breakthrough and after the meeting John returned to his office, scanning the files again, looking for anything that might have been missed, just then there was a knock at the door and Greg walked in followed by Ian.

'Hello Guy’s just came to say cheerio before I shoot back up to Glasgow.'

'That was a short visit, how’s it all going up there?' Asked Ian.

'Really well thanks Ian, the works great and the lab has to be one of the most modern I've seen, we've got every piece of equipment you could think of, Its like working on CSI Miami.'

John looked at Greg talking but wasn't really listening to him when suddenly he stood up and shook Greg's hand 'That's fantastic Greg, have a seat. You're a gay boy aren’t you?'

Greg sat and looked at John, he knew he wasn't trying to be offensive it was just his way 'I'm Gay yes' came the reply.

'Did you have a look at the picture of Roger Green' John handed a picture to him 'Can you remember seeing him anywhere?'

Greg studied the picture closely for a few moments then shook his head, 'No Sorry Guys, I don't think I've ever seen him before.'

'Take a closer look, its possible that he was disfigured in some way so he may now have scars on his face, try to imagine what he would look like then.'

Again Greg studied the pictures; he had worked with Liz for a long time and had seen all sorts of burns and disfigurements to people in that time, so picturing scars on someone’s face was easier for him than most other people. After a while he again shook his head, 'there's something about the eyes, they look familiar somehow, but no I've never met him.'

'Greg?' Ian put coffee down for all three of them having been to the machine in the main office. 'Where were the most popular places to hang out, I don't mean the brash commercial Clubs, I'm thinking more of the low key private type places.'

Greg thought for a moment, 'well there was one place, it's known as the Queens Parlour it's just a house really but all of the rooms have been decorated as different styles of Queens Lounge, there's Elizabeth Parlour and Victoria Parlour you get the idea, it was just a place for people to meet and have a quiet drink and chat, no bed's or anything like that just comfy seats and coffee tables, but some of us used to meet there, it was just a bit more discreet than the noisy clubs'

'I've never heard of it' John looked at Ian 'Have you?'

'As I said its very discreet, no signs or anything and no loud music from the outside it looks like a normal house' Greg felt a little uncomfortable giving John and Ian this information, the Queens Parlour had been kept secret for a long time and he didn't want to be responsible for publicising the fact that it existed. 'I'll give you the address, but promise me you won’t go screeching around there with the blues and two's. It’s a very respectable place.'

'Don't worry Greg' Ian said 'All we're interested in is solving these murders. Maybe there's someone there that recognises Roger.'

Greg wrote the address on a piece of paper and handed it to Ian, of the two that sat in front of him he trusted Ian the most, then he said his farewells and left on his way to say goodbye to Liz.

'That could be useful' Ian said studying the address

'Yeh, nice bloke, Greg, Shame he's gone up to Scotland' John actually sounded genuine with his comment which took Ian by surprise.

'You weren't saying that when you thought he was shagging Liz' Ian handed the paper to John.

'Ian don't be stupid. He's gay, I always knew there was nothing between him and Liz' John had a smirk on his face which gave away his deceit. 'This afternoon we'll go up to this Queens Parlour place, perhaps get a nice cup of tea and crumpets, what do you think?'

'I doubt that J.D. I doubt that very much.'

Liz slid the draw shut on another one of her people and switched her CD machine on; “Tonight” by “The Boscombe Downbeats” came on. Amazingly, to Liz, it was really quite good a cross between Frank Sinatra and Queen Liz thought, they were a local band but Liz felt sure they were going to make it. Singing alone to one of the tracks “Body of Joy” she noticed someone standing in the doorway.

'Greg! Come in.'

Greg donned a white lab coat the same as he had done for many years and entered the lab. 'Hi Liz, how's it going.'

'Good thanks, I was so pleased to see you last night, I can’t thank you enough for coming.'

'No problem, Liz. After all you are the only woman apart from my Mum I love.'

'Ahh, thanks Greg, it’s nice to be loved by somebody, even if it’s platonic.'

'Well if I'd have been straight who knows' cheekily Greg patted Liz on the bottom.

'You would have to join the queue.' Liz laughed at the thought of men queuing up for her 'I have to battle my way past possible suitors every night you know!'

'Yes I know, but you're only interested in one.' Greg knew the long saga of Liz's unrequited love. 'I've just been to see him, just to say goodbye.'

'That was nice of you, are you going already?' Liz pointed Greg in the direction of the Kitchen 'Fancy a cup of tea, No biscuits I'm afraid, we never seem to get them now you've left.'

'I'm glad I was useful for something' smiling he flicked the switch down on the kettle and put the tea bags into the cups. 'I'll be leaving tomorrow morning, early, so I thought I'd come round and say all my goodbyes today'

'I wish you could stay longer, I miss our little chats' she finished making the tea and handed a cup to Greg, they went through to Liz's office,

'And I wish you’d come up to Glasgow, we would work as equals and the lab there is ultra modern it's got everything you said you always wanted,'

'Except John.' Liz wanted to go to Glasgow, she wanted to continue working with Greg, they were a great partnership, but she couldn't leave John and she felt she was at last getting closer to him.

'Liz, you can’t run you're whole life around a man you may never get, there's plenty more fish as they say. He seems pretty taken with that other girl at the moment.'

Liz smiled, remembering her conversation the day before with John 'perhaps not as taken as you think, and something tells me he's going to need me quite soon.'

'Well if you ever change your mind just pick up the phone and call me.' Greg finished his tea. Liz's phone rang

'Hello Elizabeth Collingsworth' she answered 'Oh hello how nice of you to call' she paused listening to the caller 'yes that would be lovely, I'll see you later then.' she hung up the phone 'it would seem I'm going for coffee in the other woman's den' Greg looked questionably at Liz ‘That was Jenni, she's invited me over to her place later for coffee. Perhaps she's going to surrender and withdraw her claim on John.'

'Do you really think so?' Greg looked doubtful

'No of course not, its just some game she's playing, probably wants to gloat over the latest sexual position she and John managed to get themselves into, but I'm not one to shy away from a challenge. It should be interesting.'

'And if I know you Liz you'll find some way to turn it to your advantage. But don’t go getting into any fights, I'd hate you to be tearing each others hair out.' Greg Stood 'I'll probably be in the pub tonight for a quick one if you happen to be around.'

Liz's phone sounded again. 'I'll see you there' Liz mouthed as she answered.

'Liz it's John, how are you today? Hung over after last night I expect.' by the time Ian and John returned to Liz's celebratory drink the night before, Liz and the rest were already on the second bottle of champagne courtesy of an unusually generous Phil.

'No I'm fine thanks, believe it or not I didn't drink that much, Phil kept trying to get me to go to his back room, so I thought I'd better keep my wits about me.' She heard John laughing on the other end of the phone 'It's not bloody funny John, that man's a pest sometimes.'

'I know Liz, he just thinks he's irresistible to women, particularly if he plies them with champagne.' John was still laughing 'Perhaps I should give it a go'

'You don't need to and you know it so stop being overly modest. Thanks for the CD by the way, I've been listening to it all morning, it’s pretty good.'

'That's sort of what I was calling you about.' He'd been feeling guilty about his present and wanted to try to put things right. 'I was hoping we could meet for a drink later, if you're up to it, and maybe go for a proper meal out for your birthday treat, all I got you yesterday was fish and chips and a CD  that nobody's heard of.'

Liz was feeling very popular today, three invites in one day 'You don't have too you know, I really loved yesterday afternoon and the CD is fine' she didn't give John the chance to retract his offer 'But as you insist I'll be happy to meet you later, I'm going out for coffee and then Greg said he would be in the Pig later on, so we could meet there, all have a farewell drink with Greg, then you and I can go for a meal. Sounds perfect.'

'Ok Liz that sounds good to me. It’s a date.'

'Yes it is.' replied Liz.

Ian returned from the book store, he'd been to collect a book he had ordered two weeks ago and was now happily grasping it as if his life depended on it, as he entered John’s office he heard

'Ok Liz that sounds good to me. It’s a date.'

'A Date with Liz!' Ian was beaming.

John hung up the phone, 'It’s not that sort of date, just a birthday meal.'

Puzzled, Ian asked 'But didn't you take her for fish and chips yesterday, and invite her on holiday to Corfu.'

'How did you know about that?'

'Liz told me, she said that you told her you wanted us all to go. Quite a good ploy I thought.'

'What are you talking about Ian? I do want us all to go, it'd be like old times.'

'Oh Sorry J.D.' Ian put his book on the desk 'But I told you weeks ago me and Jane are going to Florida, we can’t afford two holidays. I thought you were just telling Liz that to get her to agree.'

'No Ian. I do, er did, want us all to go. Oh well that's put paid to that idea.'

'You could still go, just you and Liz, She'd be up for it, she said as much last night, when she was talking about the lovely afternoon you'd had together, when you should have been here, working.' Ian was grinning

'I was working thank you. Had to go to see Mr Dunn, it was very important.'

'Yes J.D Liz told me, very important. Woof Woof.'

'Alright Ian, that's enough, shut your face. What's that you've got?'

Ian removed the book from its bag and stood proudly holding it in front of him 'It's the Toxicology Handbook J.D, I've been waiting 2 weeks for it to arrive.'

A month ago Jane had discovered, through her genealogy hobby, that Ian was actually distantly related to Dr Crippen the infamous wife killer from the early 20th century, this in turn had spurred Ian to take an interest in Toxicology.

'Don't you think that's taking it a bit far Ian that looks an expensive book?'

'No J.D, it’s not just the Crippen thing although that did spur me on a bit, but it’s really interesting, and it might help in my career, I'm not saying I'll ever be a Toxicologist, but it can’t do any harm to know about these things.'

'As long as you’re not planning to use them the way your ancestor did.'

'No J.D you're safe, but if you ever piss me off again I'd double check the coffee and sandwiches if I were you.' Ian let out a comedy sinister laugh.

John watched emotionless 'Don't give up the day Job Ian. Are you ready to go to the Queens parlour now?

'Lead the way kind sir' came Ian's reply bowing as John passed.

***

Arriving at the address given to them by Greg, they found themselves sat out side a large detached Victorian style house, outwardly there was no indication that it was anything more than a large family home. They approached the front door and rang the bell after a short pause and elderly rotund gentleman opened the door.

'Hello, Can I help you?' he said cheerfully

'Good afternoon Sir, I'm Detective inspector Dickie and this is Detective Sergeant Cripp,' they held up their identity cards 'I wonder if we might have a word.'

'The Police? Oh dear, is something wrong?' he made no sign of opening the door to let them in.

'Well Sir, we were looking for somewhere called the Queens Parlour, we were led to believe that its here, at this address.' John was trying to peer into the house, without success 'Could we come in?'

The jolly expression on the man's face dropped 'Do you have a warrant?'

'No Sir we don't, but we only want to ask some questions that could help us with an ongoing murder enquiry. It’s nothing to do with the activities at this property.'

The man considered Johns words for a moment then opened the door fully his Jolly expression re-instated. 'Then you'd better come in, I'm always happy to help the police if I can.'

John and Ian entered the hall way, on each of the doors to the rooms was a sign naming the rooms, there was the 'Victoria Parlour' 'Elizabeth Parlour' 'Mary's Parlour' and 'The Queens Kitchen' there was a sign at the bottom of the stairs reading 'Upstairs for Anne's Parlour, W.C and office.

'I'm Sorry Gentlemen, My names George, I want to say before we start that there is nothing illegal going on here, it's simply somewhere that like minded people can meet for a chat and a game of chess or something of that nature. This is not a brothel of any kind; you won’t find a bed in any of the rooms. Nor is it a drugs den. We are decent honest people here that just have a different sexual orientation to the majority.'

'George.' John interrupted 'We're really not here to raid the place or inspect your members list, we have a difficult case to solve and believe you may be able to help, that's all.'

George relaxed a little and called for his friend who appeared from the Queens Kitchen, which was a Kitchen.

'Simon would you bring some tea and Join us in the Victoria Parlour, these Gentlemen are police officers and have some questions for us.'

George gestured to John and Ian and led them into the room. It was a very tastefully decorated room, full of antiques from the Victorian era, there were comfy chairs and low tables with newspapers and magazines on them, one wall was completely taken up by a large book case and a chess table stood by the window, George walked to a sofa with a coffee table and two 'club' chairs opposite and sat. John and Ian joined him.

             
'This is very nice' Ian commented.

'What did you expect?' George replied 'Pink Curtains and scatter cushions?'

Ian laughed, slightly uneasily, that had been exactly what he had expected. 'No of course not. But this is like a gentleman’s club.'

'That's how we like to think of it. Ah Simon you've brought the tea, good man.' Simon placed the tea tray on the table and sat next to George, after pouring the tea into Bone china cups and passing then out he handed round a selection of biscuits neatly arranged on a silver platter. ‘So Gentlemen, how can we help?' George asked

'Well George' John placed his cup carefully back onto the table and took out the picture of Roger offering it to George 'We were wondering if you recognised this man? ‘George took the picture and studied it carefully, narrowing his eyes and thinking very carefully, John was ready for the expected 'Never seen him before' but instead George stunned him by saying

'That's young Roger Green' he handed the picture back to John,

'His Father, Jeremy, used to holiday down here, came from London or was it' he paused thinking again 'Luton, yes it was Luton. They came here for holidays two or three times a year, as I remember Jeremy was very anti gay, we used to talk quite often, I ran a little guest house in those days, but he never stood too close to me, seemed afraid I would infect him with homosexuality. His wife was very dowdy, always stayed in the background, can’t actually ever remember hearing her speak and I certainly never knew her name, we just addressed her as Mrs Green. But his son Roger he was a different story, quite a strange lad.' he paused again for a moment 'I don't know if he was just doing it to rebel against his father, but he was so outwardly gay, brash you might say. Used to wear make up and flouncy clothes, but he was a sulky little sod. Once came down to breakfast wearing his mothers dress and shoes, It really embarrassed his father. I believe eventually his father sent him to America. ‘George took another sip of his tea.

'How long is it since you saw them?' John placed the photo back inside his jacket pocket.

'Oh goodness me, its years. Although I did think I saw Jeremy not so long ago, but he vanished into the crowd before I could speak with him.'

'And Roger, have you seen him?'

'Lord no. Doubt I'd even recognise him now, that's quite an old picture you have there, he will have grown up since then.'

John scribbled a few notes and then said 'Thank you George that's very helpful, Can I ask, if Roger makes contact with you would you call me and let me know?' he handed George one of his cards and another to Simon.

'What is it he's supposed to have done?' George answered

'We believe he's involved with the murder of his father and possibly others'

'Really? Well as I said he was a very strange lad at times.' George inspected the card 'Then of course if I hear anything I will contact you Inspector Dickie.' He stood indicating the meeting was over, 'Would you like to take a look around?' he asked politely 'And Inspector Cripp, if you like Simon could bring you a membership application form, I'm sure you’d fit in quite well with some of the other membership.'

'Er. No thank you, I don’t think my wife would approve' Ian made for the door closely followed by John and they left.

John was silent on the way back to the car, but as soon as they were inside burst out laughing. 'What's up Ian? Don't you like chess?'

Ian watched John laughing hysterically 'Shut up and drive.' was all he could think to say.

Arriving back at the station Ian followed John into his office where they both sat and sipped the coffee they had picked up on the way, John looked at the notes he had taken at the Queens Parlour. 'What did you make of George and his friend Ian?'

'They seemed ok, strange how they hadn't seen any of the publicity though.' Ian went over to the white board.

'Some people are just like that Ian, they see it but don't take any notice. It was interesting what he said about Roger and his parents though.'

'How do you mean J.D?'

'Well, the way he said Roger went out of his way to rub his father’s nose into the fact he was gay.'

'Rebellious teenager?'

'Probably. Then his father sent him to America, doesn’t sound like there was much love lost between them. Perhaps that's the motive for killing him.'

Ian was still studying the board 'Seems a bit weak J.D but I suppose with people like him any motive is strong enough. George said a couple of times he thought Roger was strange'

'Well let’s be honest Ian, if a lad comes to breakfast wearing his mothers dress you'd think he was strange.'

Ian turned to look at John an expression of realisation on his face, 'What if he's still wearing his mother’s clothes or at least women's clothes, he could be a transvestite.'