Murder on the Ballarat Express 10

...

Blake, Charlie and Lawson found Frank Mersey agitatedly pacing the interview room. When they entered the room, the large, florid man turned and stopped. He looked at them, panic stricken. 'I want to make another statement!' he declared.

...

Second interview; Frank Mersey

No! Of course, I am not calm! How can I be calm? Yes, yes, I'm sitting. See? I'm sitting! No, I don't want a damn cup of tea! This could ruin us. That little show pony Robert Holmes has been dipping into accounts and now he's done a runner leaving me to carry the can! Twenty years I have building this firm up and it could all come tumbling down by one murderous, greedy little maggot! Yes, yes, I know, calm down, I'm calm. I just don't want you coppers to think I had anything to do with whatever shenanigans that bloke has been up to. (breathes deeply) Right. So. Just so you know right off, it was him that broke into the First Aid box on the train. We didn't want to go in the buffet with that dead woman blathering on. But we wanted a drink. Rob said he knew the Conductor kept a bottle. Not sure when Chief, maybe he saw earlier, maybe another time? Doesn't matter, he knew it was there. So, we broke the lock. Wasn't hard, just needed to bend back the prong and it snapped right off. Rob threw the other stuff into the waste bin in the gents. Then we had a decent drink. Had to hide if from that kid, but he scarpered soon enough after Rob gave him a smoke. I had some Minties in my pocket so we ate those to hide the smell, then came back and sat down. You know what happened next.

Anyway, after we spoke to you jacks last night we decided to do a bit of a crawl around the pubs in town. Rob said he wanted to show me that you 'Rats could drink better than the boys from Castle. We hit every pub until closing time, then we went back to my room at the Oaks and finished off the bottle I had in there. Yes, of course we got drunk. He was blotto and I was blind! Maybe half twelve or one or so he left. I hit the sack and slept like a dead man until noon. I wasn't feeling too flash when I woke I tell you! So, I took my time about going in to the office. Got there around two or so. Rob wasn't there so I figured he was feeling a bit under the weather as well. I got the front desk girl Cheryl to ring him but he wasn't answering so I guessed he was on his way in. Thought I would start reviewing files while waiting for him. You know Elizabeth Peterson was one of his clients? What? He told you she wasn't? Well he lied to you about that the scrote. She's been with us as long as we have been in business and has put into her Life fund every week. Like I said, I didn't know her but Cheryl did, you can ask her if you like. Even when she went on the pension she would still come in and put down two or three bobs, apparently. But when I looked in her file there was a letter from her requesting to cash in her policy. She knew to the shilling how much she would receive. When? Oh, it was dated two weeks ago, here, I brought it in for you. (hands over the letter and various accounts books).

So, I looked into her account records with our bank. Here, look, there hasn't been a record of any deposits for nearly two years, it's hundreds of pounds short of what it should be! And I know she was coming in with the cash, Cheryl says Peterson came in like clockwork every week and gave Rob a pound or two. Got a receipt from him and everything. Cheryl saw her put it into her bag. He had a second receipt book in his desk the weaselly little bastard. He was pocketing all the cash from all his pensioner clients! We are going through all his books now but it looks like he has been stealing from at least fifteen different investors. Thousands of pounds! This will ruin me! (puts heads in hands).

What happened next? Then this young copper here arrives (indicates Charlie) and wants to talk with us both. I told him what was going down. Cheryl tried to call Rob again but still no answer so me and this boy in blue here hoof it over to Rob's digs. The landlady said he had packed his bags, paid off his bill and left this morning in the company car! Yes, here's the reggo number.

I heard that Peterson woman had been drugged and murdered. I knew you would want to see me again, but it wasn't me. No, I didn't see him put anything in her drink, I was with him the entire time. I certainly didn't. But who knows? The sort of person who would steal from widows and pensioners? Who knows what that sort of person would do. Bastard.

No, I won't be leaving town anytime soon Chief. It's going to take a few weeks to clear up this mess. But I tell you this for free, you blokes better find him before I do, or you'll have another murder on your hands!

…..

'Well, this is a turn up!' exclaimed Blake after Mersey had left.

Lawson grunted. Then turning to Charlie started giving instructions. 'Circulate Holmes' registration number and description of the car he was driving Australia wide. He'll probably head south to try and lose himself in the City, or leave the country. Get them to check the ports and airports. He's had a good head start but unless he ditches that car he should be easy track down.'

'On it Boss' responded Charlie who set off to do his bidding. He stopped and turned back and asked, 'Do you think Holmes killed Elizabeth?'

Lawson considered. 'Possibly. Wanted to cover up his thefts perhaps? Catch him and bring him in and we can find out for sure.' Charlie lopped back to his desk to start making calls.

'Still,' mused Blake, 'Mersey seemed certain that Holmes didn't put anything in Elizabeth's tea. Why would Mersey cover up for him?' Blake thought then spoke again, 'Also it does seem unlikely that he would voluntarily come in and make a statement that may incriminate himself. No Matthew, I don't think Mersey did it. And based on what he just told us, Holmes didn't either. Holmes may be a thief but not a murderer.'

Lawson got up from his desk and limped over to the chalkboard. He put two large question marks over Mersey and Holmes' names. 'We'll know for sure once we catch Holmes. Metro is not going to be pleased with this turn of events. But until we can locate him I want to talk to Grady and Peterson again. Bill!' he called out.

Bill looked up from his paperwork. 'Yes Boss?'

'Before you go tonight get on the blower and get Grady and Fletcher in here again first thing tomorrow.'

'Righty-oh, I'm on it.'

Lawson looked at Blake and said, 'Go home Lucien. You can't do anything else here. I'll call Metro and brief them on Holmes. Charlie will drive me home later. Tell Jean we'll be an hour or so.'

…

Mealtime was somber at the Blakes' house that evening. Jean had put dinner on hold until Lucien arrived so it was just nicely cooked by the time Matthew and Charlie got in. None of them were keen to talk about the case over dinner, they all just wanted to enjoy Jeans' tasty Irish stew. It was only after the dishes had been cleared away and washed and they were sitting in the lounge room with their after-dinner drinks that the conversation turned to the day's events.

'I think it is astonishing that no one was auditing what Holmes was doing! Are you sure that Mersey character wasn't involved?' asked Jean with a raised eyebrow.

'From what we can tell, all the agents worked fairly independently. Trust was implied in the job. It started as a family business and I guess it never occurred to Mersey that he now had too many employees to just depend on their good sense and morals without checking,' said Charlie. 'Mersey isn't a bad sort of bloke really. He seems honestly upset about the theft. He mentioned more than once how he was going pay back all the money out of his own pocket. He talked about having to sell some property he owns to cover the debts. I think he is genuine.'

'The business will probably foreclose anyway. I cannot see customers continuing to trust it!' Blake said with certainty.

Jean frowned. 'Well it's criminal. It's going to cause huge hardship for people.'

Turning to Lawson, Blake asked him, 'Tomorrow morning, do you want me to come in when you interview Grady and Fletcher?'

'Peter Grady? You still suspect him? Even after what you know about Holmes?' Jean was surprised.

'Just covering all the bases, Jean,' said Lawson. Replying to Blake he continued, 'Grady has asked if we could go out to his place. He has had some early lambs and would prefer not to come into town and back. I said yes, we'd be there before lunch. Thought it might give you and Charlie the chance to look in his medicine cabinet as well, Lucien. First off you both can try and track down Fletcher. He's been out and about and Charlie couldn't reach him by phone. His office says he'll be in the sale yards all morning.'

'First thing then, eh Charlie?' agreed Blake.

Jean sighed. 'I'll cancel your appointment in the morning then. You're lucky it was only Agnes Clasby, at least she is understanding about it.'

'Thank you, Jean,' said Blake with a smile. 'As soon as we sort this all out, things will get back to normal.'

Lawson and Charlie looked at each other and grinned. Jean rolled her eyes at Blake and said, 'Lucien, this IS normal.'

….

Much later Jean lay in bed, as Lucien spooned against her she murmured, 'Lucien…'.

'hmmmm?' mumbled Blake sleepily.

'Don't be too hard on Peter Grady tomorrow.'

'Jeanie love, we have to ask the questions.'

'I know,' sighed Jean, 'but he's had such a tough time. His wife died a terrible death. He had to watch her in pain and suffering for months. It nearly broke him. Just go gently please.'

Blake kissed her tenderly on the neck. 'Alright Jean. Softly, softly, I promise. Now sleep. Just sleep and don't worry.' Jean could feel him dozing off again and heard his gentle snore. She lay there for a while thinking, then drifted off herself nestled in the comfort of Lucien's arms.

…