The dangers of Smoking.
The dangers of smoking are widely known, by smokers and non smokers alike. Detective Sergeant James Hathaway knows them, accepts them and lives with them. Except one. No one thought to warn about that one did they?
Chapter 24
Lewis eyed James as he drove, he was singing. Not his usual annoying humming, but actually singing.
"You're in a good mood" Lewis commented.
"It's a lovely day" James replied.
"It's snowing" Lewis pointed out.
"I like snow" James replied smugly.
"Humph" Lewis replied, but he smiled, maybe a good nights sleep had done the lad good.
"How did you find her then?" James asked "Our brassy blonde?"
"Oh, I'm good with brassy blondes" Lewis replied, deadpan.
James whistled "Wouldn't let Dr Hobson hear you say that"
Lewis laughed, the mood was infectious "I have some contacts, they came up trumps for once"
James nodded, turning into a side street in what was obviously a well to do area.
"High class prostitution obviously pays well" Lewis remarked.
"I'll remember that" James parked the car "If I decide to leave the police again"
"Wouldn't get much for you" Lewis remarked dryly "Getting too old"
"Why thank you Sir" James grinned as he closed the car door.
…...
"Miss Evans?" Lewis asked as the door opened, he caught the look on James' face and shot him a warning look.
"If you're from the council" the woman replied "The dog is gone"
"We're not from the council" James smirked "We're the police"
"You'd better come in then" she sighed "Though you won't find anything"
"And what" Lewis asked "Should we be looking for?"
The woman smiled, blonde was right, but brassy? James thought not. She was wearing jeans and a jumper, no make up, and looked normal, whatever that was.
"My ill gotten gains? Men stashed under the bed?" she offered "Though I must say, they don't usually send plain clothes detectives"
"We're not from vice either" James intoned, despite his preconceived idea about the woman, he quite liked her.
"Car tax?" she laughed, waving them into a seat.
Lewis fought to keep his mouth closed in shock as James laughed "No"
"Miss Evans" Lewis needed to take control of the situation, before it turned into a cosy Sunday chat "We're here because we believe you were the last person to see Phillipe Barrinau alive"
James was irritated at Lewis' direct approach, and his face said so "I'm afraid he was found in a very bad way" he continued before Lewis could "And died shortly after he was taken to hospital, we have identified you as leaving the Royal Oxford hotel with him the night before, what can you tell us about what happened that night?"
"Oh God" she sunk into the nearest chair "He's dead?"
"I'm afraid so" James nodded "Miss Evans, where did you go when you left together that night?"
Lewis sat back and watched, sometimes James had an uncanny way with people, when he wasn't being an awkward sod.
"Kelly" she replied "Call me Kelly, and we went to the Harton Manor Hotel. Rather a grand name for a grotty little hovel"
"That's where Phillipe was found" James told her "When did you leave?"
"We got there about midnight...but Phillipe, he had some 'issues'" she had decided that honesty was the best policy here "I know someone...so I went to get erm, something to help"
"And didn't go back?" James asked.
"What 'issues'?" Lewis snorted.
Kelly turned to Lewis "I'm sure you don't need to be a detective to work that out" she said coldly, and then turned back to James "I went back" her tone lightened "But he didn't answer the door"
"What time was this?" James asked.
"About 1" she replied.
"Were there any noises from inside?" James asked "Could you hear anything?"
"No, nothing" she replied "So I left again"
"And then what did you do?" Lewis asked.
"I took a taxi to town" she said "There was someone else that erm, wanted to see me"
"Can they provide an alibi?" James asked.
"He'd probably provide you with a kidney" she said dryly "If you don't tell his wife"
"We'll need his name" Lewis said as James bit back a laugh.
"Kevin Masterson" she said, with no trace of side or name dropping.
"The Kevin Masterson?" Lewis asked "The MP?"
"Yup" she said "No accounting for taste I know, but I've got to put food on he table"
"Right" Lewis stood "We'll need some elimination prints from you and to confirm your alibi's. I'd like you to accompany us to the station for now until we do that"
"Am I under arrest?" she asked.
"No" Lewis said "And I'd like not to have to..."
The implication was clear.
"Let me get my coat" she sighed, standing.
…...
James dropped Lewis and Kelly off at the station and headed for the Harton Manor hotel. Looking around the grubby office that passed for reception, he thought that it made the homeless shelters he'd visited look plush.
"Can I help?" a man asked from behind the desk.
"I'd like some information" James said, reaching into his pocket for his warrant card.
"Full night £30, Half a day £20, full day £30, by the hour £10 an hour" the man replied "I can provide entertainment, but obviously it's extra"
James held up the warrant card "Pardon?" he said with emphasis.
"I meant" the man said "How can I help you officer?"
James put his card away and withdrew a photo "Do you have CCTV?"
"Are you kidding me?" the man laughed "I can't afford that"
"Then do you recognise any of these people?" he laid the pictures on the desk.
"That's Kelly" he pointed her picture "She was here with that dead bloke on Friday" he looked at the other pictures "Nope, um, maybe him"
He pointed to the picture of the Diplomats bodyguard.
"Can you remember what time Kelly left?"
The man gave a scornful laugh "First time about quarter to one, said she was coming back, she did, but was only up there minutes. Hardly got his money's worth"
"Thank you" James' lip curled "Did anyone else go to that room? That you know? The other man perhaps?"
The man shrugged "Dunno really, I only notice Kelly because I'd quite like to sample the goods, you know what I mean?"
James put the pictures back in his pocket "Unfortunately, I know exactly what you mean"
The man smiled, and then the smile dropped as he saw the look of undisguised disgust on James' face.
Before starting the car he scrolled through the contacts on his mobile, finding and dialling the one he wanted.
"David?" he smiled into the receiver "James Hathaway"
"Good thank you, you?" he listened for a moment "Excellent. Are you still attached to vice...? Great, have a tip off for you..."
…...