Chapter 8
After seeing Bobby, Sue and Levi off Myles returned to the living room where he found Olivia sitting bolt upright on the sofa hugging a now sleeping Katia. She looked at Myles and with a defiant shake of her head asked, "So what happens now?"
Myles threw himself onto a chair, "You stay here until this is all sorted out and my baby brother stops causing chaos." He rubbed his face wearily. "I considered taking you to mother's but I believe that joy ought to be given to Richard. Besides you will be safer here." he added, standing quickly and scooting across to the window overlooking the street. Unobtrusively, he peered out and saw nothing. Then he noticed a flash of light from one of the houses opposite.
"It looks like Mrs Wogie has visitors," he commented. "I expect that the esteemed leader of the Neighbourhood Association is more than eager to help the FBI capture the Baguette Bandit and stealer of old ladies coats!" a grin flashed across his lips.
"Excuse me?" said Olivia, puzzled.
"Nothing," replied Myles. "We're, or I should say I am being observed. They must be expecting Richard to come to me for help. As if he would!" he added snidely.
"Why are you like that?"asked Olivia.
"Like what?" replied Myles, puzzled.
"So unkind. He is your brother, you are family," she stopped and blushed, remembering her own family's troubled relationships.
"It's habit, I suppose," mused Myles. "Richard was the golden child, our parent's favourite. We three eldest had to be the best at everything not only at school but against each other. Richard, on the other hand, could do as he pleased. They were happy for him to go skateboarding or to parties instead of doing homework. I don't think that they even raised an eyebrow when he flunked maths. You should have heard the lecture I got when my grades slipped from A+ to A!" Myles could feel the bitterness rise and tried to swallow it down. "Let's just say that it didn't endear him to us. Come on I'll show you to your room and you can get settled. I can offer you a couple of new toothbrushes but clothes might be a little tricky. I'm sure that we can arrange something though."
Myles had just come back downstairs when the doorbell rang. Suppressing a groan at yet another interruption he opened the door to find Dan King on the doorstep. He did not invite him in.
"What can I do for you?" asked Myles with a huge false smile.
"You do know that you can return to work?" said King, sneering. "Anyone would think that you were waiting in for some-one."
"As I'm re-evaluating my employment position I decided to seek peace and quiet with no interruptions whilst I cogitate my predicament," answered Myles, pompously. King looked blankly at him then gave a slight cough. "Oh. OK. Well. OK just a couple of questions, "he stammered. "First, when did you last see your brother Richard Leland?"
"Um, let me see. It must have been Christmas, two years ago. We don't get along as I am sure you are already aware," replied Myles and he started to close the door. King swiftly inserted his foot. "Just a minute!" he cried. "Don't forget that failure to co-operate could lead to you being taken in for questioning."
"And wouldn't you love that," drawled Myles. "I haven't seen Richie for almost two years, I don't expect to see him in the foreseeable future. Any other questions?"
"If you do hear from him you are obliged to let us know. That will be all for the moment. Leland, a word of advice, don't try to play us, it won't do you any good in the long run," King endeavoured to look forceful, but failed.
"Shall I telephone you or just pop over to Mrs Wogie's in the unlikely event that I hear from him?" grinned Myles. King's eyes widened in surprise, how could Myles have spotted the surveillance team already! Myles continued, "Oh and if you get the chance, you should try some of her fruit scones, they are delicious. Well if that is everything, you must excuse me, I have things to do and thoughts to think." King took a step back and Myles swiftly closed the door. He took a deep breath, things were getting far too complicated.
He had barely made it into the kitchen, where he intended clearing away the dirty mugs and plates, when the doorbell rang again. Myles groaned, who was it this time! He trudged back to the front door and opened it. To his surprise, his sister, Anne, was waiting a concerned look on her face.
"Hi Myles sorry to interrupt, I'm sure that you have a lot on your plate at the moment but can I come in?" She said nervously.
"Sure, Come on in. I probably could do with your advice. Though perhaps that might not be a good idea. Who knows?" he stepped aside allowing her room to enter. "Come on through to the kitchen and I'll let you know what has happened since we last spoke."
"That sounds ominous. Is the coffee fresh?" she pointed to the coffee machine. Myles shook his head and reached for the pot. "Don't bother, I'll do it," said Anne grabbing the handle. "You tell me what has happened now." And Myles did.
"So they are upstairs this minute!" exclaimed Anne. "Can I meet them? Or would that be a bad idea?"
"The way things are going at the moment I don't think that it can get any worse," shrugged Myles. "But you could do me a favour. They have no clothes etc perhaps you could bring them some?"
"From where? I can't go rummaging through their drawers!" exclaimed Anne.
"No, I wasn't thinking you can't do that, besides SOG has her place under surveillance, unless Bobby cancelled it before Dan took over. You know, if I had Richard here right now…." he tailed off "Arggh!"
"I'm sorry to interrupt," a quiet voice said. Anne and Myles turned to see Olivia standing there looking lost and vulnerable. "I don't mean to cause trouble, you know." she added. Myles smiled, "I know. Don't worry, I thoroughly blame Richard for all this. Anyway, this is Anne, our sister and your sister-in-law. Anne meet Olivia."
Anne smiled, and linking her arm with Olivia's led her to the sitting room, closing the door firmly in Myles' face, so that they could have a good, woman to woman, uninterrupted natter.