Chapter 6

When Josh left the house in the car to get the bits and pieces one officer followed the other stayed put finding an in conspicuous place to sit and watch. As he was in casual clothes and had an empty bottle beside him anyone passing thought he was a drunk resting quietly and let him be.

On Josh's return the officers met back in the car comparing notes over the burgers and chips the officer bought back with him, between mouthfuls his partner added "At least you had a good trip these are okay any longer and my butt would ..."

They jumped at the knock on the side window then relaxed realising it was the officer from the other watch and unlocked the rear door. He slid onto the back seat asking "Anything happening?"

The officer who had driven the car replied "No visitors but I followed Josh round to the shops, he bought plates, cups and glasses for three people then four bottles of beer and a couple of videos …. You know men's stuff. He got three take-a-ways of burgers, fries and a large tea. But no one's been in to visit them so I guess they must be extra hungry and sharing the food between them." Then added with a tease knowing the officer should be off duty. "Can't get enough of us then?"

The officer smiled accepting the edge knowing it was his report that made them sit here for the duration and said. "Yes, too much actually." Then admitted his feelings knowing as old partners it would not go any further. "It's this house that's strange as well as the guys. You say new plates and stuff guess the old stuff would have been in the kitchen. … Well when we visited the place last night a bottle of juice broke in the kitchen. Right mess it made too, for a fraction of a second Josh seemed surprised it could happen then blamed the cat. At the hospital they were a right pair of clams got nothing out of them, not even a description of the cat that caused the broken arm and mess and we didn't see it either nor was there a cat flap.

They said they are the only ones staying there; now you say food for three... Perhaps the owner is coming back now before the food gets cold. We reckon one sided fight rather than fall down stairs though the other man didn't seem hurt, now they need new plates …. ... Doesn't make sense ... Okay, keep your eyes open for strange happenings and people... Don't be afraid to call. I'll be back later when I've rechecked the names of the tenants.

Oh yes! Be careful we know Jake was accused of robbery with violence but the charges were dropped when the witness refused to pick him out of a line up. His brother is thought to have helped in delivering things to a 'fence' but nothing was proven, lack of co-operation." His radio buzzed - he was wanted back at the station so he left them to it.

oxoxo

Ricardo walked through one doorway into the Shock Wave just as Benjy ran in through the other one and over to Joan who was at the counter and gasped out his order. A short moment later Maria and Carmen came in and waited behind him. At the other end of the café Ricardo gave a sigh, which Sara caught and commented on, he replied knowing Carmen could not hear them. "She's been making trouble between Gabi and myself and I really don't need this just now."

Sara smiled and said quietly "Pretend she's not there."

Ricardo laughed and shook his head, muttering "Fat chance of that!" and walked over to Hank and said quietly. "I've got a preliminary report about Tim's murder if you like I can discuss it at the station."

Not fancying the idea of telling everyone later Hank looking round noted it was mainly family and Maria with Carmen and replied. "No I prefer to stay have everyone around, but I don't think Benjy should be here while you tell us though."

"Perhaps one of your waitresses could look after him outside and I'll make the short version." Ricardo saw Maria get agitated as she was talking to Carmen and added. "I think Maria's in trouble if I can deal with that first?"

Hank nodded and got a waitresses' attention and asked her to look after Benjy which she did.

Tess and Tim were sitting on the table in the corner hardly able to contain their hope as they watched Maria and Carmen breaking off their heated words as Ricardo joined them with a quiet "What's wrong?"

Maria's first words sent ripples of excitement through the ghosts as they listened. "I'm getting flashes about Benjy playing in the garden at Franklin Street in Seattle. In some he's crawling towards me... then trying to walk..." She stopped for a moment then grabbed hold of Ricardo and gasped out shocked, "I'm not his mother... It's Tess! I remember her breast-feeding him!"

Everyone stopped talking and turned to her as she continued. "He's Derek's not Ben's! … But he has Ben's DNA! … Ricardo what does it mean? … Why would Tess want to leave her son with me and with Ben's name!"

In the silence no one heard Tim clap his hands with delight and saying loudly "Come on think about it!"

Or Tess saying quietly trying to calm him down still a little worried about this new ghost thing and emotions. "Tim it's a big jump to the exclamation - Oh look its Derek at the Deep and Ben is in Seattle Ricardo!"

Almost as though he was answering her call Ricardo broke the silence caused by everyone trying to think through the implications and voiced his thoughts. "Identical twins, therefore same DNA. Sometimes it comes out slightly different, I wonder what she would have done then." He shook away that thought and carried on gently knowing his sister still didn't remember everything. "So you're saying that Tess and Derek somehow rescued you from the storm that night and kept you in Seattle for years till your accident. … Perhaps you were trying to return,… that's not important at the moment. You think Tess on her own after Derek's death has been trying to get her son in to your care. Why? Because she wanted a better life for Benjy after Derek's death, Derek didn't get any money and he had been labelled a murderer after the deaths on the island. No doubt she believed Ben would have turned them away." He added quietly "But doing it this way she would lose control of her son; no mother would want that. So perhaps she wanted shot of Benjy needed a clean sheet and this was the only way, she knows you will love him."

While listening Meg ran her fingers through her long dark hair Agitated that Ben wasn't here to speak up for himself and cut in sharply saying. "No, if Tess went to Ben and explained he would have given her an allowance, got to know them both. You saw how he's taken to the boy, that was one of the reasons we had our difficulties, Benjy wouldn't take to me." Then she remembered her first meeting with Ben on his return from Seattle and said. "Hang on when Ben came back from Seattle he said everything was all right about Tess that means she's hidden the truth there as well... Perhaps we should go and see Ben and tell him about Maria memory flashes."

Hank looked across at Joan, who could tell from his expression that he did not want Meg anywhere near Ben. She mouthed the words 'leave it!' to him and knew he understood when he said. "Ricardo, tell us what you found out about Tim's murder. That will give Maria time to settle down and perhaps remember some more. After all we know Ben is at The Deep getting things ready for tonight then you can go and see him about it later."

Maria nodded her acceptance and Ricardo said "Right. Tim was strangled after a pretty tough fight by the looks of the bruises on his body. There was some dirt under his fingernails, we are analysing it hopefully it will take us back to the start. Possibly a couple of fingerprints on Spencer's uniform. Some extra fibres from a different rug or blanket were found on the rug wrapping Tim's body … it's a long shot but if we do come across anything, we can match them. They will do tests to get the proper time of death but at the moment we believe he died about two days ago; the concrete around the body does not help matters. We are working on the theory that it was after Spencer was knocked out and his uniform taken. So we are looking into any other crimes that night in case Tim stumbled on something and had to be kept quiet. We will be questioning everyone who was known to be out and about that evening."

Looking at Maria and Meg he took a deep breath wondering where he could duck too as he continued. "That will include Ben. Before you both jump down my throat. Spencer remembered he spoke to Ben near the public gardens that night and Ben had hurt his head, nothing much I know so might not mean anything. But because Tim's assailant would have been hurt as well we have to check it out. We all know Tim and Ben did not get on and it will stop any accusations before they start. We will be questioning the workmen at the site once we've located the firms."

Maria said hesitantly into the silence remembering a bit more. "Derek intended to take Ben's place and live with Tess and Benjy here! ... Ben was not too happy about Tess before Seattle but he seemed easier afterwards... A few days ago I found them with a bottle of wine and some glasses they passed it off as something to do with her and Tim. ... But I had the feeling I walked into something different. … I could be jumping to wrong conclusions. … Meg keeps saying he's different... and he says she's after him. I don't understand it anymore."

Ricardo seeing her confusion and knowing Derek was dead and no threat to anyone said gently "I can't honestly see Ben having anything to do with Tess that's just your mind jumping at anything at the moment. Tim's murder, yes if that had happened months ago not now they seemed to leave each other alone now he's been going out with Tess. But I think we should go and see Ben. All of us then he need only explain it the once. … But he might not be able to explain everything to you, Maria, because of your memory loss. Perhaps he consulted Dr Estrada and she told him to hold back for a while. In that case he can tell me and Hank, remember you are still unstable because of the gap … and now with these memory flashes I think we will have to see Dr Estrada anyway get you checked out."

Sara and Casey talked quietly together then Sara said to Maria "Casey and I will look after Benjy for you at Surf Central. He'll not understand what's going on and start to get restless. You might need Carmen and Meg may need Mum and Dad if there is something Ben has to explain." With a quick glance to include her sister added. "Promise me you will tell us what happens."

Maria was surprised by the offer knowing how bad her relationship with Sara was, but knew the idea was a good one. "Thank you and we will tell you how things go." Meg had stayed silent but nodded yes to her sister knowing she'd have to anyway.

As they watched everyone start to get ready to leave the ghost's roles were reversed Tim was trying to calm Tess down as she carried on about the leap everyone had to make about Derek being Ben before they got to the Deep.

Hank was checking with the other staff that they could cover his and Joan's absence when Ricardo came over and asked to use the phone rather than his cell phone; he nodded agreement and was surprised when Ricardo asked him to join him.

As he picked up and dialled he explained. "A friend in Seattle police... .. .. .. Roger Clifton please ... Hi it's Ricardo Torres... Fine thanks can you check the birth certificate for a baby boy called Benjamin Evans about four years old. … … Parents name Tess Marin and Derek Evans under either name. …. …. … … The address is Franklin Street not sure of the number and any other records you have of tenants there... … … ... No I think the house has been re-let or sold... Thanks you can get me on..." and gave his cell number.

He turned to Hank and explained "We checked the information Tess gave us and everything came up correct, with this we can break it down and prove it was a cover story. Ben must think everything is okay I can't see him going along with a lie regarding Benjy think of the fall out when everything had to come out. The Deep will be quiet just the staff there so we can easily clear them out while we discuss it."

Ricardo thought for a moment then dialled another number when answered said "I need you to start looking for Tess Marin her description is in the Ben Evans File on the computer along with car reg. she is wanted for deception regarding Benjy Evans's birth. ... ... Yes check the airport as well. Put any calls through to my cell phone and have Spencer meet us at The Deep .. .. ... No outside will do thank you."

oxoxo

In Seattle Roger disconnected Ricardo's call then rang records office passing on the information Ricardo had given him asking them to call back as soon as possible. He then turned to the computer and put in Evans and the address Franklin Street, an icon flashed up indicating an officer had asked for details on the address earlier. Roger thoughtfully put a call through to the officer when he answered said "You've requested information on Franklin Street I've got a similar request from an officer from Sunset Beach let's compare notes."