Scandal at Six(59)

*



Just before Dot was about to leave for Farnden and the New Brooms meeting, there was a knock at her door. To her surprise, when she opened it, there stood Ted from over the road. “What do you want? I’m going out now.”

“A couple of minutes, Dot,” he said. “I think you’ll be interested.”

She led him into her front room and turned. “I’m not asking you to sit down, because I really have to get going. What is it, anyway?”

“It’s about Pettison, him at the zoo. You know my wife treats him for his rheumatism.”

Dot chuckled. “I’ve never heard it called that,” she said.

“Well, she sees him regularly, and has got to know a lot of what goes on there. I know you’re in touch with some clever chaps who operate, well, you know, sometimes the wrong side of the law.”

Dot said nothing, and he carried on. “The thing is, I need some help. It’s confidential, like, an’ I need it to be kept that way. Do you know of one of your late husband’s colleagues who might be able to help?”

“I can try,” said Dot. “But I’ll need to know a bit more about it, before I can get them interested.”

“Right, well, it’s to do with the zoo and the rare animals he’s got there. And about the accidents there. I keep my ear to the ground, and I intend to make use of what I know.”

“You mean blackmail?” said Dot bluntly. “Don’t even think of it, Ted. And my lot are old friends of Mr Pettison. Now I must fly, else Mrs M will give me the sack!”

He turned and made for the door. “Thanks anyway, Dot,” he said. “If you do decide to help, I’ll see you right by it. Now to go and play dutiful partner to my lovely girl.”



*



Lois was talking to the rest of the team when Dot arrived, and she ushered her into the office.

“Sorry I’m late, Mrs M,” she said. “But I’ve got something to tell you about Ted Brierley. He just came round wanting help.”

The business of the meeting carried on, and Lois sorted out who was going where, who wanted a change of scene, and which, if any, of her clients had complained about a member of the team.

“One funny thing happened this week,” said Hazel, who ran the office in Dot’s street. “You know that Betsy Brierley, her who keeps open house to deserving customers? Well, she came running down the street once or twice during the week like she was being chased by one of them tigers in the zoo. She works for him up there, doesn’t she? Then, the final time, she shot straight into the office and sat down in front of my desk, back to the window.”

“So what did you do?” said Lois.

“Asked her if she wanted help in the house. She laughed in a raucous kind of way, and said no, she already had a man.”

“And?”

“So I said I was busy, and if she didn’t want our help, I’d see her on her way. She looked furtively round at the window, and then got up. ‘Thanks for the shelter,’ she said, and left before I could tell her that it was not, nor had been, raining.”

“Losing her marbles,” said Dot. “Caught something from one of her clients, I reckon. They say it softens the brain.”

Lois did not know what to make of all this, but hoped that Dot’s promised revelation would make all become clear. “Right,” she said. “If there’s no more business to deal with, let’s call Gran in, and have coffee before you go. Thanks, everyone.”

“You don’t think I should worry, then, Mrs M,” said Hazel, not quite satisfied. “They’re a rough lot up that end of the street. I do sometimes feel vulnerable, sitting there.”

“Not so much of the rough lot!” said Dot. “Don’t forget I live up that end. Mind you, come to think of it, there’s one or two would risk their all for a couple of quid. Keep the safe locked, dearie,” she added. “You can always give me a bell if you’re worried, an’ I’ll come down and rescue you.”

“Thanks, Dot,” said Hazel. “I’d do the same for you. But do you have any idea what she might have been doing?”

“I reckon the worm has turned in that house. Old Ted has had enough, according to what he told me. He’s not much of a man, but even he is finally fed up with being made to look such a fool. Did you see him? Or had he gone back home after chasing her with an axe?”

Hazel’s eyes widened. “Do you mean that?” she said.

“No, only joking! But I have seen him push her out and lock the door behind her. Now then, Mrs M, I should be going to Waltonby. Any more instructions?”