Scandal at Six(90)
“There’s mason bees and honeybees and also killer bees,” said Josie, “but I think those ones come from Africa, so it might be them! Anyway, they’re not an endangered species, as far as I know.”
*
In the Brierley house, they had been talking about Pettison. “Poor old sod hasn’t got any relations that I know of,” said Betsy. “I suppose I’d better go over to the hospital and pop in for a few minutes. Last time I went, they said they weren’t sure that he knew a visitor was there. He’s deep in a sort of coma, or trauma, I suppose. He’s good at pretending, mind. Still, I shall have him on my conscience unless I go.”
“Rum sort of conscience you’ve got! Anyway, make sure you don’t get involved. With his future, like,” said Ted. “I don’t want to have to take responsibility for him, no way. And anyway,” he said as an afterthought, “I’ll not be surprised if this silent act isn’t all put on. It’s easy to pretend, and not speak. You can bet he’s busily thinking out some new scam.”
“You’re right, Ted. We have to be careful. It’s quite enough taking over running the zoo for the time being. Though I must say Justin has turned up trumps. It’s given him something serious to do, I reckon. He was a bit of a drifter before. Cagey about his past, although he let slip his dad, who’s just died, wanted him to run the family farm. I really think now, having seen him in action, that he could do it perfectly well. As for the zoo animals, he’s wary, but is learning how to handle them. Farmer’s instinct, I think, more than anything else.”
“Well, you do what you like,” answered Ted. “You always do, anyway. But don’t drag me into it. As far as I’m concerned, I’d be happy to see that place closed down tomorrow, and him with it.”
Betsy did not reply. She was well aware of Ted’s feelings about Pettison. He naturally couldn’t stand the sight of him. But, as she occasionally reminded him, he was happy enough to spend his money. He had asked her pertinent questions about Justin lately. Perhaps he was thinking about setting up a new client for her, now Pettison was out of action. But there was nothing doing there. Not that Justin was gay. She was sure of that. But he was not the sort to take up her offers. Not yet, anyway. She liked working with him at the zoo, and that was that.
“Bye, Ted. Should be back in an hour at the most. And, by the way, Justin phoned to say the latest addition to the zoo is a hive of bees! Arrived today, not exactly by post. He’s keeping them behind the Farnden shop until he knows what to do with them. So, off to Pettison. Shall I give him your love?”
“Buzz off!” said Ted, and she set off, still laughing.
*
Betsy joined the queue of visitors in the waiting room at the hospital, and walked with them through the maze of corridors until she came to the private wing. The receptionist said it was fine to go straight in to Pettison’s room. “Not sure if you’ll get anything out of him,” she said, “but he may know you’re there. Just talk about things he might recognise.”
The room was warm and quiet, and smelt strongly of a pleasant flowery perfume. Was it a spray, or had he had a visitor with an expensive scent? The latter, she decided, and wondered who it could have been?
She leaned over and kissed his forehead, now revealed from the mass of wrappings.
“Hi, Petti,” she whispered. “It’s Betsy come to see you.”
His eyes were closed, and apart from an occasional flicker of one eyelid, there was no visible reaction.
She settled down in a chair, and began to chat about things going on in the zoo, and what she and Justin were doing to keep it up and running. “He’s really helpful, Petti,” she said. “He got stuck into it straightaway, and we’re working well together.”
Still no reaction, though she could have sworn there was a fleeting change of expression. Continuing to chat about nothing very much, she came to the latest consignment of animals. “Or insects, to be truthful. A hive of bees! And Justin’s taken charge of them at his flat. When you feel up to telling us who they’re for, we’ll move them on to the client. I’m not keen on bees, I must say!”
Pettison stirred, moving his legs very slightly, and then appearing to lift one arm. To Betsy’s surprise and horror, he moaned, and then appeared to whisper something. She put her ear to his mouth, and was sure of one word only.
“Killers,” he said, quite clearly.
Fifty-one
“Justin? I’ve got a message, of a sort.” Betsy took a deep breath. “I’ve been over to see Pettison, and he seemed much the same. But then I mentioned the bees, and he kind of moved, and then whispered something. I could only get one word, but he repeated it once, and then relapsed into his usual nothingness. I told the nurse, and she was really excited. Said it was definitely a step forward, and asked if I could visit again tomorrow. I’m home now, and had to ring you. He said ‘killers.’ That’s all.”