Chapter 16 John and James
Jenny and Eric had two boys. John first, who turned out to be academic, excelling in most subjects and James who came a year later. He was as different to John as chalk and cheese. When growing up they played together all the time and acted as brothers should. However, when the age of schooling came, John somehow at that early age hurled himself into a learning mode that would have been daunting to an adult. James who followed a year later probably resented the fact that he had lost a mate and for a year had to amuse himself to the best of his ability. He had lots of toys to compensate for his temporary loss of a human of his own ilk. James’ enthusiasm for schooling was not as good as it should have been, he seemed to want to play more than learn. In fact he resented growing up and wanted always to be a little boy with lots of toys around him. Then one day James changed dramatically. His toys turned to electronic games, a computer turned into his teacher and he learned more from that than he had at school. He didn’t have the academic achievements or certificates to prove what he had gained, but nevertheless less he was on the same standing as John as both were unable to find employment. John’s certificates were on subjects that employers had not even heard of and James’ knowledge on computers was not unheard of in this competitive world, but still no-one wanted to employ them, excuses for John, that he was over qualified and James because he had no certificates to back up his knowledge. So going on the dole was the next best thing. Let the state pay for their short sightedness in not giving them the opportunity to earn their own living.
Eric and Jenny decided to sell and move nearer to his work place and they pooled their money and purchased a detached house in the next village. The house had just been built with many other houses that turned out to be in a secluded cul-de-sac and the quirkiness of the room layouts, especially the lounge had inspired them to purchase it. At the same time Eric stepped in by purchasing a self contained flat for the boys from the residue of the sale of Jenny’s property. He felt if the boys were going to have a chance in life, they needed their own space. Although Jenny’s flat was quite spacious but having lost the study to become another nursery while the boys were growing up had curtailed Eric’s room for his management business studies which he had to try and do wherever he could in the flat. He succeeded in passing his exams, but it wasn’t easy at the time. John and James settled into their new flat with ease, feeling the freedom of being told not to do this or that. They could please themselves and do whatever they wanted to do and as it turned out, nothing seemed to be the by-word for both of them. Eighteen years later Jenny was expecting again, which surprised both Jenny and Eric who had not planned to have any more children and it was the second time when Jenny was on her way to the clinic for a scan, just to make sure that everything was going to plan when she was run down by an unknown hit and run fiend.
Eric was distraught and cried for many days and nights that followed the death of his beloved Jenny and the unborn daughter they would have both had. Eric was alone in the house like a pea rattling around a saucepan.
Three years later Eric married Barbara whose father owned the firm he worked for. The boys gained a Grandad, Barbara gained two boys which she took an instant liking to and she was often the boy’s defence when things between them and Eric became over-heated, usually over something quite trivial as far as the boys were concerned. Despite all of this Eric loved his sons and felt that during this current time their lives could be in danger and suggested they go and live with Grandad where he could keep a watchful eye over them. Obviously they refused at first until Eric was charged with the murder of Jenny and then accused of causing Barbara’s accident. They knew their dad and could give excellent character witness to his honesty and integrity which ultimately would put them in the firing line and Eric didn’t want that to happen to the rest of his family. This pest meant business and would stop at nothing to cause Eric more grief.
Chapter 17 Friends
Inspector Rothchild and Sergeant Cole called round to ask a few more questions regarding the death of Eric’s first wife, Jenny. They were sitting round the kitchen table discussing this when the
door bell rang out its shrill note and Eric muttered that he must do something with that bell as he sauntered to the front door. It was Bill and Winona and Peter and Pat.
Eric said ’Hello! Why are you here?’
Bill said ’We’ve come to see if you were alright!
They were huddled together like a posse.
Eric said, ‘You better come in. The police are here, in the kitchen. I won’t be a moment, I am just tidying up a few problems that have recently cropped up.’
His friends sat down and started to discuss what they had read in the newspaper.
Peter said ‘Do you think he did it, I mean run over Barbara!’
Bill said ’I don’t know!’
Pat said ‘We have already proved he didn’t murder Jenny and we have proved that he couldn’t be in two places at once – if you remember he was at work that Saturday tidying up the office in preparation for taking Barbara away on holiday and Barbara was doing some last minute shopping!’
Bill said ‘Winona! What do you think!’
‘I’m not really sure! Of course I’m sure, I don’t think he did, in fact I know he didn’t and so do you, Bill!’
‘I suppose so!’
Pat said, ‘Of course he didn’t, remember how broken up he was when I asked him to prove that he had nothing to do with Jenny’s death – you can’t tell me that he was acting a part, especially that soul-less look!’
Peter said, ‘How can you tell he was not acting!’
Pat said ‘As Winona has said. You get a certain feeling about people!’
Peter said, ‘Tommy rot! What about that picture we saw in the newspaper the other day, that bloke we saw looked a right villain!’
‘Yes! Said Pat ‘and he turned out to be the Police Commissioner!’
‘That’s what I mean!’ said Peter ‘You can never go by looks!’
Pat said ‘Well I know all that! He couldn’t help looking the way he did, he was probably born like it! You know some babies can look downright ugly when they are born, it’s unfortunate he has kept his original looks!’
Pat got up and moved towards the collection of books on a single shelf, sifted through them and chose one. She walked back to her seat sat down and started to read.
Bill said ‘We are not getting anywhere with this conversation and I want to know why Winona is so sure he’s innocent where Barbara is concerned!’
Winona said, ‘I just know it! Call it a woman’s intuition! Just leave it alone. Bill! Shh!’
Eric walked into the lounge and paused briefly. He was followed by the policemen who nodded to the other guests as they walked through to the front door. There were a few more words said before they said goodbye.
Eric said ‘I’m sorry I was so long, they had to ask me a few more questions before leaving!’
Eric walked to the drinks cabinet ’Anybody care for a drink?’
Winona said, ‘It’s a bit early for that – perhaps a nice cup of tea.’
’I suppose you’re right.’ and closed the doors to the cabinet.
Bill said ‘I wouldn’t mind something a bit stronger!’
‘Yes! Okay! Help yourself!’
Bill got up and moved to the drinks cabinet and proceeded to make himself a drink.
Bill said ’Anybody else?’
He held the bottle out to the others who all looked tempted, but catching Winona’s eye, they all promptly refused.
Bill said ‘No offers! Right!
Winona said, ‘Bill! Don’t you think it’s in bad taste after what has happened to Barbara and Eric. They can’t be having much fun out of all this!’
Bill took a sip of his drink ’Eric offered!’
Winona said, ‘I know – but still…….!’
Eric laid a hand on Winona’s arm and said ‘It doesn’t matter!’
Winona said, ‘Everybody else for tea!’
It was more of a command, than just asking. Everybody just nodded
Bill walked back to the sofa and sat down rather heavily making sure he didn’t spill any of his precious liquid and took another sip.
Winona went back to the kitchen area.
Bill said ’Good stuff!’
There followed an eerie silence as each person decided to stare into space rather than look at Eric. Pat was still reading the book from Eric’s library. The lay-out of the room was unusual which encompassed a lounge and dining room. The kitchen area was divided by a moth eaten straw covered screen from the rest of the floor space.
Bill was enjoying his whisky and the clatter of crockery being moved about. Winona took the milk from the fridge and poured some in each cup and replaced the milk bottle back in the fridge and watched the kettle.
Bill walked into the kitchen area and said, ’How do you know where everything is!’
Winona glared at Bill and said, ‘Funnily enough most kitchens are the same the world over dear Bill and it is just a matter of elimination that some of them will be holding what you require! And of course the milk is always kept in the fridge!’
Bill gave a wry smile and took another sip and began to feel warm all over. He went back to the lounge and relaxed even more by spreading out his legs taking up more room than he needed.
Peter said ’Surely, the police don’t really suspect you!’
Pat put the book down. ‘Yes! What evidence have they got!’
Without waiting for an answer. She picked the book up and resumed reading.
Eric said, ’None!’
Peter said ’That’s the problem with today’s ideals, it looks as though you have to prove your innocence before you go to trial!
Bill said ’You’re a Politician, why can’t you and your mates change the law?’
Peter said ’If it was that simple, we would! It’s what the existing Government have to do! Don’t forget I’m in the opposing team! It’s all down to a new legislation being introduced!’
Bill said, ’More like red tape!’
Winona said, ’Tea is ready everyone, come and help yourselves!’
Eric said, ’Anybody like a biscuit with their tea?’
Bill said, ’I wouldn’t mind!’
Winona said, ‘You’re not getting one, you’ve got whisky and soda!’
Bill fell silent and sipped some more of his drink.
Eric said, ’So! You all think I ran Barbara over!’
Peter said, ‘Oh God! You didn’t hear us discussing it…….I suppose you
must have!’
Pat looked up from her book ‘You must admit everything seems to be pointing your way!’
Eric said ’You’re quite right, of course, everything does seem to be pointing my way!’
Winona said, ‘I’m the only one who thinks you’re innocent!’
Pat said, ‘Me too! Although your choice of books you have on your shelf might give other people ideas!’
Eric said, ’I have nothing on that shelf that is incriminating, just history books!’
Pat said, ‘Well! The one I’m reading is titled “How to Commit the Perfect Murder!” There are two others just like this one.’
Eric said, ’Let me see.’
Eric took the book from her and stared as if mesmerized. He walked to the bookshelf and ran his hand across the spines of each book until he reached the offending books. He took them off the shelf and opened each one. The books turned out to be dummies, the first twenty pages being normal and the remainder blank pages. He showed Pat the contents.
Pat said ‘Oh!’
Pat flicked through her pages and sure enough page twenty was the last page and the rest blank
Pat said ’Oh dear! It was getting so interesting!’
Eric gathered the books together and dumped them all in a square metal bin. He returned to his seat and was silent for a few moments.
He said ’I think someone out there is trying to frame me for murder and those books seem to have been planted. Obviously they wouldn’t have been too incriminating, but enough I think to start searching the whole house for other clues left by a person who may have planted something more sinister!’ As he finished his sentence he looked across at Bill.
’Going back to Winona and Pat’s remarks, I thank you both for your confidence and I think I’ll be able to convince you all that I had nothing to do with Barbara’s accident as I have the original newspaper cuttings here in the bureau and if you care to read them, you will see that I had an unshakeable alibi and the police had to let me go!’
He went to the Bureau, took a key from his jacket pocket and unlocked the bureau.
’I have a secret drawer!’
There was a slight click and the drawer opened and he retrieved his precious documents and spread them out on the dining table for all to read.
Bill said, ‘Gosh! Good for you!’
‘As you can see by these newspaper cuttings and the photograph of me with a policeman helping this old lady who had been knocked down by a car that drove off without stopping, I had to stop and wait for the ambulance to arrive and while I was there someone stole my bike and I had to walk the rest of the way! I certainly wouldn’t have had time walk to the garage, pick up my car and drive it to town, run over Barbara, take it back to the garage and then walk back home. Besides old Mr. Jackson seemed to be missing and his garage securely locked up.’