Chapter Twenty Two
T illy was in such a good mood that even Ag banging out a rousing rendition of her concert piece at six thirty in the morning didn’t bother her in the slightest. “Nice job, Ag,” she called through to the living room as she went into the kitchen.
“It’s the zillionth time I’ve heard it,” Dash was moaning as she went in.
“Your sister has to practice,” said Mila.
“Why? We don’t have room for a stupid grand piano,” said Dash. “And she’s not a plant, she can’t grow in a conservatory.”
“Eat your cereal,” said Mila, rolling her eyes at Tilly. “Can I get you something?”
“I’ll just grab some cereal, if that’s okay,” said Tilly. She tilted her head to better take in Mila, who was looking very tired. “But if you want to sit down, I can get us both something? Make some coffee maybe?”
Mila laughed. “No time for breakfast. I’ve got to get these monsters off to school. And you don’t have time to take care of me. Max has left already.”
“This early?”
“He’s catching up on paperwork,” said Mila. “Or hoping for a promotion.”
Tilly smiled and poured herself some cereal. She didn’t know what Max’s chances of a promotion were, but they couldn’t be high. Not if he wanted to stay working in Whitebridge. It was only when she was halfway through her cereal that she remembered that she had a big day coming up.
Her first informant. She wondered who it could be and what they could want to tell her. She was determined not to get her hopes up. Unlike her hopes with Sophie. They were very firmly up. Which reminded her.
“Mila, I was wondering if I could ask you something?”
“Anything,” Mila said, wiping up the mess that Dash had made.
“Absolutely feel free to say no, but I was wondering if it was alright to invite Sophie over tomorrow when I’m babysitting? After the kids are already asleep, obviously.”
Mila snorted a laugh. “Of course, it’s fine,” she said. “And don’t worry about the kids being asleep. They both know Soph. Although if you’re still wanting to keep things quiet, you’d do better waiting until they’re out for the count. Ag never stops talking and Dash doesn’t see the point of secrets.”
“What’s a secret?” Dash asked, looking up.
“None of your business,” said Mila. “Now go and find your coat, please.” He hopped off his chair and disappeared. Mila turned back to Tilly. “I know that the accommodation situation isn’t ideal,” she said. “But you should feel free to bring friends home. Even, um, special friends. You’ve got your own entrance, your own little flat up there. Who you invite is your own business.”
“Thanks,” Tilly said, feeling herself blush slightly.
“Max even did some soundproofing, so feel free to get loud,” Mila said with a naughty wink.
Tilly blushed even further, bolted the rest of her cereal, and decided to beat a rapid retreat. She had the feeling that Ag and Dash’s lack of filter was probably hereditary.
IT WAS HALF past ten when a man walked into the station. Tilly was sitting behind the desk getting some paperwork done. Writing parking tickets was all very well, but there was always so much follow up to do after. She looked up and smiled before she recognized the man as old Mrs. Dodds’ son.
“Oh dear,” she said. “Is it your mum? Is she alright?”
“Great,” he said. “Those new locks have really set her mind at rest. She’s a lot better now. Thanks for coming over.”
“Not a problem,” Tilly said, getting up and coming to the counter. “So, what can I help you with today, then?”
He reached up and scratched his nose. “Well, it’s more a case of what I might be able to help you with,” he said. “Max said you were working on this car theft thing?”
“Oh,” Tilly said, surprised. “Oh, right, yes. You’d better come through. Let’s go into one of the interview rooms so we’ll have some privacy. Coffee? Tea?”
“A cuppa would be lovely,” he said. “I’m Len, by the way. Len Dodds.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Len. I’ll be right with you.”
She hurried to make the tea, wondering just what she’d expected. Probably someone shadier, someone more… criminal looking, to be honest. Definitely not someone clean-cut and respectable, like Len Dodds. She sighed to herself. She really needed to stop judging people like that.
It was a lesson to be learned, she told herself, as she carried the cups into the little interview room.
“Right then,” she said, once they were settled. “Why don’t you just tell me what you know in your own words?”
“Okay,” he said, picking up his cup. “The thing is, mum doesn’t sleep so well anymore. She’s up and down all the time and rarely sleeps past about four.” He paused and looked at Tilly. “I look after her, see? I moved in after she had her first stroke.”
“Right,” Tilly said, pen paused over her notebook.
“I’m telling you that so you know why I might be up at odd hours is all,” he went on. “And the other thing you should know is that my mate Dougie is one of the ones that had his car stolen, so I know that there’s been a problem.”
McKeefe again, Tilly thought. His name was coming up a lot. “Okay.”
“Anyway, I don’t know if it’s anything, but it’s happened a few times now and that’s got me thinking that it might be something.”
“What’s happened exactly?” Tilly asked, starting to get impatient.
“Cars driving down past the back window at odd times of night. The house doesn’t back onto a main road or anything. It’s Moore Street if you want to check. There’s usually not much traffic there at all. But for the last few weeks, I’ve been seeing and hearing cars down there. Usually late, around one or two.”
Tilly nodded. “Alright, okay, that’s… helpful information. Thank you.” Her mind was already buzzing. There might be cameras down there, she might be able to see the registration plates of cars. On the other hand, it could be nothing. Maybe there were roadworks somewhere and people were avoiding them, for example.
“Just wanted to say,” Len said. “Cracking tea, thanks.”
“You’re very welcome,” Tilly said, but she was already getting up. “I’m going to have to get that information checked out. Feel free to stay until you’ve finished your tea.” And then she was gone.
Five minutes later, she knew that there were no cameras around Moore Street. But she also knew something else. Moore Street ran parallel to the main street through town. Which meant it ran right along the back side of the Farmer’s garage.
IT WASN’T THAT she didn’t consider Sophie. It was that this was her job, and they had an agreement and Tilly had honestly thought that they could both handle it.
But when she and Max walked through the door of the garage, the smell of oil and petrol hitting her nose, she could see by the look on Sophie’s face that this wasn’t going to be as simple as all that.
“Paul,” Max said with a nod.
“What do you want?” Paul Farmer said. His son, Gio, was standing right behind him, a large wrench in his hand.
Max sighed. “Don’t make this difficult,” he said. “We’ve had some information about cars being spotted around these parts.”
“It’s a garage. What do you expect?” Paul sneered.
“Late at night, when there shouldn’t be cars,” Max went on calmly. “Now, it’s only a bit of information. I could apply for a warrant. But I thought you might let me have a little look around, keep things quiet and off the record for now.”
Gio stepped forward. “So you can plant something?”
“He wouldn’t do that,” said Tilly.
Max waved a hand at her to quieten her. “You’re welcome to be with me every step of the way,” he said. “I just want to have a look at what’s out in the open. Just make sure everything’s alright.” He paused. “Or I could get that warrant.”
Paul Farmer shook his head at his son. “Let him look,” he said. “We’ve got nothing to hide.”
Sophie stepped out from behind her desk. Tilly’s heart skipped a beat, and it was all she could do not to smile at her.
“They’ve done nothing,” said Sophie, determinedly looking at Max and not at Tilly.
Tilly took a breath. Maybe she shouldn’t have come, but this was her case.
“I hear you,” Max said. “But I’d like a look around, anyway.”
“I live with them both,” said Sophie. “I’d know if they were out at night chopping up cars, and they’re not. You’ve got my word. They’re not doing anything.”
“Stay out of it,” Paul said to Sophie. “Let the bastards have a look around.” He nodded to Gio. “You go with them, make sure they don’t leave anything behind.”
Max and Tilly began looking around the garage, followed closely by Gio. Max had already told her the rules here. They weren’t to touch anything, they could only look at what was in plain sight, so no opening any drawers or cupboards. As they wandered around the place, looking for any signs that any of the stolen cars might have been here, Tilly could feel Sophie’s eyes on her.
It felt like a long time, but it was only around ten minutes or so, before Max stopped, turned back to Paul Farmer, and thanked him.
“Told you you’d find nothing,” Paul said. “Go on then, get out of here. And next time, bring a bloody warrant.”
“Hopefully, that won’t be necessary,” Max said, leading Tilly out of the garage and back to the street.
Tilly looked back over her shoulder, desperate for one last glimpse of Sophie, but Sophie was hidden behind her computer.
“Not a sausage,” Max sniffed when they got back out onto the street. “Which only means that they’re clever enough not to leave anything in plain sight.” He sighed. “I don’t think we’ve got enough for a warrant, though, not without more than Len Dodds seeing the odd car at night.”
“Agreed,” Tilly said. “It was only a thought.”
“Not a bad one,” Max said. “But let’s keep our options open, shall we? And you did the right thing. We had to have a look.”
But Tilly wasn’t so sure. Not now that she’d seen Sophie’s face. She had an uncomfortable feeling that she and Sophie were about to have an unpleasant discussion.