Chapter 16 #2
“It’s only because I won the bet.” Helen grinned. She pecked him on the cheek. “I’m looking forward to another wager. Or favor.”
Oliver’s smile stretched from ear to ear. If it were possible it would have gone all the way around his head.
The ringing of his phone pulled him back to his living room. He was surprised when he saw that the caller ID on his mobile belonged to Rupert Kirkland. He answered, “DCI Townsend.”
“Good morning, Detective. Rupert Kirkland here.”
“Good morning, Professor. I appreciate you calling on a Sunday.”
“Blair was adamant this was of utmost importance. And given the person involved, it will create madness in the Serious Fraud Office, and the Crown Prosecution Office. It will be a race to see who can get out of the gate ahead. This will be big news. I understand you are closely tied to this case.”
Oliver was feeling a tad intimidated. He had to put on his legal cap and convey the situation in the shortest, most succinct manner. “If you don’t mind, could you give me a minute to fetch my file?”
“Of course.”
In less than a minute, Oliver was sitting at his dining room table, the phone on speaker, and the printed files next to his laptop. He quickly recited the circumstances. “And now we have evidence which could void the arrest warrant.”
“Yes, I see that. It’s very thorough. Do you know the whereabouts of Mr. Evans?”
“Not an exact location; however, he keeps a postal box in Swindon. His wife, the daughters, and another American are in Swindon now, trying to locate him.”
Oliver realized it sounded like an episode of The Marlow Murder Club.
“That’s good. Let’s hope they have success,” the professor said.
“Kathleen is a steely woman. Not in a mean sort of way. Strong would be a better word to describe her. And determined.”
“Splendid,” Kirkland replied. “I see the paperwork has been sorted. Now we need Mr. Evans to appear and we can post a request for a hearing. It will have to be in London.”
“Right. I’ll manage whatever is necessary on my end. Once you can get the discharge, I can turn it in to the superintendent here. Will you need me as a witness?”
“Doubtful. This is rather cut-and-dried. We have a forensic scientist’s statement, the evidence, and fortunately the bounder is already in the nick,” Kirkland said.
“I shall make myself available if need be.”
“Wonderful. Just let me know when you have contacted him and he is available to travel.”
“Roger that.” Oliver inferred that the professor intended to represent Henry, but this was not explicitly stated. “I assume this means you’ll represent Henry?”
Kirkland chuckled. “And you call yourself a detective.”
Oliver had to laugh at himself. “Right.”
Once he disconnected with Kirkland, Oliver phoned Kathleen, but it went to voicemail. He left a brief message letting her know the professor had agreed to represent Henry.
Two hours later the women were stretched out in chaise lounges in a serene room. They were swathed in plush, white terry robes and their heads were wrapped in matching turbans. No one spoke for several minutes. Kathleen was the first to whisper, “I wonder how long we can stay here?”
“I could sleep here.” Ashley yawned.
“Ditto, ditto,” Emily said. “Oh, how about that for nicknames?”
“Two dits?” Ashley snickered.
“Good point,” Emily replied. “What time do you suppose it is?” There wasn’t a clock in sight and they had secured their clothes and valuables in lockers. Each had an adjustable rubber bracelet with a key. Emily sat up. “I’ll go. You guys relax.”
“Okay, love. Grab my phone?”
“They’re not allowed,” Jessica said in a hushed voice.
“Right.” Kathleen got up. “I’ll go. I need to check for messages.” She slowly rose from the comfortable heated lounge and groaned.
Kathleen padded across the dimly lit cave of tranquility and entered the women’s locker room.
She immediately turned on her phone. A message from Oliver was waiting.
She quickly dialed her voicemail and listened to the heartening news.
“Kath, Kirkland will take the case. I didn’t ask how much he was going to charge, but we’ll figure it out.
Go find him,” Oliver said with a lilt in his voice.
Kathleen’s hands were shaking. Were they really getting that close to a resolution?
She prayed harder than ever, then bounced her way back to the other women.
She could barely contain her excitement.
Two other women who weren’t with them gave Kathleen a stink-eyed look, but Kathleen did not give a toss.
She sat at the edge of Emily’s lounge chair.
“Blair is a gem! Kirkland phoned Oliver. He said as soon as we locate yer dad Oliver must ring him and they can set up a meeting. I think it will have to be in London. But whatever.”
Emily got chills. Her chance meeting with a young law student eventually produced her twin sister, and now someone to help bring her father home. Ashley was right. He’s a keeper.
They tried to muffle their hoots of delight but why should they? This was monumental news. She couldn’t care less if the sourpusses across the room got their knickers in a twist.
The four showered the oils off their relaxed bodies, changed into their clothes, paid the bill, and started back to the hotel.
“That was incredible,” Ashley said. “All of it. The spa. The news. Wow.”
“We’ve got our orders. First thing tomorrow it’s the post office.”
“I have an idea,” Ashley said. “Do you have a photo of yourself?” she asked Kathleen.
“Not a physical one, but I have several on my phone.”
“Em, see if there’s a Staples kind of store around here.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“We buy a flash drive. Download a photo and have it printed. Kathleen writes a note and we put the photo and the note in an envelope and leave it with the counter agent.”
“Do you think he’ll accept an unofficial post?” Kathleen asked.
“If you tell him you’re Kenneth’s sister from Manchester and you came here to surprise him. He moved a week ago and you don’t have his new address.”
Emily furrowed her brow. “You do have a criminal mind.” She scrolled through her phone. “There are a few, but all closed today.”
“We’ll do it first thing. I think the hotel might have stationery you can use,” Ashley added.
“Brilliant,” Kathleen said. “And you do have a criminal mind.” She laughed and hugged Ashley. “And I am proud of it.”
When they returned to the hotel they were jabbering about how hungry they were. Ashley looked at Jessica and winced. “Fish and chips?”
Kathleen interrupted. “No, love. Sunday roast.”
“Shall we go straight to the pub?” Jessica asked as they entered the hotel. They were all in agreement.
“Absolutely!”
“Definitely!”
“Utterly and totally!”
A woman wearing a traditional uniform of a white shirt, black trousers, and a red apron greeted them. “Welcome! Are you having dinner?”
“And an alcoholic beverage too.” Jessica hadn’t said much since the spa. There was a lot to absorb. Most of all, she was happy for Ashley. She’d found her birth mother, discovered she had a sister, and now, hopefully, she would meet her birth father. Just a few more steps, then all would be well.
When they were seated and settled in, they ordered their drinks and the Sunday roast. After the meal, Ashley proclaimed, “I think I am going to sleep well tonight.”
Kathleen lifted her pint. “Indeed.”
The women settled the bill and headed upstairs to their rooms.
Jessica and Kathleen went into the room they were sharing and Emily and Ashley entered theirs across the hall. “Goodnight, ladies,” Kathleen said. “See you first thing. Seven sharp in the dining room.”
“But the store doesn’t open until nine. Neither does the post office.”
Kathleen then said, “See you first thing. Eight sharp in the dining room!”
Everyone blew kisses and retreated to a warm room with cozy beds.
“Dang. I was supposed to call my father,” Ashley said. “The time difference is throwing me off. Let’s see, it’s four there now. I’ll give it a shot.”
Todd answered right away. “Hi, honey. I thought you forgot about me with all your traipsing on the other side of the pond.”
“Sorry, Dad. Just lots going on.”
“I am sure. So, tell me what you and your mother have been up to?”
Ashley took a deep breath. “I found Kathleen!” she said with joy.
“That’s fantastic! How on earth did you manage that?”
Ashley glanced at Emily. “This is where it gets very interesting.” She proceeded to tell him how she and her mother were sitting at a café discussing their travel plans when a young man stopped to say hello.
He thought she was someone else. Someone who looked exactly like her.
When he realized he was mistaken they chatted a bit about their trip.
He bid them farewell, and the following day she was stalked by someone who looked exactly like her.
“You’ve lost me, honey,” Todd said with a perplexed tone.
“I have a twin, Pops!”
“You have a what?” He was speechless.
“Yes. The Evanses had twins and gave one up for adoption. My sister’s name is Emily.”
“But how did she find you?”
“Evidently the young man who stopped at the café phoned her and told her he met her doppelg?nger. Emily knew she had a twin but had no idea how to contact her. Emily was convinced I was that twin and took the train to Nottingham, which is where we told the young man we were going next.”
“And Emily took it upon herself to track you down?”
Ashley looked at Emily again. “She sure did.”
“This is an incredible story, Ash. I am dumbfounded.”
“Obviously, Emily knew where Kathleen was, so we went to Birmingham to meet her.”
“So where are you now?” he asked.
Ashley thought it was a bit much to add their quest to find Henry to the conversation. She could bring him up to speed once this odyssey was over. “We’re traveling to Winchester. The four of us.”
“That’s wonderful, honey.” Todd was getting choked up. Everything had come full circle. Or so he thought. Ashley ended the call before he had a chance to ask about her birth father.