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  Chapter 8

  Henry de Lando opened his bag and took out his stethoscope and blood pressure equipment. He did all of his usual checks on his patient and left a new bottle of tablets. “That’s the new supply of tablets, Julian. They seem to be doing you good. I’ll give you one injection to help them along.”

  “Can we leave that today, Henry?” Julian asked. “I’m feeling a bit of a pin cushion.” Henry put the syringe down. “You’re the boss Julian. Tomorrow will do just as well but take the tablets.”

  “You are good to me Henry.” Julian said, “Don’t know what I’d have done without you all these years. Stay and have a bite of lunch.” The doctor packed his bag away and said he had another patient to see, so he would take a rain check on the lunch. He patted his old friend on the shoulder and picked up the bag.

  “See you tomorrow.”

  Mrs. Cooper brought some lunch on a tray for her employer and the two chatted about local news and general matters. He asked her to sit and have a drink with him for company and the woman took a cup of tea.

  “I have another man coming to see me this afternoon.” He told her. “I would appreciate it if you keep it to yourself. Nothing serious- just something I am sorting out.”

  Mrs. Cooper was discretion itself anyway and she agreed that it would be a totally private meeting.

  She took the tray away and when the doorbell rang she showed the gentleman into the living room and withdrew to the kitchen. Julian stood up and shook hands with the visitor. He explained what it was he wanted and the man took the envelope offered and drove away.

  Julian settled down to watch a little afternoon television happy that he had set the wheels in motion for his peace of mind.

  Julian and Brandy arrived late in the afternoon with papers, photographs, and plans. They had taken pictures of the garage and showed him what was there. Jasper told him that he had leased the place for a year and paid one month’s rent in advance, so that they could make a start.

  Brandy said she would start to clean the little office and buy the computer and software needed. She had already asked for a phone line and had the number to hand. Julian poured over all of the details and declared himself happy with the progress. “So when do you collect the cars?”

  “Tomorrow.” Jasper said. “I’ll come and pick you up at eleven.”

  Brandy asked if she got to drive the limo, but Jasper said she could take the Bentley and his uncle. He would try out the limo.

  “They are a bit harder to gauge than a normal car. You can try it out at some stage though, in case you ever have to take it out.”

  “But not me. You awful cousin that you are.” Annabel said coming in unexpectedly.

  Brandy rushed over to hug her friend. “Oh I am glad to see you back. Is everything sorted at work?”

  Annabel nodded. “Yes. A pain but it’s done. I’ve got a couple of days off.”

  “How are your cleaning skills, Coz?” Jasper asked.

  “Obviously better than my driving skills. I won’t forget that you prefer Brandy over me as a spare driver.” He passed her the photos of the garage. “You have missed a lot of things happening.”

  “You mean apart from my favourite uncle shooting an intruder.” She sat down. “Are you okay, Uncle Jules?”

  “I certainly am, Anna. Jasper’s garage plans have given me new lease of life.”

  In the event it was useful to have Annabel back, because they could go to collect cars in her vehicle and she would be able to drive that one back whilst Brandy and Jasper drove the two new ones. The four of them were quite excited. They left Uncle Julian in peace and set off back to Jasper’s apartment.

  Annabel wanted to know every detail of the new venture. Brandy and Jazz filled her in happily and Brandy said she was to be the secretary whilst Uncle Julian was a sleeping partner.

  “It really is happening. I am so pleased for you, Jazz.” Annabel told her cousin. “Have you got anything to eat? I am starving.”

  “Can make you a sandwich.” Jasper offered and she nodded.

  “That would be great, thanks.” When Jasper went to the kitchen to do as he said, Annabel clutched her friend’s arm. “Tell me.” She hissed.

  “What?” Brandy asked, but Annabel gave her friend a shake of the arm.

  “Don’t put me off.” She hissed quietly. “You slept with him. I can tell. I know you both better than you know yourselves.”

  Brandy let a smile steal onto her face and agreed that Annabel was right. “About time.” Annabel went on in the same stage whisper. “Anybody with half a brain has known for years you two should get together.” Brandy was amazed.

  “Really?” She asked and Annabel nodded with a huge grin.

  “Yes. You idiot. On a scale one to ten?” She finished.

  “Twenty.” Brandy answered and Jasper came back in with the plate of sandwiches.

  “Oh no.” He said, “I know that guilty look. You two were talking about me.” He looked at Brandy.

  “She guessed.” The girl said, and threw up in hands in the gesture of ‘what could I do?’ He offered the sandwiches and Annabel devoured them.

  The three of them spread all of the papers and photos out on the table and Jasper made notes of things he had to do. He said he would take Brandy, after they collected the cars, to buy a computer and the other things they needed, and then they could think about starting to advertise.

  “It is so exciting.” Annabel aid “And it’s not even my business.” They talked about flyers and business cards and the talk came back round to the break in.

  Jasper said he was going to move back into ‘Carte Blanche’ for a while. “I’ll just feel better if I can keep an eye on things and it seems to be helping him to plan the new business.”

  “Do you really think it was a burglary gone wrong?” Annabel asked.

  “What makes you say that?” Brandy asked.

  Annabel said she felt it was a bit strange as nothing like that had ever happened before. Brandy looked at Jasper and then told Annabel about the coincidence of Melissa saying she knew someone who killed people and then the break in. Annabel stared at them.

  “You mean--- you mean.”

  Brandy nodded and repeated her thoughts that maybe Melissa was prepared to have Uncle Julian murdered to get her hands on the money by marrying Jasper.

  Jasper nodded and went on.” When uncle had the burglary, I told Brandy about it and we were not sure what to do.”

  “I had decided to finish the affair and told her the next morning it was over. She was furious. I should have done it weeks ago, but the girl is quite frightening in mid rage.”

  “You clot.” Annabel said to her cousin. “We would have done it for you- no problem.”

  Brandy continued, “I suggested a detective to see if there was a connection between Melissa and the man that Uncle Julian shot, but we decided not to do anything and leave things alone. We never did hire a detective.”

  “It seems so far-fetched.” Jasper said.” A burglary is much more likely.”

  “I know this seems like the movies, but could we trick her into making a mistake?” Brandy asked and the other two looked to see what she meant.

  “You really do think there is a connection, don’t you?” Jazz queried. She said she was sure that the police said there was no such thing as a coincidence.

  “How to trick her?” Annabel asked.

  Brandy looked thoughtful. “Jazz is going to stay there anyway. What if he pretended to make up with her- said he missed her- blah blah blah.” She paused and let slip that the money to start the business was going to be in the house for a couple of days.”

  Jasper thought that maybe his acting might not be up to it.

  “Well you’ve been putting up with the tart for some time now. Offer to buy her some shoes or a Marc Jacob handbag or something.” Brandy told him. Annabel agreed.

  “It might work. You’ll be at Uncle’s anyway an
d we could hire a couple of security people in case it got rough.”

  “You two are really up for this. What if I make a mess of it?” Jasper asked and let himself be talked into the plot. They discussed what he would say and where he would plan to meet.

  “Right.” Brandy said decisively. “Let’s do it. At least we’d get the little tart for robbery if not anything else.

  “We are tied up with the cars in the morning, but you could meet her in the afternoon.” Annabel said.

  Jasper sighed and agreed.

  .

  Chapter 9

  Jasper held his mobile in his hand. “Go on.” Annabel said. He flicked to Melissa’s number and pressed for a call. He could hear it ringing and there was a huge part of him that did not want her to answer, but on the fourth ring, she did.

  “Jasper.” She said with a sting in her voice. “What on earth could you possibly be ringing for?”

  “Hi Missy.” Jasper answered. “Don’t hang up on me. I can’t help being a fool. I miss you so much.”

  “Ha.” She said “Well that is entirely your own fault. You are a fool.”

  Jasper put on a cheer you up tone. “Look Missy, why don’t we meet somewhere, have a bite to eat, and I’ll make it up to you?”

  “How can you make up for breaking my heart?” Melissa asked, but the thought that there might be something in it for her crept into the tone.

  “Babe say where you would like to meet sometime tomorrow. Let’s have a late lunch somewhere, and I’ll buy you stuff.”

  “Stuff?” What sort of stuff?”

  “Come on Missy. I know what you like- designer handbags, killer heel shoes, a sweet bracelet from that jewellers you love so much. I really am sorry. It was a stupid thing to do.”

  “Well I suppose to meet up would be alright. I’m not saying everything’s back to what it was though.”

  “Where would you like to eat? The little Italian place?”

  “Oh alright.” Melissa gave in and he suggested one thirty.

  “Thanks, Missy. See you there.”

  “Byeeee.” She said in her silly soppy, little girl tone and rang off. Jasper gave out one long sigh and sank onto the sofa.

  “Oh My Lord that was hard.” He said, but the girls assured him he had done well.

  “Now over lunch you can pretend to confide in her- she’ll be bored with talk of the cars, but you can start there and then say Uncle Julian has all the cash ready in the house to start up the business. Then you can be all excited about him paying out two hundred thousand for the cars and the garage.” Annabel directed.

  Brandy finished. “You can take her shopping, but it stops there.”

  Jasper kissed the top of her head.

  “It will take me all my time to be civil to her, believe me.”

  Annabel said, “Ring Uncle and if he is still not gone to bed say we will all come over.”

  “And stay.” Jasper added. “Better safe than sorry.”

  The three of them went in convoy to ‘Carte Blanche’. Julian was surprised, but pleased to see them. Annabel said they would all stay if he didn’t mind.

  “We can go to pick up the cars in the morning and get this business on the road.” She finished and went bouncing off up the stairs to check on bedrooms.

  In truth, she had stayed so often at the house that it always seemed like home. She and Jasper had been more like brother and sister growing up and Brandy had often been included as well.

  Julian Conroy was well used to the three of them around the place, but he admitted to himself that it felt safer with other people around. He told Jasper that the broken window had been mended. They all had a nightcap and retired to bed.

  Things were set in motion on lots of fronts. As for tomorrow, Jasper was looking forward happily, because of collecting the cars, but dreading that he had the meeting with Melissa. He tossed and turned for some time. The bedroom door slid open and a little whisper said ‘shh’.

  Brandy slipped into the sheets beside him and moved herself into the curve of his body. Suddenly everything seemed to fall into place again, and he realised with a little jerk of the heart that maybe Brandy had always made everything right. He had never noticed all these years. She slid her hand down his torso and all thoughts of any sort left his head completely.

  He woke to find himself still holding her in the curve of his arm and traced her cheek with a finger. She stirred and smiled a lazy cat got the cream, sort of smile and lifted her face for a kiss.

  “I’d better slip back to my room.” She whispered and climbed out of the bed before he could start a move that would make her want to delay. They were making breakfast in the kitchen when Mrs. Cooper arrived. She had been housekeeper to Julian for a lot of years and they all knew her kitchen rules.

  “We’ve washed up and put everything away, Gina.” Annabel claimed and the woman smiled.

  “You wouldn’t dare not to.” She paused. “I’m glad you’re looking after him. I worry when I leave here at tea time.”

  Jasper said he was going to move back in for the time being.

  She said “For that I will do some syrup pancakes if you would all like them.”

  “Like them. We love them.” Brandy said. They sat around the table as Mrs. Cooper took charge and Uncle Julian appeared.

  “We are having pancakes.” Annabel said.

  “In that case, I’ll join you.” Julian answered.

  “It’s lovely to see the family around the table again.” Mrs. Cooper said as she put hot pancakes in front of everyone.” They tucked in enthusiastically.

  “Glad I’m moving back in Mrs. C.” Jasper said “But it might not be good for my waistline.”

  They ate, chattered, and planned the car hire business. Then when everyone was ready, they left in Annabel’s car for the garage to collect the cars. Julian thought he was probably as excited as Jasper and it was a cheerful outing. Jazz put Melissa to the back of his mind. He loved cars. The limo and the Bentley chased all other thoughts away.

  “Come back to me if you need anything else.” Mr. Berryman said, and waved them off knowing he had completed a good deal. They drove carefully in convoy to the new premises and installed the two luxury vehicles inside.

  The shutters came down for security and the first part was done. Jasper said that if Anna took him back for his own car, he and Brandy could collect the computer. “And then we’ll be ready to go.”

  She knew exactly what was needed and the purchases were easy to make.

  “If you take me back to my car and give me keys to the office, I’ll set this up while you go and see the little tart.” She said and Jasper’s heart sank. She patted his arm. “Don’t worry it will soon be over and you never need see her again.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

  Jasper took his own car and set off for the city. Melissa loved the shopping malls and modern, slick establishments. The super smooth hair stylists with arty men dancing around her, artificial flowers decorating every surface, the pavement tables and chairs for the overpriced, badly made coffee. To be fair, her hair was always immaculate and she wore the fashion very well.

  He saw her walking towards the Italian restaurant and moved to meet her. She was a picture in shades of blue and the smokey eyes made the emerald green of the iris stand out. She wore the shoes with diamante heels and blue, glossy straps to match the outfit and the bag was an enormous one in navy that he recognised as having paid an arm and a leg for.

  “Melissa.” He said and held out both hands. She took them and he kissed both cheeks. “You look stunning.” She flicked the extended hair and showed newly painted nails with tiny diamonds on each one. She took his hand and led him into the restaurant.

  Luigi- if that was his real name- enthused about how she looked and made a great display of finding the right table. “You would like privacy, no?” He asked without waiting for a reply and gave them a table at the rear of the room. Melissa smiled a
t Jasper.

  “So you made a mistake.” She said and he nodded.

  “What a fool I am.” He answered and took her hand. She read the menu and they ordered.

  “Where would you like to go after lunch?” The cunning expression that briefly crossed her face did not escape his notice and he wondered why he had never realised before. She pouted her lips.

  “The jewellers would be nice and maybe some shoes.”

  “And a matching handbag?” Jasper offered and she brightened considerably.

  He said that his uncle had been generous with this new car company and he had collected the first two vehicles. He could see her eyes starting to glaze over and smiled to himself.

  “Truth is, I am worried about getting it sorted soon, because he has all that cash in his study.” He paused “Still it will be done tomorrow and I can relax again.”

  “He must have some sort of safe though.” Melissa said and he shook his head.

  “For two hundred thousand the little safe is not enough. He is not worried about it. Says lightning won’t strike twice in the same place and it’s only for one night.” He ate some pasta and finished by saying “I will be so glad when it’s all settled.”

  They talked about fashion and films. Melissa made a determined effort to guide the conversation away from the money and Jasper could see that. He asked which films she would like to see and if she fancied another holiday and then suggested they visit that jeweller. He paid the bill and let her lead the way to the shops she had in mind and he shelled out with a brave face for a diamond on a chain, two pairs of extortionate shoes, and an expensive bag that he thought was particularly horrible.

  “Thank you, Sweetie.” She said. “But I will have to run.”

  “Shall I ring you tomorrow?” He asked as if to continue the charade and she told him to ring, pecked him on the cheek, and hurried away. He smiled at her retreating figure that was almost running, but not quite. He rang Brandy.