The Galician Parallax Read Free

embarrassed by a death, especially of those who commit suicide.’
    Stan followed the argument through confirming the details of the investigation until it suddenly dawned on him. ‘I see you’re well versed.’ Sergio explained that he’d read the news in the papers and that his curiosity had taken over. He then asked for the police report.
    ‘Let’s say I have a suspicious mind if other cops react too quickly.’
    Once again, Stan looked puzzled. Sergio clarified that access to confidential information between different sectors of the country’s security agencies was quite common. If a department feels that an incident or event needs further checking just in case it may relate to other criminal investigations, the authorities in question are quite happy to hand over any details of a particular case. ‘No different to your country Sr Consul or between our countries’ police, wouldn’t you say?’
    ‘OK, I give in. What’s it got to do with me, anyway? I’ve carried out all the consular duties; you know that.’
    Sergio hesitated for a moment, looked behind him to make sure they were not within hearing distance of a third party, turned and said, ‘I think that your Brit, Donald Simmons, did not commit suicide.’
    Stan was taken aback. ‘What?’
    ‘Didn’t you notice anything odd with the deceased’s belongings? No, of course not; you’re not a cop.’
    ‘Go on.’
    ‘The report had said that Simmons had hung himself with one of the curtain cords yet there was no knife in the room. The second clue was that he was due to leave the next day, but not back to England. His airline ticket was an open-ended round trip to Santo Domingo.’
    Stan thought for a moment and simply responded, ‘So what, a worldly tour like many others?’
    ‘Could be,’ Sergio smiled. ‘I suppose it does justify an extra-large suitcase. I did some of my own research and checked on any previous visits to Spain by a Mr Donald Simmons. Guess what? He’s been in and out of Galicia several times over the past six months.’
    ‘Sounds like a world traveller; what’s so odd about that?’
    Sergio ignored the remark. ‘There was one other piece of evidence that the police overlooked; a holiday brochure titled
Maiden Voyages
.’
    Stan’s apprehension began to turn.
    ‘I looked it up on the Internet. It’s a round-trip yachting business that includes trips down to Lisbon from Falmouth in the UK. The page lists among others, two large yachts, the
Serene Maiden
and the
Gentle Maiden
. They alternate on the runs. Names of the business directors: Glen Richards, Jerry Fulton, Ron Stanton, Mavis Stanton and… guess what… a Mr Donald Simmons.’
    Both men stared in silence.
    ‘Coming back to this British naval officer you dealt with last year. He disappeared off a yacht and the body appeared much later on the rocks off Corme, right?’
    ‘Yes; go on.’
    ‘It was the name of the yacht that struck a chord…
Serene Maiden
.’
    ‘Could’ve been a coincidence but there’s still another point which is even more puzzling. A few days ago a couple of Algerian criminals were arrested; caught with several packets of cocaine, false documents and a dozen stolen credit cards.’
    ‘I remember the press saying it was just another drug raid; pretty routine around here wouldn’t you say?’
    ‘You may be right.’ Sergio got up and picked up a calendar on Stan’s desk. For a few seconds he browsed through the pages and then put it back. ‘But you see, Sr Consul, amongst all the garbage these guys had on them was a diary with strange jottings and dates…’
    ‘Wait. I’m losing you… all this investigation, what’s it got to do with me?’
    Again Sergio fell silent as if searching for the right words. ‘The suicide case was closed just under a week ago. All info filed. My cop colleagues who caught these goons are up in Orense; another province, another town and another police station.’
    Stan was more confused than ever. Lieutenant