The Perfect Crime Read Free Page B

conjugal life, ostensibly maintained the same aims and objectives, but sometimes, he thought, she approached events from a totally different direction. Was it a woman thing, or just Gloria? She was obsessed by TV soaps. Privately, he was of the opinion that she believed the characters were real people, not just professional actors following a script. She also constantly monitored the neighbours activities and their possessions. One of Gloria’s imperatives was always to be one up on the others in her circle. He could go some way to understanding that. Newer car, better dinner parties, a cleaning lady – she would have to have it. Silently – and very covertly – he would sometimes mouth toward her ample backside, ‘ My dad’s bigger than your dad .’
    Gloria continued, “Spoke to her the other day.”
    Silence.
    “She’s got a kid sister.”
    Groat frowned. He could not put a finger on it, but didn’t like the way the conversation was heading. He braced himself.
    “She’s doing a post graduate degree in psychology.”
    He was aware that he would have to say something eventually, but knew that whatever he said would probably be wrong, and in any case have no effect on Gloria’s determination or direction. “Uh-ha.” He ventured, as non-committal as possible.
    “So, she wants to talk to a policeman.”
    “What about?” The frown deepened.
    Experience had taught Groat extreme reluctance to engage with anyone who wanted to talk to a policeman. ‘My brother-in-law’s brother got a ticket last week – whatcha going to do about it?’ It was invariably guaranteed to be on that level. A waste of time and frustrating to all parties involved – especially for him.
    “Tell her to go to her nearest nick – or phone the PRO.”
    “I promised Annette that you would speak to her.”
    “Well, unpromise her, then.”
    “Can’t.”
    This was going badly wrong.
    “What d’you mean, can’t?”
    “She’s coming round tonight.”
    Shit . “Just remembered – got to go out.”
    Groat was out of his armchair, but before he was able to complete his traverse of the lounge, Gloria appeared in the doorway, blocking his exit. In spite of her impressive build, she could still put on a surprising turn of speed when the situation warranted it.
    “Where? Why?”
    “A meeting, er a briefing… got a job on… vice…” He tailed off.
    “Lester Groat…” Her chin jutted and she narrowed her eyes. He backed off, in spite of his six foot three against her mere five foot ten.
    “Gotta go, hun – exigencies of the service and all that.”
    She glanced at her watch, not lowering her guard at all. “Sit. She’ll be here in five minutes. You can go to your meeting afterwards.”
    Her dismissal of his devotion to duty, his rank, position in life and the way she put the word ‘meeting’ in vocal quotation marks, was as deft as it was uncomfortably accurate.
    He sat, closed his eyes and feared for the worst. Post graduate degree in psychology. Jesus . He had no problem with women. His mother was a strong, intelligent woman – nothing compared with Gloria, of course – but a woman to be reckoned with, nonetheless. He could also cope with the terrifyingly intense, promotion-bent dragons at work, but at home, off duty, when he could be watching telly… What had Gloria saddled him with?
    Five minutes later, the doorbell sounded and he heard Gloria welcoming his next half hour of sycophantic boredom into the house. Listened to the voices approaching, trying to picture her. He could barely remember Annette, so what her kid sister would turn out to be like, he could not imagine.
    Whatever half-formed musings he might have entertained, vanished as she was ushered in to the lounge.
    “This is Deirdre. Deirdre, this is Lester.” Gloria cooed – so Dr Jekyll from her Mr Hyde, a mere five minutes previously. “Tea; coffee?” She half-turned to Groat, “Ice-cool lager, dear?”
    Mentally, Groat shook his head to clear his mind,