Zorilla At Large! Read Free Page B

failed him. Miller sent him an empathetic nod. Brough was less patient.
    â€œWe want any and all CCTV footage from the time Doctor Kabungo checked in. We shall also want to interview all members of staff on duty since that time.”
    â€œAlso the guests,” added Miller.
    â€œI was going to say that; thank you, Miller.”
    â€œThe guests?” Barry Morgan paled. “Are you sure that is absolutely necessary?”
    â€œCrucial,” said Brough. “We’ll set up an incident room - you can perhaps suggest somewhere suitable.”
    â€œUm, well, there’s the banqueting hall. Or the conference suite.”
    â€œWhichever. Come on, Miller. While Mr - ah, Manager checks his staff rotas, let’s make a start on rounding up the residents - is that what you call them, Mr Manager? Residents?”
    â€œIt’s Barry. Barry Morgan.”
    Brough frowned. “Surely you don’t call them that.”
    Miller swatted at him with the back of her hand. She stood. “Thank you for your cooperation, Mr Morgan.” She smiled an apology for her partner’s rudeness.
    Out in the corridor, she upbraided Brough.
    â€œI was not rude!” he gasped, indignantly.
    â€œYou bloody was! ‘Surely you don’t call them that’. You snooty bastard.”
    â€œWas I? Am I? Perhaps it’s jet lag.”
    â€œYou’ve been back for a week.”
    â€œOh. I’m sorry, Miller. It’s just that once you’ve had a taste of... something different - well...”
    â€œUgh! Spare me the blow-by-blow - and I could have phrased that better.”
    â€œI mean a different life. It’s completely different over there. The weather - do you know, rain actually surprises them? And there’s such an optimism; you can see it in their eyes. The sense that anything is possible.”
    â€œBollocks,” said Miller. “You’ve had a bit of a fling with a rich-as-creases film star. You’ve visited a very exclusive bubble and - why are you laughing at me?”
    â€œIt’s ‘Croesus’, Miller. Not ‘creases’!”
    â€œI wasn’t far off. Now, come on.” They had reached the door of the first room. “Let’s see who’s in.”
    She knocked.
    â€œIt’s not a bit of a fling,” Brough was petulant. “He’s asked me.”
    â€œWho’s asked you what?”
    â€œOscar Buzz. He’s asked me to move to Hollywood. For good.”
    Miller kept her eyes on the door. Which was not opening.
    â€œNo joy here,” she muttered. “Let’s move on.”
    ***
    At Dedley Zoo, Jeffrey Newton assured the detectives that his staff were conducting a thorough search of the grounds and had been doing so since the zorilla first got loose.
    â€œHave you tried the lions?” Detective Inspector Stevens interrupted.
    â€œWell-”
    â€œâ€™Cause if it got in with the lions, well, there won’t be nothing left to find.”
    â€œHe - it won’t have got into the lions’ enclosure.”
    â€œAm you sure about that?”
    â€œQuite sure, yes.”
    â€œTigers, then.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t have got into the tigers’ enclosure either. Really, Inspector-”
    â€œWell,” Pattimore interceded. “If you’re satisfied your team have matters under control within the zoo boundaries, we’ll concentrate our efforts elsewhere. We’ll fan out in an increasing radius.”
    â€œâ€˜Fan out’,” Stevens mocked. “You sound like that wanker, D I Brough.”
    Pattimore grimaced. Mere mention of his ex brought instant pangs of guilt. Being compared to him rankled like hell.
    â€œYou’ll need these, gentlemen.” Newton indicated some equipment on a table. There were long poles with what looked like snares on the end, thick gloves, and a carrying case with a cage door. “The zorilla may look cute but it can be vicious when