Garth has turned his hand to all sorts of things in his life. Went to art college, once stole a herd of bison, played a little bass guitar. He also committed Canada’s largest ever bank robbery. Though not by himself – his cousin Paul helped. And his grandmother laundered a lot of the money.
Garth had worked in corporate espionage for a while too, and had broken into all sorts of places without anyone knowing. Because he was so big, he had grown up careful. He’s big as a bear but quiet as a mouse. If Garth disturbs something, then Garth puts it back.
What is he looking for in Joyce’s flat? No idea. What would he have asked Joyce about if she’d been here? No idea either. But if anything has kept Garth alive over the years, it’s caution, and he has to make sure that Joyce isn’t trying to do a number on them. No one ever died from doing too much research.
He’d been to take a look at Elizabeth’s flat, but she had a hairdresser there, and she also had an alarm system he’s never seen outside of a maximum-security prison.
There’s nothing here, Garth is sure of it. He is about to leave when he hears Joyce’s friend Ibrahim knock on the door, and then start a conversation with Alan through the letter-box. Garth quietly makes himself a cup of tea while he waits for the conversation to finish. It takes quite some time.
Once Ibrahim has gone, Garth will wash and dry up, and then have a little wander around Coopers Chase. See what he can see.
There is opportunity in this place, Garth can smell it. There are secrets here too, but what?
And he needs to think about Connie Johnson.
Down the stairs and out into the yard of the business park, Joyce and Patrice rejoin Chris and Ron. Chris looks nervous, but there’s no need: it’s all under control.
Ron, Joyce is delighted to see, looks like a terrified, defenceless old man. Joyce realizes that they sometimes take Ron for granted. All the things this man has achieved in his life. He likes to play the fool, but he’s far from it.
The first squad car screeches through the gates. Quite why the need for screeching, Joyce doesn’t know. It’s a corpse.
Two plain-clothed officers run from the car. Again, why the running?
Chris takes one of them by the arm. ‘In here, I’ll show you.’
The other officer stays with Ron, Joyce and Patrice. He has questions.
‘OK, ladies, sir, I need you to stay calm for me. Can you do that?’
Ron bursts into tears, and Joyce goes to comfort him, as the young officer looks embarrassed.
‘Just take your time, and let me know what happened.’
‘We were, my friend and I – this is Ron, and I’m Joyce. We were going to a tour at the Bramber Sparkling Wine Company, it’s just over there.’
‘It was a present from my son,’ cries Ron. ‘A voucher.’
All right, Ron, don’t build your part. Then Joyce realizes that, as she has become Elizabeth, Ron is having to become her. She would definitely have said something about vouchers. Everybody is stepping up today – carry on, Ron.
‘We were so looking forward to it,’ says Joyce. ‘But we arrived late – we got lost.’
Another squad car has pulled up, and the officer waves the new officers into the hangar.
‘We’d just got out of the car, literally seconds it must have been,’ says Joyce, ‘when we heard a gunshot.’
‘You’re certain it was a gunshot?’ asks the officer.
‘Yes,’ says Joyce.
‘It’s just,’ says the officer, ‘lots of things can sound like gunshots, if you don’t have much experience with them.’
‘I have some,’ says Joyce. ‘It seemed to come from the building off to our left, and that was this building, Sussex Logistics.’
‘I see,’ says the officer. ‘And so you –’
‘Well, Ron had the number of a police officer we’d dealt with before.’
‘DCI Hudson?’
‘Good lad,’ says Ron, regaining his composure. He is loving this.
‘Also very handsome,’ says Joyce.
‘So I ring Chris,’ says Ron.
‘DCI Hudson,’ says Joyce.
‘And I’m all, “There’s been a gunshot, mate.” He’s all, “Are you sure?” and I’m all, “I’m sure, I’m sure, get your skates on, could be a madman on the loose,” whatever, and he’s a brave lad and he rushes over, eager to keep us safe. They’re not all bad, are they, coppers?’
The officer now addresses Patrice. ‘And you, madam?’
‘I’m Chris’s partner,’ says Patrice. ‘We were on our way to the garden centre when they called.’
‘OK,’ says the officer. ‘The SIO will have more questions for you later.’
On cue, SIO Jill Regan arrives in a big Lexus with a discreet blue light.
‘Nice motor,’ says Ron to Joyce.
‘You’re doing ever so well, Ron,’ says Joyce, and they squeeze each other’s hand.
‘The body’s in the hangar, ma’am,’ says the young officer. ‘These two heard the gunshot and called DCI Hudson.’
Jill studies Joyce and Ron in turn. ‘And how did you happen to have DCI Hudson’s personal number?’
As Joyce searches for a good answer, Ron bursts into tears again, and buries his head on Joyce’s shoulder. Joyce mouths, ‘Sorry,’ to Jill, who shakes her head, and walks into the building without another word.
‘Do you think we’ll be here much longer?’ Joyce asks the officer.
