A Surprise for Neptune King, page 7
“So was Vessa. I told her about your change of plans.”
“Goodo, thanks for that. So, get the new office yet?”
Rachel smiled. “Yes, in fact I have to go pick up the contracts today. Neptune, why don’t you take Shark to Baker Street.”
Neptune grinned. “Capital idea. You feel up to a short trip, Shark?”
“If you like.” Shark was curious about the building.
They locked up the office. Rachel caught a cab to the lawyer’s office while Neptune first drove to Mitchinson’s office, collected the keys and then drove to number two hundred and ninety-three Baker Street. He was in luck; there was a car park right in front. He jumped out of the car.
Shark followed looking at the decrepit building curiously.
“Welcome to our new office, Shark,” said Neptune, unable to keep the pride from his voice. “Of course it’s not number two twenty-one, but it’s close enough.” He hurried over to the door and unlocked it. “Let me show you around. It’s going to be perfect for our needs. Just be careful of that hole in the floor.”
Shark stepped inside and took in the collapsed ceiling, blackened floor, cracked windows, and moldy wooden frames around the doors. “Seven thousand eight hundred, huh?”
“Yes, believe me, it’s a good price. Even in this condition Rachel says it’s worth eight and a half, maybe a bit more. I’ve already had quotes for the repairs and such, and the repair cost won’t come out of the agency budget. I’ll pay for it.”
“That’s hardly fair, Neptune.”
“No, it’s all right. Rachel says to save the receipts and when business picks up with the agency we can deduct a small amount to slowly pay it off. It’ll be a no interest loan of unfixed duration.”
Shark nodded. “Thanks, Neptune.”
Neptune grinned and showed him around, and then took Shark upstairs prattling on happily. It wasn’t until Neptune finished the grand tour and turned to Shark saying, “Baker Street is one of the most popular streets in London. We couldn’t have a better location. It should help bring in more customers, and there is plenty of room to expand as we grow. So what do you think?”
Shark nodded. He rather liked the idea of being part owner in a building. “It’s gunna need a lot of fixing.”
“Yes, but it will look fantastic when it’s done. So what do you think?” he asked again.
Shark smiled. “I think it’s not a bad idea at all. I can see the potential in it. Never owned a buildin’ before. It’s a real fancy place, so I reckon you’re right; it would draw customers in and folks could find us easier.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Not to mention it’s on Baker Street,” added Shark with a knowing grin.
“All the best detectives live on Baker Street,” agreed Neptune, his anxiety over Shark not liking the place assuaged.
Shark chuckled now. “Well, it’ll scrub up okay I guess.”
“Thanks, Shark. I hoped you would like it. I know picking our new office should have been a joint decision, and I hadn’t planned on getting a new place until next year but I couldn’t resist it when I saw it. I hope you don’t mind?”
Shark smiled faintly. He could imagine Neptune getting excited when he saw the empty building on Baker Street. His only concern was the cost of it, but if Rachel said it was affordable and that they would not be worse off, then he really had nothing to complain about. The building had a great deal of potential; besides, one thing about real estate was that if worse came to worse they could always sell it. He glanced across at Neptune who was still eyeing him. “Nah, I don’t mind. It should look good, real fancy when it’s repaired. Might help us draw in richer clients. I’m glad you included me in the deal.”
Neptune smiled. “What do you think of your office?” he asked.
“Swish—or it will be.” Shark walked across to one of the back offices and peered out the window to the rear. “There’s a fair sized back yard out there.”
Neptune joined him by the window and said ruefully, “I never even thought to check out the back when I looked it over the first time.” They surveyed the small courtyard surrounded by two big dilapidated sheds, an overgrown garden of weeds and a dead tree.
“If we clear all that garbage away and concrete it, it would make a good car park. Probably could fit half a dozen cars there,” suggested Shark.
Neptune smiled. “What a jolly good idea. Yes, we’re going to need a car park. Never even thought about that before.”
They looked around for another half hour before they returned to the real estate office to drop off the key. When they made it back to their office, Rachel was there waiting for them.
“What do you think, Shark?” asked Rachel.
“Pretty good, Rach. Neptune tells me you hornswoggled the estate agent?”
Rachel smiled. “He was a push over.”
Neptune looked at Rachel proudly. “You should have seen her bluff the agent, Shark. She was impressive. My Aunt Mildred would have liked you I think, Rachel.”
“Well, we got a bargain. I’ve been doing some research. Those heritage buildings are quite valuable. The agency is doing pretty well at the moment so we couldn’t have picked a more opportune time. I’ve had time to go over the accounts for while we were away, Shark. Finlay did a good job keeping them up to date, and even with us paying Mr Redfern a salary, we have still come out ahead.”
Shark grinned. “Great. I’m hanging out for a payday. I’ve got your money, too, Neptune. I only used about a hundred fifty pounds of it for dad’s funeral and airfare and stuff so you can have the rest back. I’ll pay you the difference as soon as I can.”
“No rush, pay it in increments when you can afford it,” said Neptune.
“Thanks.”
“Now, you must be exhausted after your long journey, Shark. Why don’t you head on home and take it easy for the rest of today so that we can be back to business as usual tomorrow?” suggested Neptune.
“Yeah, good idea,” agreed Shark. “I’m feelin’ a bit stuffed.”
“Oh, before you go though, Shark, could you read through this contract and sign it. I can drop it off at the solicitors on the way home then,” added Rachel.
Shark nodded and took the contract of sale. He sat down at his desk and studiously read through the whole thing. It all seemed to be above board, and he rather liked seeing his name there as joint owner. When he finished reading, he signed it and handed it to Neptune, who also signed it.
Rachel then took it to the business upstairs and had the photographer, Mr Gunning sign it as a witness. She returned a couple of minutes later.
“Great,” said Neptune beaming with pleasure. He was relieved Shark liked the place. He’d been a little worried that he wouldn’t. “See you tomorrow then, Shark. It’s absolutely wonderful that you’re back.”
Shark slapped him on the back. “Likewise, partner.”
Ψ Ψ Ψ
Instead of going home, Shark decided to drop in and visit Rebecca. He hadn’t seen her in three months, although he’d spoken to her on the telephone. Still that wasn’t the same. He found he missed her more than he expected. It would be good to see her smile and shining eyes. He knocked on her door hoping she would be home. She taught art classes in the evenings and often helped out at various charities during the day. He was in luck.
“Shark!” She screamed in delight on opening the door, throwing her arms around him in a warm hug, and kissing him enthusiastically all over his face.
“Hey,” he greeted, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him. “Yuh miss me?”
“Oh, Shark did I ever! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back today? I would have been waiting for you at the airport.” She hugged him tightly again. “It’s so good to see you.”
He kissed her properly, savoring the taste of her lips and the feel of her warm and welcoming body against his. “I sure missed yuh, Becky. I’d forgotten how good you feel.”
She smiled at him, delighted to see him. It had been an unbearably long three months. Many a time she wanted to go to Australia to be with him but had resisted the temptation as she didn’t want to appear clingy to Shark. She knew he didn’t like women like that. “Come in and tell me everything that happened while you were away.”
Shark picked up his bag that he dropped when she threw herself at him and stepped into her flat, only to be greeted by a screech. He jumped back in shock and looked down. There was a white fluffy fur ball hissing and spitting, and glaring venomously at him with big round green eyes.
“You stepped on Fluffchilla,” said Becky, bending down and patting the cat to soothe it. She picked it up. “Isn’t he beautiful? He’s a Chinchilla. Used to belong to Mrs Atkinson, but when she broke her hip and went into the nursing home she had no one to look after him, so she gave him to me.”
Shark frowned. He didn’t like cats all that much, being more of a dog man, and this one looked extra sneaky. The cat nuzzled Becky and purred, then turned its head and glared at him. It looked like he had competition now. “I’d rather yuh cuddled me than the cat,” he said, and grinned when she put Fluffchilla down immediately. So much for the competition. He poked his tongue out at the cat, caught Becky’s hand and led her to the couch, where they sat down and caught up on lost time.
III
Shark was still a little tired when he turned up for work the next morning. He stayed with Becky until ten o’clock the previous night before heading home. The jet lag finally hit him this morning when his alarm rang and he had to crawl out of bed. He could have used a few more hours of sleep.
Rachel and Neptune were already there when he got in and greeted him cheerfully. “I’m feeling good today,” said Neptune. “I had a dream last night that a new client would walk through the door with a really sensational problem.”
Shark smiled. That was the dream Neptune had every night, because it was what he always hoped for. The morning started of fairly quietly though. Shark took the time to read up on Neptune’s missing man case and go over Redfern’s notes on the cases he handled in their absence. He was impressed with the man’s efficiency, although he hadn’t as yet met him in person.
They took a break at ten for morning tea and were loitering in the front office when a prissy little man entered. He was shorter than Rachel, perhaps only five foot one, and had oily-looking raven black hair and a pencil thin moustache with a little tuft of black hair on the chin. He wore extremely tight trousers, a brocaded gold and red vest, and a black frock coat a century out of date. His shoes were pointy-toed and so polished they shone like glass.
As they looked him over, he returned their gaze, before clicking his heels together and bowing. “Greetings. I seek an audience with Messers King and Johnson.”
Neptune had been sitting on Shark’s desk, now he stood up. “I’m Neptune King, and this Shark Johnson. How may we help you?”
“Is matter of huge urgency,” replied the little man before bowing again.
Neptune smiled faintly. Clearly, English was not his native tongue. “Certainly. Why don’t you come into my office?” He led the way. The little man followed and Shark brought up the rear.
“Have a seat, sir,” Shark offered as he closed the door. “And, what might your name be?”
The little man drew himself up to his full and unimpressive height. His chest puffed out and his chin jutted. “I,” he said as though he was making an announcement, “am Count Yuri Patonichi, High Chancellor and personal adviser to Her Royal Highness, Princess Helena of Slovenka, eldest daughter of King Gustav and Queen Annaka.”
“I, uh, don’t think I’ve heard of Slovenka,” said Shark.
“Is a small country near Romania,” explained the count.
“Oh.”
“The Princess is desirous of assistance. Huge problem, much fear. Her future staked.”
Neptune exchanged glances with Shark. Now this was something they could really sink their teeth into. “I’m aware of the princess’ visit to London, it’s in all the papers, but what exactly is her problem?” he asked.
The count shook his head. “I not know. She tells me not. Says it will bring disaster to the family and disgrace to her person. Will only speak with detectives that save Queen Elizabeth’s life. That is you, yes?”
“Yes. Perhaps, then, it would be better if we went with you now and met the princess in person,” suggested Neptune. “That way she can tell us what her problem is.”
Count Patonichi shook his head vigorously. “No, no, no,” he declared. “Out of the question. She is here in this country on a er...how you say, a good friendship tour?”
“Good will?” offered Shark.
“Ah, yes, good will tour. She is betrothed to Lord Richard Cumberland. Wedding to be announced at big function at Buckingham Palace in two weeks. Lord Cumberland important, much attention is on his bride-to-be. Everywhere we go, reporters, you see.”
“Who’s Lord Cumberland?” asked Shark.
“One of the richest men in Britain,” said Neptune. “He has a seat in the House of Lords, owns half of Devonshire and is descended from an old family that has close ties to the monarchy. His ancestor was awarded the title and lands back in the days of Charles the First. I can understand why the press would be closely following Princess Helena’s arrival. Richard Cumberland is also classed as one of Britain’s most eligible bachelors.”
“Yes. The Slovenkian royal family is not wealthy. This marriage comes at time of great concern for His Highness, King Gustav. It will boost our economy. Is essential. The princess fears her problem will prevent marriage.”
“Then we will need to talk to her,” Neptune gently reminded the man.
“Yes, yes, but must be secret. Everywhere, reporters. No peace. She must not be seen talking with detectives. Reporters day and night. They see you come; they think something wrong, write stories. Must avoid scandal.”
“So we need to meet her and make it look casual, accidental even?” asked Neptune.
The count nodded.
“Hmm.” Neptune frowned, wondering how they could accomplish that.
“I got a question,” said Shark. “Is Princess Helena related to Queen Elizabeth at all?”
“Distant relations, but enough for Her Majesty to host official engagement party. More because of Lord Cumberland’s importance.”
Neptune glanced at Shark. “You have an idea, Shark?”
Shark smiled faintly and nodded. “Yeah, I was just thinkin’ that if she’s related to the queen, then she might also be related to Becky. Lord Evans is a distant relative of the queen. It wouldn’t look odd if she went to the Evans’ to pay her regards and congratulate Becky on her engagement. I’m Becky’s fiancé, so I’d have every right to be there. It wouldn’t be work related, and you’re my best man, so you’d have a right to be there as well.”
Neptune frowned. “Well, that would depend on how close a relative she is. She could be so far removed that there is barely a relationship at all, in which case she’d have no reason to come to your engagement.”
“It doesn’t matter,” countered Shark, warming to his idea. “All she has to do is say she’s related. She can always say she has kept in touch with her cousin after Becky graduated from finishing school in Switzerland. How is anyone going to prove otherwise? No one has access to their private correspondence, and I doubt if anyone is gunna call her a liar.”
“Hmm,” Neptune looked thoughtful for a moment. “I suppose if she lays the foundation in a public statement that she is looking forward to catching up with her cousin while over here; people will not look too deeply into their past association. They’ll just take her at her word. It could work, and your engagement party is an open affair. The reporters can come. There would be nothing odd about the princess meeting her cousin’s fiancé at the party. During the function we should be able to find an opportunity to talk to her alone.”
“That’s what I was thinkin’. We don’t have a date set. It was for three months ago but Becky put it on hold while I was away. I reckon her dad would be happy to bring it forward, even though it’s short notice. You know how he likes to be important. He’d never stop bragging if his daughter had a genuine princess as a guest at her engagement party.”
“Scuse. What is this please?” asked the count looking puzzled.
“I’m engaged to a girl named Rebecca Evans,” explained Shark. “Her father is the Earl of Harcourt and he’s a distant relative to the queen. We haven’t had our engagement party yet, ‘coz I’ve been away on business. You said Princess Helena was related to the queen, which means she might actually be related to Lord Evans, so it wouldn’t be strange for her to drop in and visit a relative while in the country. The reporters could come, and the whole thing would be innocent. Neptune and I would both be there, hell, I’m the fiancé so I gotta be there. If she met us there no one would have any reason to be suspicious because it’s a social occasion. The press couldn’t make anything out of it, no scandal.”
“For when is this party?”
“We haven’t set a date. How urgent is her problem?”
“She says she has two weeks before all is ruined.”
“All right, so sooner is better. Why don’t I give Evans a ring?”
“Good idea, Shark. See if he will go along with it,” said Neptune.
Shark stood up and went out to his desk in the outer office.
Rachel glanced at him curiously but kept her questions in check for later.
He hunted about for his address book and found Rebecca’s parent’s number. A maid answered the phone and put him onto Lady Evans.
“Hello, Shark. I didn’t know you were back,” she said. “I hope everything is all right with your family.”
“Yes, Mrs Evans, they’re fine. Sorry this ain’t a social call. I need to talk to your husband, is he at home?”
“No. He’s at the House of Commons today. They’re voting on some new policies or something. You know politics. It’s all beyond me.”
“Okay, thanks Mrs Evans. Catch yuh later.”
“Bye dear.”
Shark hung up and looked across at Rachel. “How do I ring the House of Commons?”
