Treble Clef, page 16
part #8 of DCI Cyril Bennett Series
“I’m meeting a friend at seven by the library, the one on Victoria Road, I think. Is it far?”
“Fifteen minutes at the most. Now let’s get you organised and then you can relax. Here are your keys. The front door is locked at ten, so that’s the front door key. This…” she pointed to a key partly covered with red plastic, “is to this, the vestibule door and this, the largest one on the bunch is your room key. Sorry, but they contain the large wooden key ring to prevent guests from accidentally taking them home. You’re in number four as that’s what your friend requested when he booked. Is that alright? It faces the sunny side, the front. Let me show you. This way.”
The room was as described, bright and quite large. She had pointed out the bathroom and the tea and coffee facilities before turning to leave. “The details for check-out and breakfast are in the brochure on the desk. I’ll let you know about Mykonos Restaurant. Be two ticks. Have you come by car?”
“Train.”
“No need for a parking permit then.” She smiled and left. Within five minutes he had confirmation of his restaurant booking.
Alan sat in the chair by the window and looked down the road. The low sun shining through the green leaves made him screw up his eyes. “What do we have here?” He had an idea that the game was starting. This would either be a welcome note or a clue of some kind. He carefully opened the envelope and pulled out a small paper square.
Welcome Mr Bowen,
I’m delighted you have booked in as that fills me with optimism that you might just beat the system and escape… but then that will depend on you and your expertise. Please look at the puzzle below, it’s simple, yes, but then we don’t exercise without warming up first. Here, my friend is your warm up.
Until 7pm. Please don’t be late.
There was nothing else. Alan turned the paper over before rechecking the envelope but it was empty. He sat back in the chair and closed his eyes allowing the bright light to play on his eyelids. He moved his head in and out of the sun’s rays enjoying the colour difference the light brought; the contrast was marked. He then smiled. “Room four, Mr Bowen, the sunny side.” He picked up the paper and held it away from the sun’s rays before moving it into the pin-sharp light. “As if by magic. Seek and you will find.” Taking out a pen he copied the clue which had just appeared on what had previously been a blank piece of paper.
Chapter Twenty-Three
It was either by sheer fluke or pure magic that the Bentley had managed to cross the Pennines and arrive at its new home without incident. Cyril, driving ahead, had cast many a cautious glance through the rear-view mirror anxiously wondering whether the motorway speed would be too much for the old car. Julie had elected to travel with her father believing it might be the only opportunity to take an extended drive in it.
Being alone also gave Cyril time to reflect on the two murders. He felt convinced there was something he was missing and now he was back in Yorkshire, his only familial duty completed, he was eager to return to work. Having possession of his mother’s ring made life a little easier. He could also focus his mind on planning the correct time and place. That thought, however, filled him with a fusion of excitement and fear and he did not know which was the more powerful.
***
Quinn entered the incident room and was surprised to see April. She turned and regarded him. He stopped abruptly and tried to think of something he had omitted to do that she had requested of him; it was that kind of look she had cast.
“Coroner’s inquest…”
She held up her hand. “I’m impressed with you, Quinn. You asked a vital question, remember? You happened to be ahead of us all and mentioned the word brother. And then because Dan Grimshaw came in with Flash it was lost in the excitement. Fortunately, Colin Boardman’s brother might have suddenly surfaced.”
Quinn moved round the desk and dropped the file he was carrying. April perused this latest information as he pulled up a chair.
“Does this Tommy Boardman still work as the head gamekeeper up in Scotland or is he, too, suddenly going to be missing?”
“Waiting to hear. Those wheels have been set in motion. What do we have here?”
“Inquest on the death of Felicity Brooke’s mother. I was amazed to see the conclusion given as an open verdict. From what I recall in training, that’s an unusual verdict. According to that,” he tapped his index finger on the file, “suicide must never be presumed but must always be based on evidence that the deceased planned or exhibited an indication that they might take his, or in this case, her own life. There had been a suggestion when she was admitted to hospital. She’d said and I quote...” He flicked the file open to a page marked with an orange post-it note… ‘I just wanted it all to be finished… for it to be over and done with.’ The court felt that even though she had fallen from quite a height from the tall stepladder, that suicidal intent was not beyond reasonable doubt. Interestingly, it was pointed out that her fatal climb could have been for some other reason.”
“Why was the stepladder there in the first place?”
“They were decorating her room. The wording, wanting it all to be finished, was possibly a reference to the decorating and not to her own life.”
“So why not accidental?”
Quinn just looked at her, knowing full well he had neither the knowledge nor the crystal ball answer she required. “It’s interesting to consider who might benefit from the lady’s untimely death.”
***
Alan looked at the puzzle he had copied from that concealed within the original square piece of paper. He would keep both, not fully understanding how they might be of use once he was locked in the escape room. What he did believe from past experience was that they would be relevant.
E A M E H
P N R C T
A A E L Y
C G V E L
S E E V N
E S R E O
Having already showered he read through his notebook. He would not be allowed to keep his phone nor any other personal items once the game commenced, that was standard procedure. He picked up the ushabti figure and took a moment to study it. Letting his finger run over the smooth surface, he picked out the missing hand. It gave it a weathered appearance of being old, damaged at some time in its history although he knew this one to be a copy. He read the word scratched into the back, LEFT.
“So you’re needed too, tonight. The key to a clue maybe, so what with me, this paper and you, ushabti, we are the three keys to success… the treble clef you might say! That’s what we shall be known as. Treble Clef.”
He spent a moment scribbling a few details on some headed notepaper that was lying on the desk and popped it into an envelope adding the name Mr David Hale. He slipped it into his pocket.
***
The evening was fine as he locked his bedroom door and descended into the lobby. It was quiet apart from the noise of a television behind a door marked Private. What he was about to experience was far more fun than anything they could tempt him with on the television and he felt a flush of excitement as the cool of the evening met him. He headed directly to the Mykonos restaurant. A waiter was setting some of the outside tables in readiness for the evening. He had a quiet word and handed over the envelope. The waiter nodded and tucked it into his jacket pocket.
“See you later!”
Within ten minutes Alan was walking up Victoria Avenue. He noticed the Harrogate Justice Centre and stopped to admire the building before continuing. The library was to his left. Approaching it, he noticed what looked like a bundle of rags piled against the short wall. Clothing hung from the railing as if it were a wardrobe. He then saw the paper cup just in front of the pile and he relaxed. He took a pound from his pocket and dropped it in. A grunt emanated from beneath the woollen cap as the concealed figure stirred.
There was nobody on the steps. Traffic moved freely and the occasional passer-by either smiled or ignored him.
“You’ll need these. Put them on.”
Alan felt himself jump as something touched his elbow and he turned defensively, a short sound emanating with his own breath. The bundle of blankets was now empty and the bearded figure, partially concealed beneath the woollen cap, faced him. What features he could see were wrinkled and dirt ingrained. In his open-fingered gloved hand was a pair of very dark wraparound sunglasses containing side pieces made up of darkened glass and some earphones.
“I’ve been asked to give you these and then this note. I can’t read so don’t ask me what it says. If you does as it says and lets me take you to where I’ve been told to, I’ll get twenty quid, if not, I’m getting back in there. Thanks for the quid!” He pointed to his nest of blankets.
Alan read the note:
Earphones linked by Bluetooth to a phone in our homeless friend’s pocket. Listen, as there are a couple of clues you’ll need to remember mixed with the music.
He’ll guide you, as you’ll see bugger all once those glasses are on. If you fail to comply he’s been told to stay just where he is. If you remove either at any time, the game ends. You wanted different… you’ve got different.
The Game Keeper.
Alan read the note again and felt the anxiety build in his stomach. This was silly. “Escape room I was told. None of this bollocks was mentioned.”
The man looked at Alan and shrugged his shoulder before turning as if to climb back into the blankets.
“Okay, okay, in for a penny in for a pound.” He took the headset and the dark glasses.
“Twenty quid more like it.” He grasped hold of Alan’s arm.
Everything went quiet and very dark, in fact, he could see nothing. Fingers lifted the earphone from his left ear and he spoke, “I’ll guide you, it’s not far, believe me.” He then repositioned it. The theme from the film, ‘The Great Escape’ filled his head causing him to laugh. Suddenly he saw the funny side of it all and felt more at ease.
“It’s theatrical, I’ll give him that,” Alan said under his breath.
***
Quinn had left and the next shift had been brought up to speed by April. The next day’s briefing was planned for eight and that was early enough for a Sunday morning. Looking at the clock she stretched and wondered how Cyril and Owen had enjoyed their time away. Switching off the lights, she noticed that the hum continued. It was obviously ever-present. She savoured the responsibility her promotion had brought.
***
The street was quieter than it had been the night before but then it was still early for a Saturday. The occasional passers-by glanced at Valerie as she stood in the empty shop doorway. She had a scarf around her head and a cat travel basket at her feet. Those who noticed might assume she was obviously waiting for someone. It was then that she heard and saw the two men moving uncomfortably down the street. At first, because of their swaying motion she assumed them to be drunks. She moved out a little to get a better view before bending as if to look at the cat inside the basket.
Alan felt dizzy and a little nauseous. Being almost dragged the final part of the journey was more than a little disconcerting. Listening to the tune on a loop was beginning to annoy him. He had visualised Steve McQueen leaping over the barbed wire fence on the motorbike at least five times and on each occasion he saw the same result. They had now come to a stop. Even above the music he heard what sounded like a shutter of some kind being opened. He felt the tug at his elbow and he was moved forward a number of steps. His headphones were removed.
“Leave the glasses for the moment, please. Thank you.” The voice was soft and unthreatening.
“Twenty pounds and very well done!”
Alan sensed the man who had brought him move away but not far. It was strange, he had not picked up a smell of body odour or bad breath and considering where he had seen him and his general appearance, that now seemed incongruous. The butterflies of nerves fluttered yet again within his stomach. The sudden sound of the falling shutter made him instinctively turn but still all was in darkness.
Valerie watched as the shutter was pulled down. Nobody left. She closed her eyes and visualised both men before quickly returning home. She would make notes of what she had witnessed and hopefully the confusion in her mind would clear.
“The game will begin in five minutes, Alan. When you’re instructed to remove your glasses, you will see a small table illuminated by a single candle. Deposit anything you have brought with you, your phone, keys and any personal items into the box and close it. Lock it and keep the key with you for your own peace of mind. However, you will need the figure you were asked to bring and the note you received at the guesthouse. I take it you have both?”
“I do. That was clever but not too inventive.” He specifically used the word clever.
“Yes, exactly. Only the clever ever manages escape. Once you’ve done that you’ll see a door. Go through and you’ll be in the first of three escape rooms. It will be dark but after three minutes the room will be lit. The time will begin then. May I thank you for taking part and may I say, as they do on the opening night in the theatre, break a leg.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
David Hale had sent Alan three text messages during the course of the day but received no reply. It was when he was driving home that the text came through. Thinking it was Alan, he stopped the car.
David,
We met in the pub the other night in Harrogate. You said you were a keen gamer. I have a friend with the ultimate escape room. You get longer than an hour, but the stakes are higher too. Still interested? Let’s say that you are. It’s a game you will play alone against the clock. If you win, not only will you be rewarded in knowing that you may well be the first, but also there is a much more interesting prize at stake… This is only offered to a select few. I’ll send you another message on Sunday to let you know the finer mechanics of our game. Do not tell your mate, as we will select only one of you.
He reread it. “Is that where you are? You scheming bugger.” Suddenly he was filled with excitement. He had thought the man who had befriended them in the pub was just talk, but he then remembered the ushabti figure. “That’s why you asked me for it before your day off. You’re there playing. You poker-faced bastard.”
***
“When you enter the room it will be dark. After a few seconds the lights will come on and your time will begin. If, for whatever reason you feel beaten, all you need to do is stand still and raise your left hand. I say again, left hand.” He emphasised the instruction. “That will be your humiliating signal of capitulation. There are cameras in each of the rooms. However, no help can or will be offered, as the impressive prize for the first successful escapee has to be truly earned. Do you understand? Raise your right hand if you do.”
The voice echoed through what appeared to be vintage speakers.
Alan raised his hand.
“Good. I’m glad you didn’t raise your left as one player did, or should I now call you all inmates? Yes, inmates. Well, one inmate raised the wrong hand at this early stage with dire consequences… He failed immediately.”
Alan heard the familiar click of an electronic lock opening. He moved into the room and closed the door. It was in total darkness. Slowly the lights grew until a faint yellow ambience filled the room. The lights were trapped behind angled metal frames; covered inserts of wired security glass finished the fitting. They were positioned like coving between the wall and the ceiling. The door he had come through now closed and locked, resembling part of the wall and a traditional cell door was to his right. A large combination lock was attached to the wrought iron hasp and staple. The room was a perfect prison cell. It made Alan smile. “This is bloody good,” he said out loud, unsure as to whether he could be heard.
“Glad you like it, Alan. Good luck.”
The walls did have ears and he made a mental note to be more careful in what he said. He knew that the first thing he must do was to memorise the position of the objects within the room. Experience had taught him he must move nothing, as the layout of the objects might well be a clue or a partial clue. In the past he had moved books and then found each had contained a number for the combination. By carelessly rearranging them he had lost the sequence. Looking now at the books on the shelf he noted their titles but found nothing of significance. Taking each, he checked for any insert before replacing them onto the shelf. It was then he heard the tapping, as if travelling along one of the pipes that were positioned along the edge of the ceiling. He smiled and used his fingernail to make a mark on the dusty floor. He had seen this done before but it played constantly and annoyingly on a loop. He waited for a pause knowing the sequence would begin again.
. . . . ___
___ ___ ___ ___ .
___ ___ . . .
It then stopped. He waited but all was silent. 4, 9 and 7. He had the first three numbers. He knew little Morse code other that S.O.S but he had memorised the numbers after playing a game in Belgium.
“Very clever of you to pick up on that. Listening is a key skill. Some players don’t have a clue.” The voice again appeared to come from some hidden, old loudspeaker. “Sorry to interrupt.”
***
She had just walked and fed Ralph, her adopted Great Dane when the call came. April stirred what was the start of a bolognese sauce. It was a call April did not want to receive.
“Hi Dan. All okay?”
“We have an eighty-five per cent positive ID on facial recognition for Drakes at the Games Convention and it also places him on Parliament Street at about the same time Carruthers and his group were last seen. That’s not all. We’ve also run tests on Tommy Boardman after receiving an image sent from his employer or should I say previous employer. Apparently he left immediately after the incident with Drakes but that’s a story for a little later. Amazingly, Colin Boardman was also at the convention, the man who supposedly threw Carruthers out for playing games. He’s also still in Harrogate. We checked the town’s CCTV and he was seen and identified on four occasions by these specialists Flash employed. There are other times he might have been seen but owing to the film quality they can’t be certain.”
