Cherringham--Thick as Thieves by Neil Richards Read Free Book Online Page A

him out.
    “That’s tough,” said Jack. “And for a day and a night you must have felt you were saved?”
    “Too right,” said Pete.
    “I guess you must have celebrated there and then?” suggested Jack carefully.
    But just when he was expecting both of them to start on a story of champagne bottles and going out for dinner, he saw straight away a nervous look between them. A look that he had seen so many times in interviews.
    Something wrong here.
    Could be a look that indicated a lie.
    “Well, we, er …” started Becky.
    “I had to get up early for milking next day, so we just had an early dinner. Extra beer. Just the one,” said Pete, looking to Becky for confirmation.
    “Went to bed early,” she said, still nervously avoiding Jack’s eye.
    “Best to be cautious, huh?” said Jack.
    “Exactly,” said Pete.
    He waited for them to say more, but he could see that they just clammed up.
    “Tell you what,” Jack said. “Why don’t you show me where your two treasure hunters found this famous plate? The police are good, Pete, Becky. They may well get it back.”
    Nothing in their eyes showed that either of the couple had any hope in that.
    ”Love to see the spot. That way — when we get it back I can say I was part of the story.”
    “Sure,” said Pete. “I’ll bring the Land Rover round.”
    The farmer headed over to one of the barns where the vehicle was kept. Jack turned to Becky Butterworth.
    “Guess Pete would do anything to get his hands on that plate, huh?”
    Just the slightest nod from Becky, then she thanked him for visiting and made her goodbyes, turning back into the farmhouse.
    He’d take a quick look at the spot where the plate had been found. Then, onto the next in line of the lucky quartet, now probably all feeling anything but lucky.

11. A Visit with the Family
    Jack couldn’t quite remember when he’d last held a baby in his arms, but he could remember how nervous the experience always made him.
    And wow, this one was a wriggler.
    Luckily it only took a moment for Baz and Abby — the little girl’s parents — to clear a space in the tiny flat for Jack to sit and soon, with some relief, he was handing the little creature back to her mother.
    “Sorry about that, mate,” said Baz. “Chaos this place.”
    “First child — always hits like a hurricane,” said Jack, thinking back to his own daughter who wasn’t so little any more.
    “Too bleeding right,” said Abby. “No way I’m having another. Not unless we win the lottery. Or,” she paused, her tone suddenly bitter, “find some hidden treasure, eh?”
    This last remark was clearly aimed at Baz.
    The baby suddenly quieted, and turned to look at Jack, eyes wide and — like all babies — irresistible.
    “You should be proud,” Jack said, meaning it.
    And at the same time not sure these two were heading towards ’Parents of the Year’ awards.
    “Cup of tea?” Abby said.
    “Or something stronger?” Baz added.
    Jack gave the beleaguered couple a smile. “I’m good, thanks.”
    If ever two people looked like they needed a windfall, it was this couple.
    “Baz, I wonder — I know how much that treasure might have meant to the both of you — Could I ask you some questions?”
    In response, Baz’s wife took a chair and sat down, eyes locked on Jack.
    She — for one — was ready.
    Baz looked around the room as if cornered.
    He put his hand on the back of the wooden kitchen chair and slowly pulled it back from the table with a fraction of the speed of his wife.
    Tad more reluctant, Jack saw.
    Baz sat down, cleared his throat.
    “Sure. Anything that can get it back for us. I mean, we know who you are, what you’ve done.”
    “That night at The Ploughman’s. You told a lot of people about what you found and who had it.”
    “Stupid, bloody–” Abby muttered.
    Baz seemed to wilt in the wooden chair.
    “Well, yeah, me and Jerry were celebrating. Guess we got a little carried away.”
    Abby tilted her head in