Czech Mate by Elizabeth Darrell Read Free Book Online

knives are the must-have weapons for schoolboys.’
    Max would not let that pass. ‘On the last investigation during which our paths crossed, you accused me of telling you how to do your job and assured me you wouldn’t dream of telling me how to do mine.’
    Clarkson almost smiled, but not quite. ‘Point taken. I’ll be in touch if my boys recall anything useful later.’
    Max was halfway down the path when a high voice called to him. Young Daniel stood in the doorway pressing against his father’s side.
    â€˜I’ve just thought,’ he said. ‘There could have been someone there. A lady could have hidden in their toilets next door, and we wouldn’t ever go in there to notice her.’
    Smiling at the boy, Max said, ‘I think you’ve just earned some cred yourself, Daniel. That’s a very astute observation.’
    Deciding to have lunch, Max called Tom from his car before heading for the Mess. When Tom picked up he asked, ‘Finished with McRitchie?’
    â€˜Not by a long chalk. He’s off my list of suspects for the assault, but I don’t like his attitude with those girls. Or his callousness towards what happened to his son. I’m at Headquarters, by the way. Treeves has turned up alive and well.’
    â€˜He’s there being questioned?’
    â€˜No, sir. He was dumped at the property of an international financial adviser whose wife is a doctor. They found him in the truck early this morning and took him in. He called in from there. I’ve contacted our boys near the border. They’ll pick him up and hand him over to Stubble and Meacher when they manage to push through to them. Driving conditions are very hazardous, so they might have to delay their return until the blizzard dies down.’
    â€˜What’s the story, Tom?’
    â€˜Of the cock and bull variety judging by what Treeves told Sergeant Jakes. Without a doubt our stuff’s in Holland now, and if Treeves wasn’t involved I’m a Dutchman’s uncle.’
    â€˜Have you contacted Krenkel?’
    â€˜Just about to, but we can’t take it far until we have Treeves here and get a full statement. Any useful info from the Clarkson boys?’
    â€˜Only that Kevin is popular with his peers. We’re unlikely to be looking for a school bully on this. I’m more inclined to pursue Beeny’s frustrated sex offender theory. The location of the assault lends strength to that, and one could say the weapon has phallic symbolism.’
    â€˜On that, sir, if our two assault cases hadn’t occurred miles apart on the same night, I’d say there’s a nutter running around with phallic symbols as weapons. Treeves claims he was knocked cold by a sand-filled sock.’
    â€˜Strange coincidence! Maybe they’re the latest must-haves. Remind me to tell Major Clarkson. I’m going to grab some lunch before I come over. I want the statements given by the adults attending last night checked over. We should look into their backgrounds.’
    â€˜Some of the team have called in to say they’ve gone as far as they can on questioning the kids, so they’re coming in.’
    â€˜Good. They can work on it. Then we’ll consolidate info collected so far and explore the most likely avenues. My guts are hinting that the McRitchie case will prove more complex than it appears.’
    â€˜Just what we need in the run up to Christmas.’
    â€˜It was ever thus in this job, Tom.’ He hesitated, then asked, ‘Have you ever heard of something called Swinga Kat?’
    â€˜Of course. Listen to it all the time. It’s a pretty cool pop group.’
    Aware of the amusement in his tone, Max said, ‘And you’re a pretty cool liar, Sar’nt-Major.’
    Lunch took the traditional Sunday form expected by British officers. Having been deprived of a late dinner last night, Max decided he deserved the luxury of doing it full