Czech Mate by Elizabeth Darrell Read Free Book Online Page B

I was so afraid you’d be grim and judgemental. Look, Max, these days it’s possible for women to do almost anything they choose. It’s all out there, and I mean to take up every opportunity that offers itself.’
    The lunch hour passed very swiftly as Max listened to her enthusiastic opinions on any subject he raised, and was not a little charmed by her. By the time they parted he knew there was one of the adults present at the party whose background now did not need to be checked. Not really detecting over the lunch table, was it? Just making friends with another mess member.

Three
    T he heating system had been completed, but could not operate because the motors had frozen solid, so they all clustered beside the two space heaters to report on interviews conducted that day. Nothing useful had been gleaned from the children, which was much as they had expected. No one had seen a stranger lurking in the corridors, and they had gone up to the toilets in pairs or groups if not accompanied by one of the adults. Children afraid of the dark or deserted places found long, empty corridors scary.
    Tactful questioning about the adult helpers had produced no hint of suspicion. They all liked Miss Farmer and Sapper Rowe. They were fun and had joined in the games. Little had been said about Mrs Robinson except that she was ‘sort of smiley but too old for a party’. Clearly, the forty-two-year-old second wife of the Padre was not a hit with the tinies.
    Jack Fellowes was known and loved by the younger children on the base as an uncle figure who always participated in their social and sporting activities; someone to be turned to when problems arose in the confidence that he would make everything come right. Their faith had been dented over Kevin McRitchie. Several had actually said they were upset that Uncle Jack had not picked Kevin up and made him better.
    On the subject of Kevin himself, the general feedback strengthened Max and Tom’s received information that he was admired for his guitar playing. Even the youngest party-goers were enthusiastic.
    Summing up after hearing these reports, Max said, ‘So we have a boy of just thirteen who’s interested in pop music and little else. Small for his age and strongly averse to what we would call macho activities. Openly despised by his father for having no guts, I suspect he has a close relationship with his mother. She’s certainly the parent who’s concerned and standing by him now.’ He studied his team still wearing their coats and scarves. ‘On the surface Kevin McRitchie is a prime target for school bullies, but he’s saved by his musical skill. Even regarded with awe by a number of schoolmates. So I think we can dismiss the theory of an attack by a minor, for the moment.’
    Tom nodded at Olly Simpson. ‘Did you get anything from McRitchie’s neighbours on noise provocation?’
    The lanky sergeant wagged his head. ‘I spoke to the families on each side. They both said McRitchie refuses to let his son practise at home. Kevin joins one of the other three in the group. I managed to speak to the Kings and the Carpenters. They live in the semis on the western border of the base. Not adjacent, but very near. They said they get the occasional complaint when the boys rehearse, but it’s never vicious. They usually tell their sons to give it a rest if it goes on too long.’
    â€˜So we can probably discount a neighbour driven berserk by loud pop night after night?’
    â€˜I should think so, sir. Interestingly, Sergeants King and Carpenter seemed very tolerant of what their boys were doing. Even supported their ambition to fix a gig in town. Reg King is his regiment’s champion boxer, Jim Carpenter is a former inter-services silver medal miler. They don’t appear to feel emasculated by their sons’ musical obsession.’
    â€˜My money’s on Kevin’s dad,’ said Piercey, rubbing his