Dutch Courage by Elizabeth Darrell Read Free Book Online Page B

side-swiping it on a straight, empty stretch of road. A quick check with Klaus Krenkel on whether he’s had other reports on this nutter could sort that, and a couple of you doing a bit of casual questioning could soon pinpoint someone going through a tough enough period to spark malice against a colleague who seems not to put a foot wrong.’
    Tom was annoyed, but he hid it to agree that a more innocent interpretation could be put on the facts. ‘It’s up to you all to investigate and come up with the correct one.’
    â€˜Now let’s consider the charge of indecent assault that’s been levelled against Major Clarkson,’ said Max in a positive change of subject. ‘He denies it vehemently. I saw no sign of guilt in his manner. He looked genuinely shocked. It’s a messy situation. No evidence; no proof. It’s the girl’s word against his.’
    â€˜We interviewed Stacey at length,’ offered Connie Bush. ‘She maintained the MO had touched her intimately on several other occasions at parties for his children. We’re all familiar with kids’ reluctance to tell anyone about behaviour of that kind, because it’s too embarrassing and people will think they encouraged it, but Heather and I both think the girl is fantasizing. If he really did feel her bottom and her breasts in his own home, surely she would make excuses not to go there. She thought it disgusting, so she’s unlikely to give him opportunities to do it again.’
    â€˜Also,’ said Heather, ‘if he has been touching her up whenever he can, she would surely have done all she could to keep her mother in the bedroom so that she’d not be alone with him. In our opinion, Stacey has a heavy crush on the Doc and is easing the yearning by imagining he has the hots for her. Being examined intimately in her bedroom brought her adolescent passion to the boil – the virus induces fever – and she fantasized overnight until she believed her fantasy. The prospect of facing him again with these erotic thoughts ruling her brought panic, so she turned to her mother, with whom she has a solid relationship.’
    Connie said, ‘Now Mrs Laine’s brought us in, Stacey’s embroidering her story to justify her claim. She has no real notion of what she’s doing to the Doc and his family. She’s totally self-absorbed, like many teens.’
    Max nodded. ‘A very balanced summation. I’m handing this to our Joint Response Team who’ll video their interview with the girl and deal with the sensitive side of this case. The Commander, Army Medical Services will act for Major Clarkson in harness with the Garrison Commander. At best, I imagine they might rule that he deals only with male military personnel during this investigation. To suspend him from all duty could suggest the MO is guilty as charged.’
    â€˜We warned Mrs Laine not to spread slanderous gossip, but she will,’ said Connie.
    â€˜Of course she will. We can’t tape up her mouth. As I said, it’s a messy situation that will encompass Mrs Clarkson and their children. It’s certain to be all round the school by tomorrow. They’ll have to be posted elsewhere as soon as the dust settles, of course, but doubts on his probity will follow them. The unique military grapevine will see to that. Young Stacey Laine has a lot to answer for.’
    When Tom entered his rented house a short distance outside the main gate he was irritated to find Hans Graumann halfway down the stairs with his daughter Maggie in tow.
    â€˜Hi, Dad,’ she greeted casually, but the German boy was, as always, strictly formal.
    â€˜Good ee-ven-ing, sir.’
    â€˜Where’s your mother?’ Tom asked brusquely, causing Maggie to frown.
    â€˜Still sewing that hideous dress-and-coat thing for Major Rhodes’ wife, of course.’
    Taking exception to her tone, Tom said, ‘There’s no of course