Unravel a Crime - Tangle With Women by Neil Wild Read Free Book Online

have checked up on the file to see what had or had not
been done. "
    Brakespeare could feel his
stress levels rising again. Why are people invariably like this? Newberry was
understandably concerned about the case; who wouldn't be when charged with a
three million pound fraud, but like Mortimer, why shoot the messenger?
Brakespeare knew that he needed to take charge of this meeting regardless of
the consequences. After all this job was only a temporary assignment for him.
    He made himself appear as calm
as he could manage. He forced himself to give the most relaxed smile that he
could, and looked Newberry straight in the eye, concentrating on one eye only,
so that his gaze did not waver.
    "Mr. Newberry, I'm here
to try and help you. I know that Gordon Morrison is your solicitor, but it's
not my fault that he's not around to deal with the case. I'm willing to give it
my best shot, but give me a chance. "
    Newberry glared at him, but
then his gaze softened. He gave a big sigh.
    "I'm sorry."
    "I understand that this
case is taking it's toll ... "
    "Too right. I've been
suspended by the National for a year while this bloody ridiculous investigation
has taken place. I've had nothing else to think about. Is it surprising that
I'm uptight. With all due respect when your solicitor suddenly goes out of
action it doesn't help matters, Mr. Brakespeare .. "
    "Jonny"
    "Jonny - I'm
desperate."
    "I can see that. "
    "Yes, but do you know
what it feels like when everything is against you. When the establishment, or
whatever you want to call it is out to get you?"
    Brakespeare remained silent.
There was no point in telling Newberry that he knew exactly how that felt. That
would not help matters.
    "I'm desperate; desperate
and helpless. "
    "You’re not helpless.
That is why I'm here. Look, as I said, I understand, but a lawyer is like a
doctor. Whilst I sympathise with you, and I do appreciate how you feel, like a
doctor I can't become emotionally involved. All I can do is to use my
professional skill and judgement to try and help you."
    "And cure me."
    "No lawyer can guarantee
a cure. Unlike a doctor who simply has to cure the patient, a lawyer has to
face another lawyer on the other side trying his best to kill him!. No doctor
has to undergo that!"
    To Brakespeare’ s relief,
Newberry smiled, and then gave another big sigh. "Point taken. I haven't
even offered you some refreshment. Tea or coffee?
    "Tea please. Coffee winds
me up too much."
    Newberry gave him a pointed
look. "Tell me about it. Come with me."
    Newberry led him into the
kitchen. It was a modem one with the latest design of kitchen units, as
pristine and apparently as little used as the rest of the house.
    "Have you lived here
long" asked Brakespeare.
    "About ten years."
    "Even while you were
working in London. Surely you didn't commute?"
    "No, I worked in London
during the week, and came home at weekends."
    "That's expensive. "
    "Not as expensive as
buying in London - this house," Newberry gestured about him, "would
cost four or five times as much in London. "
    Brakespeare looked out of the
kitchen window to the side of the North Hill and Malvern Wells. " ….and in
London, you haven't got the views. "
    "Exactly."
    "But doesn't - didn't,
your wife mind?"
    Newberry stiffened perceptibly
as he poured hot water into the teapot. "She accepted it. She has her own
life. "
    Shakespeare, merely nodded.
Such things, if necessary, were for later. "What brought you here? Are you
local?”
    "Yes and no, I was born
and bred in Worcester"
    "So you've always been in
this area?"
    "Apart from a few years
in Birmingham, just after I joined the National, yes.
    There was a lull in the
conversation while he prepared the tea.
    “ Let's go back to the
lounge." suggested Newberry and lifted the teapot, two mugs, a bottle of
milk and a packet of sugar onto a tray. "No frills catering I'm afraid.“
he said.
    “ Suits me.” said Brakespeare.
    They went back into the
lounge, and settled back into the