Take Two (A psychological thriller)

The Porsche pulled up in front of Carolyn’s house.  Anita from the VIP room had driven Richards and Jenny from the club.  Jenny looked over at the darkened windows. ‘Every time I get here I expect to see her,’ she said. ‘I wonder where the hell she is?’

‘Have you spoken to the police?’ asked Richards.

‘The TV people say not to,’ said Jenny. ‘They don’t want the bad publicity.’ She sighed. ‘Fancy a nightcap?’

‘I’d go for a coffee,’ said Richards.

‘I can do that,’ she said.

‘What about you, Anita? Coffee?’

Anita looked over her shoulder at Richards, trying to work out if it was okay with him. ‘Come on Anita, it’ll perk you up.’ He said.

‘It is four in the morning, boss.’

‘Oh bloody hell,’ said Jenny. ‘I’ve got to be up at half six.’

‘You might as well stay up,’ said Richards. ‘That’s what Seb usually does.’

‘I suppose they can cover the dark patches with make-up,’ said Jenny. She opened the door. ‘Come on, then.’

She walked unsteadily down the path to the front door.

‘Are you sure about this, boss?’ whispered Anita.

‘Sure about what?’

‘I don’t want to queer your pitch,’ said Anita. ‘Don’t want to be a third wheel.’

‘I’m not going to hit on the girl when she’s in that condition,’ said Richards. ‘She’s as high as a kite. And, anyway, I don’t think there’s any pitch to be queered. I think coffee is all she has in mind.’

They got out of the car and followed Jenny along the path. It took her several attempts to get her key in the lock and then she had trouble working out which way to turn it.

‘Let me,’ said Richards. She stepped to the side and he opened the door. He gave her a mock bow and grinned. ‘After you, my lady.’

They followed Jenny down the hallway to the kitchen. Anita closed the front door behind them.  ‘I can offer you espresso, cappuccino, or latte,’ said Jenny.

‘I’m impressed,’ said Richards.

‘No need to be,’ laughed Jenny. ‘Carolyn has one of those hi-tech gizmos that uses capsules. You just pop in the right capsule and press a button.’

‘Espresso for me,’ said Richards. ‘Is there a loo I can use?’

‘Down the hall on the left,’ said Jenny, opening a cupboard.

Richards left Jenny and Anita in the kitchen and headed down the hallway. Jenny had left her bag on a table under a large mirror. He stopped and turned. He heard voices in the kitchen but couldn’t tell who was talking. He unzipped the bag and looked inside. He saw a blue passport and pulled it out. He opened it and turned to the page with the photograph. It was Jenny, all right. Jenny Hall. He put the passport on the table, took out his phone and tapped in her date of birth so  he wouldn’t forget it. He put the passport back in the bag and took out a Louis Vitton purse. He rifled through it. There were three credit cards, one was American Express and the other two were from Australian banks.  There was an Australian driving licence. It had the same date of birth as the driving licence and an address in Brisbane. He tapped the address into his phone then put the driving licence into the purse and the purse into the bag.

‘Are you okay, Warwick?’

Richards jumped and his hands jerked away from the bag as if he’d been stung. He looked around and then relaxed as he saw it was Anita.

‘Just making sure I look good,’ said Richards, tidying his hair in the mirror.

‘Always,’ said Anita. She walked up to him and lowered her voice. ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to push off?’ she whispered. ‘She definitely likes you.’

‘You think?’

‘I can see it in the way she looks at you. I could say there’s a problem back at the club and leave you here.’

Richards chuckled. ‘I’m not a teenager, I don’t need to run scams like that,’ he said. ‘We’re here for coffee, and when we’ve had that you can drive me home. But this time I’ll put myself to bed.’

Anita grinned. ‘Yeah, you were well gone that night,’ she said. ‘We’d never seen you so drunk.’

‘Happens to the best of us. Come on, let’s go get our coffees.’

‘I thought you were using the loo?’

‘The moment passed,’ he said.

‘Well, I need to use it,’ said Anita, and she headed for the toilet as Richards went back to the kitchen.

Jenny had already made three coffees and was sitting at the kitchen table. Richards sat down opposite her, wondering if what Anita had said was true and that Jenny really was attracted to him. ‘You’re serious about working tomorrow?’ he said.

‘Yeah, I have to be in make-up first thing.’ She laughed. ‘I should have followed Terry’s advice and left when he did.’

‘He’s a lightweight,’ laughed Richards.

‘And I’m what? A professional alcoholic?’

‘An enthusiastic amateur,’ joked Richards. ‘I can’t get over your accent.’

‘I’m not the one who talks funny,’ said Jenny.  She sipped her coffee. ‘I might just stay awake,’ she said.

‘A cat nap wouldn’t hurt,’ he said. ‘Just make sure you set your alarm. But, seriously, I’m glad you came to the club tonight.’

‘Yeah, me, too.’

‘You should come one weekend, then you’ll be less worried about an early start the next day.’

‘What time do you normally get up?’

‘Me? I’m a real night owl. Usually mid-day.’