Take Two (A psychological thriller)

Peter Sessions was on his way out of his office to meet a client at one of his favourite restaurants when his phone rang. He hesitated at the door. He’d been looking forward to his Ivy lunch all day and really didn’t want to be late. What was left of his professionalism kicked in and he walked over to his desk, determined to keep the call short.  He picked up the receiver. ‘Yes?’ he said. If it was someone offering to sue his bank for mortgage insurance, he was quite prepared to curse.

‘Is that Peter Sessions?’

It was a woman, Australian by the sound of it. He realised a fraction of a second before she said her name that it was Carolyn’s sister.

‘This is Jenny Hall, I’m Carolyn’s sister.’

‘Yes, my dear,’ he said. ‘I’ve been your sister’s agent for many years. I was talking to Paul Day, he said you’d stepped in to save the day on Rags To Riches.’

‘Just until she turns up, yes.’

‘She hasn’t been in touch?’

‘No.’

Sessions sucked air between his teeth. ‘That’s a problem.’

‘You’re telling me. She was supposed to pick me up at the airport.’

‘The thing is, my dear, has Paul given you a contract?’

‘A contract? No?’

‘Well you really do need a contract. How much is he paying you?’

‘We haven’t discussed that,’ said Jenny.

Sessions laughed. ‘Well, really, that’s not good enough,’ he said. ‘There are fees that have to be paid and Paul knows that. It sounds to me as if he’s taking advantage of you.’

‘Oh, no, he’s being really sweet.’

‘Paul is sweet. But he’s also one of the toughest producers in London. You need someone fighting in your corner.’

‘Do you think so?’

‘I know so, my dear. Now, why don’t you let me represent you? I’ll do for you exactly what I do for Carolyn.’

‘That’s probably a good idea,’ said Jenny.

‘Excellent. I’ll get a contract sent over and once you’ve signed it I’ll talk to Paul. And there’s something else I wanted to ask you. I’ve had a supermarket on to me asking if Carolyn could do an opening for them on Saturday. Would you be up for that?’

‘You mean pretend to be her?’

‘Well, you’re already doing that,’ said Sessions. ‘They want you in character. It’s Diana Bourne they want, and from what Paul tells me, at the moment you are Diana Bourne.’

‘I’m really not sure I’m up for it, Peter. I’m finding the acting bit stressful enough. I don’t think I’d be comfortable opening a supermarket.’

‘They’ll pay six thousand pounds.’

‘Are you serious?’

‘Very much so. And all you have to do is turn up, cut a ribbon and pose for a few photographs. As Diana Bourne. It’s just another acting job.’

‘Six thousand pounds?’ repeated Jenny.

Peter smiled to himself. ‘Minus my commission, of course,’ he said.

‘I suppose I could do it,’ she said.

‘Excellent. I’ll bike a contract and details to you at the studio this afternoon,’ he said. ‘The supermarket company will send a car, obviously.’

‘That’s okay, I’m make my own way there,’ said Jenny. ‘Look, Peter, do I tell them I’m not Carolyn?’

‘’To be honest, my dear, it would be simpler if you didn’t. They want Diana Bourne and that’s what they’re getting. No reason to make things more complicated than they already are.’

CHAPTER 87

The two detectives stood next to their Vauxhall Vectra. ‘So what do you think?’ asked Marriott. ‘It is a coincidence? Two men that Carolyn Castle comes into contact with are both murdered?’

Biddulph shrugged.  ‘Everyone is six steps removed from everyone else in the world.’  Three more hoodies had joined the group across the road and now two joints were being passed around.

‘You believe that? Can you get to the president of the United States in six steps?’

‘Easy,’ said Biddulph. ‘In less than that. I met the Commissioner once. He’s met the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has met the President. So I get to the President of the United States in three moves. You get there in four because you know me. Through the President you get to pretty much anyone who matters in the world. So yeah, I think it’s probably true. But the big question is, what connects Carolyn Castle to Maxwell Dunbar and Reg McKenzie?’

‘Dunbar worked for her and McKenzie picked her up in the middle of nowhere. Without her shoes.’

‘That’s the interesting thing, isn’t it?’ agreed Biddulph. ‘Can you think of a reason why a woman would ditch her shoes?’

‘If she was running,’ said Marriott.

‘That’s what I was thinking.’ He looked at his watch. It was just after six o’clock. ‘Do you feel like paying her a visit, strike while the iron’s hot?’

Marriott grinned. ‘I’m fine, but inspectors don’t get overtime so it’s your call.’

‘Let’s do it,’ said Biddulph.  ‘I’ll drive while you see if you can get a home address for her.’ He unlocked the door and climbed in to the driver’s seat.