The Murderer and the Monorail (On Hold till after HSC)

Chapter 3: Andrew West

His hand was suspended in front of him. Charlie grasped it and shook forcefully.

“Jeez, you’re a strong one.” West said staring at her.

“Go away Andrew.” King said.

“A murder investigation this time, my, my Tom you have done well for yourself.” West said.

“Um, who are you?” Charlie asked

“Andrew West.”

“Yes, I know that, but who are you?” she asked again. Andrew West sighed.

“I’m a private investigator.”

“Alright, but, don’t you have to be hired to do some investigating?” she asked.

“What if someone has hired me?”

“I highly doubt it.” King snorted.

“Um…Mr West, I’m a bit confused about something. Why are you here? You can’t have just randomly turned up out of the blue…”

“No but my client sent me to do some investigating into Miss Wu. He wanted to know what was wrong with her and if she was cheating on him. So he hired me to find out.”

“You didn’t happen to see who killed her?” King asked his manner was spiteful.

“No and if I did I would have given the information to you guys already. She gave me the slip in China town. I’d been trailing her for a while.”

“Was she cheating on your client?” Charlie asked

“No, she wasn’t. But now she’s dead. I think I best inform him.”

“Aren’t you going to tell us who your client is?” Charlie stated.

“My, my she’s forward. I like women who are forward.” He said winking. King was not impressed he seemed very stoic in his stance.

“Just answer the question Mr West.” Charlie said.

“Fine, I’m not going to reveal who it is because of client confidentiality.” He said turning his heels.

“Wait!” she yelled. West turned around.

“Can I have your number?” she asked. West laughed as King tutted.

“Not for what you’re thinking of. I need it in case we need you again. I mean seriously we may not see you until after we solve this. You could provide evidence…” West chuckled.

“Nice protégé you have there Tom, I don’t think she realises that I don’t work with the police.”

“So, we won’t see you again?” she asked puzzled.

“No, you’ll see me again.” He said as he hopped into his red Porsche and drove quickly out of the nearby carpark.

“Is he always this rude?” she asked King.

“Are you always this idiotic?” he replied. Charlie rolled her eyes. It was better not to let King get to her. She could stand her ground.

“Come on boss, we’ve got a family to interview.” She said. King wasn’t looking at her he instead had received a text and was staring at his phone.

“Before we do that it seems that she called triple zero the other day. They found the voice recording. She hung up before she could tell them the problem. We have to go back to the station first.” He said. It was at this point that Charlie got a message. It seemed a couple of the guards at some of the stations had recognised the woman.

“Boss, I think we need to interview the guards at Paddy’s Market station and Galleries Victoria before we listen to that triple zero call. A couple of them recognised the girl. Said she was a regular. It may be important.” King stared at her. Charlie gulped, the way she had said it, made it look like she was taking over the operation.

“Fine, but after this no more veering off track. I’m getting every available officer on this case.”

Charlie didn’t say anything but she had a feeling she knew the reason behind his sudden need for more officers. The tension she felt between West and King had been obvious. She made a mental note to ask Suzie about it later. She felt that there was some sort of hidden meaning behind it all. Whatever it was she was sure it wasn’t benevolent. King suggested they take the monorail to their destinations and Charlie reluctantly obliged.