The Café (complete story)

Chapter 4: Mudlarking

"You need to confront him," said Octavia, gently shaking Eve's arm in encouragement as she spoke.

A soft smile formed on her Eve's face "Alan," she continued sarcastically, "how are you involved in the murder of two prostitutes?"

Both women laughed at the morbidness of their discussion but Eve couldn't remove the image of Angel's reaction to seeing Alan.

"You do realise that she expected to see you and not hubby?" said Octavia, "after so many years of male abuse she's probably scared of being within two feet of men."

Eve's face looked downcast as her eyes met Octavia, "Yes, I can imagine you confronting your hubby, if you had one, but I couldn't do it, I just couldn't!"

"If you had proof, wouldn't that be a different story?" said Octavia, rubbing Eve's her arm in comfort as she spoke.

"You asked for my advice," continued Octavia, "my advice is simple. Find the proof or let it go. We both know Alan. Hot headed yes, involved in murder? Can't see it myself."

Hands folded Eve turned to Octavia "I'd better find the proof then so I can put this to bed."

Detective Johnson was right. Eve didn't reveal all the details of her discussion with Lynsey. She kept the information about Ralph Simpson being a punter to herself. Now he could provide so many answers to the myriad of questions bubbling in Eve's head.

Eve was a regular visitor to Time Zone, the travel agency run by Ralph. She was a friend and customer. Alan helped the firm with its publicity and that is how Eve got to know Ralph and his wife May Li. Eve walked up to her favourite assistant "Hello Helen, you got another juicy holiday destination for me?"

Helen Prospero was the front manager for Time Zone. Eve's only interaction with Helen was through Time Zone. Helen had declined Eve's numerous social invites, unlike some of the other long standing staff members. She was a white woman in her late 50's and already on her third husband. He was a toy boy she met in Gambia. In previous visits she would boast to Helen how inventive her lover was in bed. But in recent months talk about the athleticism of Malik became less frequent, so Eve would never broach the subject first.

Helen could find great holiday destinations and remarkable prices on bread and butter holidays like Spain. It was this skill which enabled the business to retain such a loyal customer base in the face of the growth of Internet holidays.

"Can I go through to see Ralph?" Eve always extended Helen the courtesy of asking to see Ralph, though in reality she could have just walked through.

"Hello Big 'un" began Eve, "how's it hanging today?" It was a humorous but cutting introduction designed to rile Ralph into an unguarded moment.

Ralph, surprised by the introduction grabbed the handle of his chair, looked around him like a frightened ferret and with a sudden jerk moved further back into his office. "Who used that name, who told you?" Then his face lit up in recognition, "Ah, it must have been Lynsey Walters when she saw you at Light Direction.

"So what's this then Eve, blackmail?"

Eve had been careful to close the office door in case of any accidental eavesdropping from the staff, but it didn't really matter. It was a one man executive office and his glorified PA was Helen who was at the shop front.

Eve's face hardened "No, its information. Let's start with Mudlark shall we?"

Confidence returned, Ralph moved closer to his desk and sat up straight. "You've read the papers, there's nothing more to tell."

"So you found all those girls on your lonesome did you? Does May Li know about your extra curricular activities?"

Ralph's face flushed red with embarrassment then anger and raising his voice he said "Don't you dare bring May Li into this. She's a great wife."