Let Right Be Done

Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

"You are miles away, penny for your thoughts?" Alexandra slid her arm around Ricky's waist as she spoke.

"They're not worth a ha'penny let alone a penny. I were just thinking that this place despite its name is as far away from Shangri La as it is possible to be."

Alexandra looked around her.

"Not your idea of paradise then?"

He grimaced shaking his head.

"No, nor James Hilton's, he described a peaceful, serene, harmonious valley in the Kunlun Mountains where the people lived for many years. Not even the music is harmonious in here."

"Hilton... you're a surprising man Ricky Deeming. Lost Horizon doesn't seem your average biker boy novel."

"Well," he raised his eye brow suggestively "I'm not your average biker boy."

"No." She brushed a kiss over his lips." No you're not."

"Hilton's idea of utopia isn't the same as mine either."

Alexandra considered him for moment.

"No paradise for you would have to present a challenge. You'd want the mountain and all the elements not the valley and dappled sunlight."

His eyes widened in surprise.

"You seem to understand me well lass. I guess that is why paradise is so elusive, it's not the same for any one person."

"No I guess not."

"I can't help thinking though that there are a few kindred spirits here. You know like, all looking for a similar thing. The question is what?"

"I don't know about you but I'm not comfortable with this. I mean young girls being in a place like this." Alexandra looked around.

"No if it weren't a private party they'd not be allowed in."

Ricky took a sip from the pint of Newcastle Brown he was nursing and allowed his eyes to scan the room again. Was this just a party or were there more sinister undertones?

"Do you recognise anybody else who is here?"

"Well aye I do; several of the older blokes are local business men included Fred Durham the Mayor and besides Bacchus there are at least two other members of the Old Bill here."

Alexandra glanced at John Bacchus who was sat at a table his arm around a young woman.

"Is that John's wife Ricky?"

"No. Our Sergeant Bacchus is undercover tonight, likely that's a policewoman."

"Are you really going to fight with him?"

"That's the plan. I want Sanderson to involve me in whatever is going on here."

"Just be careful alright?" Alexandra kissed him again.

"Of course I will pet. Well, well a guest of honour," Ricky murmured.

"Who, where?" Alexandra asked looking around.

"The bloke who's just come in with Sanderson is his Dad our local MP. Charles Sanderson..." Ricky paused "Like father like son, he's a right oily bastard."

"Are you sure you are not just showing your prejudice against the upper classes?"

"And here I was thinking you knew us. Charles Sanderson's hand is in every dodgy deal this side of the Humber and Tyne. He is clever though covers his tracks but everybody knows."