Let Right Be Done

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

The police car pulled away from the curb. Ricky leant back against the seat. He had a lump on his head where Bacchus had clobbered him. Rubbing it gently he looked at the grinning policeman.

"If I didn't know better I'd say you enjoyed clobbering us with that chair."

"Well I had to make it look realistic who'd believe a bloody big bloke like you would get beaten up by me. You must be five inches taller then us and at least a stone heavier. The chair worked well."

"Yeah really well. I don't suppose you have a couple of aspirin on you do you?" He looked around the car. "Is Lex being looked after, she's not been left at the club has she?" Ricky asked worried.

Bacchus raised his eyebrows.

"Believe it or not I'm not stupid. She's with WPC Kent in the car behind. You really like this girl don't you?"

"Like doesn't begin to come close. I love her." He hadn't meant to speak the words out loud, but once spoken they couldn't be recalled. He waited for Bacchus to make some sarcastic comment.

"Oh now that's good mister anti-establishment falling in love. So are you going to settle for a banal life like mine, with holidays in Whitby Bay? Bills and a mortgage?"

"John take it from me life with a woman who is as vibrant, exciting and interesting as Alexandra will never be banal and we will never holiday in Whitby Bay." He smiled at the flush that appeared on Bacchus' face. "So are we going to see your boss?"

"Yes, Mr Gently is waiting at the station." Bacchus turned his head away not wanting Ricky to see the look on his face. The truth was his personal life was banal and seeing Deeming so satisfied with life was bloody unpleasant. He'd wondered if he'd have a chance with Alexandra, if he left his wife but he knew he wouldn't. Tonight at the club it was obvious that she and Ricky were a couple. When apart they seemed to know instinctively where the other was, sharing glances and secret smiles from across the room. When they'd been together they touched often, and looked like the lovers he assumed they were. He'd never had that with his wife.

Gently was waiting at the station for them and he listened in silence to John's account of the fight. He seemed satisfied with the way it had gone believing that it would help Sanderson trust Ricky.

"Did any of you notice anything suspicious at the club tonight?"

"Well you couldn't call is suspicious but there were several prominent local business men at the club," Bacchus said.

"The young girls looked like they were being paraded for those men like cows at a cattle market. I wouldn't be surprised if you don't find a seedy sexual link here. Underage prostitution possibly. Have you spoken to the girls from the previous shoot yet?" Ricky asked.

"They never went to the digs that social services set up for them. Nobody in local government has to check on these kids."

"Why aren't I surprised by that little fact? That's what your world offers kids like these kick em out at sixteen. And you criticise The Defenders." Ricky glanced at Bacchus.It was impossible to hide his disgust. "So they could be anywhere trapped in God only knows what circumstances or like Olivia dead. Meanwhile there is not a bloody thing you can do because correct us if I'm wrong there was nothing illegal about that party."

"From what you say there wasn't no. I have insisted that I am informed of the day the girls from The Gables are due to move out. So that we can ensure that they go to their digs. If it helps I'm no happier than you are about the situation." Gently paused, allowing Deeming time to understand that he agreed with him. "Did any one business man seem more interested in the girls than any other?"