Free McQueen's Agency by Maureen Reynolds

whispered, ‘When I didn’t tell him what he wanted to know, he grabbed my neck and squeezed it really tight. I couldn’t breathe.’
    The two women looked at one another in shock.
    ‘Can you describe him?’
    ‘He was very well dressed and much older than me. I thought he looked the same age as Rita’s brother who’s thirty. He had a thin face and lovely dark wavy hair. And he had been drinking because I could smell the alcohol on his breath. He also had a large mole at the side of his cheek.’
    Molly felt a sharp shock. It sounded like Mike, but why would he question a young girl about the agency. Molly stood up. ‘You’ve been a great help, Mary, and we’ll see you tomorrow after school. It won’t be long till you leave and it’ll be such a relief to have you here every day.’
    Molly added, ‘Be careful about who you meet on Saturday nights, Mary. If he comes near you again, go to the nearest policeman for help.’
    As she was going out the door, she turned. Her face was puzzled. ‘There’s one thing I’ve remembered. Although I didn’t know him I have the funniest feeling I’ve seen him before but I can’t remember where.’
    When she was gone, Edna said, ‘What do you make of that?’
    ‘I don’t know, Edna, but I think I know who he is. He works for the couple I’m working for at Cliff Top House. His name’s Mike and I don’t like him. I can’t prove it’s him but I’ll be keeping a look out for him in the future.’
    Edna went to take her son to the park while Molly locked the door and set off for the ferry. She sat on the top deck and let the wind blow through her hair. Her mind was in turmoil about the latest developments. As Edna said, what was going on?
    The difficult thing was, Molly didn’t know.

11
    Tam was finishing his breakfast and was on the point of taking Rover out for his morning walk when there was a loud knock on the door.
    Tam was puzzled as he normally didn’t have many visitors, and was astonished to see DS Johns standing in the dark lobby and he wasn’t in uniform.
    ‘Can I come in, Mr Burns?’
    Tam stood aside. ‘Aye, in you come. What’s brought you here?’
    The detective seemed to fill the small kitchen with his bulky figure while Rover did an agitated dance of disapproval around his size twelve boots.
    ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ said Tam, chastising Rover for his barking.
    ‘No, thank you. Can I sit down?’
    Tam pulled the newspaper from the fireside chair and sat down with a sigh.
    ‘I swear my legs are getting worse every year,’ he said and pointed to the paper. ‘I’ve been looking for more news of Harry but there hasn’t been a word except for that very first wee bit when his body was found and a small item about me knowing him.’
    ‘No, that’s why I’m here. He doesn’t seem to have any family and his last address was in Hull. The police down there went to investigate but according to a neighbour he lived alone. This neighbour had a key and the police didn’t discover very much. He lived in the flat on the odd occasion when he was ashore and he didn’t have very much money. He paid his rent on time and his bills but other than that he only appeared to have enough to live on, but not much more.’
    ‘Aye he told me he had no family and that he had been all round the world on various ships. He had been a crew member on the liners for a short time but worked mainly on the cargo ships. It was his first trip to Dundee and it’s such a shame that he met his death here. I was wondering what the arrangements are for his funeral.’
    ‘Well yes, that’s another reason for this visit. The police found an insurance policy in his name and there will be enough money to bury him. The neighbour, when asked his opinion about a burial site, said it wouldn’t matter where he was laid to rest because the sea was his life and he was never at home on dry land. So that’s why I’m here. The burial takes place today at ten thirty at Balgay