Free 02 - Flight of Fancy by Evelyn James Page B

them with a curious look, “I must be on my way
again, goodbye.”
    Clara hurried from the room her
mind whizzing with possibilities. No sooner had she gone Mrs Rhone gave a small
sigh and started unpicking Clara’s work.
     
    Clara had developed a working
relationship with the Brighton police after her last case when she had proved
an asset to them for finding out information they could not. Inspector
Park-Coombs had not initially approved of a woman poking her nose in his
business, but his mind had been changed when he realised people would talk more
openly to the friendly Clara Fitzgerald than his uniformed policemen. He had
had to reluctantly confess she had proved herself rather a good detective. In
recognition of her abilities he had typed out a card with her name on it and
his signature which would give her full access to police archives and (when
suitable) police assistance at any time. Now Clara was going to use her ‘free
pass’.
    When Inspector Park-Coombs had
given Clara her token detective card she had almost turned it away. The events
of that winter when she had become embroiled in her first murder case had taken
their toll on her. She had come to wonder if her heart was really in solving
mysteries, but time was a great healer and the distance of those dark days in
January now made them feel much less grim. She wanted to solve this new
mystery, she felt that renewal of excitement and enthusiasm that pulsed through
her as she sent her mind to work. The O’Harris mystery was just what she needed
to break her back into the detective business.
    At the front desk of the
Brighton police station she flashed her card and asked if the Inspector was
about. The duty sergeant gave her a disapproving look then escorted her
upstairs. The Inspector was in his office supervising a two man team of
painters who were freshening up the station walls with a coating of whitewash.
    “Miss Clara Fitzgerald.” He
cast her a knowing look as she approached, “I knew you wouldn’t stay out of the
detective business for long.”
    “Good morning Inspector, having
a little work done?”
    “Oh you know, had a little
money left over in the budget and thought the old walls could do with sprucing
up.” The inspector cast a beady eye over the workmen, “Trouble is, I’ve nicked
that one for stealing before now and I don’t dare take my eye off him.”
    He pointed out the younger
painter who seemed a little jittery under the gaze of the policeman.
    “Have you a moment to talk?”
Clara asked, ignoring the policing dilemma the inspector was facing.
    “So you have a new case?”
    “Rather an old one that I am
revising. Have you heard of the Goddard O’Harris mystery?”
    The inspector broke into a
broad grin.
    “That old chestnut! Body
vanishing in the night, no witnesses, no suspects, no murder weapon, quite a
pickle. That was before I was inspector of course. So you are looking into it?”
    “As best I can, time is not an
asset when it comes to solving crimes I am realising. Were you on that
particular case?”
    “No, I was on day duty that
week. Knew the fellows who were on it quite well though. They were a good lot,
very professional. They told me the case was unsolvable and I believed them.”
    “Are there files on it?”
    “Certainly, what little there
was. Probably no more than a report but I can find it for you…” The inspector
glanced at his workmen, torn between helping Clara and keeping his eye on the
reformed criminal.
    “Shall I watch them for you?”
Clara offered.
    “It is not a job for a woman.”
The inspector frowned.
    “Neither is being a detective,
perhaps we can avoid such sentiments?”
    Inspector Park-Coombs let out a
laugh then he swapped places with Clara and headed for the archives.
    “If they cause you any trouble
just call the sergeant!”
    Clara watched him go and then
sighed and sat down on the edge of his desk. She pulled a mirror from her bag
and inspected her lipstick.
    “Miss?” She