Free Altered Egos by Bill Kitson Page B

They’re listed as defence contractors by the US government.’
    ‘Good work, the pair of you. At least we now know something about him. All we need to do now, is work out what brought him back to the UK.’
    ‘One thing for sure, it wasn’t to lecture at university,’ Clara pointed out.
    ‘No, I’m beginning to think the job description on the children’s passport application is a massive red herring. So, has either of you got any idea what Dr Richard North might be doing in this neck of the woods, if he isn’t teaching?’
    There was no reply. Both Clara and Viv struggled with the problem for a few moments before Clara said, ‘Beats me. Do you know, Mike?’
    ‘I’ve a theory, yes. But it’s only guesswork at the moment.’
    Clara and Viv looked at one another. Pearce shrugged.
    ‘Go on then, mastermind,’ Clara encouraged. ‘Give your undeserving acolytes the benefit of your wisdom.’
    Nash grinned. ‘How about Helm Pharm?’
    Clara thought about the chemical company situated on a green field site just out of town. ‘Of course,’ she breathed, ‘it’s obvious really.’
    ‘That’s what they always say after a magician discloses his secrets,’ Nash told her smugly.
    ‘That still doesn’t explain why the military were getting so hot under the collar about our inquiries,’ Pearce pointed out.
    ‘It does if North was working on something secret. Which, come to think of it, is the only reason the military would become involved. Helm Pharm is just the sort of establishment they’d choose. A small, discreet company, tucked away in the countryside. Out of sight, out of mind. Absolutely perfect as a cover.’
    ‘But a cover for what?’
    ‘I’ve no idea, Clara. And I’m not sure I want to know, unless it’s relevant to our investigation. But if we assume Dr North is working on some secret project, there must be grounds for concern that what’s happened to his wife and son might be a way of getting at him. If he’s still alive, that is. For all we know, he might have died in the fire.’
    ‘You’re not convinced about that, are you?’
    ‘I might have been, but for the attempt to block our inquiry. Why would that officer be so concerned about what we might discover about a dead man? But if North is still alive, all the more reason to want to protect him. Let’s assume that North wasn’t the man in the fire. We now have two problems, apartfrom the question of who killed Adam North, Lara North and the unknown victim.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Problem one, where is Dr Richard North? Problem two, where is Jessica North?’
    ‘Just when I thought everything was becoming easy.’
    Nash grinned at Clara’s sarcasm. ‘Resolve those problems and it might well do.’
    With a good idea of how to contact Dr North, Nash phoned Helm Pharm, the pharmaceuticals company that had opened six years previously. He identified himself to the receptionist, stressing his rank. ‘I’d like to speak to Dr North, please. Dr Richard North.’
    The reply was instantaneous. Too quick? Nash wondered.
    ‘I’m sorry, we have no one here of that name.’
    ‘I see; in that case would you please put me through to your director or personnel officer.’
    ‘I’m afraid neither our director or personnel officer is available.’
    ‘Either of their assistants then.’
    ‘There is no one available to talk to you.’
    ‘Can you tell me when someone will be available?’
    ‘No, I can’t.’ Nash blinked at the curtness of the reply.
    ‘Can’t or won’t?’
    ‘My instructions are that no one will be free to speak to you or anyone else from outside the company for the foreseeable future.’
    ‘Very well,’ Nash’s tone was gentle. ‘Can I have your name please?’
    The dialling tone told Nash the receptionist had put the phone down on him.
    Nash met with a similar lack of cooperation when he tried the Leeds firm of solicitors handling North’s affairs. The stonewalling tactics were beginning to annoy him. He thought for a