Free Uncommon Enemy by John Reynolds Page A

peace?”
    Sterling grunted. “I very much doubt it. But whatever the reason, it’s unlikely to bring us much comfort. Clearly it’s something we’ll have to keep an eye on in the days ahead.”
    The clanging of bells, echoes of whistles and rattling of chains announced the vehicular ferry’s arrival at Devonport wharf. Forty minutes later the Morris pulled up at the Professor’s Castor Bay house overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. During the trip Sterling had suggested that they would leave early the next morning, drive to Devonport and catch the first vehicular ferry to the city. He would drop Stuart at the university and then visit the police station to try and secure Brendan’s release.
    Several weeks earlier Sterling had briefly explained that he’d been a widower for the past eight years, but still lived in the three-bedroom home that he and his wife had shared for twenty-seven years. Clearly the professor had a good housekeeper or took a pride in keeping the house up to standard, as the spare room was spotlessly clean. Rinsing out his clothes in the laundry tub, Stuart spread them on a clotheshorse in front of the lounge fire and after relaxing in a warm bath, he slept reasonably well in spite of the pain in his side that he and the professor had decided was probably a cracked rib. Sterling woke him at 6 o’clock. Two hours later he was in his small office trying to concentrate on some papers.
    At 10 o’clock his phone rang.
    “Hello, Stuart. I’m phoning from the police station, as I knew you’d be anxious. I had to wait for a while before being able to talk to the duty officer. Curiously enough a couple of soldiers turned up about 10 minutes after I arrived, asking about Brendan.”
    “Soldiers?” responded Stuart, instantly concerned.
    “They were both lieutenants. One of them with a plaster above his right eye was that fellow Beavis. The duty officer asked them if they were friends of Brendan. Foolishly, Beavis, who did most of the talking, said they were nothing of the sort and had come to make sure that the police officer would be doing his duty and bringing charges against Brendan.”
    “Why do you say ‘foolishly’?”
    “Two reasons. Firstly it alerted me to their intentions. Secondly I got the impression that the duty officer took exception to being told what to do by the two soldiers. Anyway, I stepped in and introduced myself. I explained that Brendan is engaged in research at the university that is important to the war effort. I took along a couple of official documents to support my claim which certainly impressed him.”
    “What about the soldiers?”
    “They made a further attempt to discredit Brendan but had to agree that he was drunk at the time. Then Beavis started on me.”
    “What did you say?”
    “I didn’t have to say anything. The duty officer took exception to their doubting the word and evidence supplied by the ‘university gentleman’ and advised them to leave the station before they found themselves in serious trouble – officers or no officers. They left muttering inaudible threats. Brendan was then brought to the front desk and I quickly informed him that he was about to be released and that he didn’t have to say anything. Mercifully, as well as being very surprised to see me, he was subdued, hung-over, or both. He signed for his personal effects without a word and now he’s waiting for me outside. I’ll send him home to rest, to stay out of trouble and come in to work tomorrow.” The professor chuckled. “A good morning’s work wouldn’t you say, young man?”
    Stuart chuckled with relief. “That’s great news. I’m very grateful as I’m sure Brendan is.”

Chapter 11
    Stuart had just sat down at the table for the family evening meal when the phone rang.
    “I’ll get it,” said his mother rising and walking out to the hall.
    Her, “Hello”, was followed by a long silence. The family then heard her voice becoming increasingly agitated. Abruptly the