Free A Spider on the Stairs by Cassandra Chan Page B

boy saw Gibbons and Bethancourt first, and broke off the conversation to say, “Look, Alice, here they come.”
    Alice turned round in her chair and her blue eyes widened in surprise.
    â€œPhillip!” she exclaimed delightedly. “Is that you?”
    Bethancourt looked startled, but in the next instant realization dawned and he said, “Alice, how wonderful to see you again.”
    His expression somewhat belied his words as she embraced him enthusiastically and he patted her back in response.
    â€œHeavens, I’d no idea you were here,” she said, giving him a last squeeze and then drawing back to look at him. “You look splendid,” she continued. “Hardly changed at all.”
    â€œYou’re looking grand yourself,” said Bethancourt, but his eye had strayed self-consciously toward Gibbons.
    â€œAre you a policeman, then?” asked Alice brightly. “I hadn’t heard that.”
    â€œEr, no,” said Bethancourt, intensely aware of Murphy’s scrutiny. “I’m here quite unofficially, just as a favor to a friend. Jack,” he continued, turning hastily to Gibbons, “This is Alice Reynolds, an old school friend.”
    Gibbons, no less taken aback than Bethancourt, was frowning, but before he could say anything, Alice interrupted.
    â€œNot Reynolds anymore, I’m afraid,” she said. “It’s Alice Knowles now. How do you do, Inspector.”
    â€œAh,” said Bethancourt, looking unaccountably relieved. “I didn’t know.”
    â€œDetective Sergeant Gibbons, ma’am,” said Gibbons, shaking hands. “And this is . . . ?”
    â€œOh, excuse me,” said Alice, turning back to her companion. “Rod Bemis, Sergeant Gibbons and Phillip Bethancourt. Rod works here part-time, like me. He’s a student at York University.”
    Rod rose silently and shook hands with both men, muttering something like “hello” in an undertone.
    â€œWell,” said Bethancourt with false brightness, “this is unexpected. I think—”
    He was interrupted by a knock on the door, and they all turned to see Redfern peering through the glass at them.
    â€œI locked it after Mrs. Knowles and Mr. Bemis arrived,” said Murphy apologetically, moving to let Redfern in.
    Gibbons smiled at his witnesses. “That’s Detective Constable Redfern,” he told them. “He was delayed with another case, but he’ll be helping with my interviews. Good morning, Constable,” he added to Redfern as the young man came in, tugging off his gloves.
    â€œMorning, sir,” said Redfern. “Chilly out there today, isn’t it?”
    He was taking stock of everyone as he came forward, smiling genially at Alice, nodding at Bethancourt, and endeavoring to make eye contact with Bemis, who was staring at his feet.
    Gibbons introduced everyone, ending with Bethancourt and mentioning his status as a colleague.
    â€œI’m very glad you’ve come, Constable,” he continued, addressing himself to Redfern, “as we’ve just run into an unexpected glitch. It seems that Mrs. Knowles here,” he bestowed a smile on her, “actually went to school with Mr. Bethancourt.”
    â€œYes, so obviously I must recuse myself,” said Bethancourt rapidly, before anyone else could point it out. “I leave it all in your competent hands, gentlemen.” He nodded a good-bye at the policemen. “Good to have met you both.”
    â€œWe must get together and catch up,” interposed Alice before Bethancourt could make his escape.
    â€œYes, we must,” agreed Bethancourt without a scintilla of sincerity. “I’ll speak to you later, Sergeant.”
    He beamed at them all and, motioning his dog to his side, swept out.
    â€œGood grief,” he groaned once he was outside. “I might have known any case in York was bound to turn on me. Hell, I might as well go