Free Empty Vessels by Marina Pascoe Page A

be about ready when you get back. Perhaps Mumʼll be feeling better then too.ʼ
    Bartlett put on his old raincoat and as soon as Topper heard the rattle of the coatstand he appeared. He came to the door when Bartlett had arrived home and then went back to sleep. Now he was ready; if his master was going out in his old coat that meant he could come too.
    Ê»All right, lad, go and fetch your lead.ʼ
    The dog obliged, running into the kitchen where a little hook, just at his height, held a tartan lead. He brought it back at top speed, sliding along the runner laid over the wooden floor in the hall. Ê»All right, steady, now letʼs straighten this mat before your mother sees it. Right, come on, weʼre off.ʼ
    Topper ran back to his basket in the kitchen and appeared with a red rubber ball in his mouth, his head cocked enquiringly on one side.
    Bartlett looked at him. Ê»If you take that, you carry it all the way.ʼ Topper, who had an uncanny knack of locating the ball even yards and yards away in the dark, followed his master out of the house and down the path. Man and dog walked up Penmere Hill and headed for the sea front. It was dark by now, but there was no rain at the moment and the two walked briskly enjoying the fresh breeze that was coming in off the sea.
    Arriving at Gyllyngvase Beach, Bartlett released Topper from his lead and watched while the dog paddled at the waterʼs edge. It was so dark he could barely see him but a few well-lit ships in the bay turned Topper into a shadowy silhouette as he trotted back and forth across the sand. Bartlett stood, enjoying the air and wondering about his suspects. Did he have any? He felt that tomorrow would bring better things. He sincerely hoped so.
    Ê»Topper, come on, mate, time to go, boy.ʼ The dog ambled up the beach and sat at his masterʼs side. Bartlett attached the lead to the collar and the pair walked off towards Pendennis Castle to continue their round trip of the bay and the docks.

Chapter Four
    The next day saw a turn for the worse in the weather with heavy snow having fallen in the night and strong winds bringing blizzard conditions. Bartlett left his house later than usual; Caroline had been quite unwell with a headache all through the night and, although she tried not to wake her husband, he stayed up with her all night to take care of her. The couple were absolutely devoted to one another. Bartlett didnʼt want to disturb Irene and to worry her so, when she came down to breakfast, he told her that her mother had been unwell. Naturally, as he had expected, she was angry that he hadnʼt called her in the night but she had promised to take care of her during the day. He checked on Caroline who had managed to fall asleep by the time he was ready to leave for work. He hoped it was nothing serious; she was his life, she meant everything to him.
    Bartlett struggled to walk up Penmere Hill, holding on to his hat, head down with his coat flapping madly in the wind. He felt almost frozen and hoped Boase would make him a decent hot cup of tea when he arrived. Walking down Killigrew Street the pavement felt slippery under his feet and he trod carefully for fear of falling. He soon arrived at the police station, bade good morning to the desk sergeant and walked into his office. Boase was already there.
    Ê»Morning, sir. Cuppa? You must be frozen.ʼ
    Ê»Morning, Boase, yes, thank you, Iʼm ready for one. Itʼs cold enough for a top hat!ʼ Talking of which, I think we should take a car over to Penvale Manor today, see if we can talk to the Hatton twins – perhaps they can shed some light on things. I know there was some connection between one of them and Francis Wilson during the war – perhaps they know where he is. We need to find him. Whatever heʼs been up to, Iʼm sure he can tell us something.ʼ
    Within half an hour Bartlett and Boase were driving through the narrow lanes that led to the village of Budock.