The Ranch - Chapter 15

Chapter 15 – Dead end

Guy was most disturbed next morning when I told him about what had occurred. “I don’t like this at all, Jennifer” he began. “Living on your own as you do makes you extremely vulnerable.”

Looking down at the man seated before me with his arms wide in mute appeal brought out a gush of emotion within me. I had an urge to throw myself upon his lap so that I could be enfolded in a manly embrace. I resisted the unworthy impulse of course! If only he were aware of the feelings running riot in my head. Instead, I folded my arms under my bosom and hid a smile while I responded. “I don’t think it was a real attempt on my life. I think someone was trying to scare me.”

To my mind this latest assailant had behaved not at all like a professional killer, and I had had seen at first hand that type of individual, so I was in a good position to judge. I felt reluctant to explain to my boss the basis of my surmise as it would entail going into my experiences when I was in witness protection. In any case he didn’t try and refute my argument. That the ex-agent didn’t disagree reinforced my hope that my guesswork was correct.

I continued “Now they’ve tried and failed, I should be much safer. Besides, they will know I’ve got a gun!” I said airily, extracting the bulky firearm from my purse.

“Let me see that.” The ex-agent took it from me and shook his head. “Your dabs will be all over this” he complained. “You have a lot to learn about handling guns.” As if to reinforce the point he clicked the safety catch back on.

I was unabashed. “My intruder was wearing gloves” I declared “and I was too busy disarming them to observe the niceties.”

My boss examined the piece and but unexpectedly he didn’t make a note of the number.

“Not getting it checked?” I queried. “Used up all your favours, perhaps?”

Guy didn’t laugh but shook his head. “Did you get a good look at this assailant?”

It was my turn to shake my head. “All I saw was someone wearing a trench coat disappearing through my apartment door. They had a beret pulled down tight on their head. I couldn’t even tell if it were a man or a woman, though if the former he wasn’t very big. I’ll keep this, for added protection.”

I retrieved the weapon and deposited it back in my purse which was only just roomy enough to accommodate it. Despite the cumbersome weight I would feel a lot safer. To my surprise the detective made no objection but merely gave an ironic smile.

“How did they gain entry?” he questioned.

I shrugged. “The door was locked and there seemed to have been no attempt to force it. They must have stolen a passkey, I guess.”

“I’ll call over later and talk to the janitor. He must have missed the key and might have noticed something. If you like I could stay over with you tonight.”

I was grateful that Guy was actively concerned about me but dismissed the suggestion. If the man were to stop the night with me, I wouldn’t want it to be merely for practical reasons!

“Thanks, but no need.” I tried to put on an air of confidence; one I didn’t really feel. Guy fell silent, deep in thought. I didn’t want our tête-à-tête to end but could think of no pretext for prolonging it. I shuffled my weight from one leg to the other awkwardly. “Well, I’d better get going. I have a cook to interview.”

The man made no response.

I walked to the door. “See you later!”

“Okay. Take care!”

I was able to take some comfort from his parting words by noticing that the ex-agent must have been knocked out of his stride by my adventure. He hadn’t said ‘Be seeing you’!

I had plenty of food for thought as I drove out towards the old folks’ residence. Perhaps I was overly optimistic, but last night’s attack had felt unreal somehow, as if it had been staged. For another thing, I couldn’t believe that the Persuaders gang had penetrated my latest identity. Besides, if they had, I was all out of places to go.

If I was right and my cover hadn’t been blown again, which of my recent actions had provoked someone to try and frighten me off? I racked my brains but could come up with no answer. The inquiries I’d made on this case hadn’t revealed anything threatening to anyone, as far as I could see. Or had they? Still perplexed, I arrived late morning to find the care home in as much disarray as my thoughts. When I greeted her, Sister Marigold was all of a flutter.

“Can you believe it, Miss Cartwright. Last night we had a break-in. The back door has been forced.”

“Was anything taken?”

“That’s the oddest thing. Not as far as we know. The police have only just left, and all the residents are still in their rooms. Have you come to visit Flora again? She will be pleased.”

The woman led the way down a corridor with many doors either side. She halted at number 23 and opened it to admit me. “She is still asleep, it appears. I’ll wake her.”

“Flora, dear” called the sister. “You have a visitor.”

The sleeping figure made no response, so she called again. The sleeper didn’t stir so the sister went over and gently shook her by the shoulder. No response. Marigold lifted an arm then “Oh!” she cried in alarm. “She’s icy cold.”

She paused and checked for a pulse then shook her head and tiptoed back to me.

Marigold whispered in my ear. “I believe she has passed away in the night. She was very frail, but what a thing to happen at such a time.”

Plucking up courage I drew closer to see if I could detect any sign of breathing. Flora was completely lifeless. The ex-cook would divulge no more secrets. She was stone dead.

Dear reader. Thank-you for staying with the story so far. May you be encouraged to learn that you have reached the halfway point in this tale. Keep following to hear more of Jennifer's exciting adventure!