Down Among the Dead Men by Peter Lovesey Page A

decisions, he noticed. This was no bad thing when he was used to giving orders. “I wouldn’t mind seeing what there is on the other bank. The hoodie was heading over there when last seen—so we were told.”
    â€œLooks like a boatyard, some jetties and not much else,” Georgina said.
    â€œI saw a car moving along there. Must be a road. Not sure where it leads. Let’s find out.”
    They reached the opposite bank and started along a narrow road between hedges.
    â€œDesolate,” Georgina said. “I can’t think what he or she came here for, unless it was to meet someone.”
    In a few hundred yards they came to some wooden buildings in a wire mesh fenced enclosure.
    â€œThe Arun Yacht Club,” Georgina read aloud from the sign outside. “I imagine this is not your scene, Peter.”
    â€œTrue.”
    â€œBut it’s the only place the hoodie could have been making for if she turned in this direction.”
    â€œIf she existed.”
    â€œLet’s assume she did.”
    â€œWell, I doubt if she was here for the sailing.”
    They went through the gate. There was parking for cars at the back of the club buildings and mooring for boats at the front along the river bank, four pontoons with berths for about a hundred, enough to be called a marina.
    â€œNo use asking inside if anyone remembers her from seven years ago,” Georgina said.
    A pretty obvious comment that he didn’t bother to answer.
    â€œI’m wondering why she came across the bridge at all,” she added.
    â€œLeaving the car containing a body and two thousand pounds in cash and failing to double-check that it was locked. Yes, she had to be very careless or into some trickery I don’t understand.”
    â€œIt was a risk.”
    â€œA mistake.”
    They were about to retrace their route to the bridge. Diamond hesitated. “What if the plan wasn’t to drop the body off the bridge? Wouldn’t it be smarter to take it on a boat and get rid of it at sea?”
    â€œThat’s the first intelligent observation you’ve made all day,” Georgina said. “I do believe you’re starting to function. Maybe she was here for the sailing.”
    He’d come up with the theory, but he didn’t like it. “We’d need to find out if she can handle a sailing boat and if she had any connection with this place.”
    â€œShe could have stolen someone’s dinghy. Well, borrowed it.”
    â€œAnd sailed it over to the opposite bank and discovered the car was missing? It’s all rather tenuous, ma’am.”
    â€œI’m going to see if anyone is about.” Suddenly she was the boss again. She strode towards the clubhouse, with Diamond following.
    Inside was a bar and lounge. A solitary drinker on a high stool turned to see who had come in.
    â€œGood afternoon, we’re police officers. Assistant Chief Constable Dallymore and DS Diamond.”
    The man said, “Pollux.”
    â€œWell, really!”
    â€œYes, really.” He must have had the reaction many times before. “Edward Pollux. Care for a drink?”
    â€œNot at the present time. We’re interested in a missing person, a young woman, who may have been a member of the club at some point.”
    â€œTry me, then,” Pollux said. “I’ve been a member twenty-three years. I’ve met just about everyone who came through those doors.”
    â€œMrs. Jocelyn Green.”
    The casual mention of a name he hadn’t heard of was yet another rebuke for Diamond. How much more was Georgina keeping to herself?
    â€œSorry. Doesn’t mean anything to me,” Pollux said. “When was she supposed to have been here?”
    â€œSeven years ago.”
    â€œDo you have a picture?”
    It wouldn’t greatly have surprised Diamond if Georgina had produced one.
    â€œUnfortunately, no. How is the security here? The boats, I mean. Is there