that to work on at least. I wish you all the luck that’s going. You’ll get the break. Just when you need it.’
‘Thanks a bundle. Well you know a lot of what goes on around here. You know the locals. You can give me the low down on some of them. If and when I need it.’
She laughed. ‘Now you’re trying to get round me. It’s your job to get to know the locals. But if I can fill you in on anything or anyone I will.’
‘Okay. I’m going to take a shower.’ He grinned. ‘I think I need one and an early night. In the morning I want to check up on the acquaintances and friends of both girls to see if there is any connection.’
Viviane thought on for a long time, hunched up in bed, with the cat pinning her feet down, she worried over what she already knew about the case. Was it possible that there was some real connection between the two girls? When the news broke to the public the following morning that another girl had been murdered, it was going to be difficult to keep it from being blown up in sky-high letters in print by the media. And that wasn’t good for the town’s good holiday reputation it would only attract weirdoes and the press.
22
The next day, Monday, saw the beginning of the Carnival week at last. And anticipation of the daily events to be carried out in Victoria Park, the pier and on the sea front, built up as the posters were on view everywhere announcing The Baby Show and Fancy Dress competitions for children to be held in the park, and dances nightly held in the pier ballroom.
And the big Carnival Float Parade through the town on Saturday, followed up by the presentation of prizes for the best floats, and the Firework Display in the evening in the Victoria Park.
It seemed so unreal to Viviane, considering the two deaths, with all the entertainment going on as usual. But the show had to go on. Although it was bound to affect the party atmosphere generally encouraged during Carnival week. Careful parents were becoming especially vigilant now with their daughters’ safety in mind after dusk. The police force would be kept busy with watching out for drug pushers plus this murder investigation now their prime task.
Viviane didn’t envy Jon. Given that he did have the able assistance of Sergeant Turner at his elbow and some obviously well motivated detectives and uniformed officers. They needed a real break and some genuine leads to follow up that would solve the case sooner than later.
Kent had Turner take down all the names of the male members of the chapel congregation. Amongst them were Councillor Tom Berkley, the current Town Mayor, and Aiden Ludlam, a Councillor and Headmaster of a local private school for boys. Ludlam, he’d arranged to speak to that Monday. Whether they also knew the French girl he would only find out by speaking to them.
‘Mr. Ludlam, thank you for seeing us this morning. I gather that you have a busy schedule at the Town hall today.’
Aiden Ludlam saw them at his home. It was near some of the town’s private nursing homes, a large red brick house in a quiet select road along the back of the sea front.
Aiden Ludlam got up from his desk as they entered. Kent noted that under that expensive dark blue suit he had a frame that might be as powerful as it was graceful. ‘Yes, Inspector Kent. I am serving on the Police Committee. And our meeting is urgent, today. As you already know, we have our problems with drugs here like any seaside town these days. And these Carnival weeks bring in the drug dealers when they know that our police force are doubly stretched and especially now with these murders to contend with.’
‘I’m afraid that’s very true, sir.’
‘Gwynith. Some refreshments, please?’
Aiden Ludlam, with his leonine head of thick fair hair, and strong handsome features had a striking presence there was no doubt about that. Kent imagined that he must magnetise his captive audience in the chapel with the cadences of his rich voice. It
‘Thanks a bundle. Well you know a lot of what goes on around here. You know the locals. You can give me the low down on some of them. If and when I need it.’
She laughed. ‘Now you’re trying to get round me. It’s your job to get to know the locals. But if I can fill you in on anything or anyone I will.’
‘Okay. I’m going to take a shower.’ He grinned. ‘I think I need one and an early night. In the morning I want to check up on the acquaintances and friends of both girls to see if there is any connection.’
Viviane thought on for a long time, hunched up in bed, with the cat pinning her feet down, she worried over what she already knew about the case. Was it possible that there was some real connection between the two girls? When the news broke to the public the following morning that another girl had been murdered, it was going to be difficult to keep it from being blown up in sky-high letters in print by the media. And that wasn’t good for the town’s good holiday reputation it would only attract weirdoes and the press.
22
The next day, Monday, saw the beginning of the Carnival week at last. And anticipation of the daily events to be carried out in Victoria Park, the pier and on the sea front, built up as the posters were on view everywhere announcing The Baby Show and Fancy Dress competitions for children to be held in the park, and dances nightly held in the pier ballroom.
And the big Carnival Float Parade through the town on Saturday, followed up by the presentation of prizes for the best floats, and the Firework Display in the evening in the Victoria Park.
It seemed so unreal to Viviane, considering the two deaths, with all the entertainment going on as usual. But the show had to go on. Although it was bound to affect the party atmosphere generally encouraged during Carnival week. Careful parents were becoming especially vigilant now with their daughters’ safety in mind after dusk. The police force would be kept busy with watching out for drug pushers plus this murder investigation now their prime task.
Viviane didn’t envy Jon. Given that he did have the able assistance of Sergeant Turner at his elbow and some obviously well motivated detectives and uniformed officers. They needed a real break and some genuine leads to follow up that would solve the case sooner than later.
Kent had Turner take down all the names of the male members of the chapel congregation. Amongst them were Councillor Tom Berkley, the current Town Mayor, and Aiden Ludlam, a Councillor and Headmaster of a local private school for boys. Ludlam, he’d arranged to speak to that Monday. Whether they also knew the French girl he would only find out by speaking to them.
‘Mr. Ludlam, thank you for seeing us this morning. I gather that you have a busy schedule at the Town hall today.’
Aiden Ludlam saw them at his home. It was near some of the town’s private nursing homes, a large red brick house in a quiet select road along the back of the sea front.
Aiden Ludlam got up from his desk as they entered. Kent noted that under that expensive dark blue suit he had a frame that might be as powerful as it was graceful. ‘Yes, Inspector Kent. I am serving on the Police Committee. And our meeting is urgent, today. As you already know, we have our problems with drugs here like any seaside town these days. And these Carnival weeks bring in the drug dealers when they know that our police force are doubly stretched and especially now with these murders to contend with.’
‘I’m afraid that’s very true, sir.’
‘Gwynith. Some refreshments, please?’
Aiden Ludlam, with his leonine head of thick fair hair, and strong handsome features had a striking presence there was no doubt about that. Kent imagined that he must magnetise his captive audience in the chapel with the cadences of his rich voice. It
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