“Actually I thought you were my best client.” Camilla said. “Not that I have favourites. As far as I’m concerned you are all paying clients.” She paused, “My point was if there’s anything to find out, and I expect there probably is, then it’s best left to the people who know what they are doing. It’s hardly anything to do with us.”
“You know,” Bernadette said, “When one of your main clients is a gangster it’s probably handy to have a local police force that is corrupt and incompetent. Wouldn’t you say?”
“I would say it’s none of our concern and I have been doing. Look, I know why you’re suddenly so interested in what the Elm Street police are doing. They tried to set up one of the women from your shelter. I understand that. I understand your anger.”
“Hannah’s nineteen and they tried to frame her for murder.”
“I do understand and that tame detective of yours has reported it all and no doubt there will be some long and terminally dull investigation that will, eventually, come to some conclusion or other.” Camilla waved a dismissive hand. “I don’t know and I don’t really care. Heads might roll, senior officers will take early retirement, all will go back to normal.”
“Normal is corruption and incompetence.” Bernadette said.
“That’s life and you and I both know it. All right, everyone is sorry about Hannah and how she was treated.”
“You’re not.”
“No, I’m not, I couldn’t care less if you want me to be brutally honest. She wasn’t my client and has nothing to do with me. But I will say this, if you want answers, then talk to her. She can supply you with all the answers you could ever want.”
“I have spoken with Hannah. She doesn’t want to talk about it.”
“I can’t say I’m very surprised.” Camilla said. “Probably best though. Let someone else worry about it, Bernie. Let’s face it, we both know the elm Street police and we both know Victor Monk rather well. I think this is a time for a low profile and little said. “
“Standard lawyers advice? Keep your mouth shut?”
Camilla smiled brightly, “That’s it, Bernie. We all keep nice and quiet and let the investigation, if there is one, get on with itself.”
Bernadette McLaren didn’t return the smile, but she said, “OK. I’ll go along with that.”
Chapter Six
The Mermaid Café was one of the very few places on Riverside that was open during daylight hours. Once past the rather tacky plastic mermaid outside the door, the one with the embarrassing plastic green sea shell bra. Hazel Vernon found herself in the pleasant stylish atmosphere of a first class restaurant.
“Table for one?” She was met by a smart young woman, dressed in dark trousers, waistcoat, and a white shirt with a navy bow tie.
“I have a reservation.” Hazel said, “In the name of Vernon….table for two.”
The woman glanced down at her clipboard. “Oh, yes, the other party just arrived. Follow me, please.”
The Mermaid was always busy, they served some of the best food in the city and at quite reasonable prices. The place was clean, efficient and friendly.
As they reached the table the blonde woman sitting there rose. She was several centimetres shorter than Hazel and wore a mid-blue oriental style tunic with black trousers and shoes. “Hazel?” She said, putting out her hand, “It’s good to meet you.”
Hazel shook the woman by the hand. She had a firm grip. “You’ll be Louise.” She said, as the young woman left them. They both sat down. “You look just like your mother.”
“Everyone says that.” Louise Bowman said. “I expect they say the same about you.”
Hazel nodded, “Yes….”
Louise copied the gesture, “I know, it’s embarrassing, isn’t it?”
“Looking like our mothers? Or….” Hazel vaguely waved her hands. “This?”
“Do you find this embarrassing?” Louise said.
“I find it odd.” Hazel said, “Who wouldn’t?”
“Well yes.” Louise said, “I’m thirty two years old and I suddenly find I have an elder sister.”
“Half-sister.” Hazel said. Thank you, Martin Ross.
“Yes, my father….got around.” Louise said, “You don’t really like to think that of your parent, do you?”
“I never had a father to think that of.” Hazel said. Though she did have her grandfather. Lt. Col Henri Vernon. He more than made up for not having a father. “And my mother was always discreet.”
“Also there’s nothing of my father in either of us.” Louise said, “Not physically.”
Martin Ross, for all his womanizing hadn’t left his genetic mark.
Hazel studied the menu a bit more intently than she otherwise would have done. “You’re in the army?” She said.
“Military police.” Louise said. “And you’re a police detective.”
“I dare say someone could make something of that.”
“It’s called coincidence.” Louise said.
Hazel nodded, the fish was always a good bet here, but then so was the lamb.
“Can I also ask….” Louise said, “Are there any more of us?”
Hazel stifled a laugh. “If there are, then I don’t know about them. So far as I know my mother wanted a child and your father…my father…” She waved a hand vaguely.
“You’re an only child then?”
“Actually I have an elder sister.” Hazel said, “Her name is Linda and she’s married to an accountant. She lives in London and they have two children, a boy and a girl.” Hazel didn’t really see much of her sister, or her sister’s family, but a Christmas card and the odd email were always welcome.
“She’s not….”
Hazel shook her head. She could go for the duck in plum sauce, now that was delicious. “No, I’ve met Linda’s father.” She said, “And his husband.”
“Ah.” Louise said. “So she’s no relation to me.”
“None, and I don’t see that much of her either.”
Louise nodded, “We’ve thought of children, Don and me, but maybe a little later.”
Hazel nodded vaguely.
“No children for you?”
“I’m not the motherly type.” Hazel said.
“You don’t have anyone special in your life?”
Hazel shook her head. Val Maddingly was in the USA now and showed no signs of ever returning. “I’m married to the job.” She said, though that did sound rather weak.
“Do I get to ask if you’re investigating anything interesting?” Louise said. “More to the point, do you get to tell me if I ask?”
The waitress came over. Hazel went for the duck in plum sauce, with a side order of rice. Louise picked out lamb chops with winter vegetables. Sometimes Hazel thought it was always winter in this town.
“Shooting in a hotel.” Hazel said.
“That was on the news.” Louise said, “Man shot dead in a hotel room. There wasn’t much else