Maltese Steel

Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The sun had kissed the horizon leaving a canvas of deep orange, reds and a wash of purple. The open sky and an easterly breeze had brought a crispness to the evening.

To Steel, it was still warm.

All through the meal, the conversation had been limited to chit chat. As if avoiding talking about Lucy. But Steel did not expect anything else.

They had asked what Steel was doing now.

Steel had answered but knew they weren’t really interested. Abby had stayed in her room. The thought of food and guests was somehow wrong in her eyes.

The meal had been cleared just moments before. Steel had almost forgotten how good a cook Martha was. She had presented traditional Maltese food, including a tasty macaroni bake with a cheese topping. There were olives, bread, different cheeses and plenty of wine.

After the substantial meal, Foster helped Martha clear the table and bring out the coffee. Foster placed down a long wooden tray onto the table. He then off-loaded the large crockery coffee pot, three mugs, a sugar bowl, and a milk jug of the same design.

‘What happened?’ Steel said bluntly.

‘They don’t know. Local PD is investigating. Sergeant Gann Burlo has the case,’ Foster said.

‘What did the Medical Examiner say?’ Steel asked before taking a sip from the coffee.

‘He hasn’t done the autopsy yet, tomorrow, I think,’ Foster replied.

Steel watched as Martha stood up.

Martha said she was going back to bed and did not have the stomach to hear about her daughter’s death. She said goodnight, and with a gentle kiss on the cheek, thanked Steel for coming.

It was almost as if she had already asked him to do something. He was just fearful of what it was.

Foster led Steel into his study, which turned out to be the renovated garage. Foster’s workplace, away from work.

The overpowering stench of cigars and strong coffee hung in the air. By looking at the full ashtray on the desk and the empty crystal whisky glass, Steel knew that Foster had been there most of the day.

‘Talk to me, Marcus,’ Steel asked as he placed himself down on one of the leather armchairs.

‘Yesterday morning…’ Foster paused as he closed his eyes. The apparent pain of running through the events etched onto his face. ‘Lucy’s body was discovered at a place called Blue Hole Divesite. It’s near Azure Window on Gozo Island,’ Foster murmured. As if not wanting to be overheard by the rest of the house.

‘She jumped?’ Steel asked.

‘No… I mean, I don’t think so… I …I don’t know.’ Foster said, tears in his eyes.

‘Hey, it’s fine.’ Steel said. Trying to calm and reassure his friend.

‘Jonnie, I don’t even know what she was doing there. She was supposed to be at a friends house. Or that’s what she told us,’ Foster said. Suddenly realising how much he did not know his daughter or what she had been doing.

‘So, the police are calling it a suicide, and you don’t want to believe it? It happens. Kids go off the rails about all sorts of crap nowadays,’ Steel asked bluntly.

Foster shot Steel an angry look.

‘What do you need me to do?’ Steel said.

What do you want me to do? To Foster and to Steel meant the same thing.

To everyone else, it was a simple request.

What do you want me to do? This wasn’t just a simple request in Steel’s or Foster’s eyes. This was asking for permission.

What do you want me to do? Or rather – do I have Carte Blanche?

‘Investigate, find out what happened over there, and if some bastard is responsible‒’ Foster’s eyes were bloodshot with anger. His voice rumbled with a vengeance.

‘We do things my way. If I don’t like the situation… I walk,’ Steel said. He stood up and placing his brandy glass down on the small coffee table which sat between the chairs.

‘Agreed,’ Foster said.

Foster shook Steel’s hand and nodded.

‘OK… tell me everything, and don’t leave anything out,’ Steel said.