Death at Presley Park

Chapter 3

Chapter 3After he dropped Mr. and Mrs. Rigby at the restaurant Colin drove off in the car. Johnny told him to be on call, but said he didn't need him back there until ten-thirty so he had three hours to kill and he didn't intend to waste a moment of it.

After he and Caitlin got married, it seemed like a good idea for them to move out of their rented accommodation and in with her parents. It was a kind and generous gesture on their part to offer the young couple a rent free home. It meant they could save up to buy their own place, a chance to step onto the property ladder. Caitlin's mum and dad weren't difficult people to live with, quite the reverse in fact, but they were around all the time. Colin and Caitlin never had any time alone and having rented a place for over a year they were used to their own space.

He worked every hour God sent. Driving all week for Rigby's and also manning the switchboard of a local taxi company three evenings a week, filling in as a back-up driver if someone was off sick or on holiday. Caitlin worked for a legal practice in the town while at the same time studying for her exams. She was also an 'Avon' lady which enabled her to earn a bit extra every week. They weren't work shy and were saving like mad, but even still, finding a deposit of ten per cent plus the other costs involved would take them over two years, and all that effort would allow them to buy only a one bedroom apartment.

Colin was buzzing with nerves and excitement as he glanced at his watch. He didn't have much time, but if the traffic wasn't too heavy he'd make it. His plan seemed so simple but nevertheless he ran over the details in his mind once again to think it through. He constantly checked his watch and when the opportunity arose he drove down the back streets to avoid traffic lights. Arriving at Rigby's at seven-forty he pulled the car round to the warehouse.

“Yes! Made it,” he said aloud. Twenty minutes until close of business, he thought.

Colin carefully parked the Lexus out of sight of the offices just in case someone was working late as he didn't want to be seen. Then he walked briskly to the warehouse reception.

“Hi, Eddie,” he said to the store manager as he entered.

Eddie was thin and muscular, bald at the front with a greasy looking pony tail, held in place by an elastic band, dangling down the back of his dirty neck. He was in his sixties and thought he looked cool, like an aging rocker. He'd worked for Rigby's since the company first opened.

“Hello, Colin, you're working a bit late tonight. I thought I saw the Boss' car. Is everything okay? Is he coming in here?”

“No sweat, Eddie. He's waiting in the car. We're in a hurry.”

“What are you looking for? Do you want me to fetch something for you?”

“If you don't mind Eddie, I'll go through to the store and find what I want. I know exactly what I need and I can locate it quickly. Just write me up an order for ten Blu-ray recorders. Put it through as a corporate gift for Delectra. The Boss is dining with them tonight. You should see the restaurant. I just left Mrs. Rigby there,” he said changing the subject. “The place is very luxurious. One course would probably cost me a week's wages. It's just as well my Caitlin can cook. We'd starve if we had to pay restaurant prices.”

“That's right, rub it in Colin. At least you've got a wife to cook for you when you get home. I'm dining 'a la' Gino's Fish and Chip Shop. Mind you, when I retire I'm going to spend my life in Spain or on the golf course. Not being married any more has let me save quite a bit and I'll have my pension.”

Colin was fidgety, he was aware of the minutes ticking away. Finally Eddie said, “Okay, you go on and get what you need while I prepare the paperwork.”

Colin walked through the swing doors and quickly located the box he wanted, knowing exactly where it was placed in the store as he'd searched for it the day before. Checking the code number, he picked up the brown, corrugated carton then returned to reception. Eddie smirked when he saw the younger man struggling to manoeuvre back through the swing doors with the large box.

“Do you need a hand with that? Would you like me to carry it to the car for you? I see you don't go to the gym very often.”

“I get all the exercise I need at home, thank you very much. Some of us are married,” he added with a wink.

“Aye, vacuuming and washing dishes builds up a lot of muscles,” Eddie replied laughing then he handed over the paperwork for signing. Colin scrawled a mark that could have been anything then once again he checked the time. Ten minutes to get into the car and leave before the second shift clocked off for the night.

“Gotta go Eddie, the Boss will be having a fit. I'll have to drive like Jensen Button or we'll be late.”

With the box securely in his grasp he hurried to the car. His walk was laboured and disjointed as he struggled with the large package. Opening the boot, he hoisted the box in. His fingers were puffy and red from his exertions and when he jumped into the driver's seat to start the engine, his hands were trembling. Eddie was standing at the entrance to the store as Colin drove off and, as the vehicle passed him, he waved. Thank goodness the car had tinted windows, Colin thought or it would have been obvious that the boss wasn't with him. He couldn't help grinning as he drove away. When he sold the Blu-rays it would certainly boost the house fund and no one would be any the wiser.

After seeing the car drive off Eddie returned to his desk, picked up the receipted paperwork and kissed it. He'd suspected the younger man would be in too much of a hurry to actually read what he was signing for and he'd been right. Now Eddie had an approved order for twenty Blu-rays when only ten had in fact left the store. I'll need to put that right, he thought to himself and he smiled as he mentally went through the list of people who'd be receiving one for Christmas this year.

He felt justified in stealing from Rigby's. He'd known Johnny Rigby's dad, they'd grown up together, they'd been friends. Now Tommy's wide-boy son was treating him like a servant. When Tommy died it was Eddie who'd helped arrange the funeral. His pal would be turning in his grave if he saw the way Johnny was disrespecting him. He'd given everything to this company, never missed a day's work, putting in ten hour shifts, seven days a week at the beginning. And what did he have to show for it? His wife left him and he hadn't had a pay rise in five years. Now the little s**t didn't even get out of the car to acknowledge him, sending a boy with the order instead.

Colin drove like the clappers, racing down side streets, praying no one's cat would be strolling across his path. He reached home before eight-thirty, easily enough time for the second part of his plan. He'd telephoned Caitlin on route, she was looking out of the window when he pulled up and, as he stepped out of the car, she signalled to him that she'd be two minutes. He raced round to the boot lifted the package and carried it to the garage where he hid it amongst the pile of furniture items he and Caitlin had stored there. By the time his wife emerged from the house he was back at the car.

“Wow, I bet this car cost as much as a house,” she said, running her hand over the sleek paintwork. “Are you sure it's okay for us to go for a drive? Your boss won't mind?”

“As long as I'm back at the restaurant to pick them up and we don't go too far away in case he calls, we can do what we like. I thought we could drive down to the coast and stop at the smart restaurant on the front. We can splash out and get coffee and dessert. Then I'll bring you back here and I'll still be in good time to collect the Rigby's. What do you think? Would you like to do that?”

Caitlin's blue eyes shone, her pretty face lit up and she grinned like an excited child.

“I love you Colin Anderson,” she said and she threw her arms round his neck and kissed him. “You know I love you, don't you? Mum and Dad think the world of you too.”

And with my new way of making money we'll soon have our own place and I won't have to put up with them for much longer, he thought.