Detective Mike

Chapter 8

"I have another investigator to interview this afternoon. She comes highly recommended from Vancouver Police. They just moved out here to Chilliwack and she was commuting for a while but she wants to get something local. I think she's still on their payroll."

"Married?"

"Common law. Now don't you go getting any ideas!"

"Me?"

"Yes, you!"

"What's her name?"

"Maryann Henshaw, or at least that's the last name she uses. It's his."

"Uh huh. Well, might just be a good officer. You decide, you have to work with her."

"I'm not sure on her. She's German. We'll see."

"Henshaw isn't."

"Heimer is her married name.

"Okay, gotta get going here. I'm on my way in home for lunch and then to catch those other two in Abbotsford."

"Okay, darling. See you tomorrow night."

"Oh, by the way Julie might be with us."

"Mike, were you over at Sadie's?"

"Nope, she called. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow night."

"Okay. Kiss kiss, love you."

"Mmm, love you too. Take care."

Mike heads back home for lunch. He's early so he helps Marlene get it on then watches the baby while they eat. Emma is very interested in him and her eyes follow his every move.

After lunch he goes down to the office to look for something. It had occurred to him that morning that he had bought a box of 30-30 shells last fall when he took Rick out with his rifle to teach him how to use it. Now he seeks in his desk drawers for the half box of shells that should be there. He jumps up and checks the bottom locked drawer of his file cabinet. Rummaging around he comes up with them. He checks them and finds twenty left, must have used sixteen last fall. He tucks them away again and locks the drawer.

He checks his list of new clients. First one is the urgent one so he will stop by there first. Besides it's not far away, just around the corner on McCallum by the hospital. Doctor Harry Giffin is the name and his office is close by the hospital. Mike makes a quick call and his secretary asks him to come in around two after she consults with the doctor. Mike marks that in his file. He then calls the second client, Mrs. Fred Montgomery. She asks that he not come by until after three. She does not want to discuss it on the phone.

Next he calls the RCMP detachment in Clearbrook.

"Hello, this is Mike Claymore, is Sgt. Dempster in?"

"One moment, please."

Mike waits for a few minutes and then Janine's voice comes on the line. "Mike, what's up?"

"Can you talk?"

"Yep, I'm in my office. You just caught me as I was leaving for lunch."

"I thought I might get lucky today. Where're you eating?"

She laughs, "Oh Mike, I only have half an hour. It's been busy today. Can you meet me at the Savoy?"

"Ten minutes?"

"Make it fifteen."

"Done."

Mike assembles his files and stashes them in his briefcase, goes upstairs and takes a moment to bid Marlene goodbye. He then heads out to the car and is soon on his way towards Clearbrook. Pulling in to the Savoy Hotel and Restaurant he parks where he can see other traffic coming and going. He pulls the files open in his briefcase again and reviews some updating them.

Out of the corner of his eye he spots the cruiser's light bar as it pulls in next to him. He glances over and smiles at Janine as she gets out. She comes over to the car. "Don't you ever stop working? Put that crap away and let's go eat."

Mike laughs and stows the files. He climbs out and joins her. "I just finished lunch but I will have coffee with you... and maybe one of those Bavarian pastries. They're hard to resist." They go inside.

"Table for two. Quiet alcove, please." They know her here and quickly they are led to a small table by the side window that is screened from other patrons. As the maitre de is leaving she says her name and explains she called in her order. He looks at Mike.

"Bavarian Cream donut and coffee." He leaves them.

Janine asks, "What's been happening? Where you on a run?"

"Just got back yesterday morning from Calgary."

She raises her eyebrows, "Any of my old gang there?"

"I saw a few but I didn't get into the offices. Just dispatch."

"What's the weather like there?"

"Cold but not icy, roads were good."

She looks at him shrewdly, "You had company, didn't you? That's why you didn't see anyone." Mike just grins. "You bad cat! Who was she? Would I know her?"

Mike shakes his head. "I was wondering if you had any more word about meeting some of the Highlander crews. I've been thinking about that."

"There's a set party coming up for the X-Files crews. They're just finishing shooting on episode 90, Tempus Fugit. Liz told me Highlander is working on a two-parter, at least it was supposed to be a two-parter but she is not so sure now. Looks like it might be another single episode. It's about the theft of a stone in the royal throne of Scotland."

"That sounds good. I loved last week's episode, Duende, lots of swordplay and fiery Spanish dancing. Hey, would that be the stone of Scone in Westminster Abby?"

"I think that's what she said. Anyway it won't be released for quite a while, probably the end of April. They have a lot of work to do on it yet."

"When's the X-Files party?"

Their lunch arrives and Mike fixes his coffee. Janine mulls over her thoughts and says, "I'm not sure if it is this Friday night or next. Are you interested in attending?"

"I might be but this weekend is tied up. I wouldn't mind meeting Gillian Anderson."

"Ha! You and every other red-blooded man in the area. Not much chance of that. You might meet Mimi Rogers though... if you're lucky."

"Who's that?"

"You don't watch the X-Files that close, do you?"

"Nope, Highlander is my main interest. I am Scottish."

"Mimi plays a special agent in X-Files."

"How about getting on to the Highlander set while they're filming?"

"It might be possible. Do you know the old mental hospital in Poco?"

"Yep, go by there from work often."

"I think Highlander is shooting there next week."

"How be if I'm not on a run next week I let you know and we sneak over there?"

Janine thinks it over, "What do I get out of this?"

Mike grins, "What do you want?"

She adapts an engaging smile, "One hot night in the sack, big boy."

"Just one?" They laugh together.

"How're Marlene and the new baby? What did you call her, Emma was it?"

"Yep, they are both well. Emma is real cute and so alert. She reminds me of my mother."

"Your mother was cute and alert?"

"No... you know what I mean. Her colour and features remind me of Mom." Janine chuckles. "Aw, I know you were pulling my leg."

Janine chews on a mouthful then says, "Someone is shooting out by Langley... down by the Fraser River a few miles from the ferry landing."

Mike checks his watch. "Damn! I have to get going, I have a two-o-clock appointment."

Janine checks hers, "Can you make it?"

"Oh yeah, it's just up by the hospital but I better get going."

"Okay, see you when we can," she rolls her eyes up at him and bats her lashes, "I hope it won't be too long."

Mike stands and takes her hand then kisses it, "It won't be." He winks at her and leaves. At another table local Police Chief Ken Dryden watches him leave. He studies RCMP Sgt. Janine Dempster as she gets up from the table and nods to himself.

Meanwhile Mike is heading back across town to the Abbotsford hospital region and the medical towers nearby. He takes an elevator up to Dr. H Giffin's floor and enters the office at about two minutes to two. He gives his name and card to the receptionist and she tells him to go right on in, the doctor is expecting him.

Mike steps through the door into a short corridor and the doctor greets him from an open door on the left, "Mr. Claymore, I'm Doctor Harry Giffen but please call me Harry. Please do come in."

Mike steps to the door with his hand extended, "How do you do, sir. Please call me Mike, Harry. How can I help you?" They shake hands.

"Take a seat, Mike. We have a mutual friend, it seems. Without bandying around names, I think you know whom I mean when I say you uncovered his wife's indiscretions for him. He is a doctor also."

"Yes, I think I know who you mean."

"I also, have a similar problem. I was hoping you might be able to help me."

"Well, I certainly do my best in these cases. No fanfare, no fuss is my motto in these affairs, just an honest effort to find out the truth."

"That's what I have heard." He steeples his fingers and peers over them behind his desk. He reaches back to an open file cabinet and brings forward a Kraft envelope. He opens it and spills out some pictures and some notes. He pushes one picture towards Mike. "This is my wife."

Mike takes the picture, "She is very attractive."

"And young... you might as well say it. She is fifteen years my junior."

"These are security pictures. Has someone else been working for you?"

"Very sharp! Yes, but as you can see he thinks of himself as a model photographer, not as a private investigator. This envelope is the result of eight months work and over four thousand dollars. Each time he reports to me he has nice pictures but always of my wife, no one else. He says he needs more time, that she is definitely meeting someone."