A Case Of Murder (Kendall Book 6) (17 page)

“The boat, I think,” said Kendall.

“The boat that brought Nadir ashore that evening, you mean?” said Mollie.

“That’s right,” agreed Kendall. “So we certainly need to speak to the two fishermen, or whatever they are, and Mr. Lynch. We need to ask them where they were on the night of the first murder,” He paused for a moment, and then nodded. “So tomorrow we are going for a little trip to Kinsale.”

“And how will we get there?” Mollie asked.

“I’ll hire a car, of course,” Kendall replied.

* * *

Chapter Twenty-Two

Kinsale

The journey from Killmacud had been uneventful, although it had taken a lot longer than it should have, with a few wrong turns, and several near misses for Kendall to get used to driving on the “wrong side of the road.” Mallory had offered to drive them, but Kendall wouldn’t hear of it.

“It’s no trouble,” Mallory had insisted. “I wouldn’t mind a trip down there myself. We’ll make a day of it. I’m sure Catherine would love to go. It’ll be fun. It’s a great little town, with some great eating places. And if you like art galleries, and craft shops, you won’t be disappointed. What do you say?” He looked at Mollie. “And some more shopping, yes.”

Kendall had smiled and shook his head. He was still unsure of how much he could actually trust Mallory. Consequently, he hadn’t told Mallory of the real reason as to why he was going to Kinsale, and the last thing he needed was company. “No really we’ll manage, I couldn’t put you to any trouble,” he replied. “Besides, I’ve already hired a car,” he lied.

“Well then just cancel it,” said Mallory smiling. “It would be so much easier for you. I mean you’re not used to driving over here. And I can show you around.”

Once again Kendall shook his head. “Thanks all the same, but no I couldn’t impose,” he said. “I mean you’re a busy man, and you don’t want to be bothered with us, not again.”

Mallory started to protest, but Kendall held up his hand. “We’ll be okay, besides we want to have a look around. You know do the touristy bit. I’ve got my camera like the true American tourist, going to take lots of pictures.” He held it aloft. “And I’ve got my guide book. We’ll be fine.”

Mollie’s heart sank at the mention of a guide book.

* * *

“Situated approximately twenty miles south of Cork, Kinsale is a busy town for locals and tourists alike,” Kendall read from his guide book. “It sits at the mouth of the River Brandon. With its harbor facilities it is an ideal spot for yachting, sea fishing, and day trips whale watching.”

“Whale watching,” repeated Mollie. “Sounds like friend Lynch doesn’t it?”

Kendall nodded. “Yes it does, but it could also apply to O’Rourke’s two friends couldn’t it?”

Mollie agreed that it could. “Well, let’s hope that they aren’t out on a trip when we arrive.”

“Right, let’s get started then shall we,” Kendall said, as he switched on the ignition, put the car into drive and slowly pulled away.

* * *

It was just after twelve-thirty when they arrived in Kinsale. Kendall managed to find a parking spot in Market Lane, as suggested by Mallory.

“Okay, so here we are,” said Mollie. “Now what?”

Kendall shook his head and smiled. “Now we find the
Sally Mae
, and ask a few questions.”

“So which way?”

Kendall shrugged. “The harbour I guess,” he replied trying to sound knowledgeable. “That’s where they usually keep boats isn’t it?”

The narrow streets were bustling with tourists. There was a music festival in progress, and it seemed that on every street corner there was a fiddle player, or a guitarist, or maybe someone playing a penny whistle. Every so often a young girl would start to sing, and would be quickly joined by a group of musicians.

Mollie suddenly stopped and looked at one young girl singing at the side of the road. “Isn’t that the girl we saw in O’Rourke’s the other evening?” she asked.

Kendall stopped and turned. He shook his head. “Who knows, they all look the same to me, and they all sound the same,” he replied. “Come on let’s get going. The harbour’s this way according to the map Mallory gave me.”

He continued on his way, Mollie hurrying to catch up, as they made their way down Market Lane, and into Pier Road, and on to the Yacht Club.

Along the quay side there was a line of pleasure craft offering fishing trips, or whale watching, or a trip around the islands. A short distance along the quay was an empty mooring, simply labelled “
Sally Mae – Day Trips
” but there was no sign of the craft.

“Excuse me, sir,” Kendall said to an elderly gentleman sitting at the quayside nearby.

“Ah now,” said the man. “From Australia is it then?”

Kendall shook his head. “No, we’re from America.”

“Ah, indeed you are,” the man agreed. “I knew it straight away. Here on holiday then are you?”

Kendall looked at Mollie, and sighed. “Yes,” he replied. “I was wondering if you could help me.”

“I knew someone from America once, so I did,” said the man looking wistfully across the harbour.

Kendall nodded. “Really, that’s nice,” he replied trying to sound interested but failing.

“It must have been forty year or more,” the elderly man continued. “Now what was her name? Margie, or Maggie, or some such ….”

Kendall nodded once again. “Right, but if you could just help me, I’d appreciate it.”

The man looked back at Kendall. “Of course you would, and why wouldn’t you,” he replied. “Now what is it you’ll be wanting then?”

Kendall pointed to the vacant mooring position. “Do you happen to know when the
Sally Mae
is due back?”

“Were you wanting to go out on the water then?” the man replied. “Maybe across to the islands. Oh ‘tis lovely out there, especially this time of the day. You could go with Brendan, he’ll be sailing in a little while.” The man paused for a few moments. “Ah, there he is now,” he continued as he pointed.

Kendall shook his head. “Could you just tell me when
The Sally Mae
will be back?”

“Ah well now, that’s depends, you see,” said the man.

“Depends,” repeated Kendall. “Depends on what?”

“When the repairs are finished,” explained the man. “It’s been three days, no four already. Could be another three or four. You can never tell how long these things will take.”

“What repairs?” Kendall asked.

“Well now I don’t rightly know,” said the man. “But it were coughing and spluttering something fierce the other day. I thought it was going to explode.”

“What was going to explode?” asked Mollie.

The man looked at Mollie and shook his head. “The boat, of course,
The Sally Mae,
what else,” he replied. He paused for a moment, and looked across the street. “You might get more details from the owners,” he continued. “They are over there in Mooney’s bar”

Kendall looked in the indicated direction. He had to admit that a drink would not have been unwelcome at that precise time. “Thank you,” he said. “That sounds like a good idea. What do you think Mollie?”

Mollie heaved a sigh and shrugged her shoulders. “Why ask me?” she said, as she quickly walked to the bar. “Would it make any difference if I said No?”

* * *

Mollie pushed the door open and walked into the bar, Kendall just a few feet behind her. It was dark, and their eyes took time to adjust. The room was thick with cigarette smoke. Over in the far corner a three piece band were playing an Irish jig. Kendall began to wonder if it had been such a good idea after all. He decided that in the circumstances he really had no choice. He pushed his way through to the bar.

Mooney, if indeed it was the man himself, was busy wiping the counter and trying to serve a dozen customers at once, all yelling their orders hoping it would be heard above the general din.

* * *

“Ah, now what can I be getting you?” asked Mooney some while later.

“A whiskey for me,” said Kendall. “And a martini for the lady.”

“Its Australian you are then,” said Mooney, as he poured the drinks.

Kendall nodded his head and smiled. “That’s right, Australian.”

“I’ve a cousin in Australia,” Mooney explained. “You probably know her, Janet O’Hara.”

“I’ll be sure to look her up when I get home, promise,” Kendall replied. “I’ll give her your very best wishes when I see her.”

Mooney smiled. Kendall suddenly felt a sharp pain to his left ankle, and it was nothing to do with arthritis.

“In the meantime do you know the owners of the
Sally
Mae
?” Kendall asked.

Mooney shook his head. “Sorry I can’t hear you, you’ll need to speak up.”

“I said do you know the owners of the
Sally Mae
?” Kendall shouted. As he did so the music suddenly stopped.

“Sure, I know them,” replied Mooney. “And wouldn’t that be them sitting right over there.” He pointed across to the other side of the room.

Kendall nodded as he recognised the two men that he had seen speaking to O’Rourke a few days before. “Thank you Mr. Mooney,” he said picking up his drink, and headed towards the table indicated. “I won’t forget whatshername.” Mollie struggled through the crowd and followed.

As Kendall approached, the two men looked up. “Remember me from O’Rourke’s the other evening?” he asked.

The two men looked puzzled. Then slowly recognition dawned. “You were talking to that English guy, Mallory,” said the elder of the two men. “I remember you. What can we do for you? Were you looking for a trip on the boat? Because at present the boat is being repaired.”

“Oh no,” said Kendall shaking his head. “Nothing like that. I prefer dry land. The sea is for fish.”

“So how can we help?” the man asked.

Kendall looked around at Mollie. “Mind if we join you,” he replied. “The name is Kendall, and this is Mollie.”

“Yes Mr. Kendall, have a seat,” said the man. “I’m Frank, and this is my brother Dan.”

Kendall nodded in acknowledgement.

“So how can we help you?” asked Frank.

“First things first,” replied Kendall. “Same again?” He indicated the almost empty glasses in front of the two men. He half turned to face the bar, caught Mooney’s eye, and indicated a round of drinks. Mooney nodded and started to prepare the drinks.

“Right that takes care of that,” Kendall continued. He paused for a moment and took a drink. He then heaved a sigh. “You know that I’m here to try to help Brian Charters?”

“The man who murdered the man on the beach,” said Dan.

“The man who is accused of murdering the man on the beach,” Mollie corrected.

Frank nodded. “Sure, we know all about that. O’Rourke told us who you were, the other night,” he replied.

Kendall remembered how the older man had looked at him that night. “I thought so,” he said. “You didn’t look very pleased to see me.”

Frank smiled, and looked at his brother. “I told you he had noticed didn’t I?”

Dan nodded. “We don’t get many strangers around,” he started to explain. “Especially strangers asking a lot of questions, about things that happened a long while ago.”

Mollie smiled, and looked at Kendall. Kendall nodded.
Especially if you had something to hide, and those questions were getting a bit too close for comfort.
“I thought it might be something like that,” he lied. “So getting back to Brian Charters, some people believe ….”

“He’s been charged hasn’t he?” Frank interrupted.

“I thought his trial was coming up soon,” added Dan. “In the next month or so isn’t it?”

Kendall nodded. “Right on both counts,” he replied. “The thing is I don’t think he did it.”

Frank looked at Dan, and shrugged his shoulders, clearly unimpressed. “With all due respect, Mr. Kendall, it seems that the Garda don’t share your opinion,” he said.

“So I’ve heard,” replied Kendall. “But if you could just help me, I’d be obliged.” He looked at the two brothers and heaved a sigh. “I won’t keep you long.”

Dan looked at his brother and slowly shook his head. “I don’t think so,” he said. “I mean what’s the point?”

“Maybe none,” Kendall agreed. “It’s just a few questions, I mean what’s the harm in that?”

“Questions,” repeated Frank. “What questions?”

“Simple ones,” replied Kendall. “Just about that day, the day of the murder.”

Dan leant forward. “You’re not suggesting that we ....”

Kendall shook his head, and smiled. “Come on now, be reasonable,” he replied. “I’m not suggesting anything.”

“You can’t possibly think we had anything to do with it,” Frank protested.

“To be honest, at present I don’t know what to think,” Kendall replied. “But I do know that I now have sufficient evidence to raise doubts about Charters being the guilty party.” He paused, as Mooney arrived with a tray of drinks.

The drinks were placed on to the table, and Mooney returned to the bar. “I would just like to ask a few questions that’s all,” Kendall continued.

Frank shook his head. “As my brother said, what’s the point? Why bother? The police have the guy in custody. They think he did it, so it’s just a waste of time.”

“We have a friend in London, a Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard, he has some doubts about the case,” Mollie started to explain. “He has asked us to just make a few enquiries that’s all. If you could spare some time, you know, it would appreciated.”