Page 98 of Mann Hunt
Carrie came down from the top of the stairs. “You must be the mysterious Declan that Charlie can’t stop going on about.”
Charlie shot her a look that saidshut up.
“That would be me,” Declan said. “And you must be the kind friend who took this poor sod in off the street. It’s nice to meet you.”
Charlie turned to leave but was stopped by Carrie clearing her throat. He turned to see her standing with her arms open wide. Charlie reluctantly went over and gave her a goodbye hug.
Charlie got into Declan’s van, and within a half an hour, they were pulling into Katherine’s driveway. Charlie was starting to feel comfortable in his role asDeclan’s assistant. The butterflies in his stomach were gone.
Katherine greeted them at the door as they mounted the front steps. “I have coffee ready, if you’d like some.”
“That would be great. Thank you,” Charlie answered.
They sat in the living room and waited for Katherine, who entered carrying a tray of steaming mugs. They each took one, then Katherine asked, “Do you have any news?”
Declan said, “Last night, the police brought in Justin Neves for questioning. Did Ian ever mention his name?”
“Not that I remember.”
“He was a player on the Axemen. He was the young man in the photographs.”
“And you think he killed Ian?” Katherine asked.
“At this point, the police have him in for questioning,” Declan said. “The photographs of him may provide him with motive. Apparently Ian wanted to have them published and Justin was afraid of what that might do to his reputation.”
Katherine sighed. “You mean that people might think he was gay, or that he liked to…dress up? People are so narrow-minded.”
“I agree. Could we see the photographs again, with that in mind?”
“They’re still in the kitchen. I’ll go get them.”
Charlie was starting to feel the effects of his third cup of coffee of the day. “Mrs Mann, would you mind if I used your washroom?” he said.
“Of course not. Use the one up the stairs, second door on the right.”
“Thank you.”
Charlie made his way upstairs and easily spotted the bathroom. As he walked down the hall he noticed that all of the doors in the hall were open, except one.I wonder…
He could hear voices from downstairs as he crept over to the closed door. The floors were carpeted, and his footsteps made no sound. He cautiously opened the door and walked in. Plaques on the walls commemorating Ian Mann’s contributions to various community organisations confirmed that this was Ian’s office.
The one thing that struck Charlie was, aside from a computer, a desk lamp and a framed photograph of Katherine, the desk surface was clear of clutter. Other than the commendations on the walls and a bookcase holding a few dozen books on photography, the office was bare.Did Katherine clean up the place?
Charlie moved to the desk. The drawers stuck when he tried to open them. He was afraid that if he wasn’t careful, one of them would squeak and give his intrusion away. As he wiggled a drawer back and forth to coax it open, the photo of Katherine toppled forward. Charlie reached to catch it, but in the process, his elbow knocked the lamp onto the floor. Charlie froze. If it hadn’t been for the carpet, the crash would have given him away. As he went to return the lamp to its place on the desk, he noticed a USB stick which the lamp had hidden.
What do we have here?
Charlie returned the lamp and picture to their proper places, then popped the USB stick into his pocket, left the office and closed the door. He headed tothe washroom, and when he was done, he returned to the others downstairs.
“Charlie, come and have a look at these,” Declan said, indicating the photos spread out on the coffee table. “How do these fit with what Justin said?”
Charlie leafed through the pictures. “They’re pretty much as he described them. Justin looks great in all of them and they both seem to be having a ball in the shots where they’re together.” Charlie looked up at Declan. “But I can see why he was worried about them getting out. Some small-minded people might look at these and thinkfag.”
Declan said, “I think that’s exactly what Justin was afraid of, and that would give him motive to do whatever he could to stop them from getting out.”
“And what doyoubelieve?” Katherine asked Charlie.
“I don’t think Justin’s got it in him to kill someone. These photos… Could we borrow them? I think if I could see Justin’s reactions to them in person, I would know for sure if he was telling the truth.”
