Destination Danger
Number
6 walked out of the bedroom still dressed in his dressing gown. In the lounge
he glanced out of the window. The Village was bathed in early morning sunshine.
He was about to go through into the kitchen, when the door to his cottage
opened and standing in the doorway was the well built frame of the dark haired
figure of Number 2, sporting a moustache. Dressed in tweed jacket, green shirt,
flowered waistcoat, a yellow bow tie, and green trousers. He had the old school
scarf draped about his shoulders, carried the compulsory furled umbrella
shooting stick, and a well worn Panama hat upon his head.
“A bit early to come calling, isn’t it?” Number
6 asked digging his hands deep into the pockets of his dressing gown.
“The
early bird catches the worm. Besides I wanted to see how you were after your
latest little escapade” said Number 2.
“Escapade?”
“Your latest endeavour to leave us, no ill
effects I trust?” Number 2 said, as though he was genuinely concerned.
“I’m touched by your concern.”
“May I come in? Your breakfast will be getting
cold” Number 2 told him, and was about to step over the threshold anyway.
“Breakfast?” queried Number 6.
Number 2 walked passed him on his way to
the kitchen. A maid followed behind carrying the breakfast tray. A young woman,
tall with long blonde hair dressed in a blue dress and white frilly apron and
white sailor’s hat. Number 6 followed the maid through into the kitchen where Number
2 had already laid out plates, cups and saucers with cutlery.
“What’s all this in aid of?” asked Number 6,
casually watching the maid place the tray on the table and lay the breakfast
out.
“A small courtesy with no hidden meanings
or consequences I assure you” said Number 2 indicating to Number 6 that he
should sit down.
The maid having completed her task
curtseyed, and took her leave as the two men sat down to their breakfast.
“So what do you want? You know as well as I
that there is no such thing as a free lunch” Number 6 told his early morning
visitor.
Number 2 busied himself sprinkling salt and
pepper over his bacon and eggs “Then call it a free breakfast. I simply wanted
to talk with you, and this seemed the most civilised way of doing it, toast?” Number
2 offered holding up the toast rack.
Number 6 took the offered slice of toast from the toast rack and begun to butter it “Talk, talk about what? I can’t imagine that we have much to say to each other.”
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“Don’t be hostile my dear chap, I want to
talk about you. How do you find the eggs and bacon?” asked Number 2 casually.
“Tepid!” Number 6 told him.
“Shall I be mother?’” Number 2 asked,
picking up the brown Worcester tea pot and pouring out two cups of tea “you
know Number Six, I don’t think you have been very happy since your arrival here.”
“Oh it’s been noticed!”
“I’ve been reading your file, it grows by
the day by the way, and that was a cunning plan of yours.”
“I think you have the wrong end of the
stick!” Number 6 told him “by the way what was it that caught up with me, it
wasn’t the Guardian!
“If it had been, I doubt we’d be talking
like this.”
Both men fell silent whilst they drank
their tea. It was Number 2 who eventually broke the silence.
“You interest me strangely Number Six, you
have many fine qualities and abilities. In fact you have much that you can
offer The Village and its community.”
“Tell me the old, old story!”
“Of course, a man of your calibre should
not be wasted” Number 2 told him “we can use a man like you.”
“Are you on a recruitment drive?”
“I want your co-operation.”
“You don’t want much!”
“I can understand your animosity
towards me.”
“You
have the audacity to have me abducted, imprisoned against my will, tell me it’s
for my own protection apparently. I’m prevented from leaving, what’s more your
treatment of me had been downright deplorable. Now for God knows what reason,
you want me to come and work for you!”
“I assure you that I had nothing whatsoever
with having you brought here!”
“Well it was someone in your
position!”
“My dear fellow you have every right to be
angry. Off the record I think they did take something of a liberty with you.
But as I understand it, it was for the good of The Village.
“I said the last time, I want nothing
from nobody!”
“You are a clever man Number Six.”
“Clever enough I suppose.”
“And that is why I find myself here and in
need of your help” Number 2 told him in all sincerity.
Number
6 looked at him across the table in surprise “You, need my help, what game are you playing?!”
“Tell me Silas.”
It was the first time any Number 2 had used
his name.
“Despite everything you liked Number Nine didn’t you? Perhaps you were growing a little fond of her” Number 2 suggested.
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“Yes I suppose so, a nice enough young
woman” he said.
“You accept that she was only acting under
instructions having been assigned to you, just in the same way as you acted
against The Village in that affair” stated Number 2 feeling that he was close
to getting his man.
“I hope your people were not too hard on
her, it wasn’t her fault you know. What happened to her? Your predecessor told
me she was no longer with you” Number 6 told him.
“Not as hard as you, trussing her up in the
wardrobe like that, shame on you Number Six! But you’re not likely to see
Number Nine again. True she is no longer with us, she’s dead” there was no other
way he could have put it.
“Dead, there has been no funeral.”
“No, her body still lies in the
mortuary.
“How did she die?”
“Her body was found at the foot of the
cliffs below the Outlook, and that is why I have been brought here, to discover
what exactly happened.”
“Well why waste time talking to me?”
“No waste I assure you, after all you
did know Number Nine, so you come within my remit” Number 2 explained “You see
my predecessor failed to find the motivation for Number Nine’s suicide.”
“Suicide?”
“My problem is I don’t know whether she
jumped or if she was pushed!” Number 2 told him.
“You think it could have been murder?”
“Quite” retorted Number 2 quietly.
Number 6 felt saddened to hear this news,
and recalled his mistreatment of her “What has all this to do with me?”
“I want your help in getting to the bottom
of Number Nine’s death.”
“Why call on me, you seem to be a clever
man and you have all the resources of The Village at your finger tips. Whatever
your little game is this time, don’t involve me in it!” Number 6 stated, and as
defiant as ever.
“It may seem improbable to you, but there
are hostile forces in The Village” Number 2 informed him “there are those who still
feeling some loyalty to my predecessor. Perhaps even a conspiracy against me. I
burden others with questions, but so far answers have not exactly made a prison
for oneself, if you get my meaning.”
“But you are Number Two Chairman of The Village.
As a rule Number Two commands respect and authority” Number 6 assured him, much
to his own surprise.
“Not when you suspect one of their number to be a murderer it doesn’t. People clam up when I ask questions. That’s why I need you, someone outside the administrative system.”
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“Why should anyone co-operate with
me, I don’t carry the
authority.......oh that’s very good, very good indeed. You almost had me
there!” he said showing Number 2 the door.
“Help me and I will be in a position to
help you” Number 2 pleaded.
“What me, make a deal with the devil, I
don’t think so” Number 6 told him “I’ve been caught like that before!”
“If you had any sort of feelings for Number
Nine, I would have thought you would have wanted to find the person responsible
for her death.”
This was a punch below the belt from Number
2 and one not worthy of him, but needs must when the devil vomits in your face.
“And if I do, what do you get out of it?”
“I get to clean the barrel of one rotten
apple, at the same time gaining the respect of my subordinates. Then I shall be
in a position to help you” Number 2 assured him once more.
“What
give me a position of authority you mean, I’m a prisoner here don’t forget.”
“I have not forgotten. You can ask
questions without fear or trepidation, and I’ll keep the guardians off your
back, in fact you can have a couple to aid you in your investigation” was 2’s
offer.
“I know what you want, you want me to do your dirty work for you!”
“There
is something about the death of Number Nine that doesn’t sit well. Help me get
to the bottom of it” Number 2 pleaded.
“You’re wasting your time. I want nothing
to do with it!”
“If that was for the benefit of the
Observers, I’ve had the cameras and microphones deactivated” Number 2 told him
“you’ll be making a mistake by turning me down.”
“Not as big as the one you made by coming
here” again Number 6 showing his visitor the door.
“All I ask is that you think about it. You
know where I’ll be when you change your mind” Number 2 said walking towards the
opening door.
There was something wrong with this Number
2. It had taken time for Number 6 to put his finger on it, but then suddenly he
had it “Where is your badge? Have you lost it?”
Number 2 stopped, turned, and looked down at
his left lapel “Silly me, the pin broke this morning and I left it on my desk,
really must get it repaired. I’ll look forward to hearing from you soon Number
Six, but don’t leave it too long, Number Nine’s funeral is set for tomorrow.”
The door closed and Number 6 was left with the feeling that he was about to be hoodwinked by this new Number 2, into becoming involved, if not assigned, to investigate the death of Number 9. A young woman who did not deserve to die before her time. Once he had been billed as her protector, now it seemed that he was about to become her avenging angel!
At the Old People’s Home, “Come along” urged the Brigadier anxious to be making a move of his own.
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“Sorry” said Number 6 moving his Queen out
of danger from the attack by the black King’s Rook.
“I’ve
done it again!” the Brigadier told him moving his Queen’s pawn forward one
square.
“Done what?” asked Number 6 studying his
position on the board.
“Caught you thinking!”
Number 6 could see that his position was
hopeless, knocking his King over he resigned!
“Another game?” asked the Brigadier happy with
his win and busy setting up the pieces once more.
“Yes that is exactly what it is, but I’m
not sure whose side I’m on!” Number 6 said.
“Well that makes a change for you doesn’t
it?” the Brigadier said moving his King’s Pawn forward two squares.
“What do you mean?” Number 6 asked playing Pawn to Queen three.
“Well it was like that time they thought
you had escaped, ran themselves ragged they did looking for you and that Number
Nine” the Admiral informed him, moving King’s Knight to King’s Bishop three
“how far did you get lad?”
“Not far enough as you can see” Number 6
returned with Pawn to King three.
“No escape is far enough!” the Brigadier
told him “and you didn’t take Number Nine with you.”
‘Did you hear what happened to her?’ Number
6 asked.
His opponent stared down at the board in
silence.
“Number Nine, what happened to her after I escaped
The Village?”
“But you didn’t escape, they brought you
back, don’t you remember?” the Brigadier said leaning forward “they found her tied
and gagged in your wardrobe. I heard they took her to hospital for treatment.”
“Did they release her back into The
Village?”
“She must have been in a bad way” the Brigadier
told him playing his next move Pawn to King five.
“What happened after she left the
hospital?” Number 6 asked, suddenly realising that he had already become a pawn
in Number 2’s game without even realising it.
“I only saw her the once, she looked sad,
broken, perhaps heartbroken” the Brigadier said looking at his opponent
accusingly.
“Because of what I had done to her?” Number
6 asked, realising that there was no way back for him now.
“Her
body was found at the foot of the cliffs below the Lookout.”
“Suicide do you think?” asked Number
6.
“Doesn’t matter what I think, does it?” the
Brigadier replied “but if it was she had been driven to it.”
“And if not?” Number 6 asked.
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“Then she was......”
“Murdered!”
The Brigadier looked at him with an
expression of shock.
“Number 2 came to see me this morning with
a proposition, I think
he’s
out of his depth.”
“Not surprised he’s not been here five
minutes” the Brigadier told him “I think they threw him in at the deep end! He
arrived the same day his predecessor left. In fact it looked like she couldn’t
get away fast enough!”
Number 6 played out the chess match with
the Brigadier then made his excuses and left, as he walked across the lawn of
the Old People’s Home he was approached by a waiter.
“Excuse me sir, I couldn’t help but over
hear you and the Brigadier talking about
the girl Number Nine” the waiter said.
“What do you know about it?” Number 6 asked
projecting an air of authority.
“Nothing, however I do know who found the
dead woman’s body. It was Number One-eight-two. He told anyone who was prepared
to listen, you know what it’s like sir, how people like to talk” the waiter
told him.
“Who
is Number One-eight-two?”
“I don’t know sir” began the waiter “who is
anyone here? But he works as one of the gardeners. He and another were working
on a fallen tree on top of the cliffs, that’s when he found the body.”
Number 6 thanked the waiter and turned to a
Top Hat official of Administration sat at one of the tables “Was a post-mortem
carried out on Number Nine?”
The Top Hat official Number 250, dressed in
his black suit and black overcoat peered at Number 6 through his dark glasses
“And you are?” he asked seeing the man was not wearing his number.
“Number Six. Number Two has requested that
I help him in the matter of Number Nine’s death.”
“Where is your badge, have you mislaid it?” asked the Top Hat official.
“I don’t wear one!” retorted Number 6 casually looking at the badge worn by the Top Hat official.
“That could be deemed an offence.”
“I’m exempt of the rule!”
“Administration has not been advised that an
assistant has been assigned to Number Two.”
“That’s not my problem. Was a post-mortem
carried out on Number Nine?” Number 6 said repeating his question.
“I do not know, I’m not an undertaker!”
“Is an enquiry to be set up to look into
her death?”
“Ask Number two!”
“I’m asking you!” he said with
authority.
The Top Hat official laughed “You have been here long enough Number Six to know how things work here. The girl was dead, there was no need for either a post mortem or an enquiry. Certainly that is how Number Two would have it. She wanted the funeral to take place straight away, but the sudden arrival of the new Number Two put paid to that. He arrived on the same day, ordered the body of Number Nine to be kept in the mortuary. I don’t know why, but soon Number Two began to look into Nine’s death, asking questions. He wanted to know about his predecessor, he was annoyed about her having been allowed to leave The Village. Some of us half expected Number Two to have his predecessor brought back, he still might.”
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“Why is that?” urged Number 6 wanting to
know more.
“Is
this official?” the Top Hat asked, not wanting to drop himself in it.
“I told you, I’m assisting Number Two. Why
would Number Two have his predecessor brought back to The Village?” Number 6
urged the Top Hat, wanting to know more.
“Because his predecessor was brought here
to clean up someone else’s mess. A prisoner, you, had gone missing, presumed
escaped. Number 2 at the time had failed to recapture you. So in turn a new Number Two was sent to clean the
mess up of her predecessor. Then came the death of Number Nine. Number Two put
the girl’s death down to suicide, and had her file closed” the Top Hat
explained quite openly, and without prejudice.
“Do you think it was suicide?” was Number
6’s final question.
The Top Hat official thought for a moment “I
couldn’t possibly comment not being there at the time.”
Number 6 descended the steps from the Old
People’s Home to the quayside, then down the steps onto the beach where he made
his way along the base of the cliffs to below the Outlook. He had turned
investigator before he had even realised it. He wanted to know how the body had
lain! Standing at the foot of the cliffs he looked for clues as to how the body
might have fallen. He looked up at the Outlook, and looked down the cliff face
for damage to bushes and undergrowth but it was difficult to tell. Then he
turned his attention to the foot of the cliffs where the body would have lain.
It was the gardener Number 182 who found the body, who could help him with that.
He looked for signs of blood stained rocks, a thread of cloth perhaps hair, but
there was nothing to be found. Perhaps more could be gauged from the Outlook
itself. Retracing his steps along the beach he climbed up onto the stone path
along the sea wall, then up stone steps, and a path through the wooded area of
the cliff towards the Outlook. Below the Outlook, a round structure, was a
small Grotto, open to the elements on one side, and shell covered on the other.
Above was a low concrete wall topped with slab stones, he stood at the low wall
and looked down. Sure enough there were signs of damage to the bushes and
undergrowth, whether or not it was caused by Number Nine’s body was yet to be
proved. Then something caught his eye, something white and round. He retreated
down into the Grotto. The curved wall which faced towards the estuary had a
number of narrow slits.
Crouching
down he put his left arm through one of the slits to retrieve the 3 inch
diameter circular badge, the pin was broken, and the red numeral denoted the
number 2! Returning to the top of the Outlook he sat there turning the badge
over in his hand, wondering how Number 2 would account for the loss of his
badge in such a location and what the discovery meant!
The white door of Number 2’s residence
opened and Number 6 stormed through the foyer, passed the waiting butler,
through the open pair of French doors, through the opening steel doors, and
down the ramp into the office where Number 2 sat in his black spherical chair
behind his grey curved desk. The butler stood in the open door way and simply
shrugged his shoulders and closed the pair of French doors and went about his
business.
“Yes Number Six, do come in” Number 2 told
him “would you like some tea?”
“You can forget the social niceties I’m
here on business” Number 6 told the man sitting behind the desk.
“I understand that you have been asking questions, glad to see that you have given yourself to this investigation. Not too sure about your being my assistant though.”
“Don’t miss much do you?”
“Tell
me, what you have discovered?”
“If I am to investigate the death of Number
Nine I need a free reign, with your authority behind me” was his first demand.
“I think I can agree to that. You have my
full support my dear chap” Number 2 confirmed “anything else?”
“Some plain talking, I found this in the
undergrowth just below the Outlook. How do you explain it?”
From his blazer pocket Number 6 produced
the three inch white disc which was now in a sealed polythene bag, and tossed
it on the desk. With its red numeral there could be no doubt to whom it
belonged…… Number 2.
He looked at the badge and picked it up
turning it over in his hands “The pin is broken” he observed.
“Just as you told me it was. I wish that
badge taken to the laboratory in order to undergo testing, if you have no
objections” Number 6 said leaning across the desk accusingly.
Number 2 put the badge down “What game are
you playing Number Six?”
“I’m not playing any game. I just like all
the cards to be on the table.”
“According to Hoyle?”
“Murder is no game” Number 6 told him
sternly.
“Are you accusing me? Because I assure you
Number Nine was dead before I arrived in The Village. There is no way I can be
linked to the woman’s death. I was brought here to clear this mess up, and I’m
not happy about it as it is. So I can do without your preposterous accusations. I’m sorry I ever asked you to get involved!” Number 2 said from the comfort of his chair.
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“I see that you are still not wearing your
badge, pin still broken is it?” asked Number 6 with a wry smile.
“Yes, but I have it here in my pocket” said
Number 2 producing his own Penny Farthing badge, from his blazer pocket. He tossed
it on the desk next to its duplicate “as you will observe the pin has been
repaired, returned to me not half an hour since, you may feel free to check.”
Number 6 looked down at the badges in
silence.
“Where did you say you found that badge?”
“Just
below the Outlook in the undergrowth, it was just lying there. I don’t know how
your people could have missed it!”
“Perhaps they didn’t look” Number 2
suggested.
“If this repaired badge is yours, whose is
this other one?” Number 6
asked.
“I should have thought that was patently
obvious” Number 2 said pinning his badge onto his lapel.
“How
do I know that that is not just a duplicate?” Number 6 asked.
“Because there is a subtle difference
between them, which I should have thought an investigating officer would have
spotted!”
Number 6 picked up the badge in the
polythene bag and compared it with the other one. The badge he held in his hand
had the canopied Penny Farthing facing to the left, whereas the badge worn by Number
2 had the Penny Farthing facing to the right!
“Why the difference? I’ve never
understood.”
“Who can say, it’s just the way things work
here. But I’ve an idea it depends upon whose side you are on politically, left
of centre or to the right” Number 2 said smiling broadly.
“I’m on my side” Number 6 informed him.
“So are we both. And I can see you are just the man for the job. It was
observed how easily that Top Hat official opened up to you. Obviously you have
a natural attitude of authority.”
“I just spoke to the man, and he answered
my questions. But what puzzles me is why was this badge over looked?” asked Number
6 who couldn’t get his mind around the possibility that the former Number 2
might be a murderess.
“Well find out my dear chap, find out. It
could have been overlooked, it might have been planted later in order to create
the conclusion you have come to.”
“Do you have an assistant?” Number 6
enquired.
“I do now....you!” Number 2 answered smiling.
“I have managed to get an autopsy on Number
Nine’s body. You can read in the report there is a massive wound to the back of
the head” Number 2 said handing over the file.
Number 6 read the report for himself “The
question is then, did she jump, or was she pushed?
“Exactly” retorted Number 2 “now do your job, and go and find out!”
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“What about Number Thirty-eight?” Number 6
asked.
“Number Thirty-eight?” queried Number 2.
“Your predecessor’s assistant. What’s
happened to him? He had two guardians under his wing. They could be mixed up in
this” Number 6 suggested.
“Number Thirty-eight was, I believe posted
to somewhere in the depths of Administration. The guardians are somewhere
about. Why do you ask?” Number 2 asked “you don’t think that Thirty-eight
murdered Number Nine, or had her murdered and tried to frame my predecessor?”
“I really don’t know why you need me. You
seem to have it all yourself, clues, questions, and in all probability the
answers!”
“Just keep up what you’re doing Number Six,
its excellent work” Number 2 said with a well satisfied grin on his face.
“What do I get in return?”
“Satisfaction that you will have avenged Number Nine’s death” Number 2 told him.
Number 6 began to take his leave.
“We’ll be bringing her back of course”
Number 2 said.
Number 6 stood before the closed doors for
a moment, then turned back to face the man sitting in the chair “I should have
thought that Number Nine was well beyond even your powers!”
“Sadly so, however I was talking about my
predecessor. I may even give you the opportunity to interview her yourself, be
seeing you.”
“And you” bid Number 6, as the pair of steel doors slid open allowing him to take his leave.
Outside in The Village the shadows were beginning to lengthen, it was late afternoon into early evening. It had been a lengthy interview with Number 2. As Number 6 stood at the balustrade of the Green Dome balcony, he was astonished at how easily he had been turned to work for an Administration he had worked so hard to resist and defy. And now he was in it right up to his neck, with a murder to solve, and there was no going back. He had suggested all cards on the table, and Number 2 does appear to have done that. A case of murder and Number 2’s predecessor is the prime suspect! He suddenly felt hungry, he went home. Tomorrow would be another day, the day of Number 9’s funeral.
It is true to say that during the following morning Number 6 encountered certain hostilities from certain members of the community who resented his sudden authority. To them he was still a prisoner!
“Can I have a word with you?” Number 6 asked
a gardener busy trimming a hedge.
“I’m busy. You’ll have to wait” retorted the gardener rather brusquely.
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“Do you know who I am?” Number 6 asked with
some authority.
“You’re Number Six. Rumour is Number Two has taken you under his wing for some reason. Well he’s welcome to you, is all I have to say” the gardener told him.
“I wondered if you knew where one of your
fellow gardeners, One-Eight-two, could be found?” Number 6 asked.
“Wouldn’t know. I’m not his keeper!” was
all this particular gardener had to say for himself.
Number 2 himself had not been idle during
this time. He had tracked down Number’s 38, 96 and 69 all of whom had been put
in a place of security where they were interrogated. Number 6 had gone to the
horticultural shed to have a word with the foreman about 182.
“What do you want with him?” the
foreman asked.
“Just to ask him a couple of
questions, and to show me where exactly it was he found Number Nine’s body.”
“He’s in the woods clearing a fallen
tree from a path halfway between here and the lighthouse.”
Number 6 set off immediately. Along the cliff
path there was a smell of smoke in the air, he followed his nose to find a man
attending a fire.
“Beautiful day” Number 6 said
approaching the man.
“If you’ve got nothing to do but sit
about enjoying it!’” the man replied.
Number 6 noticed the badge pinned to
the man’s overalls, 182.
“I understand it was you who found the body of
Number Nine” Number 6 began.
“Number Nine?” thought the gardener “oh you
mean the girl I found lying in the water.”
Number 6 thought for a moment “In the water
you say?”
There is a gully about ten feet away from
the cliffs, when the tide goes out water remains in the gully.
“I was given to understand that you found her
lying at the foot of the cliffs.”
“No, in the gully, I thought she had
drowned.”
“What were you doing at the time?”
“Cutting back overhanging branches of
a tree, I looked down and saw the body.”
“What did you do then?”
“Went down to look at the body” the
gardener informed him.
“What then?”
“I was going to go for an ambulance, but
one was already on its way, I heard its siren blaring out, and then saw it
coming along the beach.” the gardener said poking the fire with his fork.
“Would you show me where exactly it was you
found the body?” Number 6 urged the man.
“I’ve got my work to do” the gardener told
him still pocking the fire.
“That’s alright, it won’t take many minutes.”
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The tide being out they walked the
way along the beach until they stood below the Outlook.
“It was there, lying in the gully of
water.”
Number 6 stood with the gully in front
of him. He looked up at the
Outlook,
then down the cliff face, the gully was about ten feet from the base of the
cliff.
“Lying face up in the water she was”
the gardener told him.
Had Number 9 jumped her body would have
gone straight down, to be found at the foot of the cliff. But for the body to
be found where it was, Number Nine must have fallen in an arc. The evidence
pointed to one conclusion, Number Nine didn’t jump, she was pushed off the
Outlook!
“My bonfire sir, I can’t leave it unattended”
the gardener told him.
“You can go” he told the gardener “and
thank you” he added.
The gardener turned and hurried back
along the beach.
His main suspects Numbers 38, 96 or 69, or all three or any two of the three acting under the previous Number 2’s order, but why? And what of Number 2 herself, what might her motive have been? Number 6 remained examining the scene for a few more minutes then he too retraced his steps back along the beach. His next step would be to question Numbers 38, 96 and 69.
Having returned to The Village Number 6’s
next port of call was the cottage ‘9 Private’ situated on the edge of the
cobbled square. Entering he found the interior of the cottage had been stripped
bare, right down to the plaster on the walls! There was nothing left for him to
examine, any possible evidence removed. But what was that at the base of a
wall, a piece of broken skirting board. Kneeling down he pulled the length of
wood away to reveal a small aperture, he put his hand in and removed a note book.
It was filled with hand written notes, pencilled sketches, a rough plan of both
the coast line and estuary, and of The Village. There were written observations
of certain citizens and their activities, Number 2 amongst them.
“What have you there Number Six?” a
voice asked.
In the doorway stood the figure of
Number 2 leaning on his umbrella shooting stick.
Number 6 jumped ever so slightly “It seems
Number Nine had been keeping a journal” Number 6 said closing the leather
notebook.
“May I?” Number 2 asked crossing the room
and holding out his hand.
It was with some reluctance that he handed
over the notebook feeling it would be the last time he would see it.
Number 2 thumbed through the notebook for
himself astonished by its detailed content “And you found it where?”
Number 6 nodded towards the gap in the
skirting board.
Number
2 closed the notebook and placed it in his blazer pocket without saying a word.
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“Why should Number Nine make such a
record? 6 asked.
“I haven’t the foggiest idea.”
“Was Number Nine a plant?”
“If she was that would account for why she
was so desperate to escape with you. She probably saw you as her last chance
before it was too late. No doubt she intended taking the notebook with her.”
“If she was a plant, who do you think she was
working for? And is that why she died?”
“That is beyond your remit Number Six,
all you have to do is find her murderer!” Number 2 told him.
“Do you know what I think?”
“No Number Six, do tell!”
“I think it was your predecessor,
possibly aided and abetted by Number 38 who may or may not have been backed up
by his two henchmen Sixty-nine and Ninety-six.”
“Why?”
“Because Number Nine was a plant, you
have the evidence of that in your pocket, otherwise why would Number Nine have
been making such observations and writing them down?”
“You need not concern yourself with the
notebook any further, expunge its existence from your mind.” Number 2 told him
“however you will be glad to learn that from information received from the
interrogation of Number Thirty-eight and his two cohorts, action has already been
taken to have my predecessor found and brought back to The Village, who should
be with us in a day or so.”
“And now you have no further need of me.”
“You have helped me, now I shall grant you a favour. Tomorrow is Number Nine’s funeral, I shall give you special dispensation to attend so you may pay your last respects.”
The cortege of Number 9’s funeral was a colourful sight indeed, save for the open black umbrellas, the citizens attending were all in their normal colourful attire. First the brass band playing the Farendal from Bizet’s L’Arlesienne suit, followed by citizens with their black umbrellas and then a tall gaunt Undertaker or Top Hat Administrative official, followed by a taxi with a black and white striped canopy, towing behind it a trailer with a black canopy. At the rear of the cortege walked the solitary figure of Number 6. The cortege wound its way through The Village and across the sand on foot to the graveyard at the foot of the cliffs. A grave had already been dug. It was a simple ceremony, with no words spoken over the deceased, and was all over within minutes. As people drifted away the two gravediggers began to back fill the grave watched over by Number 6.
Two days had passed when the silver grey Alouette cleared the hills approaching The Village. Number 2 was in his office when the yellow ‘L’ shaped telephone began to bleep. It was the Supervisor alerting Number 2 to the arrival off the helicopter, which was now flying over the estuary. A taxi was parked at the foot of the steps leading up to the Green Dome, Number 2 climbed aboard and was driven to the lawn by the sea wall as the helicopter was landing. As the taxi approached the Town Hall Number 2 told the driver to stop. The taxi came to a halt by a pair of turquoise gates.
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“What do you want now, I thought our
business had been concluded?” Number 6 said.
“Seeing as you were so helpful to me
I thought you might like to rekindle your acquaintance” Number 2 told him with
a knowing smile on his face.
“Might as well, I’ve nothing else on for
the moment!” Number 6 said climbing into
the back of the taxi.
“Very good, drive on” Number 2 ordered.
The driver released the handbrake, engaged
first gear and drove off smoothly down to the bottom of the hill, turning left
round to the lawn by the sea wall where the silver grey Alouette helicopter had
just landed. As the rotor blades slowed two men in striped jerseys got out of a
Mini-Moke and stepping forward opened
the cabin door of the helicopter. They, together with a Top Hat official who
had been one passenger, helped the blind-folded second passenger out and to the
ground. The taxi arrived, Number 2 and Number 6 alighted and walked towards the
helicopter. The passenger, a woman, was held in security and the blindfold was
removed.
“Welcome back!” said Number 2.
The woman, dressed in a well tailored navy
blue business suit, and white blouse, her auburn hair cascading over her
shoulders, looked at Number 2, and then about her.
“I never thought to see this place
again. Where is Number Thirty-eight, and what’s he doing here, to gloat?”
“If you will come with us please”
Number 2 said in a quiet voice and indicating the taxi.
“Do you not realise who I am?”
“May I remind you madam, that you are
now no longer the warder, you are a prisoner. Yes, now come with us!” Number 2 said, it now being more of an
order than a request.
“Am I not to be treated with the respect
deserving of an ex-Number Two?” she demanded.
“No, you are here under
investigation. Number Six has been briefly seconded to me on special
assignment” Number 2 informed her.
“But he is a prisoner!”
“Takes one to know one!” Number 6 said with
sarcasm and a wry smile.
“I always thought that you would be the last to collaborate, but it is refreshing to see
that you finally know which side your bread is buttered” smiled the ex-Number 2
“I know which side is moist and which is dry if that is what you mean.”
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“Ha ha ha ha” she laughed “haven’t
lost your sense of humour
then!”
“No, but you might by the time this
is over!” Number 2 said
indicating
to the two guardians to take her way.
“I take it that a cottage has been prepared
for me” the ex-Number 2 asked.
“No, after all you don’t need one. You are
to be taken straight to the hospital, treatment has already been prescribed.”
“There’s no accommodation for her?’ Number
6 asked climbing into the back seat of the taxi.
“She is to be held in a place of security until
her interrogation, if she’s found to be a murderess she won’t be around long
enough to warrant a cottage” Number 2 said climbing into the taxi.
The two taxis pulled away from the scene,
and made their way up the street into The Village passed the Town Hall. One
drove straight on through a large yellow arch towards the hospital. The second
took a right-hand turn, round a corner and up towards the Green Dome.
“She is already in prison, isn’t that
enough?’ Number 6 asked with a feeling of concern, because to him something
wasn’t quite right, and for the life of him he couldn’t think what.
“She will be well taken care of” said
Number 2.
The taxi came to a stop at the foot of the
steps leading up to the Green Dome, the two men alighted.
“I take it you are carrying out the
interrogation personally?” Number 6 asked.
Number 2 began to mount the steps, he
paused and turned and said “No, you are. Shall we say in my office in one hours
time?”
Number 6 watched Number 2 climb the steps up to the Green Dome, then turned and walked away. He had one short hour in which to act, it would have to be long enough as he quickly headed off to the Town Hall and hopefully a meeting with a certain Top Hat official Number 250. He was the only person likely to help him gain access to a laboratory as he needed to talk with two lab technicians.
The next day, and an hour isn’t very long,
especially when you are in a hurry. The pair of steel doors opened and Number 6
entered Number 2’s sanctum, he was sat waiting behind his desk, the ex-Number 2
was seated in a black leather chair flanked either side by two guardians.
“Ah there you are Number Six. Thought you
weren’t coming. We were just about to begin without you. But seeing as you are
here now, perhaps you would like to begin the interrogation” Number 2 offered
from the comfort of his chair.
Number 6 walked smartly down the ramp, the
steel doors closing solidly behind him, placing the proceedings in security.
“I expect you are wondering, why you have
been brought back to
The
Village” Number 6 began, taking the role of inquisitor.
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“This is preposterous! Am I to be
interviewed by this prisoner?” the ex-Number 2 demanded.
“You are” Number 2 informed her brusquely.
Number 6 continued “We have met previously,
and you may object to my involvement. However I assure you that I, like Number
Two, want nothing more than to get to the truth of the matter, one of
conspiracy and murder!”
Number 2 smiled with a warm feeling of
satisfaction inside.
“A conspiracy, here in The Village, who’s
murder has been committed?” asked the ex-Number 2 rising up out of her chair.
The two guardians each placing a hand on
her shoulder eased her back in her chair.
“I suppose it all began with Number Two” Number
6 beginning to enjoy himself “no not you madam, your predecessor” he said staring
at the seated woman “his plan was to get me involved so as to give me some sort
of goal in life. He wanted me to have a purpose within the community, that
involved my looking after a young woman Number Nine, who was presented to me as
a damsel in distress. Number Two saw to it that I would then take her under my
wing and protect her. That is also what Number Nine wanted, my protection, and
for a very good reason of her own.”
“We
know all this” Number 2 said “when do we get to the murder?”
“Please humour me, all will become clear I
assure you. After all we do want to get to the truth, don’t we?” Number 6 said
to one and all.
Number 2 motioned Number 6 to carry on.
The woman looked at her successor “I
remember that I once sat in that chair, am I now to sit in the dock as the
accused!”
“Indeed you are madam” Number 2 informed her “carry on Number Six if you
would be so kind.”
“You learned that Number Nine and I were to
set to escape together, I became aware of this when I saw her leaving the Green
Dome. In fact that was part of your plan, but Number 9, being a plant here in
The Village was using me to help her escape. No doubt because of that you felt
she had betrayed you, I would have thought having found her trussed up and
gagged in my wardrobe might have dispelled that thought.”
“Where
is this line taking us Number Six?”
“To the truth, if you allow it” retorted Number
6 sharply, turning to face down the man sitting in his chair.
“The only betrayal at that time was my
betrayal of Number Nine, because I was unaware of how desperate she was to
escape. Behind the scenes an investigation was being carried out into Number
Nine’s motivations, and for her it would soon have been to late” Number 6
stated then falling silent for effect.
The woman looked at Number 6 “You escaped,
or rather played at having escaped. You had the Observers……”
“And you, tearing your hair out looking for me. I was eventually recaptured a good distance from The Village, but a long way off from making that home run. Which is a fine recommendation to your methods” Number 6 informed her, making a small bow in sarcastic appreciation.
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“I was originally brought here to clean up
someone else’s mess” the ex-Number 2 told him..
“Indeed, but there was something else was
there not? The question of a ‘plant’ in The Village and you being the new Number Two were therefore charged
with consulting the investigating Committee” Number 6 explained much to the
astonishment of both Number 2 and his predecessor.
“Stop!” Number 2 ordered rising out of his
chair “you go too far. This is sensitive information, how did you get to hear
of it?”
“Being your assistant it gave me a certain
authority. That authority seemed to mean something to some people in the Town Hall,
even if it didn’t to you!” Number 6
informed him “I had the authority to gain access to certain information that affects
both of you. I think we can continue, don’t you?”
Number 2 had the sudden feeling that is had
not been such a good idea to involve Number 6 after all!
“So to cut to the quick, Number Nine was
the plant. She had been busy working for The Village being given different
assignments which she carried out to the best of her ability. All the time making
notes and sketches, gathering information, which she made note of in a black
leather note book which Number Two here seconded away. No doubt to be lost in
the vast filing cabinets in ‘Records and Information.’ Number Nine was not
murdered because she was thought to have betrayed you madam, but because it had
been discovered that she was a plant” Number 6 stated, pacing back and forth
looking at Number 2 and then to his predecessor.
“When are you going to get to the murder? After
all that is the purpose of why we are all here” Number 2 demanded.
Number 6 stood silent, and put his hand
into the pocket of his blazer and produced the Penny Farthing badge which he
had found in the undergrowth below the Outlook, and studied it once more. He
remembered his former feeling that something wasn’t quite right, and there it
was staring him full in the face.
“Have you seen this before?” Number 6 asked
the ex-Number 2 handing her the badge sealed in its polythene bag.
The woman turned it over in her hands “Where
did you find it?”
“In the undergrowth below the Outlook. Is
it your badge?” Number 6 asked staring as Number 2 sat in cowering in his
chair.
“Of course it isn’t her badge, she is no
longer Number 2!” barked Number 2 from his chair.
“It never was my badge, not even when I sat
where he is today” the woman answered.
“And how can you be so sure that this is
not your badge. Please state your reply loudly so that everyone listening can
hear” Number 6 advised her holding up the badge.
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“The badge you are holding up is termed as
a positive badge, meaning a white disc with a black Penny Farthing. The badge I
was
issued
with was a negative badge, a black disc with a white Penny Farthing, and a white
numeral instead of the usual red” answered the ex-Number 2 loud and clear for
all to hear.
"Then this badge must belong to you Number
Two, would you not agree?” Number 6 asked approaching the desk, placing the
badge before him.
“Impossible, am I not wearing my own
badge?” Number 2 demanded.
“You are wearing ‘a’ badge.’ You told me
that the pin of your badge broken, that it was in for repair. Well your badge
was not repaired. I have it on good authority that you ordered a replacement as
you had misplaced yours. Not misplaced, but lost when you pushed Number Nine over
the Outlook to her death!”
“How
dare you accuse me of…… how, how did you know?” Number 2 asked, who seemed
on the verge of breaking down.
“Your original badge had a left facing
Penny Farthing. The replacement badge which you wear now, has a right facing
Penny Farthing. Your original badge, you placed at the murder scene in an
attempt to pin the blame on your predecessor. Not realising the mistake you
were making.” was Number 6’s closing speech.
Number 2 looked about him, then made a mad
helter skelter dash up the ramp and out through the opening steel doors.
“After him’” Number 6 ordered the two guardians.
The new
Number 2 picked up a yellow ‘L’ shaped telephone “Control Room please.
Supervisor…….. Supervisor issue an Orange Alert.”
The Supervisor seemed to recognise the
voice “Who is this?”
Number 6 looked at the woman and she
smiled, then nodded “The new Number
Two. My predecessor is the murderer of Number Nine, instigate Orange Alert
immediately.”
The Supervisor was quick to react, ordering
Orange Alert, and from somewhere below the sea a segment of the white amorphous
mass of the Guardian was released. Suddenly appearing balanced on the water
spout of the fountain, the Guardian instantly grew to it’s optimum size.
Number 2 ran out through the door of his former residence, down the stone steps and along the street with the two guardians close on his heels The white membranic mass of the Guardian rolled and bounded along the street towards the fleeing Number 2. There was nowhere for him to go but for the stone roof of the bandstand. Leaping up the three steps he was trapped. The Guardian bounded upwards after its prey emitting its blood curdling roar as it loomed forward at its victim. Number 2 screamed and screamed again, as he fell backwards over the edge of the parapet to his death on the stone paving below.
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The next day saw the funeral of Number 2. The
brass band played,
and
citizens turned out to attend, with their open black umbrellas
raised, as the cortege made its way through The Village to the graveyard on the beach. On the cliff the lone figure of Number 6 stood looking down at the cemetery. He had already paid his respects laying flowers at the grave of Number 9. Turning his back on the funeral he made his way back along the cliff top path to The Village and the Recreation Hall. He was already late for his weekly Judo practise.
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