Catering with Benefits (1) - 46. THE TRUTH

Back in their car the two police officers discussed the case on the drive back. Lee asked “Are we going to confront him now Sir?”

“No, I will leave that until tomorrow. I have another few things to check, but I think we can get him on lodging a false report, wasting police resources, and if as I suspect he has lodged an insurance claim then the insurance company may wish to pursue a case of attempted insurance fraud. That poor Murphy guy may also have a civil case of false accusations or harassment, but of course Price will be able to afford better lawyers than him, so that won’t go far.”

“But someone in Price’s position would not want this to go to court, so to avoid any scandal, would probably offer Murphy a payout to keep quiet.” offered Lee.

“Good thinking Lee, you might make a good detective yet.”

“Thank you Sir.”

“You know I just don’t understand that strange relationship they have. Here is a wealthy married man with everything money can buy and he has a staff member living in his apartment, presumably so he can fuck him now and then. You’re younger than me. You young people seem to have a better handle on this gay stuff. How does this happen?”

“Well Sir, he may be bi-sexual, or he might not get everything he needs from his wife. Who knows what turns some people on? As they say, there are a lot of shades of grey between black and white.”

“Lee... not only a promising detective but a philosopher as well.”

***

Andy and Alma had a quick drink after work and swapped stories of what had happened in their police interviews earlier in the day. Alma said “I just can’t believe that Mr. Price would do such a thing as calling in the police and fabricating that story about you. Are you sure there could not have been some misunderstanding between you two?”

“I certainly did not misunderstand him throwing things at me, and I made it clear to him why I wanted to leave; so, in answer to your question, No!”

“Andy I won’t hide the fact that I’m worried about you and how this might turn out. I know it doesn’t sound the right thing, but the police are more likely to believe the successful businessman before the hired help.”

“But, you told the detective about our relationship, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did.”

“Do you think he believed you?”

“I don’t know, he doesn’t give away very much, and I think police are trained to be sceptical.”

“I want to thank you for your support today, Alma. You’re a true friend to me.”

“I’m sure you’d do the same for me.”

“Now can we finish up here, I spoke to Thomas earlier and he said he would go over to Jared’s after work so we can talk about this. It’s not a good idea for me to go to Castle Hill to see him.”

“Of course Andy, he must be worried too. See you tomorrow, and call anytime if you need me.”

The two embraced and Andy headed for the bus stop.

***

Despite all the support Andy got from Thomas and Jared, he still had a sleepless night. The next morning at breakfast he only had coffee and suggested to Thomas, “I think I will stay here today, I just can’t face the studio. By now the whole place will know and I don’t want to face all their questions.”

“I don’t agree Andy.” replied Thomas, “If you stay away, you may give the impression that you are guilty and even if the staff ask questions, I’m sure they’ll be on your side. Everybody knows about your relationship with Price, they are not going to believe his story. Give them a chance to show their support for you.”

“OK, you’re probably right, as usual. I should face the music.”

“That’s the right attitude Andy.” offered Jared “Show your fighting spirit.”

“Thanks for your support too Jared. I seem to have caused you nothing but trouble since I arrived”.

“Now that is complete nonsense, you are Thomas’s best friend and now a friend of mine. That’s what friends do for each other, and you are welcome to stay as long as you like.”

After breakfast, all three headed in their different directions to work.

***

That morning Detective Garner arrived at his office in high spirits. He made a few phone calls including a call to Price’s office to ensure he was in. As he hung up Constable Lee walked in and heard him say “Thank you Mr Price we will be over later this morning. Please stay in the building.”

Then Lee asked “Did you tell him of the evidence you have?”

“No, I could have wound it up on the phone, but I want to see his face when I confront him with it.”

“You’re going to enjoy this, aren’t you sir?”

“Lee, in this job we see the worst of people and face confronting, even horrific situations. So when you get a chance to have some fun....you bet I’m going to enjoy this.”

“Do you need me Sir?”

“I don’t need you but I suspect you want to come along, so bring that evidence bag with you.”

Lee noticed a tag attached to the evidence bag that indicated the contents had been processed for fingerprints. He looked into the bag and the black smudges on the contents confirmed this.

“Oh thank you sir, I was hoping you would ask.”

“We have one other stop on the way.”

“Where is that Sir/”

“Lee, have you ever been to a gay brothel Lee?”

“No Sir, why do you ask?”

***

“Detective Garner is it Sir?” asked Prism.

“Yes, would you kindly tell Mr. Price I would like to see him?”

Prism announced the detectives and ushered them into Price’s office.

“Good morning gentlemen,” said Price in an upbeat manner, “I hope you are going to arrest Murphy today.”

“Not just yet, firstly I have a few more questions for you.”

“OK anything to help.”

“Price would you give me access to your computer, please?”

“What are you looking for there?”

“No, you misunderstand me, I have a file here that I need to show you and have you confirm some information for me.”

“Of course, pull up a chair beside me detective.”

“Well actually I will have Lee here do the computer bit, he’s better than me with all this modern gadgetry. I’ll just stand behind you and ask the questions. Lee, pull up that file we were discussing earlier.”

Lee did as requested and paused the image at time stamp, 19.48hrs.

“Now Mr. Price, do you recognise what’s on the screen?”

“Yes, it looks like the foyer outside my apartment.”

“Good, let it roll on constable......Now pause it again.....Do you recognise that person coming out of your apartment?”

“Yes, it’s Murphy running off after causing all the damage.”

“Continue constable.....pause please.....can you tell me what you see happening there Mr. Price?” Price remained silent.

“Would you roll it a bit further forward constable, so Mr. Price can see his starring role?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Nothing to say Mr. Price?”

“It’s not what it looks like.”

“Constable Lee, as an objective party, would you please tell Mr. Price what you see on the video?”

“It looks to me Sir that someone has thrown an expensive looking vase out of the apartment doorway, narrowly missing Mr Murphy, and I believe I recognise the man standing in the doorway is Mr. Price.”

“And what else have you observed constable that is relevant here.”

“Yesterday, Mr. Price said he did not throw anything during the incident.”

“Did you say that Mr. Price?” asked Garner.

“Yes, I did but...” Price paused to think.

“But what Mr. Price?”

“I have nothing to say. Have you finished?”

“No, my constable here has something else for you.”

“I believe this is yours Sir. The cleaner found it outside your apartment on Thursday morning. The fingerprint lab was very careful with it but, unfortunately it will need a lot of super glue to fix it.”

“Stop trying to be a smart arse, young man.” snapped Price.

“Ah, I’m glad you noticed how smart he is” said Garner, “smart enough to know that a man in your position would not want this to become public as it would if I were to take it any further. That is of course my decision to make, but I can’t speak for Mr. Murphy who may seek compensation for assault and false accusations. You might want to think about what compensation you could offer him. Do I make myself clear Mr. Price?”

“Perfectly, but I won’t be bullied by you and your side-kick here.”

“I don’t bully Sir, I just collect the evidence and present the facts.”

“But you have tried to threaten me. Your man here heard it.”

“Didn’t he tell you, sometimes he is a little hard of hearing, must be all those rock concerts he goes to.”

“OK, you win. Now will you leave and forget all this. I can have my secretary select something nice for Mrs Garner, would that be acceptable?”

“Oh dear, that was a big mistake and I’m sure Lee heard that one. Didn’t you Lee?”

“Oh yes Sir, but then maybe I misunderstood and Mr. Price meant he was going to give something nice to Mr. Murphy.”

“Perhaps you’re right constable and do you have something else for Mr. Price before we leave?”

“Yes, I do Sir, here Mr. Price.”

Lee handed Price a business card and added “I picked this up in the way here. You may need it or perhaps you already have their number.”

“Good bye Mr. Price and please try to keep your domestic disputes to a minimum in future.”

As the detectives left the office, Price looked at the business card for ‘Mandate’ and threw it in the bin. Then after a second thought, retrieved it and dropped it into the shredder.

As they waited for Price’s secretary, they heard her say into the phone, “Who shall I say is calling?....All Risk Insurance, I’ll put you through now. When she was free, Garner asked “Would you ask Mr. Murphy to come up, and could we use that interview office we used yesterday?”

“Certainly Mr Detective, you can wait in there for Mr. Murphy”.

***

During many phone calls that day, between Alma, Andy and Thomas, they arranged to meet after work for celebratory drinks. They met at their local bar, there were hugs all round and Alma suggested “As this is a celebration I think we should have champagne, what do you say boys?”

Andy said “Good with me.”

Then Thomas added “Would it be a bit cheeky to put it on the company account?”

“Yes Thomas.” replied Alma, looking across the top of her glasses in a school teacher manner, “The first bottle is on me.”

While Alma ordered the drinks, the boys found a table in view of the entrance.

“I want to sit here...” said Thomas, “...so I can watch out for Jared, he will join us later.”

“Good, I’m pleased you included him, he is a good man, look after him.”

“Oh are you the Jared fan club president?”

“I would like to be. No just teasing”.

When Alma came back she said, “I hope you boys don’t mind, but I’ve invited Brenda to join us tonight.”

“Excellent” replied Andy.”

“So we’ll all have dates except you Andy, we have to fix that, and soon.”

“No matchmaking please, Alma. It will happen in time.”

“We just all want you to be as happy as we are.”

“I know and thanks.”

Over the next thirty minutes Brenda and Jared joined the party and were updated on the events of the day.

“I would love to have been a fly on the wall.” said Brenda.

“What does that mean?” asked Thomas.

“You’ve never heard that expression before? It means I would like to have been there but not be seen, so I could hear what the cop said to him and seen the look on his face.”

“Why didn’t you just say so?”

“Thomas, sometimes you are so urban. My grandfather used to say that when we lived with him on the farm.”

“We had flies in the city.”

“Yes Thomas. Now that bottle looks seriously empty to me. I’ll get another, while someone explains to Thomas.”

“What did I do?”

“Don’t worry about it Thomas” said Alma “Now tell us about your plans to move out of Castle Hill and how Mrs. P feels about it?”

“She was very gracious and understanding. You know she is a really nice lady when she drops that mask of sternness that she seems to like wearing for some people.”

“People like Mr. P.?”

“Let’s not talk any more about him tonight?” requested Andy.

“Sorry mate.” said Alma.

Then Jared jumped into the conversation. “Thomas and Andy were thinking about moving to Chatswood, but now that Andy is at my place, I realised how nice it is to have company around the house. All the years I was in the army, I was always living with others. Even though I thought it would be nice to have the peace and quiet of being alone, these last few months I’ve felt a bit lonely sometimes. I’m so used to having men nearby all the time that I even found myself turning to share some thought and realised I was on my own.”

A surprised Andy asked “Are you asking me to stay at your place Jared. Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, if you want to, of course.”

“Hey guys, where does that leave me?” interjected Thomas.

“We can talk about that another time.” replied Jared.

“OK” said a dejected Thomas.

“Here it is guys,” said Brenda, returning with another bottle of champagne, “why is everyone so quiet? No, don’t answer that: you were talking about me, I’ll bet.”

“Just talking about your funny expressions.” lied Alma, trying to paper over the awkward situation between the boys. “Tell ‘em that one you used the other day when you were talking about the Prime Minister.”

“Useless as tits on a bull. Another oldie, but a goodie. Are you keeping up Thomas?”

“Yes, thank you for asking Brenda, I worked it out.”

“Jared, you’ve been quiet tonight. Tell us about your army days.” asked Brenda.

“Well, I was in the regular army for two years and then I joined the SAS for nine years and now I design training courses for various sections of the army”.

“Fuck me! The SAS, remind me never to get on the wrong side of an argument with you.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Aren’t you the guys that can break into an enemy stronghold, slip into the sleeping quarters and slit a guy’s throat before he even knows you’re in the country?”

“I think you watch too many American movies Brenda and besides we can’t talk about operational matters, sworn to secrecy and all that.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

“As you wish.”

“Hey, don’t get me wrong, I’m not being critical. Quite the opposite, I admire you guys, it must take a lot of training and commitment to do whatever you guys do. Are there any women in that unit?”

“All I can tell you is that there is no official gender bias in the armed forces. If a woman can pass the recruitment and training for any unit, her gender won’t preclude her from participating”.

“So does that mean yes, no, or you don’t know?”

“The identity of SAS members is a confidential matter, while they are in service”.