Deadheads

Pascoe didn't know how he looked to her, but to him she looked exactly as Ellie had described, a classical English beauty, tall, long-limbed, fair, and sexy with it.

But Aldermann himself, standing alongside her, came as a slight surprise. 'Reserved and watchful' were the words most commonly used of him, and on their one previous meeting he had instantly been aware of the man's privacy, even in giving a stranger a rose.

Aldermann too recalled the meeting.

'Mr Pascoe, how are you? We've met already, haven't we? At Perfecta. I hope there's no plot to burgle my office also?'

He smiled as he spoke, but Pascoe noticed a sudden stiffening in his wife's posture at the mention of the encounter.

'No. I was there on another matter,' said Pascoe equably. 'Sergeant Wield I think you've met also.'

Wield nodded a greeting.

'Of course. How's the window-box, Sergeant?'

'Haven't really had time to think about it, sir.'

'You must make time. Plant ye roses while ye may,' said Aldermann in mock reproach. 'Let me know and I'll pass on a few potted cuttings to you. Baby Faurax I think took your fancy. Now some Pigmy Gold's and Scarlett O'Hara's would provide a really bright setting.'

The man was positively ebullient, thought Pascoe. Outward-going, full of chat. He sensed that something had happened.

He said, 'To get down to business, sir. Mrs Aldermann's probably given you the gist. We've had a tip that your house is next in line to be done by a gang that have been active in this area for a couple of months now. She also probably mentioned the man she found looking around the house who said he was from the Water Board.'

Aldermann glanced interrogatively at his wife and said, 'No, she hasn't mentioned him. But of course I've just got back and we haven't had all that much time for talking.'

This occasioned a kind of splutter from Daphne Aldermann as though she was choking back something. Pascoe felt himself in the presence of secret signals which he did not too much care for. He put on his best official voice.

'Our enquiries have revealed that no such man was sent round by the Water Board. It may well be that this man is connected with the gang I mentioned. And as I gather that you will be leaving the house empty for a couple of nights next week, it is a matter we are taking seriously.'

'Of course,' said Aldermann. 'How can we help?'

'Well, we'll need a list of all the people you would normally inform that you intend being away.'

'That can't amount to many,' said Daphne.

'You'll be surprised, madam,' said Pascoe. 'Especially if you count those who'll find out by association, as it were. I presume you've informed St Helena's that your little girl will be off for a couple of days?'

'Why yes, of course.'

'Then we can assume the teaching staff and the secretarial staff at the school all know. Plus, of course all your daughter's friends and presumably many of their parents.'

'Well, yes, I suppose so. But not even Ellie has suggested that St Helena's is the centre of a crime ring,' said Daphne a touch acidly.

'You amaze me,' Pascoe said, grinning. 'But you see what I mean. Also I'd like to look around and check the layout of the house, look at your alarm system, that kind of thing.'

'Then why don't we divide and rule?' said Aldermann. 'I'll give Mr Wield what information I can down here, and Daphne, why don't you give Mr Pascoe the guided tour?'

Was there something in his voice, a suggestion perhaps? Daphne nodded and said, 'Of course. If that's all right with you, Peter. Oh, I'm sorry, I've got so used to thinking of you as Peter through talking with Ellie.'

'I'm glad she doesn't refer to me as Mr Pascoe,' said Pascoe. 'And Peter's fine. Shall we go?'

For the first fifteen minutes of the tour, their conversation was practical and professional. The alarm system was old but adequate. Pressure mats under all possible entry windows; magnetic switch sensors, flush fitted, on the downstairs doors; and an automatic telephone dialling system. This last was the important item. The house was sufficiently isolated for the alarm bell to disturb nothing except perhaps the odd ploughman on his weary way home who would probably take it for the curfew anyway.

In addition Pascoe made a note of the stealable contents of each room, particularly silverware, ornaments and paintings, the focus of the gang's previous hauls. Not that they showed any particular expertise, taking copies and junk as readily as the genuine stuff. Presumably they had a fence they trusted to sort out the wheat from the chaff without cheating them too much.

In the bathroom, Pascoe noted that the suite bore the name Elgoodware, presumably dating from Eddie Aldermann's connection with the firm, but it would have taken a Dalzielesque indelicacy to mention this, he felt.

The tour ended in the master bedroom. Pascoe finished his notes, then remained at the window admiring the view.

'What are you thinking?' the woman asked behind him.

'I'm just lost in envy,' he answered, turning and smiling at her.

'Envy? But you have a splendid open aspect too.'

'That's right. But I don't own quite so much of it. 'Tis