“Okay,” replied Berin. “See you later.” He walked on towards the shed and wondered whether Walmar would be suspicious of him or not.
Commander Rice had finished reading the police report and was going through it with the police sergeant. “What’s your considered opinion of what happened to that young man, Sergeant?” he asked.
“Well, sir, it seems to me that he was hit with something hard, like a metal bar, but it has glanced off the side of his head and smashed his shoulder. The blow was enough to render the victim unconscious and then I think he was somehow dropped into the harbour without it being noticed, hoping the outgoing tide would take him out to sea. There is a smashed crab pot in the lane behind the sheds that the victim could have used to defend himself. Unfortunately, there was no sign of what could have been the weapon and there was no evidence of someone being dragged to the edge of the wharf. So what I think is merely conjecture at this time.”
“Well, Sergeant,” said Rice, “I think you could be close to the mark. That means that we’ll have to dig deeper. Thank you very much for your time.”
“Thank you, sir,” replied the sergeant and left the office.
Commander Rice looked over at the police inspector, “We’ll have to have another search of the area. I think I’ll drive over now and look around before it is completely dark. I’ll keep you informed. Thank you for your co-operation, Inspector. Together we should be able to solve this case.” The inspector replied, “Glad to be of help. It will be good working with you.” They shook hands and Rice left the office and the police station, got into his car and drove off.
It was a little after 17.00 hours and the airmen not on duty were walking back to the domestic site. Corporal Hill saw his two corporal friends walking down from the hangar and waited until they caught up. “I want to go over to Parfleet St Peter this evening after we’ve eaten and see if I can catch up with Jamie’s girl-friend, Yvonne. She might be able to tell us something. You guys want to come with me?” he asked of them.
“Yeah, why not?” said Dan. “We can visit the ‘local’ and see how it compares with The Hound & Pheasant.
A nod from Lance completed it. “I suppose you’ll need me to drive you both over,” he said with a feigned look of being put upon. They already knew that Jamie had been sent to RAF Nocton Hall, having got the news from the sick quarters. They leaned into the wind as it blew coldly and strongly across the airfield, slowing their walking pace. Overhead, grey clouds scudded across the sky, a possible portent of rain later. The heating hadn’t yet been switched on in the barrack blocks and Andy thought that no doubt there would be a few cries for it to be put on.
Yvonne had tried telephoning RAF Nocton Hall but had been given no information. She felt depressed and decided that, rather than stay at home by herself, she would go down to the village pub, The Plover & Gull, to have a meal and some company. She looked at the clock and realised that there was another forty-five minutes to opening time. Yvonne put the kettle on to make herself a pot of tea. She would have some teacake to go with it. Her jam was home-made from local blackcurrants, of which Yvonne felt quite proud. She settled down with the snack to read an Agatha Christie novel to pass the time.
Down at the harbour, Berin was in his flat at the back of the shed. He was busy sorting out some clean clothes, ready to have a shower, when he heard the shed door opening and knew it would be Walmar. Footsteps across the shed floor and a knock on the door. Walmar called out in English, “Bill, you in there?”
He replied, “Yes. Come on in,” and went from the bedroom to the living area. Walmar came in stood near the table. “Yvonne’s boyfriend, Jamie Rogerson, appears to have been attacked at the back of this shed and then dumped in the harbour. He was saved by Yvonne seeing him floating in the harbour and then diving in to rescue him. He was taken away in an RAF ambulance and the police interviewed witnesses. Then an RAF corporal turned up and was looking around the place. They found the old crab pot damaged, the one where I hide a key, and there were footprints leading from the wall up to the beach and going north,” explained Walmar. “The question is — why was Jamie around the back of this shed and who attacked him? It’s got me worried,” he said.
Berin busied himself with putting the kettle on and getting mugs and coffee out without looking directly at Walmar. “Maybe he was going to the cold store to take something and someone attacked him. Who knows, maybe someone jealous of him and Yvonne,” suggested Berin. “Me, I was still travelling back.”
“Where have you been?” asked Walmar.
“I can’t tell you. It was orders from Moscow,” said Berin.
Walmar sighed, “Okay, but just be careful. I think we are under suspicion because of where the attack happened. I’m going home. I’ll see you in the morning.” He left to walk back home to his family and a hot meal. Perhaps he should have invited Berin to come but there was something in Berin’s voice and manner that made Walmar suspicious. He needed time to think.
Commander Rice was in his car and contacted the MI5 office
