They Made Their Mark: Chapter 10

Fatty and Larry had taken a slightly different route and as they walked down to the street where FTI was situated they passed a doorway through which a young man in a hurry emerged. He almost collided with Fatty.

Fatty put out a hand to steady him. "Where's the fire, Ron?"

The man recognized him and grinned broadly. "Sorry Fred. I'll have to stop reading my notes when I exit, saaay...!" He regarded Larry. "Don't I know you?"

Larry looked at him and examined his features. His memory twigged.

"Aren't you Ron Hilton?"

"That's right, and you're Larry. Long time no see."

They shook hands. Fatty was just about to fill in some details but he didn't need to.

"I met you years ago at a camp or something near Marlow, didn't I?" said Larry.

"That's right," Ron answered. "Lillington P. Your group descended upon us all when you were working on some police case. I think I spent most of the time jawing with young Fred here and the rest of you went hunting around for Goodness Knows What?"

"Buttons!" Fatty interjected. "Well at least a button played a part in that investigation."

Ron shrugged. "Highly explanatory I'm sure, but I don't move in your circles, Fred. I only read about you, and by the way, didn't I see your name in the Gazette just last week?"

Fatty patted him on the shoulder. "Which item was that? There are so many, I lose track."

Ron laughed and surveyed them both. "I've got to hare off – I'm due at the station. See you later and jolly nice to meet you again, Larry." He gave them a nod and made towards the High Street. Fatty and Larry continued on their way.

"Ron Hilton. I did a little associating and I've placed him as Pip's cousin."

"Dead on," confirmed Fatty as they rounded the corner and approached FTI. "Ron's on the junior sports advisory board and that place he came out of is their local office. He's an upstanding citizen around these parts."

"Like you?" asked Larry.

"I wouldn't dare answer that," Fatty replied.

They reached the FTI building and went in. The sun shone through the door lighting up the entranceway and part of the stairs as they made their way up to the offices. Dot looked up from her typewriter as they entered.

"Well, what's the verdict Mr. Larry?"

"Scrumptious! Good tucker, attractive décor, and Eddie's a character. I'll visit The Rendezvous again and again."

Fatty leaned over the counter and thrust a flower into Dot's hand murmuring something that sounded to Larry like, "...truly devoted to you my one and only!"

"MR. T, PUT THAT BACK! I brought it from my own garden this very morning!"

Fatty donned a sheepish look, placed the flower carefully back into the tiny vase that stood on Dot's desk, and went over to rifle through the in-box. As he sorted a few papers out Dot regarded Larry with soulful eyes.

"Ours is a strange and beautiful relationship, Mr. Larry. I'm beautiful." She nodded towards Fatty. "He's strange!"

Larry laughed and Fatty couldn't help smiling as well. "I can't top that one, dear Dot, but I'll work on it." He placed a form by the typewriter. "If you get this filled out, I'll take it when I go this evening. Ta! Come on pal."

He led the way into his office. Larry claimed his notebook and slipped it into a pocket then sat down with a very contented feeling settling over him. He looked expectantly at Fatty who was in the swivel chair and making a note or two on a pad. He finished then swung round, quite ready to supply a few more pieces for Larry to fit into the jigsaw.

"Just to round off the Candling side of things what happened to Miss Harmer and the cats?" was Larry's first question.

"Lady Candling got rid of the cats when she left the house. She didn't want to install them in the grounds of her rest home and besides, she wasn't all that attached to them. I think she looked on the collection as an extra interest for when she was sitting at home twiddling her thumbs. She'd visit them every day and I think she derived some pleasure from seeing them in their cages and petting a few and discussing them with Harmer; a ritual that supplied a little break, a little corner of peace and harmony to look forward to each afternoon. I think the real reason for her having them was more for the status because they won prizes all over the place and the cat-fanciers envied their pedigrees and discussed them at their various meetings. She also attended some of the shows and hobnobbed with the fanatics but, as I say, her heart wasn't all that much into it and if it wasn't for Lillian's dedication I think she would have got rid of them long ago."

"Is that Miss Harmer?"

"Lillian? Yeah, sorry, Larry – I keep forgetting you're not quite up to date."

"So, what happened to her?"

"She's married now and still local," answered Fatty.

"Is she? Fatty, when I think about it I don't reckon she was all that much older than we were."

"She wasn't. I think she was only about sixteen or maybe at the seventeen mark when we first met her. When you're a kid you assume that anyone who's working is Grown-Up and at least in their twenties wouldn't you say?"

"Yeah! I would never have thought of her as seventeen. Goodness, that's only about four years older than I was at the time. Crazy!"

"Well anyway, she married a nice chap. I've met him. He's the company secretary at Kenners – that furniture shop with the coloured awning and the big sign above it."

"Yeah, I know it. What does she do... or is she now a full time housewife?"

"No, she's working. After she left Candling's premises she assisted the local vet for a while and do you know, Larry – she's right up there with animals, especially felines."

"You mean she's qualified?"

Fatty nodded. "She has a degree in animal husbandry and also a veterinary qualification although she's not registered – but her passion is for judging cat-shows. She's been at it for some years – traveling around to the various exhibitions and reaping a fairly adequate payment for her services. She only worked part time with Myra's cats and I think it saddened her when their number came up and they had to be sold off – all to good homes of course. She handled most of that and Myra gave her Dark Queen as a parting gift."

"Fatty, that definitely brings back a memory. Dark Queen! Really? So Dark Queen's still around?"

"Not now. Unfortunately she's left this world but her last few years were as good as any cat could experience and that was foreseeable seeing her owner was one of the best around. Lillian had about four cats at the time and the other three, being considerably younger, are still alive. She also boards them for people who are away so, all-in-all, there's a very miaowy residence in East Ridge."

"I can imagine the residents complaining about noisy moggies," answered Larry. Complaining to Goon? Goon! Fatty, I think it's about time to get onto another of the major players. What's happened to the old warrior?"

"Tell me" said Fatty, throwing the question back at him.

Larry considered.

"He's retired! He bowed out with his pension and... no, I couldn't make a stab at it. Yes – he's been kicked out of the force! He overstepped the mark somewhere and his services were terminated. That's what happened to him, Fatty."

Fatty gave Larry a knowing look.

"Goon's still a working policeman."

Larry gasped. "He's not! Surely he's retired by now."

"No, he's isn't – not yet."

"He's still the Peterswood Bobby then."

"No, he's at Farring."

"Farring? Fatty, my idea was that he possibly lasted out and was pensioned off and is now living either in his own little place or with someone in the family. Has he got a family? What's the gen on Goon?"

"How do I begin?" Fatty got up, walked over to the window that looked out onto the High Street, and then turned.

"You know Larry, often when I look down on the town and cast my mind back I can see the Find-Outers tearing down the street on their bikes and Goon clumping out of the station to yell at them – us."

Larry gave a faint smile. "Yeah, I often think of that as well, Fatty and sometimes I wonder how we had the nerve to play all those tricks and cramp his style like we did but when we were led by Goon's greatest nemesis, what else could we do?"

Fatty looked a little rueful. "We were a little, shall we say – forward weren't we?"

"Forward! What do you mean – forward? We must have been pains."

"Now be fair Larry. Goon gave us plenty in exchange and don't you forget it."

"Yes, I guess you're right and thinking back, Goon didn't exactly hold true to whatever police-code he followed. I'll never forget that time he got stuck into you when we were down at the river and I must say I was terribly impressed with your sportiness."

Fatty glanced at him. "How do you mean, Larry?"

"Well, you were so decent about it and inclined to shrug it off. I think you told us that he was just getting back at you for things done to him in the past and I remember you tried to gloss over it when were filling in old Jenksy at the end of the investigation. You could have got Goon into enough trouble to have him kicked out of the force if you'd reported him to your parents – after all, we were all witnesses and you had the bruises!"

Fatty smiled as he remembered what had taken place in the shed belonging to a boatman friend of his.

"He would have definitely been out of our hair forever if I'd told my mother, Larry. She has many friends in High Places and the thought of her beloved son being assaulted by the village constable could have led to the most disastrous consequences but I guess I'm just too nice! I'm too good for this world."

Larry laughed loudly. I'm letting you have that one Fatty because I've never stopped admiring you for your attitude. At the time if I'd had the power that you had then I think I would have used it to the limit because I was hopping mad at what he'd done but in later years I think one becomes a little more understanding. You understood way back then so you can wear you laurels, Fatty"

Fatty blushed. "Thanks old chap but now you want to know what's happened to Constable Goon so listen and learn."

"You and the rest of the Find-Outers left Peterswood at various stages but Goon simply carried on. About a year ago – no it'd be a little more than that... he was transferred to Farring for a good reason. First of all, let's put you a little in the picture regarding the man and his ambition in life, which had always been two-fold. First of all he wanted respect and the way he saw it was to obtain a position which allowed him to wield power because he didn't know that the right and proper way to gain respect is to earn it. He became a cop in an era when the rules weren't so stringent and his entry was helped a little because he had a relative on his father's side who was a little up in the hierarchy. A small amount of string-pulling maybe but whatever happened, the fact is that he entered the constabulary and was posted to Peterswood because he's always lived in the area – right from birth. His superiors thought that as he knew the place like the back of his hand he'd also be fairly well up on the habits of the villagers in general. Added to that was a shortage of police in the area. Some places suffer more than others through natural attrition and this township is one of them."

Larry asked. "Purely out of interest – how do you know all this? Fatty"

"Mainly by asking around. Canteen associates love gossiping amongst themselves because oftentimes the subject matter available for a policeman to talk about can't be spread amongst mates who are outside the force. I gleaned a lot from that source and also from Jim... Jenksy. Now Larry, what I tell you in the course of this conversation..."

"May be taken down and used as evidence or something... right? Don't worry Fatty, you know me and anything you care to reveal is completely confidential."

"Of course, Larry, and furthermore, some of the darker items will only match what you already know as far as Goon's character goes and if you hadn't ever experienced such things then my lips would be sealed."

Larry spoke earnestly. "As a reporter, Fatty I have confidences as well which I wouldn't spread to the wrong people but your sessions with friends, namely police-friends, wouldn't all be confidences as such because many of the things Goon has done are known by various other people as well so they're discussed and spread around anyway."

"Exactly and it's not really a big deal. There was an incident – well two actually and, being a little more serious than a few others he'd been responsible for, they put Goon in a rather tight position. You know as well as I that he didn't get on too well with elderly people – especially women. He'd raise his voice and demand information in a way that's almost the complete opposite of how it should be done. On one occasion he had to call on a rather frail lady and when she became a little flustered at his aggressive behaviour, he.... let me see, how do I put this? He expressed himself rather physically! The best intelligence I could gather is that he pushed her on the shoulder and she fell down."

Larry looked quite perturbed. "That's terrible!"

"Yes!" Fatty filled in a little. "You might agree with me Larry that generally, men are not as articulate as women. A woman's first port of call in an argument is her skill with words and if her opponent is a man and he can't match her vocabulary-wise, then the other avenue to which he may turn in order to express himself is that of violence – as in Goon's case! You simply cannot handle things that way and, adding fuel to the fire, he tried to deny what had happened but, unfortunately for him, he was seen by the lady's daughter who just happened to come up the pathway at that moment. To sum it up in a hackneyed fashion – All Hell broke loose for Goon."

Fatty got up to exchange his chair for the comfort of the couch and, plopping himself down, he continued.

"There had been a core group of mainly elderly people who had mentioned Goon's name in dispatches so to speak and this made the number of complaints about him accordingly higher than one would expect of a law officer. There are many issues that can cause people to take umbrage with the police and that's due to the nature of the work because police-persons have authority and often use it before the real truth has begun to emerge. Goon's misdemeanour went to join another that had occurred quite a few years ago when he had mistakenly accused one of Peterswood's leading citizens of some felony when the facts he possessed were utterly flawed. Goon was considerably younger then and possibly trying to get a feather or two in his cap but the incident went down on his record and this latest occurrence was a kind of "Last Straw." I mentioned his ambitions were two-fold, didn't I Larry?"

"That's right."

"Number Two was his pension. Goon has a craving for certainty and security and as the years passed with no promotions coming his way he realized that he had to stay with the police because he'd been in the force too long to start anew. He needed to hold out as long as he could so that he could at least gain the full grace of the police retirement fund and all that goes with it. There you are – in his mind he had the power, or respect as he saw it, and the comforting thought of security when he retired but when the incident with Mrs. Williams occurred..."

"Williams! Fatty, do you mean the old lady that lived next door to us?"

"Yes! You knew her of course – we visited her house once or twice."

"That's right. She's still there and I've been around to see her – called in on the second day I arrived. Lovely old thing she is – she told me she's going into a nursing home in a month or so which should suit her right down to the ground seeing she's all by herself in that house. How awful of Goon to knock her down."

Fatty agreed fervently. "Yes but I didn't know she was moving. I've just seen her now and again when she manages to get out to do a little shopping or to visit her daughter. Did she mention the home she's going to?"

Larry scratched his head and thought. "She mentioned a name but I'm darned if I can remember... not Chilworth though."

"Myra's missed out on her eh? Probably full up anyway because hers is the preferred institution around these parts. Well, now you know – it's because of what happened to Mrs. Williams that Goon was transferred."

"Fatty, how did he avoid dismissal?"

"He held on by the skin of his teeth, Larry and that's only because someone backed him."

"Who? Who on earth would back him?"

Fatty cautioned him. "Prepare yourself, Larry. It was Jenksy!"

"WHAT? The Super? How come!"

Fatty shrugged. "Larry, within the force there's internal politics which involves staffing concerns and various tit-for-tats which are supposed to take place for the Greater Good – that's for the want of a better term. You see, there's still a staffing shortage in these parts and although recruits are earmarked for various locations, Peterswood needs only one copper with back-up available from other centres. As Jenksy was responsible at the time for this area, he thought it best that Goon was retained but discreetly transferred to somewhere handy so that he could still carry on with routine stuff, which required local knowledge. Goon's not a sole-charge person anymore. He's backing up a soon-to-retire sergeant and they deal with the shifts themselves so whether or not Goon's retirement will come before they decide to make him sole-charge in that community remains to be seen. What I meant by the Greater Good, Larry is that it was advantageous for the force to retain Goon, not only because of the certainty that he would stay in the Peterswood area, but also for another reason. This was admirably described by none other than Holmes himself when he made reference to a British Bobby."

"I don't follow. How would there be a Holmes connection?"

"Just testing you, Larry. Can you recall a remark he made about a certain policemen – detective actually?"

"Well, I've read the stories, Fatty but then I'm not as versed as you are on the World's Greatest."

"I'll tell you," said Fatty. "Holmes was chatting over cigars with Watson at Baker Street and he revealed what he thought of the detective Lestrade. He described him thus – 'although he's absolutely devoid of reason, he's as tenacious as a bulldog when he understands what he has to do.' What do you reckon, Larry... is that Goon?"

Larry chuckled. "You may be right, although I'm not altogether sure so explain some more. By the way, which story?"

"That was in His Last Bow – The Cardboard Box. Now, if you're really honest Larry, you might admit to yourself that Goon's a worker and as Holmes described Lestrade, he's tenacious. Cast your mind back again to the time we were looking for the Prince. Remember that it was Goon who set out after him before we did and with no back-up, no arrangements with his superiors – he just went and he wasn't pretending to look for flowers and birds as we were. He was an Officer of the Law despite not being in uniform, and he was determined to hunt the kid out come hell or high-water."

"That's true," Larry remarked. "He didn't seem to care at all about possible consequences; he just went out and did what he had to regardless of when or where. Searching that old mill in the dead of night, remember – and then there was the time when he rushed off to Milton House to do some flushing out..."

Fatty broke in. "...despite the fact that he'd been in bed with a rotten cold."

"Yes," said Larry. "You know, I used to wonder when he slept because we always seemed to meet up with him whether it was in the morning, or the afternoon or even late at night. I asked Ern once and he told me that his uncle often took a nap after lunch or perhaps a little later in the afternoon, and yes... I can see the sense in what you say about hanging on to him. The locals still have the benefit of Goon's long association with the area but they see considerably less of the man. Fatty, I've just thought of something – have you ever seen Goon smiling or laughing?"

Fatty was amused at this question. "Yes! Have you?"

Larry looked at him in surprise. "No. I don't think so. Have you really seen him grin or express delight? I think there's only one time that I can recall when he almost smiled although it was more a grimace if I remember rightly."

"When was that?" asked Fatty.

"When we finished up that case involving Fellows, remember... when you invited him to tea. He got such a surprise that he just looked at you and at that instant his face relaxed a little and he looked quite amiable."

"Yeah, I remember." said Fatty. "He was so shocked to think that his arch enemy could be nice to him especially after he'd almost murdered me in Spicer's shed. Actually Larry, you can see Goon in a happy mood if you want to."

Larry looked very disbelieving. "What on earth do you mean by that?"

Fatty grinned at him, "I mean exactly what I say. You can see Goon smiling should you so desire."

Larry studied Fatty's face trying to work out whether he was joking or not. Fatty looked straight back at him.

"Explain yourself!" said Larry. "Go on, tell me how?"

Fatty leaned forward in his chair to qualify his curious remark.

"Can you remember Goon's watering hole?"

Larry considered the question. "I'm sure I saw Goon in Cores End once – coming out of The Heart. I happened to be passing by after the pictures one evening and, when I think about it, I'm sure he was with that fellow who used to fill in for him. Goon wasn't in uniform though so maybe his co-worker had come to fetch him for some reason."

"Goon wouldn't like being dragged away from his old codger mates," said Fatty, "That place used to be their hostelry way back when we were pint-sized but they switched to Wooburn because Goon's associates were based down that way and also because of the darts interest. The King's Arms darts club has a reputation so that's where Goon's established with his friends and once you're established you become a fixture."

"Fatty, you're intriguing me. What's the darts angle?"

Fatty continued. "Goon's a darts fanatic. He's been on the team for donkeys years and Larry, he's rather good! In the old days he got into the habit of dropping into the Heart every now and again when he was off duty and that's where he began learning the skill which would take him up into the higher echelons of the dart world so by the time he and his friends switched to the Arms he was a force to be reckoned with."

"I didn't know anything about that, Fatty. I just presumed he frequented the Heart in Hand now and again when he became bored."

"I knew he went there," said Fatty, "...and I also knew when he shifted his preference to Wooburn because I was out and about in the fairly late hours considerably more than you were back then. As I said, he had a modicum of success in his chosen hobby and now that he has more time off, he visits the Arms about three or four nights a week. I'll tell you this too – he's represented the club at one or two of their tournaments."

"Fascinating! Tell me Fatty, what are his mates like?"

Fatty yawned abruptly. "Goodness, that meal was so nice I could quite happily sleep for the rest of the day." He became alert again.

"Goon's friends! They're a few old-timers he's known for years – a couple of them were fitters and turners over at the railways workshop and then there's Paddy. He's an ex-mechanic who ran his own small business and then went into chicken-farming would you believe, and there's also that plumber from Buckle whom I'm sure you'll remember."

Larry gasped. "Stan! Gosh, I remember him. He used to come to our place with that old dog on the back of his lorry – I think he serviced most of Peterswood. Is he still at the original shop?"

"Buckle Plumbing? No, that closed down but Stan held on to the last in fact he practically ran the place. So, he's a mate of Goon's as well and apart from one or two others who join them now and again, those five rule the roost. They have their own mugs kept behind the counter and their favourite bench – I think Alf steers the other customers away from it if he can. As I said they're fixtures."

Larry broke in. "Just a cotton-pickin' moment! I can't see Goon commuting from Farring to Wooburn on his bicycle every time he wants to kick up his heels. He's got a car then?"

Fatty grinned. "Nope! Never had one. Could you imagine Goon behind the wheel of a sedan?"

"I couldn't, so how does he get there... I can't imagine him ordering a taxi each time."

"Of course not," said Fatty. "No, Paddy Ryan supplied the answer. Goon enlisted his help to fit a motor on the back wheel of his bike and then join it all up so that he could zip into town whenever he feels like it. Whaddaya reckon?"

Larry laughed loudly. "I'd love to see it. What a sight... old Goon whizzing past and shooting the red lights on his way to the public house."

"You will see it," Fatty assured him. I think an added reason for his Woourn preference is that being further away, he can enjoy a longer ride on his jazzed-up bicycle. Keep your eyes open Larry, he generally makes an appearance round eight or nine of the clock."

"Great!" said Larry. "But what was that you said about my being able to observe him smiling?"

"Well," said Fatty in a conspiratorial tone. "If you wander past the King's Arms one evening and stand outside the second window from the end which allows you a view into the lounge bar you can see Goon and his mates in their little corner near the end of the counter. Play the spy... just wait unobtrusively and you're bound to see him having a bit of a laugh as the night goes on. It's not hard because his seat faces the window but I wouldn't advise you to be too open about it although Goon probably wouldn't recognize you if he did see you staring at him."

Larry looked at his friend disapprovingly. "Fatty, you old reprobate. Fancy telling me how to spy on Theophilus... as if I would. Actually he's hardly likely to see me if it was dark – yes, I'd be all right."

"Try it one night if you're interested, Larry. Goon looks quite amenable when he's making merry."

"Have you met him since you were in the Police?"

"Yes, I have." answered Fatty."

Larry eyed him with interest. "I guess you must have at one stage or another seeing you were in the force and now in the enquiry agent business. Tell me what happened."

Fatty obliged. "I've been to see him at the station a couple of times, both to do with business although the first instance was just to drop off some folders when I was in the police force. He was on the blower in the other room and I don't think he even saw me although I was there for a few minutes talking to the other chap there."

"He's never been particularly observant," said Larry.

"No! The second time was, I think, last December just before I opened the second office. This time I was on an assignment connected with the police and I had to call in to view a couple of files so I nipped over to Farring to beard the lion in his den."

Larry became apprehensive. "What happened? What was his reaction when he set eyes on you, Fatty?"

"I can tell you in one word, Larry and the word is Official! He was Goon acting to the very letter of the law although he couldn't help changing colour slightly when he opened the door and he saw me there on the step after all these years despite the fact that he knew I was coming. He was nervous. Do you recall how he used to fidget with his cuff whenever he and I were having words in the Find-Outer days?"

"I do remember that," said Larry. "I think your presence is helping my memory because I can see you and Goon having one of your interminable arguments on more than one occasion when we were cramping his style. Naturally, he was no match for someone who could talk the hind leg off a donkey and the more you tied him up the more he'd fiddle with his uniform cuffs."

"Yes," agreed Fatty. "Classic picture of uncertainty with his arms held in front of him as if ready to ward off whatever I threw at him. So, there he was at the door and I noticed he licked his lips before coming out with a "Hello!" and then a rather gruff "How y' doing? Family all right?"

"What does he look like now?"

"Much as we knew him, Larry. Same froggy eyes, and jowled appearance. When you see him though, you'll notice he's more aged, hair a little greyer and face a little fatter. He's paunchier and if you join the dots you'll have a fairly accurate idea of what he looks like."

"How did you feel standing there in front of your old enemy?"

"Oh, I was fine. It'd take more than a meeting with Goon to get me nervous. I was more curious than anything – I wanted to observe any little inflections in his voice and body language just to learn a little more about his character now that I was an adult and in a completely different world from the Find-Outer days. After the little waver from his official stance he invited me in and took me into the back room. The place is tiny, Larry and there are living quarters out the back. The main part has just a couple of offices and a small foyer with ne or two chairs and there's a picture of a Goon-like character on the wall... some relation. His fellow officer lives in a cottage about a mile away and he wasn't on duty so Goon and I had the place to ourselves."

"Cosy!"

"Very! I think they have a charlady because I noticed a multi-coloured smock hanging behind the office door while he was reciting a few details regarding the case I was on. He must have rehearsed like anything Larry. He just had to have because the way he talked was as if he was reading from a book. A couple of words he used just didn't fit into what I know of the Goon vocabulary and then I noticed something else when I mentioned a couple of names. He thought for a moment as if trying to recall them and then went to a cabinet, opened the drawer and immediately pulled out the two related files but just before he did so, I noticed that the edges of both were slightly raised above the others in the row. This meant that he had carefully prepared them knowing they'd be called upon."

Fatty cleared his throat and went on.

"During the course of our conversation he slipped in a few names and one or two opinions of his own about the case and I couldn't resist correcting him on a couple of facts just to keep up the tradition. He suggested that one suspect in the case was probably working at the Southampton docks because he'd been spotted in Fawley and had once been a ship's painter. He went a little purple when I corrected him on that. The suspect in the case had been seen in Fawley all right but there are two or three Fawleys and my notes which came direct from the investigators gave it as the one round these parts which is obvious because this is the area we're working in. Goon has a talent for getting facts wrong as you know and in between a little thrusting and parrying involving his version and my version of the case-details, I managed to trip him up a couple more times while I was copying down the information I needed."

Fatty paused again and then continued.

"I asked after one more file but he said I couldn't see it due to the contents being governed by a Home Office rule regarding access, but I knew better. I'd been well briefed and amongst the contents there's apparently a reference to a rather stupid blunder by PC Goon and I'd been warned that he might be sensitive about it. Unfortunately, I hadn't bothered to get the required written permission in order to force Goon's hand but I was in luck because just at that moment he heard someone calling from the front room asking if there was anyone there. I don't think he wanted to leave me alone with the files but he thought the better of it and dashed out to see who it was. I saw my chance and grabbed the relevant file to take in what I had to and also to have a quick peep at the part relating to Goon. He was only about a minute and I shoved the file back just before he returned in a very breathless state which wasn't surprising seeing that he's a slow mover at the best of times. Apparently the visitor had disappeared so he'd taken a brief look outside for him or her but whoever it was hadn't bothered to wait. When he came back he threw a quick glance at the file cabinet and seemed relieved that nothing was out of place and I was standing demurely by the window. He grabbed the original files I'd been studying, thrust them back into the cabinet, and closed the drawer. He did that quite well. Goon knows how to close a file-drawer, Larry... truly!"

"He'd probably practiced that as well, Fatty. So, what are your findings?"

"I felt Larry, that he wanted to get rid of me as soon as possible. I think he was scared of saying something he shouldn't or that he'd make some blunder so he wasted no time escorting me out of the station. I believe he'd prepared and practiced everything he could think of in order to convey the impression of the perfectly organized policeman. I must tell you also Larry, that during our meeting he fired a couple of questions which made me feel that he was searching for clues on how he'd missed out on the accolades that he felt were his due. I don't think he wanted to ask me anything at all but curiosity got the better of him and he enquired rather obliquely about my route to the Yard and to FTI and what courses I'd taken. I think he was dying to ask about some of the other things I'd dabbled in such as disguising and the analytical side of detecting and so on but he couldn't bring himself to do it and I wasn't about to volunteer anything, Larry. To add to the report, I think he may becoming just a little senile."

Larry agreed. "Fatty, I don't think Goon's ever relaxed when he's conversing with an intelligent and observant person. Know what I mean?"

"Yes, I think you're right." answered Fatty. "His thought processes have always been sluggish and if he tries to match a person who knows how to debate reasonably well he gets a little scared of making some observation which he hasn't had time to think about properly and then end up looking a fool."

"Fatty, going on his performance, did you leave the premises with the thought that he was an efficient and competent policeman?"

"I think you know the answer to that, Larry. To add just a tad more... Goon's still on his own-some. There was a short relationship many years ago that petered out when the woman he was involved with had a breakdown and I don't know anything else about it. The picture I saw in the foyer of the station was probably one of his brothers – the younger one."

Larry was interested. "Goon had brothers then?"

"He had to have at least one didn't he?" said Fatty. "The other was considerably older and he passed away a few years ago – I got that from Jim."

"Why did he have to have at least one brother," asked Larry and then answered his own question. "Of course he did or else Ern wouldn't be around. Have you met Ern's parents, Fatty?"

"No, never," was the answer, "...but the portrait I observed on the wall at Goon's place showed someone with very Ern-like features around the eyes and mouth area so I guess it was Ern's Pater."

"One more question please," said Larry. "What was the stupid blunder you read about in the Forbidden File?"

"Oh, that! I won't comment on it, Larry if you don't mind because I think I've dwelt enough on Goon's shortcomings. I'll just say that it was a typical Goon boo-boo which you could probably visualize with a little imagination."

Larry grinned. "Fair enough. I respect your gallantry and I must admit you were lucky that someone came in just at the right moment to allow you your peep."

"You mean my peep at the file that Goon wouldn't let me peep at?" Fatty chuckled. "No one came in."

"How do you mean no one came in? How could you know?" asked Larry looking at Fatty with puzzlement. Then the answer dawned on him. "FATTY! It wasn't you was it?"

Fatty chuckled again and adopted his modest look. "It may have been."

"Fatty! You NEVER cease to amaze. So you threw your voice and fooled him completely. Gosh, I wish I lived a charmed life as you do... what a time I'd have. I can see myself going straight to the front of any queue and getting instant attention whenever I walked into a store, not to mention the discounts I could obtain."

"Fatty laughed at Larry's passion. "It's not necessarily like that and incidentally, when I was in Goon's office I didn't do anything wrong of course because I had permission to see the file. I just took a short cut."

"You did that all right, Thanks Detective Fatty – jolly interesting comments on our old enemy although not an enemy now I guess, and as far as your encounter with him went – that was it?"

"That was it! Fatty echoed. He stretched, got up from the couch, and went over to the doors in the wall that Larry had seen when he'd first entered the office. Larry had reasoned correctly because Fatty opened up a well-stocked refreshment facility and beckoned to him.

"Open these peanuts and I'll get us a drink. Your preference?"

He pulled open the door of a miniature fridge stocked with an array of very colourful bottles.

"The menu is tomato juice, orange, lime, Tizer, cola, ginger beer, and these two weirdly coloured drinks that originated in Czechoslovakia. A present from a client who passed through but I haven't been brave enough to try them. Would you like to be my guinea-pig?"

"No thanks" said Larry with a grin. "It might react with that delicious lunch... no I'll have something with a tried and true history and what could be better than a glass of lemonade or limonade. I can see some there – do you import it?"

"The Lorina?" Fatty took out a tall bottle. "Limonade! There's a little shop down near the sailing club that specializes in French commodities for the good citizens of Peterswood and for restaurants such as Eddie's, which have made good use of the comparatively low prices. I think I'll join you unless you're wanting something a little stronger."

Larry ran his eye along a fine selection of ales and spirits as well as several bottles of wine lying on their sides in a rack on the shelf above.

"No thanks Fatty. "The Lorina will do fine. I'm, not a great fan of the hard stuff... just every now and again for me."

"Same here," returned Fatty. "The odd social drink with friends and clients who expect it."

He poured out a couple of chilled drinks which frosted the glasses up whilst Larry tipped some peanuts into a small bowl. Fatty got him to add a couple of packets of potato crisps to their booty and they made themselves comfortable again just as Dot opened the office door.

"Mr. T, I'm off. I want to call in at Simmons' because they'll deliver my sideboard today if I pay for it before 3.30."

Fatty looked up. "You do that Dotty and don't drop it."

Dot beamed at him. "I'm not doing any manhandling thank you very much unless Mr. Larry offers himself or maybe one day when I'm feeling wild and at a loose end I might even oblige you. Steve and Steve are taking it in the van so the only thing I'll be manhandling is the payment and I've even managed to charm them into delivering it for free."

"Is it your charm or are they just scared of you, Dot?"

Dot addressed Larry. "Half of the things he says shouldn't be dignified with replies. Been truly marvelous to meet Mr. T's old friend and co-investigator Mr. Larry, and I hope to see much more of you."

Larry got up and went over to kiss her hand. "More of me Dot? Which parts? Golly, this banter is catching... no it's been wonderful to meet you and I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other from now on."

"You bet you will," said Fatty from his couch. "Dot, the insurance?"

"I've typed it up and it's in the out-tray."

"Not out the in-tray?"

"Don't think so," said his secretary with a laugh. "Goodbye all, I must away." She made her exit as Fatty called after her.

"Thanks, Dot."

Her brief entrance had stimulated them both momentarily. Larry settled back into his seat once again and sipped at his drink hearing the outer door close as Dot made her exit. It was a little quieter now that the muffled taps of the typewriter had ceased although the faint sound of band music could still be heard from the radio that Dot had left on, and now the late afternoon traffic could be heard building up in the High Street.

"The two Steve's! They're still at the auction house?"

"Yep!" said Fatty. "Simmons' wouldn't be the same without those characters. I visit the place myself now and again and it's surprising what you can purchase for a bid or two. I saw an antique sideboard the other day and knowing that Dot was after one, and as it seemed just the right size for her hall, I advised her to go for it. The potential's there for increased value and it'll also be useful – two qualities for the price of one."

Leaning back on the plush couch, Fatty scrutinized Larry shrewdly and observed that he wanted to ask something but seemed hesitant. He smiled.

"It's all right Larry!"

"You really will have to go into the entertainment business, Fatty. OK. You know what I'm thinking and it's only because of my interest in our history as a whole but please believe me when I say that I don't want to coax you into anything that'll be hurtful in the slightest."

"Larry, it's quite all right. I want to tell you everything and I could hardly do so without including the unhappy parts of Find-Outer history could I and furthermore, it's the best therapy. I know that for a fact."

"Thanks Fatty. I'm sure you're right but I thought I should preface it all the same." Larry took a drink of lemonade, scooped up a handful of peanuts and leaned forward ready to take in yet another portion of whatever Fatty had to offer.

Fatty sipped his drink, took a few crisps to munch, and then he began.

To be continued...