Chapter 5

Scott could swear his head was going to split right open in the middle of the office. Tyler and Danny had insisted he share a bottle of wine with them the night before. Unfortunately, one had turned into three. As it so often did.

A smug Eddie, who had been staying at Billy's house, sauntered past his desk.

"Oh, dearie me. You're worse than Tyler."

"Ugh," Scott said, waving him away. "I can't deal with you until lunchtime."

Eddie pouted. "I'm wounded. Found the Dildo Pilferer yet?"

Scott shook his head. "Not heard a thing. Fuck me, I'm not in the mood for this."

"Have you asked Charlotte?"

As Pleasure Seekers receptionist, Charlotte was privy to almost every piece of gossip going. Unfortunately, she was usually very discreet. She might be more flexible in this case. Scott hadn't even thought about speaking to her. He must be losing his touch.

"Not a bad call," Scott said. "Are you home later?"

Eddie shook his head. "Sorry. Me and Billy are going to the movies and this time I'm seeing the film. I don't care who else is there."

Scott already knew that Tyler had plans with Danny's family for the evening. They were having a games night.

It was all so romantic. Of course, he was pleased for both of them. Yet, an evening alone in the flat nursing the remnants of his hangover didn't appeal either. It appeared that he didn't have much of a choice.

"Come with us," Eddie offered.

"No thanks," Scott replied. "I'll find something to do. Right, I'm going to reception. If I don't get a lead on this, Carla is going to eat me alive."

He got up. Eddie squeezed him on the shoulder. "You'll sort this. I have every faith in you."

"Thanks. You're not a bad friend, you know."

"You say the nicest things."

Scott left him and wandered over to the main door. Every colleague that he walked past might be the perpetrator. He didn't like to feel like that. It might be an overused cliché but they were like a family at Pleasure Seekers. One person turning on the company was like an attack on them all.

I've been watching far too many movies with Eddie. This is hardly Dunkirk.

He walked into reception. Charlotte glanced up from the magazine she was reading.

"You gave me a start," she said, folding her arms. "Now let me guess. You've come on the hunt for sympathy. I've already had Tyler begging for painkillers and kind words. What are you two like?"

Scott perched on the edge of her desk.

"He's a wimp," Scott replied. "It's a little hangover. Nothing to get upset about. No, I came for another reason actually."

She looked interested. "Oh yes? You've got my attention. How may I help?"

"You must have heard."

Her face grew serious. "The theft?"

Scott nodded. He ignored the pain from his head. He refused to show weakness now. Although two painkillers would be nice.

"It's all anyone can talk about," Charlotte said. "Everyone has a different theory. Olive even suspected it might be Barry. As if. What would he spend the cash on even if he did know how to offload stolen dildos?"

A smile crept onto Scott's face. "Can you keep a secret?"

"You know I can."

"Our Bazza might have a love interest."

Charlotte's jaw almost hit the desk. "No way. How did you find out?"

"We all saw them at the cinema."

"Shit," Charlotte said, clapping her hands with glee. "What's she like?"

Scott might be half dead from the actions of the night before. However, he still knew how to present bombshell information. He leant forward conspiratorially.

"She's Amanda," he whispered.

Charlotte reared back as though he'd slapped her across the face. "You are shitting me."

"Nope."

Scott had done some prior investigations of his own and rumbled the two lovebirds. Eddie had told him off. Scott conceded that it could be seen as slightly unethical so he kept that bit to himself.

"Not a word," he continued "Now one good turn deserves another. If you hear anything whatsoever about the robbery, let me know. I don't care who it is."

"I presume you're in charge of the investigation then."

Scott stood up and saluted her. "There's only one man for the job."

The day wore on at a snail's pace. Scott had eaten two chocolate bars and was contemplating a third when an email appeared in his inbox.

The subject line screamed at him.

Re: Theft

After glancing around to make sure no one overlooked his screen, Scott clicked on it. The sender was Prin Lum. Scott quickly checked the global address list. Prin worked in the IT department.

All remnants of the hangover were swept away as Scott sat bolt upright.

Have they found something on the CCTV?

He flicked over to the email and read.

Scott

I think I might have some information about the missing stock. I won't talk about it in the office. Meet me at Koffee in town 4pm.

Regards

Prin

Scott stared at his screen. He read the email over again. This guy had watched one too many detective movies.

Still, what if he did have something important? Scott knew his own nosy nature wouldn't let him be until he gave in. Besides it was a decent excuse for an early dart. If he played his cards right, he could be at home in his joggers way before five.

He got up and walked over to Carla's desk.

"Can I have a word?"

"Sure. In private?"

Scott nodded.

Sheila watched them intently.

If I'm suspecting bloody Sheila, I'm finally losing it.

He shook the stupid thoughts out of his mind. Wordlessly, Carla led him into one of the meeting rooms and closed the door.

"The dildos?" she asked, folding her arms. "I've been thinking. I'm not sure we should have gone public, you know. It's all I've heard about since you talked me into it."

"Such a lack of faith wounds me," Scott replied, clutching his chest. "For your information, I've had a weird email from a guy in IT. He won't talk to me here. I'm expected to meet him at a coffee shop in town."

Carla's eyes flashed. "Ooh, a lead."

How quickly she could flip.

"Perhaps," Scott replied. "Or he wants to get me alone. Either is entirely possible."

"Will you be wearing a red carnation in your lapel?"

"It's quite exciting, isn't it?"

"You'd better go. What if he knows something really juicy?"

Scott chewed his bottom lip. "I guess. It's a bit odd, isn't it? Shit like this doesn't happen in real life."

"What's the matter with you?" Carla asked, slapping him on the arm. "This is your big moment."

He was being stupid. Even so, it all felt out of his comfort zone. He'd even considered getting Carla to come with him. But this Prin sounded twitchy.

"Yeah, you're right," Scott said. "I'll finish up a few things and go. What's the worst that can happen? Plus, an early finish for me. Don't mind if I do."

"You can log on at home and tell me what happened. I'm not spending the evening wondering."

Scott shook his head. "You're a bloody slavedriver, Carla Jennings."

She pinched his cheek. "Go and solve the case. You'll be Pleasure Seekers answer to Miss Marple."

"Who?"

"Shut up."

Scott had to admit more than a frisson of excitement about going on a secret mission. Even if it was at a hipster coffee shop in the Lanes in town.

Oh well, it's all for the greater good.