Ottercombe Bay – Part Four: Shaken and Stirred. Bella Osborne

      Daisy was shaking as she looked from Max to Pasco. Her mouth had gone dry and she was struggling to make sense of what she’d just heard. She stepped out of the queue and walked right up to Pasco. ‘Did you steal my mother’s locket?’

      Pasco turned to Max who was looking uncomfortable and raking his hands through his hair, which was even more messy than usual. He looked a state – tired, unshaven and still in yesterday’s clothes.

      ‘Daisy, let’s go somewhere and have a talk.’ Pasco rested his hand on her shoulder and she shrugged him off.

      ‘No, I think a police station is the perfect place to discuss a theft.’ She stood firm and stared him down.

      Pasco’s eyebrows shot up. As if on cue Jason strode purposefully through the double doors.

      ‘Max, you are free to go but don’t go disappearing in case we want to check any facts.’ Max gave him a derogatory glare, which Jason didn’t seem to notice. ‘You too, Pasco.’

      ‘Hey, I’m innocent,’ said Pasco, hastily trying to usher everyone out of the police station.

      ‘See you later,’ said Jason, giving Tamsyn a little wave.

      ‘Stop,’ said Daisy, forcefully. ‘Jason, where is Guillaume?’

      ‘I’m off,’ said Max, putting a hand on the door. Nobody responded so he slunk out closely followed by Pasco.

      ‘Guillaume has been charged with possession of drugs with the intent to supply.’

      ‘Where is he?’ Daisy’s voice was gruff and implied she wanted to do him harm.

      ‘He’s not here. The criminal gang he was doing business with were being watched by a bigger police operation. The local force didn’t get much of a look in.’ Jason appeared thoroughly disappointed by this.

      ‘Right. Who were the people who chased me and Max?’

      ‘Guillaume was a middleman. He was meant to collect the drugs from another boat at sea and then pass them to those two at the cove. It was all a bit last minute; apparently the deal was meant to be next week but when they had a tip-off someone was onto them they brought everything forward. Hence they picked the cove not realising it wasn’t accessible.’

      ‘You know Max had nothing to do with it.’

      ‘Yeah, they still interviewed him for half the night because he hired the boat and the others weren’t talking but Guillaume eventually came clean. He exonerated you of any wrongdoing too.’

      ‘I should bloody well think so.’

      ‘He admitted he only came here to set up the drugs handover.’

      ‘Duped again,’ said Daisy.

      ‘Yes, well. I still have a bit to finish up here then I’m heading home. It’s been quite a night.’

      ‘If I wanted to bring charges for theft, do I speak to you?’

      Jason’s tired face registered some interest. ‘You can. What and who are we talking about?’

      ‘My locket and Pasco.’

      Jason looked surprised. ‘Do you have proof?’

      ‘Not exactly but—’

      ‘You know if it wasn’t for Pasco keeping watch on you— Well, all I’m saying is if it hadn’t been for Pasco stepping in to save you …’ His speech was speeding up and he looked agitated.

      ‘Save me?’ Daisy was sceptical.

      ‘These people Guillaume is mixed up with are career criminals and the woman who chased you was carrying a knife.’ Jason’s usually jovial expression was beyond serious.

      Daisy tried to take in what he’d said. ‘A knife?’

      Jason blinked slowly. ‘If Pasco hadn’t been keeping an eye on you …’

      ‘Pasco was watching me? What, like a stalker?’

      ‘No. He was suspicious of Guillaume and he’s been worried about you … and Max too. He had quite a bit of useful information to impart, some of which we’ve been able to back up with CCTV footage. Anyway, I have already said far too much. But go easy on Pasco. I honestly think he’s turned over a new leaf. And your lift is waiting.’ He indicated Tamsyn’s head peeping through the door.

      ‘Thanks, Jason.’ Daisy reached up and gave him a peck on the cheek.

      Jason blushed slightly. ‘Out or I’ll have you arrested for assaulting a police officer.’

      Armed with this new information Daisy scanned the street outside for Pasco but there was no sign of him or Max.

      ‘Where’ve the others gone?’

      ‘Pub, I think,’ said Tamsyn.

      ‘At this time in the morning? Come on, I need to talk to both of them.’

      Unsurprisingly they found Max and Pasco in the first pub they came to. Neither looked pleased to see them walk in.

      ‘Would you mind getting me a Diet Coke please, Tamsyn?’ said Daisy, who was eager to speak to Max and Pasco alone. Tamsyn dutifully went to the bar and Daisy pulled up a chair.

      ‘Daisy, I have had a shit night. Please can you have a go at me later after I’ve had some sleep and bought some ear plugs?’ asked Max.

      Daisy ignored him. ‘Pasco, where is my mother’s locket?’

      Pasco frowned and signalled to Max who put his hand in his pocket. Daisy could hardly believe her eyes when Max unfurled his fingers in front of her to reveal her locket. Daisy sobbed as she took it from him and clasped it tightly in both hands. The relief of being reunited with it was immense. She uncurled her fingers and stared at it. Every detail etched in her memory exactly how she remembered it and now it was safe again. Daisy sniffed and roughly wiped the tears from her eyes. Now wasn’t the time for sentimentality, now was the time for angry accusations.

      ‘Which one of you stole it?’

      Pasco leaned forward to rest his elbows on his thighs and brought his hands together to create a steeple shape. ‘I’m not certain it is stealing if you are taking back your own property.’

      Daisy gave a hollow laugh but seeing the stony looks on both Pasco and Max’s faces she stopped. ‘What do you mean your property? This was my mother’s.’

      Pasco shook his head slowly and pursed his lips. ‘That locket is a Davey family heirloom. It’s been passed down through my family for generations. It’s French.’

      ‘I know,’ said Daisy, feeling bewildered. She clutched the locket tighter between her fingers.

      ‘I think one of my ancestors probably stole it during the French Revolution.’ Pasco took a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry I took it without explaining. It looked like old Reg had left the window open and I thought I’d shut it to put off any passing thieves.’ Daisy’s eyebrows danced at the irony. ‘I just saw the locket there on the cabinet and I knew it was the same one.’