A surprise for neptune k.., p.6
A Surprise for Neptune King, page 6
The hooting of a horn behind him made him move on but he kept glancing back over his shoulder and nearly crashed into the back of a car in front when it stopped to give way to a pedestrian.
“Be careful, Neptune. You’ll have plenty of time to check the building out once the sale goes through.”
“I know. I can’t help it. I’m just excited.”
Rachel smiled. “I’ve noticed.”
Ψ Ψ Ψ
“Shark, telephone,” called Dolphin from the hallway.
Shark came out of the kitchen where he’d been chatting to his mother. “Hello,” he said on taking the receiver from his brother.
“Hello, Shark,” said Neptune. “How are you?”
“Pretty good. House is coming along fine. More repairs than I expected. Those bikers did a lot of damage. Some of the bullets came right through the weatherboards and wrecked the plaster in the front rooms.”
“Well, it will be worth it in the long run,” said Neptune, “your mother will get a better price for the house if it’s fixed.”
“Yep, that’s what I reckon. How’s things in England?’
“Actually that’s what I’m ringing you about. Rachel and I saw this absolutely perfect building on Baker Street. It’s for sale and it would make a fantastic office.”
“You wanna buy it?”
“Yes. Seven thousand eight hundred pounds. You should have seen Rachel bamboozle the agent. He wanted ten for it. It’s under market price and needs a bit of renovating, but once it is fixed up it will be worth triple that. It’s in a really good position.”
“I thought we weren’t gunna shift to a new office until next year?”
“Well, it won’t be ready until next year. We can take out a longer contract, and then it will need renovating. It’s September now, it wouldn’t be ready before January. We were talking about moving then anyway.”
“Yeah, that’d be okay I guess. But uh, how would that work. Would I pay you rent?”
“What?”
“Well, uh, if you buy the office buildin’ and I’m your partner would I pay you rent for my share of it?”
“Oh,” Neptune chuckled. “I see what you’re getting at. Um, my fault, I should have explained properly. I’m not buying it on my own. Rachel suggested we take out a business loan and buy it together through the agency.”
“Oh. Can we afford it?”
“Yes. She says that the repayments will actually be fifty pounds lower than what we pay in rent now. The loan will be for a ten-year period and it’s a business deduction. The interest we pay is tax deductible and so are the renovations and any purchases or associated costs, so the agency benefits that way as well. We’ll own it jointly. The deed will be in the businesses name. Property always increases in value especially if it is well maintained, so if for some reason we were extremely hard up in the future, we’d have a tangible asset to sell or remortgage. You can’t lose on purchasing real estate. We benefit while we are paying for it, and we benefit if we want to sell it. And it’s so much better than renting because we don’t have to worry about lease renewals or finicky landlords and we can decorate it any way we like. It’s in a prime location that will generate new business. We’re a little out of the way where we are now. People have to work harder to find us. You know what they say about location—that is essential in business. So, how do you feel about being part owner in an office building?”
Shark leaned against the wall and thought for a minute. He’d never considered buying an office. He thought when they upgraded, they would just rent a bigger place, however, if repayments on the building were lower than renting then it made more sense to buy it, and it would be an asset. That would look good when he went to buy a house of his own.
“You’re sure we’re not bitin’ of more’n we can chew? I wouldn’t want to go into debt and be strugglin’. Last thing we need.”
“That won’t happen. Rachel’s done her sums. We’re in pretty good shape at the moment and anyway, all we have to put up is the ten percent deposit and legal fees—which, by the way are also tax deductible.”
“In that case I like the idea, Neptune. Never owned a buildin’ before.”
“You’ll really like this one, Shark.”
“And it’s on Baker Street?”
Neptune grinned. “Yes, it’s absolutely perfect. Plenty of room for expansion. You’ll have your own office, right next door to mine, lots of space. There’s an office for Rachel, and five spare ones that can be used if we expand and hire extra operatives. It will look really good when it’s fixed up.”
“Uh huh, I guess so.”
“So can I go ahead and tell the agent to draw up the papers?”
“Yeah, sure, go ahead.” He smiled faintly when he heard Neptune’s delighted hoot. Sometimes he was just like a kid. “Just promise me one thing.”
“Yes, anything.”
“When we shift in, don’t come to work wearing a deer stalker and smokin’ a pipe.”
Neptune chuckled. To tell the truth he was going to do just that for the fun of it. “It’s what a well-dressed detective wears.”
“Not in public.”
“All right, I promise not to dress like that at the office.”
“Good. Anything else been happening?”
“I solved a murder the other day.”
“Yeah? Great. See, yuh don’t really need me there.”
“I do. This was an easy one—a disappearing man case. We have proven time and time again we work better together. On difficult cases I need you helping me.”
“Yep, we make a good team.”
They chatted for a while longer before Neptune hung up. He joined Rachel in the study. “Shark says go ahead and buy it.”
Rachel smiled. “Good. I didn’t think he’d mind but as partners you both need to be in on the decision-making aspect.” She reached for his hand, squeezing it. “You have to remember that Shark has an equal say in decisions. I’m glad it worked out. You’re so cute when you’re acting like a boy in a lolly shop. I’ll get things organized tomorrow morning.”
Neptune dropped down beside her and wrapped his arms around her. “We’re moving to Baker Street,” he said with an ear-to-ear grin before kissing her.
When the kiss ended, Rachel smiled and said, “Let’s go to bed, Sherlock.”
3
THE CASE OF THE PANICKING PRINCESS
I
The next two weeks passed fairly quickly for Neptune and Rachel. She was busy organizing the purchase of the building, while Neptune thought he’d make the most of the quiet time to get some information for Shark on speeding up the citizenship application for his mother and siblings. He got up at six o’clock on Friday morning so he could ring Shark at a reasonable hour. It was Mrs Johnson that answered the phone. “Oh hello, Neptune,” she said. “How are you?”
“Pretty good, Mrs Johnson, and yourself?”
“Well, thank you.”
“By the way, thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not letting Shark quit the agency. I am in your debt yet again.”
“I wouldn’t expect Shark to sacrifice doing something he loves, and he does love detective work. It’s been good for him. I’m rather looking forward to coming to England.”
“Actually that’s what I’m ringing about. I was going to tell Shark to tell you, but I might as well tell you myself. From what I can gather it will be easier to speed up your application for citizenship if you apply from within the country. Meaning if you apply from Australia it can take up to two years, but if you come to England first and apply from here it will be much quicker. After all two of your sons will be married to English citizens, so it is only logical that the rest of their family lives here also.”
“Two of my sons?” repeated Mrs Johnson. “Lance is married to Valerie, but who’s the second—Shark? Is Shark getting married?”
Neptune winced. He thought Shark had told his mother about Becky. She met her when she was over in April. Shark was still dating Becky then. Obviously he hadn’t told his mother that they were engaged. He’d really put his foot in it now. “Er, I’m sorry; perhaps you’d better ask him.”
“No, Neptune I’m asking you, because clearly Shark hasn’t told me of this development. Who is he planning on marrying—is it that pretty girl—Rebecca?”
“Yes, he asked her to marry him not long before he returned to Australia. I uh, I thought he would have told you by now.”
“No, he hasn’t and I can guess why. He still has this foolish notion that he has to take care of the children and me. I won’t stand for that. I most definitely won’t stand for it now that I know he wants to get married. We can manage quite well, and I am sure I can find work easily enough.”
Neptune smiled. There was no tricking Shark’s mother. She knew Shark too well however it wasn’t for him to say if she was right or wrong.
“Well, I don’t know why he hasn’t told you,” he said. “He’ll kill me for spilling the beans about Becky.”
“No he won’t. I’m glad you did. He’s as stubborn as a mule sometimes.”
“Who’s as stubborn as a mule?” came Shark’s voice in the background.
“You are,” said Mrs Johnson turning around to look at her handsome blond haired middle son. “It’s Neptune on the telephone. I’ll put you over to Shark now, Neptune.”
“All right. Thanks, Mrs Johnson.”
“Hey, Neptune,” greeted Shark. “Why am I stubborn as a mule?”
“I’m sorry, Shark. I’ve just made a huge mistake.”
“What?”
“I was telling your mother what I found out—that it would be quicker for her to get citizenship if she applies from England. If she’s already living here rather than if she applies from Australia. I said she shouldn’t have any problem getting it because both her sons would be married to English girls.”
“Aw, Neptune.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you hadn’t told her about Becky. I assumed you had by now.”
“Well, no. First I didn’t tell her ‘coz I didn’t want to spoil Lance’s limelight—him gettin’ married to Valerie. Then I didn’t tell her because I didn’t know what would happen with me once I told Becky I was stayin’ over here. Just in case she didn’t want to come.”
“Well, I’m afraid she knows now. I’m sorry.”
“Oh well, can’t do much about that, then. No harm done, and it doesn’t matter much now anyway as I’m comin’ back. I should have told her ages ago.” Shark glanced around at his mother and added, “Of course if I’m as stubborn as a mule it’s because I get it from the mother of mules. She’s worse’n I am.”
“Don’t be cheeky, Shark,” came his mother’s voice in the background.
“Any interestin’ cases?”
“Lots of cheating spouse cases,” replied Neptune, relieved that Shark wasn’t too upset at his mistake.
“And you’re doin’ ‘em?” His voice sounded skeptical.
“Not exactly. I’ve hired another chap to do them. In fact he was handling all our cases while we were in Australia. I didn’t want to close the agency down for so long while we were away. I’ve kept him on until you return. Actually I’ve been thinking I wouldn’t mind taking him on full time. The agency earned more during our three-month absence than before. If we had someone handling all the small cases, it would leave us free to do the big ones, and the revenue would be constant.”
“I guess,” said Shark, frowning a little. He wasn’t sure if he wanted another investigator in the office. “We can talk about it properly when I come home.”
“Yes, and you can have a look at his case files. He would just be an employee, Shark, not a partner. That is strictly reserved for the two of us.”
“Good. Glad we’re making money, too.”
“We certainly are.”
Shark smiled. He knew Neptune hated cheating spouse cases, but they did pay the bills and were usually quick to do so it didn’t tie them up for weeks like the more complicated cases. “Okay. It’s good news about Mum being able to apply from England for her citizenship though. That means they can come over as soon as they sell the house.”
“Yes, that’s what I was thinking as well. How is the painting going?”
“Pretty good, only got two rooms to go. Should be back sometime next week. Not sure which day. Thought I might have my birthday here and come back after.”
Neptune smiled. Considering Shark hadn’t shared a birthday with his family in nearly six years, it seemed reasonable. “Sounds like a good idea. Twenty-three years old. Getting a bit long in the tooth there, Shark.”
Shark grinned. “Well, lookin’ on the bright side, I’ll never be as old as you.”
“Huh!”
Shark laughed. “I better go and face Mum’s inquisition. Thanks for calling.”
“You’re welcome. See you soon.”
“Bye.”
Shark hung up and turned around to see not only his mother looking at him expectantly, but his younger sister, Suzy as well.
“So Shark,” began Mrs Johnson, “when were you going to tell me you were engaged?”
“I’ve been busy. And it’s not like there was any rush. I told Becky it would be a long engagement, so there’s plenty of time. You liked her though didn’t you?”
Mrs Johnson smiled and nodded. Yes, she liked Rebecca Evans when she met her. The vivacious twenty-one year old with mischievous blue-grey eyes and an hourglass figure had made a good impression on her. It was clear at the time that the girl was completely smitten with Shark and she suspected Shark’s feelings were more than casual about the girl, but she hadn’t quite expected him to get married just yet. It seemed the young English girl had made an even bigger impact on her son. “She seemed very nice, Shark. Now I’ll have the opportunity to get to know her better.”
“I bet Dolph marries Vessa,” said Suzy. “He’s been moping around ever since she left.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised about that either, but hopefully they will wait a few years. Neither has finished school yet. As for you, perhaps you will meet a charming English boy.”
Suzy screwed up her nose. “I’m not interested.”
“That’s what you say now,” said Shark. “Couple more years and you’ll be a heart breaker.” His sixteen-year-old sister was already rather pretty with her wide brown eyes and shoulder length straight brown hair. “I’m gunna have to beat your suitors off with a stick.”
Suzy grinned. “I’ll help you.”
“Anyway, Mum, it means that as soon as yuh sell the house you can come over. I’ll find yuh a place to live and we’ll get yuh set up, and then you can apply for citizenship. Neptune doesn’t think there will be any problems. It will work out better this way, and you won’t be wastin’ money living here while waiting for your application to be approved.”
Mrs Johnson nodded. “Yes, it does work out better. Soon as we’ve finished the painting I’ll have an agent come around and we’ll put it up for sale. It’s almost the end of the school year anyway, so by the time we’re ready to leave they’ll be finished.”
“It’s only mid-year over there.”
“True, but it won’t matter if they miss a month or two. Dolph can start college in the new school year over there and Suzy will be in grade eleven.”
Shark moved over and draped his arms around his mother and sister. “Do yuh need me here to help with the sale?”
“No. It’s time you returned to England and got back to work. Can’t leave Neptune to do it all on his own, can you?”
“Nope. Thanks Mum. My birthday is next week. I might head on back the day after.”
She smiled, stood up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Good. It will be very a special birthday this year.”
II
The start of the third week passed uneventfully. There were some cheating spouse cases that Neptune passed on to Garth Redfern, and on that morning—Thursday, a disappearing money case. The woman was concerned that her maid was stealing money from her purse. It didn’t take Neptune long to work out that it was actually her daughter stealing it to buy cigarettes with. It was hardly worth the trip out to the house thought Neptune dispiritedly. He’d hoped that the first case he had since his return was the start of more interesting cases. Now they were back to the mundane stuff.
“Neptune, I have to stop by the solicitor’s office to collect the contracts,” said Rachel that afternoon. Neptune was sitting on Shark’s desk keeping her company and complaining about the tedious missing money case.
“That’s all right; I might close up a bit earlier, too. Couldn’t bear to face another trivial case today.”
“You poor dear,” commiserated Rachel unsympathetically. Secretly she sometimes thought Neptune was a little lazy and wouldn’t go out of his way to do something if it wasn’t worth his time. She missed Shark in that regard, because he tended to push Neptune more and encourage him to take on things that he wasn’t particularly interested in.
She looked up from her thoughts at the banging noise outside the door and a clump as something was dropped, then the door handle turned and Shark stepped in. “Shark!” Rachel leapt up and ran over to him, throwing her arms around him in a warm hug.
“G’day, Rach,” he greeted hugging her back.
Neptune came over and punched him in the arm. “Wonderful to see you, Shark. I wasn’t expecting you back until tomorrow.”
Shark grinned at him. “You forgot the day difference. Goes back a day when we fly over.” He offered his hand to Neptune, who pumped it vigorously. “Yuh miss me?”
“We certainly did,” agreed Rachel smiling with delight. “Did you get the house fixed up all right?”
“Sure did. Mum should get a good price for it, and when that’s all sorted out, they’ll be comin’ over. It’s too bad they couldn’t bring Dad’s old Holden over. I’d love to keep it, but it would cost too much to ship over. She’s gunna sell that too, and all their furniture except for one or two things. The kids are excited about livin’ here.”
