Reunion: The 4th Murray Barber P I Case

By Julie Burns-Sweeney

Murray Barber is a private investigator with a difference. He can hear the dead speak. Along with his 'late' friends Alistair and Rita, and Jeff his friend from C.I.D., Murray solves a number of cases.
Fifteen years after a lad dies on the night of their school prom, Murray and Jeff attend their school reunion, only to encounter another death....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781326267643

Book preview

Reunion: The 4th Murray Barber P I Case

REUNION:

THE 4TH

MURRAY BARBER P.I.

CASE

By

Julie Burns Sweeney

Copyright: 2015

Published by: Lulu.com

ISBN: 978-1-326-26764-3

CHAPTER ONE

Murray took a deep breath, school had never been his favourite place. Now, as he stood in the main hall, a flood of memories came flowing back. Not all of them were bad. He had loved sport, been pretty good at it although now of course, he had let himself go a bit! He glanced over at the entrance to the gyms on the far side of the hall and smiled to himself. Behind him however, were the doors to the East Block where the staple subjects had been taught, English, Maths and RE. Things hadn't been so bad once he had left junior school, once he had learn't to be quiet about his 'gift'. Sometimes it was dragged up but for the most part it had been long buried by the time he had studied here at Queen's Road Community School. As he glanced over at Jeff, he wondered if it would be dragged up now, nearly fifteen years after they had left to enter the big wide world? Was he going to regret agreeing to come to this school reunion?

Murray? Murray Barber? Bet you don't recognize me? A hairy-faced man stood smiling at him. Murray took a moment to take him in, was there something familiar about him? Darren, Darren Shorecroft. Remember me now?

Ah, yeah, Darren. He wasn't completely sure but no doubt the man would come back from the depths of Murray's mind.

On your own? My Misses is over there.. He pointed towards the carpark. ..Double checking the car. Brand new, straight out of the showroom. Now his memory cleared. Darren had always been a bit of a show-off. Had the idea that the more he had the more people would like him. It had always seemed the other way around to Murray.

Nice. Yeah, I'm on my own tonight. Girlfriend started a new job and doesn't want to mess her boss around. Neither Kate, Jeff's wife, nor Jenny had come along for the reunion. Kate had probably stayed home because Jenny couldn't make it but neither of them had attended Queen's anyhow.

New job eh? What does she do? So it was going to start already, the one-up-manship. I've accomplished more than you and I'm so happy etc, etc.

She's ... er... a retail replenisher. International company. What about you? How'd you afford that car? Jenny may now be a shelf-filler at the local 24hour supermarket, which was nothing to be ashamed of, but he didn't want to give Darren the satisfaction of looking down his nose at her. And who knew what he would make of the pink hi-lights which had just recently appeared in her hair? Murray didn't particularly want to hear about Darren and glanced around for an excuse to escape. Jeff was pointing towards the East Block so with a polite 'oh, excuse us, we're moving', Murray managed to get away.

If you remember who the bores are, will you make sure I stay away from them! The pair wandered along the ground floor corridor. The classrooms were open and had some of the present student's work on display. Even some of their old teachers were still around! Mr Jones seemed to be 'Old Mr Jones' now and walked with a limp.

Do these classrooms seem smaller to you Murray?

I think it's us, we're bigger!

They continued on around the corner of the 'L' shaped building into the North Block, History, Geography and Languages. Murray hadn't minded History, after all, some of his lessons had been helped by the presence of a Victorian dockworker, Thomas, who had provided Murray with some fascinating, and historically correct, facts which had helped his grades no end!

There's a lot of people here. I thought it was just for our year? Jeff was watching as various groups were mingling and wandering around the rooms.

No, I think it's for all previous students, certainly looks like it. Murray stood back as an elderly lady shuffled past him. Where's the buffet anyhow? I haven't had any tea, I'm starving.

Not sure? Back in the gym I think? We can work our way back there if you like? Why didn't you eat before you left home?

I was working. Had to leave Rita and Ali to follow Mrs Yardly.

Ah, the ever helpful Sonny and Cher....no, sorry, it's Donny and Marie! What happens to ghosts when they retire? I hope you have a pension plan for those two? Jeff, as ever, couldn't help himself. He couldn't resist ribbing his old mate about his gift for hearing the dead! This the case where the woman's taken on a bar job and is coming home later and later?

Yeah. And don't wind my staff up, I don't want a mutiny on my hands. They make my life, and job, very much easier!

Good of them, considering they no longer have lives!

Shut up! Let's head back towards the food.

The two men turned and started back the way they'd came. As they passed a couple in the corridor, Jeff stopped, he recognized them.

Gary! What happened to the hair mate? The balding man stopped and lowering his head for a moment, smiled.

It started to go so I took the lot off! Haven't seen you in a while. Still a copper are you? Gary glanced at Murray. Alright Murray? You ever marry that Debbie?

No he didn't! I didn't marry Maria either but... Jeff opened his arms and beamed at the large lady standing behind Gary. ..I see you caught your dish of the day! I'd recognize you anywhere Sally! You're looking well, how are you?

Number three in the oven! Sally gushed back pointing at her stomach. "How about