Finding Sophie

By Alan Addison

When Tod Peterson and Bob James, proprietors of JP Associates, a detective Agency based in Leith, Edinburgh, decide to take matters into their own hands to find Sophie, the missing daughter of Bob’s girlfriend, it was a decision that would take them deep into England, deep into trouble, and deep into personal danger. Book Four in the JP Associates Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781447882657

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Tuesday 6th January 2015

Epiphany, but in Great Junction Street Leith the church bells were silent. That came as no surprise to Tod Peterson as he pondered on how and when most religious festivals had become just another shopping day or bank holiday. The only bells to be heard were the tills of supermarkets, or the cha-ching of another successful investment. Maybe Tracey is getting to me, he thought as he switched on the computer.

It was just after twelve noon and he was in JP Associates’ office awaiting the company of retired Detective Inspector Bob James, his partner in the business. Bob did not often make an appearance in the office because as acting consultant to Police Scotland’s Cold Case Squad, he had been warned, on more than one occasion, that to do so would be a conflict of interest.

Tracey Cowan, JP Associates’ secretary would be starting work at twelve-thirty. Tod had asked their associates: Mark le Mot PhD psychology student, Big Jake Robinson aka the Oracle, Tracey’s husband, Harry, technology whizz kid and ex-burglar and Callum Mackie, retired Kirk minister, if they could be in attendance but he wasn’t sure if Callum would come as no-one had seen him since the discovery of his friend Sandy’s body, washed-up on Portobello Beach in late December.

When the office door partly opened Tod looked up to see Jake struggling in with his crutches. ‘You’ll need tae get that bloody door-closer fixed or buy one of those automatic opening devices for the disabled. This door is tighter than a duck’s arse.’

‘Good to see you too Jake,’ said Tod rushing over to the door and pulling it open. ‘Tracey should be in shortly with the lunch.’

‘Magic!’ said Jake, trying to catch his breath.

‘Nothing but the best for our associates, sausage rolls and pies from you know where.’

‘Just as well you’re feeding us mind you, cause we’ve never seen a penny profit. Sausage rolls and pies is aw we’ve seen for the valuable information and guidance we’ve been giving you. A was beginning tae wonder if your private investigation agency would function without us.’

‘Mm, I’ll need to speak to Bob, and our financial backer Rebecca about that. Maybe it is time you received expenses.’

‘Dinnae bother, it might interfere wie ma benefits. Is she coming in today?’

‘Not sure, but Bob was hoping to bring her along with him. She’s a busy woman now though, what with her property portfolio and investments and all those meetings with her accountants.’

‘Dae A detect a wee bit jealousy Tod? There’s nae need tae be like that; she’s aw right, even though she was married tae that paedophile Stark. Whoever did that bastard in, good luck tae them, that’s what A say.’

Tod swallowed hard at that last remark but didn’t answer. But then that would be no surprise to anyone who knew that he was the one who’d murdered the infamous Edinburgh banker and paedophile Richard Stark. When remarks such as Jake’s came up, no matter what the source, Tod couldn’t help wondering who did know about his involvement on that cold dark night in Cramond on the 1st April 2013.

‘Rebecca is the reason that we’ve called this meeting actually. It’s about her daughter Sophie. She went missing around the time of the court case that her father would have been part of, had he been alive at the time.’

‘A ken aw that, we’ve discussed it already. Dae ye think her father was abusing her?’

‘I’ve no idea. All I know is that Rebecca believes it’s time we put our resources into finding her daughter and as the resources are actually supplied by Rebecca, we don’t really have much option.’

Jake began singing ‘Money talks, money talks, and it always has.’

‘I was just thinking that before you arrived.’

Just as they were finishing their diatribe on wealth the office door opened and Bob strode in, with Rebecca at his heels. ‘Well I don’t smell any lunch, do you Rebecca?’ He asked turning to face her.

‘I’m quite glad of that actually,’ she replied, ‘sausage rolls aren’t quite my cup of tea.’

‘Talking about tea, put that kettle on Tod, I could murder a cup,’ said Bob. ‘Where is that secretary of ours? It’s gone half-past.’

‘She should be here any minute. There’s always a queue at the bakers at this time,’ answered Tod, disappearing into the kitchen, leaving the other three to settle themselves around the coffee table. Valerie’s painting of Newhaven Harbour still hung on the wall and Rebecca was studying it. The fishing boat belonging to Callum’s friend was in the scene and she was wondering if that was what had caused him to avoid the office recently.

When the door opened again it was Tracey. She had her back to the door and was pushing hard. ‘We’ll need tae get this door fixed,’ she said as she turned around. She held a carrier bag in each hand and steam rose from each. ‘Well dinnae just sit there, Bob James, gie me a hand wie these bags! And when you’re done, put that kettle on.’ She couldn’t help herself, but every time Tracey set eyes on Rebecca, her language always lent itself more to Scots.

‘Tod’s already doing that hen,’ he replied, standing up to hold the door for her.

‘Does Bob always do as he’s told Tracey?’ asked Rebecca.

‘Only when I’m frightened the hot pies are going to fall through the bottom of the paper bag,’ said Bob. ‘By the way, where’s that man of yours Tracey?’

‘He’ll be here soon. He was just finishing off teaching his forensic class in the community centre.’

Bob still couldn’t believe that the man he’d nicked for stealing in the past was now teaching others how to avoid detection.

‘Dinnae you say a word about that Bob James,’ said Tracey glaring at him, ‘he’s doing really well.’

Tod came from the kitchen carrying a tray with mugs and a pot of tea. ‘I see you are all bonding already. Perhaps we can dispel with the brainstorming session.’

Harry and Mark arrived a few seconds later and took their seats. ‘I’m sorry we’re late,’ said Mark.

‘Mark was helping me with my class, it was brilliant. Criminal psychology, fascinating,’ said Harry. ‘We couldnae get rid of the students, eh Mark.’

‘It really was a good session. I’ll be able to write it up and use it in my PhD.’

‘What is your PhD?’ asked Rebecca.

‘The Nullifying Force of the Paper Butterfly,’ replied Mark proudly.

She didn’t reply.

#

When lunch was over Tod stood and moved to the new smart board behind Tracey’s desk. ‘I thought we’d begin by looking at what we’ve achieved over the last year, or since JP Associates’ conception.’

‘What about the dirty dishes?’ asked Tracey.

‘They can wait.’

‘No, they cannae, that’s unhygienic. A’ve got ma health and safety certificate you know.’

‘All right. Mark, would you mind doing the dishes. You’ll catch up soon enough,’ said Tod, switching on the screen to reveal a progress report and graph.’

‘This reminds me of Fettes,’ said Bob.

‘It reminds me of Dead Poets Society’ said Mark.

Tod ignored the comments and continued. ‘You will see from the report and the figures that until now we have achieved much, though most will remain unsung due to Bob’s involvement with Police Scotland and possible conflict of interest. Our unusual methods of detection have helped lead to the arrest and incarceration of some very evil people.’

‘Now wait a minute!’ shouted Bob. ‘Am I being accused of holding this company back?’

‘Aye,’ said Tracey, ‘that’s what CEOs do.’

‘Listen, why don’t we just cut to the chase,’ said Bob, ignoring Tracey’s remark. ‘This meeting is not about the past. It’s about our future and we have been given a job that will guarantee us work for the next while.’

‘What job?’ asked Tracey. ‘Have we been kept in the dark again?’

‘No, you have not Tracey! We had to get our heads around the logistics of it before presenting it to you!’

‘Oh, A see. That’s alright then.’

‘Rebecca has asked JP Associates if we can help find Sophie,’ said Bob.

Tod switched off his smartboard and returned to the group. ‘And the circumstances being as they are with JP not having any other commitments, we’ve agreed.’

Tracey was about to take her bosses to task when she remembered they were talking about finding Rebecca’s daughter. She would pull out all the stops if anything happened to her own daughter.

‘Excuse me for interrupting,’ said Jake, ‘but how dae ye propose we are ye going tae start the search for Sophie?’

‘We’re going to Cambridge. That’s where she was at university and we thought it a good place to begin’ answered Rebecca.

‘Is that the royal we?’ asked Jake. ‘Cause A’m not really fit enough tae travel aw the way tae Cambridge at the moment.’

‘Someone has to look after things here,’ answered Tod, beginning to wish he’d never arranged the meeting.

Mark returned from the kitchen to a very quiet group. ‘Was it something I said?’

‘Bob, Beccy and Tod are going to Cambridge,’ answered Tracey.

‘Here’s how it is. We, royal or not, are going to Cambridge to carry out an investigation into Sophie’s disappearance. Tracey, you will hold the fort here and the rest of you can hang as you grow until we return. Is that clear enough?’ boomed Bob.

‘A’m glad you mentioned the Fort,’ said Harry. ‘Mark and I were talking tae our students about the case and it became clear that there never was a satisfactory answer tae that puzzle, unless of course someone isnae telling us something.’

‘Right, I’ve heard enough,’ answered Bob. ‘You’ve got our mobile numbers. Phone if you need anything. We’ll stay in touch to let you know of our progress.’ He was looking directly at Tracey.

‘Aye so you will,’ said Tracey.

#

When Bob and Rebecca had left the somewhat frosty meeting Jake asked Tracey if she wouldn’t mind escorting him back to his bench at the end of the Kirkgate. Mark offered to escort him, but Jake made it clear it was Tracey he needed, on this occasion. Mark and Jake had become close over the last months and the young man looked more than a little peeved not to be asked, until Jake gave him a wink of his eye, letting Mark know there was more to the journey than mere companionship. Tod, on the other hand, was no psychologist but he’d sussed that the minute Jake made the request.

‘Don’t keep my secretary over long Jake, she has her notes from this meeting to type up,’

‘Aye so A do,’ said Tracey, going for her coat.

#

As the pair walked slowly up Great Junction Street trying to avoid the large wheelie bins that took up half the pavement, Tracey took hold of Jake’s arm. ‘What is it big man?’ she asked.

‘Dinnae worry, it’s not about me, though A could go on all day about that. It’s about an auld couple that visited my bench earlier this morning and they were going on about how their son has stopped them seeing their grandbairns and how he is extorting money from them. He’s almost put them out of house and hame and they’ve already had tae sell their caravan in East Lothian to give him what he asked for. You hear about this kind of thing all the time now, but A really did feel sorry for them.’

‘What age are they?’

‘Hard tae tell. They could be in their early sixties but look really worn. The man said he’d not long retired from working as an engineer at the docks, but his wife had to retire years ago because of ME. I think that’s what she called it.’

‘A’ve heard of that,’ answered Tracey.

‘What are we gonnae dae about them? We cannae have the auld couple struggling like that.’

Tracey nearly laughed at Jake calling the couple auld, when he was not far off eighty years old himself. ‘A’ll run it past Tod and see what he thinks.’

‘A widnae dae that. He’s off tae Cambridge and would tell ye tae wait till he gets back. But A don’t think this couple can wait that long, tae be honest. A think we should deal wie it ourselves.’

‘Is that the royal we again?’

‘Aye, you and me and Harry. We could handle it and your boss would never need tae know.’

‘A’m not sure about that Jake, but if you think it’s for the best A’ll tell Harry. Though A’m not sure we should be interfering in domestic situations.’

‘You’re beginning tae sound like your boss Tracey, if ye dinnae mind me saying so. Anywie, the couple will be in to see ye tomorrow afternoon. I’ll keep Tod busy and ye can judge for yourself.’

CHAPTER TWO

Thursday 8th January

Tod’s decision to take the train, rather than the proffered lift in Rebecca’s Range Rover, had come as no surprise to Bob. He’d noticed from the moment Tod had reluctantly met Rebecca, that he’d avoided her whenever possible. He concluded that Tod, always seeing himself as defender of the poor, just didn’t like her class and what it represented. Of course, Bob couldn’t know what was really causing Tod to shy away from her. If he did, he’d already have arrested his life-long friend for the murder of Richard Stark, Rebecca’s deceased husband. When he’d approached Tod with the offer of a lift to Cambridge, he’d merely replied he’d rather go by train.

However, Rebecca did not take no for an answer so easily and insisted on giving Tod an early morning lift to Waverley Station. It was just after seven when she and Bob dropped him at the top of the slope that led into the concourse. Had they walked with him into the station, they’d have wondered why he’d stopped for a chat with an old, bearded beggar who sat with his back to the metal parapet.

Tod had not set eyes on Daniel since the Fort case and Daniel was the last person he wanted to see. There were two reasons for this: one, he was dating Daniel’s ex-girlfriend Valerie and two, he couldn’t make up his mind whether Daniel was still an active MI5 operative. He’d never really been able to figure Daniel out and was wary of the man and what he might be capable of. By arriving so early at the station he thought he’d avoid him, but he hadn’t.

‘It’s the early bird that catches the proverbial worm, or proverbial private investigator in your case,’ said Daniel. ‘Care to put a little of your not so hard-earned change in my hat, to get a poor man a cup of coffee?’

‘I would,’ said Tod, smiling, ‘but from what I remember from our trip to the Scott Monument, you don’t drink coffee, do you Daniel!’

‘You’ve a good memory for a man who consumes more whisky than