Читать книгу Creatures of the Chase - Mikail - L. M. Ollie - Страница 13

‘Her name is Sarah,’ Munroe said as he set his coffee cup down, ‘and it was because of her, I think, that Vic was in Morocco.’ Perry just stared, willing Munroe to continue. ‘Her full name – are you ready for this Neil – Sarah Winthrope Churchill Develin Capritzo Sarquazi Rose.

‘Develin, as in Richard Mayfair Develin?’ The Irish connection was coming through loud and clear.

‘Richard Develin was her first husband then she married Merhot Capritzo then Yusuf Nessim Sarquazi of Morocco. After he died she married an Alan Rose, whoever he is.’

Perry grabbed the case file he had been reading and began to rapidly scan through the pages. ‘Did this Alan Rose work for the Develin Pharmaceutics Research and Development Laboratory?’

‘Rose was married at Cavendish Hall, the Develin family ancestral home so it’s not surprising that he should … What’s the matter Neil?’

Perry handed Munroe the file then picked up the telephone. ‘Put me through to Doctor Rogers please.’ He waited a moment. ‘Nigel, Neil Perry here. The body that was brought in late last night … Yeah, that’s the one. Has it been positively identified?’ Perry frowned. ‘This Doctor Meaker, he works there so he …sure, I’ll hold.’

Munroe looked up from the report he held in both hands. ‘Neil, this can’t be a co-incidence.’

‘I bet you a dollar to a doughnut that both Capritzo and Sarquazi were Muslims and … They’re good at slitting throats, practicing with small animals during their annual blood fest before moving on to bigger stuff – like human beings. Shit!’

‘Capritzo and Sarquazi, they’re twin brothers and guess who their half brother was – Richard Develin.’

‘And the world just shrunk to the size of an acorn. Yes Nigel, I’m here. You’re positive? Okay, thanks.’ Perry hung up. ‘It’s Alan Rose all right. He was not only the Director of the Develin Pharmaceutics Research and Development Laboratory but Richard Develin’s godson.’ He stared straight ahead. ‘That’s why he was knocked unconscious first.’

Nothing personal you understand, but you’re in my way – slice.

‘What do you know about Sarquazi, Stan?’

‘He was a close friend of the King of Morocco.’

‘Oh, that’s nice.’

Munroe placed the photograph of Sarquazi and the King of Morocco in front of Perry. Beside it he set the photographs of Develin and Capritzo. ‘Right Neil, introductions. This is Yusuf Sarquazi Mauphet Benghazi and beside him, King Hassan of Morocco; Richard Mayfair Develin and Merhot Mauphet Capritzo: twin brothers and half-brothers.’

Perry frowned. ‘And this Sarah Churchill, she married all three?’

‘Yep.’

‘Do you guys want to know what she looks like?’ Munroe and Perry looked up sharply. Ted Southerly was standing at the doorway smiling, his resemblance to a gnome accented by the worst possible taste in fashion. Who in their right mind would wear a plaid jacket and a tie with flying ducks on it?

‘Sorry I’m late – traffic.’ He took a seat just inside the door then rifled through his briefcase.

Munroe noticed that he was wearing Doc Martens. ‘Geez Ted, get a grip or better still, buy a mirror.’

Munroe made the necessary introductions. ‘Ted, if she’s surrendered her American passport, what is she travelling on, assuming she’s travelling?’

‘Her Moroccan passport I assume, under the name Sarquazi.’ He pulled a folder from his briefcase then opened it. ‘Are you guys ready for this?’ He dropped Sarah’s passport photo on top of the others.

All three men just stared.