Imposture (DI Gardener 6)

“Okay,” said Gardener, nodding and tipping his hat. “Thank you for your time.”

As he turned, she spoke again. “Mind you, I do find it very odd.”

Gardener glanced at her. “Sorry.”

“I didn’t see a for sale sign.”

Gardener glanced back at the house. “When did the sold sign go up?”

“Can’t have been much more than a week. I went out to the shops one morning and when I returned, it was up. But I never saw a for sale sign. They always put a for sale sign up before a sold sign, don’t they? Which is why I think it’s odd.”

Gardener thanked her and strolled back to the property as Reilly came around to the front.

“No one home, boss. Everything looks like it did last time.”

Gardener nodded, studying the sold sign. Although it was bolted to the wall it was dark brown at the bottom, suggesting it had been in a garden at some point. He stared down the drive to the road. It was always possible, he thought. But as the neighbour had pointed out, she had not seen a for sale sign, indicating she didn’t know it was on the market, so why would anyone else?

He reached for his phone and dialled the number on the board, which, strangely enough, was a Harrogate estate agent.

“What’s going through your mind?” Reilly asked.

The line was busy so Gardener hung up and told Reilly about the conversation with Poskitt. He rang the number again, which was answered on the second ring. He asked to speak to the manager.

An older sounding lady said she was the manager – Ms Reynolds. Gardener introduced himself and asked about Highway Cottage.

After a few minutes, and a tapping of keys, she asked. “In Burley, you say?”

“Yes,” replied Gardener.

“I’m afraid we have no property of that name on our books. Or even one for sale in Burley at the moment. It’s definitely our board, is it?”

“Yes,” replied Gardener, “I’m looking at it now.”

“I’m really sorry, officer, but I don’t know what to say. It definitely is not one of ours.”

“Do many people steal these boards?” Gardener asked.

“Not often, but it does happen. Funnily enough, we did have one stolen last week.”

“Where from?” asked Gardener.

“Here in Harrogate,” replied Reynolds, “about a street away from the office. We asked our man to go and take it down and put it up somewhere else. When he returned he said it wasn’t there.” She laughed, which sounded more like a horse whinnying to Gardener. “Anyway, it’s not as if they cost much.”

Gardener thanked Reynolds for her time and then relayed that conversation to Reilly.

“Might not be this one,” said Reilly.

“True, but it’s odd.”

“Okay,” said Reilly, “but it still doesn’t prove anything.” He turned and pointed to Sheila Poskitt. “She didn’t see anyone putting the sign up so we still have nothing to go on.”

Gardener agreed and called the station to find out if Briggs had any information from Porton Down. Williams took the call and said that he had not put anyone through as yet.

“But I do have a message for you,” said Williams. “Where are you?”

“Burley,” replied Gardener.

“Perfect,” said Williams. He then relayed the call from Wendy Higgins and gave Gardener all the details and asked him to call round to see Alan Braithwaite.