Part   Twenty six   "Four inches"

 
Saturday 13th May 2017 (Cont)
 

Tammy checked the pump before pulling the nozzle away as she intended the pay at the pump. Unfortunately the display told her that this facility wasn't available, therefore paying at the kiosk was necessary. She looked to see whether she could move to a separate pump but cars were now pulling onto the forecourt so she was stuck.

As soon as the pump's valve shut off she removed the nozzle and placed it back in the pump. Her bag was already on her shoulder so she set off towards the kiosk to join the queue, grabbing her sunglasses out of her bag in an attempt to hide herself in plain sight. Fortunately the queue was moving quickly and payment was made without incident.

Back at the car, Joey had gone. Tammy couldn't sit there as other vehicles needed the pump so she moved her green Mini away to the left, parking close to the forecourt exit. She looked across the forecourt but Joey was nowhere to be seen. Tammy checked if anything had been left under the passenger seat but there was nothing. She'd never seen her assistant carrying a bag and Joey hadn't taken or worn a jacket. She opened the doors and stood by the car to get a better view.

A shout from behind caused her to swing around. "That's the bitch!"

She initially didn't recognise the man until he had almost reached her car.

"You cost me my job!"

Tammy could see that a few heads had turned so her options were limited. Off to the left she could now see Joey, she waved the youngster away. Tammy still had the car door open so she jumped back in and moved away, Joey had positioned herself so Tammy could pause to pick her up, taking the opportunity to put on her seatbelt before accelerating out of the Tesco site and back towards the A99.

"What was that all about?"

"I don't know, he seemed to have a grudge against me and I didn't want to hang around to find out what it was. If you hadn't have wandered off then I'd have avoided him completely."

"I'm sorry, I needed a wee. I had to go over to the main store."

"You should have let me know."

"My phone was still off, I didn't want roaming charges."

"Roaming?"

"In the Orkneys."

Tammy laughed, "good grief, that's still a part of Scotland."

"Mum told me to switch off before I got on a plane and not to switch back on unless I was in Scotland or England."

It didn't make sense to Tammy, but she'd lived in the Highlands for over a decade and had no idea of Joey's real-world exposure, or what caused her move to Thurso in the first place. A roundabout was coming up so she concentrated on that.

"Er, Tammy, what was that all about? Why was the guy shouting at you?"

She waited until she was well away from the roundabout then checked to see if anyone was tailing her but couldn't be certain. The nearest vehicle, a blue saloon, was a few hundred metres behind her. She had, however, realised that the antagonist was the copper who'd taken photos of her plane and the RAF Hercules a month beforehand.

"Err, it's complicated, Joey."

"Does that happen often?"

"No, but normally I wouldn't have used that filling station."

"So what was his problem?"

"He was a policeman who sold photos to a newspaper, photos of me and my property. He was being investigated for misconduct, that was the last I heard."

In her rear view mirror she could see that the following car had gained some speed and closing the gap, it was now only a few car lengths behind her. Tammy was already doing a decent speed, but the narrow road wasn't usually suitable for throwing caution to the wind. Ahead she could see a large cargo vehicle and she was gaining on it.

Tammy could now see the face of her tail, it was the former copper, although he had a female passenger who didn't look happy. The freight vehicle up front had disappeared over a hump, but Tammy would need to slow herself soon or run into the back of it. Needing some time she reached for the lights and flicked them on for a second then off. The driver behind reacted to the rear red lights, believing Tammy was braking hard and dropped back suddenly, just as she had hoped. Tammy had slowed as she went over the hump and found the road beyond empty, over to the left the heavy goods vehicle was moving along a narrow lane. She put her right foot down and accelerated away, going down a gear first before making it into fifth.

Joey had been playing with her phone and looked up as the car bounced over a bump in the road. "What's going on?"

"We seemed to have garnered interest. I believe we are better off without it."

"You're going too fast."

"I want to put some tarmac between us and be on our own."

"I'm scared."

Tammy glanced t the mirror again and there was a different car in the distance, she couldn't work out what it was but it was red not blue. She relaxed and lifted her foot to reduce speed. "He's gone. That was a quick sort."

"You didn't seem to get worried?"

"Training."

"I don't remember seeing courses for that?"

"Those courses exist, but you have to look for them."

"So what other courses have you done, Tammy?"

"More than my fair share of boring ones. It's only been two years since I did my A levels so I can't say I've done many."

"What about guns?"

"Do you think I've handled guns?"

"Well, probably not."

"Fine, let's leave it like that. I have heard they are rather loud."

Ten minutes later they passed through the village of Castletown and soon after they were back in Thurso. Tammy parked behind the office.

"I'm going inside to check for any messages. I'll see you on Monday?"

"What about Dad?

"If he gets here then we'll deal with him as appropriate."

"That's easy for you to say." Joey looked as if she was going to burst into tears.

Tammy went to give a comforting hug but Joey withdrew.

"What's up?"

"I don't want to talk about it. Bye."

Tammy let herself upstairs after checking that the street door was secure. The fax machine was devoid of anything newly received and Tammy decided not to worry about her PC. She hadn't looked at her phone since their stop at Sumburgh so Tammy withdrew it from her bag and took a quick look at the screen. The time was twelve thirty and there was a message waiting.

07700900875
Call me.
Marcus

The number was unknown to her but she called it regardless.

"Hi Tammy"

"Hello, what's up?"

"Our friends at the DVLA have intercepted a trace on your vehicle, you've been reported as making off without paying for petrol."

"Jesus! I paid at the kiosk and I paid by card so there will be a record of a transaction."

"Where?"

"Tesco at Wick, I had to leave in a hurry when that copper saw me, the one who caused me grief when the RAF visited. He followed me down the A99 and onwards towards Thurso."

"Bloody hell, Tammy, won't you please try to keep a low profile?"

"Damn you Marcus; I do NOT go about simply looking for problems to cause! I have quite enough to be going on with, so don't you dare start with me!"

"Alright Tammy, calm down. Do you have the receipt?"

"Of course I do. It's in my purse."

"Right, don't be surprised if Police Scotland give you a tug."

"I don't need that."

"None of us do, but is there anything compromising in the car?"

"No, Marcus, it's clean."

"You should be able to deal with that on your own then. On other news; I might be able to help with the Lt Colonel."

"Good; all I've come up with, only I would like. One idea I had was to promote him and post him overseas."

"Seeing how he failed his last board and can't re-apply until later this year that's a non-starter. Just out of curiosity, where were you going to suggest?"

"How about Antarctica?"

Marcus actually laughed. "Vicious Tammy."

"The rest I doubt would be received well."

"Oh? Such as?"

"I have options. A plane. A car. Pointy things. Heavy things. Noisy things. I can make a final decision when I get there." Tammy said airily.

"I hope you're joking?"

"So what's your idea?"

"He'll be invited to a regimental dinner with the Black Watch."

"When and here?"

"Tonight at Fort George, near Inverness."

"Will he go?"

"There's a risk that he'll turn it down, but he's Scottish and this would be a rare if not unique invitation to a prestige event."

"So if he turns it down, we'll know his intentions in Thurso are more important?"

"Yes."

"Has he been told yet?"

"No, that will dealt with once he's on the first train. He gets into Inverness around half-past five so that's ideal."

"As it's the Black Watch he'll be expected to wear a kilt, and I bet he's not packed one?"

"That's all in hand."

"What's to stop him coming here on Sunday?"

"There will be a break-in at that needs his personal attention. I've had to call in a few favours for this, Tammy, and you owe your 'uncle' a big thank you."

"Okay, understood. One case of Wolfburn Reserve for Uncle, noted."

Marcus rang off and Tammy relaxed, although that was short-lived when the door buzzer sounded. On the CCTV she spotted a Police uniform. She used the intercom and suggested they came up.

One officer spoke to her whilst the other stayed silent, although he was clearly looking around the office. "Are you Miss Tamara Smart?"

"Yes."

"Are you the registered keeper of the green Mini parked outside?"

"Yes, please get to the point."

"Your vehicle was seen making off from Tesco at Wick an hour ago."

"I needed petrol. I paid for my fuel. Paid for that fuel with my card, at the kiosk, and I DO have a receipt." Tammy reached for her bag and found the slip.

"This doesn't prove anything."

Tammy glared at him then reached for her debit card. "I used this, the last four digits should be on the slip. Note the date and time; that will tally with my statement."

The officer asked her to copy the slip and card, keeping the copy.

"I suggest you check with the garage kiosk and ask them why they filed a fake report. Ask for the CCTV whilst you're at it. By the way, one of your former colleagues has a starring role."

"Oh, who would that be?"

"The one who sells photos to the media when they are supposed to be on protective duty at a security sensitive location. I believe that would be a breach of the Police Code of Ethics? Oh, their brother also works at Tesco as a security guard. Chief Inspector Ian Brown is up on the background and particulars."

The officers decided they were satisfied this wasn't a straightforward matter but the second officer spoke before they left.

"What were you doing in Wick?"

"I took my plane up. The airport will have a record of my flight. Any further inquiry is to be through my solicitor; Smith, Smith and Smith. Good day."

Tammy could hear him muttering as they went down the stairs but she couldn't work out what they were saying. Her stomach was rumbling as she copied the past fifteen minutes of CCTV, the interior cameras, onto a memory stick and put that in her bag as she dialled.

"Smith, Smith and Smith; how may I help you?" A young voice answered.

"Tamara Smart for Jeremiah Smith please." Tammy replied whilst composing an email. She attached a digital copy of the receipt then added the video as well.

The voice apologized. "Mister Smith is out of office, Miss Smart, may I have your message please?"

"Certainly. As follows; Tesco filling station issue. Accused of not paying. Fuel was paid by card at kiosk. Digital copy of receipt and video of inquiry sent to your email. Advised any further inquiry directed to you. Tamara Smart."

A moment later the woman came back. "Noted, anything else Miss Smart?"

Tammy couldn't think of anything else at the moment and said so. The receptionist rang off politely. It was gone one when she arrived in the Castletown hotel, spotting Tanya and John at a table, a pram was next to Tanya.

"Why don't you sit with us? We've just ordered."

"Okay, thanks." Tammy's attention was drawn to the pram, finding a tiny infant.

"OH! Hello, you must be Jade Louise?"

She didn't get much of a response.

Tammy caught the attention of a waiter and ordered a tuna jacket then took her seat.

"She's, err, six weeks old?"

John replied. "She was six weeks earlier in the week, but today's the one month anniversary of her coming out of hospital. She was three weeks premature and had some breathing problems."

"How are you finding parenthood?"

"Sleepless nights and constant cleaning up...."

The waiter was back with Tammy's drink and brought John and Tanya's meals. A minute later the babe started to whimper and then cry, it was John who walked over to the pram, unzipped a bag to retrieve a bottle and then picked the tiny girl. He carried both to his seat then fed their daughter. Tanya meanwhile continued eating, ignoring the littl'un, directing the odd comment to Tammy.

"How come you haven't been up to see me?"

"Constantly on the go. I've been busy, really busy. Work, Uni, the lot."

"You could have called?"

"I wasn't sure if it was ever the right time, I mean I rarely see Angela and no-one else tells me much."

John asked. "Why do you say that?"

Tammy shrugged. "Out the door before morning tea, rarely back in time for dinner. Lucky to sit down for lunch most of the time."

Tanya looked over her glass. "Really?"

"Maintenance services, builders, cleaners, lease agreements, pay information, credit verifications. Estate agencies don't run themselves, it takes people. Uni doesn't hand out degrees either, you have to take the classes."

Tanya looked confused. "But I thought you were doing the cloak and dagger?"

"That didn't go so well. In fact; would you, Tanya, not agree that it went very badly? They're trying not to tell me I'm done, indefinite sabbatical, but the writing on the wall is there. It has been chapter of life and not enjoyable. I'm moving on. I like dealing properties, but as in any business or occupation, it has days on the good and bad sides."

"No more Jane Bond?" Tanya asked.

Tammy sighed. "I never was. What of you? I am curious? Think about it a moment, for initial training you'll be staying in a dorm with what? Two hundred girls? Sharing a room? Showers, changing clothes and so on, all as to whether or not John is still doing everything, waiting on you hand and foot, or have you finally decided to become an adult and shoulder your fair share of responsibility?"

"You think I don't?" Tanya asked angrily.

Tammy looked at her flatly. "I have no idea, hence my asking. There was a time you did not and we all remember that. Have you changed?"

"Yes." Tanya replied heavily then looked down at her lap. "Mum was going to report me as 'Unfit' and our baby would have been taken. I want to be like I was, but I can't. I have had to learn how to do everything. We even have checks done on us."

For a moment Tammy felt sorry for them, then remembered how bad Tanya had been.

"Everybody has to grow up sometime, Tanya. It isn't fun and games for me either. All the problems I have had, have not gone away. They stay. I have to live with the fact that there are people that want to do bad things to me, still. I'm moving on, but the past never goes away. Not for me. Any and all just go digging into it and there goes the day for me." Tammy explained then felt like she had just had something heavy dropped on her.

That's when it dawned on her. If someone accessed her data, it had to be known whom it was. How secure was she? This was a question she had never addressed.

"Tammy?" Tanya nudged.

Tammy looked over. "Sorry, what was that?"

"Tanya and I have to go now. Your plate is here though." John said and nodded to the waiter.

"Oh! So sorry, I suddenly worked out a question from my course at Uni. Media exposure does influence business trade negatively."

The waiter sat her plate down. "Quite right, Miss."

Tanya turned back and hugged Tammy. Tammy returned it then gave John a nod and watched them leave. She started to eat but her appetite wasn't there now. Her brain shifted focus immediately after and she called Marcus.

"Yes?" The S.A.S. captain answered.

Tammy wasted no time. "Find out who accessed my file after I left the base and what they learned."

Marcus was silent for a moment then asked. "Giving me orders?"

"I have a problem coming from your end. I should be fully aware of the who, how and what. You want me to ask these questions so I am now asking. Only your people should have access, but this colonel seems to have done it."

"What makes you think I want you to ask those questions?" Marcus asked.

Tammy shot right back. "Because you did not give that information immediately. Another test. Do I accept problems coming at me and desperately call for help, or do I find out exactly what the problem is, how extensive, what repercussions there may be off the mark before I begin trying to come up with any possible solutions that would never work to begin with?"

Tammy could swear Marcus actually looked at the receiver before saying. "All that on one breath? I'm impressed. That said, request denied. Any idiot can use Google to find you, your Scottish accent narrows the search parameters."

"What jackass told him my full name then?" Tammy asked, her ID card had been issued to Lt. T. Smart. "And why wasn't an alias used?"

"Shit. I'll get back to you." Marcus said then disconnected.

Tammy still had half an hour before her hair appointment and lunch was losing its appeal fast so took the opportunity to download the car's CCTV imagery, starting with the drive from the airfield until the present. As an afterthought she also grabbed the footage from the morning run from home to Wick Airport.

Back in the office, on a whim, she phoned Cathy and asked if one of the staff could collect her car.

"Jonathon has taken Anna across to Wick to collect some new bedding, I suppose Anna could drive your car?"

"She does have a licence, doesn't she?"

"Yes, but doesn't own a car. I have her on the insurance for the vehicles here so that's not a problem. Where's the keys?"

"My spare set are indoors but I can leave my keys with Sarah in the shop."

"Okay, how will you get back?"

"I'll grab a lift with whoever's heading back. I'm off to the salon now and I'll get changed down here. I didn't want to leave my car overnight and I'll have a glass or two of wine later."

"Okay, I have three teenager girls to deal with!"

As she left the office all the footage was being uploaded to a private Youtube channel. Tammy's next stop was the shop under her office.

"I was thinking of closing, Tammy, it's very quiet this afternoon."

"Damn. Can you stay open a bit longer?"

"If it's worth it?"

"I need a dress for tonight."

"You have one."

"It's at home and I'm not heading back that way until late. When I bought the dress it was an all adult meal, now there's teenagers as well."

"I didn't think it was indecent, but what do you have in mind?"

"Sophisticated, and I need to look a few years older."

"You're old enough to get into the night clubs."

"Most of them but I'm not 21 for a few more months."

"Oh, I thought you were older?"

"Nope, I only left school two years ago."

"Oh well, let's see what we have."

Tammy's bank account was eighty pounds lighter when she left with the outfit in a bag. Anna had arrived just as Tammy was paying so, fortunately, Sarah didn't have to hang around.

"Ah, Tammy, we were wondering if you'd forgotten?"

"I was held up, Sandy, I needed an outfit for tonight."

"Well, let's see?"

Tammy took the dress out of the bag and held it up.

"That's nice, but it's a bit retro, and you really need heels."

Tammy reached into the bag and pulled out the matching jacket. The floral pattern on the bodice of the dress continued across the lapels and sleeves of the jacket.

"Yes, yes, that'll work. Now, what about your hair?"

"I was thinking about a colour change?"

"We don't have time to do a full colour, but how about a temporary one for now and we'll book you in for next week?"

"Temporary will do, perhaps red?"

"No, but how does a strawberry blonde sound? We have a new tint from Matrix that would work for you, you'll look a bit older too with the right cut."

"Okay, go for it."

Tammy's retro look continued, ending up with a pixie cut that screamed sixties. "Come back next week and we'll fix the colour."

"I haven't had my hair this short since ...I was at school."

Tammy stepped into the consulting room at the rear of the salon, where Joanne had her torture chamber. She was directed onto the table.

"Okay girl, what's up?"

"What do you mean?"

"Tammy, I'm not blind or stupid. What's going on?"

"It's a family meal tonight."

"Some might buy that, but I don't."

"It's true."

"Okay, I'll accept that but you normally plan your treatments well in advance and a colour was not on the cards for today. Most clients would have been told to rebook."

"I needed a new look."

"That colour will wash out by Wednesday."

"I know, Jo, it just needs to last the weekend."

"Ah, we're getting there."

Joanne had reached Tammy's thighs. "Since you had an added service in there, do you need more than just your legs?"

"I hadn't planned on wearing a bikini in the near future."

"Good, as I have somewhere to go. Roll over."

Joanne continued, mostly in silence, and only five minutes later was done.

"You'll need to scrub those legs, but not before tomorrow night."

"Okay, thanks."

"Now are you going to tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"Damn it, Tammy, why do you need a total new look tonight?"

"Someone's coming into town who might recognise me."

"You Tammy, or ...?"

"Me, as Tammy. I met him a month ago and I managed to dent his ego."

"A brush off?"

"No, I threw him on the floor and was pulled off by military police."

"No shit! Is he after revenge?"

"Yes, probably."

"You need to tell the police, dear."

"No, it's in hand, but I want to be able to observe in plain sight."

Tammy's phone rang before Joanne could ask another question.

"Hold a mo, I'll be a minute."

Tammy escaped back into the main salon and paid her bill. She took all her bags, checking that nothing was left behind as Sandy was locking up behind her. Joanne sidled up alongside, "where are you going?"

"The Castletown."

"I'll join you."

Tammy's hands were full so she couldn't speak to Marcus. They reached the bar and Tammy dropped her stuff on a chair. "Get me a glass of Merlot, plus whatever you're having and open a tab for me please."

Tammy walked to the back of the deserted restaurant.

"Sorry Marcus, what's up?"

"Cooper caught the train from Dundee as is due into Dundee in about twenty minutes."

"Okay, so when will you get confirmation that he's taking the dinner option?"

"In about an hour. Are you armed?"

"No, but thanks for the reminder."

"What?"

"Heels."

"You're not making sense Tammy, have you been on the alcohol already?"

"No, my first glass is still waiting for me."

"Girls!"

Tammy's next call was to Joan."

"I'm busy, your father can't find his favourite shirt."

"It's probably on the same hanger as the suit he last wore to the golf club?"

"Oh, okay, what do you need?"

"Can you go into my wardrobe and retrieve a shoe box please, it'll say Christian Louboutain on the box."

"Christian who?"

"Loo boot in."

"Okay, and I guess you want them brought down?"

"Please, I'll be in the hotel bar. Can you grab a small black bag and a pair of nude tights as well please."

Tammy finally went back into the hotel and found her glass was a tad larger than normal."

"I figured it would get busy so I ordered a 250ml measure."

"That's a third of a bottle!"

"So? Is everything sorted?"

"Yes, I just asked mum to bring me some heels down. I've been in flats all day as I was flying earlier."

"Heels?"

"Christian Louboutain."

"Fricking what?"

"Not you as well? Mum didn't know who he is."

"I know exactly who he is, those shoes are not cheap. Two pairs are about a grand!"

"They were a gift."

"A really good gift. How high?"

"Four inches, T bar in black."

"You don't wear higher than two inches usually."

"True, but I normally don't need the extra height."

"So you do tonight?"

"Given the frock, heels are essential."

"I didn't mean that."

"Please, Joanne, leave it alone. I had a bad experience earlier and it could get much worse later. I just want to relax whilst I can."