The Christmas Mansion Mystery ( Part Six )

Madam Lilly was in her early fifties, she was never afraid of speaking
her mind, running a brothel, you had to be strong and not afraid to tell
a man when he was going to far, then he would be out, before he knew
what was going on, no she never stood for any nonsense.

Jack thought she must have used about four cans of hairspray on her
bouffant styled hair, it was so stiff and she never skimped on the make
up either.

“Come...sit down Mr Rydel.”

“Firstly can I get you and your friend a drink?” Jack enquired.

“Well as you're asking, I'll have a Brandy thank you. Don't worry
about my friend here, he was just keeping me company until you
arrived, weren't you John?”

John smiled, standing up he finished his beer. “Yes well I'll see you
around Lilly, best I get back to my mates.”

He said his goodbyes then made his way over to the bar, where a
group of six guys were drinking.

“Well Mr Rydell I have matters to discuss, so how about that brandy?”

“Coming right up!” Jack made his way to the bar, squeezing in
between two guys. He flashed his note in the air, attracting the barman's attention.

“What will it be sir?” the barman looked busy and impatient.

“A brandy and a whisky please.” Jack could hear music playing, it
sounded like it was coming from the room above.

The barman came back with the drinks. “Sounds like someone's
having a party upstairs.” Jack enquired.

“Oh yeah! That's a wedding party, they've been at it all afternoon.”
the barman replied.

One of Jacks favourite records came on, as he was walking back with
the drinks. Mavin Gaye – Oh Mercy, Mercy Me, 'Oh! What memories
that record conjures up,' he thought to himself.

“You're deep in thought?” said Lilly, as he put the drinks down on the
table.

“Oh just reminiscing, Marvin Gaye just happens to be my all time
favourite singer.”

“Yes I have to say, the guy does have rather a sexy voice, but anyway
down to business. Please sit down next to me Mr Rydell.”

As Jack sat down, Madam Lilly took a sip of her brandy, then she
turned to Jack. “Do you have a cigarette, I'm gasping for one?”

“Sure!” he replied.

She took one, Jack gave her a light. “Thanks...now for the reason
you're here. I have something I wish you to look after for me.” Lilly
opened her bag and pulled out a small box, looking around...she
opened it slightly, Jack peered inside, his mouth opened with surprise,
inside were six diamonds.

“Yes Jack, diamonds...these are very precious and worth a lot of
money, do you understand?”

“Well yes...but why do you want me to look after them?”

She quickly placed the box back in her bag. “Because Mr Rydell, I
know I can trust you, call it diamond sitting. There's this guy that's
supposed to be buying them from me, but he won't be in the country
till next week, so if you can hang on to them, I'll be very grateful,
there will be quite a bit of money in it for you too.”

Jack wasn't sure about this, he was used to surveillance work, not
getting involved in diamond smuggling.

“I was given them by a client to look after,” said Madam Lilly,
“but now the client is dead, it scares me that there are others out
there, that want these diamonds too. I know I'm asking a lot, but
the diamonds shouldn't have any trace back to you.”

Jack agreed he would do it, though it did make him extremely nervous.
“Look I need to eat, would you care to join me?”

“Sorry Mr Rydell, I have a taxi booked to pick me up in five minutes
and I really must get back to my girls, this is one of their busiest
nights, you understand?”

Madam Lilly finished her brandy and carefully slipped the box out
of her bag and gave it to Jack, saying...”I'm trusting you with these
Mr Rydell, please don't let me down.”

Jack smiled a superficial smile, as she got up to leave, wondering
what he had let himself in for. “You know where I am, if there are
any problems, don't you Mr Rydell?” but I do hope there won't be.

They shook hands, Jack could feel the box in his jacket pocket, it
suddenly felt like a heavy burden.

As Madam Lilly left, Jack made his way back to the bar and ordered
another Whisky, as he paid for his drink, he asked the barman if there
was any chance of a table for one in the restaurant?”

“Just one moment Sir, I'll go and check.” The barman turned and
walked away, Jack surveyed the room, John and his mates had gone,
'probably on a pub crawl,' he thought to himself.

The barman came back and said, “yes a table for one will be fine.
If you go out the door and turn left, the restaurant is right at the end
of the corridor.”

“That's great, thank you so much.” Jack took his brandy with him, as
he left the lounge. When he reached the restaurant, a woman was at
the front desk. “Hello Sir...may I have your name?”

“Sorry I haven't booked a table, the barman in the lounge, just
enquired if you have a table for one.”

“Oh yes! Of course sir, please come this way.” she took him to a
table in the far corner of the room. “Will you see to this gentleman,
Andrew.” she said to the waiter, who came over.

Jack ate a hearty three course meal of prawn cocktail to start,
followed by steak and chips with a side salad, then to finish,
cheese and crackers and a coffee.

He paid the bill and made his way down the corridor to the toilets.
After relieving himself, he made his way to the entrance, stepping
outside, he shivered the night air was so cold. Lighting up a cigarette,
he walked around to the car park, it seemed to be quite empty now.

Walking towards his car, he remembered the diamonds and felt
strangely nervous. As he went to unlock the car door, he suddenly
felt something hard strike him across the head, he tried to turn, but
fell to the floor and blacked out.

To be continued........