Entry #519694, added on 07-07-07 @ 5:43 pm EDT
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| Chapter Sixteen | Entry #519694 |
Stubbs was confused, he had now been waiting for over half an hour in the Superintendents office and still he had failed to show. This was most unlike the super, Jennings was indeed a great many things as accusations could go but no-one could say he was not punctual. Stubbs must have got it wrong he thought, maybe the meeting was set for 9.30 not 9am as he’d first thought, he’d wait just a little longer.
As 9.30 came and went, Stubbs concerns grew and left Jennings office in the direction of the main reception.
“Excuse me Margaret, have you heard from Jennings, I was expecting a meeting this morning, has he left a message of it being cancelled or one of sickness maybe?”
“I’m afraid I have not seen him nor heard of any messages Chief Inspector.”
Stubbs to his surprise was actually starting to get quite worried for the Super, he spared no love lost on Jennings but he couldn’t help but wonder if this had anything to do with the Baron case, maybe he had discovered something from the evidence that Stubbs had missed and in so following up got himself in some kind of trouble. After a moments thought he believed this very unlikely, he had little regard for Jennings investigative abilities at the best of times and to his mind at least should such an occurrence have taken place it would have meant a massive leap of the imagination.
As Stubbs moment of contemplation faded he spied Greening across the hall, “Greening, how’s the preparations going for the visit, all under control I trust?”
“So far so good, just kind of carried on from where you left off, thanks for the advice by the way it was very useful.”
“Make no mention of it Greening, glad to help. Have you seen Jennings at all this morning?”
Greening paused for a moment before answering “No, no I’m afraid not, he doesn’t want to take me off the visit preparations does he?”
“Erm no, I think he has other concerns right now, it was just that he’s not shown up for our nine o’clock.”
“That’s most unlike him; do you think something happened to him?”
“No I’m sure he’s just fine, look Greening it’s probably best we don’t advertise the situation right now. I’m sure he’ll show up and I can’t imagine him being too pleased if he finds out that we’ve sent half of Scotland Yard out looking for him just because he’s overslept or such like.”
“Of course, I imagine you’re right” agreed Greening.
“I’ll go by his place and chase him up, if there’s anything to be concerned about I’ll be sure to let you know”.
Stubbs left Greening to get on with his arrangements and wandered out to the thriving city streets of London and set out in hurried fashion to the Jennings house barely noticing the passing figure of Maxton Silas as he entered the very Yard Stubbs had just left.
“My dear, could I trouble you to grant an audience with Inspector Greening.”
Margaret looked up from her desk with a look of surprise to Maxton Silas and immediately dropped all she was doing.
“Of course Sir Silas, please follow me.”
Margaret escorted Silas to Greenings rather small work area and offered Silas a drink, which he declined, before rushing of to fetch Greening.
Moments later Greening arrived. Silas stood up to shake his hand.
“A pleasure to meet the man in charge of the Princesses visit.”
“Thank you sir, it’s an honour indeed.”
“Yes I’m sure it is. Look son I won’t beat around the bush here, as you no doubt know my relationship with our blessed Queen is one of a close nature, we’ve been friends for a great many years and quite frankly with the current state of London she does indeed harbour concerns for the well being of her lovely Grand daughter on her impending visit. In light of this she has asked me to accompany both herself and the Princess on her arrival and further asked be to review all your security arrangements to ensure there are no margins for error.”
“Well Sir I appreciate our majesty’s concerns but I assure you a very thorough job is being done. I believe your help on this matter will not be necessary I’m sure you’re very busy after all.” Responded a very defensive Greening determined not to be overshadowed in his impending moment of glory.
“Look here Greening, I think you misunderstood me, I was not offering my help in this matter I was imposing it. I will not have the Queen’s concerns undermined nor those of my own. I understand if you may have reservations on this matter however and I am more than happy to speak to Superintendent Jennings if that is necessary whom I am confident will have no issue in this matter. Don’t forget dear boy my donations each year go a long way to ensuring this force is well manned and equipped after all.”
Greening realising that making Silas angry was not a good career move especially knowing of his relationship with the Super and the Queen herself conceded his ground and agreed to the aid of Silas and those employed under his security. The last thing Greening needed after all was to be pulled of this case, a little credit was a lot better than none after all and surely if Silas was to speak with Jennings on this it would spell his removal from this honourable duty.
Young Marie greeted Stubbs as the door opened on the Jennings household.
“Ah young darling Marie, how you’ve grown.”
Marie embarrassed smiled sweetly at Stubbs, she had always liked him and thought him a good and warm man and many a time had wished that he could have been her father. Mrs Jennings quickly joined Marie at the door.
“Marie how many times do I need to tell you not to open the door without an adult present, it could have been anyone out there”.
Marie freshly scolded ran back into the sanctuary of the house.
“Children, what to do with them, sometimes I think they never learn” remarked Mrs Jennings, “so tell me John how are you and the lovely Mrs Stubbs?
“We are both very well thank you”
“Good to hear it and I bet Danny must be growing into a fine young man”
“He sure is doing that, I’m very proud”.
“So John to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Well I was hoping to speak to Robert I was under the impression we had a meeting earlier this morning, but he didn’t show, just wanted to make sure everything was alright really.”
“Well I’m afraid I can’t help you, he never came home last night, no doubt he drank too much over at the damn Commonwealth Club, I’ll expect you’ll find him there, when you see him make sure you tell him if he’s late for dinner he needn’t come home tonight either. That man, he really does anger me at times, I bet you don’t treat the lovely Mrs Stubbs like this do you.”
“No maam, not at all if I can help it.”
“Too right too, well I must be getting on, give my best wishes to your wife, we must surely have dinner again sometime very soon, it’s been far too long.”
“That’d be lovely, I’ll be sure to tell her, Good day maam.
As Stubbs left the porch of the Jennings house he contemplated going over to the Commonwealth Club to check up on Jennings, still he figured that if Mrs Jennings wasn’t concerned, he had little reason to worry either. Besides his caseload wasn’t getting any lighter and he’d already wasted enough of his day in pursuit of his superior, time he was sure could be put to much better use on following his own lead on the Baron case.
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