Mouth Full of Berries

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Brighton

Francis Renard

Again, a detective sat opposite Francis. This one was female and wore a smug expression. Introduced herself as Detective Dee Berry. She announced that she had further questions that must be answered into the cold case inquiry of the hit-and-run of Milo Katz.

Francis Renard watched as this woman who he vaguely remembered from his youth purse her lips as if her mouth were full of berries. He noted that his wife, Eloise had made herself scarce. Gone for a walk on the beach. A fine morning for it, so she said after hearing Dee Berry was coming to visit.

“You’ll be fine,” El promised, before departing, leaving him to be fed to the “shark”. “Text me if she becomes too much of a problem. Besides, Zoe’s in the next room.”

So, this lady detective opened her strawberry-coloured lips and said sweetly, ‘I have some news for you, Mr. Renard.’

‘Really?’ he shifted his wiry body in the occasional lounge chair making it squeak. ‘I really think I told your partner, Dan Hooper everything I can remember from back then.’

‘Can you remind me who you spent the night with, and where on the night in question?’

‘Er…um…well, it’s a long time ago,’ Renard paused, and decided to change the subject. ‘You look familiar, do I know you from a past life?’

Her expression soured. ‘We used to go out, around that time, Francis.’

‘Did we? I-I don’t…’

‘Obviously not,’ Dee said, glaring at him. ‘Just to clear the air, you stood me up at my own end of school party. Then later, you said that you were there, but you weren’t. I have it in my diary and you’re in none of the photos. And…’ Dee raised her hand for emphasis, ‘this is the best part, we have witnesses, and subsequent evidence that place you and your Kombi at Sellicks Beach on that night when Milo Katz was run over. Would you like to comment, Mr. Renard?’

‘Er…er…’ Renard fiddled with his phone trying to surreptitiously send an S.O.S. to El. ‘Wh-what evidence?’

‘Some pretty solid evidence,’ Dee rubbed her hands together. ‘On the night in question, witnesses reported that you spent the evening with a certain young lady. Do you remember? Or have you forgotten her too?’

‘Um…probably, there were a lot of them back then.’

Dee leaned back in her chair. Looking smug, she said, ‘It would seem there was fruit from your labours, Mr. Renard. Nine months later, a girl called Zoe Thomas was born. We believe this child is yours Mr. Renard.’

Renard looked up and beyond Dee. He smiled, ‘Oh, yes, I know all about Zoe.’

The blonde standing behind Detective Berry grinned. ‘Did I hear my name in vain?’

‘Huh?’ Dee turned; her eyes widened. ‘I’m conducting an investigation here, Miss. Who are you?’

‘Zoe Thomas, Ma’am,’ she held out her hand to Dee. ‘Barrister.’

Dee refused to take her hand. ‘I see, so you’re not just a wee bit curious about your mother?’

‘I am, but at this present time, I’m more concerned with the current investigation of my father.’

‘Why?’

‘It would seem from your tone and attitude, and from what I could hear, that your history with him makes it too close and personal for you to be involved.’ Zoe narrowed her eyes at Dee. ‘You may conclude your discussion and leave now.’

Under Zoe’s watchful eye, Dee scrambled to gather her phone, and laptop from the coffee table and scurry out the door.

Francis clapped as they viewed Dee bumble her way to the unmarked police car. ‘Brilliant! I like having you around. You saved my bacon.’

‘Not sure being a playboy in your youth is going to help you in court, though,’ Zoe returned. ‘But you’ll keep.’

*Feature Photo: An Abundance of Oranges © L.M. Kling 2022

© Tessa Trudinger 2025

***

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