Flight Path: A Wright & Tran Novel Read Online Free Page B

he stole all the money, but it was six months ago and it’s hardly the type of case that I thought would have concerned you.”
    “The children all succumbed to their disease,” Franklyn said, his voice neutral of emotion.
    “Well, yes, I assumed that,” Kara said, her own voice reflecting Franklyn’s. “But that still doesn’t explain it.”
    “All four passed away before further funds could be raised. The eldest was the granddaughter of a former,” Kara noticed he paused fractionally, “colleague of mine, but I only found out recently. I’m a grandfather too Kara. I don’t know what losing a grandchild feels like and I don’t want to know, but I can imagine. So, yes you’re correct, this isn’t necessarily the sort of case we had discussed. In fact the reason you’re here is personal. I’d like to know if this Swift chap is really dead. I want to know if the money is really gone. It won’t bring any of the children back, but it might allow for some closure. For the families.” Franklyn folded his hands together on top of the table and held Kara in his gaze.
    She found herself looking down at the old man’s hands. He had long, slender fingers that matched similarly long, slender facial features. The liver spots on the backs of his hands betrayed his age much more than the rest of him. He was trim in his waistcoat, and although his hair had receded, his face was not severely lined or creviced. Each time Kara had met him, he had worn a three-piece suit with a fresh white shirt. This time his tie was a plain dark blue, on the previous meeting a maroon and on the first occasion she thought he had worn a regimental pattern, but hadn’t been certain. Now she considered it was more likely than not.
    “You said you heard about this recently. Would I be right in thinking you found out ten days ago?” she asked, trusting her instincts and playing a hunch that Franklyn had heard about the events at a Remembrance Day reunion.
    Franklyn nodded. As Kara silently considered her options he sat still, almost reverential and patiently awaited her decision.
    “I’ll have to-,” she didn’t finish her sentence as there was a small ‘Tic’ sound in her ear.
    “Kara, if you’re going to say you need to ask me, don’t worry. I think we should take it,” Tien’s voice sounded softly in her ear.
    “I’m sorry Kara, what were you saying?” Franklyn asked.
    “Nothing. It’s okay. We’ll take the case. Can I assume this is all the information on file,” she said patting the document folder.
    “Yes,” Franklyn nodded, “The police had little to go on and processed it by the book. They classified it as a high-risk missing persons, searched Swift’s house, cars and work area but found nothing of consequence. The details of the friend who owned the boat are in the file, but it all came up clean. They kept it active for three months and then dropped it down to a low-level missing persons file.”
    Kara hesitated as the waitress came back to the table with her takeaway coffee. Once they were alone again she said, “Which in effect means no one is looking at it.”
    “Exactly,” Franklyn confirmed. “Basically they might take it out and dust it off every so often but it will probably stay as it is for seven years. Then the coroner will review it, assess it for what it appears and declare Swift legally dead.”
    “Okay. Well, we’ll take it from here. I’ll be in touch,” she said, pushing back her chair and standing.
    Franklyn stood too, “Thank you Kara.”
    As she reached into her jeans pocket for money, he said, “It’s okay, I’ll look after the bill. I do appreciate you taking this on.”
    “It’s fine Franklyn, no need to thank me yet.” Kara put the folder under her arm and picked up her coffee. Halfway to the door she stopped and looked back, “The grandfather of the eldest child, who was he?”
    Franklyn, still standing at the table, seemed to be considering how much he was willing to