Angelique by Carl Leckey Page B

position facing me seated behind the desk. “Take no notice of Miss Cringle she is my first line of defence. Now young man have I heard you correctly? Did you mention Lady Angelique’s name?”
    “Yes I certainly did. Lady Angelique is my Mother. I have travelled from France to meet her at her home in St Margaret’s only to find she has travelled north to Birkenhead seeking me.”
    In a puzzled voice he asks. “How did you know about the involvement of my little enterprise pray tell me?”
    I hand him the business card Toot found in the car.
    He replies. “Hmmm that explains everything. Now my boy, how may I help you?”
    “Mr? You haven’t introduced yourself.”
    “Forgive me Sir. Graham Pinketon I am at your service.”
    Ah, so Pinketon is his real name, my conclusion about the detective agency is wrong He moves around the desk and formally shakes my hand. “I don’t wish to doubt your identity my dear sir, but have you any documentation I could possibly examine?” I produce my passport.
    He observes. “This was issued in France it really doesn’t give me the details I require.”
    I produce my army pay book. He scans the pages. “Ah! That’s better this is what I was looking for. There is however a discrepancy regarding your date of birth. Can you explain this?”
    I reveal. “Oh I knew that would cause me trouble sometime. I lied about my age to enlist in the army take two years off and it will put things right.” He replies triumphantly. “Ha! That confirms my facts.”
    Puzzled I question. “Who told you about me?” He smiles and replies. “From various sources my dear Sir. A Mrs Jones, she is the Lady owner of your step Mothers house.
    The chap in the chip shop located across the street from where you lived with your step parents was very helpful.
    Your cousin Peggy she was also most obliging. That young Lady holds you in great esteem.”
    I correct him. “Peggy is not my real cousin. To my knowledge I have no cousins.
    Mr Pinketon you have been very thorough. Did you check with my former employer?”
    He advises seriously without a smile. “Indeed I did Sir. Tut, tut.
    You were dismissed from the service of the council for a poor attendance record.
    By the by I am aware Peggy is not a true blood relative. Now that is out of the way how shall I address you? Lord Carstairs? Or shall it be Mr Bailey?”
    Slightly irritated I snap. “Let’s not jump the gun shall we? Plain Mr Bailey or Adam will suffice thank you. Now where is Lady Angelique?” He makes a request. “If you will permit me I will give you a report on what I have discovered about you if you will verify the facts for me?”
    I agree. “You may as well, will it take long, time is a-wasting?”
    He begins while consulting a written report. “You were born at St Catherine’s work house Tranmere. There was a policy at that time regarding unwed females. Of course you would not know about things like that. Her companion, your step Mother Peggy Bailey received information many years later about your existence. There is no need to go into that except to say that she found out you were alive and kicking in the orphanage. The rest is history she adopted you and brought you up as her own. I was contacted by a colleague of mine, a fellow investigator on behalf of a solicitor a Mr Wilkes. They are based in Dover your Mother approached him to investigate you and your motives. That is why I am involved handling the Birkenhead connection.”
    I inform him. “I have met Mr Wilkes on another matter and was very impressed with his professionalism.” My remark appear to please Mr Pinkerton, he informs me with pride.
    “The Pinkerton Agency only has dealings with the best my Dear Sir.” He exclaims. “As you remarked earlier, times a-wasting, now back to the business in hand. It’s been a long time since we had dealings with your family.”
    Surprised I ask. “Hmm so you have had dealings with my family before? When was that then?” He