Daisy's Blog

DAISY STORIES - The Oak
by Crystal Jones © 1995-2007

Chapter 2

“Mr. Zubkov, have you informed the police?” said the private eye as she switched on the kettle which was on top of a bookcase behind the Russian, near the door.

“In my position it would be intolerable. If, for example, she has run away with another man, I would be, I think you English say, the laughing stock of the embassy. I spoke only unofficially to an old friend of mine, Detective-Inspector Singleton, who made his own discreet inquiries as to whether she had been in an accident or taken to hospital. He told me that he thought there might be a private reason for my wife’s behaviour and suggested I should come to you.”

“I see. Well Mr. Zubkov, I shall have to ask you some pretty personal questions,” Daisy watched the man’s back stiffening and poured out the boiling water into the cups.

“Miss Hamilton, I am here and I am in your hands.” Daisy thought that probably the oak had never pronounced these words before. “I will tell you anything you want to know. Let me anticipate some of your questions. I have no knowledge of another man, and in fact I can’t tell you anything at all about why my wife has disappeared.”
He paused for a moment. “And yes, - I love her very much and want her back.”

Daisy had returned to her seat after giving Mr. Zubkov his instant coffee. Since he was an abrupt man, Daisy felt free to ask him: “And you have no other women?”

“No.” The oak was beginning to crack and his lower lip quivered.
“Good. Now, please give me a description of your wife.”
“Yes, this is a photo of her. You can keep it, Miss Hamilton.” Daisy saw the image of a pretty intelligent-looking woman of about forty.
“What sort of a person is she? Does she work?”

“Well, first of all her name is Valentina, of course she is much younger than me but we have been happily married for eighteen years. She is the daughter of a Russian diplomat and an able linguist - not at all like myself. She studied languages at school in Moscow and perfected them by going abroad. She speaks English and French perfectly, she reads German and a couple of Slavonic languages. In fact she helps out at the embassy with translations."

(to be continued)

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