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Sleeping Dogs
by A.W. Lambert
Category: Mainstream/Mystery/Crime
Description: Investigating the fate of an aircraft said to have crashed in 1940, Theo Stern uncovers a heinous crime that, even after seventy years, still provokes violence and even murder.
eBook Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc., 2011 2011
eBookwise Release Date: October 2011
 
Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [425 KB]
Words: 93790
Reading time: 267-375 min.
One
Norfolk, England
June 1st 2010
It was after nine-thirty and Cherry Hooker heard the footfalls on the stairs outside before the door was pushed open and he strode into the office. He had a broad grin on his face and she saw immediately why.
"I wondered why you were late."
Theo Stern did a pirouette. "What d'you think?"
"It's a haircut."
"I know it's a flippin' haircut, but what d'you think?"
"I think Annie must have had a go at you."
"Wrong," he said, knowing she was referring to the recent, renewed closeness he and his estranged wife, Annie, were experiencing.
"But you don't do haircuts."
"I know I don't, not normally, but you have to admit, it was time." It was, too. The heavy, grey thatch he always carried, contrary to normal circumstances, seemed to get thicker with age.
"Well of course it was time," she humphed. "It was time six months ago, but you didn't do anything about it then."
"Look, Hooker, don't get stroppy with me; just tell me what you think."
She grinned. "I've already said it's a haircut. What more d'you want me to say?"
"I want to know if it's a good one."
Cherry frowned. "Well, yeah, it's okay, but why...?" She stopped, all at once understanding. "Oh, I get it. You've been to the new barbers on the high street, haven't you?"
"That's right, but..."
"And you got the woman, didn't you?"
"Yeah, but that has nothing to do with anything."
"Rubbish, of course it does," she goaded. "You've never had your hair cut by a woman, have you?"
"No, but..."
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