PLAN B

By ten o’clock Lisa had still not phoned. Ben called her home and the flower shop where she worked, no answer from either place. He was really concerned now. He dressed as quickly as he could, his plan was to go round to her home and see if she was there.
Then he remembered – no Min. What should he do?
‘I’ll phone the police and tell them that I’m worried for her safety. I’ll say that Phil is unstable and he might have done her some harm.'
I think she told him about the baby, he flipped, hit her over the head and buried her in the garden.
Or, he told her about his young man, she flipped and hit him over the head.
If she has done that I’ll support her, I’ll help her conceal the body and then give her an alibi. But I can’t go to the police they think I’m loopy anyway!’

Then Ben came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea. ‘Min! I’ve got it,’ he couldn’t get out of the habit of talking to the car even when she wasn’t there, ‘I’ll phone Phil’s office. I’ll use a handkerchief to disguise my voice and ask to speak to him. That way I’ll find out whether he’s there or not.’

He dialed the number of the office and was put on hold with ‘The Entertainer’ playing to keep him amused. That gave him another idea he’d use his Humphrey Bogarte accent.

‘Opus Solutions, Candice speaking. How may I help you?’

‘Morning, Ma’am. I need to have a word with a Mr Philip Smethers.’ He had tried to perfect the Bogie drawl, but unsuccessfully.

‘I’m sorry sir, we do not have anyone by the name of Rilip Smers here.’

Ben tried again with a slightly modified accent and on the third attempt managed to make Candice understand to whom he wished to speak but by now she was very suspicious.
She said in a very frosty voice, ‘Could you tell me sir what business you have with Opus Solutions, and may I ask for your name please?’

Ben quickly put down the phone . Luckily he had chosen the conceal caller option, as Candice, a very efficient and protective secretary, was at that very minute dialling 1471.

Ben paced around trying to decide what to do. Everything seemed to have gone wrong since Min’s breakdown. He was beginning to realise how useful Min was in helping him to solve problems. The seeds of yet another wild scheme were beginning to germinate, he would hire a private eye, American of course, who would find the truth of the matter. He had just reached for the Yellow Pages when the phone rang. It was Lisa.

‘Ben. Where have you been, I’ve been trying to get you for ages. I was beginning to get worried, especially as I phoned your office and that sneaky ratbag Grant Perkins answered. He said you’d phoned in and said you were ill. But he made a very strange comment, he said ‘I think he needs some treatment, I think he might be in some sort of trouble.’ What did he mean?’
He was aware that there was someone else in the room with her and she was speaking to that person as well. ‘Sorry Ben it’s Phil. I’ll have to go, just as long as you’re OK. Can you meet us for lunch? There’s something we need to talk to you about.’

‘Lisa, I’m fine. But what’s this all about?’

‘Can’t stop now Ben, thank goodness there’s nothing wrong. We’ll see you at one o’clock at Le Bistro Bleu. Bye’

Ben sat looking at the phone. What was going on? Did she sound threatened, could he hear a hint of tears behind that voice?