Heart Of A Spider - Season 1 - Episode 22

4 years ago

Heart Of A Spider - Season 1 - Episode 22

“Who might you be?” she jeered.
“I’m Detective Sergeant Alan
Kendal, Melbourne Homicide. Standing on my right is my
partner Detective Sergeant Claire Ambroso.”
“I hardly think this a matter for the homicide goons.”
“Who are you?” Kendal blurted.
“I’m Ms. Tarskney. I run this institution.”
“It’s a good start,” added Claire. “At least we found the right person to yell at.”
Standing to full height Tarskney switched her attention to the media reporters. She plastered a
steady smile on her face. Kendal knew she’d switched to recovery mode. He wasn’t impressed
with the desperate look.
“Please wait outside I need to clear the air. If any one of you print or say one word of what
has transpired in this office you will be sued.”
“What about our questions on the escape?” one reporter asked. He looked more than ready to
thrust his microphone at anyone who spoke. “When will you give a statement? We need to know if
the escapee is dangerous. We have a right to inform the public.”

“Your questions will be answered the moment these two detectives and I have conducted a
chat and they have left this office to concentrate on other more impressing duties. Now please,
wait outside.”

The three reporters packed away their gear. In a huff, they walked to the door. Claire marched
across the floor and slammed the door shut when they stepped out of the office.
“After we have had a chat and more impressing duties!” growled Kendal. “What sort of
excuse is that?”

Tarskney flopped onto her red leather chair at the desk, rubbing her temples. “It’s been a
trying day,” she mumbled.

“Amen,” whispered Claire under her breath.
For the next thirty seconds, the tension in the room felt unbearable. No one knew exactly
where to start. Kendal eyeballed Tarskney. She eyeballed Claire. Even Burrows stood guard at the
door shaking his head.

Kendal leaned over the table glaring at the flabbergasted woman. He watched her shoulders
slump before she sunk deep into the chair. Finally, he talked.

“I’ll start the ball rolling so we can have this so called friendly chat.””

“Somehow I don’t think this meeting will be friendly.

“At last, you have something right. Do you know how many hours Detective Ambroso and I
have put in and what has been lost trying to capture the pyromaniac you let loose from a padded
cell, of all things to go shopping?”

“No, I don’t. In my defense, I was conned.”
“Lady you’ve said a mouthful.”
“What’s been lost in capturing the pyromaniac?”

“Almost the life of my daughter myself and dare I say my dear mother-in-law who is now
living in my house due to the fact her home happened to be burnt to the ground by the very same pyromaniac you allowed to go shopping. If you knew the old woman you’d never allow the
charade to take place in the first place. The woman is a tiger in old lady’s clothing.”
“I’m staying out of this argument,” mumbled Claire.

“Let’s cut to the chase,” growled Kendal. “I can’t even fathom the idea you, the head honcho
of the mental institution gave permission for an insane patient to go shopping. Didn’t you
contemplate disaster? I’m still trying to understand how, in your right mind, you could have considered such a stupid move. Which one of you was the inmate?”

“Detective Kendal, I didn’t know this elaborate escape might be on the cards.”
“I’d like to believe you. I’m actually having a little trouble.”

“I did consider the danger. The man who convinced me into agreeing sounded like an expert in psychology.”
“Did he surrender any information about himself?” asked Claire.
“Did he say his name?” probed Kendal. “Did you question his motives? Did you grill him
about his life, anything and everything which might have tipped you off into thinking he might
have been a con artist?”
“Enough,” screeched Tarskney, standing.
“I’ll say it’s enough,” bellowed Kendal meeting her at eye level.
“Detective I don’t like your attitude. You come barging into my office like you own the
building.”

“What did you expect; a church choir singing praises while they stood in the doorway?
Kindergarten kids selling cookies?”
“All I can say is; I let my defenses down. I apologize.”
“Sorry won’t fix the problem you’ve created. Let’s try and capture this arsonist before the
next strike,” grumbled Kendal. “Tell us exactly what transpired leading up to the time the
pyromaniac walked out of this place?
“A man in a business suit walked into my office. He produced watertight paperwork. His
body language and the confidence he portrayed made him out to be quite the professional in his
field of expertise. He introduced himself as Mr. Upp.”

“Strange name, how do you spell it?” asked Claire.
“There’s two P’s in Upp.”
“This genuine paperwork you mentioned, do you have it in easy reach?” asked Kendal.