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“We do not want an autograph, Mister Montoya,” he said, “We are investigating the disappearance of Jimmy Henderson.”
“Jimmy Henderson, captain,” the little Spaniard replied as he stood to attention and saluted. “Top class, number one player.”
“Yes, you were present when he disappeared yesterday?”
“It is game of two halves,” Montoya answered boldly.
This seemed to perplex Holms. “Yes, yes, but Jimmy Henderson.”
“Is team game, eleven men,” was the response.
“You don't speak much English, do you?” Holms asked, finally realising that he was effectively wasting his time.
“Is all about putting ball in back of net. You want autograph? I give you two, one each, score draw.”
“We'll get nothing from him,” I confirmed to my friend.
“You no want autograph, I go,” the Spaniard said, before lifting his chin proudly and skipping off.
Holms nodded and once again I sensed the wheels of his mighty intellect at work. “And yet he is Spanish and England are due to play his native country.”
“You think he'd like Henderson out of the way to improve their chances?”
“We can't discount it.”
I quickly summarised the situation. “So, we have two suspects with motives.”
Holms reached into his coat for his pipe. “But no clues. Has this young man disappeared of his own volition, or has he been coerced.”
Of that I had no doubt. “It must be coercion, he wouldn't forsake his club, his country.”
Holms grunted scornfully, “He is a modern football player, Wilson, and would therefore sell his granny for an extra £1000 a week.”
There, I had to agree. “Well, so would I. Mine was a nasty old bag.”
“But it means we have nothing,” Holms complained.
I could not bear the though of my dearest friend being beaten and tried to encourage him. “You must use your incredible powers, Holms. Fingerprints, a ragged cuff, tobacco stains, those are the things you need to work your magic.”
Holms puffed solemnly at his pipe and I was unsure if my urgings had lifted him. But before we could proceed further Fergus Alexander returned to our side.
“Get anything from the boys?”
“Only a Spanish lesson,” Holms replied glumly.
“Oh aye, Roddy, did ye get his autograph? He'd be in direct opposition to Jimmy in the international if we ever find him.”
“But he's not the type to have Henderson removed from the equation, as it were?”