Also known as Ewing.
Chronicles of the U.I.N.
Episode 1: May Dup
1995. Manchester.
Stock trader Donald Barisfield was about to be told that every cloud has a silver lining.
In another office block, brother and sister private investigator team Steve And Linda Jackson were part of Ewing Private Investigators Limited. The name came from the group at school that Steve created, the U.I.N., the “Unofficial Intelligence Network”. Linda was part of that group. Originally there were six, but career differences drew most of the members of the group away. Steve and Linda were the only ones left.
The name Ewing was a codeword created to be used as the public face of the U.I.N. The name stuck into adulthood, and then employment.
Both Steve and Linda were in their office. Steve found himself overworked.
“I need someone to carry out surveillance at Wilmslow Automotive,” said Steve.
“I can’t think of anybody,” said Linda.
“Contact one of the recruitment agencies, would you? There’s bound to be one that recruits p.i.s.”
“Sure,” replied Linda.
Donald Barisfield went to his doctor saying his responses at work were slow, and he needed to react faster. He was prescribed a course of antidepressants.
Two weeks later, Donald was driving home from work, when he saw the girl of his dreams waiting at a bus stop. He parked up, got out of his sports car, then ran to the girl. “Come on,” he said to her, holding out his hand.
“What?” she asked.
He repeated his request. Excited, she smiled and grabbed his hand.
He pulled her away from the bus stop, seen by others. One of the onlookers said, “Talk about acting on impulse.”
He pulled her into the nearby park. He let go, then looked at her, leering. She willingly fell on the grass. He stooped beside her. They looked at each other. He ran his hand through her hair. She grabbed his groin. “Come on”, she said. He moved his hand to the softness that was the leg of her tight cotton skirt. She learned toward him, kissing him hard on the lips.
Then Donald, realizing his mid section was not responding the way he wanted, spoke in a panic. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry.” He stood up, then started to walk away, backwards. “You’re not dumping me here?” asked the girl.
“I can’t apologize enough,” replied Donald, then ran off, back to his car.
Two nights later, Donald was watching television. “On the news tonight. At Rover Park in Salford, Tracy Hopkins, aged twenty one, was found dead in the early hours of this morning by a man walking his dog. The police are treating it as suspicious. Any information should be passed on to the incident room at Salford Police Station.” The phone number appeared on the screen. He watched in horror, then picked up the telephone beside him. He dialled the number for Salford Police Station.
Two hours later, he was waiting in a police cell, having given them a statement.
Steve was watching the television news the next night.
“Salford Police say they apologize for stating that Tracy Hopkins had been found dead. They now say an indecent assault took place at the scene. A twenty seven year old man, Donald Barisfield, pictured, has been arrested by police in connection with the incident.”
He pondered for a few seconds, then rang
Don’s parent’s home. A few minutes afterwards he put the phone down, then made another phone call.
Five minutes later, Steve opened a spreadsheet on his personal computer, to remind himself of the profit and loss of the company. Then he telephoned his sister, Linda. “Do you remember Don Barisfield?”
“Yes. Didn’t you two fall out at school?”
“That’s right. He was on the t.v. news earlier.
He needs our help.”
“Oh.”
“I always wanted to make peace with him. I think I can kill two birds with one stone. He may be the solution to our staffing shortage.” “Are you asking me for approval?” asked Linda.
“Yes.”
“You have it,” said Linda.
Steve drove to Salford Police Station. There he announced he wanted to speak to Don in his cell.
“He’s been released, Sir,” said the officer at the desk.
Then Don appeared in the hall, staring at Steve.
Steve glared at him for a few seconds, then turned to the man at the desk and said, “What’s the finders name? May Dup?”
The officer gave Steve an ignorant glance. Then Steve turned to Don.
“If it was serious, they wouldn’t have released you,” said Steve. “I’ve got a proposition.”
“Steve? Steve Jackson?” asked Don.
“Yes.”
Don walked towards him.
“Why would you offer me anything at all?” whispered Don.
“I’ve forgiven you. And I think the girl will as well, eventually.”
“I think we were both disappointed in a most important way. Anyway, why are you prepared to help me?”
“I think Linda’s forgotten about your charms.
I was just being the protective brother.”
“What can you offer me? A new life?”
“Yes.”
“Oh. What are you? A recruiter for the secret service?” “No. Perhaps even more exciting,” replied Steve.
“Explain.”
“We’re private investigators. Interested?” “What? Poor man’s secret service?” asked Don.
“Don’t be like that,” said Steve. Don blushed.
“You never heard of my group at school?” asked Steve. “Not at all.”
“Then we all kept a secret. It’s not quite what I had in mind for the future, but sometimes the company is close.”
“You’re offering me a new life as a p.i.?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”
“Will you? You previously worked in the finance industry. Your employer won’t touch you now. But I will.” Steve gave Don an assertive look.
“Why would you?”
“You were on antidepressants. A side effect is overreaction. I understand the situation you’re in. I can empathize.” “Empathize?” Steve nodded.
“How did you know I was on antidepressants?”
“I spoke to your dad. He gave me the number of your doctor. The rest was pretext.”
“Pretext?”
“Yes. You’ll find out.”
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing, taking me on?” asked Don
“Sure enough,” replied Steve.
“What about training?”
“Home study. About one hundred and twenty hours. I’ll teach you the rest, as will Linda.”
“Alright. Deal.”
“You won’t regret it, Don.”
“I’m glad you’re calling me Don.”
Don offered his hand. Both hands met and shook.