Poison

by Charlot King

  “I’m going to ask you a personal question, Bex. And you’re going to answer, because you have only Godric listening, and he is positively useless at remembering things like this, so will immediately forget anyway.”

  Rebecca smiles at Godric. “I probably won’t answer.”

  “How long have you known about Susan?”

  Rebecca turns away in her seat and folds her arms.

  “Proper chip off the old block aren’t we?”

  As they walk along the pavement, a couple of people stroke the side of the Talbot as it sits in stationary traffic. Godric waves them away, enjoying the attention, but shouting, “You can look but don’t touch, please!” Then turning to Rebecca, “Why are there so many tourists? Listen, you’re quite a delight. I’m sure you could have your choice of men.” He notices the mildly provocative way Rebecca turns to glance at him, and this makes him wince. “Most men, I mean, ahem.” He qualifies his answer. “So why didn’t you leave Edward when you found out they were still together?”

  “That’s two questions.”

  She turns away from Godric again, this time looking ahead towards Trinity Street, careful not to make eye contact with the increasing number of people admiring the sight of them. Godric starts to pull away.

  “I just wondered, that’s all. Women are not the only curious creatures you know. Us men have our antenna. I just don’t understand it.”

  Rebecca continues to look straight ahead, avoiding Godric’s stare.

  “Have you ever been in love, Godric?”

  “Only a million times a day, darling. In love with being in love. I love everything and everyone, things, inanimate objects. You name it. Not these people though. Will they stop ruddy staring. I think a few minutes of looking at us is more than enough, don’t you think?”

  Godric is now irritated by the tourists, and shows them an arched brow. Rebecca, on the other hand, seems oblivious, wrapped up instead in thoughts of Edward.

  “You can’t control love. You’re a slave to it. Makes everything... brighter, more sparkly. But it can destroy you. Make you do really stupid things.”

  Godric’s interest is piqued. What does she mean, what stupid things?

  “Like?”

  “Like murder of course.”

  Godric takes his eyes off the road as he studies Rebecca. Has she just admitted to killing Edward?

  “Not me. Susan. I know it.”

  Godric then looks at the road and has to shove his foot hard on the break, as a delivery lorry suddenly stops right in front of them. His brain processes what Rebecca has just said.

  “But she’s dead?”

  “I guess she wanted to be a tragic figure. Anyway, maybe someone got her back for everything?”

  “Susan was murdered and the person is still out there. It’s not her fault. Maybe we thought it was at one time. Why did you lie about the baby, sweetie pops? What was that all about?”

  Godric stops again behind the lorry which has decided to park up to unload, and Rebecca jumps out. She runs down the street.

  “Hey! Rebecca. Rebecca!”

  Godric is torn, he wants to chase her, but can’t leave the Talbot. He stays with the car as he knows what would happen if he lost it. Rebecca runs through the streets, banging into people, until she gets to the corner of Silver Street and he watches her disappear around the corner.

  “Oops.” Godric says out loud. A couple of tourists smirk at his visible abandonment, and he nods an acknowledgement. “Never understood women. But cars, now thats a different matter, eh?”

  38. Dr Eruna

  Expecting to see his nanna at home, Godric arrives back to a quieter than usual house. No radio, no television and Elizabeth gone.

  “Bunny?”

  He sees the empty sofa, blanket neatly folded, and the internet up on a laptop. Godric looks carefully at the website page left open; it is Labzuu’s. He feels sick, where is she? He walks into the kitchen and then runs up the stairs, but no Elizabeth. Godric run out into the garden, lifting the police tape. Where has she gone? He is truly jealous she left her best assistant behind. He said he’d be on hand, help with her investigations. He fancies himself as a bit of a sleuth and wanted to be her Watson, albeit a younger, better looking version. Godric walks back into the kitchen. By the kettle is a note. ‘Please can you put more sand down on the floor of the greenhouse path. Don’t ask why. I’ll explain later. Now revise. Bunny x’. Godric smiles.

  ✧

  Elizabeth has left the sofa, despite Emily’s instructions, and now pedals her bicycle along Milton Road, towards the Science Park. The road is horrendously busy, and she is continuously overtaken by huge lorries, the drag wind causing the bicycle to wobble. For a moment she worries she will suffer the same fate as Gerald.

  Not long after, Elizabeth walks into the glass reception of the Science Park offices of Labzuu still pushing her bicycle. A receptionist shouts.

  “You can’t bring that in here! You’ll have to leave it outside.”

  “I’ll do no such thing. I’ve had this Ridgeway for twenty years. I’m not about to let some ragamuffin steal it away from me now.”

  “Have you got an appointment?”

  “I’ve come to see Dr Eruna. Floor three?”

  “Four. But you need an appointment.”

  “Thank you.”

  Elizabeth wheels her bike into the lift.

  “Excuse me. You can’t do that.”

  Elizabeth looks up at the receptionist bemused.

  “But I am doing that.”

  Elizabeth ascends in the lift while down in the lobby the receptionist picks up the phone. Elizabeth steps out into a huge open plan office, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking large trees framing the border between laboratories and farmers fields beyond. In the corner, a glass room separates Dr Eruna’s office from the rest of the workers. Dr Eruna sits at a desk, just having taken a call from reception. The room is remarkably empty, just a couple of people right down the end sitting at computers with their backs to Elizabeth.

  “Hello again. Professor Green, isn’t it?”

  Elizabeth notices how expensively Dr Eruna is dressed and manicured. He holds out a hand for her to shake, but instead she takes off her cycle helmet.

  “You have a good memory.”

  Elizabeth balances her bicycle against a coat stand, which wobbles slightly.

  “Are you well enough to be riding that? I heard you were hit on the head?”

  Elizabeth is surprised the news has spread and perturbed by Dr Eruna’s sarcastic in his tone.

  “Would you like a drink of water?” Dr Eruna smiles creepily. Elizabeth does feel a little dizzy, probably that lift she thinks.

  “Well perhaps I could trouble you, yes please.”

  “You have to be careful with concussion.”

  The two men sitting turn and look at Dr Eruna, who signals for them to leave. They quietly glide out of the space so now Elizabeth and he are alone. Elizabeth’s head is fuzzy. She wonders if Dr Eruna caused it.

  “Sorry, how did you know again exactly?”

  Dr Eruna points to the television on in the corner, silent but with subtitles turned on the news. “Let’s get you that water.”

  Elizabeth takes the cup and likes how it feels in her hands, so cold. As she sips it winds her a little and she doesn’t feel herself. Dr Eruna picks up the silence.

  “I’m quite surprised to see you. If it’s a department visit we don’t have money to invest in botany. Priorities and all that.” His ignorance riles Elizabeth to her core.

  “With millions of plants still undiscovered, Dr Eruna? Where would we be without people researching this important subject?”

  Dr Eruna sits back in his chair behind a huge desk.

  “You’re right, we must be thankful for the study of plant collecting.”


  Elizabeth walks towards Dr Eruna’s desk. She sees a double helix model balanced and picks it up.

  “Like playing God do you, Dr Eruna? Does it come naturally? Any exciting research in Africa?”

  Dr Eruna’s mood grows darker.

  “When has anything we do in Africa been any of your business?”

  Elizabeth manages to crush the paper double helix by accident, and puts it carefully back down, now broken.

  “I find it peculiar that one man is dead after finding information about your company and trying to warn the Dean.”

  “Now hang on a minute. I don’t like your accusation.”

  Elizabeth ignores him and continues, now picking up a photograph Dr Eruna has of himself on his desk, which looks like he’s giving a speech.

  “Edward made a visit to Njoro. I believe you have a research station there? Does this ring any bells?”

  Elizabeth stares at him, waiting for the guard to drop, for him to come clean that he knows something about Edward’s death, but instead he grabs the model from the desk that Elizabeth has accidentally broken, gets up and walks to the window. Elizabeth is relentless now with her questioning.

  “People are dying in illegal experiments everyday, Dr Eruna. What safeguards did you put in place, and why are you not conducting them in the UK? Too dangerous?”

  Dr Eruna doesn’t answer so she continues, walking close to him, to try to see the whites of his eyes.

  “Edward was concerned, wasn’t he? But why was he warning the Dean, Professor Flint?”

  Dr Eruna exhales sharply so Elizabeth steps right up to his face.

  “You’re not going to answer me? Simple as that? Then I’ll go and talk to Professor Flint. See what he has to say.”

  Dr Eruna now turns, icy cold, throws the DNA model across the room, and in a fit of anger warns Elizabeth, “Someone should tell you that accusing someone of being involved in a murder has serious consequences.”

  Elizabeth, quite shocked by his reaction, tries to feign unflustered and asks, “Well now I’m here I would appreciate you answer my question. What are you doing in Kenya?”

  Dr Eruna looks straight into Elizabeth’s eyes. His pupils warn her to back off.

  “Be very careful about talking about what you think we may or may not be doing. Someone like yourself could easily be seen as an emotional, frail, a meddling woman. Wouldn’t be difficult to persuade people how you’ve lost your marbles and should be retired from college duties.”

  But Elizabeth won’t be stopped. She feels a zeal rise in her against this horrid man.

  “It’s the things you’re doing to the future we should worry about.”

  Dr Eruna is a little menacing and grabs her arm to try to make her sit near his desk, but she pulls away.

  “Someone who’s had a knock on the head should be careful. Internal bleeding can start some time after an event like that. At any moment. I think you should take a seat.”

  Elizabeth’s heart starts to race. This was a mistake. She’s in the room with a killer. She has to get out.

  “No thank you. I think I should be going if you’re not going to answer me.”

  Elizabeth takes her bicycle and starts to head towards the lift. Dr Eruna gets hold of her arm again, and threatens, “Don’t be silly. You’re looking most unwell. You need to rest for a bit. I have some medicine for that somewhere.”

  Elizabeth breaks free from his arm, now pressing the lift button too many times. He can see her panic.

  “I’m fine. I don’t need a rest, thank you if you can just let go of me.”

  Elizabeth keeps hold of her bicycle. As the lift door opens she starts to move. Dr Eruna blocks her way.

  “No more questions, or trips to King’s. You have no reason to go there, you have no reason to come here. Just keep away. Got it?” Dr Eruna glares firmly at Elizabeth. Elizabeth looks into Dr Eruna’s angry eyes and then pushes past his arm.

  “Safe journey home, Elizabeth, don’t fall under any lorries.” Dr Eruna lets go of the lift door and it slams shut. Elizabeth takes a sharp intake of breath, and keeps her nerve. She feels sick and her heart is racing. How does he know about Gerald? Or is his threat just an unhappy coincidence?

  Outside Elizabeth looks up and can see Dr Eruna, looking down at her from behind his huge floor to ceiling office window. She is about to leave the premises when she notices a supercar daubed in something, so wheels her bicycle over to take a closer look. Dr Eruna’s eyes follow her to the car and he now also notices red paint still dripping down the windscreen of his Aston Martin. She looks back up at the window and sees Dr Eruna has disappeared. Elizabeth decides not to stick around.

  Some time later, by Viking’s Chip Shop on Milton Road, Elizabeth is sitting under a tree, having found a safe place to rest. Her trousers torn, she’s upset and tired. Emily pulls up in her Volvo estate, gets out and rushes over.

  “Oh Elizabeth, are you okay? What have you been doing?” Emily finds Elizabeth with a small bag of chips and a cola drink beside her. Elizabeth has never been more pleased to see her friend, and tears spike in her eyes. She pinches her hand to pull them back, unwilling to let Emily see her so upset.

  “It was nothing. The nice man in the chip shop let me call you, and gave me these for the shock. Though I don’t like chips, do you want them? The chain is broken and the nearest bike shop is a way. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Emily is not convinced by Elizabeth’s bravado, can see how flustered she is and wonders what on earth made Elizabeth leave home?

  “Looks worse than that. You’re all muddy. Your arm, is that blood? What have you been doing? Didn’t you hear a word the doctor said?”

  “It’s red paint, and I’m fine. I was bored. I thought some fresh air would sort me out.”

  With some difficulty, and moving golf clubs to make space, Emily lifts Elizabeth’s bicycle into the back of her car.

  “So why are you so scuffed up? And where does the paint come from?”

  Elizabeth knows full well that it came from when Dr Eruna pushed her against his vandalised car.

  “Oh, my trousers just got caught in the spokes as I fell. I must have brushed across some paint in the road?”

  Emily now offers Elizabeth a hand and lifts her friend up.

  “That’s not what happened, is it.”

  Emily knows Elizabeth is lying and this worries her. Elizabeth is not going to worry her friend with what has just happened; she’ll never be allowed to leave the house. Elizabeth is also worried Emily could jeopardise her relationship with Abley.

  “Thank you. I’ve never come off on this road before. It’s hairy, the cars don’t stop. They just drove past me.”

  “You could have been killed out there.” Emily realises what she has said and feels mortified. Elizabeth assures her.

  “Don’t worry. You’re right. I’m beginning to think I can’t do everything myself.”

  Emily walks Elizabeth slowly to the car.

  “Exactly. Lean on your friends and family. That’s what we’re here for. It’s just, it will take as long as it takes to come to terms with Gerald’s accident on the road. Rushing around trying to solve crimes is not doing you any good.”

  Emily has hit a nerve, but Elizabeth wanted to see into the black of Dr Eruna’s eyes. She was right about him. He is most definitely hiding something about Africa. But Elizabeth could not afford to let Dr Eruna upset her, even if just temporarily. Rushing out of his office like that and pushing her against the paint on his car and accusing her of vandalism. It must have been what caused her to lose control of her bicycle, the shock. That and not having slept for two days, and a hit on the head perhaps. But she must get on with her investigations. She would do as Emily says and start to lean on her friends and family more.

  “Emily, I need a favour.”

  Emily pulls
out of the lay-by.

  “What’s this, if it is not a favour? Especially bringing the stink of those chips into my car. You’re not even eating them. Couldn’t you have left them outside?”

  “You know I can’t throw food away, when the birds will eat it. I mean another favour.”

  “Do I get to know what the favour is before I say yes?”

  Elizabeth flinches at the paint on her arm. Emily sighs, jokingly, as she continues along.

  “Of course I’ll help you. Don’t I always?”

  “Can you help tonight? Only I’m itching to find something out about Africa.”

  “If you let me drive you to the hospital first before we do whatever it is. And we must tell Godric you’re okay. Here, use my mobile. You really do need to get one of these.” Elizabeth nods and dials, having no intention of getting herself a mobile and never being free from the demands of other people.

  “Godric? Yes, never mind all that. Yes, Emily’s. I’m fine. Yes. That Dr Eruna’s definitely hiding more about Africa. Can you do a bit more digging? Yes, you are my assistant. Thank you. Find out how Professor Flint fits into it? Yes, they’re doing something in Njoro, search for that connection. What if Professor Flint’s in on it? It will cause such a scandal at the college. If he knows nothing we must warn him. See what you can find out first, before we talk to him.”

  Elizabeth cuts the call to Godric. Emily drives off towards the hospital, wanting to ask Elizabeth about everything she’s just said, but wanting more for her friend just to rest. Cambridge and its inhabitants are busily going about their business. On the brow of the road Elizabeth catches a glimpse of Midsummer Common, looking lush in the warmth of the early evening sun through the car window. Spires in the distance pierce the skyline above the flat land. A boy with a kite runs backwards across the grass, in an attempt to lift it higher into the air.

  39. Two Necklaces

  When Jonathan finally finds Rebecca, she’s standing on Garret Hostel Bridge looking through the railings, in the exact spot where Edward dropped into the river. The willows kiss the water on The Backs as punts glide underneath into congested waters, full of more tourists. The sun shines into the library at Clare College and below into the Fellow’s garden. Rebecca looks down at the water, the mirror reflecting back puffy clouds and sunshine as Jonathan leans over the bridge beside her and watches a swan glide underneath. Rebecca talks almost as if to herself.