She threw a sharp glance toward her husband. “What’s all this in aid of?”
Linden pressed his lips together tightly at the same moment Elise spied the photocopy of Mrs. Mikalos on the arm of the couch.
“Mother.” Elise spit the word out. “Madeline, there’s a little raspberry tart in the kitchen just waiting to be eaten. Please take Mummy’s bags, as well.”
The little girl released her father’s leg, took the carrier bags, and romped out of the room.
Elise tipped her head, put her hands on her hips, and eyed Berdie. “Well, I can tell you where she is.”
Berdie was curious, but not overwhelmed. “Yes?”
“I shouldn’t waste time worrying about her. She’s closeted herself away in some grand hotel, probably in a coastal area, to sulk and make my husband fret over her.” She cast an eye on Linden and back to Berdie. “Create as much fuss as possible, that’s her game. She’ll do anything for attention.”
“Elise!” Linden snapped.
Berdie worked to take in this brassy suggestion. “Has she done this before?”
Elise cocked her head. “It doesn’t mean she wouldn’t now.”
“Elise, please.” Linden was stern.
“Mrs. Davies, I don’t know your mother well, but I do know she intended to return home after the fete.” Berdie was steady. “I believe something or someone may have prevented her.”
Linden sunk back into the chair. “Oh, no, I feared this was the case.”
Elise almost smirked. “Pull the other one.”
“Your mother intended to return because,” Berdie raised an index finger, “she was looking forward to a Sunday lunch roast. Would she be willing to burn down her house for a good sulk?” She raised her next finger alongside. “Knowing how your son feels about his cat, would she leave it to starve and die?” She raised the next finger. “Your mother obviously takes pride in her appearance. Would she leave makeup, clothing, sleepwear, behind? Her handbag with all the essentials: money, credit card, and so on, was in the people carrier from yesterday morning.” Berdie counted off the points on her fingers and raised her brows. “And I certainly wouldn’t think she would disregard her medication. Although going into a coma would certainly, as you say, get someone’s attention.”
Elise lifted her chin. “What do you know about my mother’s sleepwear or medication?”
Berdie put her hand down. “Are any of the facts I’ve just given you concerning your mother not true?”
The woman swallowed hard and rubbed her hand. “Phillip will be home any minute. I need to get his lunch on.” She turned and left the room.
“I’m sorry about this. Elise is a bit out of sorts,” Linden apologized. “Listen, I really must push off.”
“Things most often turn out well in these cases when action is taken quickly.” Berdie hoped to induce Linden into more action, as well as giving a sense that someone was in his corner. His wife didn’t appear to be. “I don’t see the police being in any rush, so we’ll need to be the boots on the ground, ourselves.”
“I so appreciate your help.”
“We’ll check local doctors, hospitals, surgeries, and such.”
Linden dropped his head and nodded.
“I presume your mother has a mobile. Was it in her bag?”
“Yes.”
“Your job is to contact all her listed numbers; mobile and address book. Telephone the lot to see if anyone has heard from her or has any information.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
Berdie and Lillie both stood.
“At some point,” Berdie discreetly took the photocopy, “perhaps I could contact Myles, as well. And I must speak to your wife in more detail. I should think the sooner the better.”
“You can see at this point she’s not having it, but I’ll try to talk with her.” Linden glanced at his watch.
“We’ll see our way out.” Lillie was already in motion and Berdie fell in beside her.
“Thank you,” Linden called to the departing women. “I’ll ring if I find anything.”
“Anything at all, Linden, ring me,” Berdie said.
She and Lillie waded through the overgrowth to get to the car.
“Harriett Norman lives here in Mistcome. Let’s go see her,” Lillie had a twinkle in her eye.
“Lillie, I’ve already told you we need to focus on Mrs. Mikalos.”
“Seems a shame, since we’re both here.”
“In the car, if you please.”
When she and Lillie were seated and belted in, Berdie turned the key. The engine was not the only thing whirling. “Tell me, Lillie, what do you think of all that in there?”
“You were marvelous. All your deductions.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.” Berdie pulled onto the road. “What did you think of Mrs. Davies?”
“Well, the few moments I saw Mrs. Mikalos she did not strike me as being attention seeking.”
“Nor I. In fact quite the opposite. She came across as one who was reserved, an air of confident purpose.”
Lillie tipped her head. “Do you think, for some reason, Elise Davies is jealous of her mother?”
“Olivia’s an attractive woman. And she certainly has Linden’s attention.” Berdie turned onto the main road to Aidan Kirkwood. “But, is it about what her mother is?” She tapped her finger on the steering wheel. “Or perhaps what Olivia has that’s a problem.”
“Has?”
“Money, my dear Lillie.” Berdie answered without hesitation. “Who stands to inherit? I should say Elise and her brother.”
Lillie’s hazel-green eyes grew wide. “A child wouldn’t do such a thing to a parent. Never.”
“I should hope not, but the Davies family seems to be financially down, and it wouldn’t be the first time a member of the family has been poisoned by greed.”
Music sounded from Berdie’s handbag.
Lillie stared at it.
“Oh, bother. Could you please get it, Lillie?”
“What is it?” She continued to stare.
“It’s my mobile, of course. I downloaded a musical ringtone. On my own, I might add.” Berdie felt rather proud of her technological stretch as she directed a hand to fumble with her bag. The car veered as she reached.
“Yes, I’ll get it.” Lillie opened the bag, and a heavy blues guitar accompanied a rough voice blasted. “You selected ‘The Thrill is Gone’ for your ringtone?” .
“I didn’t exactly get the song I was going for.”
Lillie burst into laughter. “I should say.”
“It’s by a Mr. King or something.”
Lillie’s laughter went up a decible. “You better hope Hugh doesn’t hear it. He’ll think the worst.”
“Yes, all right, Lillie, just answer it, please.”
Lillie worked to somewhat compose herself. “Mrs. Elliott’s house of blues, this is Lillie,” she answered with a chuckle. Lillie lost the laughter and her eyes went into a squint. “Who is this?” She fell silent and moved the mobile from her ear, turning it off.
“Who is it?”
“Someone with a very deep, breathy voice.” Lillie pressed some numbers.
“Oh, yes?”
“No Berdie, that was weird.” Lillie made a hoarse inhale and graveled out, “Mrs. Elliott?” and waited. She put the mobile to her ear. “Number withheld,” she informed Berdie. She sat the phone in her lap.
“Some bored child playing sick at home on a spring Monday afternoon.”
“A child who knows it’s your mobile phone number.”
The phone began its blues guitar once again.
Berdie scooped up the instrument and answered. “Now see here, you little gremlin,” Berdie began with a firm voice.
“Berdie?” It was Hugh. “What are you going on about?”
“Oh, hello, love.” Berdie did a sideward glance toward Lillie, who smothered a giggle. “I thought you were a wayward lad.”
“Yes? Well, since I’m
vicar, wayward lad would never do.”
“No.” Berdie chortled.
“That aside, where are you?”
“Perhaps ten minutes outside Aidan.”
“Good. We’ve been invited by Mr. Webb to join him this afternoon at his sports club, kind of a job-well-done for yesterday’s events. I told him we’d love to.”
“What?” Berdie grimaced. “Hugh.” Her grip on the steering wheel tightened. “I’m driving. I really must go.”
“Berdie,” Hugh clipped. “This is an extremely gracious offer. We’re doing this and I expect you at home in ten minutes.”
“Yes, goodbye.” Berdie squashed the mobile into her handbag as if to bury it. “Hugh and I have been invited to Mr. Webb’s club this afternoon.” She sighed. “Or should I say, we’re going to Mr. Webb’s club this afternoon.”
“I can think of worse things to do.” Lillie pointed a finger toward Berdie. “You keep protesting that you get so little time with Hugh. Here’s a chance. Why so up in the air?”
Berdie looked at Lillie. “Olivia Mikalos, of course, so much to get done.”
“I can do the donkey work. I know I’m not a technical wizard of your standing, but I can ring up the hospitals.” Lillie grinned. “Besides, who knows, a club visit could be great fun, especially since the thrill is gone.”
“Oh Lillie, let it go.” Berdie half barked, half laughed, and sped on to the village.
6
“Where are we exactly?” Hugh sounded impatient.
“I thought we were on Seabrook Gardens. However, seeing that we’re not entering the club grounds,” she pointed toward a dead end in front of them, “that’s wrong.” Berdie slightly angled the opened map of Timsley and pulled her glasses down her nose.
Hugh slowed the car. “We’re not familiar with this part of Timsley.”
“Mr. Webb said it was a labyrinth of streets to get to the club when he offered to lead the way,” Berdie huffed. “Who was it that said, ‘You go on, Grayson, we’ll find our way there just fine, no problem’?”
Hugh pulled the car to the side of the road. “You’re in a mood.” Hugh’s left eyebrow elevated as he took the map from Berdie.
“Well.” Berdie scooted closer to the passenger door. She had worked at making this a pleasant outing even though she wasn’t particularly keen on going, but when she discovered that this club was noted for its swimming pool, it put her off the idea even more. She didn’t relish exposing her aging, dimpled thighs in her faded swimming costume. It was Hugh who loved water sports, not she. Swimming was his exercise regime. He had rowed on a team, and served as a naval officer. He was part fish. For herself, a few random scales, perhaps, were the extent of her marine likeness.
“We’re very close to the club, we must be.” Hugh popped the opened map as if ironing out the wrinkles would make their misdirection manifest.
Expansive, white semi-detached homes with lovely gardens, built in the thirties by the look of it, shone bright in the late afternoon sun, much unlike her cloudy manner.
A Land Rover pulled to the side of the road just in front of them.
“Perhaps he’s lost, too,” Berdie quipped and crossed her arms.
Hugh eyed the map. “What street are we on?”
“One that’s a dead end.”
“I can see that. What’s the name?” Hugh ran a finger down the guide.
Berdie made a quick glance about. “I haven’t a clue.”
“Well, what’s the house number?”
A well-manicured house across from them boasted a beautiful tree whose graceful topiary begged her admire it longer, but intent on her task, she inspected the house carefully and saw no numbers. “The numbers must have fallen off,” she said flatly.
“What, all of them?” Hugh’s voice was much louder than it needed to be.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Berdie’s acerbic tone was not for heaven’s sake at all. She opened the car door.
Hugh glanced from the map. “What are you doing?”
Berdie didn’t answer. She slammed the door, and walked briskly to the Land Rover. She tapped on the window.
The driver studied her. It was obvious, despite his sunglasses, that he possessed an unusually confident air. His square chin, well-trimmed goatee, and attractive build had a certain appeal.
Berdie pushed a strand of misbehaving hair from near her eye and became extremely aware of the over-sized gently used athletic gear from St. Mark’s Bring and Buy that draped her body.
The closed window opened just a slit. “Yes?” His tone sounded like dark melting chocolate.
Had she seen him on television? “Such a lovely tree,” she stammered and pointed to the garden where it stood.
“Yes, it is. Decorative olive tree.” He nodded with a half grin.
“Oh, yes?” Berdie felt pink rise to her cheeks.
The man tapped a rapid finger on his steering wheel. “Is there something…?”
“Oh yes, my husband and I are lost.” Berdie pointed toward Hugh and the car. “Do you know what road we’re on?”
The fellow smiled, nodded, and pointed to the road sign at the top of the street.
Berdie gave it a rapid glance and immediately felt quite silly. “Oh, yes.” She could feel the pink of her cheeks go vivid red and blanket her entire face. “Thank you.” She had never in her life moved so quickly to get away from a vehicle. “Such a lovely tree? Where on earth did that come from?” she chastised under her breath. She shook her head. She had been imprudent and rather impetuous, plus, she allowed the fellow’s charm to put her off balance. She climbed back into the passenger seat.
The map was on the floor, and Hugh held his new phone, a gift from Nick. “Well?” he asked without malice.
Berdie simply nodded toward the not-easily-seen-from-the-passenger-seat road sign.
“Yes, well spotted.” Hugh smothered a chuckle.
There was no real need to be sharp. Not really. Hugh simply wanted her to be a part of his afternoon, aging thighs and all. Rather generous, all things considered. And, really, getting lost was just an adventure. She leaned back into the seat and admired the exotic tree designed in an Oriental style that sat in the front garden of the numberless house.
A well-dressed woman approached the home. She shoved something through the door’s letterbox, turned immediately, and left. It tickled Berdie’s curiosity. Why didn’t she knock? What did she slip into the slot? Money? An invitation? A ransom note?
“I should have thought of this straight away.” Hugh’s finger danced on the phone screen.
“Yes, love.”
The door of the house opened and a man burst forward. Though he carried himself well in his suit and tie, he had a face like thunder. What had that woman introduced into that mail slot? Berdie almost expected steam to rise from the man’s dogged steps as he made way to a rather fancy-looking car.
“Ah, I think I may have it sorted,” Hugh said with great pleasure.
The agitated fellow entered his vehicle, started and revved the engine, made a sharp, illegal U-turn, and raced up the road like a fox with hounds on his tail. The moment he turned the top corner the other car in the lane rocketed off and followed as if in pursuit.
“That’s a bit odd.”
“Not at all,” Hugh grinned and lifted his phone. “I’m learning how to navigate this quite well.”
“That’s not what…” Berdie paused. It wasn’t worth pursuing. “Jolly good.”
The door to the intriguing home swung open once again. A couple stepped just outside.
Berdie puzzled, and then familiarity struck. “Hugh, aren’t they the cat people?” She pointed.
He took a quick glance at the doorway. “Cat people? Oh, the Stanfords. Yes, they mentioned being in Timsley. You’ve met them, then.”
“Not exactly.”
Hugh nodded as he returned to his exploration. “They’re developing another feline shelter, quite comprehensive, by the sounds of it. Came calling for a par
ish donation to their cause. Very dedicated to the rescue and keeping of cats.”
Berdie furrowed her forehead. “Odd.”
“I shouldn’t think so, especially if you’re the cat.”
It would be no good trying to tell Hugh all that had been going on while he continued to master his technological toy.
The couple craned their necks to look up and down the street. As quickly as they appeared, they disappeared behind the closed door of their house.
Hugh stretched out his hand and set it on Berdie’s knee. “I realize we should probably make ourselves known to them, but we’re already quite late. We need to push on.”
Berdie pulled her thoughts away from the house goings-on and put her full attention onto her husband. “Yes, push on. I’m sure they didn’t even notice.”
He took her hand. “I should have followed Grayson. I’m sorry for all this mess.”
Berdie gave a squeeze. “And I should be less ratty as well.”
Hugh leaned over and placed a peck on her cheek. “Now, look straight on.” He nodded forward. “Past the end of this road and the little fence, to the bowling green, the cricket pavilion, and the large building just beyond.”
Berdie strained forward. “Very tidy, pretty grounds.”
Hugh wore a smile. “Right.”
“Snap! It’s the sports club.” Berdie looked over her shoulder and back at the sight. “I had us back to front.”
Hugh held up his phone. “And in approximately four to five minutes, we’ll be right way around.”
“So, technically speaking, I did get us to the club.”
“If you give technically a massive stretch, yes.”
“Well, there you are. I do have a certain technical prowess.”
Hugh chuckled and shook his head. “Whatever you say, love.” With that, he pulled the car into the road.
****
The swim was enjoyable and had left her a bit languid, but happy to be with Hugh.
They had no problem getting home. And now, dinner done, Berdie snuggled next to Hugh while watching an old black and white film.
It was nice to spend these rare moments relaxing together. As they watched the story of a courageous mother and wife who braved the storms of the home front in World War II, Berdie could not dismiss the odd happenings she witnessed that afternoon on the street that was not Seabrook Gardens. They tumbled about her mind and dug into corners of her brain.
Into the Clouds Page 8