Moving On (A Polvellan Cornish Mystery Book 6)
Page 13
‘Von Dannenberg wrote a letter to Carveth about Roxanne. It was a cold and cynical shredding of her character.’
‘For what purpose?’
Jess shrugged. ‘Revenge because she had defied him? To punish her by destroying Carveth’s love and faith? I’ve made a copy so you can read it yourself. What’s awful is that he did it so cleverly. He turned everything I thought I knew about her on its head, made me question, doubt. She must have known that if he leaked the letter it would destroy her reputation overnight.’ She swallowed to ease the stiffness in her throat.
‘If we can find out who the artist is, maybe find some of his other portraits online, perhaps there’ll be enough information to show whether he was honest in his portrayal of the other people who sat for him, looking beyond a pretty face or a general’s uniform to the person’s true character.’
‘You’re asking a lot. To earn enough to live on, an artist had to please his sitter. It would take a brave man to defy that.’
‘Or an honest one walking a fine line.’
It took twenty minutes to ease out the triangular wedges knocked into each corner to hold the stretcher taut. Harry used needle-nose pliers to lift out one that had slid down between canvas and stretcher. He laid the pliers and small flat wedge on the table and used a flathead screwdriver to ease the canvas free. Jess held the frame steady. As he lifted out the canvas, and with it decades’ worth of dust and fluff, a tiny slip of paper fluttered to the floor.
Harry turned the canvas over was scrutinising the lower right-hand corner. ‘I can’t see anything resembling a signature.’
Jess picked up the paper and unfolded it. The writing was tiny, the black ink faded to sepia but still legible. Dearest James, forgive me and know that I truly loved you. R. Tears splintered her vision and she pressed fingers to her trembling mouth.
‘Jess?’ Laying the canvas across the frame, he crossed to her. ‘What’s wrong?’
Handing him the scrap of paper, she dug into her pocket for a tissue. His arm encircled her shoulders.
‘You’re taking this very personally.’
‘Sorry,’ she mumbled, and eased free to blow her nose. She couldn’t tell him that after the worry of Helen’s illness, Mor’s wedding, splitting with Tom and this morning’s phone call from Rob announcing the end of his marriage, the thought of Roxanne walking into the cold dark waters of the Danube after her stepfather’s betrayal and her husband’s rejection had been the final straw. ‘It’s been a demanding few weeks.’
‘Jess, I’m sorry. If I’d known –’
‘No, it’s nothing to do with you.’ So she wouldn’t have to look at him, she placed the canvas carefully back in the frame. ‘Discovering Roxanne’s story has been an amazing journey. I’ve learned so much. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’
He met her gaze. ‘It’s been an eye-opener for me too.’
‘I wonder if Major Carveth saw the note.’ She looked at the paper as he placed it carefully in his wallet. ‘He couldn’t bring himself to destroy the portrait, or part with it. But having it on the wall would have been too painful a reminder of what he’d lost. So he wrapped her in the sheet she had embroidered and put her in the attic.’
He tapped the wedges gently back in place. ‘Can I borrow this?’ He lifted a corner of the cotton sheet Jess had used to protect the painting. ‘I’ll let you have it back.’
‘Don’t worry about that. It’s old and only fit for rags.’
He wrapped the sheet firmly round the painting, then lifted it upright. ‘I’m going to have the canvas and frame professionally cleaned then decide where to hang her.’
‘I’m glad. Roxanne has spent too long in attics. I’m waiting for a certificate and I have a bit more typing to do, but I should have the full report ready for you by Tuesday morning. Where would you like it sent?’
‘Sorry?’
‘I thought – you mentioned going home and I assumed –’
‘No, I’ll be around for a while. The offer I had on the house? I’ve turned it down. So, I was wondering if I might take you out for a meal?’
Doubts crowded in. It was too soon. She didn’t know him. She had only just broken up with Tom.
‘That’s very kind of you, Harry, but –’
‘Oh Lord. I beg your pardon. I should have realised – an attractive woman like you – bound to have someone – I assumed, you know, no ring – but lots of people don’t –’
Failing to suppress a smile, Jess laid a hand on his arm. ‘It’s OK, Harry. I’m not offended.’
‘Thank God for that.’ He gave a self-deprecating laugh then sobered. ‘And is there a significant other?’
‘No.’ Not any longer. How long before that was all round the village?
‘I do apologise. Out of practice. Can’t you tell?’
Jess’s doubts dissolved. ‘I’d never have guessed. And thank you. I’d love to go for a meal.’ She opened the door and he rested the painting on the step.
‘Good. That’s really – good. If you bring the report up to Chywoon I could show you the house.’
‘I’d like that.’
‘Until Tuesday then.’ Leaning over, he touched his lips to her cheek. ‘’Bye for now, Jess.’
‘Cheers, Harry.’ She closed the door, smiling as she crossed to the kitchen.
*
THE END
Rachel’s Recipe
Spicy Cheese Straws
Ingredients
6oz self-raising flour
4oz strong cheddar
3oz butter or marge
2 heaped tsp mustard powder
1tsp paprika
generous shake of salt and pepper
1 egg yolk beaten with a little water
Method
Heat oven to 180*C (170* Fan)
Finely grate the cheese.
Add the spices to the flour and mix well.
Rub in the fat until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the grated cheese and mix well.
Add the beaten egg yolk and water and bind the mixture together.
Roll into a thick sausage shape on a floured board then using hands or a rolling pin flatten into an oblong about 12 inches long, 3-4 inches wide and half an inch thick.
Using a sharp knife cut into ‘straws’ roughly half an inch wide and place in two rows on a non-stick baking sheet.
Bake for 12-14 minutes until faintly golden, no longer or they’ll be hard.
Cool on a wire tray.
These freeze well.
The Polvellan Mystery Series
*
Ghosts of the Vikings
Treasure hunters and opera stars collide in the north of Shetland in this latest of the Cass Lynch mysteries.
Cass has embarked on a tentative relationship with DI Gavin Macrae and they are both invited to the gala opening of her mother’s new opera. The performance goes well but it is soon clear that things are not as smooth backstage. As the wind rises, and the power goes off, even Cass’s much-loved yacht Khalida can’t provide a refuge from a ruthless killer …
Murder on the Run
The world of running is completely alien to Libby Sarjeant and her friend Fran Wolfe, but when Libby’s son Adam and Fran’s stepdaughter Sophie join the Nethergate Harriers, they have to take an interest. And when one of the runners goes missing in the middle of the Nethergate 5K, they take more than an interest! It’s not long before a body is found – and Libby and Fran are caught up in another investigation …
The seventeenth instalment in the hugely popular Libby Sarjeant murder mystery series.
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Copyright © Rachel Ennis 2017
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All the characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.