4 Camera ... Action ... Murder!

by Faith Mortimer

  “But Di—”

  “She’s right. We must ring them and now before anyone else leaves. The police can inform everyone who was here this afternoon that they have to stay put and make a statement. Everyone needs to be checked out. It’s important we contact the local police and tell Duncan before he lets anyone go.”

  Steve couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It was a rerun of all his worst nightmares. Surely they hadn’t just left a crime scene down by the lake?

  Chapter 9

  As the three of them reached the drawing room, most of the guests were already gathered, and their host was standing in the middle of the floor addressing his audience. Duncan, although still pale, looked more composed than he was earlier. They slipped in quietly through the doorway and waited for Duncan to finish explaining rather than interrupt.

  “So, please understand when I say there’s no need for you to stay after what happened this afternoon. I’m sure you’re as shocked about it as Isabelle and I. I’ll briefly mention the day’s photographic work before you depart, since you’re entitled to know. Lodestone and I believe we have enough publicity material for our advertising purposes. So you’re free to go. I want to thank you all for your time and patience.” As if he couldn’t stand talking to anyone any more, Duncan turned away abruptly and caught sight of the newcomers.

  Clearing his throat, Russell held up a hand for silence. “Please wait a moment, everybody. I’m sorry, Duncan, but we haven’t had time to let you know.”

  “What? Let me know what?” Duncan looked bemused at his words and glanced towards his wife, who shrugged and gave a tiny shake of her head. Isabelle was looking anxious and on edge. Being so thin, Diana wondered if she suffered from nerves.

  “We—that is, Steve and Diana—have found a hole in the bottom of the boat in which poor Caroline had her accident. According to them, and I must confess I haven’t checked it out for myself yet, it looks like the rowing boat was tampered with.”

  There was a chorus of voices ranging from disbelief to outrage. Isabelle made a movement as if to stand up but slumped back in her seat with her head down. Diana noticed that her hands were bone-white and clasped together.

  “But…but the boat’s often used. The boys—the gardener’s apprentices—use it for fishing,” Duncan said, confirming Russell’s earlier statement.

  Steve couldn’t believe this was happening. If only they had packed their bags and left earlier. But no, he went for a walk with Diana, and they found the damaged boat. He suspected foul play as soon as he saw that the wood around the hole looked freshly splintered. It appeared as if someone had taken a chisel or something else sharp to it and helped split open the seam. It was only because he didn’t want Diana getting involved that he said nothing. And that was a complete waste of time, because old Miss Nosey Parker was already thinking about sinister goings-on. She really was the limit.

  After meeting up with Russell outside and telling him what they had found, events escalated. Russell insisted on contacting the police there and then, even before letting Duncan know. The thought crossed Steve’s mind that if Russell was also taking it very seriously, then it really could be a case of foul play. And here they now were in the drawing room, with a roomful of suspects waiting for the police to show.

  ***

  Duncan looked stunned by Russell’s words. His face blanched, and he staggered backwards as if he had been punched. Fearing he might pass out from this additional shock, a concerned Diana and Steve hastened over to steady him and suggested he might like a large brandy.

  “But I don’t understand,” Duncan said in a low and distressed voice to Diana. “Caroline wouldn’t harm a fly. Why would anyone want to tamper with the boat?”

  “It may be nothing, Duncan. Just a coincidence, or at worst, someone was playing a practical joke on her. Perhaps they knew she disliked boats, especially unstable ones, and there was a jolly good chance she was going to fall in and get wet. Some people can be pretty spiteful.” Di tried giving him an encouraging smile.

  Duncan looked even grimmer at her words. His mouth set in a forbidding line while he looked round the room, and his eyes settled on his wife. “Maybe it was jealousy and spite.”

  None of the guests moved from their places; they too were all flabbergasted over the unbelievable outcome of events. A few protested their innocence to anyone nearby who would listen—and no doubt they were innocent—but until the police had interviewed them one by one, they were all potential suspects.

  Satisfied that Duncan wasn’t going to pass out over this latest piece of astonishing news, Diana took a good look round the room. She thought most people involved in the day’s events were there. She mentally ran through the list of film stars, photographers, make-up and hair artists, actors, and general helpers. In addition, there was a household of catering staff, both regular workers and those extras brought in to help serve refreshments. If it did come down to a suspicion of foul play, then it was going to be a nightmare for the police. But she had to remind herself that it was all conjecture. It was only a small hole in a very wobbly boat, and the police had to examine it first.

  Isabelle was the first to move. She was sitting on one end of a settee next to the film stars, Johnny Speer and Jessica Roberts. Di heard her excuse herself to the actors, saying she needed to make sure the catering staff would bring them all fresh coffee and tea while they waited for the police to arrive. She too looked pale and tense, and yet at the same time, keyed up. If Diana was asked she would have said she looked…what would she have said? Animated, excited? True, she seemed agitated, but there was something different about her demeanour, and Di couldn’t put a finger on it.

  Without saying a word to anyone else, Isabelle slipped from the room practically unnoticed because everyone was talking at once. Diana glanced at Russell, who was leaning against the wall near the doorway, but he ignored her. Diana turned to speak to Steve, and a movement caught the corner of her eye. Patrick had stood up from where he was sitting in one corner and was moving behind the row of chairs. Without a word, he left the room after Isabelle. Intrigued, Diana wondered where he was off to, especially since she felt he and she hadn’t finished their earlier conversation down by the lake.

  Before Di could speak to Steve, Russell and Joanna Bullen joined them. Di had hardly spoken to Joanna since they arrived, and when she found herself standing next to her, she couldn’t help studying the other woman. She remembered Joanna and Patrick being almost inseparable when the old cast had first acted the play. What had happened to them? Patrick was a steady actor, not fantastic but reliable and someone who knew his lines to perfection. Joanna, as assistant stage manager, seemed to have the worst of jobs but handled everything Duncan threw at her. Back then, she was desperate to land a real acting part and would have done almost anything.

  Joanna, Di remembered, studying her dusky face, was a nice person. She was another actor who went out of her way to be helpful and friendly without seeking favours. Right now though, she was looking worried and unhappy, which in view of what was happening was understandable.

  “Diana. How are you? I’m sorry we haven’t really spoken this weekend. There hasn’t been a moment’s peace since we arrived, it seems.”

  “Don’t worry about that, I’m fine. What about you? I hear you’re going to be in The Holbein Diaries. You must be thrilled.”

  Joanna smiled, but Diana thought she looked tense. “Well, I was. But after today with all the rumours flying round, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

  “They’re probably just rumours. I shouldn’t worry because the film is bound to be made. Once the press get hold of the story, it’ll stir up massive publicity, and it’s bound to be a huge success. But out of interest, what have you heard?”

  Joanna shrugged and lowered her voice. “I don’t know really…lots of different things. There’s talk of money problems, Isabelle and Duncan’s domestic squabbles are almost out of control, and now this terrible accident. It doesn�
�t help matters hearing Russell say Caroline’s drowning may have been caused by someone tampering with the boat. It’s all horrendous if you want my opinion.”

  Di nodded. “Russell is a bit worked up, isn’t he? You know he’s always been that way. Let’s leave it until the police have been and taken a look. Tell me what you have been up to since we saw you last.”

  Joanna’s face brightened. “My career took off a couple of years after you left. Apart from the theatre, I’ve had some minor parts on television, and there are always commercials, of course. You must know the advert supposedly from Jamaica about Blue Mountain coffee? ‘The finest coffee from the top of the world’…well, that’s me, complete in afro wig and local costume. It was a scream to do.” Joanna mimicked the Jamaican accent to perfection, and Di laughed.

  “Of course I know it! Although we don’t watch much television, living in Cyprus, we do catch some programmes when we visit the UK. I hadn’t realised it was you. It must be the accent—you were always good at them.”

  “Yeah, right. Actually, I’ve lost weight since doing the commercial.”

  “You are very slim. Have you been on a diet?”

  “No,” she hesitated. “Actually, it’s because I’m not very happy with life at the moment. Patrick and I are always on and off with our relationship. And right now, it’s not on. I had hoped we would have sorted everything out by now and settled down. I hear you have a baby girl. Congratulations, I do envy you. My chances of motherhood seem to be slipping even further away. It’ll soon be too late.”

  Diana felt saddened by Joanna’s words and put a hand on her arm. “I’m so sorry, Joanna. You deserve to be happy. Let’s hope things settle down for you and Patrick. As for us, yes, we do have a little girl now, thank you. Her name is Poppy, and she’s a real little pickle.” Diana paused and then continued. “I’m really sorry about your problems, Joanna. You and Patrick always seemed so perfect together.”

  “There are a few issues I don’t agree with, and he won’t see it my way. Never mind, it’ll all sort itself out, now.”

  Diana wondered what she meant by ‘now’, but because Joanna wasn’t a close friend of hers, she didn’t feel she had the right to ask. She would have to either wait and see or remain in the dark. Diana stayed chatting with everyone for a while longer, and then, feeling the need to slip out, she excused herself.

  Once outside in the hall, Diana took a deep breath. The room she had just left was large enough to accommodate the company gathered there without any crowding, but it had become very hot and sticky inside. While talking to Joanna, Diana felt a sudden urge to see her baby, Poppy. After poor Caroline’s drowning and the implied offence, she thought it would be balm for the soul to spend time playing with the innocent toddler. Diana was missing her, and it would be lovely to see her in a day or so. She stood in an open doorway, taking in the fresh and cooling air. Nearby, she heard the mournful cry of an owl and the answering call from its mate further down the estate. She needed a few minutes away from everyone else, and here was as good a place as any. It was a perfect evening; the light airs were wafting a delightful mingling of scents from the plants in the garden. She heard a few cars change down gear on the bends of the nearby road and muted conversation drifting from the drawing room, but apart from that all was still and quiet.

  Feeling refreshed, Diana decided to find the nearest bathroom and wash her face and hands. She took her time walking down the carpeted hallway, and her thinking switched to Joanna and her relationship with Patrick. The thought crossed her mind that part of their rowing was something to do with Patrick and his stolen manuscript. If she knew the truth—and Joanna was an honest person—then she would have been horrified when she learned about Duncan’s deviousness.

  Diana turned a corner and stopped. The door to the room which Isabelle called her own study was ajar, and Di could hear raised voices coming from behind it. There was no mistaking Isabelle’s cold patrician tones nor Patrick’s unusual fury. Diana knew she shouldn’t, but she lingered just long enough to satisfy her curiosity.

  “And I’m telling you, you silly little man, it’s too late. The play was put in Duncan’s name a long time ago. It’s his name on the copyright. I made damn sure about that. Now, if you’ve quite finished, I have other things to do.”

  “No, I haven’t, you wicked woman. You’re always interfering in things which don’t concern you. You overstepped the mark years ago, and yet you got away with it. But I’m damned if you’re going to this time. I’m—”

  “You’ll what? Report me to whom? It’s your word against ours. And no doubt Duncan has already told you, but who’s going to believe a second-rate actor like you, hmm? Just remember who’s calling the tune here. And if you want to see your darling Joanna stay in the film, then you’ll do as I say.”

  “Leave her out of this. She’s not my darling anything anymore,” Patrick growled.

  Diana caught her breath in surprise. She had never heard Patrick speak in such a tone before. Perhaps he had changed over the years more than she realised.

  “Then she possesses more sense than I thought,” Isabelle hissed. “Get out of my way. Let go of my arm…how dare you!”

  “No. I’m not letting you pass until you’ve heard everything.”

  There was a scuffling and a muffled shriek from behind the door. Alarmed about what might happen, Diana thought it about time she showed herself. Taking a deep breath, she stuck her head round the door.

  “Hi there! Oh, hello you two, I thought I could hear voices. Isabelle, I’m sorry to bother you, but a few of us are wondering if there’s any chance of the staff making some sandwiches for us, please. I’m sure you realise that once the police arrive, nobody will be allowed to leave until this is all cleared up, and we’re all pretty much famished.” Diana felt pleased with her on-the-spot excuse.

  Isabelle pulled her arm from Patrick’s grip and rubbed her elbow. Patrick spun round on hearing Diana’s voice, letting his own arms drop. He took a step back from Isabelle.

  “Huh. Hello, Diana.”

  Diana made herself smile at them as if nothing had happened and she was ignorant of their argument. “Thanks, Isabelle. You must be hungry too. Come on, Patrick, shall we go and wait for the police?”

  Di took hold of his arm and dragged him from the room. Once they were out of earshot, she whispered to him. “What was that all about? Why involve Isabelle? You know what a baggage she is.”

  “Baggage? That’s an understatement. Cow or bitch, more like. And why did I involve her? Because, Diana, I’m sure you realise, she’s the one who controls everything.”

  “But Patrick, I still don’t understand. It’s your play, what’s she got to do with it?”

  “I think it was Isabelle who told Duncan not to go in with me. You know, he could easily have named me as the playwright and him the director. We could both have shared in the glory. But madam there wanted it all for them. Her little bit of power. Well, no more. She’s overplayed her hand this time. I may as well tell you everything now. What neither of them knows is, I first got the idea for the play from a book.”

  “Yes, well, there’s nothing new in that. Many plays and films are based on stories.”

  “Ah yes. But this is straight from a book written by Sydney Graham, the famous historian. It’s a non-fiction book about the diaries of Holbein. I wrote the play straight from his book. He found out and threatened to sue. Moreover, he said he was coming down here to have it out with us. I don’t care now, though. I’m going to tell him it’s all down to them, and they can take the flak. When he arrives, if he says anything, I’m going to deny having written it.” At that, Patrick slipped past her and disappeared down the hallway towards the stairs.

  Diana looked after him in surprise. She would never have dreamt he would give up as easily as that.

  “Diana? Diana is that really you?” asked a deep voice behind her.

  Diana turned round and found herself looking into a pair of warm and deep brown
eyes. Smiling eyes she thought she would never see again.

  “Adam!”

  Diana felt the world tilt upon its axis.

  Chapter 10

  “It is you. I should have guessed you’d be here after reading about the coming film and the story behind it. It was quite a spread in the newspapers. So how is life treating you, Mrs Rivers?”

  “Adam…or should I address you as Chief Inspector Lovell now?” Did she detect a slight edge to his voice? She noticed his glance as it swept from her head to her toes, and she found herself colouring.

  He laughed, a rich sound rumbling deep in his throat. “I might have known you’d be involved somehow. So what juicy offence have you found for me this time, then? It’s been a while since I visited Havershall and the Lord of the Manor. I hear he’s still the same pompous know-it-all. By the way, it’s Superintendent Lovell.”

  “Goodness! Congratulations. I should have realised you would be promoted again by now. You always were ambitious.” Diana murmured. She wondered why she sensed some antagonism towards Duncan. Maybe they had crossed swords at some point.