Diana held back a sigh. He was the most maddening man at times, and thank God she had Steve. Thinking of her husband made Diana wonder where he had got to. After talking with Adam, she decided she needed some time to think, and she took herself off to a shady swing hammock near the pool. Pondering over what Adam had said about relaxing, Diana was positive she was over her earlier shock of discovering Isabelle’s body. She thought it was time to think through everything she had either seen or heard during the last few days.
If Adam or Barbara was going to talk to the gardeners, then they would soon know if the screwdriver was the same one she and Steve had noticed in the boathouse. She was positive it was. She wondered why Andrew Downs hadn’t yet shown his face. While Diana sat and thought, she noticed Clare coming round the corner of the house. She waved and made her way over. As she drew near, Diana could see Clare was wearing a smart dress and strappy shoes. She also looked as if she had spent time on her make-up and hair; even from a short distance, Di could smell her perfume.
She laughed. “You’re dressed to kill. I take it you’re being summoned by his Lordship later.”
Clare flopped down on the seat next to her. “Something like that. Adam wants a quick chat, and then I’m out of here, so I’ve only got this one chance. Listen, I’ve been thinking. Do you and Steve have to go off immediately? It’s been so long since we all got together, and despite the horrible things that have happened, it’s been nice to see everyone—well almost everyone,” she said grimacing. “If you don’t have to be anywhere else, then I’d love you to come and stay with me for a few days. You probably don’t know, but I own a cottage just outside Cheltenham. I’ve plenty of room, and you can sightsee and maybe visit the town. Russell said you were thinking of going to the theatre. They’re showing The Glass Menagerie. You’ve just missed Murder on the Nile!” She laughed.
“Thank goodness for that. One or two murders here are enough. We were planning on staying in town, at least overnight, at the Beaumont House hotel. We have to get back to Hampshire soon, because our daughter’s staying with my cousin and his wife.”
“Oh, the Beaumont’s nice, but chez moi is free. Like I said earlier, I’ve plenty of room. Why not get your cousin and wife to come down and stay too. The more the merrier, and I’d love to see your little girl. Poppy, isn’t it?”
Diana nodded and smiled at her.” That’s incredibly kind of you. I don’t know what to say. We’d planned on revisiting something of the area and old haunts, but because of what’s happened, we haven’t been able to.”
“Then say ‘yes’. I’d love to chat some more and learn what you get up to in Cyprus. Look, I’m popping into the supermarket on the way home for supplies. Phone your cousin, and I’ll get in enough food and drink for a house party. If the weather holds, we can even have a barbeque. If you’re happy with it, I’ll invite some of the others for a meal too. I’m sure they’d like to relax after recent events. I might even ask that nice sexy policeman of yours,” she finished with a lascivious wink.
Diana thought for a moment. It was extremely generous of Clare, especially inviting strangers to stay, and she did want to see Poppy soon. A party with the others would be good; maybe it would get things back on an even keel, and Diana liked the idea of watching a voracious Clare work on Mr Wonderful.
“Thank you. I’ll talk to Steve and see what he has to say.”
“So, poor you, you’ve had quite a morning.”
Diana pulled a face and nodded.
“Are you allowed to talk about it? I’m not being ghoulish or anything. I just thought you might need to.”
“I’m fine, Clare, but thanks for asking. And no, although Adam hasn’t said so categorically, I’m sure I have to keep my findings strictly for the police.”
“What about poor Caroline? Isabelle’s death has overshadowed hers. Do you think she was murdered too? I’m asking you now, not the police.”
“I know. Was she murdered? I think so. As far as Caroline’s concerned, it was certainly foul play, and you could say ‘malice aforethought’, since the culprits knew what he-or-she was doing. By making a hole in the boat, there was a good chance it could sink. Of course, the culprit had to know she couldn’t swim very well.”
“And that her dress would drag her under once it was wet. Poor Seb. He still looks utterly distressed.”
Diana was surprised at Clare’s statement and turned towards her with a question on her lips. Clare forestalled her.
“Yes, I knew all about Caroline and young Sebastian. The strange thing is, didn’t everyone? If I’ve ever seen a man wear his heart on his sleeve, then it’s Seb. Poor chicken. He’s completely lost and bewildered. He obviously can’t think who’d want to harm his beautiful girl,” she said.
“You’re right. I noticed it straight away, and if you did, then others must have noticed too. So what about Duncan and Isabelle? They must have known or suspected at the very least. And then there’s Russell, Seb’s father. Surely he knew.”
“I watched everyone yesterday, and I’m certain Isabelle didn’t because she was still giving Caroline grief right up until the last minute. Oh, I know she was all smiles during dinner, but that was only for show. She was as catty as ever the morning of the photo shoot. If she’d known Caroline and Sebastian were attracted to each other, wouldn’t she have pushed them together? Despite loathing her husband, she was still possessive of him. I think Duncan might have suspected something, but what could he have done? Caroline was years younger, and he was married. And despite what anyone might think, Duncan wouldn’t have left Isabelle for another woman. He needed Isabelle’s money too much. Besides, Duncan would have found another Caroline within a few weeks. Russell? He might have known, but again, there was nothing in it for him, and since Sebastian’s his son, I don’t think he’d have upset things.” Clare opened her purse to take out a cigarette then thought better of it and put the packet away. “Filthy habit. I’m in the middle of giving up,” she explained.
“It’s funny you noticing all this. I wasn’t too sure about Isabelle, and I didn’t realise she was still being catty to Caroline yesterday. And I agree about Duncan and Russell. As for the rest, Patrick has his own problems, and Joanna looks like she carries them all on her shoulders. Those two have enough to worry about without trying to murder anyone. Anyway, could you really see Patrick thinking about murder?”
Clare laughed and pulled a face. “No way! Cheating writers is much more his line. Oh yes, don’t look surprised. Everyone knows about the historian, Sydney Graham, and his book. He caused such a stink and disruption this morning. No, I think Patrick is much more of a sneaky cheat than a murderer, but you never know.”
“I was still getting over finding Isabelle when he burst into the library, so I didn’t realise who was around outside. Adam hasn’t filled me in about that little episode, although I know he’s talked to Patrick again. The police want to tie this case up quickly and let everyone get on with their lives.”
“Don’t we all? I noticed two young men coming out of what was Isabelle’s study just now. I’ve seen them around the estate, cutting the grass around the tennis court. I presume the sergeant spoke to them. What do you make of her, by the way? Do I have a rival for his Lordship’s affections?”
Diana gave a snort of laughter. “Clare, you are terrible. You haven’t even nailed him yet.”
“Yes, but even so. What about little Miss Chip on the Shoulder?”
“I’m sure she’s a very nice person, even if she does come over as having a ‘chip’ as you call it. And yes, I’m sure she fancies Adam. Who wouldn’t? He’s handsome, rugged, single, and a high-ranking officer. She follows his every move when she thinks he’s not watching. I doubt if they’re an item or ever have been because I’m sure Adam wouldn’t jeopardise their working relationship, but I’m certain she’d like there to be one.”
“I think you’re right there.”
“What about Andrew Downs? I still haven’t seen him this morning.
For a producer for Lodestone Pictures, he keeps a very low profile.”
“He’s just come down from his room. He’s been there all morning. Apparently he suffers from migraine and felt he had a nasty one coming earlier on. I spoke to him before coming out here to find you. He looked quite ghastly and told me he’d taken too many migraine tablets. Quite frankly, I don’t know how he managed to walk down the stairs. I found him wandering all over the place, and then he dashed into the downstairs loo and puked up in there. I hovered around in case he needed anything, but he told me he was getting a taxi to the station up to town later today once he’d spoken with Adam. I would have offered him a lift up to London if I hadn’t decided to stay down here for a few more days.”
“Poor man. So that’s why he’s been missing. After what you told me earlier, I thought he’d overdone the sex with Isabelle and had a steamy late night! I wonder when his migraine began.” Diana shifted on the seat, making the hammock sway.
“When Adam’s finished speaking to Andrew, I’ll pop in and say ‘goodbye’. If you’re going to speak to your cousin and Steve, you’d better do it soon, because I’ll be leaving for the supermarket immediately after.” Clare stood up to go.
Diana withdrew her phone from her pocket. “I’ll do it now. I’m sure Steve would love to come and stay. He much prefers house parties to hotels anyway. I’ll let you know once I’ve spoken to them.”
Chapter 17
“So what’s this you’ve arranged now?” asked Adam a short while later. “Apparently, you’re going to stay with Clare Thompson, and she’s invited us all over there for a barbeque, me included. But not my sergeant, apparently,” he said looking amused.
“You knew we were going to stay in Cheltenham. Clare invited us there instead. Steve and I are only staying to help you out. I think it’s a good idea. That way, you get to watch and talk to everyone at her place before they all skedaddle. Who knows, someone may let something slip while we’re all relaxing and chatting.”
“I see. And Clare obviously thought it a good idea if I came too, eh? It seems a bit strange inviting a police officer when you’ve been interviewed by him at a murder scene.”
“Adam, don’t talk daft. You know full well she fancies you like mad. It was a good excuse for her. Please don’t let on I’ve told you, though.”
Adam threw back his head and laughed. “Of course I knew. I’m just winding you up. It is a good idea having everyone in one place, but I’m not sure we’ll gain anything from it. By the way, we’ve just had some interesting lab results back. Would you like to know what we’ve been told? Let’s walk away from the house for a few minutes where we won’t be overheard. I also need to stretch my legs, since I’ve been cooped up indoors all day. I always seem to miss the summer when it finally arrives.”
Adam led the way down towards the lake. It was the ninth sunny day in succession and almost a record for England that year. If it hadn’t been for the steady breeze coming off the surrounding hills, it would have been another scorcher.
“So, what have you got to tell me?” she asked once they were well away from the house. She looked in his direction and missed her footing.
Adam put out a hand to grab Diana as she stumbled over a hillock. Surprised, she could feel the heat burning on her arm through his fingers. She looked up and found his dark brown eyes boring down into hers. She had forgotten how deep and mesmerising they could be, and for one worrying second she felt dizzy. She sensed her face growing hot under his intense look.
“Di, darling,” he whispered. “If only I’d not been such an idiot—”
“Don’t, Adam. We said everything we needed to say a long time ago. We’ve both moved on, and I’m very happy. Please…please don’t make things awkward.”
He looked hurt. “I know, and I promise I won’t make things difficult for you. I just wanted to say how sorry I am that you were the one to find Isabelle. It can’t have been easy coming back here in the first place, and yet you walked into this nightmare. How are you feeling really?”
Diana moved away, knowing she shouldn’t stand so close and be alone with Adam. For one moment she felt weak and helpless and a little ashamed. She was stronger than this, and he shouldn’t be having any effect on her. Perhaps she was more shaken by this morning’s events than she realised.
She made a face and shrugged. “I’m all right. No, really I am. I made the decision to come back here, thinking it was about time I got over that attack. And despite everything, I’m glad I did. I’d cut myself off from everyone in Cheltenham, and I shouldn’t have. Back then, I had some very generous friends who rallied round me, but I was too weak and caught up in myself to realise it at the time. Clare, Russell, Jo, and Duncan were so supportive, but I was blind. I left without a word of explanation, and I’m so sorry I did because I’ve missed their friendship and understanding. Can you understand that? And as for us, I’m sorry we split up, but that was before the Cheltenham Throttler appeared on the scene. I loved you, Adam, and would have walked to the end of the earth for you, but you let me down. I had to be the strong one and walk away from our relationship. If I’d stayed, I would have resented you and what you did, and we might both have ended up being destroyed. Perhaps I wasn’t right for you from the beginning. Please don’t bring up the subject again, because I can’t face it. Steve certainly doesn’t deserve any grief.”
Adam had the grace to look apologetic and humiliated at the same time. He kicked at a molehill with his foot. “Diana, you shame me. I’m the one who brought our world crashing down, and I’m truly sorry. I promise you I’ll not dishonour you again. Steve is a very lucky man, and although I can’t honestly say I’m not envious, I do wish you both well. Friends?” He said offering her his arm and smiling.
With a feeling of relief washing over her, Diana took his fingers in hers. “Friends.”
They resumed walking, and after a short pause, Adam became more business-like.
“I was lucky Tony, the lab chief, owed me a favour, and they’ve worked round the clock getting results for us. I think you’ll be surprised with what I have to tell you. The screwdriver found with Isabelle is definitely the same one you saw in the boathouse. Although there are no complete fingerprints on the handle, there’s a minute part of one in a tiny smear of yellow paint. There are also some flecks of dry paint imbedded in the handle and on the metal blade. The partial fingerprint could be Isabelle’s, plus there were a few flakes of paint under her nails.”
Diana caught her breath and opened her eyes wide in surprise. “Then that means Isabelle handled the screwdriver after the boat was painted. Could she have used it to scrape away at the hull of the boat to make a hole? Steve said it looked like someone had taken a chisel or something to help split the seam open on the boat’s bottom. Could this have been the implement?”
Adam nodded. “It looks that way, but we have no proof, of course, and we’re unlikely to get any further since she’s unfortunately deceased. But we have to assume it was she who tampered with it. So we’re left with another conundrum. If Isabelle wanted Caroline either harmed or killed and she succeeded, then who knew what she’d done?”
Diana gasped. “Of course! If it is true, someone must have known she’d used the screwdriver to make a hole in the boat and then by a macabre and horrific act of mutilation left it in her body. They must have wiped the screwdriver clean of their own fingerprints too.” She shivered. “How horrible. Someone witnessed what she’d done, and then they killed her. But there’s something I don’t understand.”
“What’s that?”
“Why watch Isabelle and let her perform her nasty little act and then kill her later? He could have killed her in the boathouse. Why not come forward earlier and tell someone what she’d done. Isabelle’s murderer waited until the right moment came to strangle her. Unless...” Di’s voice trailed off as she thought.
“Unless?”
“Unless we’re meant to think that. Was it just Isabelle who wanted Caroline dead,
or did Isabelle’s murderer want both women dead. Or didn’t he care either way? Was his real aim to kill Isabelle, and Caroline just happened to be killed by Isabelle beforehand? This is confusing. What if we have two killers?”
“I see what you mean. It is confusing, but I think your brain’s in overdrive. I happen to believe both deaths are connected.”
Diana pulled a face. “I think you’re right. Steve says I have an over-imaginative mind. Okay, I’ll sleep on this and think some more when my mind has stopped whirling. What else have you got to tell me from forensics?”
“Ah, yes. This is interesting. I got Barbara to question the two gardeners a lot more thoroughly and to comb through their workshop and shed. By the way, they did the rowing boat up and painted it. The lab found traces of a weedkiller made from a chemical known as Disulfoton on and around Isabelle’s neck and on other parts of her body. The killer must have undressed her after strangling her. Strangulation was by hand, not ligature, and she died of lack of oxygen to the brain. Her neck wasn’t broken.” He paused and frowned. “You remember the glove you found? Well, that also had the same chemical on it. Our research so far shows it hasn’t been used in the UK as a weedkiller for some years, because it’s very harmful to mammals as well as weeds. I believe it’s on a banned list. Talking to the gardeners here, they swear they’ve never used it, nor has it ever been on the estate to their knowledge.”
4 Camera ... Action ... Murder! Page 14