“Adam! Please stop it. If you don’t stop fooling around, I’m leaving.”
Adam laughed. “Sorry. I’m only kidding. You rise to the bait so easily. I don’t think you’ve changed at all over the years. Sorry, I promise to behave, sweetheart.” He sounded contrite and held up his hands as if to show he was warding her off, but she wasn’t sure she believed him.
Diana moved away from the table. She could smell his aftershave. It wasn’t unpleasant, and she was disturbed to find it was the same brand she bought him all those years ago. She felt light-headed and dizzy. What was the matter with her? She had got over Adam when she met Steve. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to face him; she would be nothing but business-like from now on.
“Okay. But that was the last time, Adam.”
Adam placed a hand on his chest and gave her a big grin. “Yes, ma’am. Anyway, have I shocked you with my findings? I know you think Duncan Macpherson’s a harmless man, but gamblers can often be desperate.”
“Yes, I’m sure you’re right about being desperate, but how can his gambling have any bearing on Caroline’s and Isabelle’s deaths?”
“I have a couple of theories concerning Macpherson and his mistresses.”
“Well, do share. Actually, I have found out a secret to tell you too. It’s something which might confound your beliefs.”
“I’m all ears, darling girl.”
Diana frowned; he was a pest. She decided to let it pass and behave exactly as she planned.
“Caroline and Duncan were not lovers.”
There was a pregnant pause. It was now Adam’s turn to frown. “What?”
“According to Sebastian, their friendship was purely platonic.”
Adam made a noise which clearly showed he didn’t believe what she was telling him. “Aw, come on! Are you sure? How does he know?”
“Caroline told him so when Sebastian got worked up about their relationship. He wanted her to stop seeing Duncan.”
“Yes, I see, I accept all that. But she could easily have been saying that to placate Sebastian. He has no proof.”
“Yes, I realise that, and no, Sebastian can’t prove anything.”
“I still think Duncan found out and was mad with jealousy. I know you can’t tell by looking at a body on a cold slab, but she was a beautiful girl by all accounts.”
Diana winced. “We’ll just have to take his word for it. There is one thing that puzzles me though.”
“Yes?”
“When Seb and I were talking, he never mentioned that Caroline was pregnant.” She paused and looked worried. “Either Caroline never told him, or Seb didn’t want anyone to know. Which is stupid because he must realise you’d find out after the post-mortem.”
Adam dipped his head to her in approval. “Now that is interesting. Well, well. So was it his? Or was Caroline sleeping around. It doesn’t prove she wasn’t having sex with Duncan either. We can do blood tests. DNA will take a while to prove. I think it’s time I gave our young friend a harder grilling than he’s had so far. Thanks for pointing that out, Diana. Shall we go outside and see who’s around?”
***
Clutching their wine glasses, Diana and Adam wandered out into the balmy air of the garden. The heat of the day had dissipated leaving a perfect summer’s evening. Diana breathed in the scent from a honeysuckle bush overhanging the door and stifled a yawn.
“Tired?” asked Adam. “You don’t have to stay with me if you want to escape and have a rest. Don’t forget you had a nasty shock this morning.” He peered at her face. “You have every right to feel shattered you know.”
Diana shook her head. “No, actually I’m fine. The cool evening air took me by surprise after the heat indoors. Steve and Clare are over by the garden shed, shall we join them?”
Steve threw back his head with a laugh over something Clare was telling him and noticed his wife and Adam approaching. “We were wondering where you’d got to. Is everything all right, sweetheart?”
Diana smiled and slipped her hand into his. “Yes thanks. You’re as bad as Adam. He’s just asked much the same thing. Considering everything, I’m bright and alert.”
“Tough as old boots,” Steve said while giving her a hug. “Listen, I’ve just had a call from Libby. She’s very sorry, but they won’t be able to get up here until the day after tomorrow at the earliest. Apparently the scan she had taken today needed interpreting by someone more senior than the radiographer she saw. The head of the unit wasn’t on duty, and it can’t be done until tomorrow. So, unfortunately, they’ll be a day late getting here.”
Diana looked disappointed. “Oh. I hope everything is all right. Poor Libby, she must be worrying like mad, especially since this is her first baby. And what about Poppy? Is she missing us? Is she okay?” Diana felt a moment’s panic when she thought about her little daughter.
“She’s fine. Don’t worry about Poppy. Apparently she adores Robert, and the puppy follows her around all the time. Libby found them curled up together, fast asleep on the sofa today. She sounds like she’s having a whale of a time.”
“Oh.” Diana looked surprised and yet pleased at the same time. “It’s nice to know we’re not needed. That’s something, I suppose.”
Steve laughed. “Be thankful Poppy’s not a clingy child. She obviously has your sense of independence.”
“You’re right. Besides, Libby’s health is more important. Are you sure there’s no cause for alarm?”
“I don’t think so. Libby sounded relaxed and calm about it all. She said the girl who saw her was a bit rushed and wasn’t paying enough attention. It’ll be all right.”
“Right then, if you say so,” Diana said before turning to Clare. “Is it all right with you if they come and stay a day later?”
“Of course. Like I said, I have plenty of room, and I may be nipping up to town. Don’t worry, I love having house parties, even if it involves having a toddler! I never really wanted children myself. I’m not sure I would’ve had the patience when I was younger, and I don’t have the time now,” answered Clare, who was standing next to Adam.
Adam shook his head. “Me neither. My career always came first, and I decided long ago that a family shouldn’t have to suffer because I was never at home. I’ve seen too many broken marriages within the force to want to saddle myself with a wife and kids.”
Diana looked at Adam in disbelief and frowned. It was the first time she had heard this from him. Adam caught her glance and explained further. “Don’t get me wrong, I do like children, and originally I thought I wanted marriage and a family. But the older and wiser I get, I believe marriage and being a family man doesn’t always mix with work.” His face broke into a big grin. “It’s much more sensible to take lots of lovers.”
Listening to Adam, Diana thought Clare’s face was a picture, and she found it hard to keep from laughing out loud. Diana looked quickly at Steve who gave her a sly wink, so she knew he was thinking the same. Within a minute, Clare had linked arms with Adam and suggested he might like to see the rest of her garden and orchard. Diana knew she was right. If she remembered her old friend’s habits, Adam was going to be late getting home that night…if at all.
Steve laughed softly as they watched Clare drag a non-protesting Adam away. “Poor guy. You know, I actually feel sorry for him.”
“I don’t. I think they’re made for each other. Clare’s more than a good match for him, and it’ll serve him right. Come on let’s take a walk ourselves.”
Steve looked at her sharply but said nothing. Di knew he was wondering what she meant about Adam, but he was the last person she wanted to talk about. Adam could be a problem if she let him and having Clare around was the perfect solution.
“Right, lead on, then. Where do you suggest we go? Somewhere dark and quiet?” he teased.
Diana glanced at his face, and she caught the flash of his teeth in a smile. “Nowhere special, I thought we’d take a turn round the garden.”
Steve stopped
and looked at her. “Di, you’re acting very strange. What’s the matter?”
Diana paused before she answered. “I’ve been putting one or two things together about the murders, and I don’t like the way my mind is working.”
Steve raised his eyebrows. “I see. Do you want to test me with your theory?”
Di gazed out over the softly lit garden. There were Chinese lanterns strung in the trees lining the path down to the stream and each garden table had lighted candles. The lights were attracting many moths, and she watched a couple as they danced an elaborate display of courtship before coming to a sorry end in the hot flame.
“Maybe later, Steve. I’m still working on it, and I’m terrified of naming the person I suspect in case I’m dreadfully wrong. You see, I believe the deaths are connected, but I can’t place my finger on why. And the person is someone who was definitely at Havershall House that afternoon when we—”
“There you are! I’ve been looking for you, Diana.” Russell loomed up out of the darkness from the direction of the orchard. “Sorry, did I startle you?”
Diana gasped. “Yes, you did rather.”
“Sorry, but you were deep in conversation. Hello, Steve. Nice party, isn’t it? Clare always knows how to entertain well. I think this is what we all needed, a chance to get away from Duncan and his two calamities.”
Diana considered his words a trifle odd. Calamities? Would you call two murders ‘calamities’? She would have said tragedies, more like. Before either could reply, Russell went on.
“Diana, you remember me telling you about the refurbishment of the Everyman Theatre? I wonder if you’d care to join me there tomorrow. I’ve organised a little tour, and then I’d like you to come to lunch afterwards. You used to love my old house, and it would be like the old times when you were first came here. My word, how the time has flown since you were first introduced to me and I took you under my care, a mere slip of a girl.” In the light from a Chinese lantern Diana could see his eyes twinkling down at her. His smile was warm and genuine. “Do please say you’ll come. Steve, I hope you don’t mind me borrowing your lovely lady for a few hours?”
If Steve was surprised not to be included, he didn’t show it. “No, of course I don’t, but it’s up Di. If the truth be known, I’d love to spend a few hours on my own. Clare told me there’s some fine trout in her stream, and it’s been ages since I spent a day fishing. You go ahead, darling.”
“Then that’s settled. Shall I pick you up or do you want to drive over?”
Feeling slightly bamboozled into accepting Russell’s invitation before she had time to consider, Di said in a quiet voice. “We have a hire car, so I can get myself over there.”
“Excellent. Shall we say ten thirty outside the entrance? I have a key.”
Diana found herself nodding agreement. Russell was obviously looking forward to showing her over some of her old haunts. He had always been a fount of knowledge and a good companion. But why did she feel a faint tinge of apprehension about going? She remembered with clarity that Sunday when she had been painting the theatre flats. She suppressed a shudder. That was years ago. Although the Cheltenham Throttler had never been caught, he hadn’t attacked anyone in years. She gave herself a mental shake, she was being daft.
Chapter 23
Diana awakened to a most unfamiliar sound and rolled over onto her side towards the window in their bedroom. Ye gods! It was pouring outside. She couldn’t remember the last time they had heard rain like it back home in Cyprus. The last springtime rainfall seemed a long time ago. Thinking of home, Diana realised most houses in Cyprus had neither drain-pipes nor guttering since most Cypriot builders didn’t or wouldn’t understand the concept of pipework. Most tradesmen would raise their shoulders and shrug if asked. Rain, what rain? Doesn’t the sun shine most of the time in Cyprus? She lay back on her pillows listening to the drumming on the dormer window, of water gushing along the drainpipe and then cascading down where the gutter was blocked. Despite the racket, it was almost soothing.
She yawned, and picked up her watch to see what the time was. It showed well after eight. They had gone to bed late after the party. Most people seemed to want to hang around until the early hours, which was strange considering how hectic and stressful the last few days had been. Perhaps it was like Steve had said earlier: there was safety in numbers.
Clare had plied everyone with lots of food and wine throughout the late afternoon and night. Once the barbeque had died down, people were happy tucking into the fresh fruit salad and sat chatting around the garden tables. Those who had transport home moved to make their departures until there was just a small core of guests left.
Russell and Sebastian were among the last to leave and only left after Diana agreed once again to meet Russell the next afternoon. “Will you be accompanying us? she asked Sebastian, who was yawning by his father’s side.
He shook his head. “No thanks. I’ve got to work tomorrow, although I might pop by here in the evening to take a look at some of the trees in the orchard for Clare. One or two have what sounds like canker disease and if so, will need treatment. I’ll bring some fungicide with me just in case.”
Clare looked up at his words. “There’s no need to, Sebastian. If I remember correctly, I already have some from the last time you used it.”
Sebastian frowned. “Really? I don’t remember. Well, okay, if you say so. I’ll go and check if you like.”
“Leave it for now, since it’s so late. I need to look for it because the shed is in a bit of a mess. I’ll let you know how much there is. We may need to buy some more, although I can’t remember where we got it from.”
Sebastian looked relieved. “Thanks, I really am bushed. Dad, are we going home, then?”
While Clare was seeing them to their car, Diana noticed Adam suddenly get up and without a word leave the group. Watching him disappear around the corner of the house, she wondered where he was going.
She felt a nudge in her side, and Steve leaned over with a whisper. “Do you think it rude if we nipped off to bed ourselves? It’s been one hell of a day, and it’s getting on for half past one.”
“You go if you want to. I’ll stay and give Clare a hand tidying up once everyone has left. I’m sure it won’t be long. Did you see Adam disappear just now? I wonder where he’s gone.”
“Probably for a pee. Is he staying the night?”
Diana gave a gleeful laugh. “I’m sure Clare has designs in that direction, but I should imagine Adam will be more circumspect. After all, he can’t be seen shagging one of the suspects from a crime scene.”
“And you say I have a dirty mind. Tut tut, for shame, Mrs Rivers,” he said, still whispering.
Diana giggled. “I only said I’d give Clare a hand. I don’t intend being that far behind you.”
“Good, because that bed looked big and inviting.”
In the end, they both went to bed soon after Clare returned. Russell and Sebastian’s departure galvanised people into action, and within ten minutes only the house guests remained. Jo and Patrick slipped away upstairs. Adam reappeared and took advantage of the departing guests to make his own quick getaway. He left behind a somewhat crestfallen and grouchy Clare who announced that, as she was really tired, the house could be left as it was and she would make a start first thing in the morning.
***
Luxuriating in the cosy bed, Diana looked at her watch again and wondered if she should make tea for Steve and herself. It was generally Steve’s job in the morning. Feeling lazy she decided to give him a sly nudge. It was his job! Steve muttered and stretched, until he remembered where he was.
“Jeepers! Is that rain I hear?”
Diana laughed at his expression. “Yep. It’s amazing, especially after yesterday’s fabulous weather.”
“I suppose you kicked me awake so I can go and make you your tea.”
Diana looked at him with feigned surprise. “Kicked you? I never did. How can you say such a thing?”
/> “Because you usually do, that’s why. Do you know where everything is downstairs?”
“Yes. I put it all on the worktop next to the fridge before we came to bed.” She gave him a cheeky smile. “I thought I’d make it easy for you to find everything.”
“If that’s the case, I don’t see why you couldn’t have made it just this once,” he grumbled, reaching for his towelling bathrobe and staggering towards the door.
Diana blew him a kiss and smiled at his departing back. He was all talk really.
She wondered if Clare was awake and instantly doubted it. She was sure Clare enjoyed a lie-in when she could. Most people without children seemed to. Diana’s thoughts drifted to her young daughter and Robert and Libby, who were caring for her. Diana wasn’t surprised that Poppy was happy in their company, especially since she had the novelty of a puppy to keep her amused. She actually felt more worried about Libby. She was so excited over their first child, and Diana knew all about the heartache and anxieties that often came with a pregnancy. She prayed everything was going to be all right for them. Robert had been married before and had lost his first wife and baby in a terrible accident. He had parked his car on a cliff edge at a notable beauty spot, and while his wife was feeding the baby, he took himself off for a walk. On his return, the car and its occupants were nowhere to be seen. In their place, there was nothing but a hole and a huge chunk of ground torn from the cliff face where the car had toppled over the edge. Robert had been devastated for years, and Diana and Steve were delighted he had met Libby. It would be too cruel if anything were to happen to shatter his newfound happiness.
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