Ellie put her phone down and said, ‘Russet, I’m so sorry. There’s not much more I can do. All I can say is that if you feel you have to go home – and I do understand that – then it really would be a good idea to take Barbie with you, and to keep her as long as you can.’
Russet said, ‘Well, she’s nowhere else to go and I must admit, I’ll be glad of her company. I’ll tell her, and we can start getting some of our things down and into the car. We may have to leave some stuff here till tomorrow, if you can bear it?’
‘You’re very welcome. I expect you’ll be glad to get out of here and able to smoke again.’ At which Russet managed a weak smile.
Ellie continued down the corridor and this time made it to the kitchen, where Kat and Trish were concentrating on the latter’s laptop. The kitchen was as bright as a new pin.
Thank you, Kat.
‘Coffee anyone?’ Ellie put the kettle on. ‘By the way, Barbie and Russet are leaving this morning. Russet is anxious to get back home.’
Trish looked bothered at this rearrangement of their plans, but Kat said, ‘All the better. I am not able to make quiches without cheese, which we do not have. I will make up several big dishes when the supermarket delivers and what we do not eat will go in to freezer.’
‘Excellent,’ said Ellie, her attention drawn to her landline ringing in the hall. She sped back to get there as the caller was about to be transferred to voicemail. ‘Yes? Lesley?’
‘It is. I got your message. As you know, there’s to be an autopsy on Walt, but no investigation until the results are in. What do you think about that?’
TWELVE
Tuesday late a.m.
Ellie let herself down on to the hall chair. There were angry voices from the landing above, where Diana was arguing with Russet. That was foreseeable, wasn’t it? Russet’s belongings were in little Evan’s room, and they were getting in one another’s way.
Barbie raised her voice, too. She was trying to get past them both to bring some of her stuff downstairs. There were still piles of luggage lying higgledy-piggledy all over the hall. Ellie wished she could close her eyes and wake up tomorrow and find the house her own again.
On the phone, Lesley sounded alarmed. ‘Are you there, Ellie? Can you keep the women with you?’
‘No. Russet is preparing to go back home now, and Barbie is going with her.’
‘Um, yes. Russet. Well, I tried to find out why she hadn’t been contacted about her husband’s death and was told by a neighbour that Russet had walked out on her husband but had probably gone to stay with her brother, who lives out of town somewhere. The police traced him, but he said he didn’t know where she could be found.’
‘She’s been in touch with her brother, but I suppose that must have been after the police phoned him. Why didn’t he give the police my address?’
‘I don’t know. Perhaps he thought he was protecting her. Listen, Ellie. I’ve been told not to poke my nose in where it’s not wanted. I can’t take any official action. I can’t talk to the women. And yet—’
‘You think, as I do, that Walt’s death is just too neat and that the matter does need investigating. Does it help that the women all have alibis for Walt’s death?’ Ellie crossed her fingers when she said this, because Diana didn’t, did she?
Lesley sounded frustrated. ‘If one or more of them didn’t kill him, who did?’
‘We-ell, I’ve discovered that the men formed a company to redevelop part of the town centre. They don’t actually want to do the job themselves, so they lob in outline plans for developments which they are sure will be rejected and watch the value of the site rise with every month that passes. They think they’re going to become multimillionaires when they sell. I’m wondering if, when they set up their company, they included a clause that if one partner dies, the others inherit his shares.’
Lesley drew in her breath. ‘Two down and three to go. You think one of the men is killing the others off, inspired by the emails? If so, the killer must be annoyed with you for proving none of the wives could have done it.’
‘True. Any other bright ideas?’
‘Warn the men?’
‘Yes, I’m trying to do that. Must go.’
Little Evan came stumping down the stairs, one step at a time, towing his mother along behind him by clutching at her skirt. He’d been washed and was clad in a clean T-shirt and dungarees.
Diana was smiling and frowning, both at once. ‘Mother, the sooner Russet leaves, the better. It’s impossible to see to little Evan while all her belongings are in his room.’
‘Biccy!’ said little Evan, single-minded as usual. He towed his mother across the hall and down the corridor to the kitchen.
Ellie followed him to make a cafetière of coffee and put cups, saucers, milk and some biscuits on a tray. Little Evan ignored everyone else to make for the biscuit tin, and when he found it empty, took a deep breath to yell his displeasure. Ellie handed him a biscuit from the tray and carried the coffee things to the sitting room.
Monique was still there, talking into her phone.
Little Evan followed, towing his mother along. He ignored Monique to make for the box of toys which Ellie kept under the table for him to play with. Now he had a problem. He needed a free hand to play with the Lego, but he wasn’t letting go of his mother, not for an instant. He solved that problem by cramming the biscuit into his mouth, showering crumbs around, to free himself for the next task. Diana wiped around his mouth with a tissue, but dutifully sat down on the floor beside him while he emptied the contents of the play box on to the carpet. Monique and Diana politely ignored one another.
Ellie settled herself down and poured coffee out for the three of them. From the hall drifted the sounds of luggage being bumped and hauled down the stairs and taken outside.
Little Evan tossed his Lego here and there, as if he were splashing water around in the bath. He laid himself across his mother’s lap and fell asleep. Deeply asleep. Well, he’d been up all night, hadn’t he? And ensured that the rest of his household hadn’t had any sleep, either?
Diana stroked his hair off his forehead. ‘Poor little mite.’
Ellie decided to throw a spanner into the works. ‘Monique, have you invested in Evan’s development company?’
Monique shifted in her seat and looked alert. ‘What company?’ She hadn’t known about it.
Ellie said, ‘Diana, perhaps you’d like to explain it to Monique?’
Diana frowned, but did as she was told. ‘The men have gone into partnership to develop a parcel of land behind the cinema in the town centre.’
Monique blinked. ‘A limited company?’
‘Yes. A hundred shares each.’
‘But the amount of capital they’d need for that sort of project …!’
‘They mortgaged their houses and they borrowed.’
‘How do you know this?’
‘Evan used to keep on top of business affairs, but he hardly ever goes into the agency nowadays. He left it to me to run, saying he was ready to retire, but I knew he was up to something because the men kept getting into corners and sniggering, saying things like, “The little women don’t need to know anything”. So I did a little digging here and there, looked at his emails, and so on. It’s a huge project.’
Monique breathed out slowly. ‘Their combined ages are—’
‘Quite. They’re past it but still fancy they know how to make money in a big way. I wanted in. I thought Rupert would be the weakest link as he’s always so worried about cash flow, and I was right. He’d been discreetly trying to dispose of some of his shares, so I bought them.’
‘The idiots!’ said Monique. ‘They could lose everything!’
‘Every now and then their tame architect produces a set of plans which fits the bill more or less, but which are so extravagant that they are bound to fail. With every month that passes the value of the land rises. I’m counting on the sale making me a tidy profit when it eventually goes through.’
‘His death might or might not be murder. He could well have mixed his pills up.’
‘And Walt.’
Ellie said, ‘There’s to be an autopsy. If he died of a heart attack, then nothing more will happen. If he was pushed, then the police will rethink.’
Monique sipped coffee. Her hand trembled. ‘Mrs Quicke, was that why you wanted Evan to have company today? You think he’s next for a trip to the crematorium?’
Ellie said, ‘He’s the partner in the poorest health.’
Monique rattled her cup into its saucer. ‘Evan and I have known one another all our adult lives. I’m fond of him in a way, even if he is something left over from the last century.’
Diana said, ‘Did he make his dentist appointment? He’s been grumbling about a loose filling for ages but getting him there is always a struggle.’
‘I am not his keeper,’ said Monique.
Diana sighed. ‘I don’t suppose the office managed to clinch that sale I was working on. I’ve spent so much time on it, but …’ She shrugged.
Is Diana trying to make Monique see that she was a good wife to Evan? And that her son loves her dearly? Is she plotting to get Evan to take her back? Wonders will never cease. But it would be a good solution to her part in this mess.
Monique seemed to have reached the same conclusion. ‘Diana, your mother tells me you are expecting again. Is the child Evan’s?’
‘I’ve never looked at another man since I met him.’
Monique wanted to be sure. ‘How far along are you?’
‘Nine weeks. He was feeling raunchy on the night before his birthday. He wasn’t capable of anything on the actual day, mind you. I remember he returned from the golf club with Bunny in the early hours. Both of them pie-eyed.’
Monique probed further. ‘You’ve not told him about the baby?’
‘No, because I’ve had a couple of misses this last year. I wasn’t sure I could carry another baby to term and I wanted to be well on the way before I said anything. I was going to wait till I had the three-month scan to be sure, but Mother forced my hand.’
Monique digested this. ‘So, do you want a divorce?’
‘Not particularly. We rubbed along well enough and once I’ve taken on a job, I like to see it through.’
Monique manoeuvred herself upright. ‘I came in your car because mine doesn’t have a child seat in it. A mistake, because the controls are all wrong for me and it’s put my back out again. I’ll leave your car and the boy here for the time being and take a cab back. Thank you for the coffee, Mrs Quicke. Will you call a cab for me? I’ll wait for it in the hall.’
Monique wanted a word in private?
The piles of luggage in the hall had changed yet again. Some piles had diminished, others had reshaped themselves. The front door was open and letting in cold air, but someone had propped it ajar so that they could ferry luggage out to Russet’s car.
Monique turfed a tote bag off the hall chair and seated herself on it with the air of one prepared to chat.
Ellie closed the door to the sitting room and used the landline in the hall to call a cab. Barbie bustled down the stairs, bumping a suitcase on wheels behind her. She glanced at Monique, didn’t recognize her and said to Ellie, ‘We’re nearly there. You’ll be glad to see the back of us.’
‘Not at all,’ said Ellie, lying through her teeth. ‘By the way, how did you get on with the list of visitors to your house in the week before Bunny died?’
‘I made a start. It would be easier if I had Bunny’s diary. I don’t honestly think there’s anything in your idea that someone from outside tampered with his pills. Why should they? Anyway, I can’t think about that now. I’ve packed my stuff up again, but everything’s in such a muddle that I may have to leave some things here till tomorrow, if you don’t mind.’ She took her suitcase outside.
Monique said, ‘The men used me to get rid of their wives for them.’
‘They used the emails as an excuse. They liked the thought of getting rid of wives who were past their sell-by date but wouldn’t have done anything about it if you hadn’t taken a hand in the game.’
‘Except for Terry,’ said Monique. ‘From listening to him ranting away to Evan, I think he had a different motive. He thought Trish was playing away—’
‘Ridiculous. She’s a nice girl and faithful. He’s the jealous type and his jealousy has made him abusive. He made a mistake yesterday when he hit her a little harder than usual because for once she hit him back. Now he doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going.’
Russet re-entered the hall, looking flustered. She glanced at Monique, and then turned to Ellie. ‘Mrs Quicke; there you are. We’re about ready to go but we can’t get both Barbie’s and my stuff in my car and I’m afraid we’ve had to leave some of our things in your hall. My brother should be arriving sometime this afternoon. Perhaps he could come round and collect the rest of my stuff then? And what’s left of Barbie’s, too?’
Monique said, ‘Mrs Quicke has ordered a taxi for me. Take that as well. I’ll pay. I owe you one. Mrs Quicke can order me another.’
Russet looked even more flustered. ‘I’m afraid I …?’
Ellie introduced them. ‘Russet, I don’t think you’ve met Monique. She’s Evan first wife, long divorced. Evan used her administrative abilities to organize your expulsion and that of your friends. The men used her and she wishes to make amends. You can pack the taxi with the rest of your luggage and it can follow you home.’
Barbie had come in behind Russet and heard that. Barbie had excellent manners. ‘You are Monique? I don’t think we’ve ever met, but Evan has mentioned you now and then. He thinks a lot of you, doesn’t he? A taxi has just arrived outside. If we can use that, too …? Well, thank you.’
‘Don’t thank me,’ said Monique. ‘Thank Mrs Quicke for making me see what a fool I’ve been. I’m sorry I’ve caused you so much trouble.’
‘Strangely enough,’ said Barbie, ‘you did us a favour. If you hadn’t arranged for us to leave, we’d all have been sitting at home on our own when Walt died. Since we were thrown out we were all together when it happened and that gives us an alibi for his death.’
‘We really do appreciate everything Mrs Quicke has done for us,’ said Russet.
Barbie added, ‘True. I don’t know what we’d have done without her.’
Trish and Kat came into the hall, both eager to help, both wanting to kiss and hug their friends and promise to keep in touch, as tomorrow they’d be scattered all over the place. There was considerable confusion about which piece of luggage belonged to which woman, but finally Barbie and Russet thought they had everything of theirs. Ellie assured them that if anything had been left behind, she would see that it was kept for them. Finally, Russet drove off in her own car, with Barbie following behind in the taxi.
Quiet descended. The hall was still strewn with packages, but the piles were less high than before. Kat started up the stairs, saying she’d strip the beds in the rooms Barbie and Russet had used and clean them. Trish retreated to the kitchen, saying she must phone her parents.
Ellie and Monique exchanged looks of relief, and Ellie ordered another taxi.
While they waited for it, Monique said, ‘These women are not fools. They’re bound to start wondering who knocked Walt and Bunny off soon. I don’t think it’s Evan.’
‘No. He’s too … too …’
Monique snorted. ‘Ineffective? Past it? Drink-sodden?’
‘It’s not Terry. I’ve observed him acting out. He’s all bluster and no bottom. I can imagine him taking a swipe at someone in a temper, but Bunny’s death required forward planning. It was premeditated. Not sure about Walt’s. That might have been impulse.’
‘You think it’s Kat’s husb
and, Rupert, who’s doing it, then? Have you met the man?’
Ellie shook her head.
Monique said, ‘A small-minded man of limited abilities. He inherited a great deal of money without any idea of how to deal with it, while being parsimonious in his private life. He has a pointed nose and several chins. His eyes are set too close together. I used to laugh when people said that close-set eyes were a sign of untrustworthiness, but he’s got them all right. On the other hand, I’ve been wrong about everything once, and I could be wrong about him, too.’
‘There’s no alternative, is there? It must be Rupert. Perhaps only one of the deaths was an accident and the other was murder. Can you warn Evan and Terry, try to get them to take precautions? I can’t do any more. We have to wait on the autopsy and see what the police want to do next.’
A taxi drew up outside and tooted. Monique plodded out, leaning on her stick. ‘I’ll be glad to sleep in my own bed tonight.’
Ellie accompanied her outside. ‘You’re leaving Evan on his own?’
‘I’m not acting as his nurse. If I’ve read her aright, that new nanny of his doesn’t want to sleep in an old man’s bed. Let Evan get Diana back for that. She’s up to his weight and, as you’ve kindly arranged for me to observe, she’s a good mother to the little boy. I’m going home. Every bone in my body is complaining and I’m out of patience with the lot of them.’
Ellie helped Monique into the taxi. ‘What will I do if Evan comes round wanting his son back?’
Monique settled herself. ‘He’s had one night of broken sleep. He’s not going to endanger another by demanding his son back, is he? Driver …!’ And she gave him the address.
As the taxi bore her away, a motorcyclist roared into the drive and its driver, clad in black leather, cut the engine. Susan’s fiancé, Rafael, took off his helmet and shook back his hair. ‘What’s up?’
‘I’m delighted to see you,’ said Ellie. ‘Russet has gone back home. Barbie has gone with her. Trish is talking to her parents about going to them tomorrow and taking Kat with her. Kat is stripping bedrooms upstairs. The cab you saw leaving took Monique, that’s Evan’s first wife, away. She’s brought his and Diana’s little son who has been creating havoc at home and is now asleep on his mother’s lap in the sitting room. Oh yes, and the police won’t do anything until after the autopsy on Walt, and possibly not even then.’
Murder by Suggestion Page 17