Taken at the Flood

by K. J. Rabane

  I was purposely not dwelling on the alternative, which was too distressing to contemplate. However, my mind would not rest. Leonora could have discovered how to open the safe in my study at River House if she’d been devious enough but again, why would she? It was in her interest that I should make a success of Gemini and she’d given me no reason to doubt her love for me.

  This last thought lingered in my mind rather longer than it should have. I was perplexed as to why she’d thought it necessary to lie to me about inconsequential details in the past; her supposed allergy to dogs for instance. Either she’d been lying to Evelyn in order to avoid having to take on Tinker, or she’d been lying to me. However, the latter seemed not to be the case, as I’d seen no evidence that she was allergic to Tinker, whom she’d fondled at every opportunity without any ill effects. Then there was Venice. I’d seen her with my own eyes; her looks were so striking it was impossible to mistake her for someone else, so why had she found it necessary to lie to me? I preferred not to dwell on the existence of her mysterious aunt, the one I was not allowed to visit.

  This was ridiculous, I thought, I was letting my mind run into a quagmire of doubt and if I were not careful it would drag me under. Although it was understandable in view of the fact that Magnum International had registered Gemini under the same name as my pet name for my wife. It was a shock but coincidence, surely? After all, I’d already decided that follow up software packages would be named Libra and Taurus adhering to the of the Zodiac as a theme. Therefore, I could see it was not a massive leap of the imagination for someone to do the same and re-title the copied software Leo.

  I was still trying to make sense of it all when Alan Henderson, followed by Tom Edwards, Softcell’s Head of Security, entered my office. “Sit down, gentlemen. We have a problem…” I began.

  We spent the best part of the afternoon discussing how we should go about discovering who was behind the Gemini leak, without arousing suspicion and as the sun sank lower in the sky, we agreed upon a strategy.

  The weeks passed and I was careful not to mention Gemini ‘s sabotage to anyone, not even Leo. When she innocently enquired how things were going with the programme, which she had named, I skirted around the subject in a non-committal manner and she seemed to accept it without question.

  During the following months, I worked on Taurus and Libra both of which were linked to Gemini but in such a way that it would be impossible to make the connection. Although the saboteur had stolen the basis for the programme, Gemini was just the beginning and I was the only one who knew how it would develop. The clues were in its structure but the key was in my brain. This time I was convinced I’d be able to ensure that there’d be no breach of the copyright law. I was the only person who knew the intricate workings of the original package and as such would be able to unlock the properties, which I’d taken care to protect during the months of its inception. I was determined not to trust anyone.

  The months flew by, the work easier this time. All I had to do was to make sure there was no chance that Taurus and Libra would produce a charge of plagiarism aimed in my direction. A name change was vital I discarded several before finally favouring Venus and Jupiter.

  Just as before, I copied the compact discs from my hard drive, placing one in my safe at River House alongside my PSD and one in the safe in my office but unlike previously, I made sure that I registered copyright in the morning before placing the copied disc in the office safe. Then I contacted Maxwell Hutton and arranged for Alan to go to New York with the new packages.

  I was relaxing in our Mayfair apartment, confident that although we’d not yet discovered the breach in security, our new packages would soon make up for our losses, when Leo called me. “Abe darling, it’s Alan for you. The line is not good. There seems to be some interference. I can’t quite make out what he is saying.” She handed me the phone.

  The mobile signal cleared but Alan’s voice, distorted by anger, made his words almost unintelligible. “You are not going to believe this!” he began. “Megacell doesn’t want the new packages. Maxwell Hutton said he’s been offered similar two days ago and he’d bought them at a very competitive price.”

  I sat bolt upright. “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s happened again. Pirated copies have already been sold.”

  The colour must have drained from my face for, as I replaced the receiver, Leo rushed over to me. “Abe? What is it?”

  I shook my head in disbelief. “Just some bad news from the States. Hutton has refused Venus and Jupiter.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, turning towards the drinks cabinet. “Here take this.” She handed me a brandy and I took a gulp and felt the colour rush to my cheeks. The news from the States was serious. We had a massive problem on our hands. I thought it best not to go into details with Leo as I didn’t want to worry her but I was fast coming to the conclusion that Softcell would be in big trouble if we couldn’t sort out this problem ASAP. There was a major breach in security and I was at a loss to know where to look for the answer.

  When Alan arrived back from New York, we arranged another meeting with Tom Edwards, who assured us his team had been working flat out; there were no obvious security problems and everything seemed to be in order. He promised to expand his search to see if he’d missed something but I could see he didn’t hold out much hope. There had been limited access to the software and it was a mystery how it had been copied so quickly.

  The week following Alan’s return from New York, I had a telephone call from Maxwell Hutton. “I thought I should call you. Are you alone?” he asked.

  I assured him I was and became intrigued by his hesitancy. Hutton was a larger than life character, who called a spade a spade. It was unlike him not to tell me straight away what was on his mind. But I sensed his embarrassment as he talked about inconsequential trivia, skirting around the main reason for his telephone call.

  “Maxwell, I appreciate your call. I understand why you couldn’t do business with us, although I’ve yet to find out who is responsible for sabotaging our software,” I said.

  Suddenly I heard him take a deep breath as if he had come to an unpalatable decision. “You haven’t heard this from me remember,” he said. “But I suggest you look closer to home.”

  “What? I don’t understand. Do you know who is behind this?” I asked incredulously.

  “I can’t say anymore. Just take my advice, there’s a good man.”

  The line went dead. I stood holding the phone in my hand wondering if I had just dreamt the last five minutes.

  Chapter 25

  Replacing the phone, I frowned. Hutton’s comment was not like him at all. He was usually forthright and to the point. What did he know or suspect? It was obvious he thought he was doing me a favour but one, which left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Once again, the face I loved most in the world swam before me in a miasma of doubt and mistrust.

  I closed my eyes. Was I blind? This latest bit of information, suggesting I look nearer to home for the answer to my problems had shaken me. Leo was the only person, other than Alan, and me, who could have had access to all three discs. Josie’s voicemail, when I was on honeymoon, came back to haunt me. ‘What do we know about her? What did Lucas know and now he is dead.’ I shivered, not Leo, it couldn’t be her.

  I’d left her in town shopping as she was planning to spend an afternoon at the beauty parlour. I had the afternoon free. I looked at the time and rang Leo on her mobile. “I’ve decided to go down to River House this afternoon. I think I need to get away from the city for a few days.”

  “Fine, I’ll pick up a few things and see you there around seven tonight,” she said.

  Then I rang the Dangerfields’ number. Josie answered. “Could I come over and see you later this afternoon?”

  If she was surprised at hearing from me, Josie didn’t show it. “Wonderful, I’ll be on my own actually. Henry has an appointment with his physio, in town. He usually takes most afternoons off and I k
now he likes to pop into the library at Kings Datchet on his way home. I’ll be waiting for you.”

  When I reached River House, Mrs Bates eyed me with suspicion. “Mrs Hope not with you then, sir?”

  “Leo will be driving down later,” I replied, following her into the kitchen where Tinker leapt on me, licking my hand with undisguised joy. I broke away from his attentions and turned to Mrs Bates. “Mrs Bates, could I ask you why you dislike Leonora so much?”

  “What makes you say that, sir?” she had the grace to blush and look uncomfortable at my forthright question.

  “You don’t manage to hide your feelings as well as you might think.”

  She put a flour-speckled hand to her forehead. “It’s difficult for me to put into words, sir. You see, I was very fond of Mrs Hope, I mean the first Mrs Hope. She and I spent hours chatting away about one thing and another. We often talked about her friendship with Mrs Bennett.”

  Mrs Bates sat down on the kitchen chair and I sat opposite her as she started to explain. “She used to tell me all about their shopping trips and the funny stories Mrs Bennett told her. She also told me Mrs Bennett had married for money and not for love. I remember her saying, ‘Leo said Lucas had saved her life. If it hadn’t been for his money she would have been in a sorry state.’”

  “Evelyn used those exact words?” I prompted.

  “Yes, I remember it well. You were about to go to New York and Mrs Bennett was going to come and stay for a few days. I soon made myself scarce I can tell you. I could see through her. The more stories Mrs Hope told me the more they confirmed my opinion.” She hesitated looking at me as if to gauge my reaction then decided to carry on. “I knew as sure as eggs is eggs that Mrs Leonora Bennett was a man eating gold digger and when you announced to me you were going to marry her, I nearly had a blue fit!”

  She sighed, the relief of having got her feelings off her chest was plain to see. I said nothing and as the silence lengthened, she said, “I’m sorry for speaking my mind but you did ask.”

  “I shouldn’t have put you in such an awkward position, Mrs Bates. I value your directness and can only say I hope time will prove you wrong.”

  After calling to Tinker, I said, “I’m off to the Dangerfields’ house. We’ll eat at half seven, please.”

  “Righty-O, Mr Hope,” she replied and with business-like efficiency returned to rolling out the pastry on the board whilst humming softly to herself.

  My housekeeper’s relief at having voiced her misgivings had done nothing more than transfer her concerns to me. I couldn’t believe Leo had married me simply for my money. It didn’t make sense. She’d inherited a respectable sum of money from Lucas and with the sale of their house had become independent financially. Mrs Bates must be mistaken. I could understand she didn’t wish to see me replace Evelyn in my affections quite so readily, although I could never explain to her that Leo and Evelyn each held a different part of me within their grasp.

  Tinker sensed the downturn in my mood and stayed at my heels rubbing his head comfortingly against my leg, as I walked along the river path. My mind was in turmoil. I had to talk to Josie and yet in doing so felt I was betraying Leonora.

  Their garden was a riot of colour, purple-headed daisies rose from a bed of red begonias and Busy Lizzies tumbled over the top of terracotta pots lining the path leading to the French doors. There wasn’t a weed in sight. Everything about Josie was neat and orderly. It was the first thing I’d noticed about her, all those years ago.

  As I approached the house my despondent mood lifted. I was looking forward to seeing her. But would she have changed towards me? I needn’t have worried. Josie welcomed me warmly, insisting I sit on the terrace while she put on the coffee. She was the one constant in my life, I realised. Josie would never change; I could rely upon it.

  “I can’t wait to hear your news. Henry and I were only saying the other day that it would be nice to see you again.” She handed me a mug and as our fingers touched, she said, “We’re always here if you need us you know.”

  I smiled and patted her hand but it was a while before I felt able to bring up the topic that was uppermost in my mind. In the meantime we chatted about old times and Josie filled me in on what had been happening to them both since I’d last seen them.

  There was a gap in the conversation. We were sitting side by side enjoying the view down to the river when I found the words I’d been avoiding, “Why did you try to warn me about Leo, Josie?”

  Unlike Mrs Bates, Josie’s was unconcerned and straightforward. “You know how friendly Evelyn and I’d been before Leonora came along, so I expect you think my antagonism stemmed from some sort of jealousy. Well you would be quite wrong. I’d met Leonora and Lucas some time before I met up with Evelyn again. We’d invited them over for dinner when they first moved in and I had the distinct impression from Lucas that Leonora had engineered their marriage. As I got to know them that impression deepened into a certainty that she’d married Lucas for money and money alone.”

  “Did Lucas say that?”

  Josie pondered the question for a moment.

  “Not in so many words but he was no fool,” she answered thoughtfully. “After Evelyn came on the scene, Leonora and she became thick as thieves. At the beginning, Evelyn used to telephone me on the odd occasion and relate some of the conversations between herself and Leonora. Then I began to feel she was being manipulated, especially when Evelyn became pregnant. I noticed she seemed to rely on her for everything. If she needed a prescription collected, Leonora fetched it. You could argue it was out of the kindness of her heart but I’m afraid I had some uncharitable thoughts, especially at the time of Evelyn’s miscarriage.”

  “What do you mean by uncharitable?” I asked, turning my chair to look directly at her.

  “Look, don’t take this too much to heart. After all, I have no proof and I feel it’s the wrong thing to say to you, now you’re married to her.”

  “Spit it out, Josie. I can take it!”

  “Henry said I was paranoid when I told him what I’d been thinking. You see, I began to think that maybe Leonora had something to do with Evelyn’s miscarriage and maybe even her death.”

  I gasped and she turned away from me.

  “I’m sorry. You must think I’m a mad woman to think such a thing and maybe I am. However, there remains the fact that Evelyn’s accident did come at a very convenient moment for Leonora especially as within the year she was burying Lucas.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “Just that the way was clear for her to marry you.”

  My mouth dropped open. “Josie, you must know that’s nonsense,” I said.

  “Sorry, it was just me being stupid again. I shouldn’t have said that. Henry would kill me if he knew I had told you. Please, forget what I said.”

  “I’m shocked. I can’t believe you could think such a thing. Why would she be so desperate to marry me?”

  To my surprise Josie laughed. “My dear friend. You were as HI LIFE magazine pointed out, exceedingly eligible and most definitely unattached. Why wouldn’t she?”

  It was true Leo had suddenly appeared after the magazine article had been published but I was sure it was purely coincidental. I felt disloyal having such thoughts and angry with Josie for voicing hers.

  “You must hate Leo very much.” I started to get up but Josie put a restraining hand on my arm.

  “There’s something I must tell you,” she said. “I don’t want you to run away with the idea that this is something I’ve made up out of a fierce dislike of Leonora but I can’t have you leaving like this without trying to explain.”

  With a sizable degree of reluctance, I sat down as she continued, “The day before Evelyn’s miscarriage, I bumped into her in town, Leonora had been delayed at the hairdresser’s and Evelyn was waiting in the coffee shop in Harvey Nicks. I asked if she’d mind if I joined her whilst she was waiting. She looked uncomfortable but eventually agreed. In front of her on the table was a
small pill bottle. Two pills sat at the side of her cup. I think I must have glanced at the bottle because she mumbled something about vitamins and slid it into her handbag. During the conversation, she told me Leo had been kind enough to pick up her prescription for vitamins the previous day as she had run out.”

  “What’s suspicious about that?” I asked, beginning to feel my anger threatening to erupt.

  “When I was younger I had what was known as a photographic memory. You know the kind of thing; if I subconsciously notice something, I’m able to bring it back precisely word for word. It used to be very useful during my schooldays when I had to study for my exams but I don’t often have call to use it these days.

  “However, after Evelyn lost the baby, I began to recall the tablets I’d seen her taking the day prior to her miscarriage. I clearly recalled the label on the bottle and the word Cervotab. The more I thought about it the more worried I became, so I rang an old school friend who is a G.P. over in Kings Bentham. Somehow, I brought the conversation around to the fact that a friend of mine had been prescribed some pills and was worried about side effects. I repeated the name I’d seen on Evelyn’s pills and she told me they were safe as long as used for the purpose for which they were prescribed.”

  “Well there you are then,” I said unable to see what she was making such a fuss about.

  “But that’s just it! The ones Evelyn was taking, thinking they were some sort of multivitamins, were in fact to be taken for the purpose of inducing an abortion. They were only to be prescribed for that purpose alone.”

  Chapter 26

  I returned to River House like an automaton, my legs moving, my eyes focusing and the sun burning my face but I was oblivious to all sensations, my brain desperately trying to make sense of Josie’s words. There had to be a reasonable explanation for Evelyn taking those pills but for the life of me, I couldn’t see what it could be. The possibility that Leo had been responsible for replacing her vitamins in such a way was too horrible to contemplate. My beautiful trusting Leo - her gentle nature, which I’d hoped was obvious to everyone, was only as far as I was concerned, it seemed. Josie had to be mistaken.