Dead and Gone

by Dorothy Simpson

  Lineham slammed on the brakes. They were in the lane approaching the Squires’ house now and a tabby cat had just shot across the road in front of them. ‘Sorry, sir! Stupid animal,’ he muttered.

  ‘That was Mintar’s cat, I think,’ said Thanet. ‘You wouldn’t have been too popular if you’d run him over.’

  ‘If it carries on like that it won’t be long before someone does,’ said Lineham. ‘Shall we park in the Squires’ drive, or next door?’

  ‘Next door, I think, and we’ll walk through.’

  Squires was not pleased to see them again so soon but with a bad grace took them back into the hall. ‘What is it this time, Inspector?’ He perched on a corner of the table as if to emphasise the fact that he expected the interview to be brief and gestured to Thanet to sit down.

  Thanet shook his head, remained standing. He had no intention of giving Squires the psychological advantage of looking down on him. Lineham propped himself against the wall and took out his notebook.

  ‘We’ve just been to interview Digby.’

  Squires looked surprised. Whatever he had expected or feared, it wasn’t this. But he was intelligent enough to realise that Thanet wouldn’t have used this oblique approach without good reason. ‘The Mintars’ gardener? So?’ What has it got to do with me?

  ‘Mrs Mintar senior is a patient of yours, I believe?’

  Squires’ expression remained impassive but his left eyelid twitched. ‘Please get to the point, Inspector.’

  But Thanet persisted. ‘She is a patient of yours, isn’t she?’

  A terse nod. ‘But I still don’t see—’

  ‘Digby apparently heard Mrs Mintar and Virginia Mintar – we’ll use her Christian name to avoid confusion – arguing yesterday. He said that Virginia was threatening to tell her husband about Mrs Mintar’s heart condition.’

  Squires said nothing.

  ‘Perhaps you could confirm that, Doctor?’

  ‘Confirm what? That they were arguing? How can I? I wasn’t there.’

  This was wilful misunderstanding and it was an effort for Thanet to conceal his rising irritation. ‘That Mrs Mintar has a heart condition,’ he said.

  ‘I could confirm – or deny – that, yes. But I won’t. You’re asking me to break patient confidentiality.’

  ‘I don’t think so. We already knew of Mrs Mintar’s condition. She had dropped her bottle of pills and I picked them up. It was obvious what they were for.’

  ‘Why bother to ask me, then? Anyway, drawing your own conclusions is one matter. My breaking patient confidentiality is another. In any case, I don’t see what conceivable relevance this has to your investigation.’

  ‘Don’t you? Shall I just say that we’d have to be very stupid not to have realised that there was little love lost between Mrs Mintar and her daughter-in-law.’

  Squires stared at him. ‘My God,’ he said. ‘You’re surely not suggesting that Mrs Mintar . . . That is what you’re suggesting, isn’t it?’ Thanet could almost hear what the man was thinking: If they suspect the old lady, that’ll take the heat off me.

  ‘I think you’d agree that Mrs Mintar’s work means a great deal to her?’

  ‘Certainly.’

  ‘And that she would be deeply disappointed if she were unable to go on any more of her plant-finding expeditions?’

  ‘I imagine so, yes.’

  ‘And that if she does suffer from a heart condition and the organisers knew of it, they wouldn’t be too happy about allowing a seventy-seven-year-old with angina to accompany them? It would be too much of a responsibility, I imagine.’

  ‘Such expeditions are very strenuous, I believe,’ said Squires carefully.

  ‘And that if Mr Mintar knew of his mother’s condition, he would almost certainly take steps to stop her from going?’

  ‘Steps? Mrs Mintar is a very determined woman.’

  Thanet waved a hand. ‘Inform the organisers. Whatever.’

  ‘I suppose Ralph would take fairly drastic action, yes.’

  ‘Don’t you think it’s time we stopped this charade, sir? Why don’t you come straight out and admit that yes, Mrs Mintar does have a heart condition.’

  Squires’s mouth set in stubborn lines. ‘I can’t do that.’

  ‘Very well. But perhaps you can tell us something else. What interests us, you see, is how Virginia Mintar learned of her mother-in-law’s state of health.’

  Squires was no fool. He saw at once where this was leading and his face went blank as the shutters came down.

  ‘They weren’t exactly on the best of terms, were they?’ said Thanet. ‘I can’t see Mrs Mintar deciding to confide in Virginia, can you? And it seems to us there’s only one other way Virginia could have found out.’

  Squires folded his arms across his chest as if to contain – what? Anger? Fear? Dismay? ‘I hope you’re not suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?’

  ‘And what would that be, sir?’

  ‘That it was I who told her.’

  ‘Did I suggest that? I was merely asking you for possible explanations as to how Virginia could have found out.’

  ‘Don’t give me that! And I deeply resent the implication. Surely, the very fact that I have steadfastly refused, under considerable pressure, I might say, to enlighten you on the matter, underlines the fact that I take patient confidentiality very seriously indeed.’

  ‘You might well have acted out of concern for your patient, in the hope that somehow Mrs Mintar could be stopped from doing something you are bound to have regarded as foolhardy?’

  Squires was tempted by this suggestion. Thanet saw the man consider and reject it before he said, ‘Certainly not!’

  ‘Then how could she have found out?’

  ‘For God’s sake, man, it’s obvious, isn’t it? The same way that you did! By accident!’ Squires stopped, obviously aware that implicit in this statement was the very admission he had been trying to avoid. With an exclamation of disgust he slid off the table and went to stand with his back to them, looking out of the window.

  Thanet said nothing and eventually Squires swung around. His tone was weary as he said, ‘Congratulations, Inspector. Very neat.’

  ‘So how did she find out, sir?’

  Squires dragged out one of the dining chairs and slumped down on it, underlining his sense of defeat. ‘She went across to see her mother-in-law one day and Mrs Mintar had an attack while she was there. She said Mrs Mintar wouldn’t actually admit what was happening, but that it was obvious to anyone with a grain of intelligence. She consulted me because she wanted to know the best course of action to take should it happen again.’

  He was lying, Thanet was certain of it. The doctor’s prevarications had at least given him time to concoct a story – though if it weren’t true, he was taking a risk: Thanet might well decide to check on it with the old lady herself. ‘When was this?’

  ‘A month or so ago.’

  ‘Did she ask you about the wisdom of Mrs Mintar going on these trips?’

  ‘Yes, she did. And I told Virginia that it would be most unwise for her mother-in-law to go on any more, that I had told her so, but that she wouldn’t listen to me.’

  ‘Did you know that Virginia had not informed her husband of his mother’s condition?’

  ‘No I didn’t. I assumed she had.’

  ‘Why didn’t she, do you think?’

  ‘I have absolutely no idea.’

  But it was obvious, really. Knowledge of this nature was power, and power over her mother-in-law was something that Virginia Mintar would not readily have relinquished. Had she paid for it with her life? ‘Well, I think that’s all for the moment. Thank you, sir.’

  Squires’s relief that the interview was at an end was obvious, and did not escape Lineham either.

  ‘More porkies, don’t you agree, sir?’ said the sergeant when they were outside again.

  ‘Yes, I do. And plenty more where those came from, I should say.’ It was marginally cooler now but
the sun was still beating down from a Mediterranean sky. ‘I’m absolutely parched! I only wish I’d thought to bring a bottle of water with me. I certainly shall tomorrow.’

  Lineham grinned. ‘I’ve got a Thermos in the car.’

  ‘Anyone could tell you were a boy Scout, Mike! Lead me to it!’

  While they drank the tea they discussed their next move. They both agreed: in view of what Digby had told them they would have to talk to Mrs Mintar again.

  ‘Wonder what sort of welcome we’ll get this time,’ said Lineham as they approached the open door of the annexe.

  ‘Perhaps she’ll have finished painting by now and be a bit more cooperative.’

  And this, to their surprise, proved to be the case. She was positively affable, taking them into the sitting room and even offering them tea. Her work must have gone well, Thanet thought, and she was on a temporary high. She had changed out of her painting gear into a flowing jade green caftan with a panel of embroidery down the front. He would have loved another cup of tea but he refused it. This could be a difficult interview and he wouldn’t have felt comfortable accepting hospitality from her. ‘I apologise for bothering you again,’ he said.

  She waved a dismissive hand. ‘I’m the one who should be apologising. I’m afraid I was really rather rude this morning. You were only doing your job, after all. Shall we sit down?’ She waited until they were settled and then said, ‘I’m afraid I’m notoriously bad-tempered when my work is interrupted.’

  ‘I can understand that.’

  ‘Perhaps. I think that only another creative person really can – a composer, perhaps, or a writer. When you are engaged in a creative activity of that nature you become completely absorbed in it. But it’s a very special kind of absorption, very difficult to describe. It’s as if you are existing on a different level, as if . . . well, as if you take a deep breath and then sink beneath the waves, don’t come up for air until you have finished.’ She gave an embarrassed laugh. ‘I’m not explaining myself very clearly, am I?’

  ‘Oh, but you are. It’s fascinating.’

  ‘The point I’m trying to make is that if that concentration is disrupted it’s often very difficult to get back to the point where you were. The thread is broken. And I’m afraid I react very badly when that happens. So . . .’ She sat back and folded her hands, the picture of attentive cooperation,‘ . . . tell me how I can help you this time.’

  Best to delay tackling her about the row with Virginia, Thanet decided, and take advantage of her helpful mood by finding out a little more about Caroline. ‘We’ve heard quite a bit more about Caroline’s elopement this morning, both from your son and from Rachel. I believe you were here at the time?’

  Her eyebrows had gone up. ‘I really don’t see—’

  Thanet sighed. He didn’t see why he should have to explain himself, but he didn’t want to annoy her by being too peremptory. ‘It’s just that in a case like this . . .’

  ‘A case like what, Inspector?’

  ‘Mrs Mintar. I know that everyone here would like to believe that your daughter-in-law’s death was an accident. But equally, the consensus of opinion is that it couldn’t have been.’

  ‘She could have had a heart attack and fallen in. Or a stroke. People do, even at her age.’

  ‘It’s possible. Unlikely, in view of the height of the wall, but possible. And if she did, the post-mortem should confirm it. But we can’t afford to sit around and twiddle our thumbs while we’re waiting for that. So, as I was about to say, there are two other alternatives . . .’

  ‘Suicide and murder.’

  Irascible she might be, but it was refreshing to interview a witness who didn’t beat about the bush. ‘Quite.’

  ‘And as we can rule out the former . . .’

  ‘Precisely. Furthermore, although the family would no doubt love to subscribe to the theory of a psychopath who just happened to stray into the courtyard last night and push your daughter-in-law down the well—’

  ‘All right, all right. No need to spell it out. I’m as aware of the statistics as most, I dare say.’

  ‘The point being that in order to work out what happened last night we have to try to understand the people involved.’

  ‘And that includes dragging up something that happened four years ago?’

  ‘Such events have repercussions which can last for many years, for a lifetime even. We understand that your daughter-in-law was deeply distressed by Caroline’s elopement and her unhappiness is bound to have had a profound effect on her behaviour. This, in turn, would have affected those around her and their attitudes to her. Surely you can see therefore that we are bound to be interested in what happened?’

  She stared at him without expression, clearly considering what he had said. ‘Oh very well,’ she said at last. ‘If you really think it will help.’

  Thanet glanced at Lineham, who pretended to consult his notebook.

  ‘To go back to the night Caroline left, then,’ the sergeant said, ‘we understand you arrived back from one of your trips that very evening.’

  ‘That’s right. I got back shortly before dinner. I wasn’t expected until the following day but there’d been a real muddle over our flight booking and three of us had to come back a day early. Anyway, with the benefit of hindsight, I should have known something was up as far as Caroline was concerned.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ said Thanet.

  ‘I suppose, having been away for some time, I was looking at everyone with a fresh eye. And Caroline was like a cat on hot bricks.’

  ‘In what way, precisely?’ said Lineham.

  ‘She kept on glancing at her watch when she thought no one was looking, for instance. And she scarcely touched her food.’

  ‘What did you think was the matter with her?’

  ‘I wasn’t too concerned. You know what young girls are like. If it isn’t PMT it’s boys. I suppose I simply assumed she was anxious to get off and meet that lout she was so keen on.’

  ‘You didn’t like him?’ said Thanet.

  Mrs Mintar lifted her chin. ‘He simply wasn’t suitable for Caroline. Their backgrounds were too different.’

  Thanet could hear Lineham thinking, What a snob! and as he expected the sergeant couldn’t resist a comment.

  ‘They seem to have made a go of it, anyway,’ said Lineham.

  ‘Who can possibly tell? She hasn’t come running back, certainly. But she took after me in many ways and she had a certain stubborn pride.’

  ‘You’re saying that even if the marriage had been a disaster she wouldn’t have come home again?’ said Thanet.

  ‘Possibly.’

  Thanet wondered what that said about the Mintar family. He hoped that if either of his children were ever in trouble they would know where to turn first for help and support. His stomach clenched as he thought of Bridget’s current problem. One of the worst aspects of the situation was that he was absolutely powerless to do anything about it. Oh, Bridget

  ‘If they ever got married at all,’ Mrs Mintar was saying, with a disapproving sniff. ‘Living together seems to be much more fashionable these days.’

  ‘I understood that both her mother and her father were very fond of Caroline.’

  ‘Oh they were. Too much so.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I think she felt stifled, found the situation at home claustrophobic. I think that was one of the reasons she kicked over the traces so thoroughly, first in making a completely unacceptable choice and then by running off with him.’

  ‘They disapproved of him as strongly as you did?’

  ‘Of course they did! Oh, he was a handsome creature, I grant you that, in an animal sort of way, but without a grain of refinement or intelligence. Anyone could see with half an eye that what she felt for him was purely physical and would wear off in no time at all. That was why I was all for letting the thing run its course. I could see that by making such a fuss about it Ralph would only make her more determined. Wh
ich is, of course, what happened.’

  ‘There were rows about her seeing this man?’ Lineham consulted his notebook. ‘This Dick Swain?’

  ‘Endless rows, I gather. I was away when they were at their peak, of course, but I believe my son did stop short of actually forbidding her to see him, just. Not that it made any difference in the end, she went anyway.’

  ‘I understand he’s not too happy about this engagement of Rachel’s, either,’ said Thanet.

  ‘An understatement, if ever I heard one.’

  ‘There doesn’t seem to be much he can do about it.’

  ‘Oh, I wouldn’t say that. Matthew Agon is a very different kettle of fish. We can always resort to the traditional solution. In fact, I’ve been trying to persuade Ralph to do so. But apparently Virginia was against the idea for some reason.’

  ‘The traditional solution?’ said Lineham.

  ‘We’re talking about a financial inducement, I imagine?’ said Thanet.

  ‘That’s right. Bribery. I believe in calling a spade a spade.’

  Not much doubt about that! thought Thanet. ‘You think it might work?’

  ‘If it were substantial enough, yes. And it would be worth every penny, to get rid of that toad.’

  ‘But your daughter-in-law was against it, you say? Why was that?’

  ‘I think she was afraid it could go disastrously wrong and turn Rachel against them if Agon refused the offer and told Rachel about it. But I think Ralph had hopes of bringing her around.’

  ‘He wouldn’t have gone ahead without her agreement?’

  She hesitated. ‘I’m not sure, if it came to the crunch.’

  She had been so cooperative that Thanet was now reluctant to broach the subject which had precipitated this second interview. It had to be done, however. How to achieve a smooth transition, though? ‘Your daughter-in-law was not an amenable sort of person?’

  A cynical little laugh. ‘Shall we just say that she liked her own way.’

  ‘And usually got it?’

  ‘Usually, yes.’

  ‘As far as her husband was concerned, you mean?’

  ‘I didn’t say that. I have no intention of discussing their relationship with you, Inspector, if that’s what you’re hoping.’