‘Did he not inform you where he was going?’
‘He never does. Usually it is only for a day or two, but it is longer this time. I do wish he was more forthcoming about his activities. It would save a great deal of uncertainty.’
Alex leant forward. ‘You must be concerned. Forgive me if I appear presumptuous, but if there is ever anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.’
‘That is so kind of you. I used to be able to talk over my problems with my children.’ She sighed. ‘I do miss them so much.’
‘Talk to me, Sara, as a friend and in strict confidence. Will you do that?’
She nodded, clearly touched by his kindness. ‘I fear something may have happened to my husband.’
‘Have you reported him missing to the police?’
‘Not yet. I was tempted to when the policemen called, but I keep expecting him to walk in as usual.’
‘What did the policemen want?’ Alex gave no indication that he already knew about the situation.
‘They were looking for someone named Barber, I believe it was, and had been given this address by mistake.’
‘Ah, that does happen,’ he said casually. ‘Is there anything you would like me to do about your husband? I do have family connections to the police force.’
‘No, no. He will turn up any day now, quite unconcerned about the worry he has caused.’
‘Very well, but do contact me if you need help at any time.’
‘Thank you. It is a great comfort to know there is someone I can turn to if needs be.’
‘Have you seen Sara lately?’ Alex asked Joshua.
‘I go there every week. She has asked me to look after the piano while Lester is away. That room used to be alive with music and laughter – now there is silence. It is sad. We are sending our young men off to get killed or maimed. It’s barbaric. When is this bloody war going to end?’
‘I can’t see an end in sight.’ Alex was concerned; Joshua was very down, and that wasn’t like him.
‘Do you know that all of my older pupils have gone into the forces?’
Ah, that was what had made him sound so depressed. ‘It will end one day and then you’ll have some, if not all, of your pupils back.’
‘But in what condition, and will they even be interested in music any longer after what they have been through? My delightful Lillia must be facing unimaginable horrors each day, her glorious voice silent. And you’ve sent my talented boy to get shot at in the air.’
‘Josh!’ he said sharply. ‘Stop this morbid talk. We are all caught up in this mess and are doing the best we can to end it, and that includes the twins. I know they are special to you, but have you thought how Sara is feeling – how every mother is feeling? They are dreading every knock on the door, and I didn’t send that boy anywhere. He was offered the chance to fly and took it willingly, and he’s a damned good pilot. Would you rather he was in the trenches? Do you know the survival time of a young officer there? No, of course you don’t, but I can tell you it is frighteningly short. He has a slightly better chance with his skill as a pilot of surviving longer.’
Joshua was looking at his family friend in astonishment. ‘Good heavens, I have never heard or seen you so angry. I do apologise for pouring out my selfish misery to you, and thank you. I needed to be shaken out of my troubled mood, and you have certainly done that.’
‘We have got to remain positive and believe that those we love will come out of this war relatively unscathed. If we let all hope disappear, then we are finished.’
‘You are absolutely right.’ Joshua’s expression cleared and he smiled. ‘When peace is finally declared the world will be hungry for music, and I shall be able to get the twins back where they belong. I will have a lot of work to do to bring them back to the standard needed for success. Let us enjoy a pleasant meal and push aside all thoughts of death and destruction for a while.’
Relieved to see Joshua back to his normal, cheerful self, they left the house.
‘What do you think about the visit Sara had by the police?’
‘You know about that?’ Alex asked.
‘I was there the other day and Cook told me. She said they were looking for a criminal and had been given that address. There was a lot of gossip among the staff, of course, and I don’t know how much of it was true. They don’t like the general, so that might have made them think he was up to no good. I’ve never had anything to do with him, but Sara is from a highly respected family, and the twins are fine youngsters. The police were obviously given the wrong information, which is a shame because it has caused unwanted gossip. That charming lady has enough to cope with without this.’
‘Yes, she has,’ Alex agreed. ‘I’m going to see if I can clear things up.’
‘Ah, I thought you might. Will your father help?’
‘I’ll ask when I see him. He might already know something about this man they are looking for.’
Joshua nodded. ‘It would be good to get the whole story and put an end to the speculation.’
‘I’ll do my best.’
‘You’re a good friend to them.’ Joshua gave Alex a concerned glance. ‘I hope that is all you are. That family is fragile enough without you adding another complication.’
‘Surely you know me better than that?’ he answered sharply. ‘I do not pursue married women.’
‘Of course you don’t. Forgive me but I am uncommonly fond of them.’
Alex took a deep breath. ‘Then they have two friends who are concerned about them.’
Chapter Nineteen
‘Are you replacement pilots?’ A harassed officer rushed up to them the moment they arrived.
‘Yes, sir,’ James told him.
‘Where are the others? I asked for six.’
‘We were the only two on the ship, sir.’ Lester studied the man carefully and concluded that he could only be the same age as them, but the lines of strain on his face made him look older.
He swore under his breath, and then smiled apologetically at them. The transformation was surprising as the age dropped off him. ‘My name is Colonel Preston, though we are very informal here and the pilots usually call me Preston. I run this station. You are badly needed and a welcome addition to the squadron.’
‘Thank you, sir. My name is Lester Holdsworth and my friend is James Anderson.’ They handed over their papers.
‘Sergeant!’ he called and the man appeared immediately. ‘Take these gentlemen to their quarters, and make sure they know where everything is.’
‘Sir.’
‘I’ll see you when you have settled in, and—’
The sound of a plane coming in caught their attention, and it was clearly in trouble. Without anyone needing to issue orders there was sudden activity all around them as men and vehicles rushed to the landing field. Lester and James ran with them as well, and everyone waited with baited breath as the plane dipped and swung from side to side, smoke pouring out of the engine.
‘Can you tell who it is?’ Preston asked the sergeant.
‘Jimmy Eldrich, I think, sir.’
‘I can’t see any sign of the other two.’
The sergeant scanned the sky. ‘They might have landed somewhere else.’
‘Let’s hope so.’
The plane hit the ground with force and tipped onto its side, the wings tearing up and breaking apart.
Preston caught hold of Lester and James as they made to run forward to help the stricken pilot. ‘Stay here! The rescue teams know what to do. I don’t want you injured before you’ve even flown a mission.’ Then he ran to the plane.
The pilot was pulled from the wreck and loaded into an ambulance which drew away at once.
The officer walked back to them with the sergeant. ‘That was only his second flight into the war zone, and I pray we haven’t lost the other two as well.’
‘Was he still alive, sir?’ Lester asked.
Preston nodded. ‘I doubt he’ll fly again, though. Go and s
ettle in to your quarters and then come and see me. After that I suggest you visit Saint-Omer this afternoon and relax after your journey. It’s an interesting place and this might be your only chance for a while. No alcohol though. I need you sharp and ready to fly tomorrow.’
‘Understood, sir.’
‘Wonder what he meant about this being our only chance to see the town?’ James asked as they followed the sergeant.
‘We’ll be kept too busy I expect, or he doesn’t consider our chances of surviving for long very good.’
James grimaced and asked the sergeant, ‘How long do pilots usually last?’
‘Depends on how good or lucky they are.’
‘Give us an example,’ James suggested.
‘The longest are still flying after nearly two years, the shortest two days.’ He turned his head and grinned at them. ‘But you seem like a couple of lively pilots and I expect to see you around for a long time.’
‘We intend to be because we are good and lucky. Also my friend is the best damned pianist you’ll ever hear, and he’s postponed his career as a concert pianist to fight this blasted war.’
‘Really, sir. I like a bit of classical music myself,’ the sergeant told them.
‘I’ll send you tickets for his first concert.’
‘I’ll keep you to that promise.’ The sergeant indicated two doors. ‘Those are your quarters. The dining room is on the ground floor and you can go there any time. They never close.’
‘That’s good to know because James is always looking for food,’ Lester joked.
‘Come back to the operations building when you’ve settled in and had something to eat.’
The rooms were small and sparsely furnished, but the beds were clean and comfortable. They had only brought the essentials so it didn’t take them long to unpack.
‘Shall we see what there is to eat?’ James asked as he wandered in to Lester’s room. ‘I think my stomach will take something now I’m off that blasted boat.’
They walked down the stairs and Lester gave him an amused glance. ‘What did you mean by offering the sergeant free tickets? Are you planning on being my agent?’
‘Of course I am. I’ve got good connections, and I’ll be part of your family when I marry Lillia.’
‘Does my sister know about this?’
‘Not yet. I can’t do anything about it until the war is over. It wouldn’t be possible with us miles apart, but it’s a foregone conclusion.’
‘When did you come to this … er … conclusion?’
‘I knew the moment I saw her.’
‘You do realise it wouldn’t be a comfortable roses-round-the-door kind of marriage, don’t you?’
‘Of course I do. She’s an artist and that is to be her life, but she will need someone by her side to love and support her, just as you will need Ruth.’
‘You are marrying me off as well? Don’t I even get a choice?’ Lester exclaimed. ‘We might not even survive this war. What we are going to do is damned dangerous.’
‘We are going to come through this – all four of us. I don’t believe in chance or coincidence. Everything happens for a reason, and you and Lillia are meant to have successful musical careers, and the four of us are meant to be together. Nothing can change that, not even the war. Just you hold on to that every time we take to the air.’
Lester shook his head in bemusement. ‘Your mind works in a strange way, my friend, but I hope you are right.’
‘I am, trust me,’ he grinned. ‘I am not going to die and leave your beautiful sister to someone else who might not look after her as well as I intend to. And you’ve got too much talent for it to be wasted in such a senseless way.’
‘For goodness’ sake, let’s get some food in you. I think you are light-headed from that sea trip.’
‘It isn’t my case.’ Alex’s father looked thoughtful after listening to his son’s account of the visit Sara had had from the police. ‘I can’t imagine they would visit such a prestigious address unless they were sure about their information. Come with me, I know someone who might be able to shed some light on this.’
Charles Stansfield was well known at the station they went to as he had worked there before being promoted to superintendent. He walked straight in; greeting people on the way to the man he wanted to see.
‘Ah, good, you’re here, Tony. This is my son and we need your help.’
The middle-aged man smiled at Charles and shook Alex’s hand. ‘Good to meet you, sir. What can I do for you?’
He listened intently while Alex explained, then said, ‘I do know of the case. We have known for a long time that there was a smuggling operation going on, but have only recently received some useful information, and the name of Barber as the head of the operation.’
‘What are they smuggling?’ Charles asked.
‘Up to now, anything that would make a profit, but with the outbreak of war they have changed tactics. We believe they are now concentrating on guns and explosives. There have been several reports of a few missing arms at ordinance depots around the country, though how they got in such heavily guarded places is a mystery.’
Alex drew in a deep breath. ‘Inside help, perhaps?’
‘That is being looked into. We caught one man breaking in to a clothing factory and he gave us some information about this gang, but not enough to make any arrests, as yet. He told us he was offered a job with them, but turned it down, and it was from him we got the Holdsworth address. We thought it might be one of the servants, but they have all been thoroughly investigated and cleared. That leaves the husband, and we have been unable to track him down. He never seems to be around and we need to question him so he can be eliminated from our enquiries – or not, as the case may be.’
‘How reliable is this informant of yours?’ Charles asked after seeing the look of shock on his son’s face. ‘My son is a friend of Mrs Holdsworth and her children. He will attest to their fine character.’
‘Indeed, I do. Your informant must be trying to lead you astray.’
‘That may be the case, sir, and we have challenged him about this, but he still insisted that the head of the group lives at that address. He said he knows because he followed him there one night to find out who he was.’
Alex shook his head in denial.
‘We have to follow up every lead, no matter how doubtful.’
‘I understand that, but knowing the family as I do, what I’m hearing is unbelievable.’
‘You say you know the lady and her children, sir, but do you also know General Holdsworth as well?’
‘I have never met him, and can’t vouch for his character,’ Alex had to admit. ‘I am only acquainted with his wife and children, but this can’t be right. He is a general.’
‘Is he, sir? I know this is hard for you to understand, but it is the only line of enquiry we have at this time, and must pursue it. No one in that household could tell us what kind of business he is involved in. The only activity anyone mentioned was import–export, and that could mean anything.’
‘Have you looked in to that?’ Charles asked.
‘We have. Before the war Holdsworth did ship in cargoes reported to be tea, spices and many household goods. Now most of the merchant ships are bringing in cargoes needed for the country. There is no evidence that he is still in business, but the name of Barber has appeared as the head of a group dealing in arms.’
‘I don’t see the connection,’ Alex said.
‘Neither do I.’ Charles pursed his lips. ‘If you suspect he is the same person and has just changed his name it is stretching things too far, in my opinion. If they are stealing arms, then who can they sell them to?’
‘Only a few guns have gone missing from the depots, and we believe they are now working the docks. We’re not sure who their buyers are, but we believe there would be a ready market for them.’
‘Again, the docks would be too well guarded, especially where military equipment is concerned,’ Charles protest
ed.
‘No security is foolproof. At first only small amounts were missing, and it was assumed the manifests were incorrect, but the items have increased. We’ve got to find these criminals and stop them. There is no telling who they are selling to.’
‘Do you have any concrete proof someone at that address is involved?’ Charles wanted to know.
‘None, and that is why we visited the house in the hope of clearing up this matter once and for all. We were prepared to interview everyone there and then turn our attention elsewhere, but we can’t find the man and his wife doesn’t know where he is, and that makes us suspicious.’ The policeman turned to Alex. ‘I must ask you not to divulge any of this to Mrs Holdsworth or her children. I met the son and he appeared to be a fine man.’
‘He is. I have had the pleasure of teaching him to fly, and his sister is a nurse at a military hospital.’
‘Then we mustn’t worry them with something that could turn out to be nothing but a pack of lies. We know our informant is only talking to us in the hope of receiving a reduced sentence, but he won’t name any of the other men involved.’
‘I would like to take an interest in this case,’ Charles told his friend. ‘Would you keep me informed of any progress?’
‘I’ll let you know the moment we have a break in the case. We’ve got every available man working on this and must get a break soon.’
‘There isn’t anything else we can do at the moment,’ Charles told his son when they left the station. ‘All we can do is wait and see what they come up with.’
‘You can phone me at Hendon if you hear anything.’
‘I’ll do that, and don’t worry, that informant doesn’t sound reliable to me.’
‘I expect you’re right, but I don’t like this at all.’
Chapter Twenty
‘Ah, you’ve seen the notice.’ Ruth stood beside Lillia in the nurses’ room and they both stared at the noticeboard.
‘I’ve already volunteered.’
‘Me too, but our families aren’t going to be happy about this.’
When the Music Stopped Page 14