by Ellen Dean
* * * * * * * *
Five in the morning, and they were up with the larks. Looking like an advert for Charlie’s Angels, the three girls swooped on Melton Manor.
Beth dropped Lindsay and Constance off at the back of the stables where there was a little used drive that couldn’t be seen from the main house. Then she parked nearby, waiting, worried to death about what they were doing and hoping she hadn’t messed up the layout plan she had drawn for them. Providing she had got it right, Lindsay would know exactly where to go. It should take them under an hour to do their search.
Lindsay and Constance synchronized watches then set off. Running, keeping low, Constance led the way through the grounds successfully finding the door near to the carp filled pond.
At first glance Lindsay thought it would be difficult to open, but with one good tug it swung back on well-oiled hinges. Interesting, she thought as they stepped inside, switching on powerful torches to light their way.
Meanwhile, Beth tried to pass the time by concentrating on Lou; they would be together again soon. If it wasn’t for this bloody carry on, she could have been on a plane today. She was aching to see her, but was filled with apprehension, and guilt, about what she herself had done.
Beth still couldn’t get to grips with the fact that Constance was an undercover police officer who had infiltrated H’s group and played her part like the professional she is. Hadn’t Constance tried to warn her off H in the first place, trying to keep her at a safe distance? How she wished she had listened to that friendly warning.
Beth checked her watch for what seemed like the millionth time. Only ten minutes had passed.
Her thoughts switched to Hyacinth. Beth’s fury had not abated. H had used her, watching and encouraging her coven in their sex games, using her as their object of desire, a human sex toy. She shook her head in despair, then banged her fists on the steering wheel. ‘Damn you, Hyacinth!’
Calm down, she told herself, feeling her blood pressure rise. Concentrate. Keep your mind block intact. Don’t let that witch in.
The minutes ticked by, it was over an hour now. They should be back. She checked her watch again. She decided to wait another ten minutes. If they had not come back by then, she would go and look for them.
Ten minutes later she climbed out of the car and ran swiftly through the grounds. At one point she nearly bumped into the gardener. Careful, Beth, she warned herself as she crept round the back of the house dodging between the trees and shrubs.
She remembered from her first visit here how Davinia had mentioned a tunnel hidden behind the dining room fireplace that came out somewhere in the garden. She wondered if Lindsay and Constance might turn up at that exit. Frantically she searched for something that resembled a doorway of sorts. Sighing with relief when she thought she had found it. She was wrong.
Beth closed her eyes and concentrated hard. She thought if she could use her telepathy with H, then perhaps she could use it with Lindsay.
In her mind she could see Lindsay and Constance, but only as shadows. They were trapped in a tunnel, unable to go backwards or forwards because their way was blocked both ways. The tunnel roof had caved in behind them and a solid door blocked the way forward.
When Beth opened her eyes, her instinct led her to a run- down building almost swallowed up by rhododendron bushes.
Going inside, Beth stepped carefully over twisted sheets of corrugated iron, trying to navigate a way through the nettles while avoiding the cobwebs that were hanging like net curtains.
Towards the back of the building an old fashioned mangle stood proud. Beth was pulled towards it. Struggling through the cobwebs that were trying to smother her, she made her way slowly forward until she was standing beside the mangle.
This old thing’s a relic. Must have been here forever, Beth thought as something vibrated beneath her feet. It took a few seconds for Beth to realize that she was standing on a trap- door, and so was the mangle.
Picking up the nearest piece of wood, Beth banged on the trap-door, praying it was Lindsay and Constance causing the vibration from underneath.
Morse code SOS sounded in response to Beth’s banging and she knew she had found them. She struggled to push the mangle out of the way, but it stood solid. Beth started to rock it back and forth and eventually succeeded in pushing it over giving her clear access to the trap-door. She grabbed the ring pull and wrenched the door open, releasing Lindsay and Constance from their prison.
‘How did you find us? No, never mind just get us out.’ Lindsay’s voice sounded hoarse. ‘This sodding place is a maze of tunnels, we took a wrong turn and the bloody thing started collapsing all around us.’
* * * * * * * *
‘Did you find what you were looking for?’ Beth said as they sat drinking coffee in her kitchen.
Constance answered, ‘No, not a thing.’ Her face was still streaked with dirt from the tunnel.
Lindsay remained silent, turning her head to gaze out of the window, deliberately avoiding Beth’s eyes. She had never been any good at lying to her. Eventually, she spoke, ‘We’ll have to leave it now. Let the powers that be take it on from here.’
There was no way she could tell Beth they had discovered an Aladdin’s Cave. Diamonds and cash had been carefully hidden behind some of the loose stones in the cellar walls. Of course they had to leave it all in situ. Lindsay was certain their find was only the tip of the iceberg. She wanted to be the one to bring H in for questioning, but she wanted to make sure she had every scrap of evidence it was possible to have against her. In short, Lindsay wanted to ensure that H went to prison for a very long time.
‘What about Hyacinth?’ Beth wanted to know.
Lindsay shrugged her shoulders. The phone rang and Beth got up to answer it in the hall.
‘Beth, is that really you?’ Lou said.
‘Who did you expect, the speaking clock?’
‘I’m glad to hear you still have your sense of humour.’
‘I think we are both going to need one, to survive.’ Beth desperately wanted to pour out how much she loved Lou, what a fool she had been, how she ached for her, needed to see her, but a terrific sense of guilt held the words back.
‘Did Lindsay tell you about the flight?’ Lou said.
‘Yes, she did.’
‘Will you come?’
‘I don’t know. There’s a lot going on here.’ Understatement.
‘Beth, I love you.’
‘I love you, too,’ Beth hesitated, ‘and I feel bad that I didn’t wait and give you a chance to explain.’
‘Vanessa did what she did on purpose. I don’t know why.’
‘I should have trusted you.’ How I would love to tell you that H set you up.
Chapter 50
Lindsay made sure Beth boarded the plane.
Beth hugged Lindsay tight before they parted, ‘Thank you for being the best friend in the whole world.’
‘You mean a lot to me, and I love you like a sister,’ Lindsay hugged her friend back. ‘Call me when you get there.’ She kissed Beth on the cheek.
On board, the flight attendant glanced at Beth’s ticket. ‘We have an empty window seat available if you would like it.’
‘No, thanks,’ Beth said, ‘I’ve just had my hair done.’ She laughed to cover her nervousness. She wasn’t a keen flyer.
Settled into her seat Beth glanced around at her fellow travellers. Not many people in first class. A member of the cabin crew was about to close the door when a young blonde girl burst into the cabin. Beth recognized her as Serena Gardener-Shaw.
The girl looked flustered, as if she had only just made the flight by the skin of her teeth. Then she paused and stood calmly, her shoulders slightly slumped and her eyes lowered, as if trying to be inconspicuous. With a smile that would charm the hardest of hearts she apologized graciously as she took the window seat across the aisle from Beth. That was a performance worthy of Hyacinth. Come to think of it, the girl bears an uncanny resemblance to H.
>
Once airborne Beth tried to strike up a conversation, ‘Excuse me, but have we met before?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘I’m sure we’ve met before, and your voice is so familiar. Have you ever been to Melton Manor?’
‘I’ve never heard of Melton Manor.’ Serena turned away from Beth to stare out of the window.
‘Sorry. My mistake.’
‘Forgive me, I’m very tired. I need to get some rest.’ Serena closed her eyes, clearly feigning sleep to end the conversation.
Restlessly Beth switched between trying to read her book, watching the in-flight film, and dozing.
As the plane taxied to a halt at LAX, Beth stood up to collect her hand luggage from the overhead compartment. Movement on the tarmac caught her attention.
‘My God! Look outside,’ she said to Serena, ‘there’s armed police waiting. I wonder what’s going on?’
‘I’ve no idea,’ Serena turned to look. ‘Oh fuck, I hope they’re not waiting for me,’ she mumbled under her breath.
She had nowhere to run. Her bright blue eyes became dark pools of fear when two officers, one plain-clothed, the other uniformed and carrying a gun, entered the cabin.
With a faint attempt at normality, she picked up her handbag, opened it and was about to reach inside when her wrist was grabbed by the uniformed officer and held rigid.
‘Looking for something, Miss?’
‘My lip gloss, officer.’
‘Serena Gardner-Shaw I am arresting you on suspicion of
diamond smuggling. You have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you.’
Beth watched in horror as the officer handcuffed Serena and escorted her off the plane into a waiting police car.
I knew it, thought Beth, she’s one of H’s minions.
Chapter 51
Beth loved Lou’s temporary Bel Air home, all sleek lines and marble, and the warm welcome the housekeeper gave her, especially the offer to run her a hot bath. She could certainly do with a long soak after eleven hours sitting on the plane.
Once she was alone Beth checked her watch and then picked up the bedroom telephone.
‘I am sorry, madam. I’m afraid it is not possible for you to speak to Inspector Powell,’ a reedy female voice told her.
The time difference! ‘It is imperative that I speak with Inspector Powell, this is Dr. McConnell. Please ask her to ring me on this number, regardless of the time.’ She repeated the telephone number twice and had the other woman repeat it back to her.
Beth went to soak in the bath to prepare herself for Lou.
Scented and ready, she lay on the bed. She was sleeping soundly when Lou returned from her day’s filming. Becoming conscious of cramp in her arm, Beth opened her eyes to see Lou’s lovely face close to hers.
‘Hello, sleeping beauty. Welcome to Los Angeles.’ Gathering Beth into her arms as if she were the most precious thing in the world, Lou kissed her passionately, words unnecessary.
Between making love, eating and sleeping, they lost the next forty-eight hours in a haven of bliss.
‘How about we hit Rodeo Drive today?’ Lou asked while they enjoyed an early morning swim.
‘Great. We can do some serious shopping. I’ve always wanted to do the Pretty Woman thing.’ Beth laughed as she floated on her back gazing up into the clear blue sky.
Over a poolside breakfast, Lou attempted to explain about Vanessa.
Beth didn’t want to go there. She had her own dark secret to resolve. Bending forward across the glass topped table she put her finger to Lou’s lips. ‘Shush now. I want to hear no more about it. We are here . . . together . . . and that is all I care about.’
‘But, Beth, sweetheart, I need for you to know I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I would never . . . ‘
Beth silenced her with kisses, ‘I know baby, I know.’
They spent the entire day shopping on Rodeo Drive. When Lou’s chauffeur came to collect them, Beth noticed a copy of the LA Times on the front passenger seat. The headline stood out.
Exposed: International Diamond Smugglers
Alongside the text was a photograph of Serena with the caption ‘Arrested at LAX.’
Beth asked the chauffeur if he was finished with the newspaper.
‘Sure am, ma’am. Take it with you.’
Beth reached for the paper. ‘Thank you.’ This will make interesting reading. ‘Lou, are you sure Lindsay hasn’t tried to get in touch with me?’
‘No, honey, she hasn’t. I’ve checked with the answering service myself.’
Back at the house she rang Lindsay’s home number, the answer machine kicked in.
‘You’d better ring me, you bastard. I want to know what’s going on. Serena Gardner-Shaw was arrested on my flight.’
Lindsay picked up the phone, ‘Hello Beth, how are you?’
‘What the fuck is going on?’ Beth demanded, struggling not raise her voice, not wanting Lou to hear the conversation.
‘There is nothing for you to worry about. It’s all been sorted out. Just enjoy yourself. How is Lou by the way?’
Lindsay’s attempt at general conversation was infuriating Beth. ‘LINDSAY!’
‘Okay, okay, keep your hair on. I’ll tell you.’
Half an hour later Beth walked into the state-of-the-art kitchen where Lou had started cooking the food left out for them by the housekeeper.
‘Everything all right, honey? You’re looking a bit off.’
‘Yes, fine. Thanks. I’m just a bit tired, sweetheart. Lack of sleep and too much sex. Probably all your fault.’ Beth chuckled.
The newspaper was lying on the kitchen bench. Lou pointed to it with a knife. ‘That girl . . . Serena Gardener-Shaw.’ She stabbed at the photograph. ‘Is the girl who had gone missing when we first met up in Yorkshire. What a coincidence.’
‘That’s where I’ve seen her before. On the news bulletin.’
‘Seems the police eventually found her. No wonder she went missing. Have you read this? Diamond smuggling of all things.’
‘Really? I haven’t read it yet.’ Beth said.
‘I think you should. Here, read it now.’ Lou pushed the newspaper along the bench towards Beth. ‘Would you believe it. Organized by a group of women.’
Obediently Beth took the newspaper, making a pretence of reading the article. Thankfully the food was ready and Lou dished up a delicious looking pasta concoction saving her from continuing the conversation. She would not be raising the subject again and quickly pushed the newspaper into a cupboard in the hope the “out of sight out of mind” saying would be effective on Lou.
Suddenly Beth lost her appetite. Pushing the food around her plate unable to eat, she felt an urgent need for fresh air.
‘There is something wrong. What’s up hun?’ Lou said.
‘Delayed jet lag I think. I’m sorry, you’ve gone to so much trouble, cooking, but I just can’t eat. I think I need some fresh air. Do you mind if we go out?’
Lou was surprised at the request to go out again because they had been out all day. But as far as she was concerned whatever Beth wanted was fine by her.
Sitting in Lou’s car in the deepening twilight they looked out over the Hollywood Hills watching the twinkling lights in the distance.
‘Beth, there is something I want to ask you.’
‘What?’
‘This is déjà vu . . . but . . . well . . . oh hell, here goes . . . ‘ Lou swallowed, her throat unexpectedly dry. ‘It’s like this,’ she took a deep breath, ‘I love you, and I hate being parted from you. Please come and live with me. I want us to be together more than anything else in the world.’
Flinging her arms around Lou’s neck Beth said. ‘Oh Lou, yes. I will come and live with you. I hate being without you, too. This time no matter what, nothing will stop us from living together.
’
Slipping off Lou’s jacket and the top that barely covered her breasts, Beth removed Lou’s wisp of a bra with one hand.
‘In my bag . . . a little vibrator.’ Lou said.
‘Talk about being prepared for emergencies!’ Beth giggled as she reached across for it. She set the vibrator on a slow speed and began to caress Lou’s breasts, rolling it in circular movements around her extremely aroused nipples.
Restricted in the front seats, they climbed into the back of the car. Beth’s fingers pushed between Lou’s legs touching her soaked panties, turning Lou on even more. She ran the vibrator across the inside of Lou’s thighs, before pulling her panties to one side and letting it hover above her bulging clitoris.
‘Beth. Please.’ Lou raised her buttocks urging Beth to slip the vibrator inside of her.
‘Soon, baby, soon.’ Beth whispered, tantalizing her some more before sliding it slowly in ensuring Lou would enjoy the full penetration.
As the vibrator slid into her, Lou’s fingers took control of Beth’s clitoris. Together their orgasms started to flow, waves of ecstasy carrying them into a crashing climax. Holding each other tightly they savoured the joy of riding them out together.
* * * * * * * *
Despite the great sex earlier in the evening, the sweetness of reconciliation and making plans to live together, Beth should have been in seventh heaven. Instead her conscience was far from clear. Visions of Hyacinth drifted in and out of
her mind, mixed with scenes from the grotto, and Fliss, Montanna and Lou were all floating in a star studded night sky wearing nothing but purple satin robes.
She sensed H trying to penetrate her mind. She sat up, in a hot sweat. I need air!
Lou stirred, ‘What’s up, babe?’
‘Nothing. You go back to sleep my love. I’m just going to get a drink.’
Wrapping herself in a long housecoat she stepped outside into the welcoming coolness of the night air, and went to sit by the pool.