The Phoenix Project

by Chrissie Loveday

  He was sitting with a small table beside him, typing away. He was annotating his list with numbers at the start of each item.

  ‘Right. Number three?’

  ‘I think that must have been Dennis’ demise. And then, Martha left.’

  ‘Right. I’ll make that three and four.’

  He typed those items.

  ‘Next?’

  ‘Do we count the hens or are they a part of Martha leaving?’

  ‘I’ll put them in. It was an event, after all.’

  ‘There were the people coming to clear out the farmhouse. Nothing really to do with us, though.’

  ‘No. I think the pilfering came next. The first robbery. We thought it was the travellers.’

  ‘OK. Write that down. Then there was discovering the body, when you were digging for the septic tank thing.’

  He typed number eight and wrote down the body.

  ‘Then we had another theft. The wood was taken and I then ordered fencing. We were taking turns to stay overnight at this point.’

  ‘How could I forget? You fell asleep and didn’t wake up. Didn’t we have notes left at this point?’

  Rosie nodded.

  ‘Martha was arrested. Then we had a few weeks of peace and were almost finished.’

  ‘And someone drove the digger into the back of the property. Heavens. When you see it all written down like this …’

  ‘Certainly makes you think.’

  ‘Wasn’t the farm sold somewhere in amongst all this?’

  ‘I’ll put it in next. Doesn’t really matter. I think Martha was released after that. Then I was pushed over the cliff. And here we are.’

  ‘You don’t think they are all connected, surely?’

  ‘No, not at all. Right, now we’ve got a proper list, we need to think of things that may be relevant.’

  ‘That’s the difficult bit. Someone obviously doesn’t, or didn’t, want me to build and live here. Too bad, I’m here now. If they ever thought any of their tricks would get rid of me, they didn’t know me. It just makes me more determined than ever. We haven’t mentioned the building plans. Nor Mr Tilbury. The more I think about it, the more I think he may be significant. The Truro Development company – does he work there? And my computer being hacked, and the most recent attack on my account.’

  ‘Haven’t quite got there yet.’

  He typed in the most recent events.

  ‘Wow, that’s actually a pretty impressive list. I think it’s amazing that we’ve got somewhere to live.’

  ‘Tenacity. That’s what it’s all about. And, aside from all this, there’s still the problem of my true parentage to consider.’

  ‘I thought you’d given up on them?’

  She thought for a moment.

  ‘Maybe I’ve pushed it into the background. Oh, I don’t know. How much do I really need to find them? Won’t I be distressed, if and when I discover who they are?’

  ‘Probably. I think if it were me, I’d want to leave it. Maybe better to forget who they might be. If you want to dream it could be someone special, go ahead. I think it may be unlikely, though.’

  ‘You’re right, of course. I’ll put it on the back shelf for a while longer. So what do you think? About the various problem events.’

  ‘I suspect we can divide it into different categories. For instance, suppose the robberies were down to the travellers. Nothing to do with the other stuff. As for Dennis’ murder, I’m not sure about that. Unless it was the Truro people wanting him out of the way. Not impossible.’

  ‘But would anyone go that far?’

  ‘I don’t know. I can’t believe it was anyone just breaking in there. There was never anything to steal, anyway. I bet the hens were killed because Martha couldn’t cope with them.’

  He thought for a moment.

  ‘I really think most of the troubles were caused by the people who wanted this land, to add to the rest they’d bought.’

  ‘I think you’re right. They are an unscrupulous lot aren’t they?’

  ‘But what do we do with our suspicions?’

  ‘I’m seriously thinking I should go and try working for them. See what I can find out.’

  ‘I’d really rather you didn’t.’

  ‘Why? I’m well enough qualified.’

  ‘It’s probably dangerous. And when you give them your name and address, they’ll immediately know who you are. Possibly why you’re there as well.’

  Rosie presented him with several arguments for, but he dismissed each one. Clearly, he didn’t want her working for them. They seemed to discuss the problem endlessly, until they eventually decided to talk to the detective who’d been to see them. They agreed to phone him the following day and try to convince him about their conclusions. Somehow, they needed to persuade him to look into the dealings of the Truro company.

  ‘I just hope we’re right. It would be awful if we accused them wrongly.’

  ‘I don’t know. I have a gut feeling it’s them who are responsible, probably for everything.’

  ‘Even the murder of Mr Danter?’

  ‘Well, yes. I think so. They wanted to make sure the property was up for sale and that was their chosen method.’

  ‘Maybe. I find it a bit strange, though. They are a professional company on the face of it.’

  Rosie felt worried.

  ‘And if they caused all the damage and thefts, well, that doesn’t seem very professional at all.’

  ‘But what do we know about them? They’re a new company and looking for their first job. And Jimmy wasn’t particularly the most trustworthy of the crew. I really should have seen this from the start.’

  Drew put his head into his hands and sat there looking miserable.

  ‘It strikes me you’re looking for a scapegoat. Maybe it is Jimmy behind everything, motivated by his brother’s company. Another reason not working there. But, for goodness’ sake, don’t say anything to the detectives. You don’t want to be sued for slander, or whatever it is.’

  ‘Perhaps I can push things along a bit,’ he said, brightening.

  ‘Just be careful. You’ve planted the seeds in his head and we can only wait and see what happens.’

  ‘You must promise me you won’t get involved. I really don’t want you mixing with people like that.

  Rosie stared at him.

  ‘I mean it. You are far too precious to me.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Of course you are. If it wasn’t for my blasted plaster, I’d show you. Just you wait, young lady. Once I’m free again …’

  ‘Oh, Drew.’

  ‘I heard what you said after the accident. That you loved me. I’ve never said anything before now in case it was just the emotion at the time. I’ve loved you since … well, ever since I’ve known you. I realised it right away.’

  She rose and went to sit on the arm of his chair, leaned over and kissed him. He put his arms round her and, slightly awkwardly, tried to embrace her.

  ‘Like I said, just you wait,’ he told her, embarrassed by the restrictions. ‘Now, I’m going to cook us something for supper. No, don’t protest. It’s time I was doing something and not just sitting around.’

  Rosie smiled and allowed him to get up. She knew he meant what he was saying and left him to it. She went into the study and switched on her computer. There was a message from the detective.

  “I’d like to call round this evening. I have some questions for you. Hope this is convenient?”

  She quickly typed in a message to say ‘of course’. She went into the kitchen and told Drew.

  ‘I wonder what he wants to ask us?’

  ‘Maybe he’s found out something. Can I do anything to help?’ she asked, as she watched him struggling.

  ‘Well, if you could chop these onions, that would be great. I can’t manage it, I’m afraid.’

  ‘What are you making?’

  ‘I was doing a risotto, on the assumption I would not need to peel potatoes. I’d forgotten about
onions and other ingredients. Sorry!’

  ‘I can chop onions. I can also chop up chicken and anything else you want to use. Let’s make it a team effort. That way, we might eat before midnight,’ she teased.

  ‘Cheek! We can easily be ready by eleven o’clock.’

  Things had changed between them. They had always had a good relationship and worked well together, but now it all took on a different significance. Little things seemed more important and they smiled at each other much more. They ate their meal and went to sit in the lounge to wait for the detective to arrive. He came in and accepted their offer of coffee.

  ‘So, what did you want to ask us?’ Drew was anxious to know.

  ‘I wanted to clarify exactly what happened when Mr Danter was killed.’

  They recalled the events of that day, including the visit on the next, when they found the birds slaughtered.

  ‘And at that time, Martha had disappeared?’

  ‘Yes. We thought she must have killed the birds in her own frenzy at leaving them. She must have thought they’d starve or something. Goodness, it was so horrible! We’ve still got four of them. They’d survived the trauma somehow and so we brought them here. The officers who came to deal with the rest thought it was all right.’

  ‘Of course. And the rest of the animals were taken away?’

  ‘Yes. I don’t know where they went to but assume it was all organised somehow.’

  ‘I believe they went to a family member who has a small holding.’

  ‘You know, I don’t think Martha killed him. It seems unlikely, anyway.’

  ‘No. You’re right. She was proven innocent and let out of jail. But I’ve been looking at the company in Truro. Still under investigation, of course, so keep it to yourselves.’

  They both nodded and muttered their agreement.

  ‘You may well be right about them. They don’t seem to have any real credentials. They bought the farm with an offer before the auction. The vendors agreed to it, under some sort of pressure. We’re looking into that aspect. They’ve put in to the planning department for a large number of houses and that is under consideration.’

  ‘Yes, we looked at the council’s page and saw that.’

  ‘Yes, well what the council will make of it, we just have to wait and see. I have a gut feeling that the company isn’t up to the challenge of building an estate of this size, even if they do get approval.’

  Rosie voiced her doubts.

  ‘But do you really believe they would go to these lengths … murder and attempted murder? And all the thefts and damage that was done? I somehow can’t believe it.’

  ‘The thefts were, we’re fairly certain, done by the travellers.’

  ‘We did wonder about that.’

  ‘Anyway, we’ve done what we promised. You’re now up to date with our progress. Now, do have an address for Jimmy?’

  ‘He lives in the village. I’m not sure of his actual house number.’

  ‘No worries.’

  ‘We gave him his wages each week, as we did with all our people, so we’ll have him on file. I hope that doesn’t infringe any rights? It was all legal as far as we were concerned.’

  ‘I’m not worried about that. I simply want to put a watch on him for a while. See exactly what he’s up to.’

  ‘What’s your name, by the way? I’m afraid it didn’t register when you came before. And we can’t keep calling you ‘the detective’.’

  ‘I really don’t mind. But it’s Damian Hargeaves. Now you know why I don’t object being called ‘detective’!’

  They sat contemplating the latest developments, after the detective had left, neither of them saying anything. Rosie was concerned about any accusations being made without proper proof and Drew was worried that he was still so handicapped by his injuries. He felt so helpless and it wasn’t at all like him. He was a real go-getter and hated just having to sit still. At last he spoke.

  ‘I’m going slowly mad. I have to do something.’

  ‘What exactly?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know. Maybe I could find out something by looking on the Internet. Perhaps make some calls. I could ring Jimmy and ask for his help. I might pick up something that could help.’

  ‘I think that could be pretty risky. Unless … unless maybe I called him. I could think of something to ask him to come round. If you stayed in your room and I didn’t let on that you’re living here. Perhaps I could imply that you’ve been sent away to a convalescent home or something. Make out that you were so badly damaged, there’s no hope for you.’

  ‘Well, thanks a lot. I hope that isn’t what you’re really thinking!’

  ‘Idiot! Course not. Let’s leave things to simmer for a bit. I might go to bed now. Not sure if I’ll actually sleep much but I can give it a go.’

  ‘OK. I’ll stay here for a while longer. I can manage myself of course, so don’t worry.’

  ‘Night, night then. See you in the morning.’

  She hesitated and then leaned over him and kissed him passionately. He gasped at the unexpected force of it.

  ‘Wow! Wasn’t expecting that.’

  ‘No. Well, that’s me. Always unexpected.’

  She smiled and touched him gently as she left the room.

  She, too, was fed up with his injuries and wanted to move on to the next stage in their relationship. She lay awake, thinking about her plan. She already had Jimmy’s phone number and could easily call him. But what could she ask him to do? Then she had it. Might be dangerous and she wouldn’t tell Drew her scheme She could ask him to come and do some landscaping in the garden. She would flirt with him a little and perhaps get him in a relaxed state. It was a daring idea but the more she thought about it, the more confident she felt. At last, she fell asleep and didn’t wake till almost nine the next day.

  ‘Oh, you’re up at last,’ Drew said as she went into the kitchen. ‘I’ve made coffee and toast’s in the toaster ready for you.’

  ‘Great, Thanks. I could get used to this sort of service.’

  ‘It’s not the only thing I’d like you to get used to. Come here.’

  He held out his arms to her and she moved in closer, to be encircled by them. His kiss was surprisingly gentle – until he lost his balance and fell back against the work top.

  ‘Dammit. Can’t even kiss the woman I love without falling over.’

  She smiled at him.

  ‘Carry on loving me. It won’t last forever. Your injury, I mean, of course. Do you really love me?’ she added.

  ‘Course I do. Should have thought that went without saying.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Just that. Thank you for caring.’

  He blushed and looked away.

  ‘I’ve been thinking about Jimmy. I have a plan I think will work.’

  ‘Well, I’ve been thinking too, and I don’t want you to get involved at all. The more I think about it, the more certain I am that it was Jimmy who pushed me over the cliff. It all makes sense. If he is connected with the Truro company, and we already know his brother works for them, it all makes sense. Everything, including the digger damage, could be down to him.’

  ‘So, I’ll tell you my plan.’

  ‘I don’t want to hear it. I really don’t want you in danger.’

  ‘Now you’re being ridiculous. I know you mean well but this is going to work.’

  He scowled at her but she continued.

  ‘I’m going to call him and ask him to come here and discuss landscaping the garden. Tricky landscaping that is. Paths and maybe a rockery. I’ll talk to him in here. I can tell him your sad story and that you’ve been sent to a convalescent place, somewhere. Suggest there’s little hope for your recovery.’

  ‘Well, thanks a bunch.’

  ‘You’ll be staying in your room for all this. He mustn’t know you’re here. I’m sure I can get him to make some sort of slip up. I can be very careful in what I say.’

  ‘I
don’t like it at all. Look at what he’s done and don’t be foolish.’

  ‘I’ll make some more toast,’ was her only response.

  ‘Rosie, …’

  ‘I must go and feed the hens.’

  ‘So, I’ll watch your toast, shall I?’

  Chapter 13

  Rosie went down to the village later that morning and, while she was there, she called Jimmy on her mobile.

  ‘Hello, Jimmy? How are you?’

  ‘All right. Who is this?’

  ‘Rosie. You know, you helped build my bungalow.’

  ‘Oh. Yes.’

  ‘I’m in a bit of a pickle,’ she said innocently. ‘I wondered if you might be able to help me.’

  ‘Depends.’

  ‘I really need some work doing at the bungalow. Could you call round sometime to see me? I can explain it all better if you’re here.’

  ‘Erm … well, yes. All right. When do you want me to come?’

  ‘When are you free?’

  ‘I can come this evening, if you like. What is it you want?’

  ‘I’ll explain it when I see you. Thank you so much for agreeing to come round. I really need someone to help, since Drew … well, since he’s gone.’

  ‘Gone? How do you mean?’

  His voice was sharp as he took on board what she was saying.

  ‘They were talking about a convalescent place somewhere. They seem pretty doubtful about him. Sorry. Look, I’ll see you this evening. About six-thirty?’

  ‘OK. See you then.’

  She went back home and told Drew what she’d done.

  ‘He’s coming about six-thirty. I’ll clear away your stuff if that’s OK and … well, I was thinking … if you can set up some sort of recorder? It might be useful, if he says anything incriminating.’

  ‘You’ve really thought this through?’

  ‘I think so. If it doesn’t turn out, you can always come through and clobber him with your crutches.’

  She was trying to make him laugh, but it didn’t work.

  ‘I don’t like it. He’s a dangerous criminal. Think what he’s done to me. You’re recklessly putting yourself into what could be real danger.’

  ‘I don’t think so. You’ll be in the house all the time ready to protect me – if I need protection, that is. You can down him with your crutches, I’m sure. I’ve hinted at you being sent away somewhere to recover and told him it doesn’t look hopeful. So, you’ll have to be very quiet.’