‘Do you know what Alex would like?’ Hugh asked.
Tony looked around. ‘Where is she?’
‘Lady’s loo?’ Hugh said, sounding puzzled. ‘Where did she say she was going? She came in with you, didn’t she?’
‘No.’ He didn’t have to search around to know he wouldn’t find her there.
Hugh slid the Scotch across the bar.
Tony felt disoriented. ‘Alex isn’t here? Where did she go?’
‘She said she had errands but that was hours ago. You called looking for her and I assumed the two of you had met up.’
Tony took out his mobile and called Lime Tree Lodge, although it didn’t make sense for her to be up there with her vehicle behind the pub. She wouldn’t be likely to go for long walks in the dark, not with the possibility of a murderer running around the area. There was no answer on the phone and he didn’t leave a message. Next he tried her mobile. She didn’t pick up and it didn’t go to messages. ‘Lily. You haven’t seen her either?’
‘She’d already left when I came in.’ She pressed her lips into a tight line. ‘Did she take Bogie? No, of course she didn’t, he’s in the restaurant.’
‘Let’s calm down,’ Doc James said. ‘We’ll run through her movements, or what we know of them. Hugh, she must have taken her car.’
‘No, it’s still in the yard.’
Tony punched in Alex’s mobile and home numbers again, waited for the answer machine to come on each time and rubbed a hand over his face. He slid from his chair and hurried to the restaurant. Lying down, head on paws, Bogie swiveled his eyes to see him. The dog didn’t get up or show signs of wanting to go out. But he whimpered softly.
SIXTEEN
With her arms tightly crossed, Alex paced back and forth. She couldn’t believe she’d been locked in.
No, she was locked in, but it didn’t have to have happened deliberately. The flat grew dimmer. Darkness had well and truly fallen outside. She took a deep breath. ‘Pull yourself together.’ One by one, she switched on lights. If nothing else, someone might notice Harry’s place was lit up like a Tesco’s. She found herself hoping the major would come home but he was probably dug in at the Dog until closing.
Unless there was a phone behind one of the locked doors she had to think Harry did what so many did now and lived with just a mobile.
The sound of a key turning in the lock on the padded door jolted through her and she spun to watch it swing open. She dropped her hands to her sides, and deliberately relaxed her face. Fear had power, especially if you let it show.
Harry came in looking sleekly professional in a gray pinstripe suit, white collar, a gray and blue silk tie. ‘Hello, Alex,’ he almost sang out, and cheerfully. ‘I went in to see Mama but she’d left a note to say she was going out and you were here.’
‘Yes.’ She breathed through her mouth.
He looked back at the door and frowned. ‘How did you get in?’
‘Your mother brought me through that door. She must have locked it without thinking when she left me here.’
‘But you tried it? You wanted to get out?’ His face settled into a hurt expression. ‘You wanted to leave before I got back?’
These people were no less odd than she’d decided already. ‘No! I just wanted to call the Dog and let them know I’d be later than I expected, but I must have dropped my phone somewhere. Your mother insisted I wait for you.’
‘Black and white phone?’ he said and when she nodded, added, ‘There’s one like that on a table in the front hall.’
‘Good,’ she said. So why hadn’t Venetia, and supposedly she’d been the only one left in the main part of the house, why hadn’t she brought it back to her – unless she had deliberately knocked her off balance and taken the phone then? The housekeeper wouldn’t have just put it on a table before leaving. ‘I looked for your phone but apparently you don’t believe in them.’
He laughed almost under his breath. ‘Got the good old mobile.’ He patted an inside pocket in his jacket. ‘But there’s one in my bedroom. I’d have forgiven you for taking a look. No skeletons in my cupboards.’
Muscles tightened in her jaw but she didn’t tell him she’d already tried and found all his doors locked.
‘I’m … well, I couldn’t have hoped to find you here but I’m glad,’ Harry said. ‘How super. Come and sit with me. It’s time we got to know each other again – it’s been years since we had a real talk.’
He held her arm just above the elbow, tighter than necessary she thought, and walked her into the library – Venetia style. ‘Bless that mother of mine. I see she poured you something.’ He lifted the sherry glass and his nose wrinkled. ‘God, she lives in the dark ages. Ladies still only drink sherry on such occasions, just because she does.’
‘It was sweet of her,’ Alex said, thinking there was not much about Venetia Stroud that was ‘sweet.’
‘But you like a good cognac. I remember that. There’s something about a woman with a nose for my favorite poison. Sit. I’ll find something special for you.’
She started to protest, but it was to his back. She sank to sit on the nearest chair.
He stood and placed an extraordinary scalloped bottle on his bar trolley. ‘Cuvée is the best I can do,’ he said with something close to a giggle. And he splashed generous pours of deep gold liquor into two glasses.
Alex had to stop herself from gaping and rather hoped he’d decanted something less expensive into a Camus bottle.
She took the glass with raised eyebrows, sniffed the contents, swirled and sniffed again before tasting. No expert, she still knew when she was drinking something exquisite. ‘My goodness,’ she said, clearing her throat. ‘Velvet and fire. Wonderful. I’ve never tasted anything like it.’ That was true but there was too much in the glass and she wanted to leave as soon as possible. She toyed with making up something banal to get her out of there.
‘There are very few women who should have nothing but the best, Alex. I’ve always known you were one of them. If Bailey-Jones hadn’t beaten me to the punch … well, he did, but he’s not in the picture now.’
Aghast, Alex felt her cheeks color and let her eyes wander over small pieces of modern art she didn’t know or care about. A glass-fronted bookcase was filled with what she wouldn’t be surprised to find were valuable first editions.
‘You have some beautiful things, Harry.’
‘I’ve embarrassed you.’ He sat on the floor beside her, one knee raised and his glass balanced on top. ‘You were always a shy little thing. But you’ve overcome so much from the past to make a life for yourself.’
He was patronizing her and she hated it. Did he really think this was a visit intended to spark some sort of liaison between them? She drank again, being careful to take very little. ‘As I told your mother earlier, I enjoy living and working here in Folly,’ she said evenly. ‘That’s why I came back. I never thought I’d overcome such a lot – apart from a divorce, and I’m fine about that. Or was it something else you thought I’d overcome?’ Like humble beginnings.
He patted her thigh, let his hand rest there and stared earnestly into her eyes. ‘Word spreads. You’ve dealt with more than any woman should have to bear and come through with your head high, thank God.’
‘Thanks.’ What was she supposed to say to that?
Harry removed his hand from her leg. ‘Alex, you’ve thrown yourself into life again and you’ve made some huge decisions. Buying the Dog was a gutsy move. You haven’t given yourself time to rest and balance yourself.’
Balance herself?
‘I don’t want to upset you,’ he said, ‘but the girl I knew when we were kids wouldn’t want to cause trouble for other people. Not if she was herself.’
‘Stop right there, Harry. What are you suggesting?’
‘Shh. Don’t excite yourself. I’m a good friend, remember. Look, I’ve got a wonderful idea. Why don’t you stay here with me, at least for a while, and give yourself a chance to think through wha
t’s happened and what it’s done to you.’
His handsome face, the concern that looked genuine, almost made her think she’d misunderstood, but when she returned his stare, he blinked rapidly and his eyes slid away for an instant.
‘You’ve got to be joking,’ she told him. ‘I’ve got a full and satisfying life. In the past few months I’ve had some sickening experiences, but I’m just fine, thanks.’
‘Why are you here?’ he snapped, the sympathetic smile wiped away. ‘What are you trying to do? Do you have any idea what you put Vivian Seabrook through? What has she ever done to you?’
Alex gaped.
‘Nothing to say? I’m not surprised. You should be mortified and if I have my way you’ll get your head on straight and stop causing trouble for decent, innocent people.’
She gathered herself. ‘This is mad. All of it. When did you and Vivian become buddies? I haven’t done anything to either of you.’ But she had strong suspicions about Harry and she’d been a fool to come here alone. ‘I’m sorry I’ve interrupted your evening but I need to get back to work.’
‘I’ve done this all wrong.’ He worked off his jacket and threw it on the green chair, pulled off his tie and tossed it on top. ‘Let’s settle down and talk sensibly. I lost my temper and I shouldn’t have. Pamela and I were friends – that’s no secret, but we were a convenience to each other, nothing more. She was older than me.’
‘So what? If you were older than her, she’d still be dead.’ And if Pamela had been older than him, it couldn’t have been by much.
‘You’re not helping me out here. Losing Pamela is a blow, but I’ve got to think about myself now. Having you and Tony Harrison spreading rumors about me is dangerous. I don’t deserve that, Alex.’ He stood and looked down at her. ‘That detective thinks the sun shines out of your arse – after the last mess, he believes anything you say. For some reason they decided you were a heroine. But that was something different. It was all about Folly and old issues. This is obviously a random killing by a maniac.’
‘I want to go, Harry. You sound unhinged.’ And she knew her mistake as soon as the words were out of her mouth. She went on quickly. ‘I don’t blame you for being so upset. She was a close friend and now she’s been snuffed out. Just like that.’
The silence that followed unsettled her more than his accusations and weird suggestions.
‘Don’t waste that cognac,’ he said, beginning to pace. He swallowed some of his own, then some more. ‘You don’t have your car here.’
‘I walked. It’s not far. I came on a whim because I haven’t had a chance for a private word with you since this all started.’
‘And you’ve decided I’m a murderer,’ he shouted, chopping the side of his hand onto her shoulder for emphasis.
Rubbing aching bone, Alex stood and tried to move away. He opened his fist and held her where she was.
‘That hurt,’ she told him. ‘You’re not sober. Let me go. Now.’
‘I don’t think so,’ Harry said. ‘Perhaps I’ll get those detectives over here and have you tell them what you believe about me. And while you’re at it you can apologize for maligning Vivian just because you don’t like her. You can tell them you took what she said about the horse and twisted it. Obviously they’ve already figured out she told the truth but you can back her up. That’s the only way I can see for you to show how sorry you are.’
‘Tripe,’ she snapped. ‘I don’t know what you’re up to and I don’t want to know.’
Taking her by the shoulders, he shook her hard. ‘Don’t lie to me, you little bitch. You never did know your place and you don’t now. Money doesn’t buy class and don’t you forget it.’
He was pathetic, but he scared her. Alex kept her voice even and controlled. ‘You aren’t yourself, Harry. You were never a spiteful kid like so many of them were.’ She had nothing to lose by pushing her original excuse for being here. ‘Venetia asked me why I came and I told her. I think it’s unfair that some people are putting about some absurd innuendoes about you and I wanted you to know that.’
So much time ticked by that she started to panic inwardly.
‘You’ve always been one of the good ones,’ he said in a low voice and pulled her against him, wrapping her in his arms. ‘I’m sorry, Alex. This has been a bloody hard time for me and nothing seems to be getting any better. I was too hasty about you and I should have known better. You were a little love as a kid and you still are. Forgive me?’
He held her away just enough to look into her face. Quickly, she nodded, keeping her face at a difficult angle in case he tried to kiss her. She couldn’t help shuddering.
‘Are you cold, sweetheart?’ He rubbed her back and she felt light-headed.
‘I did this to you and I’m sorry. I’ve been out of my mind with worry about what’s gone on and why. I’m going to look out for you, Alex, just like I did when we were kids.’
‘Thank you.’ He horrified her. ‘I’m fine now. What I need is another walk in the fresh air. But you’ve been wonderful, Harry, and I won’t forget it.’ And she never would.
‘It’s dark,’ he told her. ‘Let me drive you.’
‘It’s not that late and I’m a night person. I enjoy it. They’ll expect me back at the Dog. Bye, Harry, and thanks for everything.’
He managed to look incredibly sad but held the door to the house open for her. ‘If you insist. Don’t forget your phone on the hall table.’
‘I won’t,’ she said and set off through the dim house, grateful for her excellent sense of direction.
‘I’ll be watching you, dear Alex.’ Harry’s voice started her running.
Several times she paused to think about the direction she took. She’d been preoccupied by Venetia when she came up and now a corridor or set of steps didn’t seem familiar. Alex pushed on.
If she got out safely she would never, ever, put herself in such a position again. She had a fleeting recollection of a previous occasion when she’d made such a promise. She had better have learned her lesson this time – if she got out in one piece.
Her heart hammered in her throat.
She arrived at another landing and realized the stairs to the main floor lay ahead. Swallowing sobs of relief, she rushed downward, holding the banister, taking two steps at a time.
And caught a heel in the carpet. She crashed down the last three stairs to the slate tiles in the hall.
SEVENTEEN
More than anything, Tony wanted to call the police, or at least O’Reilly. They’d been through tough times together. Under all the detective tough, Dan was human and should feel the same desperation Tony felt.
Not for twenty-four hours, his father had insisted despite Lily’s pleading and Tony’s wavering.
If he didn’t find her or hear from her within the hour, he was going to O’Reilly and damn the twenty-four-hour rule for missing persons. A hell of a lot could happen in that time. Life only took an instant to snuff out.
Driving to the ruined manor in Alex’s vehicle took all the guts he had and then some. The thought of checking that shaft again turned his hands white-knuckled on the wheel. And if Alex … A shape caught his eye and he jumped, but it was only the sharp outline of the folly the town was named after coming into view. High on the hill behind the Dimple, Tinley Tower, or the Tooth as locals called it, was a grim sight. Fallen away in parts, it poked ragged points into a sky suddenly bloodstained purple. As children, they’d all spent a lot of time playing in and around the once fanciful folly, whole only in engravings today.
He hadn’t thought that signs of a crime scene would still be there, but the tapes flapped with a light still illuminating the top of the shaft. The truth was he wasn’t thinking clearly about much tonight. Of course it was still a crime scene. A TV van was parked, nose in, and he could see figures in the front seat with binoculars trained on the scene. Even at a distance he could make out a copper lounging in a chair and activity around the base of the drum tower. SOCO was working around
the clock, Tony supposed, his heart lifting just enough in relief to urge him into making a U-turn and driving back to the main hill road where he turned left toward Underhill. He didn’t want to disturb the policemen with questions that were bound to raise eyebrows, but he was glad to see the men there since they would keep anyone with evil intent away.
Abruptly, nausea doubled him over the steering wheel. He pulled to the side of the road for a moment, just to settle down. If he could take in a complete breath it would help.
After checking Alex’s room at The Dog kept primarily for weather emergencies when it was safer not to drive into the hills, Lily had gone to Corner Cottage to make sure she wasn’t there. She wasn’t.
Tony had driven a circle, physically checking Lime Tree Lodge to which he had a key. Tony even went to his own house before carrying on.
Where would he go next?
The cottages of Underhill lay ahead.
Lights showed, dim through lace-curtained windows. A bulb kept on all night above a shop window picked up the words: ‘Millers’ Groceries and Sundries,’ which meant they carried a little of everything. The people here were decent and hard working. Too bad there were those in Folly who needed someone to look down on.
Through the village and up a rise, he went. ‘Alex, where are you, dammit.’ If he were honest with himself he’d admit she was too impulsive. Well, she was, but what could she have done to put herself in an awkward – a dangerous – position? And his gut told him that’s what she had done. When she left him earlier, she had made sure he got the message that she was an independent woman.
He hadn’t a clue where she might have gone.
On the last run down toward Folly itself he felt the unmistakable spear of helplessness. Sweat broke on his forehead and between his shoulder blades. She had some sort of sixth sense. Nothing definite like seeing apparitions, but premonitions. He wished to hell he’d get some guidance and he didn’t care where it came from.
Past the few large homes on the downward run, he went, and speeded up as the rest of Folly came into sight.
Out Comes the Evil Page 11