by David Smith
‘Don’t worry, Jade is a professional photographer that I work with and my partner. I need her to get some initial images so I can work out the form. She’ll be quick,’ said Claudia, laughing. She had heard his words. ‘But I’m not sure what she would think about your professions of love – she might even be a little jealous.’
The new woman called Jade nodded to her. God, she is gorgeous as well, thought Hugh. She offered him a cup of tea.
‘You can put your shirt back on, Jade’s got what I need for now and they’ll be closing up the front of the house soon.’
There in contemplation of you I stood
Face that tells a story of form and art.
Womanly perfection, temper too good
The stone you carve is fashioned by your heart
All your words cut and sharpened like a dart.
Take time to feel the world as we connect.
Now vulnerable and modest I start,
To grow in humility and accept,
Imperfection in love, from lust and pride protect.
*
The receptionist of the Holly Hotel did as they had promised and rang me as soon as Pearl returned to the hotel so we made our way there as quickly as we could. Pearl had returned to her room, but frustratingly Hunter asked me to wait at reception and went alone to meet her.
*
He knocked at her door.
‘Miss Taylor, sorry to disturb you, but I wondered if you had a minute?’
‘Inspector, what a nice surprise this is. Of course I have, but I really wasn’t expecting a visitor and I’m packing up. Sorry this room is in a bit of a mess. Please come in but can you give me a minute to tidy up?’
He nodded and followed her into the living room of her suite discreetly after a few seconds. He noticed she had gone straight for a package on her desk.
She pushed past him, smiling as sweetly as ever, with the package in her hands, which she placed in the room safe. He heard her tap seven digits into the keypad, which interested him immediately as most people would only use four digits when they were locking a hotel safe.
‘Just family jewellery,’ she said. ‘Anyway, Inspector, how good to see you again so soon.’
‘I’m sorry to bother you but there have been some more developments this morning in our murder case, I understand you have been out and about this morning and wonder if you saw anything on your travels.’ He was aware that she was watching his face carefully as he was speaking.
‘Oh dear, I’m afraid not, Inspector. My purpose in visiting your town was just to meet up with an old friend. I did that this morning and although I am only too aware of the terrible incidents from our conversation last night, I am afraid I have seen nothing myself of any significance, in fact those events have not troubled me at all.’
‘I see, well that’s reassuring,’ he said coolly. ‘By any chance, would that old friend happen to be a Mr Arthur Troyte? It appears you share at least a similar sounding name, Troyte, Detroit?’
Pearl was somewhat surprised by the question. It appeared the Inspector had made a connection more quickly than she had expected. She maintained a completely straight face, however, showing no hint of recognition.
‘Indeed, well, no I do not enjoy personal relations with the gentleman, I have to say.’ Hunter could read nothing at all into her poker face at this point. He also wondered at the nice use of the word personal. No facial or verbal signs that she was lying. She is very good, he thought.
‘It’s just that it is such a coincidence. He’s American and so are you, you have similar sounding names, he’s staying not a quarter of a mile from this hotel and apparently you both arrived on the same train yesterday morning. You understand why I would want to check that out.’
She laughed. ‘Inspector, I agree those are indeed coincidences and indeed neither of our names is a common name, but although all Americans are supposedly brothers and sisters under God, I am afraid I am not intimately acquainted with all of them and certainly none that I know of in this lovely town of yours. As you may be aware, I was named by my mother after the city of my birth – Detroit; and the town of my conception – Taylor. I agree that my middle name Detroit sounds spookily similar to that of your Mr Troyte but beyond that I’m afraid we have no connection.’
‘That’s perfectly fine, Miss Taylor. I’m just checking all avenues, you understand. We are trying to unravel an unfortunate incident that occurred earlier today.’
‘Intriguing, you must tell me more.’
‘I am afraid I can’t at the moment. You do understand, I hope, that I have to follow up anything unusual.’ He paused and then continued. ‘By any chance in your travels around our town did you happen to go up to the beacon at Newbold Comyn?’ Again the Inspector had surprised her with this question.
‘Well, Inspector, I believe the carriage ride I took yesterday took me there, yes but why do you ask?’ she asked, looking puzzled.
‘And did you happen to see the Toposcope?’
‘Yes I did, it was splendid and indeed that name Toposcope is such an interesting albeit unfamiliar word. Unfortunately the view was obscured by mist yesterday, I understand on a good day you can see for miles.’
‘Indeed, things were a little clearer when I was there earlier.’
‘I am very glad about that, Inspector. Your powers of observation are somewhat legendary.’
‘Anyway, it’s no matter, but just one more question if I may. Do you have any naval connections by any chance?’
Pearl feigned puzzlement for the second time.
‘Well, yes my father was a sea captain.’
‘And are you familiar with semaphore, you know, the language with flags that is used to signal at sea?’
‘Well I suppose I have a passing acquaintance, but no more than that.’
‘That’s helpful to know and regarding the naval connection, does that also explain the significance of the name Pearl, if I may enquire?’
‘Good God, Inspector, does your vast knowledge even extend to the Pearl Incident?’
‘You mean Pearl Harbor?’
‘Ah no,’ she laughed. ‘Then I have you at a disadvantage. That is indeed another ‘Pearl’ date, which is certainly a day that will live in infamy, but it’s not the one I’m referring to. No, I mean the nineteenth century Pearl Incident. It was a slave ship that was captured during the Civil War period, that’s the one I’m named after. Uncle Tom’s Cabin and all that. It’s maybe another one for your pretty young researcher?’
*
She nodded at me, as I had now joined them. I indicated to Hunter that I needed to speak with him. Seeing this, Pearl checked her watch. ‘Oh my, is that the time? Sorry but I must be getting on, Inspector, I have one or two further errands before I have to leave this evening and you obviously have more pressing things to attend to.’
‘Of course, we won’t detain you any longer, Miss Taylor, but it would be helpful if you could let us know of your whereabouts in the coming days.’
‘Of course, I will leave the address with the hotel. Well I hope I’ve told you what you want to know. Please keep in touch, Inspector, and I would be even more delighted if you’d come to a concert I am going to give next month in London. Perhaps I can send you the details and some complimentary tickets?’
‘Thank you, you have been most generous with your time, Miss Taylor. And I’d love to come to your concert – as you know I am a great fan of yours.’
‘That is most kind, Inspector. Now, talking of names, you never told me your own full name for the invitation.’
‘Hunter.’
‘Come on you can do better than that, I was asking about your first name?’
I grinned as I watched this interchange unfold; I was quite enjoying seeing Hunter given a run for his money like this for a change.
‘Well as you seem to like puzzles, maybe I’ll leave you with my personal favourite clue to my first name: in summer a golden breath of wind revolves around us.’
Hunter laughed along with her politely. He realised that she had just set him a cryptic clue from some of the key words she used and his mind was already trying to solve the puzzle she had posed. I scowled at him ferociously now and he noticeably reddened.
‘I will certainly think that one over,’ he said. ‘Did you write that one down, Penny?’
*
‘What do you think, Sir?’ I asked as we left the hotel.
‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘She’s certainly a cool customer. I’m still inclined to the practical joke theory but these coded messages are a very disturbing development. It seems like I have another riddle to solve. Can you find out where she’s going in London in case we need to pull her in again?’
‘Yes and I still don’t trust her,’ I said. ‘By the way I finally got to speak with Mr Troyte.’
‘OK what did he have to say for himself?’
‘Strange. He was very subdued when I asked him if he was better after his experience in the lecture. He seemed to want to brush it off quickly as being of no consequence. Then he asked me why the police were involved and that’s when I mentioned Nariman. That seemed to come as a complete shock to him; he appeared to know nothing about the murder yesterday. He asked me what had happened and then just went totally silent when I told him.’
‘How odd?’
‘Yes it was. I spoke and then shouted down the phone but I could not get him to reply to me. Anyway the receptionist came back on the line and said that Hugh happened to be there and wanted to talk to me so they put him on the line for me. Once I had explained the situation to him, Hugh said that Troyte appeared genuinely shocked and was ashen and had needed to sit down when he got the news. All he had muttered to Hugh was that he had wondered why Nariman had not met him yesterday at the station but now he understood; he said he had thought it was a misunderstanding. Hugh said he would bring Troyte back to Leamington and make sure he’s alright. I’ll talk to Hugh later but I’ve tentatively arranged to see Mr Troyte first thing tomorrow if that’s OK, after he’s had a good night’s sleep?’
‘Yes OK, I think we could both probably do with some downtime. Get some rest Penny – I sense we have a busy week ahead of us.’
*
As they drove down the Roman road through the rolling countryside, Hugh and Troyte had an awkward conversation about the events of the morning. When he dropped him off at the house in Lansdowne Circus, Hugh mentioned his own security background and offered to check over his laptop and see if he could work out how someone was able to doctor his presentation. He also checked the alarm security settings and advised him to keep all the doors to the house locked in case there were any more intruders before leaving for home.
*
By now, it was late on Sunday afternoon; Eddie had taken Carrie to the Dell to play on the swings while Alice returned to the hospital to assist at Winnie’s autopsy. The temperature had continued to rise during the day and the air was beginning to feel oppressively close. There were several other families in the park enjoying the last of the sun in the dog days of summer. They bumped into Izzie walking with her new friend.
‘Izzie!’ shouted Carrie.
‘Hello, my little darling, it’s so good to see you,’ replied the Irish nurse a little sheepishly. She was hand in hand with her new actor friend. After their trip to the coffee shop, they had spent a quiet Sunday morning in Izzie’s bedsit, most of which had been passed in bed. They had only just emerged, somewhat guiltily, to catch the last of the day’s sun.
‘Carrie, this is my new friend Penn. I know it’s a funny name, but he’s an actor, although I’m afraid not a very funny one despite that name.’ Penn dug her in the ribs so that she burst out in giggles.
‘I’d love to be an actress,’ said Carrie.
‘Well, my princess, sometimes a little fantasy is a very good thing you know.’
‘Do you want to join our play?’ asked Carrie, her expression studied and completely serious.
‘What play would that be?’
Eddie pulled him aside and whispered to him. Penn smiled and shook Eddie’s hand, nodding.
‘Of course, that sounds a lot of fun. I hear you’ve been hunting Snarks, would you like to hear about the Jabberwocky then?’ asked Penn and proceeded to quote her the opening lines.
Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
Lewis Carroll, Jabberwocky
They walked back towards the town together. As they came to the junction of Beauchamp Hill and Clarendon Place, they saw Pearl standing on the opposite corner outside Mr Baxter’s house, as if she was searching for something. She saw Eddie and beckoned urgently for him to cross the road.
‘Stay here a second with Izzie, Carrie, I just need to go and talk to that lady for a moment.’ Eddie crossed the road, wondering what had happened.
‘Hello Miss Taylor, what are you doing in our neck of the woods?’ he asked. She seemed somewhat energised about something.
‘Ah Eddie, I was really hoping to find you. I knew you lived around hereabouts because of the newspaper reports of the murder. There’s a really big favour I would like you to do for me.’
‘Of course, what is it, Miss Taylor, how can I help?’
‘I’m afraid I might have given your friend Inspector Hunter a little bit of a run around for my own amusement this morning. I have to leave this evening and I’m afraid he is not going to be very pleased with me when he finds out about something I did earlier. There’s no real harm done, nothing permanent anyway, just a wounded woman’s practical joke on a rather nasty man I know. But I wonder if you could give him this letter tomorrow all the same, so he’s got the real story, but not before tomorrow. I’m flying this evening, I’ll be back in a month’s time and I’ll make my peace with him then. And when I return, perhaps you would all join me in London for a performance I’m giving.’
‘Of course I’ll give him this, but it all sounds very mysterious. As for the concert we’d love to do that, Alice was so disappointed she missed your singing last night,’ said Eddie. ‘But I wonder in that case if you might also be around on October the 9th, there is a big favour you could do for me as well.’
‘Yes I’ll be back in England for a couple of weeks with the concert program,’ she said, checking her calendar on her Blackberry. ‘And yes, remarkably I’m free that evening at the moment, although I have a matinee in London that afternoon.’
While they had been talking the sky had grown ominously dark. The storm that had been threatening all day had arrived. There was a sudden clap of thunder. Carrie called to Eddie in a concerned voice from across the road. Almost immediately the skies opened and there was a torrential downpour. Eddie grabbed Pearl and led her quickly across the road. Izzie, Penn and Carrie were already running towards the entrance door to Sherridge House. Within a few seconds they were soaked, but quickly reached the entrance to the nursing home. They all gathered in the hall while Izzie went off to find some towels. When she returned she handed them out and then said to Pearl, ‘Miss Taylor, I’m told you are a singer?’
‘Yes I am indeed, my dear.’
‘I wonder if you could sing a couple of songs for our old ladies while you are sheltering, I am sure we can offer you a cup of tea and a scone in return. They would so love that.’
‘Of course, I’d be very glad to,’ Pearl said but then looked at her watch. ‘Although I must be gone by 5pm, I have a plane to catch and the taxi will be waiting for me at my hotel at 6pm.’
‘That’s fine; just a few minutes
will be more than enough.’
‘And I’ll need to get you home too, Carrie,’ added Eddie. ‘It’s school tomorrow, and you need to pack your bags and get a good night’s sleep.’
*
Later on that afternoon, after the storm had subsided, the assassin passed from the garden onto the back veranda of Hawthorne House. Someone had made this all too easy for him. The doors to the garden were unlocked and he passed easily through the heavy curtains into the living room. He removed his shoes to avoid leaving prints on the carpet. The room was in relative darkness, but he could see the reclined form of his intended victim stretched out on a chaise longue. There was no movement and he assumed that the man was fast asleep after a heavy Sunday lunch. He did not hesitate to grab this ready-made opportunity. The Browning was not exactly a silent weapon, but it did the job. He then placed it carefully in the dead man’s hands. As he did so, he noticed and inspected a scrap of paper lying under the day bed. There were strange characters written all over it. He screwed it up and put it in the victim’s pocket.
‘Whatever Nariman told you will remain between you and me now, Mr Troyte,’ he said coldly. He called the number that had been dialling him persistently all afternoon on his cell phone.
‘Thank God you called,’ Sir William said, ‘Apparently Rohit has got a gun, what if he comes after me?’
‘Correction, Sir William. He had a gun and now that gun is the primary evidence in the passing of our mysterious and now quiet American friend, Mr Arthur Troyte.’
‘The American’s dead?’
‘There’s a nice elegance to that don’t you think, Sir William?’
‘My God! Another one? What about Rohit, he can still make trouble for us, surely.’
‘I don’t think we need to worry too much about Rohit again,’ replied Khand as he moved to press ‘end call’ on the phone. ‘He’ll have quite a bit of explaining of his own to do.’
*
The housekeeper, when she got the call from Hugh was in two minds whether she should leave her family and go straight round to the villa. The weather had turned nasty, and she was cooking Sunday dinner. The reaction of her husband when she said she would have to go out and leave them to make their own dinner was enough to make her change her mind. ‘OK. He’s got my number, I’m sure it can wait till morning,’ she said. ‘It serves him right if he had a hard time this morning, the old letch.’