The Celtic Dagger

by Jill Paterson

  He looked toward James and Nicholas. ‘Perhaps you can both wait in the other room. Mrs Thompson, can you stay, please?’

  James ran his hand through his wet hair as he followed Nicholas to the kitchen. Nicholas grabbed a jumper that hung over a kitchen chair. ‘Here, you’d better put this on,' he said. ‘What happened out there?’

  ‘I’m not sure. When I arrived at Cragleigh, I found Tristan Harrow dead in the courtyard.’ Nicholas did not reply but glowered at James. ‘Later, I found Ashley at the lookout.’ James paused. ‘I need to speak to the police sergeant, Nick.’

  ‘I’ll go get him. Sit down for a few minutes and have a cup of coffee. It’s there on the stove and it’s hot.’ Nicholas took his coat from the peg behind the kitchen door, pulled it on and left.

  Minutes later, the door opened again and Turner walked in with Nicholas. ‘Mr Wearing, we meet again. Nick tells me you’ve brought an injured woman in. Is it the woman you were looking for earlier this evening?’

  ‘Yes. Ashley Manning. She’s unconscious. The doctor’s with her now. I found her at Cragleigh lookout.’

  The Sergeant pulled out a chair and sat down. ‘What was she doing out there on a night like this?’

  ‘Taken there, I suspect. She’d fallen or been pushed over the side of the cliff. After I pulled her back up, someone came at me from behind.’ James paused. ‘He went over the edge.’ Nicholas stood behind the Sergeant in silence.

  ‘So, you’re suggesting a second death?

  James glared at Turner, his patience all but gone. ‘I’m suggesting nothing of the sort. All I’m saying is, he fell.’ James paused again. ‘I can assure you, however, that I did see Tristan Harrow’s body in the courtyard. I know it sounds bizarre, but perhaps it would help if I explained a few things.’

  ‘Explain away.’ Ron Turner sat back.

  ‘My brother, Alex Wearing, was murdered two weeks ago in Sydney. A Detective Chief Inspector Fitzjohn is heading the investigation.’

  ‘I don’t understand. What’s that got to do with what’s going on here?’

  ‘Ashley Manning was attacked a few days ago by her estranged husband, Robert Manning, who is a suspect in that murder. She came here to convalesce.’

  ‘And how is Ashley Manning involved? Did she know your brother?’

  ‘Yes. They’d been in a relationship.’

  ‘I see. Okay, Mr Wearing. In that case, I’ll notify the Chief Inspector.’ Ron Turner stood up. ‘And as to this other matter - you’re sure someone went over the cliff sometime in the last few hours?'

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Very well. I’ll arrange for a rescue team to go out there.’

  James frowned. ‘But what about Tristan Harrow? He’s been murdered.’

  ‘So you say.’ Turner paused. ‘I’ll send someone to Cragleigh as soon as it’s light to have a look around.’

  As the door closed behind Turner, James’s fist hit the table. ‘Tristan’s dead and that idiot won’t believe me.’

  At that moment, the doctor appeared at the kitchen door and James got to his feet.

  ‘Dr Wearing, your friend is sleeping now. She has concussion from the bang on the head but otherwise, she’ll be fine. Just needs rest and warmth.’

  ‘Thank God.’

  ‘I’ll drop back later this morning and see how she’s getting on.’

  CHAPTER 20

  James followed Sergeant Turner and the rescue team back to the ruins at dawn, where the first glimpse of sunrise appeared as a pale light on the horizon. He walked to the edge of the cliff and stared down at the broken, contorted body on the rocks below. Moments later, joined by Turner, they watched the men make their perilous journey down the jagged rock face. Buffeted by the wind, they lifted the body, now on a metal stretcher, to the top of the cliff, where it came to rest at James’s feet. He looked down at the face, greyish-white and wax-like, the eyes staring back at him.

  Sergeant Turner knelt down and felt inside the man’s pockets. ‘There’s no ID on him. Do you who he is?’

  ‘No. I’ve never seen him before.’

  ‘Then it looks like we’ll have to ask the young lady.’ James nodded.

  Turner left, following the rescue team as they carried the body away, leaving James alone. As he stood there, dark clouds moved across the face of the sun and the birds that had appeared early that morning were gone, knowing of more unsettled weather to come. A chill went through him as he looked out across the expanse of bushland, the image of Tristan’s lifeless face still fresh in his mind.

  ‘Morning, Dr Wearing.’

  James looked around to see Fitzjohn. He wore a dark grey overcoat and a maroon scarf. His hand held down his hat against the force of the wind.

  ‘Chief Inspector, I didn’t realise you’d arrived.’

  ‘I got to Blackheath about an hour ago. I would have been here sooner but for the roads. They’re almost impassable in some places. I had a word with Sergeant Turner just now. He filled me in about last night. It sounds as though Ashley Manning is lucky to be alive.’ James nodded. ‘Where is she now?’

  ‘At a bed and breakfast in Blackheath. She has concussion, but other than that, the doctor says she’ll be fine.’

  ‘Well, I’m glad.’

  James looked back out across the valley. ‘I wish I could say the same for Tristan.’

  ‘Ah yes, but there’s good news. Dr Harrow’s been found. Alive.’

  James swung around to face Fitzjohn. ‘But I found him myself, in the courtyard. He’d been stabbed.’

  ‘So I understand. Even so, he is alive and at this moment being flown back to Sydney, albeit in critical condition. However, I’m told he has a chance.’

  ‘Thank, God for that.’ James could feel Fitzjohn’s hand on his shoulder. ‘Where did they find him?’

  ‘With a neighbour of yours. A Tom Gregory, I believe. Apparently, Mr Gregory became concerned about Ashley Manning when the weather took a turn for the worst and went over to Cragleigh. She wasn’t there but he found Dr Harrow in the yard at the back of your house and took him to his cottage before going for help.’

  James frowned. ‘I thought Tristan was dead. How could I have been so stupid?’

  ‘Don’t reproach yourself. Anyone could make a mistake like that, especially with those weather conditions. His heartbeat would have been almost undetectable. He was only just alive when Mr Gregory found him.’

  They turned around and started to walk back. ‘I wonder why Tristan came here.’

  ‘Well, perhaps Ms Manning can tell us. Why don’t we drive back to Blackheath together? I’ll tell my Sergeant to go on ahead.’

  ****

  They drove in silence for a while, each lost in their thoughts. ‘It’s beautiful country, Dr Wearing. Do you spend a lot of time here?’

  ‘Whenever I can get away.’

  ‘I gather your brother didn’t have the same enthusiasm for Cragleigh.’

  ‘On the contrary, he loved the place. That’s why I couldn’t understand it when he wanted to sell.’ James frowned. ‘I wish he’d confided in me. I might have been able to help with whatever went wrong in his life.’

  ‘Were you never close?’

  ‘No. Alex resented my very existence.’

  ‘Why?’

  James glanced at Fitzjohn. ‘Alex and I weren’t brothers, Chief Inspector. Actually, we were cousins. Emily and Harold Wearing adopted me when I was just a few days old. My mother was Harold Wearing’s sister.’

  ‘Yes, I’m aware of that.’ James looked at Fitzjohn in surprise. ‘Investigations such as I’m conducting, unearth such detail. On the whole, I suppose, a gross invasion of privacy, but necessary nevertheless. So, that’s the reason for the rift between you two.’

  ‘Yes, although, it goes further than that. You see, my mother was no relation to the Wearing’s. She’d come to live with my grandparents as a small child. They never legally adopted her.’ James paused and his eyebrows rose. ‘So, in truth, Chief Inspector, Alex
and I weren’t related at all. And our equal share in Cragleigh didn’t help the situation.’

  ‘I take it your brother believed he should be the sole beneficiary.’

  ‘Yes.’ James sighed. ‘Of course, now that I am, I suppose, in your eyes, it gives me an even greater motive to kill him.'

  ****

  They reached the inn to be met by Nicholas Ellis

  ‘James. Thank God you’re back.’

  James frowned. ‘Ashley?’

  Nicholas shook his head. ‘I don’t know what happened out there last night, but it’s had a dreadful effect on her. She woke a few minutes ago screaming something about Tristan Harrow and a knife. Mrs Thompson’s with her now.’ James and Fitzjohn followed Nicholas into the living room, where they found Ashley on the sofa, staring into the flames of the fire. She looked around as they came into the room, her face pale and gaunt.

  Eileen Thompson patted Ashley’s hand. ‘I’ll go make some tea.’

  As she left the room, James sat down next to Ashley.

  ‘Dr Harrow’s dead, James. I remembered it all when I woke up.’

  ‘No, Ashley, he’s been found alive.’

  ‘But I saw Robert stab him.’

  James shook his head. ‘Tristan’s alive. Tom Gregory found him in time. He’s been taken back to Sydney.’

  He touched Ashley’s hand. ‘You said Robert. Was that the man at the lookout last night?’

  ‘Yes.’ Ashley frowned. ‘Where is his now?’

  James hesitated before he said, ‘The police recovered his body from the base of the cliff this morning.’

  ‘He’s dead?’

  James nodded.

  I’m afraid we have to ask you to identify the body, Ms Manning.’ Ashley looked across at Fitzjohn, who stood in the doorway.

  ‘Did Dr Harrow say why he went to Cragleigh?’ Fitzjohn asked.

  ‘To see, Catherine Wearing, he said. Apparently, her housekeeper thought she’d be there.’

  James shook his head. ‘Seems strange Tristan would drive all that way to see Catherine. It’s not as though they’re even friends.’

  Ashley looked back into the fire. ‘He didn’t explain. Didn’t get the chance. Minutes after he arrive, Robert burst in and stabbed Dr Harrow in the back.’ Ashley winced. 'Then he came after me.'

  CHAPTER 21

  Back in Sydney, James left the hospital and made his way to the museum to see Edward Sommersby, the events of the weekend at Cragleigh and their consequences, weighing on his mind. He found Edward in his office.

  ‘James, I’ve been trying to reach you. I need your expertise this afternoon at a meeting. Should only take an hour.' Edward gestured for James to sit down.

  'I just heard about what happened at Cragleigh. How's Tristan?'

  'He's out of intensive care and all the signs are positive. They expect him to make a full recovery eventually, thank God.'

  'And Ashley Manning?'

  ‘I’ve only spoken to her on the phone since we got back, but she assures me she’s okay.’

  ‘You don’t sound convinced.’

  ‘I’m not. You see, she was there when Tristan was attacked. Saw the whole thing.’ James paused. ‘I’m worried about her, Ed. She’s shut herself away in her flat.’

  ‘I’m not surprised. An experience like that isn’t easy to get over.’

  ‘I agree, but there’s more. Not everything that happened at Cragleigh was reported in the newspapers.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘Simon Rhodes is involved.’

  ‘Simon? He’s on our board. What’s he got to do with this?’

  ‘I think you can expect another visit from, Chief Inspector Fitzjohn. Simon threatened Ashley before she left for Cragleigh. In fact, that’s part of the reason she went. He’s involved, in some way, with the artefacts that went missing.’

  Edward Sommersby’s brow furrowed. ‘In what way exactly?’ James relayed what he knew about Simon Rhodes.

  ‘Seems hard to believe,' said Edward. 'He comes across as the epitome of integrity.’

  ‘I know what you mean. I’ve found the whole thing difficult to believe myself. It makes me wonder what we’re dealing with.’ He paused. ‘And I don’t like the thought of Ashley being alone in that flat in case Simon decides to pay her another call. I think I’ll go and see her after we’re finished here.’

  Edward Sommersby sat forward. ‘You’re in love with Ashley Manning aren’t you?’

  ‘What makes you say that?’

  ‘Because I’ve never seen you like this.’

  ‘Like what?’

  Edward smiled. ‘James, I’ve known you for what, five years? And you’ve rarely talked about anything but work. But now...’

  ‘I’m just concerned about her, that’s all.’

  Edward shrugged his shoulders. ‘Okay, have it your way.’

  ****

  An hour later, in Paddington, James made his way up the narrow staircase in Ashley’s building to the first floor, where he found her at the door of her flat.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind me dropping by like this.’

  ‘No, I’m glad you did. Come inside.’ As he brushed past her into the small entrance, Edward Sommersby’s words came to mind. James dismissed them and followed her into the living room, where she gestured for him to sit down.

  ‘Can I get you anything? Coffee?’

  ‘Thanks, but no. I can’t stay. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.’

  Ashley smiled, the gash on her forehead still evident beneath the wisps of hair that framed her face. ‘I’m fine. In fact, I was just thinking it might be a good idea if I spend a few hours at the museum today. Being locked away here gives me too much time to think.’ She pushed her hair back from her face and settled herself into the sofa. James sat in the armchair opposite.

  As he did so, his eye caught a photograph on the table next to him. In it, Ashley stood between him and Alex, her hand shading her eyes from the glare of the sun, her face smudged with dust. It brought to mind his compelling urge to stay on at the excavation site long after his work there had finished, despite Ashley’s aloofness toward him at the time. ‘I see you kept a photograph from last summer’s dig.’

  ‘Yes.’ Their eyes locked and an awkward silence ensued.

  ‘Are you sure I can’t get you anything?’ she offered again.

  ‘Yes. As I said, I can’t stay.’

  Ashley looked over to the photograph. ‘You and Alex were very different, weren’t you?’

  ‘We were. I suppose that’s part of the reason we never agreed.’

  ‘And the other reason?’

  ‘He never told you we weren’t really brothers?’

  ‘No.’ Ashley looked aghast. ‘I had no idea.’ She listened while James told her the accident of his birth. ‘So you weren’t related at all.’

  James shook his head. ‘And with all that’s happened over the past couple of weeks, it seems so unimportant.’

  ‘I can imagine.’

  A moment of silence followed before James said, ‘I’m sorry about all this, Ashley. I should never have suggested you and Edwina go to Cragleigh.’

  ‘You aren’t to blame. I should have realised Robert might follow me there. I only hope Dr Harrow is going to be all right.’

  ‘He is. I was at the hospital this morning. He’s doing well. I did suggest he come to stay with me for a while when he’s released, but I don’t know that he’ll accept. I think I irritate him as much as he irritates me, but I believe we should be able to put up with each other, at least until he gets back on his feet.’ Ashley started to laugh. ‘I see that amuses you.’

  ‘I can’t imagine you two living under the same roof.’

  ‘Neither can I, to tell you the truth.’ James grinned, carried along by Ashley’s amusement. ‘It’s wonderful to see you laughing.’

  Ashley looked away from his gaze, picking up a well-thumbed magazine from the coffee table. James looked at the front cover. ‘The Spanish Steps. Th
ey’re lovely in springtime.’

  ‘You’ve seen them then?’ James nodded. Ashley held the magazine up. ‘On dull, rainy, days, I imagine myself sitting on those steps in the sunshine. Definitely a place I intend to visit when Simon Rhodes is, hopefully, behind bars.’

  ‘That might happen if we can link him to Alex’s blackmail.’

  ‘I wish Alex had told me why he was being blackmailed. What did Patrick Spender say?’

  ‘Alex told him it was to do with something that happened years ago when he was at university. Not much to go on really.’

  ‘How did he and Alex meet?’

  ‘Patrick said he found Alex hitchhiking one night outside Gosford and gave him a lift into Sydney. I can’t imagine what he was doing out there.’

  ‘Maybe his car broke down.’

  ‘He didn’t have one back then. None of us did. Only…’

  ‘What is it?’ asked Ashley.

  ‘Rosemary Wentworth had a car.’

  ‘Who’s Rosemary Wentworth?’

  ‘Catherine Wearing’s sister. She drove a sports car her parents gave her for her birthday when she was in her last year at university. Alex went out with her for a time until...’ James fell silent, tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair. ‘Until she died.’

  ‘Oh? What happened?’

  ‘She had an accident. The car went off the road when she was out one night. It rolled and she was thrown out.'

  ‘Was she alone?’

  ‘Yes. She must have only been twenty-one or two at the time. Hadn’t even had a chance to get started in life.’ James paused. ‘Alex and I went to her funeral. That’s when we met her parents and Catherine, her younger sister.’

  ‘So that’s how Catherine and Alex met.’

  ‘Yes.' James frowned.

  ‘What is it James?’

  ‘Simon Rhodes came to the funeral with us.’ James shook his head. ‘It doesn’t matter what we talk about, does it? Simon comes into the conversation.’

  ‘Well, seeing they were at university together, it’s understandable he went to the funeral, I suppose. When did all this happen?’

  ‘Back in the early 1980s.'

  ‘And you say Alex went out with her.’