Strangled in the Sauna

by Oliver, Marina

  'Oh, I don't know. But Mandy was already making up a story about it. Marvellous, she is, she ought to be writing for the magazines, I tell her.'

  Dodie laughed. 'What was this story?'

  'Well, she said, he was looking for his old Nanny, what he'd had as a child. He was too rich for it to be any relative in the home, see. Somehow they'd lost touch, and he'd been to all the homes in Yorkshire trying to find her. Then he'd take her away and put her in somewhere really luxurious. Funny, Mandy was always making stories up about people going to live in palaces, or on private islands in the Carribean.'

  'Really? She sounds as though she's clever with her stories.'

  'She always was.' The woman's pride in her daughter was touching. 'Why, when she was no more than six she was saying she had been stolen as a baby from a rich American couple, and we had adopted her, and one day they'd come and find her and take her back to their big house in Hollywood.'

  'Didn't that hurt you?'

  Mrs Godley shook her head. 'It was just make believe. Now she says she won't marry any of the local lads, and there's a couple would have her as well as Terry, because she's going to find a rich man with a title.' She chuckled. 'I ask you! Where will she find anyone like that round here? But she's always lived in a dream.'

  'Is that why she went to work at The Crags? Does she think the rich men come there?'

  'Not really, I suppose. No, when she left school Terry spoke for her to Miss Sheila. His Mom was a cousin to me. He's always looked after her. I was hoping they'd get together, but she won't have him.'

  'But she has some nice clothes, and that designer bag.'

  'Oh, that's not real, it's a copy she got in Middlesborough market. Like her watch that she pretends is a Rolex, like the film stars wear.'

  Dodie decided she had better not tell Mandy or her mother she had, in her youth, been a Hollywood starlet, after she'd danced in the chorus. The girl would be wanting to know all sorts of things, and goodness knows what fantasies she'd devise about her.

  'She goes to Middlesborough a lot, does she?'

  'Some weekends. Likes to go shopping, and to the cinema.'

  'Girls like that, shopping with friends.'

  'Oh, Mandy can't be bothered going with anyone else, she says they are slow, holding her up.'

  Dodie nodded, and rose to her feet. 'Thank you for the tea, Mrs Godley. I ought to be getting back now, and perhaps I can speak to Mandy at The Crags, since she is there. But it's been nice meeting you.'

  Mrs Godley showed her out, worried that her coat was wet, but as it was still pouring down, Dodie insisted it didn't matter, and ran for the car. Odd, she was thinking, as she turned and headed back to The Crags, Mrs Godley had shown no interest in why she wanted to talk to Mandy.

  *

  Dodie hung up her wet clothes over the bath to dry, took a shower to warm herself, and lay down on her bed to try and sort out her thoughts. When it was time for tea she dressed, and opened the door to go downstairs. Mr Shefford's door opposite opened as she was locking her own door, and he glanced out quickly. He nodded to her and went back inside but not before Dodie had registered the sound of sobbing. It had been a woman, she was sure, but who? And why? Had Lady Carter had time to see the Inspector and get back after telling him her woes and not being given her necklace back? If not, and Dodie thought it unlikely, who could it have been? Mandy? Was her suspicion that he was the rich boy friend correct? Was this why Mandy had made an excuse to come back early? Had the big car Mrs Godley had seen been his, and had they made some arrangement then which had persuaded Mandy to come back to The Crags early? She was fairly sure Sheila would not have asked Mandy to work longer hours. Dodie considered going back into her room and keeping watch, but decided he would probably come down for tea, and she might gain a hint then, if Lady Carter were also there.

  Before she went into the drawing room Dodie looked into the office. Sheila was there, looking frazzled.

  'Has Lady Carter got back yet?'

  'I don't think so. If she had, she'd have been in here complaining about the police, and insisting I did something to get her wretched necklace away from them.'

  'Did you ask Mandy to work extra this afternoon?'

  'No. Why should I? She's on probation, and if I need anything extra to be done, I'd ask any of the others first.'

  'That was what I thought. Thanks,' Dodie said, and before Sheila could ask questions she withdrew and headed for the drawing room. Her reflections of the past hour had not brought enlightenment. She needed to talk with Mr Shefford and Lady Carter.

  *

  CHAPTER 14

  Mr Shefford was sitting with Hazel Prentice and a couple of other women. Dodie picked up a copy of The Times and found a seat nearby from where she could observe him. Elena came in soon afterwards and joined her.

  'Did you get wet? It's still throwing it down.'

  'Such a pleasant climate here for a nice seaside holiday!'

  Elena was looking out of the window. 'Well, here's another drowned rat just driven in.'

  They heard the front door slam, and a shrill voice complaining bitterly.

  'That's Lady Carter,' Dodie said softly. 'Back from seeing the police, I suppose. I wonder how she got on?'

  'I don't think she'd be able to bully our Inspector, but we'll soon hear.'

  'So will everyone else.'

  Lady Carter could be heard complaining bitterly. 'Really, they are impossible! One would scarcely believe the police are supposed to be our servants, and that our taxes pay their inflated wages. Miss Sheila, can't you do anything?'

  Her voice became less audible, just a murmur, and it seemed as though she went into the office. Then the door was closed and they heard no more. Dodie's attention was drawn to Mr Shefford, who had risen to his feet and was excusing himself.

  'But you haven't finished your tea, John,' Hazel said.

  'Haven't I?' He picked up the cup, swallowed, and with a nod to the rest of the group, went quickly from the room.

  Dodie frowned. So it had probably been Mandy crying in his room. And was he going to meet Lady Carter, or trying to avoid her? It had seemed more like the latter, but he was bound to meet her later, so why?

  Lady Carter, having apparently shed her wet coat, came into the drawing room, sank into a chair near Dodie, and demanded tea, hot and strong. Diane brought it to her, and offered cakes which Lady Carter waved away.

  'Those police take too much on themselves,' she said after sipping the tea and demanding a refill. 'They are holding my necklace, and I have to have it back! It's bad enough it gets stolen from here, but they have no right to keep it.'

  'It's evidence,' Elena said.

  'It belongs to me!'

  'Your friend Mr Shefford is here,' Dodie said. 'Did you know?'

  'John Shefford? No, I didn't know. But it's too late now.'

  Too late to have a copy of the necklace made, even if she had it in her possession, Dodie thought.

  'You are good friends with him and his wife, I understand, from what you told me earlier.'

  'Yes. We often entertain them in London.' She sighed and drank her tea. 'In fact I think they are coming to dinner with us one day next week. And I shall be expected to wear that damned necklace! I must get it back before then!'

  She stifled a sob and went swiftly from the room. Hazel looked across at Dodie.

  'Necklace? Was that one of the stolen things?'

  Dodie nodded. 'A rather valuable one, from what I've heard.'

  'No wonder she's upset.'

  'Yes. Elena, what are you doing next?'

  'A facial. I'd better go.'

  They went out of the room, but instead of going to the treatment rooms they went to Elena's room.

  'Did you find out anything?'

  Dodie shook her head. 'Not a lot. Mandy wasn't there, she'd come back here for some reason, but her mother told me she is prone to fantasising, wants to marry a rich, titled man. And her handbag is genuine, I was able to get a good look
at it. Mrs Godley doesn't seem to know about the rich boy friend in Middlesborough, and insists the bag is a fake. But before tea, I heard a woman sobbing in Mr Shefford's room. It could have been Mandy.'

  'The rich boy friend?'

  'I suspect so. And why did he remove himself so quickly just now, if Lady Carter is a good friend? You'd think he'd want to console her.'

  'Not him! He'd remove himself from problems as fast as possible.'

  'We'll see how he and Lady Carter greet one another at dinner.'

  *

  They went down to the drawing room early. Dodie saw Mandy in the corridor outside her room, and the girl looked very subdued, not offering her usual smile. Her eyes looked red, and Dodie was certain she had been the weeping one earlier. Soon afterwards Lady Carter came in, recognised Dodie and joined her. She was still muttering about the perfidy of the police, and seemed genuinely afraid of what her husband would say and do if he discovered the truth.

  'And I didn't even get the copy made!'

  'Won't Mr Shefford do it now?'

  'It would be too late, take too long. I have to have one now to put back in the safe at home, so I'll have to have the real one, and think of something else to settle those wretched debts.' She frowned, then smiled. 'Perhaps I can go to Monte Carlo and pretend I lost the money there. Iain would accept that as reasonable.'

  'He would?' Elena looked sceptical.

  'Yes, that would be a holiday thing, not what I did in London.'

  Elena refrained from looking at her mother. The woman was crazy, totally unreasonable. Other people began to drift in, but no Mr Shefford. Then, as dinner was announced, he entered the room and made straight for Hazel. Lady Carter gasped, and tried to intercept him.

  'John! I need to talk to you!'

  He frowned, looked puzzled, and then nodded. 'It's Lady Carter, isn't it? Maybe we can have a word after dinner?'

  She looked startled, but before she could respond he moved on, taking Hazel's arm and steering her to a table for two. Dodie, feeling sorry for the woman, grasped her hand and took her to a table at the far end of the dining room.

  'He pretended he didn't know me! Oh, how could he! When we've known one another for years!'

  'We'll sort it out later,' Dodie said. 'Now, forget him and the necklace and enjoy your meal. It's always good.' Even if not substantial, she added to herself.

  Mr Shefford left the dining room before the pudding was served, and Dodie wondered whether he was going to leave The Crags. There were some inconsistencies here. First he had pretended not to know Terry, now he was denying a connection with Lady Carter. And was he Mandy's mysterious rich boy friend? Should she try to corner him upstairs, or wait in the office? If he meant to leave he would have to go there to pay his bill and inform Sheila. It would perhaps be easier to speak to him there without having a door slammed in her face. She could tell Sheila what Mandy's mother had said, though Sheila probably already knew of the girl's penchant for make believe.

  He came into the office a few minutes later, but to say he had to leave very early the following day, and could he pay his bill now. As Sheila was making out the bill Dodie stepped in.

  'I thought you and Lady Carter were good friends,' she said, 'but I seem to have got the wrong end of the stick.'

  Mr Shefford frowned. 'Oh, I know her, as one tends to know a lot of people in London, and we were both here a few weeks ago. I'm afraid she is the type who likes to claim friendship with mere acquaintances.'

  'So you were not going to have this wretched necklace copied for her, as she thought?'

  He shook his head. 'Of course not, even if I knew how it could be done. She asked me, just because of my job, which she misunderstood. She thought I collected precious stones, not geological samples. But you must have seen how irrational she is. I wanted no part in duping her husband by foisting a copy on him, but as you may have seen, she rarely takes no for an answer.'

  Too many excuses, Dodie thought. 'She's very disappointed.'

  'She'll get over it. She'll have to, and confess to her husband. Now, Mrs Fanshaw, I must leave you, I have some calls to make. My appointments tomorrow.'

  'Can you let me know where you'll be, please?' Sheila asked. 'The police want to know everyone's movements for the time being.'

  'But – I was not here when the murder took place. Why do they want to know my movements?'

  'There are the thefts as well, they are investigating those, and you were here when one of the jewels was stolen.'

  'Oh, so I am suspected of them, am I? I'm afraid I don't know where I'll be staying, I haven't booked. Somewhere near Durham, I suppose. But they can always contact me by my mobile. You have the number?'

  'Yes. Thank you. I'll tell them.'

  'Oh dear, he's annoyed,' Sheila said after he'd left the office.

  'Was he planning to leave tomorrow?'

  'He never says when he books, but he usually stays just for a few days.'

  'He was quick to deny friendship with Lady Carter, but he seemed to know her quite well.'

  'They were very friendly when they were both here.'

  'Odd. Is Mandy still around? I'd like a word with her.'

  'Yes, she'll still be here. I'll go and find her.'

  *

  Mandy looked scared when Sheila ushered her into the private sitting room. Her eyes were still red, and she was tearing a tissue to shreds. Dodie pointed to a chair, and handed her a box of tissues.

  'Mandy, it's time to tell the truth. Were you in Mr Shefford's room before tea time? I heard someone crying,' she went on as Mandy began to shake her head, 'and it sounded like you.'

  Mandy sniffed. 'I might have been,' she began, and cast a frightened look at Sheila. 'Yes, I was,' she said hurriedly. 'It don't matter now, he's going, and he said he don't want to see me no more, the dirty snake!'

  'Is he the wealthy boy friend who gave you the Rolex and the handbag?'

  Sheila began to say something but Dodie waved her to silence. Mandy nodded, and began to cry.

  'He said he'd take me away to London,' she wailed, 'but it was lies! He wanted me to steal things for him! If I would, he'd keep on seeing me, he said, but I'm not a thief! Not like old Jones! Just 'cause I told him I'd once seen her take something from a drawer, and hadn't said anything to Miss Sheila, he thought I was like her! But I'm not! She offered to give me the money, I never even asked for it! So why shouldn't I take it?'

  'What money?' Dodie asked quietly.

  'Twenty quid a week, what Mrs Jones paid me to keep my mouth shut.'

  Suddenly Dodie understood. 'There was an envelope in Mrs Jones's handbag with a twenty pound note inside, but no indication of what it was for. How did she hand it over to you?'

  'I always met her on Fridays, when I was going back from work on my bike, and she was off somewhere. On the road to the village,' she added. 'She'd give it me then.'

  'And the day she was killed, you didn't see her?'

  'I thought she'd been held up. I'd walked out that morning, but I thought I'd better ride my bike so far anyway, and wait, so as to meet her. And she never came. I was a bit late, so then I thought I'd missed her. She did sometimes leave early.'

  'Did you see any other cars? Terry's, for instance? Or the one Mr Jones has, an old Nissan.'

  'I know the one, but I dain't see it, nor Terry's. I saw him back near his house hours before. He said he was off to Middlesborough. There was no other car on the road.'

  'You know that field entrance, a little way along from here?' Mandy nodded, looking puzzled. 'Did you ride as far as that?'

  'No. I waited further down, by the bridge across the stream.'

  Dodie was thinking furiously. 'Mandy, you need to tell this to the police. It's important, she added as Mandy began to shake her head.

  'But they'll say she bribed me!'

  'She did, but if what you tell them helps to catch her murderer, I'm sure they won't bother about a little private arrangement. Sheila, can Mandy wait here, and will
you phone the Inspector? It's important to speak to him tonight.'

  *

  They went out into the office and shut the door. Joan, saying she had a crashing headache, went up to bed. Sheila picked up the phone while Dodie sat in the chair behind the desk and seized a sheet of paper and a pencil.

  'It's tight, but possible,' she muttered to herself. 'Let me see, Shefford parks his car in that field entrance, walks up here and waits for Mrs Jones, gets in her car and kills her, walks back and drives off before Mandy gets to the lane. He wouldn't know she wasn't working here that evening, and expected to be gone before she and Pat cycle home down the lane. Luckily for him she's a bit late, as she's not working that day, and he's away to Middlesborough before she gets into the lane.'

  'You mean he's the murderer?'

  'The only other possibility is Mr Jones, and would he have been able to put her body in the sauna? He wasn't really familiar with The Crags, just the outside when he came to try and see her.'

  'Or the sheds when he slept in them.'

  'We don't know if that was a regular thing. It must be Mr Shefford. He has the brains and the cool head. He wanted Mandy to take over and do the thieving for him, thinking she was a money-grubbing girl who was besotted with him. For some reason he and Mrs Jones fell out. Perhaps she was refusing to give him the jewellery. I hadn't understood why she was still keeping them, but perhaps she wanted more of a cut? I expect he went to her flat in Middlesborough, after he'd killed her, couldn't find the jewels, and came back here to move her body.'

  'To throw suspicion on poor Terry?'

  'Probably, but to confuse the issue in some way.'

  'And he seems such a pleasant man!'

  'A confidence trickster. I wonder if he has other dupes in hotels, stealing for him?'

  'Well, we may know soon. The Inspector is on his way.'

  *

  CHAPTER 15

  Inspector Brooks, accompanied by a uniformed constable, soon arrived, and Dodie swiftly told him what Mandy had revealed. He asked whether he could interview the girl in Miss Sheila's sitting room. 'It will be more discreet,' he explained. 'And perhaps she would like a friend with her? I know these girls, they assume all the police are against them.'