Rogue in Porcelain

by Anthea Fraser

  ‘Who’ll do that?’

  ‘Nick, I suppose, poor devil. Did she – look very bad?’

  ‘No,’ Rona answered with a catch in her voice, ‘she looked lovely. Just as though she was asleep.’

  ‘Thank God for that. Now, what can I get you? Cereal? Toast? Afraid we only run to a cooked breakfast on Sundays.’

  Rona settled for toast, and Sally was back by the time it was ready for her. By unspoken consent, the murder wasn’t referred to again, but it was still a relief when Oliver suggested they make a move. Rona repeated her thanks, and Sally gave her a quick hug.

  ‘When things get back to normal, I suppose you’ll be wanting to interview me for your article?’ she said.

  ‘I will, yes; I’ll give you a call, if that’s all right?’

  Then she was in Oliver’s car, with Gus in the back, and all she could do was wonder if Finlay would be waiting for her at the factory. Part of her longed to see him, part of her dreaded the prospect.

  They turned in the gates, and Oliver drove straight to the main car park, where her car stood almost alone. There was no sign of Finn.

  Oliver waited while Rona settled Gus in his accustomed place, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before she got in herself.

  ‘So sorry you were involved in all this,’ he said. ‘I hope, now you’ve given your statement, you’ll be left in peace. And on a lighter note, let me know when you want to see me about the article.’

  ‘I will, Oliver. And thank you again.’

  With her heart beating uncomfortably fast, Rona drove out of the factory grounds. No one emerged from the office block to waylay her. No doubt Finlay felt that discretion was the better part of valour, and had wisely decided to put some time between their last meeting.

  At the junction with the main road, Rona turned right, and thankfully settled back for the journey home to Marsborough.

  Eleven

  Max was waiting when, having garaged the car, Rona and Gus arrived at the house. He gathered her into his arms and held her tightly.

  ‘I do choose my moments to be away, don’t I?’ he said into her hair.

  ‘There was no way of foreseeing this.’

  ‘Have you any idea yet what happened?’

  ‘None. It’s a complete mystery what she was doing in the cemetery, and Max – the most amazing thing – she used to be married to one of the Curzons.’

  He frowned. ‘And she never mentioned it?’

  ‘No, though we talked about them quite a lot. And another thing; it seems she lived in Reigate. Remember? Where the mysterious handbag was found, with my name and address in it?’

  ‘Coincidence, do you think?’

  ‘I don’t know, but the family kept asking how I met her, and it made me think. As I told you, she bumped into me, quite literally, in Guild Street. Suppose it wasn’t an accident? Suppose she waited till I was approaching, then deliberately collided, as a means of getting to know me?’

  ‘But with all due respect, my darling, why should she want to?’

  ‘I’ve no idea, unless, in view of the secrecy about her marriage, it’s tied up with the Curzons.’

  ‘But how would she know you’d any connection with them, or care if you had?’

  Rona shrugged helplessly.

  ‘For that matter, how would she recognize you?’

  ‘She had this address; she could have waited for me to come out and followed me. Still, there’s no point in going over everything twice; I promised Linz we’d go straight round to Mum’s to fill them in, so we can talk it through then.’

  ‘We’d better leave Gus here, since he’s not welcome at Maple Drive.’

  Rona nodded. ‘It could be OK, now Mum’s more amenable, but today’s not the day to test it. A word of warning: at the moment, she thinks Julia’s death was an accident, though I think Linz suspects it wasn’t. I’m not looking forward to telling them.’

  ‘Come to that, I don’t know much more myself. You weren’t exactly coherent last night.’

  ‘No. Sorry.’

  ‘Heavens, there’s no need to apologize. I defy anyone to be coherent, after what you’d just been through.’

  And that, thought Rona painfully, was even more pertinent than he realized.

  Avril and Lindsey were anxiously awaiting them, and Rona, seeing her mother’s face, bitterly blamed herself for bringing Julia here.

  ‘What happened, Rona?’ Avril burst out, as soon as they were in the house. ‘Were you with her? Did she suffer at all? It all sounded so vague.’

  ‘Let’s sit down,’ Max said calmly. ‘Then Rona can explain.’

  They did so, Avril perching on the edge of her chair, hands clasped, eyes fixed on her daughter.

  Rona said tentatively, ‘Have you had the radio on this morning?’

  Her mother and sister stared at her in surprise. ‘No; why?’

  ‘It doesn’t matter.’ With a heavy heart, Rona embarked on her story. ‘To fill in the background, after Linz and I had lunch yesterday, I drove to Chilswood, to visit the museum at the pottery.’

  Lindsey nodded impatiently.

  ‘I – found a letter there that might be very important.’ Though it didn’t seem so at the moment. ‘So I showed it to Finlay Curzon over a cup of tea, and he said he’d discuss it with the family. Then he suggested I might like to see their plot in the churchyard, with the graves of the people I’m researching.’

  ‘I’m sure you could hardly wait,’ Lindsey said.

  ‘So we went there,’ Rona continued, ignoring her. ‘At the far side, there was a bench with a plaque on it, and when I walked over to read it, Gus started growling and pulling back, and I saw that – that someone was lying behind it.’

  ‘Not Julia?’ Avril interrupted.

  ‘Yes, Mum. And she was – dead.’

  Avril frowned, shaking her head. ‘But you said she’d had an accident. I don’t understand. What had happened?’

  Rona took a deep breath. ‘It wasn’t an accident, but I wanted to tell you in person. She’d – been stabbed, I think. Either that or shot, I’m not sure, but her blouse was covered in blood.’

  There was total silence. Lindsey was staring at her wide-eyed and Avril’s hands went slowly to her mouth. Max reached over and took Rona’s hand.

  Avril said in a horrified whisper, ‘You mean she’d been murdered?’

  ‘I’m afraid so, yes.’

  ‘God, Rona,’ Lindsey said shakily, ‘you do find them, don’t you?’

  ‘But why? I mean, who . . .?’

  ‘I don’t know, Mum.’

  ‘So what did you do?’

  ‘Finlay phoned the police on his mobile, and they came and took charge. We were driven to the police station to make a statement, and Oliver and Sally Curzon kindly put me up for the night. They didn’t think I was in any state to drive, and Max was away.’

  ‘That was kind of them,’ Avril said mechanically. ‘But this is – insane! A lovely, bubbly girl like that – who on earth would want to harm her?’

  Rona said gently, ‘It seems there are things we didn’t know about Julia. For one thing, she used to be married to Nick Curzon.’

  ‘And she didn’t tell you, when you were talking about them?’ Lindsey asked.

  ‘No. And Linz: remember that handbag in Reigate? That’s where she lived.’

  ‘What handbag?’ Avril demanded, seizing on the shift in subject as a break from more gruesome topics.

  Rona explained about the phone call. ‘I didn’t tell you, because I thought you’d worry there was a stalker after me. But I have to say, the more I think about it, the more I’m wondering if Julia engineered bumping into me that time, as a means of getting to know me. Did she talk to you much about the Curzons?’

  Avril looked surprised. ‘She did bring them up once or twice, now that you mention it; because of the marmalade pot, the first time. And we speculated a bit about this new product they’re bringing out.’

  ‘But she never said she’d
been married to Nick?’

  ‘No, definitely not.’

  ‘Did she ask any questions?’

  ‘Yes, but about you as much as the Curzons. How you did your research, and whether you’d discovered any personal things about the families you’d worked on.’

  ‘And you told her I had,’ Rona said flatly.

  ‘Well, it’s true, isn’t it?’

  Max hadn’t spoken since Rona began talking, but now he leaned forward. ‘I think you should tell the police all this.’

  ‘All what?’

  ‘That she asked questions about the Curzons, but never mentioned being related to them. It could be relevant. By now, the police will know she lived in Reigate, but not the connection with the handbag – if indeed she was the owner. That’s another thing we should mention.’

  ‘I hope DI Barrett’s not in charge of the case,’ Rona said in a low voice.

  ‘Who’s he?’

  ‘An odious man I met in Buckford, when I was researching for the octocentenary.’

  ‘Well, if he’s based in Buckford, he’s not likely to be,’ Max commented.

  ‘Except that I saw him at Chilswood police station.’

  ‘In what way was he odious?’ Lindsey asked curiously.

  ‘Oh, he accused me of thinking I knew more than he did. As it happened, I did, and, through no fault of mine, he ended up with egg on his face.’

  ‘Enough to endear you to him, certainly,’ Lindsey agreed.

  Avril’s mind had moved on. ‘Will the police come here?’ she asked nervously. ‘Julia’s things are still in her room. She was supposed to be going home today.’ Her eyes filled with tears.

  ‘They’ll want to see everyone she’s had dealings with,’ Max replied. ‘Even as we speak, they’re no doubt trying to find out where she’s been staying, so that’s another thing we should volunteer.’

  ‘As a matter of fact,’ Rona said slowly, ‘I think I mentioned that, during the interview, but it’s all a bit of a blur. They knew by then that I knew her, and it kind of led on from there.’

  ‘In which case, Avril, you can certainly expect a visit.’

  Avril said bleakly, ‘I wish Tom was here.’

  Lindsey sprang up and put an arm round her. ‘I can stay, Mum, for as long as you need me. I’ll go home and pack a few things.’

  Avril reached up and touched her face. ‘Thank you, darling. That would be a great comfort.’

  Max stood up. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go into the next room and make that phone call. We don’t want to be accused of withholding information.’

  Lindsey turned to Rona. ‘If you and Max are going to be here for a while, I’ll nip home and collect some things to tide me over the next day or two.’

  Rona nodded, and Lindsey, too, left the room. In the silence that followed, they heard her car start up and drive away.

  Rona said quietly, ‘I can’t tell you how sorry I am I involved you in all this, Mum.’

  Avril smiled tiredly. ‘You thought you were doing us both a favour. And she was the perfect guest,’ she added unsteadily.

  Rona bit her lip. ‘I bet she couldn’t believe her luck, when I fixed her up here.’

  Avril raised a hand protestingly. ‘Don’t judge her too harshly, dear. There could be all sorts of things we don’t know.’

  ‘That,’ Rona said grimly, ‘I don’t doubt.’

  Somehow, the morning crawled by. Lindsey arrived back with a suitcase, which she took to her old room. Max made himself useful by mowing the back lawn, and Rona helped Avril to make sandwiches for a late lunch.

  When they’d finished, Rona said tentatively, ‘If you don’t mind, I think we’ll make a move. Gus is on his own and he needs a walk. He’s not had one since—’

  She broke off. Since he’d romped in the fields on the way to the cemetery.

  ‘You should have brought him with you,’ Avril said absently, and Rona and Max avoided each other’s eyes. ‘No, you go,’ Avril added. ‘There’s nothing you can do, and Lindsey will keep me company.’

  ‘Thanks, sis,’ Rona said quietly as they were leaving.

  ‘No problem. Let us know any developments.’

  ‘You too.’

  They exchanged a quick hug, and Rona, glad the distressing visit was over, followed Max down the path to the car. Just what, she wondered apprehensively, were those developments likely to be?

  As they’d feared, the case was reported in the evening paper.

  The body of Julia Curzon, 36, divorced wife of Nicholas Curzon of the famous porcelain firm, was discovered by his cousin Finlay Curzon and a friend, in the family burial ground late yesterday afternoon. She had been stabbed once through the heart. The police are anxious to speak to anyone who might have seen Ms Curzon yesterday, or spoken to her on her mobile phone. The number to ring is . . .

  Max had spread the paper on the kitchen table, and Rona read it over his shoulder.

  ‘She was on the family tree I saw yesterday,’ she said, ‘but as her maiden name wasn’t given as Teale, it didn’t register.’

  ‘Perhaps she’s married again,’ Max suggested.

  ‘Another thing she just didn’t happen to mention?’ Rona asked bitterly.

  ‘At least you’re only referred to as “a friend”,’ Max said. ‘Be thankful for small mercies.’

  Later, Tom phoned, wondering if Rona had heard the news. ‘I thought, with the Curzon connection, you might have met her,’ he said.

  ‘I found her, Pops,’ she told him, and wearily had to go through the story again.

  ‘Why did I ever suggest you contact that family?’ he demanded vehemently, when she’d finished.

  ‘Actually, we’re even more involved,’ Rona told him. ‘Julia’s been staying with Mum.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I fixed it, because she didn’t like hotels, and Mum had a lull before the proper lodger.’

  ‘God, yes; Avril told us when we met her. But she didn’t mention a name, and naturally I didn’t make the connection. Is she all right? It must have been a terrible shock for her.’

  ‘It was, yes, but she’s coping. Linz is staying with her for a few days.’ Rona paused. ‘You said “us”; who was with you?’

  There was a brief silence, then Tom said, ‘Catherine. Didn’t your mother tell you? We met her in Guild Street a couple of days ago.’

  ‘Oh.’ For once, Rona could think of nothing else to say.

  The police arrived at eleven o’clock the next morning. Max, after breakfasting in his dressing gown with the Sunday papers, had gone up for a shower, and it was Rona who answered the doorbell. On the step stood two men, the taller of whom was, as she’d feared, Detective Inspector Barrett. He was a lean, loosely jointed man with fairish hair, whose pale eyebrows and lashes gave his face a curiously undefined appearance, at odds with his penetrating grey eyes.

  For a moment they eyed each other in a silence broken only by the sound of church bells. Then Barrett said flatly, ‘So, Ms Parish, we meet again.’

  ‘Against your express wishes, as I remember,’ Rona returned steadily.

  ‘Ours not to reason why. This is DS Bright, by the way.’

  Rona and the quiet, dark-eyed man at his side nodded cautiously at each other, then she stood aside. ‘No doubt you’d like to come in.’

  ‘If we may.’

  She led the way into the sitting room, and Barrett looked about him appraisingly.

  ‘Certainly one up on a cottage in Mayhem Parva,’ he commented grudgingly, and Rona caught the sergeant’s puzzled frown.

  ‘Please sit down,’ she said.

  They did so, Bright, who had taken out a notebook, opting for an upright chair against the wall.

  ‘I’ve read your statement, of course,’ Barrett began, ‘part of which is corroborated by Mr Finlay Curzon. What interests me, though, is your relationship with the deceased. How, exactly, did that come about?’

  Perfunctorily, Rona went yet again through her meeting with Julia,
arranging for her to stay with Avril, and their developing friendship. Barrett listened in silence until she came to a halt.

  ‘Yet you maintain that never, in the time you spent together, did she tell you her real name, or that she’d been part of the Curzon family?’

  ‘No, she didn’t, even though she knew I was writing about them.’

  ‘Have you any idea why not?’

  ‘None.’

  ‘Did she ever mention having been married?’

  ‘I think she made some reference to her ex; that was all.’

  Barrett sucked on his lower lip. ‘Your husband reported an incident relating to a handbag. Can you elaborate on that?’

  Rona did so, and he nodded absently. No doubt he’d already checked with Reigate police, and she wondered what conclusion they’d reached.

  ‘You never taxed her with this?’

  ‘I’d no reason to. It was only after her death that I learned she came from Reigate.’

  ‘But you must have asked where she lived?’

  Rona thought back. ‘She just said she moved about a lot, but that her family was in Dorset.’

  ‘And you now believe the handbag had some connection with her?’

  ‘It seems highly likely, wouldn’t you say?’

  ‘Unfortunately, “highly likely” doesn’t carry much weight with the police, Ms Parish. We need concrete evidence before reaching a conclusion.’ He leaned back, crossing one leg high over the other, and surveyed her malevolently. ‘However, since you’re not hampered by such niceties, perhaps you’d kindly tell us who killed her? It would save a lot of time all round.’

  Rona flushed and did not reply.

  ‘Ms Parish here has all the answers,’ Barrett tossed over his shoulder in the direction of the sergeant, who kept his eyes firmly on his notebook. ‘She’s made a name for herself by showing up the police all over the county.’

  ‘Not true,’ Rona said quietly. ‘But I didn’t expect to see you so far from Buckford, Inspector.’

  ‘Moved to Chilswood for family reasons,’ he replied, ‘but I reckoned it was still a safe distance from Marsborough. I’d forgotten how wide a territory you cover.’

  ‘I didn’t realize we had visitors,’ said a cold voice from the doorway, and Max came into the room. Barrett hastily uncrossed his legs and stood up, as did the sergeant.