Murder on Exmoor

by P. J. Thurbin

  “They’re all there. I know I should’n ‘ave done it, but I was upset like, see. Dad don’t know. Don’t tell ‘im; he’d kill me.”

  Ralph put the envelope in his pocket. “One last question, Ann. Do you have any idea what happened to Daniel?”

  She looked at him in surprise. “He turned his bike over. You lot found it up the woods. Why you askin’?”

  “Thank you Ann. I’d best be going.”

  He felt like a heel as he went out. His intention had not been to deceive the girl. He had not actually lied, but neither had he been honest. As he started down the narrow lane he rationalised that at least he had achieved something. His approach had been slightly unethical, but at least the blackmailing would stop and Marian would get her photos back. And of course Ann would not be in trouble with the police; so it was not a bad result overall.

  As he drove back towards the cottage, he stopped in Barnstable and put the photos in an envelope addressed to Marian. When he telephoned to tell her what had happened, she sounded very grateful. He assured her that the envelope with the photos was sealed when the girl had handed them to him. He phoned Katie to tell her what had happened.

  “Chicken pie, tonight, your favourite,” she said.

  “I’m on my way.” Life could be worse, he smiled as he got back in his car and headed home.

  As he drove along listening to Devon Radio, he thought about Ann’s father. There was a man driven by hate, a widower caring for a willful teenaged daughter who was prepared to shoot trespasser. Could he have been so enraged at Daniel’s behavior that he had caused the accident that killed him? Or, had he been afraid that his daughter would go off with her boyfriend and that he would be left alone: a bitter man with two dogs as his only companions. ‘Bloody hell Ralph get a grip boy.’ He could practically hear his father shouting at him if he had showed the slightest emotion. Get over it and move on, son.’ He smiled. Dad was from the old school. He pushed the throttle to the floor and the car responded. As if on cue, The Ride of the Valkyries resounded from the radio. As he swung through the twists and bends, his mood lifted. As promised, Katie had his supper ready and waiting when he got back to the cottage.

  “How did you get this Ann Bishop to give you the photos? What about the camera card?” Katie asked. “I know Marian will be relieved. Now it looks like everyone except James Bradley’s in the clear. There’s not a lot more we can do to help”.

  “I think she just wanted to get things sorted. So far as I know, she only had the photos. My guess is that Daniel took the chip to one of those places that does the printing and whoever cleans his place out before they sell it or rent it will probably toss it out.”

  “But I still don’t understand why she just gave you the photos.”

  “I think she just wanted to get the whole mess behind her. Sensible girl.”

  “So what happens now?” Katie asked.

  “I suppose that once the police get more evidence, there’ll be a trial,” Ralph replied. “So unless something turns up, poor James will be in limbo with his bail. The conditions vary, but I don’t think he’ll be allowed to leave the country and it’ll have an effect on his business. You know, even if he’s not convicted, just the fact that he was a suspect tends to frighten clients off.”

  “Will Marian have to testify? If so, all of that sordid business about her and Daniel will come out, and it could ruin her career.”

  “Not necessarily. It’s already been in the papers and if there is any kafuffle, the Union will back her. You managed to turn your career around, and you were coming from a lot further back than she was.” As he said it he wished he hadn’t. He was relieved that she made out that she had not heard.

  “You don’t think you’ll get in trouble for interfering with a police enquiry, do you? It’s a shame you don’t have someone like Inspector Linham that you know.”

  “There was that Inspector over at Barnstable, and of course the Chief Constable we met at that garden party when we first got the cottage.”

  “Seems like a long time ago, now. I do enjoy our time here, Ralph. Maybe we should think about coming back for the summer?”

  “We’ll have to see how our schedules pan out. It does sound nice, though; you can go riding and I can go sailing.”

  “But I guess right now we need to think about packing to go back to the real world,” Katie said.

  “But not until we’ve had that chicken pie,” Ralph reminded her.

  ______________________

  Chapter 6

  As the semester came to an end and students saw their Finals looming up, they started to panic. The University examination process was well documented and staff and the administration adhered to a clear set of rules, but inevitably, some lecturers felt a certain level of empathy for their student’s fears. The students at the top of the distribution curve take it in their stride, the ones at the bottom have no idea what is going on and the mass in the middle simply complain about their lot. The unwritten rule is that the Professors highlight areas in the syllabus where questions are likely to be set, although not the actual questions. Many students admit that they only understood what the course was about when they did the revision. Hence a game is played out with lecturers and tutors teasing and encouraging their acolytes to revise or else face failing the course.

  Ralph was expert at the game. Every year he went through the same old ritual that he thought had changed little since his own student days at Cambridge. He and his friends had engaged in sport, wild parties, and late night discussions about how to save the world. At the eleventh hour they had swotted for exams until dawn, sustained with endless cups of coffee. They had all managed somehow to finish up with a degree. But with this current tranche of students, he felt that there was something missing; a spirit of optimism; yes, that was it, he mused. When he was a student, the future was filled with excitement. There were places to go, worlds to conquer, role models to emulate. A knock on the door broke his reverie.

  “Ralph, old chum. Got a minute?”

  “Come on in,” Ralph said as he stood up and greeted his oldest and best friend.

  Peter Cavendish plumped down in an easy chair by the open window.

  “How’re things, Ralph? I must say, you look a bit down. Things all right down at the cottage in Devon, I hope.”

  “Yes, fine, thanks. The cottage is ticking along nicely. You know; a bit of sailing, Katie got out riding a few times, we had some nice walks around the countryside.”

  “Sounds idyllic, if you ask me. So no drama this time, eh? You usually come back having bested some beast in his lair or some such thing.”

  “Probably just the effort of getting back into the routine at the College. I always find that a bit of a downer. Anyhow, how’re things with you and Marcia? Is she still tearing up the catwalk?”

  “Actually this second wind of a career of hers has worked wonders. She couldn’t believe that after being retired from modeling for some twenty odd years she’s a hot property again. The over the hill older woman has become the beautiful mature woman with a lot more money to spend on her wardrobe than the twenty-year-olds.”

  “I must say she looked quite happy with her lot in life the last time we got together,” Ralph agreed.

  “I just spoke with Lance, and he and Cynthia had a great time with you and Katie, by all accounts. He was out there on the lawns regaling a bunch of his students when I came up the hill. Marriage seems to agree with him. He’s looking more like one of us every day.” Peter chuckled as he got up walked over to the window.

  “I was just thinking about when we were students, Peter. Were we really so different to this lot?”

  “I hope so, old chum. By the look of the motely bunch out there, I definitely hope so.”

  “No, not their appearance, I meant were we more ambitious, you know, more optimistic about life?”

  “Not me, Ralph. I barely scraped through. All I wanted was to get out and enjoy myself. I’m afraid that ambition didn’t fi
gure in my plans. I just focused on how to get enough dosh from my folks to buy a few beers and get some fancy gear so that I could get a date with a pretty girl. Seems I made it.” He laughed and sat down with his feet on the glass-topped table that filled most of Ralph’s office.

  Ralph looked at his friend. He was tall, popular with his students, and after a few rough years due to his philandering, he had finally realised what a gem he had in Marcia and settled down to a happy married life. They had a large house of the sort that Ralph could only dream about, and he had made his way to being the Dean of the School of Music. Not a bad result, Ralph mused.

  “You did all right for yourself, Peter, even though you try to play it down.”

  “I heard the previous Dean give his leaving speech. He said that when he was a young man he knew he wanted to grow up to be somebody. Now at 65 he wished he’d been more specific.” They both laughed. “So you see Ralph its all relative.”

  They sat quietly for a while. His friend looked up.

  “Just tell me if I’m out of line, Ralph, but we’ve been friends a long time, and something’s bothering you. Old Granger been twisting your tail or are you still pondering getting married to your Katie?”

  “Just end of term blues, Peter. But thanks for asking. I’m thinking about packing it all in and moving down to Devon in another year or so.”

  “Still hankering after the good life, Ralph? You’re too smart to think that moving to a new environment will make everything okay. If something’s on your mind, I have a good listening ear, but if you don’t want to talk about it, we can just pop down to the bar and have a drink. We’ve got some catching up to do.”

  “Well there is something I’d like to talk to you about before we go down. It’s stupid but I got a bit involved with a friend of Katie’s when we were down in Devon.”

  “My god,” said Peter as he took his feet smartly off the table. “That’s not like you, Ralph. Does Katie know? I can see why you’re in a bit of a stew. I’ve been there old pal.”

  “Not that sort of thing, you ass. Her friend was being blackmailed, and I don’t want to go into details, but to get the documents back I might have been a bit – well devious.”

  Peter let out a gasp. “You had me worried there for a minute, Ralph. Look, I’m parched. Why don’t you tell me about it over a beer. Trying to get those students to see the virtue in composing instead of wanting to be a pop musician has buggered my larynx. Good job I play the piano instead of singing for a living.” With that he got up and opened the door. “Come on, Ralph, I want to tell you about the concert that we’re putting on down at St Mary’s Church in Kingston. I’ve got so friendly with the vicar there I’m almost ready for conversion.”

  “I can’t think what you’d be converting from,” Ralph smiled. He felt better already.

  As Peter told him about the upcoming concert and how St Mary’s was being transformed into a focal point for the community, he began to forget all about Sherracombe Ford and Devon.

  ***

  The concert was a success. Peter had surpassed all expectations when he played two solo pieces on the restored church organ. As the music filled the church, Ralph could

  see by the look on the faces of the invited guests and the audience that Peter’s reputation as a world expert in early church organ music was secure. He glanced across at Marcia and remembered how she and Peter had gone through some pretty bad patches in their long marriage. Perhaps it was time for him and Katie to think seriously about getting married, he mused. Being in church had that effect, he had heard.

  During the interval, he spoke to Inspector Linham and his wife. Linham joked about Kingston being a lot quieter when Professor Chalmers was busy teaching rather than engaged in one of his escapades, as he discreetly phrased it. It reminded him about Devon, and what was likely happening with James Bradley and Marian.

  ***

  Cynthia and Lance had arranged their housewarming party for the same evening as the concert. Katie took the underground as far as Wimbledon and Ralph picked her up at the station. The Common always took him by surprise. It was only a few miles from central London, but with over 1000 acres, it was said to be the biggest heathland in England. It sported a lake, cricket and football pitches and a well-known golf course.

  Ralph had run cross country matches there over the years and knew it almost as well as he did the neighboring Richmond Park. It was a warm evening and couples strolled along the wide tree-lined avenues where the lights from the tall Victorian Villas and the sounds of music coming from the open windows gave it a festive air. By the time they got to Raleigh Villas, which bordered the Common, it was getting dark.

  “It must have cost every penny of 3 million, Ralph,” Katie whispered as they rang the bell at the top of the wide flight of stone steps. As they waited, he joked that Cynthia had probably sold off some of the art treasures at Dorich House to cover the cost.

  Lance welcomed them in.

  “C’mon in, you two; glad you could make it. I know it’s not your scene, Ralph, but Cindy’s pleased as punch with the place; she’s dying to show you around. Just throw your coats in there and come and meet the rest,” he pointed to a cloakroom just off the foyer that was bigger than Ralph’s bedroom.

  Lance led the way into what must at one time have been a formal dining room. The ceilings were at least 16 feet and the décor had been kept as close to Victorian in style as possible. A large crystal chandelier shone down on the guests. As Ralph admired the Victorian cornices around the ceilings, Cynthia whisked Katie off for a tour of the house. Lance got Ralph a drink and introduced him to some of the guests from outside the College. Peter, who had appointed himself pianist for the evening, sat at the piano and rendered a subdued selection of familiar tunes. It was not long before Ralph spotted his Dean, Rupert Granger.

  “You know Ruth, of course,” Granger said.

  “Of course. Katie and I enjoyed a lovely dinner at your home and met you again at Goodwood Races a while back,” Ralph said as he shook Ruth’s extended hand.

  “So Ralph, any plans for the summer?” Asked Granger. “I was hoping that you might cover for me when Ruth and I go to France. My back’s been playing me up and a rest would do me good.” He smiled at Ruth who smiled back.

  “Rupert works much too hard,” she agreed. “He can’t keep up this pace forever. He’s been to see a specialist, but of course he won’t do as they say and slow down.” She looked up fondly at her husband.

  Ralph knew that this was the time to say no. A few years back he had been talked into covering for Granger during the summer break. He recalled the days of waiting around when people failed to keep their appointments, and noisy groups of overseas students using the place as a summer school; it had been a dreadful experience.

  “I’m afraid I won’t be able to this summer, Rupert. I’ve a few things to sort out in Devon. As a matter of fact, I’ve made an appointment with Margaret to come in and speak to you next week about taking a few months unpaid leave at the end of the summer.”

  Granger just managed to keep the smile.

  “We’ll have to have a chat about that later, Ralph. Best not mix work and pleasure.” It was all Ralph could do not to point out that it was not he who had brought up the subject.

  Granger looked around as the VC, Marcel Ravaux, walked in with his wife.

  “I’ll speak to you later Ralph,” he said as he propelled Ruth towards the VC. Never misses a chance, thought Ralph.

  Suddenly it all became clear. Something had been simmering in his mind but he had not quite been able to put his finger on it. The near confrontation with Granger had tipped the balance. He would talk it over with Katie first, but the more he thought about it, the more he was convinced that he wanted to take a year out on unpaid leave. He knew that a colleague had done it a few years back, and although he’d miss the paycheque, he had enough to tide him over. It was high time he made some changes in his life, and he may as well start now. He was just going ove
r his plan when Katie rejoined him.

  “It’s a fabulous house, Ralph. You must see it. There are at least five bedrooms upstairs as well as three more bathrooms, not counting the guest bathroom off the hall down here.”

  “Are you trying to give me a hint?” Ralph joked.

  “Of course not. We’ve got ours just right. I love my place in Chelsea. You’re settled in at your Surbiton apartment. Then we’ve got the cottage for our country escape. No I’m happy as things are. Aren’t you?”

  “Cynthia and Lance are probably mortgaged up to the hilt,” he said as he caught a glimpse of Marcia who was moving their way. “Having to work just to pay for a life-style and all the trappings that go with living around here’s certainly not for me.” He decided that this was not the time or place to mention his epiphany moment to Katie; he wanted to think it through, first.

  “Peter’s doing a great job on all those old tunes,” Katie said to Marcia when she joined them. “How are things, anyhow?”

  “He’s in hog heaven,” Marcia agreed. “It’s so good to see you two. We must get you over to dinner before the time slips by and we’re all off in a thousand directions this summer.”

  “I know. But tell me, how’s your modeling career? I’ll bet all the designers are beating a path to your door.”

  “I don’t know about that, but I’ve just got a new job in New York. Peter’s not too happy as it will mean my going away again. He still wants to retire and get away to Devon or somewhere. But I think he’s happy that I have something to focus on. By the way, you two look great. Tell me all about what you’ve been up to.”

  “Let’s go over where it’s a bit quieter so we can have a proper chat,” said Katie as she steered her friend a bit away from the crowd.

  As the guests began to relax and the mingling slowed down, people seemed to notice the music more. The party mood took hold, and several couples began to dance. Ralph managed to prise Katie away from her chat with Marcia. The Victorians would have approved, Ralph mused, as he and Katie swirled and laughed to the beat of the quickstep music.