Aunt Bessie Goes (An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Book 7)

by Diana Xarissa

  Bessie nodded. She’d known the whole family for many years and she knew that Sarah and Adam were close. Even if the trip was arranged at the last minute, she couldn’t imagine Adam going without telling his much-loved big sister all about it.

  “And he never got in touch,” Sarah added. “I lived at the same address in Castletown for more than ten years after he left and he never sent a single postcard or Christmas card or anything. Mum said she never heard from him either, but that was less surprising to me. She and Adam weren’t close, but he and I were. If he did move to Australia, even if he went at the last minute and didn’t have time to say goodbye, he would have written later to let me know he was okay.”

  “You couldn’t have ever guessed what had happened,” Bessie said.

  “I know, but I should have guessed something was wrong,” Sarah replied, shaking her head.

  “Did your mother ever tell you anything more?” Bessie asked.

  “I did try to find out more,” Sarah said. “I used to ask about Adam every time I rang or visited. For years I was sure he was going to get in touch soon or that mum had to know more. She hinted once, when I was particularly persistent, that he’d found himself in some trouble at the bank and that dad sent him away and hushed everything up. When I tried to get her to tell me more, though, she wouldn’t and the next time I mentioned it she told me I’d misunderstood her.”

  “Is it possible that she was telling the truth about the trouble at the bank?”

  Sarah shrugged. “Before she died, I would have said that my mother, for all her faults, never lied to me. She was sometimes painfully, brutally honest with me. But now I find myself doubting everything she ever said to me. There’s no way she didn’t know about what was behind that wall. Whether it’s Adam or not, that’s one heck of a secret to keep for thirty years.”

  “It is, at that,” Bessie agreed.

  “Sarah’s brothers, Fred and George, are going to be coming across later this week or early next,” Mike told her. “I don’t know if they’ll be able to answer any questions, though. They were both already living in the UK when Adam, um, left.”

  “Still, it will be nice for you both to have them here, right?” Bessie asked.

  “I suppose,” Sarah said.

  “That wasn’t terribly enthusiastic,” Bessie told her.

  “They weren’t close to Adam,” Sarah explained. “In fact, I think they both thought he was a terrible pest. He was quite a bit younger than them, of course, and they all shared a room, which was very tough on all three of them. Anyway, they were both too busy to come to mum’s memorial service. It wouldn’t surprise me if they didn’t actually come now, either.”

  “Mark Carr moved across not long after Adam’s disappearance. Do you think the two things are linked?” Bessie asked, changing the subject.

  “I never liked Mark and I tried hard to avoid him,” Sarah replied. “I suspect that, with Adam gone, he figured he might as well try his luck elsewhere.”

  “Do you know if he believed the story about Australia?” Bessie asked.

  “I have no idea what he was told or what he believed,” Sarah answered. She took a deep breath. “One night, when I was about sixteen and Adam and Mark were fourteen, Mark slept over at our house. In the middle of the night he climbed into bed with me and, well, tried to, you know.” She stopped and blushed, looking down at the table.

  Mike took her hands. “You never told me this,” he said softly.

  “I kneed him in the, um, well, most sensitive part of his anatomy and sent him back to Adam,” Sarah replied, smiling wryly. “As far as I can recall, we never spoke to each other again.”

  Bessie patted her hand. “Good for you,” she said.

  “Anyway, you can understand why I never rang him to ask if he’d known that Adam was planning to move away.”

  “I can indeed,” Bessie replied. “I suppose the police will be asking him that, along with many other questions.”

  “First they have to find him,” Mike said.

  “What do you mean?” Bessie asked.

  “Apparently he was released from prison last month, on probation. He told them he was coming back to the island. He was supposed to provide a new address and report to the probation service here within forty-eight hours, but he never did so.”

  “So we don’t know if he’s on the island or elsewhere,” Bessie said with a sigh.

  “Maybe he went to Australia,” Sarah said dryly.

  “So where does all of this leave us?” Mike asked his wife. “Have you remembered anything useful to tell the police?”

  Sarah shook her head. “I don’t think so,” she rubbed her forehead. “When did I take those headache tablets?” she asked.

  Mike glanced at the clock. “You can have some more in a little while,” he told her. “You should eat something while you’re waiting.”

  Sarah sighed and rolled her eyes at Bessie. “Mike thinks tea and scones can cure anything,” she told her.

  “Well, they can’t hurt,” Bessie replied.

  Sarah finished another scone and her second cup of tea and then nibbled her way though a small sandwich as well. Bessie was pleased to see the woman’s colour improving as she ate.

  “Where did these little cakes come from?” Bessie asked as she worked her way through her own plate.

  Mike named a bakery that had only just recently opened in Port Erin. “We’ve enjoyed everything we’ve tried from them,” he told Bessie.

  “I can see why,” Bessie replied.

  The trio chatted about the weather and the food and nothing of consequence for several minutes, while Sarah slowly cleared the plates her husband had fixed for her. Finally, when both were empty, she sat back.

  “Thank you,” she said intently to Bessie. “I really just needed to talk everything through with someone who understands. Not that Mike hasn’t been wonderful,” she added quickly. “But you were actually there, all through my childhood and when Adam disappeared.”

  Bessie patted her hand. “I keep trying to remember what your mother said at the time,” she told Sarah. “I think Elinor was the one who shared the story. If I recall correctly, she told everyone that your mother was quite distressed by Adam’s decision to go and that she’d prefer not to talk about it.”

  Sarah snorted. “It would be like mum to get Elinor to cover for her,” she said sharply. “And it would be like Elinor to be thrilled to be asked to tell everyone the tragic story. No doubt Elinor made lots of references to how her Nathan would never dream of moving away and leaving her like that.”

  Elinor Lewis had been the driving force behind the Raspberry Jam Ladies. She was a formidable woman who organised and ran the group to her own very particular standards. Sarah was absolutely right, Elinor would have loved the chance to spread Nancy’s sad story about her son’s sudden decision to leave and she would have taken every opportunity to remind everyone of her endless devotion to her own mentally challenged son. As Elinor had also passed away in July, there was no way to find out exactly what Nancy had told her about Adam’s disappearance, though.

  “I think we’d better let Bessie get home again,” Mike suggested now. “We’ve taken up her entire afternoon.”

  “I’m glad I could come and talk to you both,” Bessie said. “It was no bother at all.”

  “But the day is quickly getting away from us,” Mike pointed out.

  “You go,” Sarah said. “I’m feeling much better, actually.”

  Bessie rose to her feet and gave Sarah another hug. “I’m glad you found Mr. Hiccup in your mother’s things,” she whispered to the woman. “I’m sure he’s a strange sort of comfort.”

  Sarah nodded, her eyes filling with more tears. “He is, at that,” she agreed. “I think I might have him buried with Adam.”

  “I wouldn’t,” Bessie told her. “I think you should keep him with you, but that’s just my opinion.”

  “I guess I need to think about it,” Sarah replied. “I have so many
things to think about.”

  “I’ll be back as quickly as I can,” Mike told Sarah.

  “I can get a taxi home,” Bessie offered. “I hate for you to leave Sarah alone.”

  “I’m fine,” Sarah said firmly. “I’ll tidy up the tea things and throw something together for an evening meal. By that time Mike will be back.”

  Bessie hesitated, but Mike spoke up.

  “The drive will help clear my head,” he told Bessie. “After the last few hours, I think I need it.”

  At the door, Sarah gave Bessie yet another hug. “I meant what I said,” she told her. “I want you to investigate. The police aren’t going to care about a thirty year old murder that must have been committed by people who are also dead. But I want to know what happened. You know everyone in Laxey. Someone must know something.”

  Bessie shook her head. “The police will investigate as thoroughly as they can,” she told the woman. “I’ll be happy to help Inspector Rockwell if he needs any background information, but investigating is their job.”

  “I hope you’ll keep me informed as you find things out,” Sarah continued as if Bessie hadn’t spoken. “And I hope you’ll come to Adam’s memorial service when we have it.”

  “Of course, I’ll do both,” Bessie assured her.

  The drive back to Laxey was mostly a silent one. Bessie was lost in the past, trying to recall anything and everything that might help the police, and Sarah, figure out what had happened to Adam. When they pulled up at Bessie’s cottage, Mike walked Bessie to her door.

  “Thank you,” he said intensely. You were a huge help to her. For one thing, that’s the first food she’s eaten since the police came yesterday afternoon. I really can’t thank you enough.”

  Bessie gave him a hug. “You two seem very well-suited,” she told him. “I can tell you both care about one another. I’m sure you’ll help her get through this. Please don’t hesitate to ring if you think I can help in any way.”

  “Are you really going to investigate?” Mike asked.

  “As I told Sarah, that’s the job of the police. I might ask a few questions here and there, and obviously, I’ll share everything I can remember with Inspector Rockwell, but investigating is his job.”

  “I’ll try to persuade Sarah of that,” Mike said with a smile. “Thank you again.”

  Bessie paced anxiously around her cottage after he’d driven away. She felt terribly unsettled. She was so happy when the phone offered a distraction that she answered it without waiting to see who was ringing.

  “The inspector was wondering if you’d like some company for dinner,” Doona’s voice said in Bessie’s ear. “He’d really like to talk to you about Nancy King.”

  “That sounds good,” Bessie agreed quickly. “Just the inspector?”

  “Actually, I think Hugh and I will be coming as well, but I’m not totally sure,” Doona replied. “Whoever comes will bring plenty of food with them.”

  “Perfect,” Bessie said. “Soon?”

  Doona laughed. “Are you bored?” she asked.

  “More like restless and frustrated,” Bessie replied. “I spent the afternoon with Mike and Sarah Combe and I think I understand even less now than I did before.”

  “Someone should be there around six,” Doona told her. “You’ll just have to wait patiently until then.”

  After she hung up the phone, Bessie looked at the clock. She had over an hour to fill before her guests would arrive. The book on Anglesey was only slightly more tempting than a walk in the rain, but she settled in with the book and managed to fill the time.

  Chapter Five

  A section in the book on Iron Age finds had Bessie hunting for a book on the history of the Isle of Man for comparison purposes, when someone knocked on her door. She gave herself a mental pat on the back for managing to get her mind off of Adam King for an entire hour before she opened the door.

  Hugh Watterson grinned at her. “Aunt Bessie, how are you?” he asked, sweeping her up into a huge hug. “I feel as if I haven’t seen you in years,” he said after he’d let her go.

  “It has been a while,” Bessie agreed, smiling at the young constable. Hugh was in his twenties and he towered over Bessie, but his face still had a youthful appearance that always reminded Bessie of the fifteen-year-old boy he had been not that long ago. For a change his brown hair looked as if it had been very recently trimmed. He was dressed in a pair of trousers and a light jumper rather than the jeans and sweatshirt he usually wore when he wasn’t in uniform.

  “How’s Grace?” Bessie asked, guessing that Hugh’s pretty blonde girlfriend was the cause of his new, smarter appearance.

  “She’s terrific,” Hugh said, blushing. “I’m going to see her later, after dinner. We have tickets for a theatre show that some of her friends are doing. It doesn’t start until ten, but I’m on the late shift tomorrow and Grace is just working as a supply teacher at the moment, so she’ll be able to take the day off.”

  “She couldn’t get a position up here, then?” Bessie asked. Grace had been teaching in Douglas, but she had been hoping to find a place at the primary school in either Laxey or Lonan so that she could move closer to Hugh.

  “No, neither school had a suitable opening, but she really didn’t fancy going back to where she was either. She found a flat-share in Lonan with some other girls, so her share of the rent isn’t too bad. She’s just about making ends meet with supply teaching.”

  “And she’s much closer to you,” Bessie added.

  Hugh blushed again. “Yeah, well, that’s the best part,” he said.

  “I never did hear how your holiday went,” Bessie said after she’d found Hugh a cold drink. “How was your trip across with Grace and her family?”

  Hugh shook his head and then laughed. “It was okay, really. Grace’s little sister was only annoying about three-quarters of the time and I was only asked when I was going to propose by every single family member we met.”

  Bessie laughed. “It’s good that she has a large and loving family,” she told Hugh.

  “It is,” Hugh agreed. “But it takes some getting used to. My family isn’t really like theirs.”

  Bessie nodded. She’d watched Hugh grow up, even let him sleep in her spare room on occasion when he was having a tough time at home. “I’m glad things are going so well for you two. I really like Grace,” she told him.

  “I really like her, too,” Hugh said. “I think I might propose at Christmas. That seems sort of romantic, doesn’t it?”

  “It does,” Bessie agreed, thinking of her own failed romances and her own Christmas proposal. “But sometimes it’s better to do your asking sooner rather than later.”

  Hugh nodded. “I know. I’m still trying to figure it all out, though.”

  Bessie felt like giving him a lot more advice, but she knew she needed to tread carefully. The knock on the door stopped her before she’d even started.

  “John, how nice to see you again,” Bessie said when she’d opened the door. “And Doona, you too, of course.”

  The pair had come together in John’s car and now they carried in boxes full of takeaway containers.

  “I brought a rhubarb crumble for pudding,” Doona said. “I’d love to tell you I made it myself, but I didn’t have time to pull it out of the bakery box before I came.”

  Bessie laughed. “Never mind, crumble is perfect on a cold and wet day, wherever it’s come from.”

  John spread the containers across Bessie’s counter and the foursome filled their plates. Then they settled in at Bessie’s kitchen table with their plates and cold drinks.

  “This is wonderful,” Bessie said after several bites.

  “There’s a new place, right across the street from the station,” John told her. “They just opened last week and everyone at the station has been going there almost every day for lunch.”

  “They’re really quick, and everything I’ve tried has been tasty,” Doona added.

  “I’m afraid I�
�m going to have to add more fitness classes to the schedule, though,” John said. “I think we’re all getting fat from eating too well.”

  John had recently converted a small, unused space at the station into an exercise room and had arranged for instructors from the local gym to come in and teach classes a few times a week. Doona had told Bessie that several of the weight training classes were well attended by the young constables, at least in part because John himself took the class whenever he could. Additionally, several of the front desk staff were apparently enjoying the aerobics classes. Doona hadn’t tried a class yet, but she confessed to Bessie that she was tempted.

  “I’ve never really worried about my weight,” she’d told Bessie a week earlier. “But I know I could do with being fitter. With everyone else around me getting into shape, I might just have to give it a try.”

  Now they kept the conversation light while they ate, discussing local politics and what the royal family was up to, rather than going straight into discussing the body that was found at the King house.

  “Bessie, you didn’t take much to eat,” Doona remarked when Bessie cleared her plate before the others.

  “I had tea with Mike and Sarah Combe,” she explained. “They had fresh scones and cakes and sandwiches, and I tried just about everything. I’m sure Hugh can help out tonight with anything I can’t manage.”

  Hugh laughed. “I suppose a second helping won’t hurt,” he said as he got up from the table to refill his plate. “I’m going to be having a late night, after all.”

  After Hugh had finished his third helping, Doona cleared the table and quickly did the washing up. When everyone had generous helpings of crumble with custard in front of them, John cleared his throat.

  “We have a lot to cover and young Hugh has a hot date,” he said. “I think we should get started.”

  “By all means,” Bessie said, feeling comforted by the warm pudding.