Aunt Bessie Knows (An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Book 11)

by Diana Xarissa

  Doona looked at Bessie and both women frowned. “Let’s get John,” Doona suggested.

  “We should take a quick look,” Bessie argued. “I’d hate to waste John’s time.”

  “It’s pouring,” Doona pointed out.

  “I’ll just walk a short distance and see if I see anything.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Doona said firmly.

  The pair stepped out into the strong wind and driving rain. They shuffled forward slowly, following the path that meandered behind the mansion before arriving at the steep stairs to the beach. The feeling of dread in the pit of Bessie’s stomach told her what to expect before she saw it.

  “We need John,” she said loudly, pointing towards the beach below them.

  Doona spotted what Bessie had seen and sighed deeply. “It’s going to be a long night,” she muttered as she and Bessie turned back towards the house.

  The pair stood in the corridor, dripping wet, while Doona dug her mobile phone out of her bag.

  “Stupid, tiny fancy handbag,” she muttered in frustration.

  “Can’t find your mobile?” Bessie asked.

  “Oh, I’ve found it, but it’s stuck. It’s only a little bit smaller than the bag itself.”

  Doona finally wrestled the device from the bag, sending a comb, lipstick and at least a dozen coins flying through the air as she did so. She sighed and then punched in a number. Bessie gathered up coins as she listened to Doona telling John what they’d seen.

  “He wants us to wait here,” Doona told her when she’d finished the call. “He’s calling for backup, in case we’re right about what we saw on the beach.”

  “I hope they hurry,” Bessie said. “They may still be able to help her.”

  Doona raised her eyebrows but said nothing. Bessie knew that her friend was thinking the same thing that she was: there was nothing that anyone could do for the broken figure they’d seen below them. But until she’d been told otherwise, Bessie was determined to remain positive. She’d survived a fall down the steps behind Thie yn Traie herself, and Gennifer was somewhat younger.

  It felt like a very long time before John and the others joined Bessie and Doona. John’s face was grim and he was talking into his mobile as he walked down the corridor. He disconnected when he reached them.

  “Which room do you think was used?” he asked.

  Bessie pointed to the nearest door. John opened it and stepped inside. He was only gone for a moment. When he emerged from the room, he pulled the door shut behind him again.

  “Doona, you’re on guard duty here,” he barked. “No one is to go into that room until the crime scene team arrives.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said, stepping over to stand in front of the door.

  “I can do that,” Hugh suggested. “Doona’s just a civilian.” He flushed. “No offense,” he told Doona. “But it isn’t really your job, that’s all.”

  “I think it’s best for Doona to handle it,” John said. “I’m going to take a look outside. The nearest patrol officer should be in place at the bottom of the stairs by now.”

  “I’ll come as well,” Hugh said quickly.

  “I think you’d better wait here with the others,” John said firmly. “No point in all of us getting soaked, is there?”

  Hugh opened his mouth to argue, but Bessie caught his eye. She shook her head. Clearly young Hugh hadn’t yet realised that he might be a suspect in whatever had happened to Gennifer. The idea seemed obvious to Bessie, although she knew there was no way Hugh had done anything to harm the young woman. Still, John had to be very careful with the investigation.

  John opened the door and sighed deeply. “Why do these things always happen when it’s wet and windy?” he asked.

  “Here,” Mary said. “I had one of the staff bring your coat and an umbrella.” She held out the objects, earning a warm smile from John.

  “Thank you so much,” he said.

  “I’ve asked the kitchen staff to start preparing soup and sandwiches and lots and lots of coffee. If everything goes the way it looks as if it might, we’re going to be overrun with police in a short while. I can’t improve the weather, but at least I can provide hot food and drinks for everyone when they can come inside.”

  “That’s very thoughtful of you,” John told her. “I’m still hoping everything is going to be fine, though.”

  “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst,” Mary said grimly.

  John nodded and then, with his coat pulled tightly shut, he walked out into the rain, closing the door behind him. Bessie glanced at her watch and then looked around at the others.

  “Bessie, are you okay?” Mary asked, her voice full of concern.

  “I’m fine, just sad,” Bessie replied. “Tonight was supposed to be a celebration and a new beginning. I hate the thought of the new year starting with such a tragic accident.”

  “If it was an accident,” one of the men who was a stranger to Bessie muttered.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Bruce demanded.

  “Nothing,” the man said, colouring under Bruce’s angry look. “That girl, Gennifer, right? She just seemed determined to make herself enemies tonight, that’s all.”

  “It would probably be best if we didn’t talk about all of this,” Bessie said.

  “What else is there to discuss?” the man snapped. “I hardly think this is the time for casual conversation.”

  Bessie was saved from replying when the door to the outside opened behind her. John walked in, rain dripping from his coat. He frowned and handed a badly mangled umbrella to Mary.

  “Sorry, the wind took it,” he said.

  Mary handed it off to one of the household staff who was standing at the edge of the group. The girl hurried away, presumably to dispose of the broken umbrella.

  “So, what’s happening?” Hugh asked.

  John looked at him and sighed. “You all need to go back to the great room for now. I’ll stay here to keep the curious out of this room. As soon as more of my staff arrives, I’ll be in to speak to you.”

  “So you’ve found Gennifer?” Mary asked.

  “We’ve found Gennifer,” John replied.

  “Is she okay?” was Mary’s next question.

  “No, she isn’t,” John said shortly.

  Bessie could tell that John didn’t want to answer any more questions, even if Mary couldn’t. She took Mary’s arm and turned her away from the policeman. “John said we are all to wait in the great room,” she said. “Let’s get out of the way so he can do his job.”

  Back in the great room, the party was still going on. Mary stopped in the doorway and shook her head. “This simply won’t do,” she said to Bessie. She walked over to the band and spoke to one of the members. He motioned to the others and they all stopped playing.

  “Mummmmm,” Elizabeth wailed. “That was a great song.”

  “There’s been an accident,” Mary announced.

  Elizabeth sighed dramatically. “Gennifer’s had an accident? This is going to be just like that time when we went skiing and she managed to break her leg. We all ended up spending the entire week waiting on her hand and foot. Well, not this time. She can just fly her broken leg home and get her daddy’s staff to look after her.”

  “It’s rather more serious than that,” Mary said quietly.

  Elizabeth stared at her mother for a moment. “She’s okay, isn’t she?” she demanded. “I mean, she’s a horrible bitch, but she’s still my friend.”

  “I don’t know,” Mary replied, shaking her head.

  “I’m sure she’s okay,” Elizabeth said firmly. “You’re just looking for an excuse to end the party early.”

  “The police will be here in a few minutes,” Mary announced to everyone. “We’re all to remain in here until they arrive.”

  “The police?” one of the suited businessmen demanded. “I don’t want to waste my evening talking to the police. Come on, Joan. We’re going.”

  “I’m afraid I’
m going to have to ask you to stay here,” Hugh said in an authoritative tone. “I’m Constable Watterson with the Laxey Constabulary. Until we know exactly what happened to Miss, er, to the young lady in question, I’m afraid everyone needs to stay here.”

  “Don’t be stupid,” the man snapped. “Whatever happened to the girl, it’s nothing to do with me. You were the one who followed her out when she left the room. I hope your position with the police doesn’t mean you’re above suspicion. If I were your senior officer, you’d be the first person I’d want to question.”

  “Actually, I was planning to save Mr. Watterson for last,” a cool voice from the doorway announced. “There’s no point in making you all wait while I question him, is there?”

  Bessie felt a cold chill run through her as soon as she recognised the voice. She turned slowly, hoping she was mistaken. Inspector Anna Lambert stood in the doorway, surveying the room. If the inspector had been at a New Year’s Eve party herself, she’d managed to find time to get home and change into yet another black suit that was strictly professional. The woman’s grey hair was in a tight bun and her grey eyes were expressionless. Bessie felt herself flushing when their eyes met.

  “Miss Cubbon, why am I not surprised to find you here?” the inspector asked, sounding amused. “Every time a dead body turns up, there you are. It’s enough to make a senior policewoman suspicious.”

  Bessie bit her tongue and counted slowly to ten, and then twenty. She was just moving on towards thirty when Elizabeth seemed to suddenly realise what the inspector had said.

  “Gennifer isn’t dead,” Elizabeth shouted. “She can’t be dead. I don’t know who you are, but you need to go away and let us have our party.”

  The policewoman nodded coolly. “I should have started by introducing myself,” she said. “I’m Inspector Anna Lambert from the Laxey Constabulary. I’ll be in charge of the investigation related to the unexplained death of one Gennifer Carter-Maxwell, whose body was found on the beach a short time ago. I will be questioning each and every one of you myself about everything that happened here tonight. Another of my colleagues will be questioning the band and the rest of the household staff. While you wait for your turn to speak with me, I’d appreciate it if you’d gather your thoughts and try to arrange them into a concise narrative. If you’ve been drinking, and I assume most of you have, I’d like to ask you to stop now so that you can provide me with a reasonably sober assessment of the evening. Does anyone have any questions?”

  No one spoke. Elizabeth began to cry softly. Howard crossed to her and tried to put his arms around her, but she pushed him away. After a moment, Mary walked over and pulled Elizabeth close. The girl cried on her mother’s shoulder for a short while before Anna spoke again.

  “I must ask that you all refrain from speaking to one another,” she said. “Please just remain in here quietly until it is your turn to meet with me. I’ll be leaving several officers in here to keep you company and ensure that you comply with my request.”

  One of George’s friends opened his mouth to speak, but Anna simply looked at him for a moment, causing him to press his lips together.

  “Any questions?” Anna asked.

  No one spoke. After a moment, while she’d seemingly studied the crowd, Anna spoke again. “One of my colleagues, who was a guest here tonight, has provided me with a list of many of your names. I’d like to start by talking to Mary Quayle.”

  Mary stiffened and then patted her daughter on the back. “I have to go, baby,” she said to Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth nodded and then turned and walked to the windows, taking a seat with her back to the room.

  “Mrs. Quayle, the first thing I’ll need from you is a complete guest list. If you have a written one somewhere in the house, I’d be grateful if you could get that for me now,” Anna said.

  Mary nodded and then left the room with Anna right behind her. As soon as they were gone, half a dozen uniformed constables entered and spread themselves around the room. Bessie glanced at Doona, who shook her head. Unable to speak and unhappy with the way the investigation had begun, Bessie settled herself into the nearest chair. With nothing else to do, she watched her fellow guests.

  After a few uncomfortable minutes where no one seemed to know quite what to do, people began to make themselves comfortable. George and his friends moved towards one corner of the room, pulling up chairs and even a small sofa until they had enough seats for everyone in their group. As soon as they were settled, one of the young constables took up a position immediately behind them. George frowned at him, but he didn’t appear to notice.

  Elizabeth was still crying softly. Now Emma and Sarah joined her on her couch. After a moment, Howard crossed the room and attempted to sit next to Elizabeth. Bessie couldn’t see Elizabeth’s face, but she saw Howard redden from whatever look Elizabeth had given him. When he opened his mouth to speak, one of the police constables interrupted.

  “I’m sorry, but we really have to enforce silence,” he said sternly.

  Howard gave him an angry look and then flopped down onto a chair. Elizabeth turned on the couch so that her back was to him. He sighed deeply, glancing at the constable as he did so.

  Nigel had been standing in the centre of the room, looking confused. Now he walked over to the constable nearest to him. “Did she say Gennifer is dead?” he demanded angrily.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but the no talking rule also applies to me,” the man replied.

  “Gennifer is my girlfriend,” Nigel shouted. “If she’s dead, I ought to be told.”

  “I’m sure Inspector Lambert will tell you what you need to know when you speak to her,” the constable said.

  “Where is she?” Nigel asked. “I want to see her.”

  “Sir, you need to sit down and wait for Inspector Lambert,” the constable said.

  “I want to see Gennifer,” Nigel shouted. “I loved her. Don’t you understand? I wanted to marry her. When I find out who hurt her, I’ll, well, I’ll kill them.”

  “I’m very sorry for your loss,” the constable said. “Why don’t you sit down over here and I’ll see if I can’t get the inspector to speak to you next.” He led Nigel to a quiet corner. Nigel sat down, looking dazed.

  “Would you like a hot drink?” the policeman asked.

  “A hot drink? Are you serious? The woman I love is dead. I want answers. I want to know what happened to her.” Nigel jumped back up. “Do you know who I am? My father could buy this pitiful little island ten times over. I need to ring him.”

  “Yes, sir, if you could just wait for the inspector,” the constable replied.

  “I won’t,” Nigel shouted. “I’m going to ring my father and my solicitor and…”

  “And I think that’s quite enough,” Anna Lambert’s icy voice cut through Nigel’s tirade. “I was going to leave Ms. Carter-Maxwell’s friends for later in the questioning, but if you’re so desperate to speak to me, we can talk now.”

  Nigel looked over at her and then glanced around the room. Everyone was watching him. He flushed and then sat down abruptly. “I’ll wait my turn,” he muttered. “I may have had too much to drink.”

  “I’m inclined to believe that,” Anna said sharply. “Anyone who does want their solicitor or advocate present during questioning is, of course, welcome to have them. If you’d like to make such arrangements, please ask one of my constables to assist you. I’m not sure how available any of them will be tonight, but you’re welcome to wait in one of the holding cells at the Laxey station for them to arrive if you don’t want to speak to me without them.”

  She spun on her heel and walked back out of the room, leaving Bessie with a grudging admiration for her. Most of the guests at the party were wealthy and no doubt used to special treatment. It appeared that Inspector Lambert had little patience with such ideas.

  Doona slid into a seat opposite Bessie and sighed. Bessie tried to smile encouragingly, but she didn’t feel as if she’d quite accomplished it. After another
moment, Hugh took a seat next to Doona. Bessie looked at him, but his eyes were focussed on Grace, who was standing by herself near the windows. Bessie briefly considered joining the girl, but as they couldn’t speak there seemed little point. Across the room, Liz had taken a seat near George and his friends. Her husband, Bill, sat down next to her and Bessie frowned as she saw Liz inch away from him.

  Bessie watched as Jeremy and Bruce, the only two people still standing, glanced around the room and then at each other. Bruce pointed towards Nigel, and Jeremy shrugged. With all eyes on them, they crossed to where Nigel was sitting and sat on a couch across from him.

  Time seemed to almost stand still as everyone sat in silence. Bessie found herself wondering what had happened to John Rockwell. He’d been guarding the door to the room that Bessie and Doona had discovered had been disturbed, but with the mansion almost overflowing with police now, surely he’d been relieved from that position. Anna had mentioned getting a partial guest list from a colleague. Once John had provided that, had he been sent home or was he taking a part in the interviews?

  Over the next hour, George’s various friends and their wives were sent for, one after another, until George was the only one left in his corner of the room. Mary hadn’t returned after her session with Anna, and Bessie could only hope that her friend was coping with everything that was happening.

  Liz and Bill were the next to be questioned. Bessie gave her young friend an encouraging smile as the woman left the room. She hated seeing her under so much stress, especially during the early stages of pregnancy.

  A short while later, Jeremy was called to be interviewed. Bessie shifted uncomfortably in her chair as she waited for each of Elizabeth’s friends to be questioned in turn.

  “About bloody time,” was Nigel’s opinion when he was asked to join the inspector to give his statement.

  Elizabeth was the last of the group to be called and Bessie was pleased to see that the girl seemed to have stopped crying by the time she left the room. George followed his daughter, leaving only Bessie, Doona, Hugh and Grace in the huge great room.

  Grace was called next. As she walked past him, Hugh tried to catch her eye, but Grace stared straight ahead, looking sad and exhausted. Another twenty minutes passed before the constable at the door spoke.