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

by Diana Xarissa

  “We had Chinese for tea,” Bessie said. “I can warm up whatever you’d like. Or I can just warm it all up,” she added, laughing.

  “I’m not really hungry,” Hugh muttered, staring at his hands, which were folded on the table in front of him.

  Bessie stopped what she was doing and stared at the man. In all the years she’d known Hugh, she’d never known him to not be hungry.

  Doona caught her eye and Bessie could see how concerned her friend was for the man. This would never do.

  “I’ll just make you some toast, then,” Bessie said. “A few slices of toast with honey will be just the thing with your tea.”

  “You mustn’t fuss over me,” Hugh said. “I’m sure I can’t eat.”

  Bessie ignored him and slid some bread into her toaster. While she bustled around the kitchen, finding the honey and a jar of strawberry jam, Doona rubbed Hugh’s back. After a few minutes, Bessie set tea and toast in front of Hugh and then sat down next to him.

  “There now,” she said soothingly. “You’ll be able to manage at least that much and it will make you feel much better.”

  Hugh didn’t speak as he sipped the tea and nibbled listlessly on the toast. He didn’t bother to add jam or honey, and Bessie wasn’t feeling any less concerned about her young friend when he finally finished the first piece.

  “I know you’re upset about everything that happened at Thie yn Traie,” she said. “But you have to keep your strength up.”

  “Inspector Lambert thinks I killed that girl,” Hugh said morosely.

  “What gives you that idea?” John asked.

  “Da, er, one of the, er, someone rang me up and told me,” Hugh eventually spit out. “But I won’t say who.”

  John nodded. “Whatever Inspector Lambert thinks, we all know you didn’t do it,” he said. “Don’t waste your time worrying about what she thinks.”

  Hugh shrugged. “I suppose I don’t mind going to prison,” he said miserably. “It isn’t as if Grace is ever going to speak to me again.”

  “Now don’t be silly,” Bessie said sharply. “Grace might still be a little bit angry, but she’s also worried about you. She loves you and she’ll come around eventually. I’m having tea with her tomorrow and I intend to straighten her out on a few things.”

  “I should have proposed at Christmas,” Hugh said. “Now I’m afraid I’ve ruined everything.”

  “It will all come right in the end,” Bessie said firmly. “You just need to give it a bit of time. And while you’re waiting, you can help us work out who killed Gennifer.”

  “I wish I knew,” Hugh replied. “It could have been anyone. She was a horrible woman.”

  Bessie felt slightly better as Hugh spread a bit of jam on his second piece of toast. “I’ll just heat up a bit of sweet and sour chicken,” she suggested. “I know that’s one of your favourites.”

  Hugh shrugged. “I’m not really hungry,” he repeated.

  “But it will just go to waste in my refrigerator,” Bessie said. “You’re doing me a favour if you can manage to eat some of it.”

  “I suppose I can try,” Hugh conceded.

  “We were just talking about motive, means and opportunity,” Doona told the man while Bessie got to work. “We’ve concluded that everyone had the means and opportunity. Pushing someone off a cliff isn’t that difficult.”

  “She was stabbed first,” Hugh said.

  “Where did you hear that?” John demanded.

  “I can’t tell you that, sir,” Hugh replied. “I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.”

  John nodded. “That’s fair enough,” he said. “As much as I don’t like the idea of my constables talking about active investigations with suspects, I do appreciate that they are looking after one of their own.”

  “She was stabbed?” Doona echoed now.

  Hugh nodded. “It was one of the knives from the kitchen there, so that’s no help in identifying anyone, though.”

  “And no fingerprints?” Bessie asked.

  “No,” Hugh said.

  “It was cold. It wouldn’t have been surprising if whoever it was put gloves on when they went outside,” John said thoughtfully.

  “Gennifer wasn’t wearing gloves when they found her, was she?” Doona asked. “From what I could see from where we were, she was just wearing the dress she’d worn to the party. She didn’t have a coat on, either.”

  “I don’t know anything about that,” Hugh said. “D, er, my source didn’t say anything about the, er, body.”

  “So when did you leave the party and how long were you gone?” John asked.

  “I left at about ten past eleven,” Hugh said. “And I was gone for maybe twenty or twenty-five minutes. I wasn’t in any hurry to get back.”

  “Where did you go?” was John’s next question.

  “I wandered around for a bit and then I thought I wanted to go outside and get some fresh air. Actually, I thought about just walking home. It would have been a long walk, but it might have been worth it.”

  “But you didn’t,” Doona commented.

  “No, it was really cold, wet, and windy outside. I didn’t even stay out there for very long. I went out the door by the garages and walked a short distance and then turned around and went back inside. I hadn’t thought to grab my coat or anything,” Hugh said.

  “Who did you see while you were walking around the house?” John asked next.

  “Just about everyone,” Hugh said with a shrug. He held up a hand as John opened his mouth. “I know it’s important and that I might have seen something relevant, but I wasn’t really paying attention. I felt awful about Grace and I was trying to work out how I could make it up to her, and I was, well, I was trying to avoid Gennifer. I wasn’t interested in anyone else.”

  “Did you see Gennifer?” John asked.

  “No, but that’s because I avoided where she’d be,” Hugh said.

  “How did you know where she’d be?” Bessie demanded.

  Hugh flushed. “I, that is, er, um.” He took a deep breath, his face bright red. “At the party earlier, when she walked away with George, before she left she whispered in my ear. She told me to meet her at half eleven by the front door and she’d, well, um, anyway, she told me to meet her.”

  “So you left a few minutes before this arranged meeting and deliberately didn’t go towards the front door?” John checked that he’d understood.

  “Exactly,” Hugh said. “I went towards the back of the house and the garages and stayed as far from the front door as I could.”

  “And you didn’t see Gennifer at all,” Doona repeated.

  “No, and I didn’t pay much attention to who else was wandering around. Inspector Lambert wanted me to go through every minute of the time and tell her exactly who I saw, but I simply couldn’t do it. I was watching for Gennifer or Grace. The Queen could have stumbled past me and I wouldn’t have noticed.”

  “And then you went back to the party and talked to me,” Bessie said. “And we all waited for midnight.”

  “And then Nigel announced that Gennifer was missing and I helped with the search. I have to say, I was really hoping I wouldn’t find her,” Hugh said. “She terrified me. I mean, I’m sorry she’s dead, but I’m not sorry I won’t have to see her again.”

  “And where have you been since the party?” John asked.

  Hugh shrugged. “I told Grace she could stay at my flat, and I didn’t think she’d want to see me. I can’t talk to her now; not until someone is arrested for the murder. I’m too afraid that she might think I did it.”

  “Grace knows you better than that,” Bessie said softly.

  “I don’t know. She was so upset about what went on at the party; who knows what she thinks?”

  “I’m going to see her tomorrow,” Bessie reminded him. “I’ll talk to her and find out what she’s thinking. Whatever it is, I’m sure she knows you didn’t kill Gennifer. She’s just confused and upset.”

  “She isn’t the onl
y one,” Hugh said.

  Bessie put a steaming plate of food in front of the man and handed him a fork. “Eat. You’ll feel better.”

  Hugh gave Bessie a weak smile and took a tentative bite. Once he’d eaten a few more, Bessie sat back down next to him.

  “So where did you sleep last night?” she asked gently.

  “I didn’t really, I mean, I stopped in a car park in Ramsey for a little while and dozed off, but mostly I just drove around and thought. I drove down to Port Erin and walked on the beach today. It was dry down there, even if it was cold.”

  Bessie shook her head. “You need food first and then sleep, lots of it.”

  “I can’t go back to my flat,” Hugh protested. “And I don’t want to worry my parents by showing up like this.”

  Bessie knew that Hugh had a somewhat difficult relationship with his parents anyway. “You’ll stay here, of course,” she said firmly. “You can sleep in the spare room or on the couch, whichever you prefer.”

  “I can’t impose on you like that,” Hugh said. “Not when I’m the chief suspect in a murder investigation.”

  “It’s no imposition,” Bessie said, trying to convince herself as much as Hugh. “This way we’ll be able to keep track of you. Besides, maybe you’ll be able to remember more about what happened while you were walking around once you’ve had some sleep.”

  Hugh shrugged. “I don’t think sleep will help with that, but if you’re really sure, I’d be hugely grateful for a place to stay.”

  “Of course I’m sure,” Bessie said stoutly. “And when I see Grace tomorrow I’ll ask her if you can drop by the flat and collect some of your things. You’ll want clean clothes and the like, I imagine.”

  Hugh nodded. “But I don’t want to see Grace. Not until everything is worked out.”

  “You’re too stubborn for your own good,” Bessie told him. “Grace will be on your side once she stops being so upset.”

  “I wish I could believe that,” Hugh said.

  Bessie was sure she could see tears in the young man’s eyes. She reached over and patted his back. “It will all work out in the end,” she told him. “Just wait and see.”

  “If I get Grace back, I’m going to propose right away,” Hugh said. “And I’m going to insist that we get married as soon as it can be arranged. I’m not risking losing her again.”

  “Yes, well, let’s focus on working out what happened to Gennifer before we worry about all of that,” Bessie said.

  John spent several more minutes asking Hugh questions, but the young man wasn’t able to help any more than he already had.

  “I think I’d like to go up the guest room and get some sleep,” he said when John had finally sat back in his chair with a sigh. “Would it be a problem if I had a quick shower first? I didn’t get one today and I feel as if I’m awfully smelly. I’d hate to get into bed like this.”

  Bessie nodded. “By all means,” she said hastily, “have a shower.”

  “While you’re doing that, I’ll run home and find some old pyjamas and maybe some jeans and T-shirts that should fit you,” John said. “I did a clear-out when I was moving, but I put everything into rubbish bags and never managed to get them to a charity shop. You’re welcome to the lot.”

  “That’s very kind of you,” Hugh said, tears springing into his eyes.

  “You haven’t seen what’s there yet,” John said with a laugh. “None of it’s stylish and all of it has been well worn, but at least you won’t have to put that suit back on.”

  Hugh stood up and headed for the stairs. “Thank you all for this,” he said. “Especially you, Aunt Bessie.”

  The trio at the table watched and listened as he climbed the stairs. After several minutes of banging noises, they heard the shower turn on.

  “I’d better go and get those clothes,” John said.

  Bessie let him out. While she was doing that, Doona got to work on the washing-up, sighing as she scraped at least half of Hugh’s dinner into the bin.

  “We’d better get to work on this murder,” Bessie said as she watched. “Otherwise young Hugh will starve to death.”

  Doona left a short time later, and John didn’t even come in when he returned with the three bags of clothes for Hugh. “I wish I could invite Hugh to stay with me,” he told Bessie. “But it would be awkward under the circumstances.”

  Bessie understood completely. Hugh was under investigation for murder, and John was his supervisor and a police inspector. Having Hugh as a houseguest would probably get him into trouble with the Chief Constable and it would certainly get people talking.

  The bags weren’t heavy, although they were somewhat awkward to carry. It took Bessie three trips to get them all up the stairs. She could still hear the shower running, but as she tapped on the door, it stopped.

  “I’ve left the things from John in the guest bedroom,” Bessie called through the door. “Get yourself to bed and I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Good night,” Hugh called back. “And thank you again.”

  “Now that’s enough of that,” Bessie said.

  Back downstairs, she checked that the kitchen had been thoroughly tidied and then settled into the sitting room with a book. There was little point in trying to get herself to bed until Hugh was out of the way. It was difficult for her to concentrate on the story she’d chosen as Hugh made an incredible racket above her head, but she did her best.

  “You’ve lived alone for too long,” she said softly as she finally gave up on the book and settled back in her chair. She’d amuse herself by trying to work out what the man could possibly be doing that was so noisy, she decided. As tired as she was, however, after only a few moments she drifted off to sleep. She woke some time later, stiff from the awkward position she’d been sitting in. After looking around guiltily to make sure no one had noticed her impromptu nap, Bessie quickly headed up the stairs. She was ready for bed within minutes and asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.

  It felt like only a few minutes had passed when Bessie looked at the clock and groaned softly. It was only half five, but there was little chance of her falling back to sleep now. Hugh’s loud snoring had woken her up and no matter how much she tried to ignore it, she couldn’t. She sighed and pushed back the duvet. With so much to get done today, an early start wasn’t a bad thing, even though she was still quite tired. All too aware of her sleeping guest, Bessie showered as quickly and quietly as she could and then headed down to get some breakfast.

  After a moment of indecision, she set a pot of coffee to brew before she reached for the bread. Another bout of uncertainty had her shaking her head at herself. She was normally a very decisive person, at least about breakfast. But now that the idea was in her mind, she couldn’t stop thinking about pancakes. Besides, she told herself, maybe a treat like that would encourage Hugh to eat something. Of course, if she was going to make pancakes, she’d have to wait until Hugh was up and about. As it wasn’t much past six, that could be some time, she realised. With a sigh, she grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and waited for her coffee. After she’d finished her first cup, she felt warmer and slightly more awake, although no less hungry. The apple wasn’t doing much for her, either, but she finished it dutifully.

  A morning walk held little appeal, as it was grey and wet outside, but Bessie forced herself into her Wellington boots and waterproofs. She didn’t have to walk far, but she knew her routine was part of what kept her healthy and fit, even at her age. Walking quickly, she took several deep breaths of the fresh sea air. There was little wind for a change and after she’d reached the holiday cottages, she decided to press on a little bit further. She walked as far as the stairs to Thie yn Traie, frowning as she spotted the yellow police tape that still roped off a large section of the beach just beyond the steps. This visual reminder of Gennifer’s murder had her feeling sad and turning for home.

  Hugh was still snoring loudly after she’d finished drying off. She didn’t want to wake him, no
t after he’d missed getting any sleep the previous night, but she really wanted her pancakes. She was pacing around the kitchen, trying to decide what to do, when the phone rang. Grateful for the interruption, she snatched it up.

  “Bessie? It’s Mary,” the voice on the other end said. “I knew you’d be up. You always are.”

  “Indeed,” Bessie replied, happy to hear from the woman who was first on the list of calls she needed to make. “What can I do for you?”

  “I don’t know,” Mary said, sounding a bit desperate. “I’m just so worried about everything. I can’t sleep, wondering what happened to poor Gennifer. I’m afraid that one of Elizabeth’s friends had something to do with the girl’s death, and Elizabeth is still staying at Thie yn Traie with them. I’m just beside myself and I can’t work out what to do next.”

  “Why don’t we get together and talk,” Bessie suggested. “Are you not still staying at Thie yn Traie?”

  “No, George wanted to get back to Douglas right away,” Mary told her. “Elizabeth and her friends are there, as they’ve been told they can’t leave the island, but I think I already said that.”

  “What are you doing for lunch?” Bessie asked. “I have to meet a friend for tea this afternoon, but we could meet for lunch before that, if you’d like.”

  “Give me a minute,” Mary said. “I just need to make sure that George didn’t make plans without telling me.”

  While she was gone, Bessie was happy to hear the upstairs shower turn on. Once she’d finished with Mary, she could start on the long-awaited pancakes.

  “He’s having lunch in Port St. Mary with some people who want to build a new industrial complex down there,” Mary told her when she returned. “So lunch would be wonderful.”

  They agreed to go to one of the Bessie’s favourite places. “I hope half eleven isn’t too early,” Bessie said apologetically. “But I’m meeting someone for tea at two and I can’t be late.”

  “It’s fine,” Mary assured her. “I’d agree to just about anything to see you. I’ll collect you at eleven-fifteen so that we have plenty of time.”

  Bessie hung up and immediately began working on breakfast. She decided to add bacon and toast to the menu. The pancake batter was resting when Hugh came down, looking almost like his old self, in spite of the borrowed and slightly tattered jeans and faded T-shirt he was wearing.