Beth held Harry’s hand. ‘Oh, I feel so helpless.’
James churned over his earlier conversation in his mind. The thought he wanted was there. As if it were at the heart of a maze, it stood tantalisingly close, yet so far away.
And then it appeared. He slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. ‘Of course! The poisoning, the shooting, it all makes sense!’ He clicked his fingers and pointed to Juliet’
‘Beachy Head.’
Juliet’s face lit up. ‘Oh, James, how inspiring. That’s it?’
Harry looked confused.
‘I’ll explain on the way. Come along. We’ve wasted too much time as it is.’ He turned to George. ‘Are you well enough to travel?’
George’s indignant glare answered his question. They shrugged their jackets on, grabbed their scarves and gloves and raced down the steps.
Beth, Harry and Juliet squashed themselves into the back of the Jaguar and George sat up front with James. As he turned onto the main road, sleet began to fall. Harry sat forward.
‘Come on, Dad, why Beachy Head?’
‘I think she’s recreating what happened. She has her grandfather’s gun so she will have the upper hand on getting John out of the house. I think she’s driving them both to Beachy Head. Her grandfather, Peter Shotover, shot himself. Her father threw himself off the cliff. Her mother poisoned herself. She wants Major Carlton to go through the same emotions, feel the same way she does; have that same sense of loss and go through the same death.’
‘So she’s poisoned Cynthia and now she’s going to kill John.’
‘I think she will shoot John and shove William off Beachy Head.’
Harry groaned and sat back. James gritted his teeth and put his foot down.
‘Careful,’ said George, gripping onto the seat with every corner.
James ignored him.
‘Mmm,’ said Juliet as she peered through the window.
‘You have a thought?’
‘Quite inappropriate really but I wonder if you could switch your radio on. Your aerial’s up and they’re presenting a carol concert on the Light programme.’
James checked his rear view mirror to catch Beth smirking. Juliet didn’t care for William Carlton and, he believed, didn’t care one jot whether he lived or died. But, John, on the other hand didn’t deserve the fate Mandy had in store for him. He reached over and turned the radio on. Greeting them was the Winchester College boys’ choir singing the Sussex Carol. He focussed on the road ahead. Christmas was almost upon them. The first night for the pantomime would be in two days’ time and the pub dinner and Yule Log ceremony would be the next night. Peace and goodwill to all men! Let’s hope my instinct is right, thought James. Let’s pray we’re heading in the right direction. If not, both the Major and John will be dead. He notched the speed up.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
Beachy Head was home to England’s highest chalk cliffs and, when viewed from the ocean, appeared as a curtain of dazzling white against a blue sea. Over the centuries, it had been the site of many a shipwreck and during World War II, the Royal Air Force had set up a forward relay station there, where they listened to signals coming from France.
Today, the iron grey sky had cast a blanket of gloom across the landscape. James drove along the main road, looking for a convenient place to pull over. He slowed the car down and peered through the side window. To his right were the grasslands that led to the cliff top.
‘Look,’ Harry pointed. ‘Tyre tracks.’
James pulled over and followed the tread. Thank you for damp slush, he thought, as he drove the car across the undulating cliff-top. He hoped he didn’t hit a pothole or get stuck in a hidden ditch. The windscreen wipers cleared the screen of sleet and it was becoming difficult to distinguish between the colour of the sky and the snowy ground. George pointed to the front.
‘There.’
James saw a small red car stop in the distance. The Major stumbled out of the passenger seat, his hands tied. Mandy opened the boot to allow John to climb out at gunpoint.
‘Pull up here. We don’t want to distract her,’ George ordered.
James did as George suggested and switched the engine off. He turned, rested his arm on the back of his seat and addressed the ladies.
‘I’d really rather you stay here. If she has a pistol, she could shoot the lot of us. The woman is psychotic so there’s no telling what she’ll do.’
‘Fiddlesticks with that,’ said Juliet. ‘Harry, let me out. I didn’t come all this way to watch you play the hero. If you go, we all go.’
‘Absolutely not,’ said George. ‘This is a police matter, the woman is armed and I’m not taking responsibility for people getting hurt. You stay in the car.’
Juliet reached over Harry to open the door. ‘I don’t need you to take responsibility for me. I’m quite capable of making the decision for myself.’ She nudged Harry, who gave James a helpless stare and got out.
James pointed at Beth. ‘Don’t you dare think of following! I almost lost you to some idiots last year and I can’t go through that again. Harry, I insist that you stay here with your mother.’
James and George got out of the car and gently closed the doors. They pulled their scarves close, crouched low and made their way toward the red car. They ducked down and judged their timing for scampering on. Juliet, although elderly, was sprightly and kept step with them all the way. George signalled for them to go to the side of the car where they would remain out of sight. James nodded. He kept his eye on Mandy. She only needed to turn and she’d see them. He frowned. She wore no coat and appeared oblivious to the sleet and chill coming in off the ocean. When they got to the car, they scurried around to the side, and peered over the top of the bonnet.
Mandy and the Carltons were around fifteen feet away. She waved an old army pistol and shouted for them to walk to the cliff-edge. John’s response was taken by the wind but he held his father back. Mandy screamed at him.
‘Don’t play games with me! If you don’t do as I say I’ll shoot where you stand. It makes no odds whether it’s here or over there. You will be shot today, John Carlton.’
Major Carlton relied on John’s strength to keep him up. He reached a hand out.
‘Please, spare my son. I’ll do whatever you want me to do but please, not John, he’s done nothing wrong.’
James’ blood chilled. Mandy’s laugh was manic; hysterical. She stabbed a finger at herself.
‘I did nothing wrong. My dad did nothing wrong. But because of what you did, Major bloody Carlton, our whole family suffered. You drove my grand-dad mad.’ She brought a small book out of her pocket. ‘It’s all in here, he wrote it all down but no one believed him, ’cos they said he was mad. Do you know what he did? I’ll tell you. He shot himself.’ She held the gun in the air. ‘With this pistol. He couldn’t live with himself. My dad found him. Poor dad was raised by a madman and it sent him crazy too. D’you know what my dad did?’
William cowered as John struggled to keep him steady. The old man struggled to stay on his feet. Mandy waved at the ocean.
‘He jumped off this cliff. Left me and Mum. And now Mum’s gone. Poisoned herself.’ She waved the gun. ‘Do you understand now? Do you understand what’s going on? You caused my grand-dad to shoot himself so I’m going to shoot John. You caused my mum to poison herself, so I poisoned your missus.’ She moved closer. ‘My dad jumped off the edge here and you’re going to do the same Major William bloody Carlton.’
William shook his head and cried. ‘No.’
Mandy sneered. ‘What’s the matter? Too cowardly?’
John held his father tight. ‘Surely, we can talk this through. I didn’t realise what you’d gone through. Dad would never have wanted so many people to suffer.’
Mandy repeated his words in a sarcastic tone. ‘ “Dad would never have wanted so many people to suffer.”’ She spat on the ground. ‘He knew what he was doing.’
‘He was ordered to lead. He had n
o choice. If you’d come to us and spoken to us we could have helped your parents.’
‘Not my dad, you couldn’t. He’d already jumped.’
‘Well, your mum then. She didn’t need to suffer like that.’
Mandy’s expression suddenly changed. In a flick of a switch, she stood like a small child lost in the wilderness. ‘My mummy’s a nice lady. She makes my favourite tea on a Saturday.’
James caught his breath. John asked her what her favourite tea was.
‘Smoked haddock and a slice of bread and butter. She always makes that for me. Every single Saturday. She’s got some in.’
James nudged George. ‘Do you have a plan?’
‘Not while she’s waving that gun around, no.’ He looked at James. ‘Do you?’
‘Yes, I do but it’s completely insane and may not work.’
Juliet’s eyes lit up. ‘I saw it too. Now is the time.’
George glared at her and grabbed James’ arm. ‘Don’t be bloody stupid. What could you possibly do to stop her?’
‘Charlie said Mandy was a Jekyll and Hyde character. Did you not notice a complete change in her character? Trust me.’
His heart beat like a tympanum and the saliva in his mouth disappeared as he stood up. He strode toward her and tried to keep his hands from shaking.
‘Ah Mandy, thank Goodness I’ve found you!’
Mandy turned, glassy-eyed.
‘The hospital’s been trying to contact you about your mother. She’s feeling a lot better and is asking for you. She said she may be a little late serving dinner.’ Mandy continued staring as if trying to make out what he was saying. James put his hands in his pockets and strolled toward her as if nothing was wrong. ‘She has a Christmas present for you. I have my car just along here so I can take you to see her.’
Her arms dropped to her side. ‘Mummy. You’ve seen my mummy?’
‘I have and she’s asking for you. She wants to put up the Christmas tree and she said it’s not the same if you’re not with her to do it. Would you like me to take you to her? She’s worried you’ll catch cold.’
‘Yes please.’
‘Come along then.’ Behind her, John and William remained rooted to the spot in terror. He hoped they’d remain like that. Any sudden movement could push her back to the present. Mandy stepped toward him.
‘Is Mummy all right?’
‘She’s absolutely fine, Mandy. Come along, we don’t want to keep her waiting.’
She walked toward him in a daze and gave him a blank stare. James reached down and gently took the gun and diary from her hands. He put the diary in his pocket and held the gun out of reach as he wrapped an arm around her. He waved for Harry and Beth to join them. George and Juliet got to their feet as James insisted that John and William to stay out of sight.
‘Mandy, we’ll take your car. My friend George will take you to your mother and my son will drive.’
They helped her into the back of the car. George sat beside her and put the handcuffs on. When the cuffs locked she came out of her trance and screamed.
John brushed past him, opened the car door and punched her hard across the cheek. She fell back, unconscious. George glared at him. The young man held his hands up.
‘Arrest me if you want.’
‘I’ll turn a blind eye.’
‘Dad,’ Harry shouted, ‘you’re a bloody idiot, you could have got yourself killed! Promise me you’ll never do anything like that again. If you do, I’ll take it that you’re as mad as her.’ He got into the driver’s seat. ‘John’s probably done you a favour, George. At least she won’t be screaming all the way to Lewes.’ He started the engine and looked up at James. ‘I’m proud of you Dad but please don’t do that again.’
James assured him he wouldn’t and once the car was on its way he sought out Beth who, along with Juliet, was helping William.
‘Sweetie, could you bring the car to us. I don’t think he’ll manage to walk.’
‘Of course.’ He ran across the clifftops to fetch the Jaguar.
As James drove home, the car heater began to warm Major Carlton who sat in the back between Juliet and Beth. He peered over his shoulder to see Juliet rubbing his hands. He was pleased to see that she’d succumbed to her soft side even when dealing with a man she clearly loathed. But Carlton’s pomposity had given way, revealing a vulnerable old man. Beth spoke quietly with him about normal things; getting home and having tea and crumpets. He appeared to respond to this well. A signpost for Cavendish came into view. James stole a glimpse at John, who hadn’t spoken a word since they’d left Beachy Head. He had a haunted look about him.
‘Things will be all right, John.’
The young man looked defeated. ‘I can’t face going home tonight. Could we see if Mrs Keates has her rooms available?’
‘We can do a little better than that. Come and stay with us. Dr Jackson can give your father the once over and give you a sedative to help you sleep.’
‘I’d like that. I’d like that very much indeed.’
At home, Beth and Juliet cobbled together a comforting casserole of braised steak, mushrooms and root vegetables. Harry took a detour to Harrington’s to update Adam; George and Inspector Collins took statements from both John and Major Carlton and, after some time, left them all in peace.
In the early evening, after both John and his father had taken hot baths, both were made comfortable in the lounge with a warming brandy. James stoked the fire and added more logs. Beth switched on the tree lights and lit candles. The room looked welcoming and homely and its ambience helped both Carlton men to relax. The Major sat close to his son as he expressed his desire to be able to live his life again and make the right decisions.
‘I made a huge error of judgement during that mission. I cannot blame my own father although he bullied me into joining up. I should have stood up to him. I wasn’t a fighter. I should have joined the medical team, something to help the wounded rather than help to kill. I was a coward before I even reached the trenches.’
John squeezed his hand. ‘No you weren’t, Dad. That’s the shock talking.’
‘No John. It’s the truth. I tried to be a good officer but I didn’t have it in me. It ruined my life and made me choose options that I never thought I’d have to consider. I signed the authority for Franks to be shot. I killed Arthur Strong to save myself. And look at the misery it caused. Why they put me in charge of that mission, I’ve no idea. They must have seen I wasn’t a leader.’
Juliet heaved a sigh. ‘Because someone had to do it, Major Carlton. If it wasn’t you, it would have been someone else. Yes, you should have stood up to your father. You should have admitted your failings as an officer before leading those men. You should have taken responsibility for your actions. But you didn’t; and this is the culmination of those events. These things have a habit of turning on us and you will have to live with that. My friend and confidant, Mr Patel, refers to it as karma; a Buddhist expression. You may have heard of it.’
James had. He recalled Patel explaining karma to him some time previously: how one’s actions determine one’s fate in life. Provide random acts of kindness, he’d said, and you will receive that kindness back.
Major Carlton accepted another brandy from Beth. He held his glass up. ‘I want to thank all of you for what you did. I feel unworthy of such support. I’ve lost my dear wife as a result of decisions I made but Miss Billings cannot take away the wonderful memories I have of her. Thank you, Lord and Lady Harrington, Miss Brooks-Hunter. I value everything you did and I’m well aware of my failings in your eyes.’
CHAPTER THIRTY
James carried a portion of last year’s Yule log through the main bar at the Half Moon. Bob Tanner and the Taverners launched into ‘Good King Wenceslas’ with several harmonies, a melodeon and a fiddle, whilst the beat on an Irish bodhran accompanied them. The villagers joined in enthusiastically, clapping and pounding on the tables while James placed the log on the already blazing hearth. Chee
ring and applause rang out before everyone settled down. Bob and the Taverners moved to the back of the pub and continued playing. James felt a nudge in his ribs.
‘Oi, oi.’
‘Bert, I was beginning to wonder if you’d disappeared for good.’
‘No, mate, just finishing up on the Christmas deals. And people ’ave got more money these days so they’re spending it.’ He rubbed his hands together. ‘That pays for the next few months.’
James motioned to Donovan to pull a pint for his old friend. Bert explained that he’d been up at the markets and had been able to get some goods from a contact who worked in Hamleys. Hamley’s was one of the biggest toy shops in the world and James was sure that his friend would have made a tidy profit dealing with them. Bert held his pint glass up.
‘Cheers. By the way, I’ve got that portable record player that Beth wanted. I’ve left it with the Merryweathers at the vicarage.’
James baulked. ‘Good Lord, has she been ordering from you?’
Bert shrugged. ‘They’ll always be dealers like me, Jimmy-boy, you may as well make use of me.’
He groaned. ‘I’ll pop by and pick it up later.’
‘G-good evening.’ Stephen slapped him on the back.
‘Ah, another stranger reappeared. Has the vicar at Loxfield returned?’
‘H-he has, thank the Lord. I-I feel as if I’m m-missing out on your little mystery.’
‘Hello James,’ said Anne. ‘Where’s Beth?’
‘Ensconced in the booth by the window with Charlie and George. Go and sit down. What’re you having?’
With their orders in, they made their way to the booth and squeezed in and shared some concern over whether they would be able to eat comfortably.
‘Where are Luke and Mark?’ Beth asked Anne.
‘With all the other children. Mr Chrichton is an absolute peach. He’s arranged a games night for them so we can all attend this little gathering. They’re playing pin the tail on the donkey, pass the parcel, oh all sorts of things. He has two of his staff helping as well. The children will enjoy that much more than sitting here with us.’ She sipped her sherry and stared at James. ‘I for one would like an update on the news. We’ve missed out on all of the excitement.’
Lord James Harrington and the Christmas Mystery Page 21