Kershaw chose a shabby easy chair and looked at the young actor who had seated himself, cross-legged, on the floor. In his bright green t-shirt, which almost matched his eyes, and baggy red shorts, Zak looked like a teenager, certainly not twenty-five. ‘I understand you called on Kieran O’Brien Monday evening. How long did you stay and were you in the kitchen all the time?’
Zak’s green eyes glittered. ‘Ah, that was the evening of the dinner party. I was only there for a few minutes before going to the theatre. I know it’s not on my way but I often do that. I knew Kieran was having a dinner party – he was cooking boeuf bourgignon and it smelt delicious. He offered me a drink but I didn’t have one.’
‘What was he actually doing while you were there? Did you see him or Marina add anything to it?’
‘He was putting the final touches to the first course, avocado and prawns, which looked very appetising.’
‘What was Marina doing?’ enquired Tom, moving cautiously on an unsteady straight-backed chair.
‘Fiddling around with flowers.’ Zak grinned mischievously. ‘She called it “flower arranging” when she brought it through the kitchen. It didn’t look all that special. We only exchanged a few words when she went back to the utility room to tidy up. Then, when their neighbours arrived, she joined them in the lounge.’
Although Kershaw knew Isabel and Duncan arrived after Zak had left, he asked, ‘Did Mrs McGuire arrive while you were there?’
‘No, and if you’re wondering if I was in the kitchen alone, yes, but only for a few seconds while Kieran and Marina greeted their neighbours.’ Zak looked from Kershaw to Tom and back again. ‘But I didn’t touch anything; how was I to know which first course would be placed in front of Mrs McGuire? In any case, I don’t know anything about poisons and certainly wouldn’t know how to obtain them.’ Zak broke off. ‘I’m sorry, I’ve been very remiss. Would you like a coffee? It’ll have to be instant, while I tell you about myself, which I’m sure you want to know.’
‘Thank you; that would be very acceptable.’ Kershaw then learnt that Zak’s parents had split up when he was fifteen. His father, remarried with a young family, now lived in Yorkshire while his mother was a successful businesswoman in London. His maternal grandmother, who was still in Plymouth where he was born, phoned him at least twice a week and was genuinely interested in his career and glad he had moved to Bristol, and he was no longer associated with Leo Adare.
‘I know he was very kind to me – I learnt a lot from him. He persuaded the casting director to give me a minor role in which I only spoke about five sentences, but that didn’t prevent him from being an arrogant and selfish bastard.’
Kershaw refrained from saying he thought the same and then Zak resumed, ‘Although Kieran has told me I’m always welcome at their place, I don’t want to intrude. And now, thanks to a reasonable and regular wage, and help from Grandma, I’ve a new motorbike. I can visit her on a regular basis and explore the countryside around and beyond Bristol. It’s wonderful!’
On hearing this, Tom looked up, enquired about the make and capabilities and grinned, ‘Sounds great but I doubt if my girlfriend would appreciate it.’
‘I don’t have to worry about things like that.’
‘We don’t have much choice about who poisoned Isabel,’ said Tom as they reached the pavement. ‘It must be Kieran or Marina and it was probably in the boeuf bourgignon. The first two people to be served were the ladies, and Kieran didn’t indicate which was for Belinda or Isabel. Marina brought the plates in from the kitchen, set down Belinda’s and then Isabel’s.’
Kershaw nodded. ‘I must say Kieran is very competent. He told us the ingredients and how it was cooked without any hesitation. It’s obviously a dish he’s cooked on several occasions but, in spite of that, he’s very worried about what happened.’
‘I expect Mrs Baumgarten has been thinking she had a lucky escape,’ said Tom. ‘But why should Kieran or Marina want to harm Isabel, who was a complete stranger?’
‘That’s something else for us to find out.’
‘Oh, I’m so glad to see you!’ exclaimed Elspeth as she hugged Isabel.
‘And I’m pleased to be home,’ said Isabel, turning to smile at Duncan who had just brought her from the hospital.
‘Go into the lounge, put your feet up and we’ll all have a cup of tea,’ said Elspeth.
‘What on earth!’ gasped Isabel as she stood in the doorway, her gaze focused on a large, colourful flower arrangement.
Duncan grinned and said, ‘They’re from Hugo with instructions that you’re to take it easy for the rest of the week. Dr Beresford is going to look in this evening.’
‘Surely that’s unnecessary. I’m home and feeling fine.’ Isabel examined the carnations then the delicate petals of the alstroemerias, unaware of Elspeth and Duncan’s expressions, that they were both concerned that Detective Inspector Kershaw had been informed.
‘I’m sorry to disturb you, Mrs McGuire, but I would like to question you about Adare’s biography.’ It was Thursday afternoon and Kershaw had phoned that morning to enquire if it was convenient for him to call and see her.
‘Surely this isn’t in any way connected with Ralph’s death?’ queried Duncan, whose presence had been requested.
‘What can you tell me about Zak Amory?’ and noting their exchanged glances, ‘Have you come across his name?’ Although he had met the young actor the previous morning and found him to be pleasant and informative, Kershaw was still interested to learn more about him.
‘No. Who is he and how do you know about him?’ asked Isabel.
‘He’s a young actor. He was Leo’s protégé,’ and aware of Isabel’s curious expression, ‘yes, he did have a relationship with Leo until it was abruptly terminated. Zak has been living in Bristol for approximately two years and is currently appearing at the Old Vic.’
‘How do you know all this?’ asked Duncan while Isabel looked on, speechless.
‘He’s a friend of Kieran’s. Zak was at the house before the dinner party. He left just before you arrived.’
Isabel shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t see where this is leading.’
Kershaw recalled his conversation with the three actresses after Ralph’s funeral. ‘I’m surprised that when you spoke to Leo’s dresser you weren’t told about him, or the relationship.’
‘He certainly didn’t mention anyone. In fact, he didn’t have much to say. He didn’t want to contribute.’
‘Perhaps if he didn’t have anything amusing or favourable to say he thought it better to say nothing. He didn’t want to upset Adare, possibly lose his job,’ ventured Duncan. Then turning to Isabel, ‘Did anyone, even Adare himself, ever mention any women?’
‘Not to me. He may have spoken to Ralph, but there weren’t any notes on girlfriends or mistresses.’
Isabel turned back to Kershaw. ‘Why are you so interested in this young actor?’
‘Apparently, he was very upset when Leo told him to get out, was jealous of his successor – a virile Jamaican, who is a portrait artist, and he doesn’t approve of Leo’s biography. Neither does Kieran O’Brien.’
Isabel looked at Duncan and then back to Kershaw. ‘What’s this got to do with me, or rather the biography? We still don’t know,’ and with an apologetic glance at the inspector, ‘the police haven’t found out who the mysterious caller was, and it now turns out that Amory and O’Brien were together before the dinner party.’
‘Enquiries are—’
‘If they’re both so against this biography – and I don’t see why they are so bothered, neither of them are mentioned – why wait until now, when it’s nearly finished?’ interrupted Isabel. ‘Why didn’t they tell Leo at the beginning?’
‘Perhaps they did and, knowing of Adare’s bad temper, were told to mind their own business,’ offered Duncan. Then, looking at Kershaw again,
‘Was that the only reason for your visit?’
‘Yes; however, I would like to know more about Leo Adare, if the contents of the biography are in any way controversial?’
It was some time later. Kershaw had departed, satisfied with the answer to his last question, when Elspeth said, ‘I can’t really believe that the inspector thinks Ralph’s death and your food poisoning are connected with this damn biography. If it’s going to cause any more trouble why don’t you abandon it?’
‘I wouldn’t want to do that; a lot of research and hard work has gone into it already. I just don’t understand why Kieran and Zak are so against it. There’s no mention of Zak or any of his predecessors, and there probably were some.’ Isabel paused but only for a moment. ‘It’s not as though it refers to industrial espionage, political sleaze or…’ Isabel stopped abruptly.
‘What’s bothering you?’ asked Duncan.
‘I’m just going to check on something before I say anything else.’
Ten minutes elapsed, with Elspeth and Duncan both deep in thought, then Isabel burst back into the lounge, ‘I was right. There is a gap.’
‘What are you talking about?’ asked Duncan while Elspeth nodded but said nothing.
‘There’s no mention, no reviews or anything of what he was doing from the time he was twenty-two to twenty-five. That’s a three-year gap.’
‘Perhaps he was abroad touring,’ suggested Duncan.
‘In which case he would have wanted it included,’ said Isabel. ‘What do you think, Elspeth?’
‘I noticed there was something missing when I read the completed chapters.’
‘The aunts must have realised there was nothing in the albums for that period. Anyhow, I’m going to fetch them.’
‘There’s nothing here for the relevant years,’ said Duncan some time later as he closed the first album and placed it on a nearby table. Then, after picking up another album and studying a few pages, ‘However, the aunts have made a good job of these.’
‘Yes, but I must return them. I’ll drive down and see the aunts next week, and hopefully learn where Leo was at that time.’ Isabel drank her tea, ate the slice of cake and went off to ring Emily O’Brien. Returning to the lounge a few minutes later, she said, ‘I asked if there is anything else that should be included and they’re both going to think about it. I’m seeing them next Tuesday so that gives them the weekend to reminisce. There’s been nothing about ill health, so I’ll check the previous chapter.’
‘A three-year gap,’ repeated Duncan. ‘It’s almost like a prison sentence,’ and looking across at Isabel and Elspeth, ‘but it couldn’t have been that, could it?’
‘With his proclivity for younger men it makes one wonder if he was involved with very young boys,’ offered Elspeth.
‘That would have been damn stupid,’ muttered Duncan.
‘Suppose… just suppose he was asked to stand in for someone important whom he resembled?’ Isabel could see Elspeth and Duncan were regarding her as though she had two heads but this didn’t stop her. ‘I mean to say, during the war or even in times of crisis, doubles or lookalikes of notable personalities were often sent to dangerous areas or assignments. We all know actors have long spells “resting”. This could have been one of those periods, and knowing Leo’s love of importance and ostentation, he could have jumped at this opportunity.’
‘But who did he stand in for, and for three years?’ queried Duncan. ‘No, I’m afraid your imagination is running away with you. What do you think, Elspeth?’
‘Strange things do happen. You read about these “sleepers” who are suddenly called in, asked to go abroad, act as undercover agents.’
‘Now I’ve heard the lot!’ exclaimed Duncan. ‘Are you telling me Adare was approached by a dissident party in his student days and they suddenly called on him?’ Duncan paused and grinned at Isabel. ‘You could be wasting your time and talent on biographies. With ideas like these, why don’t the two of you put your heads together? I’m sure you could come up with a fantastic plot and, with your connections, anything you wrote would be a bestseller.’
‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ Elspeth grinned at Isabel. ‘There’s something in Duncan’s suggestion; it’s certainly worth thinking about.’
‘Let’s get this biography finished. I must say I’m surprised Ralph didn’t notice the gap when he discussed the outline with Leo.’ Isabel stood up. ‘I’m going to look through his original notes.’
Detective Inspector Kershaw muttered to himself. He had just returned to the station after visiting Isabel and was frustrated that the unknown caller had not yet been found. Detective Sergeant Small’s enquiries at the various shops that hired out fancy dress costumes and other outfits had been futile, while Stefan Baumgarten had repeated that he and Belinda had driven down to Minehead for the day. Stefan also stated that he had never lent any of his Austrian clothes to anyone, even for use by the amateur dramatic society to which Belinda belonged.
The house-to-house enquiries had resulted in only Mr Gresham’s observation. Kershaw considered that it was a ridiculous situation and knew that his frustration was aggravated by the superintendent’s criticism that his team were dragging their heels – this simply wasn’t true!
Once again he considered the idea that Leo’s biography was the cause of the trouble. Ralph was dead. If Isabel had died as a result of the food poisoning, would Duncan have carried on with it? Hugo Forrester had told him that Adare definitely wanted it completed. Leo was sorry about Ralph’s death – this had been inevitable, but he knew that Isabel was capable of completing this.
Leo had been staying in his cottage at Wedmore the previous Sunday and, after stating that a visit from Kershaw was unnecessary, eventually agreed to see him.
The countryside had looked at its best, the cottage on the outskirts of the village, picturesque, and Dominic, the lithe Jamaican who had opened the front door, had shown him into a tastefully furnished living room and left them alone.
Adare had boasted of his success, that his biography would be well-received by his fans and, unaware that he was doing so, Kershaw muttered, ‘Arrogant bastard!’ when Tom queried, ‘What’s the matter? Can I do anything?’
‘It’s this damn biography that keeps troubling me. Could it be connected with Ralph’s death, Isabel’s food poisoning?’ and before Tom could reply, ‘You read the completed chapters and notes for the remainder of the script. Was there anything that struck you as odd or so detrimental that the person concerned would take umbrage, or such drastic action?’
‘No, but I did notice that in one place, when Leo was in his early twenties, it didn’t follow on. One minute he was touring with a repertory company then the next he was appearing in a new play in Chichester. It didn’t make sense, and yet it didn’t seem important.’
Kershaw looked thoughtful. ‘I wonder what length of time there was in between. Perhaps Leo was in some kind of trouble; in which case, he wouldn’t want anyone to know,’ and in the same breath, ‘Isabel is very observant. I’m surprised she hasn’t said anything.’
‘Why should she? It’s Ralph’s death and her food poisoning that we’re invest—’
‘I know and unfortunately we’re not making much progress,’ interrupted Kershaw. ‘We’ve checked and found nothing in Ralph’s background, so it must be connected with the biography. I realise we’ve only just left, but what you said could be important. I’m going to ring Isabel. If it’s a wild goose chase, that’s too bad.’
Isabel answered on the study extension when Elspeth heard her exclaim, ‘So your sergeant noticed it!’ The conversation was brief and when she returned to the lounge, Isabel explained that Detective Sergeant Small had noticed that the contents of that particular chapter didn’t follow on, and the inspector was curious as to whether anything untoward had occurred.
Meanwhile, Kershaw told Tom, ‘Isabel is aware of wha
t you noticed and is waiting for a suitable opportunity to ask Hugo Forrester or, if necessary, Adare. She’ll let me know if she learns anything of importance.’
‘In the meantime, why would Kieran or Marina want to harm Isabel? Neither of them had ever met her before,’ queried Tom.
11
‘Are you really feeling better?’ Isabel noted the genuine concern in Hugo’s voice and after assuring him that she did, and had started work on the biography again, thanked him for the elaborate flower arrangement.
‘They were all lovely but the alstroemerias are quite fantastic, strong stalks but very delicate petals and such lovely colours.’
‘It’s odd that you were the only person who was ill; in fact, I didn’t realise you knew Leo’s nephew, Kieran O’Brien.’
‘I didn’t and although you haven’t asked, he didn’t mention his uncle or the biography, maybe because there were other guests. A very pleasant couple: Stefan Baumgarten, he’s Austrian and general manager at the same hotel where Kieran works, and his wife Belinda.’
Isabel had discussed the three-year gap again with Elspeth and Duncan and now asked, ‘Did you know we haven’t anything on Leo from the time he was twenty-two until he was twenty-five, and I can’t find any reference to this in Ralph’s original notes.’
‘What are you talking about? This is the first I’ve heard about it. Leo assured me there was nothing untoward in his earlier years and Ralph didn’t say anything.’ And after a slight pause, ‘Are you going to contact Leo about it?’
Mercy or Mercenary? Page 7