‘So that was the reason for the question you asked just now. I’d be glad if you could let me know as soon as you hear anything.’ Peter paused and then added, ‘A notice regarding claimants against Ralph’s will appears in the paper tomorrow, so I’m sure I’ll hear from Marina.’
Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Tom Small, together with Detective Sergeant Rowena Lovell, were both questioning Marina about her walk on the Downs on the Saturday afternoon that Ralph died.
Although Marina stated that she had been alone and seen no one she knew, Tom persisted, ‘Surely on a Saturday afternoon there are regular walkers, people exercising their dogs? As a person who frequently walks there, it’s surprising you didn’t see someone you knew. Can you remember what time you left home and returned?’
It was at this juncture that Rowena said, ‘Can I use your bathroom please, Miss Bushell?’
‘Of course. It’s upstairs, second door on the right.’ Marina transferred her attention to Tom. ‘I can’t tell you exactly what time I left here and returned. Probably about half past two, and I suppose I got back about half past four, maybe a bit later.’
‘We’re very fortunate to have such a large area for walking, but before we continue, can I trouble you for a glass of water?’
Marina looked apologetic. ‘I’m sorry, I should have offered you both some coffee.’
‘There’s no need for that, just some water please. I must have eaten something salty. I seem to have developed a raging thirst,’ and in reply to Marina’s query, Tom said that some ice would be most acceptable.
On his previous visit, Tom had noticed a photograph of Marina in her courier uniform and as soon as he heard her moving around in the kitchen, he quickly pulled a digital camera from his pocket and took a copy of this. He had just checked that this was satisfactory when he heard the clink of ice against the glass and was studying the contents of a crammed bookshelf when Marina reappeared and, as though there had been no interruption, he asked, ‘Were you walking all the time? Did you sit down for a while? What were you wearing?’
‘Good heavens, what is this – an inquisition? I was wearing my tracksuit and walking all the time.’
Tom nodded, wrote in his notebook but was not really satisfied with this answer, then Rowena returned and after a few remarks about Marina’s work they thanked her for her assistance and left.
It wasn’t until they reached the top of Blackboy Hill that Tom glanced at Rowena. ‘Did you have any luck?’
‘Yes, there was a scruffy grey tracksuit in her wardrobe and hairs in her brush and comb.’ Rowena’s eyes lit up as she continued. ‘I also found an open packet of tissues. They look exactly the same as that Mr Baumgarten found in his coat. How did you get on?’
‘Fine. Let’s hope we’ve got a match with the hairs and tissue, and also the fibres from the coat that were found in Ralph’s bed.’
‘And that the old lady and Norman recognise Marina as the person at the traffic light.’ Rowena, who was fair-haired and very slim, frowned. ‘Marina’s taller and generally bigger than me, but there’s nothing outstanding about her.’
‘If she intended to push Duncan off the pavement she certainly wouldn’t have been wearing anything in bright colours,’ said Tom.
At the same time that Tom was advising Inspector Kershaw of Marina’s reaction to his questions, Stefan Baumgarten was regarding Kieran with concern. They had just concluded a meeting with other heads of departments about forthcoming functions, the others had left and Stefan thought Kieran looked tired and dejected and asked, ‘Are you feeling all right?’
‘Yes. I’m fine, thank you. I’m pleased we’re so busy.’
‘Is anything worrying you? Do you want to talk about it?’
‘Er… no, thank you.’ Then in a rush Kieran said, ‘I still can’t make out how Isabel McGuire was poisoned. As I told the inspector, I’m always very careful when shopping.’
Stefan nodded. ‘It’s certainly strange, and although I hate asking this but I’m sure Kershaw did, could Marina have put anything in the boeuf bourgignon?’
‘I suppose it’s possible, but when? If she did, everyone would be affected.’
‘That’s true. So whatever was used was added when she brought in the main course for Belinda and Isabel from the kitchen.’ Stefan gazed at Kieran. ‘I’ve thought about this on a number of occasions, that it could have been Belinda who was poisoned. Damn it, the dinner party was over a fortnight ago. What are the police doing about it?’
‘I don’t know. We’ve both been questioned again and asked not to leave town without telling them. I told the inspector that I haven’t any knowledge of poisons or the effect they would have which means…’ Kieran shook his head and once again wondered how, despite her claim that she had no knowledge of laburnum trees, Marina had obtained and added the toxic substance. And why? She’d never met Isabel before – why did she want to harm her, possibly kill her? It was after the inspector’s last visit that Kieran realised how little he really knew about Marina. She occasionally spoke about her mother, often mentioned her grandparents with whom she and her mother had lived until they moved into a residential home, but had never referred to her father.
‘I’m sure the inspector has asked himself those questions over and over again.’ Then, after a slight pause, Stefan asked, ‘Has Marina been behaving differently lately? Talked about personal problems or anything to do with work?’
‘No.’ Kieran looked thoughtful. ‘But she has been acting and talking very strangely. She’s dissatisfied with the house, contents, everything.’
‘When are you taking your holiday? Why don’t you go somewhere completely different?’
‘I’m taking a fortnight next month; but in spite of package holidays that are on offer, I do have a large mortgage.’
For a brief moment Stefan thought of Leo Adare, his Jamaican lover and lifestyle but, knowing Kieran’s attitude towards his uncle, refrained from mentioning his name. Instead, he said, ‘Perhaps Marina will hear of something.’
Kieran shrugged. ‘I doubt that anything, however exotic, would satisfy her at the moment. She seems to be looking for a lifestyle that’s far beyond our joint income.’ Then pulling himself together, Kieran continued: ‘I’m sorry about all that, Mr Baumgarten, but thank you for listening.’
‘Any time, Kieran. I don’t like to see you so depressed.’ Then, as an afterthought, ‘Although we’ve known Marina since you moved in, I’ve never heard her talk about her family. Are her parents still alive? Does she have any other relatives?’
‘Her mother died just before her twentieth birthday and except for her maternal grandparents, she’s never spoken about anyone else. However, I must get on. Once again, thank you for listening to me.’
Alone, and although there were various aspects of the hotel that required his attention, Stefan’s thoughts were still of Marina. When he first met her, soon after she and Kieran had moved in – they had been in their respective gardens – she had seemed a pleasant young woman; but recently, just before the dinner party, Belinda had also remarked that Marina seemed sullen and dissatisfied. Stefan then considered the dark hairs on his coat. Were they Marina’s? Why should she break in and borrow his coat?
The arrival of the advertising and marketing manager claimed Stefan’s attention, and all thoughts of Marina were instantly dismissed.
‘Did Mr Hoskins sound rather strange when he spoke to you this morning?’ asked Elspeth as, placing a plate of assorted sandwiches on the kitchen table, she looked across at Isabel.
‘No, but I must say I’ll be pleased when everything is settled.’
Elspeth, who had answered the phone, therefore speaking to the solicitor first, nodded. ‘The insertion of the claims notice is usual procedure, but in Ralph’s case there shouldn’t be any problems. You’ve dealt with all the finances for the last two years.’
�
�And there are no distant relatives who might think they’re entitled to some of Ralph’s money?’ asked Isabel.
Duncan heard this as he appeared in the doorway and looking from one to the other, queried, ‘Problems?’
‘No, just the usual formalities,’ said Elspeth, explaining that the legal notice regarding claims or debts against Ralph’s estate would appear in the paper the next day.
‘Knowing how efficient you both are, I can’t foresee any difficulties.’ Duncan refrained from saying that since his conversation with the inspector on Tuesday, a nondescript young man had been following him to and from his flat, and continued, ‘Those sandwiches look good.’
‘Help yourself,’ said Elspeth.
‘I wonder when Hugo will hear from Leo,’ mused Isabel. Hugo had advised her of his conversation with Leo and that he was awaiting definite instructions from the actor, but now she was eager to clarify the omission.
They were still sitting in the kitchen discussing the possible sale of the house when the phone rang. Duncan stood up, hoping it wasn’t another threatening phone call, but Isabel was already answering the extension in the hall and her voice rose slightly as she said, ‘Hullo, Hugo.’
Taking advantage of Isabel’s absence, Elspeth said, ‘I trust there’s no problems on your walks from and back to your flat?’
‘No.’ Again, Duncan did not mention the young man and agreed when Elspeth said it was a pity the police were taking such a long time to find the mysterious caller. For the umpteenth time, Duncan wondered if this caller was the same person who had attempted to poison Isabel and push him off the pavement and briefly considered that if it wasn’t Kieran then it must be someone who had been in his kitchen prior to the dinner party.
Isabel’s voice broke into his thoughts. ‘Leo has told Hugo we can minimise those three years, as he suggested.’
‘What else did he say?’ enquired Elspeth, noticing the sparkle in Isabel’s eyes.
She knew that Hugo, only two years older than Isabel and a widower, was very fond of her, but this was quickly dismissed as Isabel said, ‘Lady Fairburn has asked Hugo if I would consider writing her biography. She would like us to start as soon as that on Leo is completed.’
‘She can’t jump the queue just like that,’ protested Duncan. ‘You’ve had several other enquiries.’
‘But only that – nothing has been agreed. And Lady Fairburn would like us to work as a team.’
‘That’d be great, and most interesting. I’ve heard she’s a charming and gracious old lady.’ Elspeth watched as Duncan’s expression changed. His smile lit up his handsome features while his body relaxed. For a moment, Elspeth recalled the years she and Isabel had spent at university, the same one as Duncan, and the fact that they had all been good friends. No, it had been more than that between Isabel and Duncan, thought Elspeth. She had been waiting for Isabel to confide in her then something had happened and Duncan had left unexpectedly. They later learnt that his mother had died, leaving him with the responsibility of a younger and physically handicapped sister. For a brief moment, she considered it strange that Duncan had not mentioned his sister since his return and wondered if she had also died.
Elspeth then heard Isabel say, ‘Don’t get too excited. I’ve told Hugo we’re not starting anything new until we’ve moved,’ and looking at Elspeth, ‘you’re still quite happy about it?’
‘Oh, yes! I really like the idea of somewhere smaller, without all this cumbersome old-fashioned furniture.
‘Ralph was a real curmudgeon when it came to changes. I was always surprised that you were prepared to live here, in the old family house, when you married.’
‘That’s a long time ago.’ Isabel’s gaze travelled to Duncan. ‘I’m sure we won’t be all that far away.’
‘I do have a car. It’s just that I prefer to walk when I can and, by using a roundabout route, I can avoid the busy main roads.’
‘I’ve spent most of my life in this house and, in spite of everything that’s involved, I’m really looking forward to moving,’ said Elspeth. ‘I could have moved, found myself a flat, but somehow I was too lazy.’
‘I wouldn’t say that,’ protested Isabel. ‘You’ve always looked after Ralph, even after we were married. I’m amazed at your tolerance. I don’t know how I could have got through the last two years without you, or even when Ralph was well. However, if you’re not too busy this afternoon I do have a favour to ask.’
‘What is it?’
Duncan noticed Elspeth sounded apprehensive, but her eyes lit up with excitement as Isabel said, ‘Call in at some of the estate agents in this area. See what they have on their books.’
‘How lovely! I shall enjoy myself.’
Delighted to see two smiling faces, Duncan spontaneously suggested, ‘And I’ll take you both out to dinner tonight.’
17
After a hectic lunch hour and with the prospect of a busy evening, Kieran was glad to return to an empty house. Marina was spending the day with a party of French teachers who were keen to visit and walk across the suspension bridge, and also visit the SS Great Britain and the Matthew.
It was a warm, sunny afternoon, so after changing into shorts and t-shirt, Kieran stretched out on one of the sunbeds on the patio, but in spite of the soothing music of his favourite CD he couldn’t relax, unable to forget Stefan’s enquiry about Marina’s parents and other relatives.
A few minutes later, he was staring at Marina’s birth certificate, aghast. It seemed impossible; how could Ralph McGuire be her father? But his name was written on the document, above that of Felicity Bushell, her mother. There were also letters from Ralph. Kieran hated himself for snooping in the drawer where Marina kept her passport, references, bank statements and other private papers and, as he replaced the certificate back in the envelope, he wondered how she could have deceived him for such a long time.
Had she ever visited Ralph, made herself known before he became ill, wondered Kieran. But he quickly dismissed this idea – Isabel had greeted her as a complete stranger. What did Marina intend to do now that Ralph was dead, Kieran asked himself. Did she intend to make herself known to Isabel at a later date, which would be a great shock and, in that instant, the idea occurred to him; was she going to contest Ralph’s will? Marina had been in such a strange mood lately, very dissatisfied, that anything was possible. But what could he do? He certainly couldn’t mention her birth certificate; she’d go berserk at the idea that he’d even opened the drawer.
By now, Kieran was pacing to and fro on the patio then decided that by talking about his uncle he could tactfully enquire about any distant relatives she might have. There had certainly been various occasions when he had spoken of his uncle that she could have told him that Ralph was her father, but she hadn’t. However, worrying about this wouldn’t do any good, so picking up a copy of John Francome’s latest book, he made himself comfortable and, as usual, soon became engrossed.
To his surprise, Marina returned in good spirits; the courier who had been booked to accompany the French party to Bath the next day, and to Wells and Glastonbury on Saturday, had broken her ankle and she had been asked to take over these excursions.
Returning to the hotel, Kieran was surprised to learn that Duncan Sinclair had booked a table for three for dinner. ‘He’s bringing Isabel and Aunt Elspeth,’ said Joanna and seeing Kieran’s puzzled expression, ‘she’s Ralph’s sister and they’ve always lived in the same house.’ Marina knew about Joanna as Kieran had spoken about her on various occasions, but he now considered that Marina would be surprised to discover that she also had an aunt; then, after checking the list of other dinner guests, he returned to the dining room.
Marina let herself into the house and bent to pick up the Evening Post. It had only just arrived. The delivery boy had disappeared round the corner as she inserted the key. It was only half past four which meant that she had time to r
ead the paper before Kieran, who always played squash on a Friday afternoon, returned. The excursion to Bath had been a great success, but they had all wanted to return early. There was a cocktail party followed by dinner when they would meet local business people and civic dignitaries.
Ten minutes later, Marina sat up with a jerk, staring at the paper – there, in print, was the notice asking anyone with claims against or debts owed by Ralph McGuire, to contact Hoskins and Rankin. Within seconds, Marina was talking to Peter Hoskins, trying to keep her voice even as she told him, ‘I must see you. I’m Marina Bushell, Ralph McGuire’s daughter. Unfortunately, he didn’t marry my mother.’
‘Do you have proof of that statement, Miss Bushell?’ Hoskins had switched on his tape recorder as soon as he was advised of her call and nodded to himself as Marina told him that she had a birth certificate and letters from Ralph to her mother, and concluded, ‘When can I see you?’
‘We don’t come into the office on Saturdays so it will have to be Monday.’ Hoskins’ diary was already open but he deliberately paused, ‘And then I can just fit you in at half past nine. Please bring whatever documents you have with you.’
‘Damn and blast!’ muttered Marina. ‘Now I’ve got to get through the weekend. Stupid old man! Why didn’t he ask me to come in now, or offer to come in tomorrow?’
As arranged, Hoskins immediately informed Inspector Kershaw of Marina’s call and said that he would be seeing her Monday morning. ‘She wasn’t very happy about that. I think she expected to come in now, or tomorrow.’
Mercy or Mercenary? Page 12