Mercy or Mercenary?

by Sheila Parker

  Suppressing these thoughts, Joanna said, ‘I suppose you went home and spent the rest of the evening worrying about her?’

  ‘Not exactly,’ Kieran grinned. ‘It was almost as though Zak knew I needed company. He rang me immediately after the play finished and asked if he could come round, which he did. We had a few drinks when he told me about his role in the new production and some amusing anecdotes about some of his fellow actors.

  ‘I felt much better when he left, but this morning I was worried about Marina again.’

  ‘I’m sure she’ll soon be in touch with an acceptable explanation,’ then glancing at her watch, Joanna said, ‘duty calls. Let me know if you want to talk about Marina, or there’s anything I can do.’

  Marina glanced out of the window to see Inspector Kershaw and Detective Sergeant Small approach her taxi as it stopped outside the escort agency. Immediately, she leant forward. ‘I don’t want to stop here. Drive on and I’ll tell you where I want to go.’

  ‘I was only paid to bring you here,’ replied the driver.

  ‘Don’t worry. I’ll pay you the extra.’ Her thoughts confused, Marina fumbled with the zip of her bag. Why were the inspector and his sergeant waiting for her? But more importantly, where did she want to go? For the last twelve hours she had enjoyed Fritz’s company and revelled in his lovemaking, but now she suddenly recalled her unsuccessful interview with Mr Hoskins and muttered under her breath, ‘Why should Isabel and Elspeth inherit everything?’ Then, without thinking what she intended to say or do when she got there, she gave the driver the McGuire address.

  ‘Those two men who were on the pavement outside the agency are in a car immediately behind us,’ said the driver as he drove along Park Row, already indicating that he intended to turn left at the Victoria Rooms.

  At this, Marina leant forward again. ‘I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to go to that address in Clifton. Take me to Henleaze.’

  ‘For Christ’s sake, make up your mind,’ muttered the driver.

  ‘What’s she playing at?’ asked Tom and swore as the taxi driver suddenly changed direction, driving straight ahead along Whiteladies Road.

  ‘Just keep following her,’ instructed Kershaw.

  ‘That car is still behind us,’ said the taxi driver twenty minutes later as he drew up outside Kieran’s house and Marina reached across to pay him. ‘They look rather suspicious. Would you like me to phone the police?’

  Marina opened the door, swung her legs to the ground and stood on the pavement. ‘They are the police,’ she told him. ‘An inspector and his sergeant.’

  ‘My God! Have I been aiding and abetting a criminal? I picked you up from a posh hotel and some foreign bloke paid your fare.’

  But Marina wasn’t listening. She had already unlocked the front door while the inspector was immediately behind her and Detective Sergeant Small was questioning the taxi driver.

  ‘Good Morning, Miss Bushell,’ said Kershaw. ‘We need to ask you a few questions. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find you yesterday evening. However, now will suit us.’

  ‘It’s not really convenient. I’m due to take a party of French teachers to Bath.’

  ‘Now? Surely it’s rather early.’

  ‘How long will this take?’

  ‘That depends on you. How co-operative you are.’

  ‘Then it won’t take long.’ Marina looked at Detective Sergeant Small as he came into the hall and nodded at the inspector then she pushed open the lounge door and preceded the two men into the room. It was as she indicated chairs that Marina noticed Tom had a dark green coat over his arm and was carrying a wide-brimmed hat, and asked, ‘What are you doing with those?’

  Tom laid the coat across the back of a chair and placed the hat on the seat while, still standing, Kershaw asked, ‘Do you recognise those garments?’

  ‘I’m sure there are a lot of people who buy clothes like that while on holiday in Austria.’

  ‘That’s not what I mean. Stop prevaricating and answer my question, please.’

  In spite of Kershaw’s persistence, Marina hesitated. ‘I think Mr Baumgarten, our neighbour, has a coat and hat like that.’

  ‘I suggest you omit “I think” from that statement. You were seen leaving this house and walking towards the Downs wearing these garments. You were also seen in the Clifton area, approaching and, in fact, entering the McGuire household on the Saturday afternoon that Ralph McGuire died.’ As Marina gasped and her eyes widened, Kershaw continued: ‘Strands of hair that were found on the collar of the coat and in the hat have been identified as yours.’

  ‘That’s ridiculous. Why would I be wearing those garments; and what would I be doing in the McGuire household?’

  ‘I think you know very well what you were doing there. Ralph McGuire was your father and you were probably the last person to see him alive. While you may have been a regular visitor, I’m sure he was delighted to see you again,’ and when there was no response, ‘or was that the first time you visited him? In which case, he must have been surprised. What did he say?’

  Marina shook her head, remembering the only occasion she had seen the man she knew to be her father, and his attempt to speak – his mouth opening and closing but no sound. Her mind closed to what happened after that and she snapped, ‘You’ve no right to question me like this.’

  ‘But you were there that afternoon. Miniscule fibres from this coat were found on Ralph’s bedspread. I must say I find it strange that you should have used Mr Baumgarten’s coat, scarf and hat to disguise yourself. It’s not the usual thing to do when you visit a sick—’

  ‘Stop it, stop it,’ shouted Marina.

  ‘Why don’t we all sit down and relax,’ suggested Kershaw and, glancing at Tom, ‘would you make us some coffee, please?’ Then turning back to Marina: ‘You only spent a few minutes with your father. Was he still alive when you left?’

  ‘Of course he was. Leaning against his pillows.’

  ‘Exactly as you found him when you arrived?’

  Although Marina agreed, Kershaw recalled finding Ralph lying on his back, two pillows on the floor. ‘Did he lean forward when you gave him a drink?’

  ‘Yes.’ Marina stopped abruptly. ‘How do you know about that?’

  ‘You washed the glass but your fingerprints were on the bottle of lemon barley.’

  ‘So I gave him a drink,’ retorted Marina. ‘There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?’

  ‘But it wasn’t just lemon barley, was it?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘The bottle containing his medication was empty.’ Kershaw recalled his surprise when Dr Beresford told him of the drug prescribed for Ralph McGuire.

  ‘There was probably another one somewhere else, or Isabel was fetching some more,’ said Marina.

  Kershaw knew that all the tablets had been used and that there were approximately fifteen in the bottle. He had questioned Isabel and Elspeth about this at the time of Ralph’s death and on other occasions. He had guessed and now knew that these had been placed and crushed between a tissue. This had been found in Stefan Baumgarten’s coat pocket and examined by forensics, and traces of the granules, which had been tipped into the drink, were discovered embedded in the tissue. Tiny grains had also been found sticking to the handle of the toothbrush which had obviously been used to stir the mixture.

  ‘Did you enjoy yourself last night? I’ve never eaten at that hotel, but I understand the food is excellent.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘The hotel where you stayed last night. I’m sure, as a hotelier, your friend Fritz Hauser was very impressed.’

  For a moment, Marina was remembering the champagne and the luxury of the suite they occupied and, without thinking, murmured, ‘Yes, he was.’ Then she stopped abruptly. ‘How do you know all this?’ and when reminded that the in
spector had been looking for her the previous evening, Marina demanded, ‘who told you that?’

  Kershaw ignored that and resumed, ‘Having disposed of your father, you then poisoned Isabel. You’ve already denied picking flowers and pods off the laburnum tree in the Baumgartens’ garden, but you were seen doing this.’

  ‘Bloody neighbours! Why can’t they mind their own business?’ exclaimed Marina.

  Kershaw ignored this outburst and continued: ‘At that time you probably didn’t know of Elspeth’s existence, so I suppose you hoped that you would inherit everything. But why did you attack Duncan Sinclair? Were you afraid that Isabel would leave him her share of Ralph’s estate?’ As Marina gasped in astonishment, Kershaw realised the extent of her greed and persisted, ‘I suppose you thought the references to the biography would be an adequate distraction.’

  ‘I really don’t know what you are talking about.’ Marina rose to her feet with an aplomb that Kershaw could not help but admire, and her voice was still steady. ‘I refuse to answer any more questions unless a solicitor is present. However, I must get back to the agency. My French party will be waiting for me.’

  ‘I don’t think so. Someone else is looking after them and, as far as a solicitor is concerned, you don’t need one yet.’ And when Marina started to protest, Kershaw’s voice became grim. ‘I suggest you sit down again, Miss Bushell. There are still a number of questions to be answered. What did Ralph McGuire say when you arrived? When you told him that you were his daughter? Was he surprised, pleased, shocked?’

  On learning that Ralph was unable to speak, even mumble, Kershaw felt a pang of sympathy that such an intelligent man had been unable to communicate or move. He knew that Ralph had become angry and bad-tempered when told that his condition would deteriorate but, according to Isabel and Elspeth, and also Dr Beresford, Ralph had insisted that he didn’t want any more nurses, or hospitalisation. His views on euthanasia were well-known, but perhaps seeing him so helpless had driven Marina into taking such action.

  ‘He… he looked so old. He couldn’t speak. It was terrible,’ repeated Marina.

  ‘So you thought you would take matters into your own hands.’ Aware of unexpected movement, Kershaw turned quickly to see Kieran standing in the doorway.

  ‘Marina, what are you doing here at this time of the morning? Why aren’t you at work?’ asked Kieran.

  ‘I could ask you the same question, Mr O’Brien,’ said Kershaw and, noting the well-groomed young man standing just behind Kieran, assumed him to be Fritz Hauser while Marina was gazing at one then the other, speechless.

  Kieran looked directly at the inspector. ‘I was still concerned about Marina, so I phoned the agency to learn that she had arrived by taxi which immediately drove off again, with her still in it. Also, that the two men who had been waiting outside, who answered your description, followed her. Mr Baumgarten could see that I was agitated and suggested I came home for a while. I’ll just make myself some coffee.’

  As he turned, Kieran looked at Fritz and jerking his head towards the inspector, asked, ‘Are you with them?’

  ‘No! I came because Marina left…’

  ‘What! Who are you?’ and turning to Marina, Kieran demanded, ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘Fritz is …’

  ‘That’s enough,’ interrupted Kershaw and glancing at Kieran, ‘I’d be grateful if you’d leave us to continue our interrogation; otherwise, we’ll take Miss Bushell back to the station.’

  ‘Why are the police here? What’s happened?’ asked Fritz as Kieran grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room.

  ‘Marina is the illegitimate daughter of Ralph McGuire. Although very ill with Alzheimer’s, Ralph died unexpectedly, and the police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.’

  22

  A few minutes had elapsed while, deep in thought, Fritz watched Kieran add milk to the coffee he had just made and then suddenly he asked, ‘Why is the inspector questioning Marina?’

  ‘Because she was the last person to see Ralph McGuire alive.’

  ‘How did he die? Was he shot, suffocated or strangled?’

  Kieran stared at Fritz, amazed, and then said, ‘It was an overdose, but it was impossible for Ralph to reach the bathroom and take the tablets himself.’

  ‘Under those circumstances, Marina shouldn’t answer any more questions unless there’s a solicitor present. No doubt the inspector will arrange this but I would prefer to, and I’m willing to pay for a good one. I can afford it.’

  ‘Why should you do that?’ Kieran stopped abruptly and then noticed the black dress which was spilling out of a smart carrier. Setting down his mug, Kieran reached for this whereupon the dress – slinky and with narrow straps – high-heeled sandals and flimsy lingerie all slid onto the table. Kieran stared at the garments a moment longer and then glared across the table at Fritz. ‘You obviously bought this for Marina. She certainly couldn’t afford it, which means you and she…’

  ‘Steady on, she and I go…’ and as Kieran moved round the table towards him, Fritz also put his mug down and held up his hands as if in protest. ‘All right, hit me if you like. You obviously think I deserve it, but that’s not going to help Marina.’

  ‘Arrogant bastard! Rich, arrogant German bastard!’ Kieran reached for and picked up his coffee, and after a mouthful, still staring, he asked, ‘Who the hell are you anyway? Why are you here and why are you prepared to go to all that expense for Marina?’

  ‘I’m Fritz Hauser,’ and with a smile that usually charmed his female guests, ‘I met Marina again yesterday. The first time for many years. As I’ve just said, I knew Marina years ago, when she was a courier. She used to stay at my parents’ hotel near the lake with a group of holiday-makers. She was even more attractive then and I fell in love with her. I was angry and disappointed that the contract with the company wasn’t renewed and although I wrote to her, Marina never replied. Then yesterday when I met her again, it was as though those years had never happened.’

  ‘So you spent the night together?’ demanded Kieran and still glaring at Fritz, ‘my God! How could I have been so dense? All that nonsense about a girls’ night out when she was planning to spend it with you.’

  Fritz looked at Kieran and shook his head. ‘I don’t know what you are talking about.’

  ‘Marina has been very dissatisfied lately and, judging from your smart appearance and affluent manner, I’m sure she enjoyed everything you gave her.

  ‘That dress obviously wasn’t cheap, and you probably had the best suite wherever you stayed, cham–’

  ‘Can we talk about Marina and the reason for the police being here?’ interrupted Fritz. ‘I gather Marina had only just met her father. Why would she give him an overdose?’

  ‘I don’t know what happened during that visit. The first I knew about Ralph McGuire being her father was on Sunday afternoon. After telling me that she was his illegitimate daughter, Marina was adamant that she would fight for whatever was due to her.’

  ‘I still don’t understand why the police are here. Why are they questioning her?’

  ‘Marina was the last person to see Ralph McGuire alive,’ repeated Kieran.

  Meanwhile, Inspector Kershaw gave Marina his full attention. ‘Before we were interrupted, you were telling us that Ralph couldn’t speak but he understood that you were his daughter.’

  Marina nodded and Kershaw continued. ‘Did he indicate that you should remove your coat, that he wanted a drink?’

  It was then that Marina’s composure snapped. ‘There was so much I wanted to tell him. That he had ignored my mother; he could have made our lives so much easier. We could have enjoyed pretty clothes, holidays.’ Again, Kershaw was aware of the avarice in her voice then shook his head as she said, ‘He knew my mother before Isabel.’

  ‘That’s not true. Isabel and Elspeth became friends while a
ttending Redmaids School and Isabel often came to the house at Clifton.’

  But Marina ignored this and continued. ‘Why should Isabel have everything?’

  ‘Is that why you poisoned her?’ and ignoring Marina’s frosty expression, ‘You were seen taking something from the laburnum tree at the bottom of the Baumgartens’ garden. You knew only too well that it was a laburnum tree; your grandfather had one in his garden.’

  ‘How dare you bring him into it! He was a lovable, kind-hearted man who really loved me.’

  ‘He was also a very clever person who imparted a lot of his horticultural knowledge. Your grandparents must have been very sad to sell their large house and garden.’

  Kershaw watched as Marina’s face contorted with anger. ‘I was their only grandchild. That should have been mine.’

  ‘And then you tried to push Duncan off the pavement into the traffic because you were afraid Isabel might leave the bulk of her inheritance to him.’

  ‘He doesn’t need any more. He’s a successful author in his own right.’ Marina’s lip curled with contempt. ‘He really annoyed me that evening, watching her all the time as though she was porcelain.’

  Kershaw persevered: ‘It all started when you visited your father.’

  ‘I’m sure everything would have been different if he hadn’t been so ill. We could have had a father and daughter relationship and he would have changed his will in my favour. I could see he was frustrated that he couldn’t communicate.’

  Marina paused as Fritz appeared in the doorway, still holding his mug of coffee, and looking at the inspector he said, ‘Surely this has gone on long enough. We couldn’t help hearing what was being said. I would suggest no more questions until a solicitor is present; and Kieran, who should return to work, agrees with me.’