The Sapphire Widow

by Dinah Jefferies

  “No, it definitely wasn’t him. I think he had some sort of accent, but I’m not really sure. I was a bit taken aback. Do the police really still have no idea who broke into the house?”

  “No evidence to point them in any direction, they say. I just don’t see how the burglars knew we’d be out.”

  When De Vos finally turned up, apologizing for the slight delay and handing her the contract, she saw at once it was an agreement to broker a particular shipment of rubber. In his usual courteous manner, he told her it was a blue carbon copy, but he held the original in his safe and he hoped it would satisfy any uncertainty she might have about the debt.

  “I’ll tell you what we’ll do,” she said, feeling confused as she gazed at the contract. To her knowledge, Elliot had never had any dealings in rubber. “Leave this with me and I’ll look it over.”

  After he had gone, she gathered the dogs and walked out to the ramparts. Now they were well into May the sea was wild and the air hummed with flying insects. The wind lifted her hair, blowing it into her eyes and making them stream. On the horizon, a streak of yellow separated the ocean from the graying sky, and shrieking gulls wheeled and dived above her. She listened to the breath of the ocean as the waves swelled and faded: a sign the monsoon was not far off. Although aware that traveling to Colombo on the back of a motorcycle was hardly wise, she longed to escape from living her life in the shadow of Elliot’s death. Riding pillion on a motorbike would be perfect. Even if she might get drenched, the excitement and speed would get her blood pumping faster. She twisted the wedding ring she still wore. Was it time to take it off?

  * * *

  —

  The next morning, she rose at six to wait for Leo. She opened the French windows to look out at the huge blue sky, but when Irene came down early too Louisa could see her eyes were red from crying. She felt a twinge of sympathy for the woman.

  “How are you, Irene?” Louisa asked in a conciliatory tone. “Would you like some tea?”

  Irene wrung her hands over and over but didn’t speak.

  “Irene?”

  The words burst out fiercely. “To think he had a child all this time. How was it possible you never knew?”

  “You never knew either,” Louisa said softly.

  “But you lived with him!”

  “He was away a lot. I’d become accustomed to it.”

  Irene shook her head.

  In the following pause, Margo came in.

  “You’re both up terribly early,” Louisa said. “What’s going on?”

  “I’ve persuaded Mum to go back to Colombo today.”

  “If you think it’s for the best,” Irene said, a slight sob catching in her throat. “I hardly know what’s right any more.”

  Louisa glanced at her mother-in-law. She looked folded in on herself, as if the glue that held her together had dissolved.

  “Sit down, Irene,” she said and pulled out a chair. Irene almost collapsed into it.

  “But Mum, if anyone comes asking you to pay off Elliot’s debts you are to inform the police straight away,” Margo warned.

  Irene frowned, then gazed at her daughter with a bemused expression. “Why? What debts?”

  “The thing is, Mum, I didn’t want to tell you—but it appears Elliot was in some difficulty.”

  Now Irene managed to control herself. “I’m sure it can’t amount to much. Your father and I will happily pay off anything he owes.”

  “No, Mum. We are talking a small fortune.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You’d better tell her everything,” Louisa said.

  While Margo explained all she knew, Louisa stared at the floor and felt her heart plummet. Hearing it all laid out like this was appalling. What kind of fool would not have suspected a thing? And now, as Elliot’s uneasy spirit crept closer, she tried to listen to Margo but couldn’t block out the whisperings in her head and the image of him laughing behind her back.

  By the end, Irene was bent forward in her chair with her head in her hands.

  Louisa and Margo exchanged looks, but then Irene straightened up and jabbed a finger at Margo. “I refuse to believe a word of this! How could you both stoop so low as to blacken his name like this? You’ve always been jealous of your brother, Margo.”

  “Mum, it’s the truth. It’s been shocking for all of us.”

  Irene’s face was contorted by a spasm of anguish. “But it’s too much. Too much.”

  Her protective shell torn from her, she looked raw, and Louisa, seeing the scared woman beneath the harsh exterior, attempted to reach out to her. “He was a good husband to me. I had no reason to suspect anything.”

  Irene gazed at her with damp eyes. “And this child. What of this child?”

  “He’s called Conor.”

  “Have you met him?”

  “Not really, but I have seen him.”

  “And is he like Elliot?”

  “He’s the spitting image.”

  “Well, all I can say is I’m glad to be getting the bus back to Colombo today—unless you’re willing to drive me?” She looked up at Louisa hopefully.

  “Actually, I do have plans to go to Colombo today, but on the back of a motorbike.”

  “Isn’t that rather risky? And with my dear Elliot so recently gone.”

  The dear was the thing that did it, and Louisa was unable to bite her tongue. “Dear Elliot, who had been having a secret affair for eight years? Do you mean that Elliot, Irene?”

  And the words were left spinning in the air.

  * * *

  —

  A little later, Louisa climbed onto the back of the motorbike and then cautiously wrapped her arms around Leo. Holding her nerve, and excited by the close proximity and warmth of his body, she inhaled deeply. She could smell the cinnamon on his clothes and the tang of some kind of aftershave lotion. As they got going she relaxed, leaning closer, and enjoying the feeling of intimacy. How she had missed this! The connection. The heat. The nearness. And although she hardly knew Leo, she clung to him with a growing sense of release. It felt so good to be this close. So good.

  The journey to Colombo was hair-raising, but she didn’t care. Despite the speed she felt she could trust him, and whenever he accelerated she experienced a sensation of being freed from normal constraints. The wind blew in her face and the thrill of it invigorated her. From time to time she glanced up at the darkening sky and across at the ominous-looking sea, but so far it remained dry. It was a bouncing, jolting journey and she constantly felt aware of her body so close to his. Eventually they arrived, a little shaken but in one piece. As she climbed down her legs felt wobbly but he reached out a hand to steady her. She grinned at him and he laughed.

  “Feeling better?” he asked.

  “Very much so.”

  He parked the bike and told her he needed to pick up some supplies, but he would meet her at the office. When he put a hand on her shoulder she felt a slight shiver at his touch. Then she watched him walk away. Today he wore twill trousers and a waxed cotton jacket over a shirt and tie. Still a casual look, but she had never seen him look so smart. Then she walked past Cargills and on down to the alley leading to the spice company office.

  At the end of the alley a man stood waiting. As she drew closer, she saw his icy-blue eyes had not left her face. When his voice broke into her thoughts it was with an Australian accent.

  “Mrs. Reeve?”

  “Who wants to know?” She felt a twinge of apprehension and wished Leo hadn’t left her, especially as this man towered over her and blocked the doorway.

  He smiled. “Time we had a nice friendly chat.”

  “I’m rather pressed for time. I have business to attend to.” Although nervous, she kept her voice firm.

  He shook his head. “My condolences about your husband.” />
  “You knew my husband?”

  The man nodded. “And I think you may have something of mine in your possession.”

  She felt her breath shortening but met his unwavering gaze. “Who are you?”

  He smiled again. “You can call me Cooper.”

  “I’m sure I don’t have anything of yours.”

  “I’m all for keeping this amicable. It’s a certain financial debt I’m talking about. I believe my colleague, Mr. De Vos, has mentioned it.”

  “He’s your colleague?”

  He nodded.

  “That is already in hand, then.”

  “Make sure it is.” As he reached over and took her by the arm she glanced up the alley and then back at the man.

  “I’d like you to let me go.”

  Hearing a sound, Louisa twisted her head again, and saw Leo was ambling up, pushing his motorcycle. He left it to lean against a wall and then, apparently noticing something was up, walked rapidly toward them. At Leo’s approach, the man released Louisa’s arm. Leo stiffened and took a step closer. Although the man was tall, Leo was clearly the stronger. In a swelling silence, they faced each other.

  After a moment, the man chuckled softly to himself and gave a shrug.

  Louisa had thought Leo was about to throttle the Australian, but instead he stepped back.

  “What’s going on here?” he demanded.

  The man didn’t reply.

  “I suggest you go about your business.”

  Cooper brushed himself down while smiling coldly at Leo. Then he walked off.

  Leo turned to her. She took a step back and exhaled slowly, then put a palm over her thumping heart.

  “Thank goodness you came when you did,” she said, a little anxiously. “The man’s a bully.”

  “What did he want?”

  She took a deep breath and then explained about Elliot’s debts. It hurt her to say it all out loud, just as it had hurt to hear Margo telling Irene, but she knew she could no longer protect Elliot’s reputation.

  “Should we go to the police about this man?” she said.

  “And say what? I’m not sure it will do much good. He’ll be long gone now, and what could he actually be charged with?”

  “He said his name was Cooper.”

  “I doubt that’s his real name. Shall we go up now? Are you still happy to do this?”

  She nodded.

  “I’ll just get the bike.”

  He parked his bike right by the door to the office, and pushed it open for her. “My worry is that he seemed to be expecting you—how on earth did he find out you’d be here today? Who knew?”

  She felt a chill run through her. Who indeed?

  Upstairs, Nihil greeted Louisa warmly and then he ordered coffee for them all.

  Leo and Louisa seated themselves and Louisa explained why they were there.

  “So,” the manager said, looking at Leo. “You can guarantee a high quantity? Many of my cinnamon suppliers from farther north have been affected by drought so I am most interested in what you have to say.”

  “I’m working day and night, as are my staff. We produce the very best quality. I have a sample here.”

  He removed a quill from his satchel.

  Nihil took it, rubbed it between his fingers and then smelled it. “Excellent. I’m sure we can offer you a worthwhile deal.” He scribbled something on a sheet of paper and then handed it to Leo. “How does that sound to you?”

  Leo nodded. “I think we may have a deal.”

  The two men shook hands and Louisa promised to have her solicitor put the agreement into writing, ready for Leo to sign.

  “By the way,” she said and looked at Nihil. “Did you tell anyone I would be here today?”

  “I may have mentioned it to my family but that’s all.”

  By the time they had finished the meeting and were back on the street, the rain was coming down in sheets.

  “What do you want to do?” he said and held out his hands to the rain.

  She glanced at the sky and pulled a face.

  “I have waterproof capes on my bike if that’s any help?”

  “Or we could have a bite to eat and see if it eases off.”

  “It might get worse.”

  She smiled and glanced at her watch. “Yes, but aren’t you hungry?”

  He nodded.

  “Then let’s go to the Galle Face Hotel. My treat.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I’d like to. They do terrific seafood if we’re not too late. We can eat on the veranda and watch the rain. I need to visit a solicitor afterward to check something out. Do you mind hanging about? It’ll mean riding back in the dark.”

  “Not at all. Though I wonder if we made the right choice to come here and back in a day.”

  Leaving his bike in the alley, they began to run and when they were finally seated in comfy rattan chairs on the hotel veranda, lined with beautiful colonnaded arches, the rain had become even noisier, drowning out the clink of cutlery and glasses.

  “Isn’t this lovely,” she said, speaking in a loud voice.

  “Wonderful.”

  They ordered and as he gazed out at the rain she watched him. He’d pushed his wet hair back from his forehead and his skin glistened. She couldn’t help wondering about this man. So attractive and yet alone. She glanced out at the rain splashing up a full yard in the air, and as she turned back she saw his eyes were fixed on her. He smiled a slow lazy smile and she longed to reach out and touch his face. Instead she stared down at the table and felt the heat rising in her cheeks.

  In fact the temperature had dropped, and apart from her burning cheeks it was a release to feel cool after sweating in the numbing humidity.

  “So, tell me about you,” he said.

  She looked up. “My life’s been very ordinary.”

  “I doubt that.”

  She thought about it. “Well, until recently.”

  “Louisa, I…”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m enjoying today.” He smiled again and the lines around his eyes fanned out.

  “Me too. Apart from that awful man, Cooper.”

  After they had eaten, the rain seemed to ease off a little. She drew out the copy of the contract De Vos had given her, checked the address of the drafting solicitor on its first page and then rose. “Come with me, if you like.”

  They walked the short distance while the rain held off, and before long found themselves on the doorstep of the impressive offices of Jefferson and Chepstow.

  They entered the reception area, asked to speak to one of the partners, and waited until a small balding man came out to greet them.

  “Brian Chepstow,” he said. “How can I help?”

  He indicated they should follow him into his office, where she handed him the contract. “I believe your firm drew this up,” she said. “Could you take a look at it and maybe check your records?”

  He glanced at it and frowned. “Well, that’s our old redundant letterhead on here, not the one we’ve had for over a year. We’re now ‘R. A. Jefferson,’ not ‘G. Jefferson.’ Richard, my current partner, is old Gerald Jefferson’s son. This is apparently signed by Gerald—but it’s dated six months after he died, and he retired six months before that. I don’t need to check my records at all, I can tell you right now and categorically that this was not drawn up by us. Added to which, all our carbon copies are green. This is blue. I am of the strong opinion that this could be fraudulent.” He wrote down some details. “Who gave you this?”

  Louisa fudged her answer, not wanting to divulge too much. “I found it among my late husband’s papers.”

  “Well, I might have to do some investigating. I’ll contact you if I ever discover anything, but at this stage I can confirm that
this so-called contract would have no validity in any court of law that I know of.”

  Louisa thanked him for his time and she and Leo left.

  “What was all that about?” Leo asked as they stood on the pavement a few moments later.

  “Somebody gave me that contract as proof of debts Elliot has incurred, but you heard what Mr. Chepstow just said.”

  “Strange.”

  “Very.” She wondered whether to mention that Cooper had claimed to be an associate of De Vos, who was named on the contract, but decided to put it to the back of her mind for the time being. “But perhaps we’d better get going now that it isn’t pouring.”

  “You don’t mind a bit of damp weather?” he said.

  She laughed. “I’m an outdoors kind of girl. Let’s fetch the bike.”

  As he rode them out onto the coastal road she held on tightly, once again thrilled at being so close to him. She could feel the strength and power in his body as he tensed, guiding the bike through the screaming wind. The rain held off at first, but about an hour and a half later the sea became even wilder. He stopped while they slid the waterproof capes over their heads, but it was already dark and when the rain fell in a solid wall, they couldn’t see much in front of them. When the bike began to skid, he slowed the pace, but it wasn’t enough—a huge gust blew them off the road and toward the ocean. The bike was almost pushed right over but he managed to halt it before it hit the ground.

  “We’re near the Madu Ganga wetland, I think, near the fishing village of Balapitiya. We’re going to have to take shelter somewhere,” he said as he sat astride the stilled bike.

  She squinted into the darkness. “But there isn’t anything for miles.”

  “From memory, there are some fishermen’s huts somewhere near here. Let’s head in their direction. I’ll wheel the bike.”

  They made slow progress and just before they reached a hut, Louisa tripped and fell. He helped her up but her ankle hurt.

  “I think I went over on it.”

  “Why not sit on the bike? I can just about see the shape of a hut. It’s only about twenty yards now.”