by Holly Bell
‘It would have lowered my profile a few points and I expect I’d have got a rap over the knuckles if the PR people thought I was the one who’d leaked it. But not enough for me put Samantha out of the picture, for goodness sake.’
‘Understood. I’m glad you cleared that up, anyway. Well done, John. By the way,’ added the inspector, changing to a lighter subject, ‘have you danced with Pamela, our debutante?’
‘No, but I shall. Now I’ve got that off my chest, I feel like dancing!’
Having executed a not-too-ambitious rumba with Ryan, Amanda was back in her seat, once more watching the happy throng.
‘Enjoying yourself, my dear?’ asked a new voice. Amanda turned and was pleased to see her current client seated beside her.
‘Yes, thank you, Miss de Havillande. Oh, I hope Tempest hasn’t been bothering Natasha.’
‘No, he’s transferred his attention to bothering everyone else. He’s at his station at the supper table, behaving as though you haven’t fed him for a month. Been fairly stuffed by anyone who passes with smoked salmon, lobster and caviar.’
Amanda shook her head in mock despair.
All too soon, the evening was drawing to a close, and there still remained a matter she had resolved to settle.
Chapter 57
Miss Cadabra Gives Her Answer
The inspector, predictably now to everyone in the ballroom, appeared before Amanda at the opening bars of a familiar tune.
With a formal bow, he held out his hand.
‘Miss Cadabra, they’re playing our song, I believe.’
With a chuckle, she rose and curtseyed.
‘So it is.’
As they circled the dance floor to a waltz version of Roses of Picardy, they failed to notice that they were the object of attention of all at the tables. Even other couples twirling nearby were taking more than a fleeting glance at them, when not having to pay attention to their own feet.
‘Lovely, Inspector!’ called out Sylvia approvingly, as she passed by in the arms of Dennis.
‘Very nice, Inspector,’ came from Joan and Jim dancing nearby.
‘Tell me, Miss Cadabra,’ he asked. ‘Do you think they’ll ever call me by my first name?’
‘No,’ Amanda answered decisively. ‘You’ll always be “Inspector”. The Patels have delivered half the babies in Sunken Madley, and are privy to every physical embarrassment incurred by their village patients, are treasured friends, but they’ll always be “Doctor”, just as Jane will always be “Rector”.’
‘I see. Beyond all hope then,’ he replied with feigned despair.
‘Best give in now!’ A few moments later, Amanda said, ‘It was kind of you to ask Pamela to dance.’
‘My pleasure. I remember what it’s like to be young and nervous.’
‘Hard to imagine, Inspector. Do you remember the first person who asked you to dance?’
‘Vividly: my mother! And you?’
‘I expect you can guess: Grandpa!’
‘That would have been my first shot. Well, I must say, Pamela did herself proud both following my steps and in her new turn-out. She really didn’t have you to thank for that?’
‘Only in a very roundabout way. Let’s say I called in a favour.’
‘I see.’ He asked gently, ‘Are you going to tell me about it?’
‘I’m afraid it isn’t my secret to tell,’ Amanda replied regretfully.
‘Ah. I understand.’
Roses of Picardy had reached its final chorus. It was now or never.
‘By the way,’ opened Amanda, hastily.
‘Hm?’
‘It’s yes,’ she stated.
‘Yes?’
‘My answer … to your question … your job offer … It’s yes.’
A grin lit Thomas’s face.
‘It is,’ he asked in delight.
‘It is,’ she confirmed.
It was the final bars of the dance. All at once, Thomas drew Amanda into a close hold, put both arms around her, lifted her clean off her feet and swung her around and around.
She laughed in glee and surprise. He set her down.
‘Inspector,’ Amanda uttered severely, ‘are you sure that’s allowed in the terms of our partnership?’
‘It’s not only allowed, it’s compulsory,’ Trelawney responded with aplomb. ‘Always read the small print, Miss Cadabra.’
The villagers were gathering around them.
‘He’s popped the question,’ announced Joan with a broad wink.
‘No! That is a wond—’
‘And she’s said yes!’
‘Of course she ‘as,’ insisted Sylvia.
‘What?’ asked Dennis.
‘He’s offered our Amanda a job helping him solve crimes,’ Joan explained.
‘Oh yes, she’s very good, you know, Inspector,’ Sylvia said, taking his arm.
‘And she knows all about around here,’ added Jim.
‘She’ll do you proud, Inspector,’ stated Joan.
‘Mind you take care of our Amanda now,’ Sylvia adjured him. ‘We don’t want her in no shoot-outs!’
‘With Uzis and such,’ Jim put in.
‘Or Beretta 9000’s!’ called Sylvia.
‘Automatic is that?’ inquired Jim.
‘No, it’s only semi-automatic,’ corrected Miss Armstrong-Witworth mildly, joining the throng.
‘Yes, I’m sure it was on Crimewatch,’ contributed Mrs Sharma.
‘Of course. Well, we don’t want none of them pointing at our Amanda, anyway,’ Joan stated.
‘No flintlocks or blunderbusses either!’ chimed in Dennis heartily.
‘You’ll be wanting somewhere to stay,’ Joan pointed out to Trelawney.
‘What about Marble Halls up on —’ Jim began to suggest.
‘No, much too big!’ protested Sandy of The Big Tease.
‘Plenty of space for offices though,’ Alex countered.
‘Wait,’ commanded Gordon French in his best headmaster’s voice. ‘Irene has a suggestion.’ With a wave of his hand, a path opened before Mrs James.
‘Inspector,’ she said diffidently, ‘if you would consider renting for the time being, I would give you an excellent rate at The Elms. Jessica and I would do anything for Amanda, and now you’re partners …’
‘And you’ll be not just honorary Village; you’ll be Village!’ cried Gordon. At which, the enthusiastic little crowd broke into applause.
‘As you know,’ continued Irene, ‘The Elms is very large, and I rent out accommodation there. There’s a one-bedroom self-contained flat on the ground floor. You would be able to come and go as you pleased only …’
‘The last one left it in a bit of a state,’ supplied Joan. She turned to Irene. ‘I did caution you about that Gladys Gadding’s daughter. No better than she should be, tha—’
‘I’m sure,’ intervened Irene firmly, ‘that the state of the flat can be remedied, however.’
‘The other residents are very nice,’ Neeta Patel assured him.
‘Of course,’ admitted Irene, ‘Gabriella can get a bit Italian when she’s on the phone, but she’s a dear soul.’
‘We think she and Robert will make a match of it. Heaven knows he’s nutty on her,’ Joan expounded.
‘Yes, well, Inspector, Robert would certainly help you or do all of the work for a consideration. And … oh!’
The crowd was all eyes on Irene.
‘I’ve just had a thought. The room beside it is empty. What about putting a door through to it and you could use that as your office!’
‘Bryan Branscombe’s your man for that. ‘E’s a lovely builder,’ Sylvia informed Trelawney.
‘It sounds ideal!’ Irma Uberhausfest approved.
‘What do you think, Inspector?’ asked Alex.
‘You’d have to see it first, of course,’ Irene said supportively. ‘That is, if the idea appeals to you.’
‘Inspector,’ Miss Armstrong-Witworth said gently, looking up at him. ‘I do think it might suit. Until you establish yourself with something of a more permanent nature.’
There was a pause while they awaited Thomas’s response. Finally,
‘Well … I hadn’t thought of … my father did suggest I could rent out my flat in Cornwall.’
‘Come over and see it in the morning, if you like,’ Irene invited him.
‘Oh, you’ll be snug as a bug in a rug there,’ Joan promised him.
‘It seems my future is writing itself!’ exclaimed Thomas.
‘Not at all, dear Inspector,’ replied Gwendolen. ‘It is only that a path is opening up before you. The decision to take it or not is firmly in your hands.’
They saw how the inspector looked around instinctively for Amanda. She was brought to his side. With a smile, she suggested,
‘Look at it tomorrow and then see what you think. It’s just an idea.’
‘Oh yes,’ he agreed, reassured.
‘No pressure,’ explained Dennis.
‘It’s up to you, Inspector,’ added Joan.
‘We wouldn’t want to impose,’ put in Sylvia.
‘You are all very kind,’ said Thomas, visibly moved.
‘Awww,’ responded Joan sentimentally.
As Trelawney and Amanda collected their coats and walked out to their cars, he asked her,
‘You know the place well? The Elms?’
‘Yes. I do think you’d like it and the suggestion of an office next door does sound just the thing.’
‘It would be convenient,’ Trelawney admitted. ‘I could walk you home.’
‘And carry my files. Ring binders can be so unwieldy,’ Amanda jested.
He smiled at that but said, ‘Seriously, I am charged with the sacred trust of your safety.’
Amanda stopped and looked at him. ‘You may not always be able to ensure that. You do know that, don’t you?’
‘Yes. Mike said something of the sort. That I will not always be able to follow where you go.’
‘The same is true of me. I can’t go on mad dashes across rooftops after doers of dastardly deeds. In fact, as was amply demonstrated in the cave, I can’t go on mad dashes anywhere. At least, not until I find that wretched book with the asthma spell antidote.’
‘The hunt for that can be included in the first cases on our files. It pertains to you, and so it pertains to Sunken Madley.’
‘Hm.’
‘I do like the idea of The Elms,’ Trelawney assured Amanda. ‘And I appreciate how much trouble everyone is willing to go to.’
‘I’m glad.’
‘If I can afford it.’
‘Believe me,’ Amanda assured him, ‘Irene will make sure you can.’
‘She can’t know what rent I could get for my flat.’
‘She’ll know by tomorrow morning, and what you currently pay for your mortgage.’
‘I am to have no personal, confidential information then,’ Thomas remarked.
‘Oh no, you hereby give up all rights of privacy. It’s in the small print, Inspector. Always read the small print,’ Amanda added with a twinkle.
‘Good advice. I’ll bear it in mind!’
Chapter 58
At The Elms, and Samantha’s Good Deed
The next day, the ground floor of The Elms appeared to be transforming into a junior branch of The Corner Shop Intelligence HQ.
Trelawney asked Amanda to come over with him to look at his potential new premises. As Irene pointed out, the room next door was in decent enough repair but the flat needed re-skimming, re-flooring, repainting, and refurnishing.
The doorbell chimed, and Irene hastened to answer it.
‘Do come in, although no decision has been made yet,’ they heard her say.
‘Ah hello, Mr Branscombe,’ said Amanda, as a head peered politely around the doorframe.
‘Hello there, Miss C, Inspector. Just thought I’d pop over, just in case.’
‘This is Mr Branscombe, our esteemed local builder,’ Amanda explained.
‘Yes, of course.’ Trelawney shook hands politely. ‘Kind of you come along.’
‘So, you’d be wanting a door through here would you …’
Ding, dong!
‘Cooee!’
Trelawney looked at Amanda.
‘Joan?’ he asked.
‘Hello dears, the door was open. I can only stay a minute, ’cos I’m on my rounds but just to say, Inspector, in case you do decide to take the flat here, my niece is getting rid of her three-piece, only had it six months but said “it’s not them”. Light cream-grey sofa and two dark brown leather matching chairs. If you want them. I’ll message you the pics.’
‘That’s very kind, Jo—’
‘You let me know. Oo ’allo, love!’
Amanda turned around to see the newcomer.
‘Hello, Dennis.’
‘Greetings, all. Just a short visit. Got a dining table and chairs …’
And so it went on, as villagers came with offers of furniture, cushions, rugs and kitchenware. By the end of the morning, the flat and office were provisionally furnished. Irene said that, once the inspector had chosen the furniture, she’d run up some curtains or blinds, whatever he wanted.
At lunchtime, Trelawney fairly staggered out to his car with Amanda.
‘I am overwhelmed,’ he declared. ‘Such kindness. I don’t think I’ve had such a welcome from anyone outside my family in the whole of my life.’
‘They really want you here, Inspector. But don’t feel you must say yes to The Elms.’
However, over quiche and salad in The Big Tease, suddenly Trelawney looked up and out of the window at the sky. He saw, not the thick March clouds but, reflected in the glass, the house, the Elms, the front door opening and a soft amber glow from within. He saw a river of light running through the village and ending at Irene’s gate. He looked at Amanda.
‘Yes,’ he said.
‘Yes?’
‘My instinct tells me this right. The Elms is right. Would you be happy working there? Of course, I realise it would have to fit in with your day job. That will all be in the contract.’
‘Of course.’
‘Then after lunch, let’s go and tell … the village!’
As they walked from the café to The Corner Shop, a red Jaguar I-PACE drew up beside them, and the driver leaned across to call out,
‘Inspector?’
‘Mr Gibbs. How are you?’
‘I’m fine, but I was rather hoping to find you. Can we go somewhere private? The Centre?’
‘Of course.’
‘Hello, Amanda. Do feel free to come along.’
In one of the light, comfortable rooms of the Centre, looking out to the meadow carved out of Madley Wood, Damian sat opposite Amanda and Trelawney. He had something in his right hand.
‘Inspector, first may I thank you again for bringing this sad business to a conclusion.’
‘You’re welcome, Mr Gibbs. How are you coping?’
‘Oh well. Fortunately, my asthma centre employs a number of therapists. So I have plenty of support on hand to help me work through it all. I know there are no shortcuts. I’m getting through it. Thank you for asking.’
‘Good. What can I do for you?’
‘Erm … I’m afraid that I wasn’t totally forthcoming with you when we had our … conversation.’
Finally, thought Trelawney. I knew he was hiding something.
‘The day before you … before we talked, a new member of my staff — the domestic staff, that is — was standing in for one of the regular cleaning team, so my house was unfamiliar to her, you see …’
‘Yes?’
‘She needed some equipment from the cupboard under the stairs and wasn’t used to the position of the light switch. Feeling around for it, she found a tiny packet taped to the underside of the socket. I was around, so she gave it
to me.’
He took a breath.
‘Please do go on, Mr Gibbs.’
‘It was a sim card, for Sam’s phone. I had a brief look, and I could see there were photos of computer screens and some of documents. I didn’t have time to check further, and I wasn’t sure … It could have been things she’d seen in my office that she’d misunderstood … so I didn’t mention it. Since then, I’ve had time to go over the photos carefully.’
He handed a small clear plastic packet over to the inspector.
‘The shots are of her grandfather’s and mother’s computer screens and documents she must have found in their studies; emails, accounts and so forth.’
‘Proof that Loftleigh was insider trading?’
‘I believe so, Inspector. I don’t know if it’s enough to secure a conviction but … for what it’s worth.’
‘Thank you, Mr Gibbs.’
‘I hope it does the trick.’
‘It sounds promising. It could be just what the Fraud squad needs. Well done.’
There was a pause. Damian looked out of the window and blinked hard.
‘My Sam. She didn’t let me down, after all.’ Amanda covertly blew her nose. Gibbs turned back to the inspector, ‘Will you let me know? If it’s of value?’
‘Of course. I’ll get this into the right hands immediately.’
‘Thank you. And thank you again, Inspector. You’ll always be welcome at the Centre, my home or any of my offices, and Amanda too.’
‘Thank you, Mr Gibbs,’ replied Trelawney gravely.
‘Damian.’
Gibbs left with a considerably lightened air and a wave to Amanda and the inspector. Trelawney called Nikolaides, and soon she appeared, meeting them in the carpark.
‘Sir?’
‘I’ve got a mission for you.’ She brightened. ‘I want you to drive over to Fraud. Make sure you give this into the hands of Felicity Farish personally. About your mother’s age, petite, dark hair, green eyes, intense thoughtful expression. You can’t miss her. Into her hands and no others, understand?’
‘Understood, sir.’
‘I’ll make sure she’s expecting you. Go straight there, no stopping to pick flowers along the way.’
‘Or talking to strangers. Yes, Mother, sir’ she replied with a gleam.