Dangerous Secrets

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘Will your brother join us?’ she asked almost tearfully. ‘I brought an extra cup in case.’

  After almost an hour of halting, difficult conversation, Julia saw Sergeant Trekellis draw up outside.

  ‘Morning, ladies,’ he said cheerfully. ‘I gather you have a missing sister, Miss Smythe? Oh, is that a tray of tea I spy?’

  The interview went on for some time. After many questions and several cups of tea, Annie finally thought she might remember a noise, late in the night.

  ‘Sometimes, Betty likes to read before she goes to bed. Perhaps when I just thought she was switching the light off but she was really going downstairs again. I still can’t think why she would go outside, though.’

  ‘Was the door locked when you came down this morning?’ the sergeant asked.

  ‘Come to think of it, the French doors were unlocked. But I thought we must have forgotten we had used them yesterday and left them open.’

  ‘Right, well that tells us something, doesn’t it? She could have gone out that way and wandered off somewhere. Not wishing to be unpleasant about it, but she could have got confused or something and lost her way.’

  ‘Oh dear,’ Annie muttered for the umpteenth time. ‘But Betty doesn’t get confused.’

  ‘Perhaps she was taken ill. Even had a little stroke or something. Now stop worrying yourself and we’ll see about looking for her. Will you stay with her, Miss Renton, Julia?’

  ‘Of course. Ryan and I did walk along the beach for quite a way. Towards the village end.’

  ‘Right, well I’ll see about getting the inshore lifeboat to go along the other way, past all the big rocks. You can’t really walk very far in that direction.’ Sergeant Trekellis swallowed down his tea and took another biscuit as he got up from his seat. ‘Not a word to the missus,’ he smiled, indicating the biscuit.

  ‘I’ll take the tray out and wash the cups, shall I?’ Julia offered.

  This was going to be a very long morning. Conversation was difficult and stilted, with Annie constantly hovering close to the window overlooking the road. As the time dragged on, the atmosphere grew more tense.

  ‘They must have found something by now,’ Annie said desperately. She froze as she gazed along the road. ‘Oh no,’ she whispered and sat down heavily. Julia looked out as the police car drove along the narrow lane. It stopped outside. Sergeant Trekellis came into the house.

  ‘I’m so very sorry,’ he began. Annie slumped down in her chair. ‘We’ve found your sister but it’s not good news, I’m afraid.’

  ‘Where was she?’

  ‘Just round the corner from here. Opposite way from the village. Where the rocks come down into the sea. We think she may have fallen somewhere on the beach and been washed round by the current.’

  ‘No,’ Annie wailed. ‘She hated going near the water at any time. We never went near the sea. She only ever walked on the sands well above the tide line. Are you sure it’s her?’

  ‘I’m afraid there’s no doubt, though we’ll have to ask someone to give the formal identification. But as we all know both of you very well, I’m in no doubt at all. I’m very sorry. I know how close the two of you were.’

  ‘Can you make some fresh tea for Annie? And a drop of brandy wouldn’t come amiss if you’ve got such a thing. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to direct the pathologist to the … to the site.’

  Julia watched as the busy little sergeant scuttled down the beach to where there was a group of people collecting. She would have much preferred to be among them but she couldn’t leave the desolate woman.

  ‘Is there someone you’d like me to call? Someone who could stay with you?’ Julia suggested.

  ‘We only have each other. No other relatives left. Most of our old friends have gone too. That’s the problem with old age. The older you get, the fewer of us there are left.’

  The younger woman sighed gently. It looked as if she was stuck with the situation. She could hardly leave the poor woman but she just wasn’t equipped with the necessary skills to know what to say. Her own loss was still raw in her mind. Tears filled her eyes as she remembered yet again that she had never said goodbye to her mother. She wanted to talk more about her mother at the end of her life but Ryan was too upset by it. One day he would be able to tell her the details but for him, it was still too soon.

  ‘No need for you to cry,’ Annie said suddenly. ‘You hardly knew my sister.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Julia mumbled. ‘I was thinking about my mother as well and I know just how deserted you must be feeling.’

  ‘Deserted. That’s a good way of putting it. I’m angry too. How could she be so foolish as to go wandering out in the dark? How could she leave me like this?’

  ‘I’ll make that tea. And maybe you should have something to eat? A sandwich perhaps?’

  ‘I’d like to do it myself. Give me something to do. Then I should do the dusting. Betty wouldn’t like me to be living in squalor.’ The place was immaculate but Julia could make no comment.

  ‘If you make a sandwich, I’ll just pop across the road and see if my brother’s all right. I thought he might have come over by now.’

  Ryan was sitting in the garden, fiddling with his laptop. Julia chastised him.

  ‘You might have come to keep me company. I’ve been stuck there with the poor old thing and I can’t leave her. There’s nobody else in the world and now she’s all alone.’

  ‘I gather they’ve found her sister?’

  ‘Yes. I reckon she must have had a stroke or something. Gone wandering and fallen into the sea. I just can’t leave Annie on her own and it seems there’s nobody else around. I’ve got nothing at all to say to her.’

  ‘No point me coming over. I’ve got even less to say.’

  ‘I suppose I’d better go back.’

  The day dragged on until early afternoon, Sergeant Trekellis arrived once more.

  ‘I’m afraid we still don’t know what happened to your sister. We shall find out more after the post-mortem.’

  ‘Oh no. You’re not going to cut her up are you? I couldn’t bear that.’

  ‘I’m afraid we need to make some further enquiries. I know it isn’t a nice thought but you must want to know what happened, like the rest of us. And if someone caused her … well, if someone was responsible, you’d want them brought to justice, wouldn’t you?’

  ‘You mean you think someone might have … caused her … caused her to pass on?’ Annie could barely contain her emotions.

  Sergeant Trekellis looked at Julia for support but she could think of nothing to say.

  ‘We’ll be in touch. I’ll ask Myrtle at the shop if she knows of someone who can come and be with you for the evening. I’m sure Julia here, has things to do.’

  ‘Well yes, I really should go soon.’

  ‘I’ll be all right. Don’t worry about me. Thank you for staying with me for so long.’

  ‘If you’re sure you’ll be all right? Call me if you need me.’

  She went back to the cottage and found Ryan fast asleep, sprawled out on the sofa. The kitchen contained nothing in the way of proper food. Clearly they needed to shop if they were to stay there for any length of time. For now, it looked as if the local pub would have to provide dinner.

  ‘Come on, you. I need food and a decent drink after the day I’ve had. I still think you might have come over to keep me company.’

  ‘I’m sure you were martyr enough for this family. OK, give me chance to change and shower and we’ll see what’s on offer in the village.’

  The pub was buzzing with the latest news. For a normally quiet village, there had certainly been enough unprecedented events to give the gossips plenty of fuel. The landlord greeted them with great enthusiasm.

  ‘So, is it true? Someone’s bumped off one of the old twins? I hear you’ve been doing gallant duties looking after the old dear. Bet she’s totally lost without her sister.’

  ‘I don’t know about bumping her off. Yes, her body was fou
nd this morning. All very sad.’ Julia did not want to be part of the speculations. ‘Now, if we can see the menu? And I’ll have a glass of dry white, please.’

  ‘Coming up.’

  ‘Was she really bumped off, do you think?’ Ryan asked when they were sitting down.

  ‘No idea. They were cagey about giving any information. Post-mortems and all that. Annie protested about that but I guess she doesn’t have much choice in the matter.’

  ‘Certainly not. Dad tried to prevent them doing one on Mum but they had to make sure. Fortunately despite it being an overdose, they decided against pursuing it further. Just settled for a blood test. Toxicology screening they called it.’ He tensed as he spoke and looked away. His mouth twitched at the corner as if he was trying to control his emotions.

  ‘You can talk to me about it, you know.’

  ‘One day, maybe. Not yet. Want another drink?’

  Julia watched her brother as he went to the bar. He was such a good looking bloke. She wondered why he didn’t have a string of girls after him. Maybe her father was right. Maybe he wasn’t interested in girls and would prefer male company. So what? He was still her beloved brother and there was nothing at all wrong with being gay.

  ‘Food’s on its way,’ he said, slumping down in his seat. ‘Interest in our corpses continues. Just think, we’ve only been here a few days and already there are two unexplained deaths. Nearly as bad as one of those television series where murders are committed every other day.’

  ‘Don’t be flippant. We need to make some plans. Money for one thing. We’ve only got a couple of weeks before Dad cuts off all finances.’

  ‘Like I said, I think I really have no alternative but to go back. You can please yourself.’

  ‘Do you mind if I stay on here? I mean to say, the cottage is half yours. Like I said, I can always pay you rent.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous. But you’ve got to earn money to live on. Mum left us enough to last for a while but you’ll have to curb your trips to the West End and buying designer labels.’

  ‘Too far to go from here. Besides, I doubt the locals would be impressed with designer stuff. I’ll make do with what I’ve got already. Which reminds me, I’ll have to make at least one trip home to collect it. I left in rather a hurry. Not sure how I’m going to organise that without another confrontation with you-know-who.’

  They walked back home, along the path, so familiar from childhood. It had seemed a long drag to small children but now it was a pleasant evening stroll.

  ‘I wonder if I should go and check on Annie?’ Julia said.

  ‘I’d leave it. You’ve done more than your duty today but it’s up to you.’

  There were lights blazing at the house across the lane. It was unusual, as the Misses Smythe were always so careful not waste electricity but probably she was feeling insecure. They crossed over and knocked at the door.

  ‘Who is it?’ came a somewhat shaky call.

  ‘Ryan and Julia. We came to make sure you’re all right.’

  ‘Oh dear. Thank goodness. I’m far from all right. Wait a minute while I draw back the chain.’

  ‘What is it? Annie, you look terrible. What’s happened?’

  ‘Well, I don’t know. I expect I’m just a silly old fool but I kept hearing noises. As if someone was trying to get in. I’ve locked everything and been round twice to make sure. I kept thinking it might be Betty trying to get back inside but I know that isn’t possible. Not really.’

  ‘We’ll look round outside and make sure everything’s in order. Try to get some rest and if you’re worried again, you can always phone the police.’

  ‘I’ll try, but it’s so strange to be in the house alone. I don’t think I’ve ever been on my own before. We’ve always been together and since our parents passed on, this has been our own home. I don’t think I’m going to like it here anymore.’

  ‘I’m sure you’d get a good price for it,’ Julia said without thinking.

  ‘Oh dear, Betty wouldn’t like it if I sell up.’

  Ryan had been listening in silence but now he wanted to go home and forget about the troubles.

  ‘We’ll have a check round outside and leave you in peace. It’s probably just a fox or something. I’m … I’m sorry you’re on your own,’ he added, not knowing what else to say.

  ‘Goodnight, my dears. And thank you again for all your kindness.’

  They did a lap round the outside of the house but there was nothing unusual to be seen in the dark. No doubt the police would be round the next day in any case so anything Annie wanted to tell them could be done then. It was a tense few days in the little area surrounding the cottage. With only one or two permanent residents living there, the burden of checking on Annie fell to Julia. When the post-mortem results came out, it seemed that the cause of Betty’s death remained inconclusive. She had head injuries but it was decided that it was most likely that she had fallen and hit her head. The tide had then carried her round the point and battered her against the rocks.

  ‘One bit of comfort is that she was dead before she went into the water. Must have hit her head falling on the rocks and fell in,’ Sergeant Trekellis confided. He’d called on Julia and Ryan on his way to see her. ‘Not that anything can bring much comfort to her sister.’

  ‘So foul play is not suspected?’ asked Ryan.

  ‘Inconclusive, they say. Death by misadventure is the likely outcome. Or maybe an open verdict. But keep that to yourself. There will be an inquest later so nothing’s definite till after that.’

  ‘Did you investigate Annie’s prowler? She said she’d heard someone round her house. We couldn’t see any signs.’

  ‘So many footprints all around the place, I couldn’t tell if there was really anything significant or not. Imagination must be very active for the poor old thing. Told me she thought it was Betty trying to get in.’

  ‘She told me that too.’

  ‘Well, I’d best be on my way. No doubt I’ll be back at some point. Thanks again for the tea. You make a nice cuppa, I’ll give you that.’ They saw him out and Julia ducked behind the curtains as she saw Annie approaching.

  ‘Oh sod it. Annie’s coming down the path. I thought at least I might get time to wash up the sergeant’s teacups.’

  ‘Pretend we’re out,’ Ryan suggested.

  ‘I can’t do that. She’ll have been watching to see when he left so she could hear what was said. Don’t mention anything about the result of the autopsy. I’m not sure we’re supposed to know really. The good sergeant is a little out of his depth, I suspect.’

  ‘Aren’t we all?’ He opened the door. ‘Annie. Come in. We were just about to go shopping. Is there anything you need?’ Ryan said as she came inside.

  ‘I won’t keep you. I just wanted you to know that I have decided to sell up and move away. I know Betty wouldn’t like it but she isn’t here anymore, is she? I can’t bear living on my own and I shall buy an apartment in one of those sheltered places. That nice Mr Davies came round to see me this morning and he’s made quite a reasonable offer for our house. I’m resigned to the fact that Betty’s not coming back and so it’s my decision from now on. If she keeps tapping on the windows every night, I won’t be there to listen. There’s a vacancy in a nice sheltered accommodation along the coast. It should all be settled in a very few days, with Mr Davies’s help. He’s very kind, isn’t he?’

  ‘Well, yes, I suppose so,’ Julia said slowly. But are you certain you’re not being hasty? I mean it is hardly any time since … well, since Betty’s accident.’

  ‘My mind is quite made up. I need some security around me.’

  ‘What did you mean about Betty tapping on the windows?’

  ‘Well of course, I don’t suppose it really is her but every night but just when I make my cocoa, there’s a tap, tap, tapping on the kitchen window. Then I look out and there’s nothing there. I was never meant to live alone. We’d always hoped to go together. You know, I still can’t understand
how it happened. Betty would never go out on her own, normally.’

  ‘I should think she heard a noise and went to investigate. Could there be some twigs or a bush causing the tapping noises at the windows?’

  ‘No dear. We keep everything cut back and tidy.’ She looked as if she might begin crying and Ryan turned away. He didn’t know how to cope. ‘I must go. So much to do, if I’m to leave this place. So much to do. Years of packing up.’ She turned and scuttled up the path and out of the gate.

  ‘Poor old thing. I can’t imagine how she’ll cope with packing up and moving.’

  ‘Undoubtedly, the nice Mr Davies will be helping. What’s the betting he offers to organise a sale of all her antiques? Those sheltered places don’t have room for much. There’s a load of old stuff there that must be worth good money.’

  ‘You’re quite the cynic aren’t you?’

  ‘Julia … there’s things you don’t know. I can’t talk about it now but go easy on me. Please.’

  ‘What sort of things?’ she asked but he looked away and went back inside the cottage. Her brother was clearly troubled but she would ask no more questions until he was ready to open up to her. She perched on the garden wall, looking at the sea as it turned to a burnished copper in the setting sun. This was a prime site, undoubtedly. If they could ever bear to part with it, it should fetch a substantial price. Though much of its charm was masked by their grief, parting with this cottage could never be a serious option.

  ‘Julia,’ Ryan called. ‘Phone.’ She went inside and took his mobile. She raised an eyebrow in query but her brother just smiled.

  ‘Hallo?’

  ‘Julia. It’s Bryce. Bryce Davies. I wondered if you’re free for a drink? Or dinner if you’d like it.’

  ‘What, now?’ she replied.