Dangerous Secrets

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘I see. Keep me posted. I’ll go and see to the mail now.’ He looked uneasy, Julia thought. Perhaps it was just her overactive imagination but she had wondered before whether any of the recent problems had something to do with her boss. The speed he’d bought up various properties when they became available had set her thinking.

  It was particularly the Smythes’ place that came to mind. It had been furnished with minimal cost and wasn’t even to be let at a very high price. It felt as if the whole thing was somehow temporary. His hints last night made her think even more that Bryce had a much bigger agenda than his holiday business.

  She did so need to talk to her brother about all of this but he didn’t seem to care about anything at the moment. She wondered when her father was returning to Buckinghamshire. If he was staying away at the weekend, she might even risk a journey up there.

  She sent Ryan an email to ask if he knew. He replied immediately.

  “Dad’s coming back today. He asked me to finish some work for him to check later on.”

  “Thanks. At least he won’t be descending on me again. All OK with you?”

  “As much as it will ever be. XX”

  She felt unsettled by his response. Had she said something to upset him? Or was it just that he really was so busy? She tried to get on with her work but her mind was racing in all directions.

  A while later, Gwen and Demelza returned. Terry stayed outside, slouched against the wall and smoking, his hands in his pockets. He really did look an unsavoury character. Could he be the one who’d done all the damage? It was possible but somehow, he didn’t seem to have the brains to do all that on his own.

  ‘Dint find nothin’,’ Gwen announced. ‘We knocked on one or two of the let properties and asked to look in their sheds but there weren’t no sign of nothin’. We di’n’t look in that doctor’s place. Should we have?’

  ‘I don’t think so. It’s not our responsibility, but I could mention it to the police when I call back to let them know we’ve done a check on our properties. Thanks, ladies. You’d better get off to clean for Mr Davies. I take it Terry won’t be going with you?’

  ‘He’s going to tidy the garden, so he will be.’

  ‘OK. Thank you.’

  They went off and she called the Penzance police station with her information. They asked for the address of the one property left and said they would send someone round later.

  Bryce came into reception.

  ‘Anything I should know about?’

  ‘Not really. Nothing untoward turned up at our places. They’re sending someone to look round the doctor’s place. Do you know his home address? They might ask for it later.’

  ‘I think it’s in the file. I have approached him in the past to see if he’d consider selling but he gave me short shrift.’

  ‘That would mean you’d own the whole road.’

  ‘Indeed. That property and yours are now the only privately-owned places.’

  ‘You said there are big plans ahead? Are you planning to develop the whole area?’

  ‘There’s nothing settled at all. Please don’t spread rumours or even mention this anywhere else. I trust you can maintain confidentiality?’

  ‘Of course. But it might affect what we do with Crofters.’

  ‘I can’t talk about it at the moment. Now, I have to go out for a while. If you have any problems, now’s the time to ask. I may be back by lunchtime but I’m not sure yet.’

  ‘Just the doctor’s address in case the police ask?’

  ‘They’re certain to have it on record.’

  ‘Funny that’s the only place that hasn’t been vandalised or robbed.’

  ‘Maybe it’s got better security. Now, I must go or I’ll be late for my appointment.’

  Julia settled back at her computer, waiting for him to drive away. She could do a search and see if she could find any clues. She could also hack into his computer and see if there was any information there. She opened the unlocked desk drawers and searched for any keys. Feeling secure that he was out for a while, she could be more thorough. She found some keys to the filing cabinets and had a look at the contents. They mainly contained the documents relating to various sales. She looked with interest at some of the details, getting an idea of what had been paid.

  The Smythes’ house seemed to have been valued at a much lower price than she would have expected but it was as she had suspected at the time. He’d offered the least that the old lady would accept. She could hardly blame him for that but they would never have sold in the first place if they hadn’t been terrified out of it. It made her think again that Bryce could be behind all the problems that had been going on.

  She put everything back and locked the cabinet. She looked round the rest of the office. There was a safe in the corner where cash was kept, together with deeds and documents. She had seen inside it at different times but was not privy to the code. She switched on the computer and accessed the obvious information. Many of the files were copies from her own computer and taken from the network. It was the coded files that interested her for which she needed a password. She dared not try and guess in case it left a trail. She certainly didn’t want Bryce to suspect she had been searching for information. She gave up and went back to reception to answer the ringing phone.

  ‘Miss Renton? Penzance police here. I’m afraid we have discovered the body of Sergeant Trekellis. It was concealed in the garden of the property you mentioned. I wondered if you had any reason to be suspicious of that property?’

  ‘None at all. It was the only property along the road that we don’t own. Why do you think he was there, poor man?’

  ‘No idea yet. I expect he was simply checking things out. You didn’t see anything? Anyone?’

  ‘No. I was in the office most of the day. I just went out for a short while at lunchtime. Do you suspect it wasn’t … well, a natural death?’

  ‘I can’t comment at present. But the fact that the police car was stolen and dumped, it looks very suspicious.’

  ‘The poor man. He was near retirement, wasn’t he? And his poor wife. I am sorry. He was such a nice man.’

  ‘Very popular officer. He’ll be missed. Thank you for your help. We may be in touch again.’

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Feeling saddened by the news of the sergeant’s death, Julia found it difficult to concentrate. She heard a buzzing sound from Bryce’s office and went to investigate. At the back of the desk drawer, she found a mobile phone. It was a basic one and not his usual, much more sophisticated smartphone. She picked it up and answered it. Immediately, it was cut off. Obviously her voice was unexpected and the caller did not want to speak. There was no number recorded. Slightly strange.

  She looked again at Bryce’s computer. She would dearly like to know what was hidden in the protected files. What password might he have chosen? A hopeless task to guess. It could be anything. She looked through his desk diary, wondering if there might be any clues there. Numbers ringed. Birthday reminders. There was nothing significant. Once more she wished her brother were here. He was brilliant at computer games and had hacked into his father’s computer more than once.

  She sent Ryan another email.

  “How do you go about hacking into a computer?”

  “What are you up to?”

  “Want to find out what’s going on.”

  “Don’t be daft. You’ll get found out.”

  “Sergeant Trekellis has been found dead. Suspicious death, I think.”

  Her phone rang. It was Ryan.

  ‘Things are getting nasty, Julia. You must be very careful. Why don’t you come back here for a while?’

  ‘I can’t. Really I can’t. I’m being careful, I promise. I’m still staying with Bryce so I can’t come to any harm.’

  ‘Whose computer are you thinking of hacking? Oh, delete those last emails by the way. In case anyone looks for past history. And then empty your Recycle box. You know how to do that?’

 
‘Course I do. I was thinking of trying to see what Bryce is up to. There’s something big going on. He hinted that we wouldn’t get planning permission to rebuild the cottage because of other plans – much bigger plans. I’m just hoping we still get the insurance for the cottage or we might have to sell the land anyway. Dad did say he’d sort it but there is still a doubt.’

  ‘I can’t just tell you what to do. I’d need to know more about the system.’

  ‘You could tell me while I’m trying to do it.’

  ‘We’d need time. Have you got a video camera on your latest phone?’

  ‘Yes. Bryce is due back at lunchtime.’

  ‘Too dangerous then, love. We need to try it when there’s nobody likely to join us. Besides, I daren’t do much from here. Dad might come in at any time. Sorry, love. But you might be gambling with your life here. Gotta go.’

  ‘You do sound a bit more cheerful. Are you feeling better?’

  ‘Bye. Do take care of yourself.’ He hung up without answering her question.

  She sighed. As if she didn’t have enough problems without worrying about Ryan’s state of mind. He’d never sounded quite this depressed before. Not even when he’d been bullied at school.

  Minutes later, Bryce came back. Narrow escape she thought. If she had been trying to use his computer, she’d have been discovered.

  ‘Didn’t take as long as I thought. Anything new?’

  ‘They’ve found the officer’s body. It was in the doctor’s garden.’

  ‘What was he doing there?’

  ‘They don’t know. Doing a check-up, they think. Very sad.’

  ‘Indeed. Anything else?’

  Julia hesitated. Should she tell him about the phone call on the strange mobile? Perhaps not. It meant admitting she’d looked in his desk.

  ‘Nothing important. A few emails but I’ve dealt with those.’

  ‘Thanks. No calls till I say. I have things to do.’

  He actually locked the office door when he went inside. Most unusual for him.

  She filed some letters and tried to hear what Bryce was up to. She heard him speaking on the phone and carefully lifted her handset but it was silent. He must be using his mobile. He raised his voice and she could easily hear his words.

  ‘What the hell were you playing at?’

  A pause. ‘So you think he recognised you. So what? Surely you could have made an excuse and scarpered?’

  Another silence. ‘No. I don’t have that sort of cash available. You’ll have to wait as we agreed. Wait till after the wedding.’

  A third pause. ‘I don’t want to hear it. I’m sorry. And don’t call me again.’ … what do you mean, “Who answered?” … I see. Leave it with me.’

  Julia sat down again quickly and concentrated on the spread sheet on her screen. Bryce came into the room.

  ‘Did you answer a call in my office?’

  ‘Oh yes. The mobile. It was buzzing away in your desk drawer. Sorry. I thought it might be important.’

  ‘No problem. I gather you didn’t find out who it was?’

  ‘No. They hung up without speaking. No number was recorded so I just forgot about it.’ He looked at her, clearly not believing her.

  ‘I don’t like you going into my desk for any reason.’

  ‘Sorry. I didn’t think anything of it. I just didn’t know what it was making the noise.’

  ‘OK. But ignore it in future. It shouldn’t happen again anyway.’ He seemed to relax and smiled. ‘Shall we go and have something to eat at the pub? My treat?’

  ‘That’s kind but I’m still full from last night’s lovely meal.’

  ‘Nonsense. You must eat something. I bet you didn’t have breakfast. Come on. I insist. I’ll be with you in a minute.’

  Bryce went back into his office and she heard him locking something. Probably his desk, in case she tried looking for anything else. She could hardly refuse lunch, though she wanted very much to be on her own to think about what she had overheard.

  He’d mentioned a wedding and the only one she knew about was Lucy’s. Had he been speaking to Wayne, the bridegroom-to-be? Or his brother, what was his name? Daryl, that was it. Or Terry? Or the women or someone else entirely? And was Wayne or one of them responsible for the sergeant’s death? Not to mention all the other trouble?

  Then it seemed Bryce was supposed to produce cash in large quantities. For services rendered perhaps? It was all getting highly suspicious. And, like a sitting duck, she was staying in his house. What excuse could she make for moving out now? He’d been very kind to her and generous in providing her with money to buy things after the fire but what was his motivation?

  ‘Right. Have you switched on the answering machine?’

  ‘Yes. Good to go.’ She was shaking slightly but managed to force a smile. He seemed unaware that she had overheard his conversation and hoped that her suspicions about him weren’t too obvious.

  Being Friday lunchtime, the pub was quite busy. The usual surfing crowd were in and Rick came over to speak to her while Bryce was at the bar ordering food.

  ‘Any chance of hooking up for an evening out?’ he asked her.

  ‘It’s a bit tricky at present. I’m still staying at his place and it looks rude if I duck out for an evening.’

  ‘Surely you’re entitled to a life of your own?’

  ‘I’d love to but I’m sort of stuck.’

  ‘You should come and move in with us guys,’ he said laughing. ‘That would teach you something. Living with a load of Aussie surfers.’

  ‘Believe me, I’m tempted. But I suspect space isn’t something you can offer.’

  ‘Nah. Bit crowded but if you do ever need somewhere to crash, we can find a space.’

  ‘Thanks. I’ll bear it in mind.’

  ‘Are you going to introduce us?’ Bryce asked as he came over with drinks.

  ‘This is Rick. One of the Aussies here to do lifeguard duties for the summer. We’ve known each other for years.’

  ‘’Bout five years I guess. That’s how long I’ve been coming here. You own the holiday let business don’t you?’

  ‘I do. And I’m Julia’s current boss.’

  ‘Lucky you. Don’t tell her I said so, but she’s quite a lady.’

  ‘I am here you know,’ Julia protested with a laugh.

  ‘Better get back to my mates. They’ll accuse me of piking on my round. See you.’

  ‘Seems a nice enough chap. Not quite in your class, though.’

  ‘I don’t know. Don’t let his accent fool you. He’s got a degree in oceanography. Clever chap but he’s got the surfing bug. Quite badly, it seems. Says he’ll grow up one day soon and get a proper job.’

  ‘As long as he doesn’t leave it too late.’

  The exchange with Rick had somehow broken her tension so she was able to relax slightly and tried to push all her negative thoughts to one side. She made a decision. She would go away somewhere for the weekend. Her new credit cards had arrived that morning and her bank account was now unfrozen. She needn’t go far but a break from living and working with Bryce would be a relief.

  ‘Oh by the way, I’m going away for the weekend. An old school friend is staying in Cornwall with some friends and she’s asked me to go and spend the weekend with them. Be a nice girlie break. Hope you don’t mind.’

  ‘Of course not. You’re free to come and go as you like. I had hoped to take you out somewhere tomorrow evening but you must do as you wish. I suppose you got a call this morning? You didn’t mention it earlier.’

  ‘That’s right.’

  ‘Lucky they found your new number.’ He looked suspicious. She didn’t like the way he was questioning her.

  ‘Ryan called me.’ That was at least true. ‘He put us in touch.’

  ‘Hope you enjoy it. Where are you going?’

  ‘Somewhere near Plymouth. One of the villages. They’re texting me with directions later.’

  ‘Good for you. Ah, here come our sandwiches. Hope
that’s OK for you. You said you didn’t want much.’

  ‘Perfect, thank you.’ She smiled at him, hoping he was unaware of how easily she was becoming a competent liar.

  ‘I’m going out again this afternoon. Think I’ll then take time off. I doubt there will be much happening the rest of the day. When are you off?’

  ‘I’ll get away when I finish. Just need to collect a few things from your place.’

  ‘Why not leave early if you want to? Like I say, I don’t expect much will be going on. Have a nice time. Oh, do you need to borrow a suitcase? There are several in the downstairs closet. Help yourself.’

  ‘I haven’t exactly got much to put in a suitcase. One thing on the agenda is a good shopping session in Plymouth tomorrow. Plan is to hit the shopping centre.’

  ‘I’ve transferred some money into your account, by the way. This month’s wages plus a bit to help you until you get some insurance money.’

  ‘That’s really kind of you. Thank you.’ She was surprised at his generosity and immediately felt guilty about the negative thoughts she’d been having about him. All the same, it didn’t alter the facts. He could still be the one behind all the bad things that had been happening.

  Once she was left on her own again in the office, she spent some time on the internet looking for somewhere to stay near Plymouth. That part of it could be true, at least. She booked a couple of nights’ bed and breakfast at a private house in a village just outside the town. At four o’clock she drove back to Bryce’s house and collected her sparse belongings. She had bought an oversized, cheap handbag on her earlier expedition and stuffed everything into it. Bryce was not at home so she made her escape quickly. She felt a peculiar sense of freedom, content that she would be able to face whatever was necessary when the time came.

  Chapter Thirty

  There was an air of gloom around the police station. They had carried out an autopsy on Sergeant Trekellis and come to the inevitable conclusion that the cause of death was the head wound. As there were a number of injuries, it was impossible to tell which of them were the fatal blow.

  ‘Poor old Treacle. He didn’t deserve it. None of us do. I promise you, we’ll find out who did it.’