The de Vere Deception (David Thorne Mysteries Book 1)

by Loy Ray Clemons

  There was a long pause as he tried to remember the number to call about the documents.

  Everyone in the room turned as the door to the adjoining room burst open, and Trudeau and Cravelle entered with guns drawn.

  “Put your weapon on the bed, Forestal. Trudeau ordered. “You—on the other side of the room—keep your hands in plain sight.”

  Forestal was shocked into action by the noise behind him and wheeled, firing his gun in the direction of the order. Three shots rang out from his gun and all missed their target. Trudeau fired twice, hitting Forestal in the shoulder with one shot and the other going wide. Forestal dropped his gun, clutched his shoulder, and let out a cry before crumpling to the floor. Trudeau bent over Forestal and raised him to the bed.

  Trudeau said, “Call an ambulance. It looks like he may have a broken bone in his shoulder

  Cravelle picked up Forestal’s and Thorne’s pistol and shoved them into his waist band. He went to Darver and Delain and pushed them toward the door. “You two—into the other room.”

  There was movement and a lot of other voices in the adjoining room. Orders were being given as two other men surprised Thorne when they came into his room.

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  Thorne was varying his attention between Trudeau and Forestal and did a double take when Gilbert Bada and Inspector Hammersmith entered the room.

  Bada smiled warmly at Thorne. “Well, David you had me fooled—and more than once. I never thought you would have taken the necklace in the first place, and when I found out—I never thought you’d give it back. I’ve got to tell you, I’m glad it turned out this way.”

  In a conference room at the police station, Thorne sat across from Bada and Hammersmith at a large conference table. They watched through a two-way mirror as Darver and Delain were being questioned in another room by Cravelle and four other men.

  Trudeau entered the conference room and took a seat across from Thorne. “You are in luck, Mr. Thorne, Mr. Bada has agreed to drop all charges” He couldn’t hide his disgust. “I disagree. We do not like people bringing stolen goods and weapons into our country.” He gave Bada a look of disdain. “But obviously Mr. Bada has connections with those above me.”

  Trudeau placed a small recorder on the table in front of Thorne and said sarcastically, “Now, just for the record, I would like to know what you have done since you set foot on French soil.”

  Everyone listened as Thorne explained what had taken place in the past few days. Trudeau nodded and turned off the recorder. Without speaking, he arose and picked it up from the table. As he went out the door, he said over his shoulder, “We are releasing you to Inspector Hammersmith.” With added sarcasm he said, “So, you are free to go, Mr. Thorne. I would suggest you catch the earliest flight back to the states—or England—but out of France.”

  After Trudeau left the room, Bada turned to Thorne. “You led us on a merry chase, David. I would like to know two things. Why did you plan to take the necklace and consider selling it? And— what made you decide to return it?”

  “I guess I was just bitter at the way everything was turning out. The death of my friend Freddie—the deception of Forestal with Helena and Gweneth—being fired for what I considered inadequate reasons—and without complete compensation.”

  Thorne looked back to Bada. “Why did I decide not to go through with the sale and to give it back?” he asked wistfully. There was a distant look in his eyes. “I know it sounds strange, but I guess I wanted to be a child again—if just for a moment.”

  Bada and Hammersmith exchanged puzzled looks. Hammersmith broke the emotional tension. “I don’t believe you know how much danger you were in by coming to Paris. Trudeau and I were ready to arrest you immediately, but because INTERPOL and Europol needed to capture Darver—and at Mr. Bada’s insistence—we held off. You should know Mr. Bada has also dropped all charges against you in Stratford.

  “Darver had been number one on INTERPOL’S and Europol’s list for a long time. He’s heavily involved in the worldwide trafficking of stolen diamonds—and more specifically, blood diamonds. This was a major coup for them.

  “In regard to Neville Forestal, he was prepared to kill you, or anyone else who got in his way. There was no other way out for him after his indirect involvement in the death of Freddie.”

  Bada said, “My sources tell me he was having financial difficulties. Even with his problems, I was impressed with Neville’s achievements and qualifications. While I never suspected he was tied up in anything criminal, I suspected his purported affection for Gweneth was shallow and financially motivated. I started to tell her of my concern, but decided against it. I didn’t want to appear to be a meddler. She’s had enough problems. But there again, none of us would have ever dreamed he’d resort to being involved in a murder plot.”

  Hammersmith said, “I can tell you it was also a complete shock to everyone at the station back in Stratford. Looking back over his record, I now realize Forestal was always setting his sights higher. I think coming from such a modest existence as a child, he always harbored a well-hidden resentment for the success and affluence of the Bada family. I personally believe Forestal’s plan to marry Gweneth was just a precursor to his eventually doing away with Mr. Bada and inheriting the Bada fortune.”

  Thorne turned to Bada and said, “Money can make people do things out of character with their basic instincts. I know it did in my case. This time—and there have been other times in my life—I felt put upon, and as a result felt justified doing things I later regretted.

  “But in the end, you have to realize you can’t always seek vengeance. Vengeance will eventually destroy you, not the person who you think may have injured you. I’m deeply sorry for what I did, Gil.”

  Bada smiled and said softly, “Try not to think about it, David, it’s over now. I appreciate your final decision. That’s what counts.”

  He took an envelope from his coat pocket, removed the contents and placed them on the table in front of him. “David, we were wrong in letting you go. I’d like to renew our contract, have you return, and continue the search for de Vere’s papers. I firmly believe they are still in the castle.”

  Thorne looked at the papers spread out in front of Bada. He shook his head. “Gil, I do appreciate you not holding a grudge against me for what I’ve done. I’ve also enjoyed working with you and Freddie, but . . .”

  Bada said, “I understand, and I also want to apologize for letting myself be convinced by Simon, Chester, and Lionel to terminate our agreement. It was wrong. You need to know, I have broken off any contractual obligations I had with them. They’ve been paid their expenses in full by Bada, Limited and are out of the picture. I’ll also see that Freddie’s widow, Helena, will be well taken care of. From here on out all activities relating to the search in the castle for the de Vere documents will be conducted by Bada, Limited.

  Thorne glanced at Hammersmith who looked up from examining the files in front of him..

  Bada continued, “The search has become public knowledge and will no longer be conducted in secret. I do have a strong suspicion Roger Linsdame was aware of it all the time. I don’t know how, I just sense it.

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  Bada sat back and steepled his hands. “Now that the demolition phase is almost complete, and construction on the addition will begin shortly, I’ve hired at least ten additional men to assist you in the search for the documents, and to provide security.”

  Hammersmith looked up and said, “Mr. Bada, I don’t wish to meddle in your personal affairs—or the affairs of Bada Limited— and even though they are on private property, I would like to have your security people register with me.”

  Bada said, “Of course, Inspector. I had originally thought my staff at the company and I would supervise these men, but as you know, we don’t have the time—or experience. I had toyed with the idea of contracting our architect, Rainier, to head up the search operation. However, he’s so busy with other business—and persona
l—matters, I didn’t think he could devote the time required to assist us with the search.”

  He paused and turned to Thorne. “I’m asking you again, would you consider coming back and helping us? I would want you supervising the search and documenting the search areas. You’ll have free reign and will be working strictly for me.” He pushed the papers across to Thorne. “Here’s a new contract for you to continue as before. Take your time. I want you to be satisfied with the new arrangement.”

  Thorne opened the envelope. It was the same contract as before, but now, only Bada, Limited’s name was listed as the client.

  Hammersmith interrupted. “Gentlemen, if we could, I’d like to wrap up the matter at hand, and then you can conduct your business affairs between yourselves. I need to be back in Stratford on business.” He looked at his notes briefly before continuing. “To get back to the Forestal matter, I found a Nanette D’Autry, evidently a driver for Forestal, waiting outside the kitchen loading area. After D’Autry was apprehended, she told of their plans to drive to Zurich after the business in the hotel. She’s also been implicated in other robberies around Paris. Michael Kelly was also apprehended at the Stockton-Rohmer studio earlier today. He had tried to coerce Cravelle, the INTERPOL officer who was masquerading as Rohmer, into giving them information about your visit to Delain. Cravelle allowed him to escape to protect Cravelle’s identity as Rohmer. They want Dassin Stockton in London to be unaware INTERPOL has taken over the studio in Paris. Kelly was to have been apprehended before he could return to London, but the French police allowed him to give them the slip.”

  Hammersmith shook his head. “I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t understand how INTERPOL and Europol come up with their ideas. The Foreign Office has asked me to defer to them, so . . .”

  He stood and put his notebook in his coat pocket. “We don’t want to forget we still need to identify and apprehend Forestal’s partner—or partners. We’re finished here, and I’m on my way back to Stratford. Mr. Thorne, if you can, finish up with any work you have to for Mr. Bada. We do hope you have a pleasant trip back to the States after you’ve finished.” He stopped at the door and said, “Good luck on your activities at the castle. I think you may need it.”

  Thorne looked again at the contract before taking a pen from his pocket and signing both copies. Bada placed his copy back in the envelope and put it in his pocket. He withdrew another envelope and placed it in front of Thorne. “Here’s the retainer. As I recall, you prefer a cashier’s check.”

  Thorne smiled. Bada had been sure of himself.

  “By the way, we would enjoy you spending Christmas with us at the manor house—if you like.”

  Thorne’s thoughts returned fleetingly to Gweneth Bada. She would take Forestal’s involvement hard.

  But, he was relieved Forestal and Roberts would no longer be threats. Kelly was still on the loose, and Thorne knew he had not seen the last of the big man, or the shadowy figure behind the whole affair

  PART 5

  Chapter 72

  STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

  Monday, January 3

  9:45 AM

  The construction on the castle was interrupted by the holidays and heavy snow and Thorne and the Bada family enjoyed the respite. During this time, Thorne made efforts to encourage Gweneth to put Forestal’s involvement behind her, but with little success. Her depression was understandable, this being the second potential husband she had lost. Despite Thorne’s comforting, she was convinced she was the problem. After two unsuccessful attempts to help her out of her depression, he resolved not to give up on her, but realized it would require more time.

  Thorne sat in a hard straight-backed chair in the outer office of the Stratford Police Station reading an article about the upcoming Shakespearean Festival. The dispatcher sitting behind a desk across the room picked up a telephone and listened. She hung up the phone and said politely, “Inspector Hammersmith will see you now, Mr. Thorne.”

  Hammersmith tossed a folded newspaper across his desk as Thorne came through the door. “Mr. Bada was quick in letting the cat out of the bag. Now, everyone knows what you’re after.”

  Thorne glanced at the headline. BADA CORPORATION SEEKS ANTI-SHAKESPEARE DOCUMENTS IN STRATFORD. He couldn’t restrain a chuckle.

  Hammersmith said, “You have no idea how upset the people here in Stratford are about this. Roger Linsdame called me this morning and insisted I arrest you. I guess he heard about your little escapade in France. I do want you to know you’re a lucky man, Mr. Thorne. Gilbert Bada and Bada, Limited carry a lot of weight around here—and in France, too—so, that’s it. Now what do you want?”

  “Like I said, I just wanted to check in with you, and see if you have leads on the other man—Forestal’s partner.”

  Hammersmith stared at him with incredulity. “Mr. Thorne, I don’t understand you. You steal a valuable necklace, lead us all over France, indirectly get a man seriously injured because of your foolishness, and now you come in here as good as you please asking questions, just as if it never happened.”

  “Inspector, Mr. Bada has dropped all charges against me. Both the French and English authorities don’t consider me a threat, and as far as I know, the matter has been dropped here in England, too.”

  Hammersmith said sarcastically, “It may have been officially dropped as far as the Foreign Office is concerned, but I assure you it has not been forgotten by a lot of people around town.”

  He took a folder from his file cabinet and spread it out before him. “We’ve been unable to find out who the other man was. The cell phone he used was new and had no record of previous calls on it. His call also went to a new phone number we have been unable to track. It appears he and his partner took a lot of precaution to remain anonymous.”

  Thorne stood and prepared to leave. “I’ll be staying at the Bada manor home if you need me.”

  “Need you? Why would I need you?” As Thorne passed through the door, Hammersmith said loudly, “. . . And please keep out of my hair.”

  Thorne went to the door, paused, and started to return. He wanted to ask if he could carry protection as he still expected confrontations as he had in the past. He thought better of it and turned back.

  As he continued down the hallway, he heard Hammersmith grumble, “I would appreciate you letting me know what you find out.”

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  Thorne met with Bada’s staff of security people early the next day in the Great Hall. Activities at the castle had been suspended for the holidays, and now assignments were given to continue the search for the documents. They were instructed to look for clues in various areas of the castle where anything relating to “where the poesies welcome” might be.

  Thorne created a large printout of each floor of the castle, attached it to a cork board, and added color-coded pins for each member of the search team to keep track of their daily searches. The remainder of the group was assigned as security guards to restrict access to the grounds to construction personnel only. Visitors, consultants and vendors went through a screening process and were only given access at certain times of the day, and they would always be accompanied by security personnel.

  A week passed and after a grueling day in the castle, Thorne returned to the manor house and stayed in his room to avoid being invited to dinner. During dinner, he moved into the parlor and situated himself in a deep chair in the corner of the room. He had asked Charles to tell Gweneth he would be there and wished to see her after dinner. He had no idea what he’d say to her. Maybe he would start by talking about the weather or other mundane subjects, hoping to put off the discussion of Forestal as long as possible. Knowing they’d have to talk about it eventually, he wanted to help her confront her situation. It wouldn’t be easy.

  The door to the dining room opened, and he heard voices as the diners moved into the hallway and foyer. The large figure of Charles loomed over the others as he moved slowly in the direction of the parlor.

  Thorne stood and wai
ted nervously as Charles pushed the wheelchair into the parlor and closed the door. “Hello, Gweneth,” he said softly, “It’s good to see you again.”

  Gweneth said nothing as Charles pushed her close to the fireplace. In the past, she had smiled at the sound of his voice. She was not smiling now.

  He said, “Hello Charles.” Charles said nothing, but gave him a slight smile before going back to the door. He turned and said, “Can I get you anything, Ma’am?”

  Gweneth’s voice was small and strained. “No, thank you, Charles. Please close the door when you leave.”

  She and Thorne said nothing for a long while before she broke the silence. It appeared she didn’t want to start the conversation with small talk. There was a sadness in her soft voice Thorne had not seen before. “This has been extremely difficult—and heartbreaking for me, David. It’s so hard getting through it.”

  “I know.”

  “It’s confusing. I think—I did think—I loved Neville. But now, I’m not sure. How could he—how could I—have loved a man who did what he did. Shouldn’t I have known, David? It’s tragic losing both Freddie—and now Neville. I feel like a fool. How could I not have known about Neville?”

  “Don’t blame yourself, Gweneth.” he said. “You had no way of knowing. None of us did. He moved over and sat on the hearth before her, taking her hands in his. “You know the old saying, Love is blind.”

  A smile broke on her face and she gave a slight chuckle as he took her hands. “David, you don’t know how glad I am that you came back. I know you’ll be a great help to Gil—and me.”

  He squeezed her hands and said, “It’s wonderful to see you again, too, Gweneth. I’ll help all I can.”

  She smiled and regained her composure. “All right, David. Tell me how things are going at the castle. I must say, I had no idea what Gil and the others were up to. Andrea read the newspaper article to me. It all sounds very exciting.”