“Hugh’s a few minutes behind us,” Doona told Bessie. “He’s meant to be off today, but there was a scheduling mistake and he ended up having to work an afternoon shift.”
“He’ll be tired, after working nights all week as well,” Bessie said.
“He’s coping, but he’s young,” Doona told her.
“Meerrooww,” a loud voice interrupted.
“My goodness, who is this?” Doona exclaimed.
“This is Aggie,” Janet told her. “She’s been staying on her own at our cottage every day and I was afraid she was getting lonely. Bessie was kind enough to agree to let me bring her for a short while tonight.”
“She’s lovely,” Doona said, crouching down to pet the kitten.
“Thank you. I’m very fond of her,” Janet replied.
“We need more chairs,” John said. “Or should we eat in the dining room?”
Bessie flushed. “I didn’t even think about that,” she said. “If we can fit two more chairs in here, that might be best. The dining table is a bit, well, full.” Bessie never used the dining room, and over the years it had become a convenient place for her to store things, most frequently piles of books that she hadn’t yet found shelf space for.
“I’ll bring in some chairs and we’ll see what we can do,” John told her with a grin.
When Hugh knocked a few minutes later, everyone else was settled in around the table with drinks. The extra chairs made the kitchen feel a bit cramped, but Bessie preferred to think of it as cosy. Hugh gave her a hug as he came through the door.
“I may have to leave early,” he told Bessie apologetically. “There’s been a terrible tummy bug going around the school where Grace is teaching, and now she’s picked it up. She had to take today off and stay in bed. I’ve promised her I won’t be home late.”
“We’ll talk fast,” Bessie told him.
Joan had added the pasta to the water as soon as Bessie had answered the door. Now Bessie slid the garlic bread into the hot oven. It wasn’t long before everyone had a plate full of steaming spaghetti at his or her place. The plate full of buttery garlic bread went in the middle of the table and was half empty before Bessie managed to sit down.
“As Hugh doesn’t have long, let’s talk while we eat,” John suggested.
“I was hoping you might tell us that you solved the murders and we could just enjoy dinner together,” Bessie told him.
“Unfortunately, I can’t,” John sighed. “We’ve confirmed the identity of the second man based on his fingerprints, but beyond that we’re still processing the crime scene.”
“How did anyone get into that house?” Bessie asked.
“The lock on the sliding door was broken,” John told her. “It wasn’t a good quality lock. Paul told me that they always suggest getting the locks changed as soon as anyone buys a property from them, so they don’t bother putting good locks on when the houses are empty.”
“I suppose that makes sense, in a way,” Doona said. “If the house is empty anyway, there’s nothing for anyone to break in for.”
“Except in this case, it seems as if someone broke in and was staying in the house,” John told them.
“Nathan, presumably,” Janet said.
“Yes, although his real name was Nicholas,” John replied. “At least his fingerprints are all over the bedroom that was being slept in and the suitcases we found there.”
“And no one who lives on the beach saw anything?” Joan asked.
“Apparently not,” John told her. “The killer was lucky in both instances, I think. While both of the properties where the murders took place were unoccupied, they were both surrounded by occupied homes. I suspect someone might have seen something without realising the significance of it, but there’s no way to prove that.”
“Nathan was using one of the bedrooms,” Bessie repeated.
“Yes,” John said.
“If the killer had killed him there, rather than in the dining room, the body might not have been discovered for a lot longer,” Bessie pointed out.
“It might not have been discovered anyway, if it weren’t for that security light,” John told her. “It was far enough away from the window to be unnoticeable from the beach during the day. If someone had pressed his or her face to the glass door, he or she would have seen it, but no one was likely to do that, not when the other houses in the row were occupied.”
Janet blushed. “Of course, that’s exactly what I did at the holiday cottage, which led to the discovery of the first body,” she said.
“That one would have been found rather quickly anyway, as guests were expected there the next day,” John reminded her.
“Should I ask how the men were killed?” Bessie wondered.
“They were both hit over the head with something blunt and heavy,” John told her. “It might have been the same thing or it might have been something different.”
“There was so much blood the second time,” Janet said, shuddering. “I didn’t realise being bashed over the head would bleed like that.”
John looked at her for a moment. “There were other injuries that caused the bleeding,” he said softly.
Janet opened her mouth and then snapped it shut. She shook her head and then picked up a slice of garlic bread and took a bite.
“Are you having someone go through all of the ferry and flight records, looking for someone who might have had a connection to the two men?” Bessie asked.
“Yes, we are,” John replied. “So far the two constables slogging their way through them haven’t found anything, but they’re going to keep trying for another day or two.”
“If the killer wasn’t from across, it must have been someone on the committee, mustn’t it?” Doona asked.
John shrugged. “It’s possible that the two men knew someone on the island, or even came here deliberately at someone’s invitation. It’s also possible that the person they knew has nothing to do with Mannanan’s Kids.”
“What about Matty Munroe?” Bessie asked.
“We don’t have any reason to believe that Matty knew the men before their arrival,” John told her. “He’s been very cooperative, really, which isn’t like him.”
Hugh laughed. “You can say that again,” he said. “I did a short stint in Port Erin to cover for a mate, and I arrested Matty three times in four days.”
“He’s better when he isn’t drinking,” John said. “And I understand he’s talking about going somewhere to dry out and really trying to quit. We’ll see if it sticks this time.”
“And Matty never saw either of the men with anyone?” Bessie asked.
“According to Matty, they kept to themselves while they were there. The first two or three days they didn’t even go out except to get food twice a day. Then they started going out more regularly. That was after they’d met Agnes, though.”
“And they told her that they had a friend on the island who was going to pay for all of the food and drink and was putting them up,” Bessie said.
“Yes, but they also told Agnes that Nathan’s wife was what had brought them to the island,” John pointed out. “And we know now that Nathan had never been married.”
“What about Jonathan?” Bessie asked.
“Apparently he was married, although we haven’t found any trace of his wife,” John replied.
“That sounds ominous,” Janet said.
“I don’t think it is,” John assured her. “They were married something like thirty-five years ago, and we can’t find any record of them ever actually living together. It seems as if they got married and then separated almost immediately. Apparently they never bothered to get divorced, though.”
“That’s interesting,” Bessie said thoughtfully.
“It would be more interesting if it hadn’t happened so long ago,” John told her. “We have an inspector across trying to locate the woman, but it’s possible she used a false name on the marriage license. We’re looking at it, but it feels as if it’s a dead e
nd.”
“If the killer wasn’t someone from across or an accomplice that lives here on the island, am I right that the most likely suspects are the members of the fundraising committee?” Bessie asked.
John shrugged. “We’re taking a good look at all of them, but discreetly. They’re all pretty important people on the island.”
“I’m not sure I can see any real motive for any of them,” Doona argued. “I mean, if someone had found out that they were actually scamming the group, surely they could have simply rung the police?”
“Maybe the men had a disagreement with someone on the committee and that person got really angry,” Hugh suggested.
“Murder takes more than just anger,” Janet argued.
“Let’s talk about everyone on the committee anyway,” Bessie suggested. “Maybe we’ll work out some sort of motive as we do that. Keep in mind, though, that sometimes motives only exist in people’s minds. That’s what happened last month, really.”
Everyone around the table nodded, even Janet and Joan, who had been sent a long letter about the case.
“I can’t see Agnes Clucas as a killer, no matter what anyone else thinks,” Doona said. “She’s a sweet elderly lady who has devoted her life to Mannanan’s Kids.”
“So she’d be terribly upset if she found out what the two men were planning,” Hugh said.
“Yes, but she would be the first to ring the police. I can’t see Agnes doing anything else,” Bessie said firmly.
“What about Nicola?” Janet asked.
“I think she enjoys working with Agnes, but she isn’t passionate about the cause the way Agnes is. I can’t come up with any possible motive for her,” Bessie replied.
“She seemed very nice when we met her,” Joan commented.
“She is very nice,” Bessie agreed. “I understand she has a connection to Jacqueline Garrett that I didn’t know about.”
“Meerrrooowww,” came from under the table.
Janet reached down and picked up the kitten. “Aggie, hush,” she whispered, looking thoughtful.
“I think we need pudding,” Hugh said.
Doona cleared the dinner dishes while Joan sliced up the Bakewell tart. After all of the generous slices were served , John spoke.
“You were going to tell us about Jacqueline’s connection with Nicola,” he reminded Bessie.
“It isn’t really her connection but her mother-in-law’s,” Bessie amended herself. “Apparently Linda Cotton has been friends with Jacqueline for years.”
“Mmmeeerreew,” Aggie interrupted.
Janet leaned down and whispered something in Aggie’s ear. The cat seemed to study her for a moment before she settled into Janet’s lap and shut her eyes. “Sorry about that,” Janet said, flushing.
“She’s entitled to her opinion,” John said.
“And she seems to be suggesting that Jacqueline is the killer,” Bessie laughed.
“What possible motive could Jacqueline have?” Doona asked.
“It would almost have to have been something from her past,” Bessie speculated. “I don’t think she travels very much, but she did spend a few years in the UK when she was younger. Maybe she knew one or both of them in those days.”
“Why didn’t she say something, then?” Janet demanded. “She could have exposed them for who they really were and saved Agnes a lot of trouble.”
“Clearly, if she killed them, she wanted them dead, not just in prison,” Bessie said.
“Maybe I should talk to Linda Cotton,” John said. “If she’s been friends with Jacqueline for years, she might know something.”
“It was suggested to me that Linda has been, well, blackmailing is too strong a word, but something loosely akin to that, in order to get Jacqueline to do things for her,” Bessie said.
“What sort of things?” Hugh asked.
“I was told that the only reason that Jacqueline is on the committee is because Linda told her she should be, for Nicola’s benefit. I don’t know how true that is, though,” Bessie replied.
“Interesting,” John remarked, making a note in his notebook.
“What do you know about her past?” Janet asked. “Didn’t you say she was a rich widow?”
“Yes, she moved across with her boyfriend when she was in her early twenties. I don’t recall hearing anything more about her until she came back about two years later as a devastated widow,” Bessie told her.
“What was her husband’s name?” John asked.
Bessie shook her head. “No one seems to know his name.”
“If he was that wealthy, it shouldn’t be that difficult to work out who he was,” John speculated.
“He certainly seems to have left her very well-off,” Bessie said. “She has a huge mansion and she spends money like water. I’m sure her plastic surgery bill for last year was more than my house is worth.”
“Where does she have the work done?” Janet asked.
“Good point!” Bessie exclaimed. “She goes to London or Paris to have the work done. Maybe she met one or both of the men on one of her trips.”
“And maybe they know exactly how much work she’s had done, so she killed them,” Doona teased.
Bessie chuckled. “We all know exactly how much work she’s had done,” she countered. “It’s incredibly obvious.”
“Maybe she was the mysterious woman who married Jonathan,” Janet said.
“He was still very much alive until recently,” Bessie said. “And I can’t imagine that he ever had as much money as Jacqueline does.”
“Let’s work through the rest of the committee,” John suggested. “This is proving useful. I have some things to discuss with Jacqueline now, anyway. What can you tell me about the others?”
“If Anthony Roth is involved in anything criminal, I don’t want to know about it,” Bessie told him. “He’s a lovely man who has raised some wonderful children, and I won’t hear a bad word about him.”
John nodded. “That’s pretty much what everyone says about him. I can’t see him having any motive, although I don’t know his life story.”
“I do,” Bessie told him. “He’s been on the island his entire life and has never attracted a single hint of anything scandalous. He and his wife had a very long and happy marriage; their children did well at school and never rebelled against their parents. There’s just nothing there.”
“I’ll put him on the bottom of my list,” John said. “I’ll add that he’s been very cooperative and that he probably has an alibi for at least one of the murders.”
“Kathryn Kelly knew the men,” Bessie said.
“Yes, Trevor was kind enough to ring me and let me know that,” John said. “Unfortunately, she hasn’t been involved in the fundraiser at all and never met them on the island.”
“I don’t think she’s here very much,” Bessie replied.
“No, according to Trevor, she’s only here a few days each month,” John agreed. “She wasn’t here when the first body was found, although she’s back now through the weekend.”
“What sort of marriage is that?” Janet asked.
“It seems to work for them,” Bessie replied. “Kathryn loves London, but Trevor isn’t as keen. He does spend some time in London with her, I gather, but mostly they seem to live separate lives.”
“Can anyone suggest any possible motives for Trevor?” John asked.
“Genevieve suggested that he moves a lot of his property back and forth from his wife’s name to his,” Bessie said. “Maybe he’s doing something illegal and one of the men found out about it.”
“I can certainly look into that,” John said.
“What about Scott?” Bessie asked.
“I don’t know anything about him,” Hugh replied.
“I heard a rumour that he’s having financial difficulties,” Bessie said. “But I don’t know if that’s true.”
“We’re checking into his finances,” John told her. “I can’t tell you anything about what we’ve found
, of course, but it is being looked at.”
“Even if he’s completely broke, why would he kill Jonathan and Nathan?” Joan asked.
“They always used a local resident as an accomplice,” Janet said. “What if he needed the money and was willing to work with Jonathan and Nathan in exchange for a share of the profits?”
“I don’t think a fundraiser like this makes enough money to impress Scott,” Bessie said. “He’s used to making million-pound deals. I don’t think tomorrow night will make much more than a few thousand, surely?”
“Didn’t Agnes say that they’d sold two hundred tickets?” Janet asked. “At twenty pounds each, they’ve already raised four thousand pounds, and the auction hasn’t even started yet.”
“People will be making donations, as well,” Bessie said. “I remember last year there were baskets set all around the room, and people were dropping money into them all evening. I’m sure Agnes told me that they raised several thousand pounds just from those baskets.”
“It sounds as if tomorrow night could raise ten thousand pounds or more,” John said.
“But a third of that isn’t all that much, at least not to a man like Scott Linehan,” Bessie said.
“Probably not,” John agreed.
“The man who helped in our village didn’t get anywhere near a third of the money anyway,” Janet said. “It’s hardly surprising, but he was cheated by the other two and only received about a tenth of what was raised.”
“Maybe the two men discovered that Scott was having financial trouble and threatened to tell someone,” Doona said.
“Who would they tell? And who would believe them?” Hugh asked. “They were strangers here. Finding out that Scott was having trouble would have been difficult, as well, if they didn’t know anyone on the island.”
“Maybe Scott is doing something illegal,” Janet said. “That might make him more willing to kill to keep his secret.”
“As I said, we’re checking into all of that,” John said.
“What about the women in Scott’s life?” Doona asked.
“He seems to have an endless supply of identical blondes,” Bessie told her. “I can’t imagine that any of them have been around long enough to provide any sort of a motive for anything.”
Aunt Bessie Observes (An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Book 15) Page 19