A Grave Inheritance

by Renshaw, Anne

  ‘No.’ David looked perplexed, as if the thought hadn’t occurred to him, and realised he was digging a hole for himself and Leonie.

  ‘So you haven’t seen or spoken to your sister at all this evening,’ Montrose clarified.

  ‘No, like I said, she was out when I got there.’

  ‘Do you know where she went?’ Montrose persisted.

  ‘Oh, for goodness sake, I think it is obvious David doesn’t from what he’s just told you,’ Amelia snapped.

  Montrose held up a hand to quieten Amelia, annoyed she had interrupted his flow of questions. ‘Shall I tell you where she was then? She was here, visiting Sophia Deverell.’

  ‘I don’t think so.’ David shook his head. Leonie, visiting Sophia after all these years: the idea was ludicrous.

  ‘We have a witness who saw your sister outside Sophia’s room at the time of the attack. As yet we have been unable to locate her.’ To Montrose’s supreme satisfaction, David Lanceley gaped.

  ‘Please, Inspector, I know you are only doing your job but would you tell us exactly what has happened to Sophia. I think we have a right to know,’ Amelia implored.

  Nurse Sykes chose that moment to arrive with the tea. Her hand shook so much she had to steady the rattling cup on its saucer with both hands. ‘I’ll be in the office for another half an hour or so, David. Then I’m going to my bed,’ she sniffed.

  When the nurse was out of earshot Inspector Montrose cleared his throat and began again. ‘Sophia Deverell was found unconscious at eight forty-five this evening. Someone had tried to smother her. I’ll know more after I receive the doctor’s report, but until I know different I am treating it as attempted murder.’

  ‘But who would do such a terrible thing?’ Amelia asked, looking stricken.

  ‘That is a very good question, Miss Farrell, and one we aim to answer very soon. We have a witness who states they disturbed the culprit and my men are searching the grounds as we speak.’ Seeing them both pale, the inspector rose, somewhat satisfied by their reactions. ‘I will want to speak to you both again, but for now that will be all. The carers and nurses on the night shift have been asked to be diligent while doing their rounds, and I’m leaving a police constable on duty inside the nursing home on the ground floor. Also a police car will be patrolling the area during the night so everything is under control for now. Good night.’ Montrose began to walk away.

  ‘Wait a minute, Inspector. You haven’t told me how my great aunt is. Will she survive, has she been taken to hospital, and if so, which one?’ Amelia demanded. Montrose halted and turned back.

  ‘She’s in the Countess of Chester Hospital, in a bad way I’m afraid. The doctor has said no visitors just yet, so I suggest you go home and get some rest and visit her tomorrow.’ Montrose walked away and out of the main doors. A few minutes later they heard the scrunch of tyres and the sound of his car engine receding down the drive.

  David started to say something then thought better of it. He stood and without a word walked away towards the receptionist’s office. Amelia watched his back, thinking not for the first time how temperamental he was. She got up and walked over to the large full-length windows on each side of the entrance door. For a minute she considered walking the short distance home. She looked across the car park, lit only by two security lights, and then down the long, dark driveway. Amelia shuddered and dismissed the option with a slight shake of her head. It was madness to even think about it with a suspected murderer in the vicinity.

  David listened to the nurse’s histrionics with his mind elsewhere. It was obvious from DCI Montrose’s insinuations that Leonie was his prime suspect for Sophia’s attack. He’d had a feeling his sister might do something stupid ever since he had lunch with her at Dolton’s, but never dreamt she would resort to something like this. The purpose of his visit to her that evening had been to try and persuade her to back off. If only she’d trusted his integrity and ability to sort it out. David looked at Nurse Sykes in despair.

  ‘David?’ she prompted, standing by the office door, ready to lock it.

  ‘Yes, of course,’ David answered automatically.

  Amelia turned at the sound of voices behind her. David had one arm around the nurse’s shoulders and waited with her until the lift came down. Amelia glanced at David’s face, hoping he may have mellowed a little after his talk to Lynne.

  ‘I’ll take you home now,’ David said to Amelia curtly, obviously annoyed at her for disputing his effort to give them both an alibi.

  ‘Thank you,’ Amelia said gratefully and followed him quickly out of the door. In this mood she wouldn’t have put it past him to drive off without her.

  David dropped her off at the end of Marsh Lane. Before she had time to shut the car door behind her, he was revving the engine, ready to go. There was no “Goodbye” or “See you soon”. Not even a wave. Amelia watched the Jaguar speed away with a wry expression. Just over an hour ago David Lanceley had told her she had a beautiful face which affected his heart. That she was in his every thought. Making her way along the path to Primrose Cottage, Amelia thanked her lucky stars she hadn’t believed a word of it.

  Chapter 31

  The next morning Amelia broke the news to Grace and going over her conversation with Inspector Montrose, she remembered he’d said they had a witness. ‘Whoever tried to smother Sophia was disturbed,’ she said thoughtfully.

  ‘In more ways than one,’ Grace replied, finding the news surreal.

  ‘Vicky Morris must have seen all the visitors coming and going. A stranger would have stood out a mile …’

  ‘Unless it wasn’t a stranger, but someone Vicky knew,’ Grace finished Amelia’s sentence and wondered if Inspector Montrose had deduced that too.

  ‘What about Lillian’s diaries? We must get them back before they fall into the wrong hands,’ Amelia said.

  ‘Do you think Sophia was attacked because of the diaries?’

  Amelia shrugged. ‘We wanted Sophia’s permission to show them to the police. Well, now I don’t think we should wait. For one thing they will solve the skeletons’ identity problem for them.’

  Grace shook her head. ‘I’m not sure. The attempt on Sophia’s life is worrying enough, without tempting fate any further. Whoever tried to kill Sophia had a reason and may decide not to stop there.’

  Amelia bit her lip, racking her brains as she wondered who would want to hurt their great aunt and why. ‘You don’t think Leonie had anything to do with it, do you?’ she said after a moment’s consideration.

  ‘I don’t think she’d like anyone knowing what is in Lillian’s diaries. She does have a motive, I suppose.’ Grace began to wash the breakfast dishes and piled cereal bowls and mugs onto a plate rack.

  ‘That includes David, but I can’t see him hurting his aunt, can you?’

  Grace could, but didn’t say so. Instead she said, ‘It’s so awful to think about. Suppose they’d been successful? Sophia would be dead now without us ever having had the chance to get to know her properly.’ Grace suppressed a sob.

  ‘We have to remember her age. She’ll leave us sometime soon anyway,’ Amelia said sadly.

  ‘Yes, I know, but not like that. I wonder if we’ll be able see her today.’

  ‘I really think it’s important we get Lillian’s diaries back first and show them to the police. Otherwise it will only be our word for it,’ Amelia emphasised.

  ‘Point taken, but don’t forget we left them in Sophia’s room. Goodness knows where they are now. The police may have them already.’

  ‘True. We’ll make an appointment to see DCI Montrose. He’s bound to want to question you too, and when he does you can suss out the situation. In the meantime we have to find a way to search Sophia’s room. Hang on a minute.’ Amelia went over to the dresser and pulled open a drawer. ‘I’ve got a card here somewhere with the inspector’s telephone number on it.’

  DS Fielding answered before the third ring. ‘DCI Montrose has gone to the nursing home to intervie
w the staff and compos mentis residents,’ he explained. ‘By the way, you haven’t seen Doreen Brock this morning, have you?’ he added.

  ‘No, why do you ask?’ Amelia tried to think if she’d met Doreen yet.

  ‘She’s gone missing. Probably upset about her friend and wandered off somewhere,’ he told them. ‘I’m heading over to Tapscott Manor shortly. Is there anything I can help you with before I go?’

  ‘Don’t be offended, DS Fielding, but we’d prefer to speak to the Detective Chief Inspector. When you see him will you tell him we’ve found out something? It’s to do with the skeletons we found in our garden. I appreciate the attempt on Sophia’s life will take precedence over that now, but …’ Amelia hesitated, doubting it was wise to say more.

  ‘Yes,’ DS Fielding prompted.

  ‘I’m not sure, but there could be a connection between the two.’ Amelia listened to the silence on the other end of the line while the policeman took this in.

  ‘In that case I’ll head off now and tell him straight away.’ Motivated into action his voice took on a cheerful tone.

  Chapter 32

  When Amelia walked back into the kitchen she saw that Grace wasn’t alone.

  ‘This is Doreen Brock, the lady I met in the village.’ Grace told Amelia.

  ‘There’s a search party out looking for you, Doreen. I’ve just been speaking to DS Fielding. Everyone is worried out of their minds,’ Amelia exclaimed, concerned for the elderly lady. Doreen stood just inside the door, the light from outside making her a silhouette. ‘Are you feeling unwell? Come in and sit down.’ Amelia was pleased to see Grace had put the kettle back on, tea the cure-all on its way. ‘We’ve been meaning to come and see you. Nathan told us that you knew our family when you were growing up. He said you’d like to see us both and clarify what he’d already told us.’

  Doreen took a few steps in and then hesitated. She seemed about to say something then changed her mind. Amelia pulled out a chair and then guided Doreen to it. Grace came to the table and put down a tray holding the teapot, mugs, milk and sugar. Doreen’s eyes lit up and she patiently waited for the tea to brew.

  ‘Nathan’s already told you how you’re related to Sophia, so I won’t go over it again,’ Doreen stated matter-of-factly.

  ‘Is there anything else you can tell us? Did you know about the grave in the garden for instance?’ Grace asked.

  ‘No, I didn’t, and I don’t feel up to talking now. Is that tea ready yet?’ Doreen enquired, pouring milk into a mug. ‘I came to tell you something else. Sophia’s been killed and I saw who did it.’ When Doreen placed the milk jug back onto the table, her hand shook

  ‘Don’t worry, Doreen, you’re safe with us, and Sophia isn’t dead. The attempt on her life failed and she’s recovering in hospital. We’ll take you back to the nursing home later when you’ve rested a bit.’ It was then that Amelia noticed Doreen was still in her nightdress and dressing gown and wearing slippers.

  ‘Not dead?’ Doreen grabbed Amelia’s arm in a vice-like grip.

  ‘Try not to get upset, you’re safe here with us,’ Grace repeated gently. She’d sat down opposite Doreen. ‘You said you saw someone. Who was it?’

  ‘It was such a shock seeing her by Sophia’s door. She’s never visited before in all the years I’ve known her.’ Doreen’s voice dropped to a whisper. She lifted her mug to her lips with shaking hands and tea slopped over the side of the mug onto her clothes. Grace looked meaningfully at Amelia.

  To Amelia’s mind it was imperative they get Doreen back to the nursing home as quickly as possible. Amelia was also fully aware how important it was to let the police know Doreen was safe, and if they drove Doreen back to Tapscott Manor themselves, it would give them the opportunity to go into Sophia’s room and get the diaries.

  Grace was thinking along a different line. ‘Do you normally go along to Sophia’s room in the evening, Doreen?’ Doreen sipped her tea and didn’t answer. Grace suddenly remembered how a part of the book implicated Doreen’s father in John Farrell’s supposed suicide, and she wondered if Doreen had found the diaries. Grace was just about to ask when a shadow fell across the table. Another figure stood in the doorway, blocking out the morning sunlight.

  Amelia first thought it was David, come to apologise for the previous evening’s rudeness, but when the dark figure walked away from the open door, she realised it wasn’t David after all but his sister, Leonie. Leonie, the female version of her twin brother, stood facing them. Her gaze, full of hate, distorted her features.

  At the sight of Leonie, Doreen began to tremble and Amelia and Grace put down their mugs with a clatter and stood as one to defend her. Grace placed a protective hand on Doreen’s shoulder. Leonie’s livid face was enough to frighten anyone.

  ‘Well, this is a nice family gathering,’ Leonie spat, speaking for the first time.

  ‘Hello Leonie, what brings you here?’ Amelia said.

  ‘You couldn’t leave well alone, could you? Poking your filthy Farrell noses in where they weren’t wanted.’

  ‘We had to know whether anything was buried underneath the gravestone. What would you have done under those circumstances?’ Amelia pulled herself up to her full height. But as tall as she and Grace were, they didn’t match Leonie’s stature.

  Doreen began to jabber. ‘It was her. She was the one I saw smother Sophia.’

  Grace frowned and gently lifted her hand away from Doreen’s shoulder. No one had mentioned the word smothered.

  ‘That’s right, Brock; shift the blame onto someone else, your family is good at that. It’s true I’ve no love for Sophia or any of you Farrells come to that, but if I was going to get rid of her, I’d be sure to make a good job of it.’ Leonie walked in and stood a few feet away. Amelia was confused. Leonie appeared to blame Doreen for the attack on Sophia.

  Doreen stood up slowly and moved around the table. She stepped away a few feet and then turned to face them. She squared her shoulders and evil shone from behind her thick lenses.

  ‘Doreen?’ Amelia gaped at the frightening transformation speechless.

  ‘Shut up,’ Doreen snapped. ‘Who do you think you are, showing up here after all these years to take away what’s rightfully mine?’ Doreen pointed at Leonie. ‘And I know all about your precious family, the Deverells.’

  ‘It’s all right, Gran. I’m here now.’ Suddenly Nathan was there too, standing behind his grandmother.

  ‘Nathan, thank goodness. I think Doreen has had some kind of a breakdown.’ Amelia made to stand, but gave up when she saw the knife in Nathan’s hand and a coil of rope over his arm. Lillian’s diaries were wedged under his armpit.

  Doreen stamped her foot petulantly. ‘Sophia’s still alive.’

  Nathan frowned at this news. ‘What have you done, Gran?

  ‘I tried to take care of your inheritance, but I failed. I’m sorry, son,’ Doreen sniffed.

  ‘Nathan, what on earth is going on? We should be calling for an ambulance. Doreen is obviously ill,’ Amelia pleaded with Nathan.

  Nathan ignored Amelia and stepped forward, holding the knife in front of Leonie’s face, forcing her backwards. ‘Don’t worry, Gran. I’ll take care of everything. Any menacing move and I’ll have your eyes out.’ Nathan directed his words to Leonie, who he reckoned was his biggest threat. ‘All of you move into the hallway and go up the stairs. Go on.’

  As soon as Leonie’s back was turned Doreen rushed forward. She grabbed the heavy teapot and smashed it into the side of Leonie’s head. With a groan Leonie fell and lay in a heap on the floor at Doreen’s feet. ‘Serves you right, serves you right.’ Doreen gave the prone figure a kick.

  Nathan passed the rope to Doreen. ‘Tie her up and make sure it’s tight. I’ve wanted to do that for months, Gran, but you beat me to it.’ He nodded towards Leonie and smiled.

  While Doreen finished securing the rope around Leonie’s ankles and wrists, Nathan spoke quietly to his grandmother. ‘Are you sure you want to go through with this
? There’ll be no turning back afterwards. Perhaps there’s another way.’

  ‘Just get on with it,’ Doreen snapped at him. ‘I’ll keep watch outside.’

  Terrified, Amelia and Grace ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs. At the top of the landing they hesitated, unsure where to go next. Amelia, bringing up the rear, heard the sound of liquid sloshing about downstairs. She stood for a moment, trying to judge whether she’d be able to get past Nathan and run for help. Then as if reading her mind Nathan appeared at the bottom of the stairs and began climbing up to join them. The knife was in his left hand and in his right hand he carried a can. With a sickening feeling Amelia realised the pungent smell emanating from it was petrol.

  Nathan reached the landing and motioned for the sisters to go into the office, the only room in the house to have a lock on the door.

  Amelia and Grace rushed inside, not necessarily to do his bidding, but to get away from the knife. Grace had rubbery legs and felt as though she was walking on the moon, so she plopped down onto the futon. Nathan threw Lillian’s diaries into the room after them, and they lay scattered over the floor. ‘Read yourselves a story while you’re burning,’ he shouted.

  ‘Nathan,’ screamed Amelia. ‘Have you gone out of your mind? You won’t get away with this. Joe is expected any minute.’

  ‘Nice try. Joe’s over at Morris’s farm today. We will get away with it. Everyone knows how much Leonie hates the Farrells. It will look like Leonie tried to kill Sophia and then set fire to Primrose Cottage to get rid of you two, and got caught in the flames herself.’

  ‘Let us out please, this is a mistake. Please, Nathan, I’m begging you,’ Amelia yelled. Nathan ignored her. Not giving up, she remembered that the arched window had a small opening vent. At least that would give them some ventilation, Amelia thought, panic beginning to set in. She rushed over to the window and then remembered she’d nailed the vent down. It was the only thing she could think of doing at the time, to stop Grace going on about a cold draught. ‘Damn,’ Amelia cursed.