Death at Burwell Farm

by Betty Rowlands

  ‘What’s your feeling about these oddballs at the RYCE Foundation, Andy?’

  Sergeant Andy Radcliffe took a long pull from his tankard of beer and considered for several seconds before replying. ‘You mean the Burrells?’ he said thoughtfully. ‘You’re right when you say there’s nothing to warrant a police investigation, but just the same, two deaths within a few days of each other, one of them in particularly tragic circumstances – it does make you think, doesn’t it?’

  ‘I’m inclined to agree, but I don’t like the idea of Sukey getting further involved.’ DI Jim Castle studied his own half-finished drink with a worried frown. ‘I keep telling her it’s just coincidence and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.’

  Radcliffe raised his eyebrows. ‘What’s her interest? I know she was checking a break-in at Drew’s house when Trudy arrived to break the news about the discovery of the body, and then she went to hold the widow’s hand during the ID, but—’

  ‘She’s only talking about enrolling with this bloody outfit.’

  ‘What in the world for? She doesn’t strike me as the sort who needs to go in for that kind of hocus-pocus.’

  ‘Of course she doesn’t. She was just winding me up when she first suggested it, but it’s become more serious now.’ Castle went on to report the combined pressure Sukey was under from Jennifer Drew and Adrian Masters. ‘I told her to have nothing to do with it,’ he said. ‘Trouble is—’

  ‘That girl has a mind of her own, she’s quite likely to go ahead anyway, and you’re worried there might be something behind it after all.’

  ‘That just about sums it up.’

  Radcliffe considered for a moment. Then he said, ‘Why don’t you have a word with DCI Lord?’

  ‘Why d’you suggest I involve him?’

  ‘In spite of there being no evidence of any kind, we both have our doubts about those freaks. If Sukey intends to go and suss them out under the pretence of joining in the fun, it might be as well for a senior officer to know what’s going on, just in case.’

  ‘That’s not a bad idea. Thanks, Andy, I’ll try and catch him when I get back to the station.’

  Detective Chief Inspector Philip Lord was relaxing with his feet on his desk while munching an apple when Castle entered his office. ‘Sorry, sir, am I interrupting your lunch?’ he began, but Lord shook his head and waved him to a seat.

  ‘I’ve been forbidden to eat pub food until I’ve done something about this.’ He patted his rounded stomach and gave a rueful grin. ‘The wife’s feeding me a calorie-controlled diet for a couple of months.’ He finished the apple and dropped the core in the waste bin beside his desk before taking out a handkerchief and wiping the small black moustache which had earned him in certain quarters the irreverent nickname of Charlie C. He grunted, lowered his feet and sat up. ‘What can I do for you, Jim?’

  ‘You’ll probably think I’m making something out of nothing, but I’d appreciate your opinion on a rather curious situation.’

  Lord listened attentively while Castle put him in the picture. ‘That girl certainly knows how to pick her cases, doesn’t she?’ he commented with a grin. ‘I’ve told her she should be in CID and she said she was thinking of it.’ Then he grew serious. ‘You know, I’m always a bit suspicious of these quacks claiming to cure all manner of ills. I don’t deny they may bring benefit to some people, but when you get a case like that poor chap Drew—’

  ‘You reckon there’s something suspicious about his death?’ said Castle in surprise.

  ‘I’m not saying that, but from what you’ve told me he was on some kind of a high, thinking his problem was solved, and then couldn’t take it when the magic wore off. When untrained, unqualified people start probing into other people’s minds, it can bring totally unforeseen results.’ Lord broke off and played thoughtfully with a brass owl anchoring an untidy heap of papers on his desk. ‘I don’t think it would be a bad idea for your SOCO to go ahead and see what goes on in that place,’ he said at last. ‘She won’t come to any harm – from what I’ve seen of her, she’s got far too much common sense to be spooked by a load of pseudo-psychological clap-trap. It’s up to you what you say to her, of course, but I’d be inclined to let her get on with it.’ He spent several seconds straightening the documents before replacing the paperweight. ‘Think it over, Jim – and keep me posted.’

  ‘Very good, sir.’

  Twelve

  Sukey was about to leave the house when the telephone rang. Jennifer was on the line. ‘I’ve spoken to the woman in the office at RYCE and there are just two places left on a morning course beginning next week,’ she announced. ‘I’ve reserved them both and told them confirmation will be in the post by tomorrow at the latest.’ Her tone – terse, businesslike, with an underlying hint of steel – held no trace of the emotion bordering on hysteria of their earlier conversations. This was a woman in control, with a goal in mind and the determination to pursue it. ‘Now, if you’d just give me a few personal details I can put us both on one application form. She said that’d be all right and it’ll save you the trouble. I know how busy you are.’

  And make sure I don’t skive out of it, I suppose, Sukey thought to herself with a grimace. Aloud she said, ‘There’s no need for you to do that. I’ve got a form, it’s in the brochure Serena gave me—’

  ‘Who’s Serena?’ A sharp ring of suspicion crept into Jennifer’s voice.

  ‘She’s a young woman who works for RYCE—’

  ‘How do you know? What have you been doing you haven’t told me about? Have you started making enquiries already?’ The tone altered yet again, this time to excited anticipation. ‘What have you found out?’

  ‘I haven’t found out anything significant.’ It had only just dawned on Sukey that Jennifer knew nothing of her two visits to RYCE. She had no intention of revealing her interest in the place, which had given rise to the morning’s expedition on behalf of Adrian Masters, but there was no reason to conceal the theft of the mower that had taken her there the first time. She made as little of the episode as she could, but Jennifer was not easily put off.

  ‘What was your impression of the place? This Serena person – I suppose she was the one I spoke to. What’s she like?’

  ‘Fairly young, a little exotic-looking but very pleasant. I didn’t spend much time with her, I was speaking to the gardener. I was there to do a job, not to enquire into their business activities.’

  ‘Then why did you ask for a brochure?’

  ‘I didn’t ask for it, Serena gave it to me. Just a bit of sales promotion, I suppose – she probably dishes them out to all and sundry.’

  ‘Anyway, you’ve got an application form.’ Jennifer switched back to the purpose of her call. ‘Please, don’t waste any more time, and remember when you send it off to mention my name or they might tell you there isn’t a vacancy. Oh, and by the way, I’ve told them I’m Jennifer Newlyn. It’s my maiden name – I don’t want them to know I’m Ollie’s widow or that I have any connection with him.’

  ‘That makes sense, I’ll make a note of it,’ Sukey promised. Evidently, the possibility that she might decline to have any part in the adventure had no place in Jennifer’s scheme of things. Her assumption that everything would be arranged in accordance with her wishes betrayed an obsession that Sukey found disturbing. It was difficult to reconcile this iron-willed character with the vulnerable young widow who, in the shock and distress of bereavement, had poured out her most intimate secrets to a total stranger. She recalled Cath’s use of the word ‘unbalanced’ to describe her. A vague premonition of dangerous shoals ahead made her wonder whether after all she should fall in with Jim’s wishes and decline to have any more to do with the proposed adventure. She had given no firm commitment to either Jennifer or Adrian; there was still time to back out.

  ‘They want a fifty-pound deposit. Give me your address and I’ll send it to you,’ Jennifer rattled on. ‘The rest of the money is payable on the first day of the course. I’ll g
ive them one cheque—’

  Sukey thought quickly. Her instinct warned her that it would be unwise to let this highly volatile woman know where she lived. ‘It’s all right, I can manage the deposit,’ she said. ‘We can sort out the rest another time.’

  ‘I’ll give it to you when we meet to plan our strategy.’

  Sukey looked at her watch. She should have been out of the house ten minutes ago. ‘Er, yes, I suppose we’d better do that. I’ll call you tomorrow to fix a date,’ she said hurriedly.

  ‘Come now if you like.’ In Jennifer’s present single-minded state, the possibility that Sukey had other demands on her time did not seem to have occurred to her.

  ‘I was on the point of leaving for work when you phoned and if I talk any longer I’ll be late for my shift,’ Sukey said firmly. ‘I’ll call you tomorrow,’ she repeated and hung up.

  The traffic was unusually heavy during the short drive to Gloucester. Roadworks caused a number of diversions and it was nearly ten past two when she reached the SOCOs’ office, to be greeted with relief by Sergeant George Barnes. ‘What kept you? I was beginning to think you were going to let me down as well,’ he grumbled, running a hand through his thinning hair with an unusually irritable gesture.

  ‘Sorry, Sarge, the water company’s digging up the ring road.’

  ‘Tell me about it,’ he said wearily. ‘And the minute they’ve put it all back together, the gas company will dig it all up again.’

  ‘Never mind, I made it. What news of Mandy’s mum?’

  ‘She collapsed in the street and was carted off to hospital, that’s all I know. Mandy said she’d call when the medics were able to tell her a bit more.’

  ‘Have things been busy this morning?’

  ‘Fairly quiet, as it happens. Three burglaries in the Barnwood area – Dave Stevens has been covering those. Says the handwriting looks the same, but he hasn’t been able to connect them with any known villains.’

  ‘So what have you got for me?’

  ‘A couple of walk-ins in Tuffley. Similarities there as well – householder in the front garden mowing the lawn, villain enters by the back door and makes off with handbag and credit cards.’

  ‘Doors left unlocked, of course?’

  ‘In one case, yes. In the other, the woman had the sense to lock it, but left the key on the windowsill in full view from outside and the window itself unfastened.’ George handed over the printouts. ‘Like stealing candy from a baby,’ he commented.

  ‘Not much chance of finding any evidence there, I suppose,’ said Sukey as she scanned the details.

  ‘You never know your luck. He could have left a trace or two. Anyway, go along and do your stuff – it gives some reassurance to the victims that we’re taking their problems seriously even if the prospects of nailing the villain are thinner than fag paper.’

  ‘Is that the lot?’

  ‘For the moment. We’ll let you know if anything else comes in.’

  ‘Right, I’ll get started.’

  On her way along the corridor Sukey almost bumped into DI Castle as he emerged from his office. Somewhat to her consternation, he beckoned her inside and closed the door. ‘Remember what we were talking about over the weekend?’ he said.

  ‘You mean, about RYCE?’ she replied guardedly.

  ‘Yes. I’ve been having a chat about it with DCI Lord.’

  Sukey’s eyes popped as he recounted the gist of the conversation. Then she burst out laughing. ‘Do I understand DCI Lord wants me to carry out an undercover operation?’

  It was plain that the funny side of the situation was entirely lost on DI Castle. ‘Certainly not,’ he said severely. ‘There’s no question of an official investigation. All I’m saying is, if you were still thinking of going along to that place with Jennifer Drew in spite of what I told you, I feel bound to withdraw my objections.’ He had adopted an officious tone, indicating that he was taking it for granted that she would in any event have made no commitment without consulting him first. It was all that was needed to sweep aside the remaining shreds of indecision.

  ‘I’ve thought it over and I’ve already decided to go ahead anyway, but it’s very comforting to know that I have a senior officer’s approval,’ she said pertly. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to do… sir.’

  As the door closed behind her, DI Castle was left with the vivid impression of a defiantly lifted chin and a cheeky smile that aroused an almost irresistible desire to call her back, take her in his arms, cover her elfin face with kisses… and plead with her to change her mind. Despite Lord’s pragmatic view of the proposed enterprise, he had a bad feeling about it.

  Very few new cases were reported for the rest of the day, which meant that Sukey was able to spend some time with each of the two victims of the walk-in thefts, both elderly women living alone who plied her with tea and biscuits while describing in detail how they had discovered that their homes had been so callously violated and their property stolen. Touched by their distress, Sukey undertook before leaving on her next assignment to arrange for a visit from a police officer who would advise them on security precautions.

  A short time after she arrived home, Fergus returned from his shift at the supermarket, where he worked a few hours on weekday evenings replenishing shelves. He entered the kitchen carrying several brown-paper carrier bags, which he deposited on the table with an air of triumph.

  ‘Two portions of Indian dinner for one,’ he announced. ‘Today’s the use-by date and they let us have them at half price. You have a choice – chicken tikka or lamb rogan josh.’

  ‘Oh, super,’ said his mother gratefully. ‘I didn’t have time to prepare anything this morning after that session with the Masterses and the last thing I wanted to do tonight was start cooking. I’ll be better organised tomorrow.’

  ‘You don’t really enjoy the late shift, do you?’

  ‘Not normally, but it’s come at a convenient time if I’m to go ahead with this RYCE lark.’

  ‘You haven’t had second thoughts, have you?’ Fergus asked anxiously. ‘I’m dying to know what goes on there.’

  ‘No, I haven’t had second thoughts. On the contrary.’ While putting the food into dishes for heating in the microwave, she told him of Jim’s conversation with DCI Lord.

  ‘Gosh, Mum, it’ll be like going undercover!’ he exclaimed excitedly.

  ‘That’s what I said to Jim, and you should have seen his face!’ Sukey giggled at the recollection. ‘Even though I don’t believe that either Jennifer or Adrian has any grounds for their suspicions, there is a serious side to it.’ She told Fergus about Lord’s misgivings. ‘So now, in addition to keeping an eye on Jennifer, I’m expected to watch out for any practices that might lead to adverse reactions from the weak and vulnerable.’

  ‘That’s quite a challenge,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘Any idea how you’re going to tackle it?’

  ‘For a start, I’m going to read very carefully through Vera’s diary. With any luck, it’ll throw up some useful background information.’

  By the time they had finished their supper and cleared away, it was almost ten o’clock. ‘I’m for an early night and some preliminary research,’ Sukey announced. ‘If you want to stay up and watch telly for a bit, keep the volume down, there’s a good lad.’

  ‘Will do.’

  The diary made absorbing reading. Adrian’s description of Vera’s style – racy, humorous and entertaining – was wholly accurate, but he had given the impression that the contents, although highly readable, were a touch superficial. Instead, it quickly became clear to Sukey that his cousin had been a woman of considerable perception in her observations of people and situations. There were vivid descriptions of fellow members of groups she had encountered on her many package holidays. They seemed to leap off the page to play roles Vera had imagined, based on their reactions to everything from the conduct of guides to the service in hotels. Odd remarks they had made either to her or to one another were recorded in de
tail, accompanied by speculation of what lay behind them. She seemed to have been a woman in whom strangers naturally confided; it occurred to Sukey that, had she wished, she could have been a successful, even a brilliant novelist. There were references as well to her own family; in one, she described Adrian as ‘my heir-in-waiting’. In another entry she had written, ‘Got told off again for “squandering” so much on foreign travel. Methinks he’s worried there’ll be nothing left in the coffers when I pop my clogs!’

  The first mention of RYCE was in an entry dated in early June. Having already referred with compassion and sensitivity to the problems of a friend grappling with sudden and entirely unexpected widowhood, Vera had written:

  I’ve been reading about a place that claims to help people cope with stress. Their slogan is ‘Release Your Cosmic Energy’. It sounds very way-out to me, but I showed it to Miriam as I thought it might help her come to terms with Tommy’s death. The trouble is, she’s afraid to go on her own and wants me to go with her, says I’m the only person she has to turn to. That isn’t true, of course, she has her daughter, but I suspect she doesn’t want Joyce to know what she’s planning in case she thinks her father’s death has affected her mentally. I suppose I’d better go along, for the first few sessions at least. It’ll be something to do, now poor Angie’s past it.

  In what appeared to have been an afterthought, being written with a different pen, Vera had commented, ‘It’s quite pricey – Adrian will be furious with me!!!’

  Sukey skimmed through the next few entries, which were concerned chiefly with such weighty matters as her window-cleaner’s problems with a teenage son and her dismay at an accident to her gardener, which meant she would have to cut her own lawns for the next fortnight. Sukey had been reading for over an hour and was beginning to feel sleepy, when she came to an entry which jerked her awake again.