Unexpected Blessings

by Barbara Taylor Bradford

  Without preamble he began to speak, addressing himself to Linnet and Tessa who sat together. ‘It’s turning four-thirty, and it’s just over five and a half hours since Adele disappeared.’ He paused, his eyes sweeping over them, then he went on: ‘I’m afraid I don’t know where she is. But I do know where she isn’t, and that’s here at Pennistone Royal. She’s not in the fields, the meadows, the woods or the gardens, which have all been thoroughly scoured. And I’ve even had Wiggs drag the pond. Fortunately, all he found were weeds. Nor has Adele been seen in Pennistone Royal village, although two or three people did notice a black Mercedes driving through at high speed around lunchtime. That’s obviously the same car which was seen here in the drive by Wiggs and the stable lads.’

  ‘What about Mark? What about Mark?’ Tessa cried excitedly, repeating herself, and clutching the rag doll to her, as she had done on and off during the day. ‘Have you tried to find him?’

  ‘I have indeed,’ Jack responded softly. ‘I spoke to his secretary who told me he had taken a few days off–’

  ‘He came up here to grab Adele!’ Tessa interrupted, her voice rising. ‘I bet anything he’s in Yorkshire. With Jonathan Ainsley. They’re in this together.’ She looked agitated, and her eyes flared.

  ‘He could be up here, of course,’ Jack said, ‘but he’s certainly not with Jonathan Ainsley. I’ve had one of my people check Jonathan’s whereabouts and he’s in Hong Kong at this very moment. And he’s been there for several weeks.’

  ‘Perhaps Mark took Adele back to London with him, if he grabbed her,’ Linnet ventured, giving Jack a long, hard stare.

  ‘He’s not in his apartment nor is he at the house in Hampstead. Both places have been checked out.’

  ‘But the house is locked up–’ Tessa began, and then her voice faltered when she saw the irritated expression flashing across Jack’s face.

  ‘Yes, the house is locked up, Tessa, and so is Mark’s apartment. But we do have our ways of checking things out.’

  ‘I understand,’ she said meekly, leaning back against the sofa, ignoring Linnet who had poked her in the ribs a moment ago, warning her to shut up, she had no doubt.

  ‘I’ve phoned Mark’s mother in Gloucestershire,’ Jack continued. ‘She was not at home, but was expected early this evening, according to someone called Dory.’

  ‘Dory’s the housekeeper,’ Tessa volunteered. She cleared her throat and went on somewhat tentatively, ‘Mrs Longden’s a bit of a doting mother, but she’s a decent woman. If Mark took Adele to her home she would insist he brought her back to me at once.’

  ‘If his mother knew he had Adele without your permission,’ Jack pointed out. ‘Mark might not tell her. Anyway, I think that in all probability he’s somewhere in Yorkshire. We must find him.’

  ‘But how?’ India asked, frowning. ‘It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack, isn’t it?’

  ‘Only too true,’ Jack agreed. ‘It’s not going to be easy, even if we go to the police. We may have to do that, and soon. I’ve spoken at length to Gideon, I told him we might need to blast the news of Adele’s abduction all over the media, starting with the Harte television network and the Harte newspapers. Gideon agrees with me. But we’re not going to do that just yet. Before we go to those lengths, or go to the police, I want to give Mark a chance to bring Adele home to you, Tessa. Tonight, if that’s at all possible.’

  ‘But what if it’s not Mark who grabbed her?’ Tessa asked, sounding suddenly tremulous again. ‘What if it’s a kidnapping?’

  ‘We’d have had a ransom note or some kind of communication from the kidnappers before now if that were the case,’ Jack explained. ‘By the way, Tessa, at my request Gideon spoke to Toby in Los Angeles this afternoon. Toby hasn’t been trying to get hold of you today. So I’m positive it was Mark calling you this morning in an effort to distract you while he took Adele. Or it was someone else, someone who was helping him, working with him.’

  ‘I didn’t really recognize the voice,’ Tessa replied. ‘Although it did sound familiar, I suppose that’s why I thought it must be Toby.’

  Leaning forward in the chair, his arms resting on the desk, Jack was thoughtful for a moment before saying, ‘In a short while I shall phone Mark’s mother, explain what’s happened. Hopefully she will cooperate, if she knows anything, that is. But if we don’t have anything new or know where Mark is by about six-thirty, then I’ll have no alternative but to inform the North Yorkshire police. I will also call Gideon to tell him to go ahead and issue a news bulletin about Adele’s disappearance. I can’t leave it much longer than that, I simply can’t take that chance.’

  Tessa pressed a hand to her mouth and stifled her sobs.

  Linnet exclaimed, ‘Once the Harte media companies go public here it will be on American television. Mummy will have to be told before she hears it from another source.’

  Jack gave Linnet a fleeting smile. ‘I’ll be calling her after I’ve been in touch with the police, if that becomes necessary. You and Tessa can speak to her as well. But the main thing now is to find out whether or not Mrs Longden knows anything.’ Jack leaned back in the chair trying to relax his tense muscles, and glanced across at the grandfather clock as he did.

  There was a sudden silence in the room. No one spoke. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

  Tessa’s mind was in a turmoil, her senses swimming. It was almost six and she had no idea where her child was, and she was more frantic than ever. She felt nauseous, and making a snap decision she jumped up. ‘I need some air!’ she cried to the room at large.

  Immediately India pushed herself to her feet and hurried over to Tessa, took hold of her arm. ‘Come on, darling, let’s go for some fresh air. After ten minutes outside you’ll feel much better.’

  ‘I think I will,’ Tessa mumbled, pushing down the sickly feeling.

  After Tessa and India had left the library, Evan cleared her throat and said to Jack, ‘I didn’t want to bring this up in front of Tessa, but what if it’s neither Mark nor kidnappers but a paedophile?’

  A long sigh escaped Jack and then he said, ‘That had crossed my mind.’ At this moment his mobile began to ring and he turned it on. ‘Figg here,’ he said, pressing it to his ear. Standing up, he walked over to the windows, and stood listening to his caller, eventually murmured his thanks and clicked off. Walking back to the desk, he told them, ‘That was one of my operatives who’s been checking every hotel in the area. Mark Longden was definitely in Yorkshire three nights ago. He stayed at the Queen’s Hotel in Leeds. And last night he was at the Swan in Harrogate. However, he has checked out of both places. So far my chap hasn’t found him registered anywhere else. Not yet.’

  ‘Perhaps he’s staying at a private home,’ Linnet said, and gave Jack a knowing look, trying to indicate she needed to speak to him alone.

  ‘I’m really frightened,’ Tessa said quietly, staring at India, ‘frightened that some harm might come to Adele. She’s such a delicate, sensitive little girl, so defenceless. But then all small children are defenceless against adults, aren’t they?’

  ‘That’s right,’ India agreed. ‘But let’s try and look on the bright side. I’m sure she’s with Mark, not strangers, and therefore she’s quite safe.’

  Tessa shivered and goose flesh sprang up on her arms. ‘You don’t know what Mark’s become, India! A drunk, a drug-addict! He’s not been himself for a long time, and he’s an abuser. I’ve feared for my life…’ She peered at India. ‘Did you know that?’

  ‘Yes, your mother told me he’d been violent with you. It’s shocking when you think about it–that he could become somebody else, totally different almost overnight.’

  ‘When he’s in control of himself he’s fine. It’s when he’s under the influence of drink or drugs that he’s dangerous, and quite inadvertently he could hurt Adele. That’s what worries me.’

  ‘I understand. But as I said, we’ve got to remain positive.’ As she spoke, India got up from the wooden garden seat
, and suggested, ‘Why don’t we go down to the old oak and sit there for a while? It’s nicer there.’

  ‘All right–’ Tessa stopped, turned to India. ‘Perhaps we ought to go back inside. I’m afraid of missing something.’

  ‘Linnet will come and get us if there’s any news. It’ll do you good to be out of that room for a bit. It was becoming claustrophobic’

  Tessa nodded, and the two of them walked down the path, past the long terrace; they crossed the sloping lawn and finally came to a stop under the ancient tree. They sat together at the wrought-iron table but remained silent for a few moments, each of them involved with their own thoughts.

  It was Tessa who finally broke the silence when she said in a low voice, ‘I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to Adele, I love her so much, she’s my life. I’d just fall apart forever, everything would become so meaningless without her. Without my little girl my life would be over.’

  ‘Come on, Tessa, don’t talk like this,’ India exclaimed briskly. ‘Jack’s going to get her back, you’ll see. And you’ll settle things amicably with Mark, the divorce will go through, and things will be normal.’

  ‘Oh, India, I do hope you’re right, but he’s being very greedy, you know. He wants the house, a lot of money, and joint custody of Adele. I don’t think I could agree to joint custody; the house yes. But not joint custody.’

  ‘Once you’ve got Adele back I think you ought to try and move quickly, settle matters with him. You know very well you hate things hanging over your head.’

  ‘You’re right,’ Tessa agreed, suddenly brightening. ‘I’ll talk to my solicitor, perhaps we can get everything moving faster. Much faster. But it’s only a few months since I left Mark.’

  ‘That’s true, but so what. Anyway, Linnet and I both agree that Mark has always been avaricious, so he’s got his price, in my opinion. Buy him off, Tessa, it’s the only way.’ India peered across the table at her cousin. ‘That’s a Harte rule, remember.’

  Jack and Linnet had walked out into the Stone Hall and stood talking quietly near the fireplace.

  ‘Mark has friends in Yorkshire, where he could stay with Adele? Is that what you’re suggesting?’ Jack asked, squinting at Linnet in the dim, early evening light.

  ‘Yes,’ she answered and moving across the floor she turned on several lamps.

  He stood watching her for a moment, thinking how much she resembled Emma Harte–well, a young Emma–with her red-gold hair and English-rose complexion. He’d gone to work for Emma when he was eighteen, forty years ago, and he had loved, respected and admired her, found her to be the most exacting, exasperating, charming, bossy and brilliant woman he had ever known. She had been his favourite boss. Now, here was Linnet, the spitting image of her, and just as smart, smart as a whip. She was his favourite amongst this younger generation because to him she exemplified so much of the past and her family’s heritage as well as the present. It’s as if she has a foot in both worlds, the old and the new, he thought, and that makes her unique, and very special to me.

  ‘What are you thinking about, Jack?’ Linnet asked, sitting in a chair. ‘You look as if you’ve just had a most brilliant thought.’

  ‘Not all that brilliant, but yes, I’ve had a rather interesting thought. Actually, it’s a thought I’d had earlier and now it’s come back. Look, Linnet, Jonathan Ainsley’s in Hong Kong, that we know for certain, but the world’s a village today, and he could very well be masterminding this situation with Mark and Adele. By phone, probably. He wouldn’t want to put it in writing, in an e-mail or a fax. And, and this is very important, he’s got a former girlfriend in Yorkshire, and she–’

  ‘Of course, my mother’s secretary, Eleanor! And what you’re suggesting is that Jonathan is manipulating Mark long distance in order to hurt Paula and us, and that Mark goes along because he wants to spite Tessa. Good thinking.’ She gave him a penetrating look. ‘Are you wondering if Eleanor’s in on it?’

  ‘I am indeed,’ Jack answered, flopping down in the chair opposite her, crossing his legs.

  ‘If she is, she’s being very foolish,’ Linnet murmured. ‘My mother’s on to her. She has taken all power away from her. But she is an old flame of Jonathan’s, and they’ve recently been in contact again. Look, I’m not suggesting she’d help Mark take Adele, but perhaps she’s offering him–’

  ‘A safe haven for a few days?’ Jack ventured, cutting in, then smiling across at her.

  ‘Yes, that’s my thought.’

  ‘But would she risk her job, I wonder? She might tittle-tattle about your mother, but do you think she would really help Mark? It would make her an accessory. And it would be construed as a kidnapping if we have to go to the police, resort to the law.’

  ‘But not everybody’s familiar with the law, or as astute as you are, Jack. Maybe she just doesn’t understand. Also, there’s another thing we have to think about. Ellie does rather fancy herself, and she’s still a lovely-looking woman…so, perhaps she harbours the idea that Jonathan is going to get back with her after all. And if that’s the case, does her job working for my mother at the Leeds store really matter to her?’

  ‘You’ve got a point there, Linnet. And Mark could have taken Adele to Ellie’s home without her knowing what’s going on, if we’re to give her the benefit of the doubt.’ Jack now peered at his watch and stood up. ‘Time to make that call to Mrs Longden, I think. Come on, Beauty, let’s go on a fishing trip in Gloucestershire. Also, let’s keep this conversation to ourselves, all right?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ she said.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The moment Jack walked back into the library with Linnet he immediately picked up on the tension in the air. Tessa sat as rigid as stone on the sofa, her face strained, her eyes filled with suffering. India was sitting next to her, also stiffly erect in her seat, her expression one of worry and anxiety. Evan, standing next to a window, was talking on her mobile whilst Emsie and Desmond huddled on the upholstered brass fender, whispering together. Linnet gave Jack a quick look, and then hurried across to the other sofa, where she was instantly joined by Evan.

  Jack strode over to the desk and stood behind it, suddenly conscious of six pairs of eyes fixed unwaveringly on him. I’ve got to get this moving along, he thought, I can’t delay. Time is of the essence now. He knew he was going to have to bring in the police and the media if he didn’t succeed with Mark’s mother. And then there was the possibility that she didn’t know anything, was an innocent bystander. If that was the case, he would have calculated wrongly. He prayed he had been right in his assumptions, that she would be able to help them solve this.

  In his usual businesslike way, and without any idle chit-chat, he told them: ‘I’m now going to call Mark’s mother.’ Fixing his gaze on Tessa, he added, ‘I’m putting the phone on the speaker so you can hear her responses, but I want you to be perfectly quiet.’ His eyes swept over the others. ‘And that goes for everyone else, of course. One other thing, Tessa. Will you have a word with your mother-in-law? It might be necessary.’

  There was only a moment’s hesitation on Tessa’s part, and then she nodded quickly. ‘I’ll talk to her, yes. We’re not close, but as I said, she’s a decent enough woman.’ There was a little pause; Tessa frowned, then added, ‘Mark’s her only son and she’ll always be on his side no matter what, even though he leads her a merry dance. But if you think it’s necessary I’ll certainly come to the phone.’

  Jack nodded his understanding and sat down. Picking up the receiver he pressed the speaker button and then dialled.

  A few moments later a woman answered. ‘Camden Lodge. Hello?’ Her cultured voice was heard by everyone in the library.

  ‘Is this Mrs Hilary Longden?’

  ‘Yes, this is she.’

  ‘Good evening, Mrs Longden. My name’s Jack Figg. I phoned earlier but you were out. You don’t know me, Mrs Longden, but you do know my employer, Mrs Paula O’Neill.’

  ‘Well, of course. Tessa’s mothe
r. Have we met, Mr Figg?’ she asked, her curiosity apparent in her tone, her voice pleasant.

  ‘Briefly. At Tessa’s marriage to Mark. But to get to the point, we have a problem, Mrs Longden. I’m here at Pennistone Royal with Tessa, and the reason I’m here is because Adele, your granddaughter, disappeared around eleven o’clock this morning and she still hasn’t been found.’

  ‘Oh my God! How terrible! Tessa and Mark must be out of their minds with worry. Oh dear, oh dear, why haven’t they found her? Surely she’s somewhere on the estate? Oh, my poor little Adele, she must be so frightened. This is very upsetting, just awful. Can I speak to my son? And Tessa?’ Her voice had risen an octave or two, had become shrill, and it was obvious she was genuinely distressed. ‘How can I be of help, Mr Figg?’ she asked.

  ‘By telling me where your son is, Mrs Longden,’ Jack answered in a voice echoing with cold determination.

  ‘Mark? Do you mean he’s not there with Tessa?’ She was obviously startled by this fact.

  ‘No, he’s not. I have reason to believe that it’s Mark who took Adele without informing Tessa,’ Jack announced. ‘I believe he has abducted her, and I must put certain things into oper–’

  ‘Mark would never abduct Adele!’ she cut in peremptorily and with great indignation. ‘That’s ridiculous! Preposterous! He’s her father…what on earth are you suggesting? Going on about in this way, Mr Figg?’

  ‘An abduction. Which will be construed as a kidnapping by the police and the law. Kidnappers get tough sentences, you know. And I will have to go to the police within the next few minutes. I can’t put it off any longer. We’ve been unable to find Adele on the estate after several searches, nor can we locate Mark. He, too, has disappeared. So I have no alternative but to bring in law enforcement and also the Harte media companies. They can help by issuing news bulletins on television and the radio. We must find Adele as quickly as possible. It’s imperative.’

  ‘You’re serious, aren’t you, Mr Figg?’ She sounded shaken, frightened.