She flinched. A small reaction and, if he’d blinked, he’d have missed it, but it was there. He’d hit a nerve and he sensed Beth had seen it too.
‘Lucy,’ Beth said, ‘the last few days aside, when was the last time you saw Calvin?’
The young woman shrugged. ‘Oh, I don’t know, a few weeks before he left for India, I suppose. Why?’
‘He’s not been in correspondence with you at all?’
‘No. Well, he sends his mail to Boyd but I just pass that on. I don’t open it.’ She fiddled with her fingers. ‘Why would he write to me?’
‘What about recently?’ James said. ‘Did you meet up a couple of weeks ago?’
Lucy’s fists tightened. ‘Whatever do you mean? Calvin wasn’t even here two weeks ago.’ She sat up straight. ‘What’s this all about? Why are you bothering me about Calvin? Locksmith Joe is the killer. Why are you bothering us? I thought you were supposed to be helping us.’
‘When he arrived at the house last week, you seemed surprised.’
Lucy gawped at James. ‘I suppose I was surprised. I got my days mixed up – I thought he was coming later.’
‘Did you recognise Calvin?’
She fiddled with her hair. ‘Of course. I mean, he’s a man now, but you don’t forget someone’s features, do you?’ She checked her watch. ‘I should really be getting back to work.’
‘What about Josh?’ asked Beth.
Lucy swallowed nervously. Her answer was barely audible. ‘What about him?’
‘Oh come on, Lucy,’ James said, ‘you know that chap’s not Calvin. That’s Josh staying at Cory House, isn’t it?’
‘No!’
‘Josh is masquerading as Calvin because your cousin is seriously ill in Bombay. When did you find out?’
‘What? I didn’t find anything out.’ She scrambled for her handbag. ‘I really should get back to work.’ She made to go.
‘Lucy, sit down.’
Beth dragged her chair closer to the girl and held her hand. ‘Lucy, if you know this is true, you must speak out. Two murders have taken place and—’
The young woman spluttered. ‘No.’
‘…and, if you’re keeping information back from the police, you could go to prison. And then what will happen to Boyd and Suzie?’
Lucy blinked back her tears. She accepted a handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. James reached inside his jacket for his cigarette case and offered one to her. She took it and moved forward for him to light it.
After lighting his own, he said: ‘Lucy, no one can blame you for wanting to keep things secret or to help someone, especially if this is family. I’m sure that all of you had the best of intentions, but did you anticipate murder in the proceedings?’
After what felt like an eternity, Lucy slowly shook her head. ‘I didn’t realise that it would come to this. This wasn’t in the plan.’ Her eyes pleaded. ‘Calvin thinks the world of Boyd, he always has done – he just wanted him to be free.’ She blew her nose and continued. ‘We’re not sure whether Calvin is going to make it or not. He wanted to see Boyd. Boyd’s last letter to Cal said that things were even worse since they’d moved from Yorkshire. Uncle Christie only let him out for meal times. Nothing mattered except that house. He was obsessed with it. He was paying to have people to do it up so that it was perfect. That’s all he was interested in. It was horrible. He treated Boyd like a piece of rubbish.’
‘So Calvin and Josh implemented a plan?’
She appeared resigned. ‘They’d planned to kidnap Boyd. Calvin placed an international call to me and asked that I get a passport for him. That was all I had to do; just fill out a few forms and get a photograph done. Boyd explored the house. He knew about the secret passage because Auntie Gwen had researched its history and described the house to him. They used to pretend they had one in the house in Otley. I told Calvin about it – not for any ulterior motive. We just thought it was funny because we knew that Boyd could come and go and had gained more freedom.’
‘And he told Josh about it.’
‘I presume so.’ She brushed her hair back. ‘Josh took over all of the preparations.’
‘So you knew it was Josh that had arrived, not Calvin.’
‘But Josh couldn’t have killed Uncle Christie. He didn’t arrive until after he’d died. He gave me his itinerary. It was Locksmith Joe. Josh and Calvin are not murderers.’ She broke down.
Mr Smythe entered and, on seeing Lucy’s distress, faltered. ‘Oh, ah, sorry to bother you, Lord Harrington, but there’s a Detective Chief Inspector Lane on the telephone.’
‘How on earth did he know I was here?’
Beth shrugged and suggested he go find out. He left her to sympathise with Lucy and followed Smythe to a spare desk, where the office manager gave him the receiver.
‘Hello, George, what detection skills did you put into play to trace me?’
‘I didn’t,’ replied George. ‘The Merryweathers were worried you were going to get yourself into trouble and gave me a heads-up. What’s going on?’
James went through his recent exchange with Lucy. ‘She’s a pawn in the game, as far as I can tell. But she’s adamant that she didn’t realise murder was on the cards and she’s also adamant that Josh didn’t arrive until after Christie’s death.’
‘Ah-ha. Well, we can put that one to bed straight away. Stephen told me about your contact, Ronnie Pickering, so I got on to him. Helpful chap. His contact in Bombay checked through the passenger lists for all Bombay to Delhi flights this month.’
‘And?’
‘Josh Stirling boarded a flight from Bombay, final destination London, on 10th September. Calvin Christie allegedly checked on to a flight from Bombay on the 19th but never travelled.’
‘How on earth did he do that? I thought he was ill?’
‘He is. I’ve checked with the hospital and he’s there. I’ve got to assume that someone else over there did them a favour.’
‘Perhaps Josh’s cousin, Alastair?’
‘Perhaps. The hospital has diagnosed malaria and dysentery.’
‘Oh Lord. Are you going over to arrest Josh now?’
‘That’s partly why I’m calling.’
‘Oh?’
‘Josh Stirling and Boyd Cameron have disappeared.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
‘We’ve put alerts out to airports and shipping lines,’ said George. ‘I’m guessing they’re trying to get back to India. D’you have any idea where they may have gone?’
‘Have you asked Ronnie Pickering if he can check the passenger lists for today?’
‘Yes. He’s getting back to me. Josh thinks things through, so I’m not certain he’s going to make it easy for us to find him.’
James clicked his fingers in inspiration. ‘Shoreham.’
‘What?’
‘Shoreham airport. He flew in to Shoreham. He mentioned something to me about knowing people with aircraft down there. They do flights across to France. I’ll bet you a pound he’s on his way there to pick up a flight to Paris.’
‘Right. I’m at Hove police station. I suppose I can’t tell you to keep your nose out?’
James discreetly brushed over the question and said he’d meet George at Shoreham. ‘You may want to send a constable here. Lucy knows a little more than she originally told you.’
The telephone went dead. James dashed back to the office, picked up Beth’s handbag and handed it to her.
‘We’re off to Shoreham.’ He pulled Lucy up from her chair. ‘Lucy, if there’s anything else you’re holding back, now is the time to tell the police. They’re on their way here and I would suggest you speak with them. If you refuse, you’ll find yourself in far more trouble than you are already.’ He opened the door for Beth. ‘Come along, darling.’
The road leading to Shoreham airport gave them a good view of the aerodrome. Built in the 1930s, the terminal building was a wonderful example of Art Deco architecture. The walls were pure white with curved corners and a low level
flat roof. A number of planes were parked in a line along the verge and one larger aircraft was revving its engines, ready to speed down the grass runway.
‘Oh sweetie, I hope that’s not the plane they’re on.’
James steered the car through the gates and parked close to the terminal entrance. ‘If it is, let’s hope George can alert the authorities in Paris and persuade them to meet the plane.’
Getting out of his car, James saw two other cars heading for the airport. He guessed this was George and a back-up police presence. He nudged Beth and they scurried across the car park and into the terminal building. It covered an area only half the size of a tennis court. A couple of desks were open and they scanned the destination names and adverts for exotic climes.
Beth grabbed him. ‘There. A flight to Paris leaving in fifty minutes. D’you think that’s the one?’
‘Let’s ask.’ James greeted the ground stewardess behind the desk. ‘I say, I have a couple of friends on the Paris flight and I’ve something that I need to give to them. Have they checked in yet?’
As soon as he gave the names, the agent nodded. ‘Yes, they came through about half an hour ago. They’re through those doors there, in the café.’
‘Splendid.’
He started to go, but Beth pulled him back. ‘What if he’s armed or something?’ she whispered.
‘I can’t let him get on that plane, Beth.’
George strode in; a little worse the wear for running. ‘Is he here?’
‘Yes,’ replied James. ‘George, let me speak to him. You said yourself he’s clever. He may open up to me more than you.’
George scrutinised him. He called across to the agent, showed his credentials and asked if there was another way into the café.
‘You can come round the back of the desks here,’ the agent said. ‘If you follow the corridor, the door to the right leads into the back of the café.’ She noticed the two constables waiting outside. ‘Is there going to be trouble?’
‘Nothing for you to worry about,’ said George. ‘We are probably going to have to take a couple of your passengers off the Paris flight.’
She regarded James. ‘The two you mentioned?’
‘Yes.’
George poked James in the chest. ‘Go and talk to him. Keep him chatting and steer him to some sort of confession. We haven’t actually got one iota of evidence yet.’ He started to go but turned back. ‘Oh yes, and no heroics.’
George followed the agent through a doorway behind the desks.
‘Come along, darling’ said Beth. ‘Let’s do this. If nothing else, I can be there for Boyd.’
He groaned. ‘Oh Lord, poor Boyd. Do you think he even knows that that’s not Calvin in there?’
He opened the ornate swing doors and they entered the tiny departure lounge. Around fifteen tables and cushioned chairs were dotted about and waitresses in black dresses with white aprons busied themselves. Crockery chinked and travellers chatted quietly with one another. James dipped his head to a table at the far end. The two brothers sat with their drinks looking across the airfield. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of remorse. Josh was pointing to the different aircraft and telling the young boy what type of plane each was and where it would be going to.
A huge part of James wanted to let them go; let Boyd be with his brother, a man he’d built up to be his hero during his early years. He was only a few minutes away from that dream. His excitement must be beyond belief. But here he stood about to snatch that dream away. Beth tugged his sleeve.
‘Are you all right, sweetie?’
He patted her hand. This was going to be difficult. A door on the far side of the lounge edged open. George hovered before heading toward a nearby table to wait for James to make his move.
‘Yes, darling, I’m fine. Let’s get this over with.’
He steered Beth toward Josh’s table. Josh, aware of movement behind him, glanced over his shoulder. James noted the flash of horror on his face, which turned to surprise.
He leapt up. ‘Ah, Boyd, look who’s come to see us off.’
James squeezed Boyd’s shoulder. The boy’s pink eyes sparkled with joy. He wore a smart linen suit purchased, James guessed, especially for the journey. Josh remained calm and invited them to sit. They ordered tea.
Beth reached for Boyd’s hand. ‘Boyd, I’ve been to this airport a few times. I happen to know someone in the control room. Would you like to see it?’
‘Yes please,’ said Boyd who sought permission from Josh to do so. Josh shifted in his seat and checked his watch. ‘Our flight leaves soon.’
‘Oh, we won’t be long. If you’d rather we didn’t...’
Josh waved a hand at them and told Boyd to make the most of it. James glimpsed beyond Josh to see George take a seat at the table immediately behind. The young man sipped his tea.
‘How did you know I was here?’
James relaxed back in his chair. ‘You mentioned Shoreham during a chat we had when you first arrived. It seemed like the obvious place. I heard you’d gone. I got the impression that an ocean trip wasn’t on the cards and that you wanted to return to India with the utmost urgency.’
‘You’re right. I’m leaving Lucy to tie up the loose ends of the estate. I know that my father has left us a fortune, so we’re selling the house and splitting the profits between us.’
‘Have you let the police know you’re leaving? There are still two murders being investigated. I’m surprised they’re letting you leave.’
Josh laughed. ‘But that’s nothing to do with me. That’s Locksmith Joe.’
‘Come, come, Calvin,’ said James. ‘Do you think we’re all that naive?’
Josh stared at his hands then pushed his cup and saucer away. ‘Why are you here, Lord Harrington?’
‘I think you know why.’
‘I came here to get my brother and take him back with me. It’s what we’ve planned all along. I can’t help it if it coincides with murder. Boyd is best off with me and away from all of this. You can’t blame me for that, can you?’
‘Not at all. I believe it was planned. But things changed, didn’t they?’
The young man gazed out of the window. He scanned the pale autumn sky and tears welled up.
‘Josh?’
Josh reacted to his name and closed his eyes in realisation. ‘How much do you know?’
‘I know that, originally, the plan was just as you said. Calvin and you would build the business up and get enough funds for Calvin to come and get Boyd and take him back to Bombay. I know that Calvin is seriously ill.’
Josh’s bottom lip trembled.
‘I know that’s when your plans changed. That’s when you began typing the letters to Boyd, isn’t it?’
He brushed a tear away. ‘Calvin was overwrought. He may die and he didn’t want to die without seeing Boyd. He just wanted a few hours with Boyd. We’d saved enough to do all of that and get him back here after...’
‘After Calvin’s death.’
A nod. ‘When Boyd mentioned in his letters that things were worse for him in Cavendish, Calvin looked like a man defeated.’ Josh made a fist. ‘I had to do something. I couldn’t let Calvin die without seeing Boyd. I said I’d do anything—’ He checked himself.
James smiled. ‘You said you’d do anything for Calvin because you would do anything for love.’ He reached inside his pocket and brought out the page of the letter he’d found on the staircase. He slid it across. ‘Love is a powerful thing, Josh.’
Josh closed his eyes and James sensed that a wave of relief had washed through the young man. A great burden, this forbidden love, was no longer a secret. Josh brushed another tear away. The waitress approached the table but James advised her that they needed nothing. He dragged his chair closer to Josh. George edged his own seat further forward.
‘You arrived on an earlier flight and lay low,’ said James quietly. ‘You hung around the house, put extra sleeping draughts in Christie’s milk and, I’m guessing, w
ent to his room via the secret passage to finish him off. It didn’t take much effort because he was so drugged. The following day, I believe it was you at the scarecrow festival. Am I right?’
The young man nodded. ‘I’d heard about Locksmith Joe being free – that played straight into my hands. I strangled Christie to set up Joe. I slipped a note through the door at Cory House; arranged to meet Jeannie in the village. I kept those overcoats on, messed myself up a bit to look like him. I got some spirit glue and stuck a beard on. I thought I was quite convincing.’
‘You arranged to meet Jeannie in the village and, dressed as Locksmith Joe, you strangled her.’
George joined them at the table.
Josh closed his eyes. ‘Oh God, what a mess. What a ruddy mess.’ He put his head in his hands.
George quietly cautioned him. ‘Don’t think about running.’
‘I can’t imagine you’re here on your own, Inspector. Besides, I don’t want to upset Boyd.’
An announcement came for passengers to board the Paris flight. James searched for Beth and saw her at another table with Boyd. She sat close to the boy and was speaking quietly. The young lad had tears streaming down his cheeks. James felt like crying himself. She was telling him he wouldn’t be getting on the plane. His heart went out to her. What a sad state of affairs. So much love, so much hope and good intentions.
‘Josh, why did you not just ask to adopt Boyd?’
Josh’s eyes were fierce. It was the same glare that James had seen at the scarecrow festival; the same fierceness he’d seen on meeting him at Cory House when he’d spoken about Christie.
‘If you saw how much hurt and anger that man Christie and his sister caused, you wouldn’t need to ask. The man wasn’t just cruel – he was a domestic tyrant. How the hell was Calvin going to be able to adopt Boyd from his own father? He inflicted emotional abuse if they didn’t play by the rules. But, apart from a knife attack, he had no proof. And Christie made sure that the nurse treating Cal wasn’t going to talk. He threatened anyone who could make life difficult for him. Christ! What sort of man does that? Jeannie was as bad. She treated Boyd like he was something she’d scraped off her shoe.’
Lord James Harrington and the Autumn Mystery Page 19