A Very Dishonest Scandal (The Hero Next Door Book 5)

by Rebecca King

  ‘So that is what you do, is it?’ Finley replied coldly, raking Thomas with a dour look. ‘You swapped it.’

  ‘I have done no such thing,’ Thomas blustered. ‘I have said that the ticket is put onto your watch the day it arrives in my shop and isn’t taken off again until you collect it. This watch is the one you left with me to repair and clean. The mechanism had seized.’

  ‘The one I left you had an ornate casing and extremely valuable, sir. I don’t know what kind of fraudulent scheme you have going on here, but I am not going to be conned by you,’ Finley growled. ‘I demand my watch.’

  ‘This is your watch,’ Thomas snapped.

  Roger shared a look with Luke. Neither man made any attempt to intervene but were watching Finley Morton’s daughter amble around the shop, poking and prying into every corner. Luke suspected that the sneer on her face was a permanent feature, she was that spiteful. He also suspected that the woman either didn’t care or was pleased that her spite was evident to the world.

  The apple hasn’t fallen too far from the tree there. Luke didn’t doubt it.

  ‘I have just explained to you that this is your watch,’ Thomas insisted. ‘I attached this ticket to your watch the day you brought it in. You watched me do it. I am not sure what watch you thought you brought in here, but this is the one you left with me for repair. I have not swapped it. You, sir, are mistaken.’

  ‘I am never wrong,’ Finley announced crisply. ‘I have heard all about you. People are gossiping. I never paid much attention to the gossips until now. However, it appears that what the locals are saying about you is quite accurate.’

  ‘What is being said?’ Roger asked.

  ‘And who, sir, are you?’ Finley Morton demanded.

  ‘A friend,’ Roger replied. ‘If you are going to mention gossip, I think you at least owe the man the ability to defend himself against the accusations being made against him. I think the system he has is a very fair and accurate one and leaves little room for error. Moreover, no other customer has been into the shop this morning and claimed that the system, which has worked for every customer Thomas has ever had for-’ Roger looked askance at Thomas.

  ‘Forty years,’ Thomas croaked.

  ‘Forty years, should fail now, and with someone like you.’ Roger put enough contempt into his tone to warn everyone that he didn’t like Finley Morton. He suspected that Finley was a fraudster and was hoping to get a more valuable watch out of Thomas.

  ‘And who, sir, are you? What business is this of yours?’ Finley drawled.

  ‘That is none of your business,’ Roger replied.

  ‘Then this is a matter between me and Mr Tynesdale,’ Finley Morton snapped. ‘Kindly stay out of it.’

  ‘I am afraid that I am involved in it when I am witness to a potential fraud,’ Roger snorted.

  ‘Hear that? He doesn’t believe you either,’ Finley taunted Thomas.

  ‘I am not calling Mr Tynesdale a fraudster,’ Roger corrected. ‘However, I do believe that you might be. Can you prove that you left a more valuable watch here?’

  ‘Well, I didn’t think I needed to prove it. I didn’t expect this man to try to con me by giving me a lesser watch,’ Finley snorted.

  ‘But if you cannot prove that you left him a watch that had an engraved casing, how can you claim that he has defrauded you? To condemn someone, you have to have proof of a crime having been committed otherwise you can be considered a fraudster as well.’ Roger’s gaze narrowed on Samantha who, now that trouble was afoot, had ventured closer to the counter to watch. ‘Spiteful gossip is nothing more than meanness put about by people with little or no lives of their own. However, people tend to forget that while they are gossiping and scorning others, they are actually breaking the law.’

  ‘Rubbish,’ Finley snorted. ‘People are entitled to their opinions.’

  ‘Yes, as long as it doesn’t damage others, or other people’s businesses,’ Luke added smoothly. He threw Samantha a dark look and mentally cursed when she leered coquettishly at him. The very thought of having to touch someone like her was enough to make his stomach churn. Shaking his head at the brazenness of the creature, he pierced her father with a venomous glare. ‘Anybody who goes about deliberately damaging someone’s business or reputation through spite is a criminal and has to face the law like everyone else.’

  ‘Defamation of character is a crime in this country. Anybody responsible for it can indeed face arrest and be put before a judge,’ Roger added.

  ‘Stealing someone’s property is a criminal act as well. Well, you shall be hearing from the magistrate about this. I am going to report you for theft, Thomas Tynesdale. I want my watch back,’ Finley demanded, thumping a heavy fist onto the counter.

  Thomas opened his mouth to argue only for Roger to retreat to the workshop. He returned moments later with a piece of paper and a pencil which he slapped onto the counter.

  ‘Draw it,’ Roger ordered.

  Finley blinked at him. ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘If you claim that he has stolen your elaborately engraved watch, draw the engraving. You must know what it looks like seeing as it was such a valuable piece,’ Roger snapped coldly. ‘Draw it. You should know that the magistrate will want a description of it, so he knows what to report as missing.’

  ‘I am not going to do that here. I shall do that for the magistrate,’ Finley snapped.

  ‘Oh, that’s all right. I am sure that Mr Debrette will be more than happy to stand and watch you,’ Luke drawled. He nodded at the man who had been standing in Thomas’s workshop, listening to everything that was being said.

  William stepped silently into the room. Luke watched Finley blink in astonishment at the sudden appearance of the magistrate. A flash of annoyance lit Finley’s eyes that warned Luke the man was furious, but it disappeared almost instantly.

  ‘Go on then,’ Luke urged, nudging the piece of paper across the counter when Finley didn’t move. ‘Draw what you claim has been stolen.’

  ‘Well, I-I can’t remember exactly what it was inscribed with. It was a fob watch that belonged to a distant relation. It has been tucked away for years. I brought it here to be repaired so I could use it. I never really sat and studied it closely,’ Finley replied.

  Luke pursed his lips. ‘But you know that it was elaborately carved.’

  ‘Of course,’ Finley snapped.

  ‘But you don’t know what with,’ William interrupted sceptically. ‘And you cannot describe it, and you have no proof that you actually left it with Thomas.’

  Finley looked at each of the men before squinting suspiciously at Thomas. ‘I don’t know what you think you are doing, but I am not going to be defrauded by you. I left you with my expensive fob watch, which you appear to have swapped and stolen, or lost. I don’t care what you have done with mine. If you can’t find it, I want compensation.’

  ‘How much?’ Luke asked.

  Finley opened his mouth and then closed it again. It was clear that he wanted to tell Luke that it had nothing to do with him, but then realised that Luke wasn’t going to leave, and Thomas would need to be told how much he owed him. ‘One hundred and fifty pounds.’

  William snorted. ‘I, sir, am calling you a liar now. Why, a fine fob watch brand new, or even an antique, would only be worth possibly a hundred pounds at the most. One hundred and fifty pounds? You sir, are lying.’ The magistrate shook his head. ‘You inherited it?’

  ‘That I did, sir,’ Finley confirmed.

  ‘A solicitor should have details of the fob watch and its current value then,’ William argued. ‘Unless you can provide proof that you left this watch with Mr Tynesdale, I am afraid that you have no claim against him. Further, unless you can provide proof that your watch is indeed worth a startling one hundred and fifty pounds, I am afraid that there is no case to answer. If proof cannot be provided, your actions this morning can be considered an attempt to defraud a business owner of a significant amount of money. That, sir, makes you li
able to arrest.’

  Finley stared at the magistrate as if struggling to comprehend what he was hearing. He was so enraged that the tips of his ears turned red and two thick bands of pink stained his cheeks. For a moment, he appeared dumbstruck. Eventually, Finley’s eyes narrowed as he squinted at the magistrate, but he realised that it would be foolish to challenge the lawman. He turned his wrath onto Thomas instead, but his words were targeted at William.

  ‘I demand that you do something about this corrupt businessman. You are a magistrate, aren’t you?’ Finley demanded, raking William with a questioning look.

  ‘That I am, sir. Unfortunately, you cannot provide me with proof that this watch even existed. Further, you cannot tell me what it looked like. That, to me, is suspicious, especially because I have heard Thomas’s explanation of how he deals with customers’ personal belongings. It seems a fair and honest system to me and allows for few mistakes. If Mr Tynesdale says that this is your watch, and indeed it does appear to be engraved with your initials, so this is your watch. Before I even begin to contemplate any possible case for arrest, I want proof from your solicitor, in writing of course, that your inherited fob watch exists. I shall expect a full valuation, put onto the watch at the time it was bequeathed to you, to be handed over to me. Further, I want a drawing of the missing item, with as much detail on it as possible. Until then, I can tell you that I have reason to suspect that you are lying by claiming this watch is not yours.’ William picked the fob watch up and turned it over to study the engraving. ‘This does indeed have your initials, doesn’t it, Mr Finley Morton?’ It wasn’t a question. ‘Seeing as this is the only fob watch left here by a customer with your initials, I think it is safe to say that on this occasion you are in the wrong. Now, if you would like me to consider a case of fraud against Mr Tynesdale, I must consider all the facts, not just the ones you want me to look at. Provide me with all the information I have asked for, within the next day, or I shall consider it that you are trying to defraud Thomas Tynesdale out of a watch. However, I will warn you that I shall consider your actions this morning, in which case you shall be liable to arrest.’

  ‘You cannot do that to me,’ Finley hissed. ‘I hope you know that I have connections with Lord Hillsom.’

  ‘I don’t care you who have connections with,’ William snapped. ‘Nobody is above the law.’

  When Samantha kept flicking at the cuckoo clock on the wall, William lifted a finger and waved her away from it. She opened her mouth to issue a reprimand only to realise who she was talking to. An angry glare from her father made her retreat to the relative safety of the shop doorway.

  ‘We are going. I am not staying here to listen to this.’ Finley shoved a finger at Thomas. ‘I warn you now that I am going to get my money back. I don’t care what lies you have told these fools. They will soon realise what you are.’

  ‘Wait a minute,’ William interrupted before Finley turned to leave. ‘For the time being, I am going to keep this fob watch seeing as you claim it isn’t yours, Mr Morton. It shall be used as evidence until we can find the rightful owner.’

  Finley’s gaze dropped to the fob watch. His mouth opened and closed while he tried to come up with a reason to take it with him.

  ‘I shall also expect you in my office first thing in the morning with the proof I have asked from you,’ William added. ‘Until then, I would strongly advise you to cease publicly accusing people of criminal acts you think they are guilty of. Without proof, you are breaking the law.’ William then turned to Thomas. ‘I would ask you to consider the very spiteful rumours going around about you at present. When I find the people responsible, do you wish them to appear before a judge for it?’

  ‘Yes, I do,’ Thomas announced bluntly.

  ‘Fair enough then,’ William replied firmly. He lifted an arrogant brow at Finley. ‘Good day, sir. Seeing as you quite clearly don’t have confidence in Mr Tynesdale’s professional capabilities, you have no cause to concern yourself with his business, or his behaviour from now on. Stay away from the building and keep your opinions to yourself. And that includes your daughter.’

  William yanked the door open and watched Finley shove his daughter out of the shop. The deathly silence that fell over the occupants of the room was thoughtful until William slid the bolt across the door and turned to look at Roger.

  ‘Well?’

  Roger sighed and picked the fob watch up. He studied the ticket still attached to it. ‘This isn’t worth even twenty pounds.’

  ‘Do you think he is after money?’ William murmured. ‘Or is just out to ruin Thomas’s reputation?’

  ‘I don’t see why he should want to damage the man’s reputation and business with the intention of then trying to get money out of him,’ Luke argued. ‘If there is no business, there is no money.’

  ‘He is out to damage the business’s reputation. Of that we can be certain now. What we need to find out now is why,’ Roger murmured.

  ‘I haven’t had cross words with him,’ Thomas insisted. ‘I don’t think Rosemary has either, although she has faced malice from that daughter of his as you know.’

  ‘Well, they can’t want the shop,’ Roger mused. ‘Nor can they want money out of you.’

  ‘I don’t understand,’ Thomas whispered, more shaken by the last few moments that he had expected to be. ‘I am just so pleased that you were all here.’

  Luke urged the man to sit down. Thomas Tynesdale had gone so pale over the last few moments that Luke was starting to wonder he was going to fall. ‘Look, I know the last day or so has been difficult. First, with the fire, and then with Morton. Now that the last customer has been dealt with, let’s get you back to the house. You need to rest. Leave this to us.’

  ‘But I need to oversee the packing my clocks,’ Thomas argued.

  ‘I can do that. I will have them put into the workshop you were looking at earlier. I really do think you should get some rest,’ Luke urged.

  Thomas nodded, and in that moment looked every year of his four and sixty years of age. His shoulders became more hunched and drooped beneath the weight of his worry and sadness. There was a dullness to his eyes, as if the light had been extinguished from within and left his thoughts cloudy. It was alarming to watch the man wither right before their eyes.

  ‘We will resolve this,’ William assured him. ‘I think we have already identified our culprits now. Like Roger and Luke have already said, before we can put them before a judge, we must find out why they have chosen to target you. We must find out the reasons for them doing what they have because it will help us establish who is helping them target you. I doubt that daughter of his is the one who lit the fire. The problem is that I cannot see Finley Morton doing it either. That means that someone else has lit the fire and left the dead animal on your doorstep. Further, I think that there must be something more damaging being spread by the gossips that we haven’t heard about yet.’

  ‘Like what?’ Thomas whispered, looking even more shaken.

  ‘I don’t know,’ William replied gently. ‘But we will find out. What I want you to do is go and stay in the safe house the Star Elite have arranged for you. Take a little time off to make sure your stock hasn’t been too damaged by the fire. If anything has been ruined, make a note of it because when we do arrest the culprits they have to account for all of the damage they have caused not just to your home, but also to your business, and you personally.’

  ‘Justice has to be served at all times,’ Luke murmured. ‘So, now that we know Rosemary is safe, Thomas, we have to make sure that you are safe as well.’

  Thomas sighed heavily and slumped onto the stool behind the counter.

  ‘What I want to ask is if you have had any disgruntled customers who may have decided to target you because they are not happy with the quality of the service they received,’ Roger asked.

  ‘I don’t think so,’ Thomas replied. ‘Everything was all right until about six weeks ago. Then we, Rosemary and I, started to get strange
looks in the street. I was shunned by people I have known all my life and grown up with. Where one day people called out friendly greetings and exchanged pleasantries, the next day they all suddenly stopped. People started to cross the street to avoid having to pass us. Some began to look the other way. I don’t understand it. If someone weren’t happy with the service that I gave them they could have returned and told me about it, but nobody has.’

  ‘How long have the Morton’s lived across the street?’

  ‘About three months,’ Thomas replied.

  ‘Do you know where they come from?’ Roger asked.

  Thomas shook his head.

  ‘And nothing like this has ever happened before the Mortons arrived in the village?’ Luke pressed.

  ‘No,’ Thomas insisted. ‘This has always been a happy village. Although, of late, passing business has been a lot slower than usual.’

  ‘Since when?’ Luke asked quietly, being careful to try to avoid making Thomas feel like he was under interrogation.

  ‘For about the three months or so. I just put it down to the bad winter we have just had, but it hasn’t improved,’ Thomas sighed.

  ‘Are you still getting business from elsewhere?’ Luke asked, wondering if the business was still viable.

  ‘Yes, I have a few orders to fulfil, but there is only so much I can do,’ Thomas sighed. ‘People know that their orders can take months to arrive.’

  ‘They won’t mind waiting, but it doesn’t help your financial predicament,’ Luke suggested.

  ‘It’s passing business that has vanished,’ William said and watched Thomas nod.

  ‘People are staying away because of the gossip,’ Roger growled.

  ‘At least moving the business won’t really affect you. You could survive on the distance trade for a while,’ William offered. ‘The gossip has damaged your profits, so whoever we catch will face justice for damaging it.’

  ‘Well, yes,’ Thomas sighed. ‘We can still get by, but it would help if we can run a shop too.’