“You’d better go and find out. You never know; he might have had a breakthrough about the threats. I wish I could stay and watch his reaction to you, but I expect he’ll want to talk to you in private.”
“There’ll be no reaction, except in your mind Mary.”
“If you say so.”
“Come on, we mustn’t keep the Inspector waiting.”
“Alright, I know you can’t wait.”
Rachel shook her head and walked out of the kitchen. As she entered the reception area she saw the Chief Inspector standing at the desk with Helen. Rachel’s heart starting beating faster and all her feelings for Taylor came rushing back. He looked so sad that she wanted to throw her arms around him to make him feel better. Why on earth had she ever gone cut with Josh? Yes, she had found him to be very good-looking and charming, but there was a nasty side to his personality. Anyway, how could she have had a proper relationship with him when she was so obviously in love with Taylor? Why had she left it so long to admit that to herself?
Rachel went up to the officers.
“Good afternoon Chief Inspector, Sergeant Wilson.”
Mary just nodded at them.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Ms Fisher, Rachel,” he said, remembering she had told him that he could use her first name. “Unfortunately, Carlotta has been attacked. She’s in intensive care in hospital in London.”
“Oh no,” Rachel exclaimed. “How did this happen?”
“I think we need to go somewhere quiet to talk,” Taylor said, looking pointedly at Mary.
"I think that’s a hint to make me go, don’t you Rachel?”
Rachel just nodded.
“It’s nice to see you again, Mary,” Taylor spoke. “Are things going well for you?"
“Yes, very,” Mary replied. “And you?”
"Oh, so, so
“Keep your chin up; things are bound to get better.”
Mary turned round and gave Rachel a big grin and mouthed something which sounded like go for it, girl.
When Mary had gone, Rachel took the officers into the bar which was generally quiet at lunchtime.
:”We believe Carlotta was here yesterday?” Taylor continued.
"Yes, how do you know that?"
"Your friend, Josh, told his father and he told us."
"Oh, I see.”
“You decided not to call the police then.”
“No, it was a private matter between me and Carlotta. I decided to let it go.”
“Fair enough, though you could be a suspect in Carlotta’s attack. She had her head smashed in.”
“Oh my God," Rachel exclaimed, ignoring Taylor’s comment about her being a suspect. “She’s lucky to be alive then?”
“Yes, very much so. We can only hope that she recovers.”
Rachel’s eyes filled with tears, but she tried to hold them back. She didn’t want to cry in front of Taylor, but she was deeply upset about Carlotta. Despite Carlotta’s performance in her dining room, they had become good friends and she didn’t want to lose her.
Taylor stared at Rachel. He was certain that she hadn’t attacked Carlotta. She was genuinely upset about her friend. He could see that Rachel wanted to cry, but was trying hard not to. How he wished that Helen wasn’t with him. Then he could take Rachel in his arms and comfort her. Little did he know that she was thinking the same thing. More than anything, she wanted Taylor to hold her.
Helen felt a chemistry between her boss and Rachel and was livid. They were supposed to be questioning her and instead Rachel and Taylor had drifted off into their own world.
“The time of death was between midnight and three, that is according to the autopsy.” Helen interrupted their silence. "Where were you between those hours Ms Fisher?”
Both Taylor and Rachel were startled by her question, bur Taylor said nothing. Helen was, after all, doing her job.
“I went to bed just after midnight and slept through till the morning. I got up at seven. I’m afraid nobody can corroborate that, but I didn’t have my car. It’s in the garage again as you know.”
“You could have borrowed a friend’s,” Helen said.
Taylor glared at her. She was going too far. He would definitely have to talk to her again.
“I don’t think we need to ask anything else,” Taylor said quickly, not wanting any sort of answer from Rachel to Helen’s question. "I’ll write down the name of the hospital Carlotta is in if you like. Everyone does have to go in with a police officer however, as we don’t want another attempt on her life.”
"Thank you. I would like to see her.”
At that moment Steven came into the bar to sort out some drinks for the lunchtime diners.
“Ah Steven, can I ask where you were between midnight and three this morning?” Taylor said.
“Asleep in bed. Why?”
“Somebody attacked Carlotta Fox in her apartment and she’s very badly injured.”
“Well, I can assure you, it wasn’t me. Why on earth would I want to hurt her?”
“You tell me.”
“I hardly know the woman. I was here when she went a little crazy in the dining room, but she wasn’t having a go at me. It’s certainly no reason for me to want to attack her.”
“Well, thank you, Steven,” Taylor said and then looked at Rachel. “I think that’ll be all for now.”
“I’ll see you out.”
Taylor and Rachel smiled at each other and a shiver ran down Rachel’s spine. She now knew how ludicrous it had been going out with Josh when she had all these feelings for Taylor. However, she didn’t know why she was so afraid to do anything about them. She had asked men out before, but she couldn’t get the courage up to ask Peter Taylor.
As soon as they got in the car, Taylor asked Helen to drive. His mind was too distracted. He even forgot that he was going to reprimand Helen. All his thoughts were about Rachel. He had tried to forget her in the months he hadn’t seen her and he thought he’d done it, but one look from her and he was head over heels in love with her again. He knew he had to tell her and when the case was over, he would. At least then he’d know one way or another if she cared about him at all.
* * *
“Where to now, boss?” Helen asked.
“What?” Taylor asked, too absorbed in his thoughts of Rachel to know what Helen had said.
“Where now? Back to the station?”
“No, we’ll just have a quick word with Diana Rackham.”
“Really?” Helen asked. “She came and told us about Carlotta and Charles. Why would she then go and try to kill her?”
“I don’t think she did, but she may have told somebody else, somebody with a reason to want Mrs. Fox out of the way. We have to try everything Helen, before whoever did this tries again. I know we have a policeman at the hospital, but I still don’t feel that Mrs. Fox is entirely safe. The person who tried to kill her is ruthless and could find a way into the hospital room despite the security. Unfortunately, these things happen. I had a case once where the murderer dressed up as a doctor. He succeeded in killing his victim and I don’t want that to happen in this case.”
Helen nodded. Her boss never left any stone unturned and she loved working with him. If only he saw her hidden talents and didn’t have eyes only for that awful actress.
It wasn’t long before they arrived at Diana’s house. She was surprised to see them, but let them in without question.
"I’m sorry to tell you that Carlotta Fox was attacked during the night and is currently fighting for her life,” Taylor spoke as soon as they sat down in the sitting room.
“Oh no," Diana said, tears starting to flow immediately.
"I don’t like to ask this, but where were you between midnight and three a.m. this morning?"
“You don’t think?.... Well I suppose you reckon that if I was a friend of Jane’s I might hate Carlotta, but I don’t. Bert was more of a friend to Jane than I was. They’d gone to school together. Anyway, you don’t want to know all that. B
etween midnight and three I was asleep in bed here with Bert, but he’s the only one who can verify that and I don’t suppose a husband counts. Oh dear, I am rambling on.”
“That’s alright, Mrs. Rackham, I can tell you’re in shock. You’re friends with Carlotta?”
“Well, sort of. I like her very much, but I don’t think I’m vivacious enough for her. Plus she does have mainly men friends.”
“Is there anyone else you’ve told about the affair between Charles and Carlotta?”
“Well I hadn’t, not until last night. I was out with Carly; you know, Carly Hawkins who was also at Jane’s birthday weekend. She’s a good friend of mine. Well, she rather fancies Charles and she kept going on about how she was going to leave her husband for him. To stop her making a big mistake, I told her about Carlotta and Charles.”
“How did she react?”
“She was naturally very upset.”
“Does her husband know about her feelings?”
“Yes, but I think their marriage is very much on the rocks. Oh dear, I shouldn’t be talking about her like this, should I? You’d best ask her yourself. I’m sure she didn’t try to kill Carlotta. She’d had far too much to drink for a start. I was the one doing the driving last night and took her straight home at about ten. I’m sure she wouldn’t have gone out again, nor drink and drive. Where was Carlotta attacked by the way?”
“At home in London.”
“Oh no, Carly couldn’t have driven to London, not after the amount she drank. She must have had almost a bottle of wine.”
“Well thank you Mrs. Rackham. You’ve been most helpful.”
“I don’t know how," Diana replied, looking slightly worried. “Is it alright to visit Carlotta?”
“Yes, but she’s in a coma and a policeman has to go in with each visitor, in case, you know...”
“Of course.”
Diana let Taylor and Helen out and once they were in the car, he spoke.
“Well, that was very informative. I think we’ll pay a visit to Carly Hawkins next, don’t you think Helen?”
Helen nodded, feeling excited. Were they at last reaching the end of their search for the killer of Jane Simpson and had this person also tried to murder Carlotta Fox?
* * *
Soon Taylor and Helen were sitting in Carly’s sitting room. She had made them coffee and looked quite calm for a change.
“I’m sorry to tell you that Carlotta Fox is in hospital fighting for her life after being hit on the head last night,” Taylor said, taking a sip of what tasted like very cheap instant coffee.
He thought he saw a change in Carly’s expression, but it disappeared as quickly as it had come.
“Who would want to kill her?” Carly asked.
“That’s what we’re trying to find out. We believe that you are fond of Charles Simpson and were upset that Carlotta is having an affair with him?”
Carly completely lost her cool.
“How could Diana tell you that?” she screamed. ‘That’s personal information. Is she trying to get me arrested? Yes, I like Charles. My marriage is a shambles, but I want a divorce. I’m not a barbarian. I don’t go round killing people.”
“Please try and calm down, Mrs. Hawkins. All I want to know is where you were last night between midnight and three a.m.?”
“Here in bed. I couldn’t go to London to kill Carlotta because I was really drunk. I don’t drink and drive.”
“I suppose only your husband can verify that you were here?”
“No, even he can’t.” Carly said, her voice now starting to shake. “He was out with his friends. It was a stag night and he didn’t get back until the early hours.”
“I see.”
“You see?” Carly exclaimed. “What does that mean? Are you going to arrest me?”
“Not for the present, Mrs. Hawkins, but we will be keeping an eye on you.”
With that, they took their leave.
Back in the car, Helen spoke.
“I’m putting my money on her.”
“Even though she was drunk?”
“Yes. She could be used to drinking a lot. A bottle of wine might not make her that drunk. And did you notice that she knew Carlotta was in London? I mean she could have been anywhere. Anyway, it sounds like Carly was wound up to the stage where she’d do anything.”
“You could be right, Helen, you could be right.”
Helen smiled. Her boss must be impressed now with her detecting abilities. Rachel Fisher would soon be a figure of the past.
* * *
Diana picked up the phone.
“How could you Diana? How could you tell the police about my feelings for Charles?”
“I’m sorry Carly, but the Chief Inspector was so intimidating. I didn’t know what to do. It all came out without me even wanting it to.”
“They’re going to arrest me, I’m sure of it, and it’ll be your fault. I’ll never be with Charles now.”
“I’m sorry Carly,” Diana said, but Carly didn’t hear her as she’d slammed the phone down hard.
Chapter 14
Rachel was extremely worried about Carlotta. They had developed a friendship over the previous five months which Rachel had not expected. After all, she had told the police about Carlotta and John’s affair. However, Carlotta had understood that Rachel was worried that John might be trying to kill her.
Carlotta had few women friends and Rachel was surprised that she had chosen her to be one of them. Rachel knew that she would miss her terribly if she died. Carlotta was spirited, confident and fun to be with, and Rachel loved to spend time with her.
Later in the day, Rachel’s car was returned and she decided to go up to London to visit Carlotta in the hospital. Taylor had said she was in a coma, but it didn’t matter. Nobody knew how much people in a coma were aware of and of course Carlotta could wake up at any time.
Rachel made sure everything was ready for evening service in the dining room and that all the occupied rooms had been cleaned. Then she set off for London. It was midafternoon and there weren’t too many cars on the motorway so she got to the hospital within an hour. She went inside and was directed to the room Carlotta was occupying. As she expected, there was a police officer guarding Carlotta’s room. She gave him her name and he went in with her.
Carlotta looked peaceful and Rachel thought it seemed as if she were only asleep. However, she wasn’t; she was in some deep, dark place and Rachel wished she would wake up. She sat down and started talking to Carlotta.
“Carlotta, it’s me, Rachel. You have to wake up. A lot of us are missing you. And whoever did this needs to be locked up. Chances are they killed Jane as well so you need to tell us who attacked you.”
Rachel felt a few tears fall.
“I’m sorry Carlotta. I’m getting a bit emotional. I hate to see you like this.”
She sat there for another ten minutes talking about what was happening in the hotel, and then she got up.
“Thank you officer,” Rachel said. “I’ll be on my way now.”
As Rachel walked down the corridor she saw Josh coming towards her.
She felt sick and started shaking. She wished she could turn and go in the opposite direction, but she knew that Josh had already seen her.
“Rachel,” he said, standing right in front of her so that she couldn’t pass. “How are you today?”
“I’m fine,” she replied, trying to sound as normal as she could.
“It didn’t take long to get over me then, did it?” he spoke sharply.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You don’t look particularly heartbroken.”
“We just had two dates, Josh and I’m sorry, I saw a side of you I didn’t like.”
“And you’re so perfect, aren’t you?”
“Of course not, but I didn’t think it would work out between us.”
“It’s because you’re in love with that Chief Inspector isn't it?”
Rachel looked down, not want
ing to commit to anything. She knew it would be easier if she said she had no interest in Taylor whatsoever, but the words wouldn’t come out.
“You’re not answering, so I suspect this is true.”
“I don’t want to talk about the Chief Inspector, Josh. It has nothing to do with you.”
“Oh but it does. I like to know who I’ve been dumped for. It’ll never last you know?”
“I didn’t dump you for him, but I would like to know why you think that a relationship with him wouldn’t work.”
"Because you’re from two different worlds. He’ll get fed up of your hectic lifestyle: long days at the T.V. studio, parties, and award ceremonies. He’ll never fit in; and then you’ve got the hotel as well. I understand this world, he doesn’t.”
“He’s probably more adaptable than you think, but nothing has happened between us. You’re just guessing that I gave you up for him.”
“That’s even worse, Rachel, you gave me up, a real live man, for a dream. Well, good luck. You’ll need it.”
Rachel stared at Josh before speaking again. “What are you doing here anyway? I thought you disapproved of Carlotta?”
“I just wanted to see how she was.”
“There is a police officer at the door, Josh.”
“God, you must hate me. I’m not going to kill her.”
With that, he left Rachel standing in the middle of the corridor.
I don’t hate you Josh, but I don’t trust your moods. Thank goodness I did give you up. Even if I never go out with Taylor, that’s better than having a relationship with you. You are a sore loser and I don’t like that in a man.
* * *
Josh felt particularly stressed after seeing Rachel. He had liked her, in fact he had always liked her, even as a child, but she had made a fool of him and that made him angry, very angry. She had dropped him so easily and he would pay her back; it might not be now, in fact it could be in a year or two, but he didn’t forget things like this. Yes when the opportunity arose, he would take it.
What on earth did she see in that Chief Inspector? Granted he wasn’t bad looking, but he was as dull as dishwater and he wouldn’t fit into their world at all. He would embarrass Rachel and it would serve her right. Anyway, was Taylor actually interested in her? Josh hoped not. Then she would be made to look a fool as well, particularly if she asked him out to dinner and he turned her down. Josh laughed to himself. He was cheering up already.
Death of a Dancer Page 13
