‘Go ahead, sir,’ Prasanna said when he was ready with his book and pencil.
‘I want to talk to Boris Goncharov again. What I need you to do, is find out when the rest of the circus people last saw him and his brother, Alexei. Izabella Rabach claimed that after she checked her equipment for the show at twelve o’clock, she went to eat with the rest of the crew then walked around for a while on her own; apparently this is something she does to clear her head before a show. She tells me people saw her at the meal, but I want you to make sure she’s telling the truth. And find out if anyone saw her walking around afterward. You may as well ask about Tatiana’s movements too, and generally, ask if anyone noticed anything out of the ordinary going on before the show yesterday.’
He glanced at Prasanna after he’d finished writing in his notebook. ‘You look doubtful, Sergeant.’
‘How shall I talk to them, sir? I think most of them only speak Russian.’
‘I’m sure we’ll find someone to help you.’
Kumar must have picked up quite a bit of Russian in his travels with the circus, thought de Silva, and from his own point of view, it was easy being able to talk to him in Tamil. On the other hand, the circus people might be more forthcoming with someone of their own nationality. Gordo the clown came to mind. He had been obliging yesterday, and his English seemed reasonably good.
‘You’d better tell him about Alexei’s death if the news hasn’t already got out,’ he said when he had told Prasanna who he had in mind. ‘But first,’ he went on, ‘we need something to eat. It might be some time before there’s a chance of lunch.’
The Morris idled along the main thoroughfare that bisected the bazaar until de Silva spotted the stall he wanted. Parking the car, he purchased bowls of vegetable curry and rice for them both and they ate it standing up, then after a short stop at Prasanna’s home, they set off on the road that led uphill to the racecourse.
As luck would have it, they found Gordo without any difficulty. Like most of the circus folk, he was dozing in the shade at the tented camp. When de Silva explained what he wanted, the clown readily agreed to help. There was no need to tell him about Alexei’s death; Boris had called the crew together earlier that morning and made the announcement.
‘I’ll leave you to it, then,’ said de Silva. ‘Come and find me when you’ve finished. If I’m not up here, Prasanna, I’ll be waiting for you down at the car.’
**
After she had waved de Silva off, Jane telephoned the Hebdens’ house. A servant answered, and she waited while he went to fetch Emerald.
‘If you’re going to church,’ said Jane when her friend came on the line, ‘would you mind giving me a lift? Shanti has taken the car, and I’m not expecting him back in time.’
‘Of course. Shall I pick you up at half past ten?’
‘That would be lovely. Thank you.’
She spoke to the cook, and as she would be eating alone, ordered a light lunch, then spent an hour writing letters. At ten o’clock, she put down her pen and went to get ready for church. She had just put on her hat when Emerald drove in.
‘David’s taken the Land Rover,’ she said as Jane slipped into the Austin 7’s passenger seat. The roads are likely to be rough where they’re going. I’m sorry you missed him this morning. He was very keen to be off early.’
‘Never mind. Shanti will talk to him when he gets back.’
‘Have there been any developments at the circus? Shanti told me Boris Goncharov’s brother had been found dead, but I didn’t like to detain him with questions. It was obvious he was busy. But David mentioned they found some grease on the high wire, and there might have been foul play.’
‘Yes, and that’s why Shanti wanted David to see the body. He was hoping he might be able to tell whether Alexei was dead before the rope was put around his neck.’
Emerald frowned. ‘That sounds very mysterious. If it was the case, where would it lead?’
‘Do you promise not to breathe a word?’
‘Of course.’
‘Shanti thinks Boris might be involved, but I’d better not say any more.’
‘Goodness. Who else knows?’
‘Archie does, because Shanti made a report to him, but apparently he isn’t showing much interest in the case. Shanti thinks it’s because none of the people involved are British, or even local for that matter.’
They had reached the centre of town, where Emerald had to slow down to negotiate bullock carts and wandering pedestrians as well as other cars. ‘That doesn’t surprise me,’ she remarked. ‘The people from the Residence I’ve spoken to recently say all he can talk about is the war in Europe.’
Jane sighed. ‘I suppose it’s inevitable he’s worried, and I’m sure he’s not the only one.’
A few minutes later, they turned into the church drive and found a place to park. Up in the church’s low square tower, the bells that had been chiming merrily slowed to a solemn, repeating note. Quickening their step, they went through the lychgate to join the queue of people filing in.
Nice as Reverend Peters was, his sermons were never very inspired, thought Jane, as they reached that stage of the service. She wondered whether he wrote them himself or found them in a book; she guessed the latter. He was probably far happier cultivating his orchids, or as Mrs Peters had now divulged, studying snakes, than thinking up and polishing sermons. After he came to the end, there were a few more prayers and a final hymn before the congregation went out into the sunshine, shaking hands with him on the way.
Emerald went to speak to a friend, and Jane heard a familiar voice hail her.
‘Good morning!’
She turned to find a smiling Archie with Florence on his arm.
‘It’s good afternoon now, dear,’ said Florence. ‘How are you, Jane? Are you by yourself? Can we offer you a lift home?’
‘That’s most kind of you, but Emerald Hebden is taking me back. She drove us over here.’
‘Ah, of course,’ said Archie jovially. ‘Hebden’s away fishing, lucky fellow. I know the stretch of river he and his friends have chosen. A good spot. They should have excellent sport.’
Emerald returned to join them. ‘I was just hearing about the burglary at the de Vere plantation on Friday,’ she said when greetings had been exchanged. Jane recognised the name of the family who owned one of the largest tea plantations in the Hatton area. It was odd that Shanti hadn’t mentioned it.
Florence’s chins wobbled as she shuddered theatrically. ‘Poor Margaret de Vere was beside herself when I telephoned to commiserate. All her family diamonds have been taken, and most of the jewellery that Henry’s given her over the years that they’ve been married. She only had one or two pieces with her. They’d gone down to Kandy for a few days leaving the house servants in charge.’
‘There’s no suggestion that any of them are responsible,’ said Archie. ‘They’ve all been with the family for many years. And in any case, it must have been a professional job. Whoever took the jewellery had to be capable of cracking the safe where it was kept.’
‘The thieves broke in during the night,’ Florence went on. ‘It makes one afraid to sleep in one’s bed.’
‘I don’t think you need to be anxious, my dear,’ said Archie. ‘Security at the Residence has been tightened up since the Tankerton business. It’s well guarded. Or you, ladies,’ he added in a reassuring tone that was, thought Jane, kindly meant, although she wasn’t sure how he could be certain.
George and Charlotte Appleby came over to join the little group.
‘We were discussing this dreadful burglary at the de Vere plantation,’ said Florence.
Charlotte Appleby put a hand to the pretty necklace at her throat.
‘Don’t worry, Charlotte,’ said her husband. ‘We have enough dogs around the place to chase off any number of burglars.’ The Applebys were well-known for rescuing strays.
‘Do you think they’ll be caught, Mr Clutterbuck?’ asked Charlotte.
‘I
spoke to Inspector Singh at Hatton this morning. He’s pulling out all the stops but it’s early days yet.’
‘Will your husband be involved, Mrs de Silva?’
Jane noticed Archie give her a sharp look and interpreted it as a warning not to mention that de Silva was likely to be busy with events at the circus. If he was keen to avoid the subject, she had no intention of rocking the boat. She was also feeling a little piqued that this was the first she’d heard of the burglary, and she didn’t want it to show. Surely, if Archie knew about it, Shanti must too. It wasn’t like him to keep things from her.
‘I’ve no doubt that he’ll be happy to help if Inspector Singh needs another pair of hands,’ she said.
Florence tapped Archie on the arm. ‘We must be on our way, dear. I hope you haven’t forgotten we have guests coming to lunch.’
‘No, I haven’t forgotten.’ Archie’s tone hinted that he might have preferred a quiet Sunday afternoon snoozing with the newspaper. He tipped his hat. ‘A pleasure to see you, ladies. Appleby.’
As they moved off down the path towards the lychgate, Jane found herself walking with George Appleby while Emerald chatted to his wife.
‘Emerald tells me you and your husband have acquired two kittens,’ he said. Jane recalled that he was the government veterinary officer for the district.
‘Yes, they’re dear little things. They just turned up in the garden. We think their mother may have been killed by a wild animal.’
Appleby sighed. ‘I fear that’s not uncommon. Stray cats and dogs are very much at risk from all kinds of dangers. I’m keen to start a programme of neutering to do something to tackle the problem but regrettably, such matters are not a high priority with our political masters.’
Jane frowned. She hadn’t given any thought to the issue of neutering.
‘I’d advise it if you don’t plan to breed from them,’ said Appleby when she asked him. ‘For the males, it’s a common operation that has the added benefit of dissuading them from wandering. It’s less common with females. Although advances in veterinary medicine have made the process far safer than it used to be, the procedure is more invasive. Do you know how old they are?’
‘We think they were only a couple of months old when we found them, and they’ve been with us for about six months now.’
‘Then if you want to have it done, it’s high time. If you like, I’ll give them a general check over too. Just give the surgery a call and the receptionist will make you an appointment.’
Jane thanked him and joined Emerald at the car.
‘What a nice man George Appleby is,’ she remarked as they drove away. ‘He was asking about Billy and Bella and made some helpful suggestions. I must speak to Shanti about them.’
‘Yes, George takes animal welfare very seriously.’
‘I hope you’re not worried about being alone while David’s away,’ said Jane after a short silence.
‘Because of the de Vere burglary, do you mean? Gracious no.’ Emerald smiled. ‘David’s very generous, but my collection of jewellery hardly compares with Mrs de Vere’s. Anyway, David left Jasper with me. He’d bark the house down if he thought there were intruders about.’
Another silence fell.
‘Is something wrong?’ asked Emerald.
Jane frowned. ‘I’m rather surprised Shanti didn’t mention this burglary to me.’
‘I expect there’s a simple explanation,’ said Emerald soothingly.
‘Do you think so?’
Emerald nodded, and Jane felt slightly mollified. ‘From the sound of it, my collection can’t compete with Mrs de Vere’s either. But Florence may have more cause for alarm. I’ve seen her wearing some pieces that look valuable. Her diamond necklace, and that gold brooch set with emeralds, amongst other things.’
‘But Archie said that the Residence is very secure. To say nothing of Angel.’
Jane chuckled. Florence’s feisty little household mop of a dog would be a daunting prospect for any burglar who wanted his ankles to remain unscathed.
‘Dear old Darcy would just lick them to death,’ Emerald added.
She slowed to go through the gate into the drive at Sunnybank and pulled up in front of the bungalow. There was no sign of the Morris.
‘As we’re both on our own today,’ said Jane, ‘would you like to join me for lunch? It will just be a light one.’
‘A light lunch is perfect. I forgot to arrange anything with our cook, and it’s so dull eating alone.’
Jane opened the car door, and Billy and Bella appeared from behind a bush and trotted over. Emerald bent down to stroke them. ‘It must be nice that there’s always someone to welcome you when you come home.’
‘Yes, it is. I can’t imagine how we managed without them.’
**
Leaving Prasanna and Gordo, de Silva asked the first person he met for the way to Boris Goncharov’s tent. In the heat of the day, it was a reasonable place to start looking for him.
As he walked, he was interested to see that the atmosphere around the camp was a little livelier than it had been the previous night. A juggler was practising his skills, the red, yellow and silver balls catching the light as he tossed them in the air. Elsewhere, a contortionist tied himself in a seemingly impossible series of knots. More people in the groups around the tents were talking. Not for the first time, it struck him how remarkable was the human race’s ability to recover from a setback.
Nearing the tent where he had been told he would find Boris, he heard raised voices. One of them belonged to a woman and the other he recognised as Boris’s. A few steps from the entrance flap, he hung back, not sure that it was advisable to barge in. It was unfortunate that he was not able to understand what was being said, but he had an idea who the woman might be.
A moment later, confirming his guess, Nadia swept out, the expression on her plump face filled with indignation. She flashed him a dismissive look before stomping off. After a prudent pause, he pushed aside the heavy canvas flap and went into the tent.
Boris, who had been facing in the other direction, swung round barking out a string of angry words in Russian, then he stopped; his face shone with sweat and a vein at his temple pulsed with heated blood.
‘Good afternoon, sir. I’m sorry to intrude.’
Boris rallied. ‘No need for apology,’ he grunted, gesturing towards the table and chairs in one corner of the tent. ‘Please, sit.’
De Silva followed him and sat down. Boris leant back in his chair with his arms folded over his burly chest. He made the furniture look as if it had been made for a doll’s house.
‘So,’ he said, frowning. ‘You have questions?’
‘I understand from Nadia that the relationship between your late brother and Tatiana Petrovna was a troubled one. She believes it was what led your brother to end his life, but if you take a different view, I’d be grateful if you would tell me what that is.’
With a sigh that seemed to come from deep down, Boris shook his head. ‘No difference.’
‘So, as far as you are aware, Alexei had no other serious problems. Over money, perhaps?’
Boris shook his head.
De Silva hesitated. The next question was bound to be a difficult one. Even if Boris no longer harboured romantic feelings for Tatiana, she had been like a sister to him. De Silva had no siblings, but he could imagine the pain of thinking that one might be responsible for another’s death.
‘Did he ever say, or imply, that he would hurt Tatiana?’
Boris flushed. ‘Alexei had bad temper, but I never hear him say this. If someone touch wire, it is Izabella. Or one of my people make mistake and lie to me,’ he added grimly.
De Silva saw the flush deepen. He wondered if that was true but decided not to press the Russian.
‘When did you last see your brother?’
‘On Friday.’ He stopped to think. ‘About ten o’clock in evening. I get message Alexei will not do show for yesterday.’
‘Why was that
?’
‘Two horses are lame.’
‘Did you accept that was a good enough reason?’
‘No! I go to speak with him and say put on show with other horses!’
That bore out what Gordo had said.
‘We talk, but he does not change mind.’ Sadness clouded Boris’s face. ‘This is like Alexei. I tell him think about it and I come back in morning.’ He sighed. ‘But in morning I do not. There is much to do, and I do not want fight. Maybe we are friends; maybe not.’
If Boris was innocent, de Silva felt sorry for him. For the rest of his days, Boris would have to live with not knowing if they would have patched the argument up. But was his sorrow all an act? If so, it was a good one.
‘What did you do instead?’ he asked.
‘I make sure everything ready for show. Then I come back here.’
‘Do you remember what time that was?’
Boris thought for a moment. ‘Half past eleven maybe. I stay here until it is time for show.’
‘Did you not go to eat lunch?’
‘No. I do not eat before show.’ He smiled wanly. ‘Nadia will tell you I eat like bear after.’
‘When did you last see Tatiana?’
‘Before I come back to tent. She is on high wire, making check.’
‘Was Izabella there too?’
Boris frowned. ‘No, I did not see her before show.’
If Izabella made her check at twelve, that was plausible.
‘Is the main tent usually deserted at lunchtime?’
‘I think so.’
‘I couldn’t help hearing that you and Nadia were having a disagreement over something just now. May I ask what it was?’
The flush on Boris’s cheeks, which had been fading, returned. De Silva hoped he had not overstepped the mark. But then Boris shrugged. ‘Nothing is right for her today,’ he said bitterly. ‘She is sad for Tatiana Petrovna and Alexei Ivanovich, but what can I do?’
Briefly, de Silva caught a glimpse of a little boy who wanted his nurse to comfort, not scold him. ‘She say maybe Izabella innocent and I do nothing for her,’ Boris went on. ‘I tell her Izabella safe with you, but she is not satisfied.’
[Inspector de Silva 09] - High Wire in Nuala Page 8
