Pippa looked at him in surprise. “Who are you talking about?”
“Francis. He loves you, but you didn’t notice him because you were smitten by Richard’s charm. Now that Richard is not here to toy with your affections, things will be clearer. Francis knew the risks involved, but he agreed to my plan to be arrested along with you because he loves you. He followed you and Richard several times because he knew that Richard was not being faithful to you after seeing him with Felicity.”
“Thank you, Detective, but he’ll not want me after all that has happened.”
“Let’s ask him, shall we?”
Pippa nodded and wiped her tears. Dermot walked out and called Francis, who was standing in front of the library door. Dermot whispered in Francis’ ear. Francis nodded and went into the drawing room.
Dermot closed the drawing room door and then walked towards the front door where Alice was waiting for him.
“Thank you for everythin’, Detective. Poor Abigail! I’m sure she’s at peace now.”
As he was about to speak, the cat appeared and stood in front of them. Alice picked it up and cradled it in her arms like a baby.
Dermot reached out and stroked the cat. “Abigail lives in this cat,” he said as the cat purred loudly. “She led me to the tunnel and helped me solve a puzzling part of the case.”
“I’ll name her Abby after Abigail. It’ll feel like she’s back with me.” The rain started coming down heavily again. “Oh, look at that rain. Do you want an umbrella, Detective?”
“No, thank you. After the heat of these past few weeks, the rain will feel good. Good day to you, Alice.”
Dermot wrapped his briefcase in his coat and walked out of the front door, closing it behind him. He pulled his hat down lower and then walked towards his car.
— — —
Two days later…
Detective Duncan Newman Lloyd was in his office reading a report. A lit cigarette sat in the ashtray beside him, almost burnt to the filter. He was so engrossed in the report that he had hardly taken two puffs.
Dermot patiently sat opposite Detective Lloyd while he continued reading the report. He had learnt a lot from his superior and had the utmost respect for him. When Detective Lloyd finished reading the report, he looked at Dermot with pride. “Congratulations on solving your first solo case. I knew you could do it. Inspector Enderby is very impressed with your abilities and can’t stop singing your praises.”
“Thank you, sir. I have Miss Cartwright from the London Library and also the vicar’s wife to thank for guiding me in the right direction.”
Detective Lloyd laughed. “You’re so right, Dermot. But there’s something I do not understand. Why did Major Havelock lie about when he rejoined his unit? It was that lie which aroused your suspicions, right?” he asked as he caressed his neatly groomed moustache.
“Correct. But he wasn’t aware that Slattery had written about him rejoining his unit on the fifth of September. Lord Fitzhugh had made them swear to never to speak of that incident and he knew that if I found out when the De Villiers were arrested then he would be in trouble. When I read that section of Slattery’s memoir again, I knew that he was hiding something.”
“What made you suspect that Miss Carter stole the dagger in order to frame Arthur?”
“When we first interviewed her, she brought it to our attention that Arthur had brought an antique dagger with him from India. However, when I asked her later if she had seen the murder weapon when she entered Lady Fitzhugh’s bedroom after the murder, she said she hadn’t. That got me suspicious that she was involved. Why had she mentioned the dagger to me if she hadn’t seen the murder weapon? She didn’t know that Arthur had taken the dagger when he entered Lady Fitzhugh’s bedroom. When I realised that she was lying about who attacked Abigail and her, I was certain that she was involved.”
“Miss Carter – or as we now know her to be, Eliza Fitzhugh – was brilliant at planning the murders and getting Richard or Peter De Villiers to execute some of them,” said Detective Lloyd. “What is strange is that Eliza was at both places when Lord Fitzhugh committed his crimes due to his greed. The chances of that happening are very rare!”
“You’re right, sir – one in a million! There are bizarre things that happen that have no explanation, but this was the way that Lord Fitzhugh’s crimes would be exposed. Unfortunately, a lot of innocent people paid dearly. I’m sure that at some point they would’ve done away with Major Havelock for helping Lord Fitzhugh get rid of Christiaan and his family.”
“I agree. What happened to the diamonds and the picture that Kerr stole?”
“We found the diamonds, the photograph that Kerr forcibly took from Lady Argyle, and also the photograph that Richard took from Sister Fleming; they were all in Richard’s flat. They’ve been entered as evidence for the trial and, once that is over, they’ll then be handed back to their rightful owners.”
“This was all so unnecessary. Nancy Campbell – the new Lady Argyle – doesn’t want any of the estate for which her father and grandmother murdered so many.”
“Yes,” said Dermot. “She must be feeling very guilty about the whole affair because they did it all for her. However, she’s happy to connect with the Fitzhugh family. It’s strange, Lord Fitzhugh’s greed started this whole sordid affair, which affected his children, grandchildren, and strangers alike.”
“Very true; the sins of the father always visit the children with tragic consequences. This case proves it,” said Detective Lloyd, closing the file. He placed the file aside and smiled. “I have some good news for you. My superior has agreed that you should have two weeks of holiday after the trial is over. I think you’ve earned it.”
Dermot smiled. “Thank you, sir. It means a great deal to me to have another break.”
“Where will you go?”
“Definitely not to Meadowford Village; you can be sure of that, sir.”
Detective Lloyd laughed heartily as Dermot bid him goodbye and left.
Epilogue
London – three weeks later…
The play, A Mistress at Hand, opened in London a week after the trial ended and was attended by all of Pippa’s family, including her two elderly aunts. They liked Francis and approved of him courting Pippa, and they grudgingly gave their blessings for Pippa to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.
After the play ended, Dermot walked out of the theatre and stood outside the entrance. A few minutes later, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw the two elderly sisters.
“Detective, we’re grateful that you brought Francis and Pippa together. They make such a delightful couple,” said Lilian.
“How did you like her performance?” asked Dermot with a smile.
“She was wonderful,” said Flora, “simply marvellous. Her French accent sounds so genuine. We didn’t know she was so talented. Cora and Hector are with her in the dressing room, and the reporters want to interview her.”
“Now that she’s getting married, we hope she will settle down and be a good mother. People of our class don’t become actresses,” said Lilian with an air of superiority.
“And people of our class shouldn’t be committing murder or cheating people. Remember what our father did, Lilian?” said Flora. “It’s better that Pippa is an actress than what you assumed she was when she came home one day with make-up on her face.”
Dermot looked puzzled. “What did you think she was working as, Mrs. Endecott?”
Lilian looked at Dermot. “A streetwalker,” she said with a smile.
Dermot laughed. “She did play the part of a mistress in this play.”
The two older sisters laugh
ed along with him.
“With the trial now over, we can all get on with our lives,” said Lilian.
“Yes, too bad that the judge didn’t grant our appeal that their death sentences be commuted to life imprisonment,” said Flora.
“They murdered so many and their families want justice. They are also guilty of blowing up the mine in South Africa, espionage against His Majesty’s Government, and defrauding the government. I’m afraid they have a lot to pay for. Makes you feel sorry for them, even though they are murderers. They are also victims of Lord Fitzhugh’s greed,” said Dermot.
“Father’s greed ruined a lot of lives. He blamed poor Sitara – an innocent woman with a heart of gold – for betraying us, but he was actually the wicked one,” said Lilian with sadness. “But whatever he was, he was still our father and that cannot be changed. Coming to know the truth has been very cathartic for me.”
“Detective, our half-sister, Irene, will now be our secretary,” said Flora. “She learnt to use the typewriter from her mother. After Irene marries Charles, he will help us manage the estate. He was very brave wrestling that gun away from Richard and that proves that he can be trusted. We are also paying for Frida’s treatment. We gave the emerald necklace to Nancy. She was reluctant at first, but we insisted because we felt that she had a right to it since it belonged to her great-grandmother.”
“And you will be happy to know that Cora has agreed to send Hector back to Harrow,” said Lilian. “Now that Allan’s good name has been restored, Hector will be looked upon as the son of a hero.”
“Good news indeed! Hector needs to be around boys of his age, and the discipline at Harrow will make him a fine young man,” said Dermot.
“Come on, Lilian, it’s time we went home. Let’s look to the future. Arthur’s on his way to Kenya with his family. Pippa will soon be married and my two daughters and their families will be coming for the wedding. We have a guest list to make.”
Lilian nodded. The two elderly sisters said goodbye to Dermot and asked him to visit them when he next came to Meadowford.
“Oh, Mrs. Endecott,” Dermot said as the two sisters walked past him. “I just thought of something. Do you know who would also make a great actor?”
“Who, Detective?”
“Arthur. He played his part well and we caught the killers,” said Dermot laughing.
“Don’t you dare suggest that, Detective,” Lilian said, amused. “Don’t you dare!”
Dermot watched them leave. He looked at the sky and saw clouds gathering again. Ever since the heatwave had ended, it had kept raining on and off as if to compensate for the many weeks of extreme warmth. He pulled his coat around him and walked towards his car.
— — —
Two days later…
As Dermot drove down a secluded road, the heavy rain turned to a slight drizzle. His parents had been adamant that he remain in Meadowford until the storm passed, but he’d assured them that the weather reports predicted that the rain would soon stop. There was an important reason why he was on this road. Relieved that he could now see the street signs more clearly, he turned off the road and drove into the street he’d been looking for.
Dermot pulled up in front of a small house with a garden brimming with flowers. Dermot grabbed a book from the back of the car, opened his umbrella, and then walked through the small gate leading to the house. He knocked on the door and, a few seconds later, it was opened by a woman in her late thirties.
Dermot introduced himself and asked if she was Mrs. Geraldine Hudson. When she confirmed it, he held out the book. “I have something which belonged to your father. It helped me to solve the case, but it is only fair that you should now have it.”
Geraldine took the book and flipped through the pages. “Father always talked about completing his memoirs that he began writing while in South Africa. He wanted to publish them. I didn’t know that he had started writing again or that he had almost finished it.” She looked up from the book at Dermot. “He was a good man,” she said tearfully, “but his foolishness is what killed him.”
Dermot comforted her and then handed her his card. “I know a publisher. Contact me when you are ready and I’ll help you.”
Geraldine thanked him and they said goodbye.
Dermot got into his car and drove off. After a few minutes, the sky began to clear and the sun shone. He could see the white cliffs of Dover and he began to hum ‘The Grand Old Duke of York’ as he drove towards the hotel.
Glossary
Anglo-Indians – Refers to at least two groups of people: those with mixed Indian and British ancestry, and those people of British descent born or living in the Indian subcontinent.
‘A spot of’ – A small amount of something (British English, informal).
Ayah – A native maid or nursemaid employed by Europeans in India.
Bai – In Hindi means ‘lady’ or ‘ma’am’.
Bairn – A child (Scottish, Northern English).
Batman – An officer’s personal servant (in the British Armed Forces).
Biscuit – Flour-based food product. American biscuits are soft and flaky and British biscuits are drier and crunchier, like an American cookie.
Blimey – Used to express one’s surprise, excitement, or alarm (British English, informal).
Boer – A member of the Dutch and Huguenot population that settled in southern Africa in the late seventeenth century.
Bohemian – A socially unconventional person, especially one who is involved in the arts.
‘Box his ears’ – Slap someone on the side of the head as a punishment or in anger.
‘Buck him up’ – To be encouraged, reinvigorated, or cheerful.
Bum – Rear end or posterior.
By Jove (Jupiter) – An exclamation used to emphasise an accompanying remark or to express surprise, approval, etc.
Chap – A boy or a man.
Char (woman and girl) – A woman employed to clean houses or offices.
Chartered Accountant (CA) – An international accounting designation granted to accounting professionals in many countries around the world, aside from the United States. In the United States, the equivalent to the CA designation is Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Cheeky – Impudent or irreverent, typically in an endearing or amusing way.
Cheerio – Used as an expression of good wishes on parting; goodbye (British English, informal).
‘Chit of a girl’ – An impudent or arrogant young woman.
‘Chock full’ – Filled to overflowing.
Cupboard (British) – Closet (American English).
Dawdle – Waste time; be slow; move slowly and idly.
‘Didn’t give a tuppence’ – To not care in the slightest (about something or someone).
Dish/dishy – A sexually attractive person of either sex.
‘Donkey’s years’ – A long, long time.
Firangi – A foreigner, especially a British or a white person (India or Pakistan).
Garibaldi biscuit – Consists of currants squashed and baked between two thin oblongs of sweet biscuit dough.
‘Grease his palm’ – To bribe one discreetly, as by slipping money into their palm.
Grille – A door with bars to see who is on the other side.
‘Hook, line and sinker’ – Used to emphasise that someone has been completely deceived or tricked.
‘I haven’t the foggiest idea’ – To not know or understand something at all.
IRA – Irish Republican Army.
Lift (British) – Elevator (American).
Lock-in – Between WWI and 2005, British pubs had to close at 11 p.m. A lock-in is a semi-legal way of holding a private party that landlords sometimes did to extend their hours. Technically it was not entirely allowed, but was often overlooked.
Marquee – A canopy projecting over the entrance to a theatre, hotel, or other building (North American). A large tent used for social or commercial functions (British).
‘Mum’s the word’ – To keep silent or quiet about a secret.
‘My eye’ – rubbish; nonsense (British). An exclamation of contradiction, astonishment, etc (American).
‘My God’ – An exclamation of astonishment.
Nappy – A piece of absorbent material wrapped around a baby’s bottom and between its legs to absorb and retain urine and faeces; a diaper.
Nautch girl – A professional dancing girl in India.
Nookie – Sexual activity or intercourse.
Official Secrets Act – First instituted in England in 1889. It is a term used in the United Kingdom for legislation that provides for the protection of state secrets and official information, mainly related to national security.
Piddle - ‘Make water’ or urinate.
Poppycock – Nonsense, rubbish.
Randy – Sexually aroused or excited.
Sassenach – Saxon born, an English person (Scottish).
Saucy – A good word for a person who really likes to flirt and be suggestive.
Sepoys – An Indian soldier serving under British or other European orders.
Shabash – A term used in the Indian subcontinent to signal commendation for an achievement, similar in meaning to bravo and kudos.
‘Spun us a yarn’ – Tell a story/lie, especially a long and drawn-out or totally fanciful one.
Stately pile – Mansion, stately home, hall, manor, big house, manor house, country house, castle, palace.
A Bloody Hot Summer Page 25
