Whisper the Dead

by Stella Cameron

  ‘You went to the police?’

  ‘I told Winifred. That woman must have found out—seen me talking to Winifred, I expect. So she killed her to punish me.’

  THIRTY-TWO

  Once more they followed in the wake of fire engines blaring and flashing through the graying of early evening. This time the only remaining snow was caught in crevices along drystone walls and covered with black grime thrown by vehicle wheels.

  Bill drove. He had slept more than Dan who propped his jaw with an elbow precariously juddering on the rim of a closed car window.

  The radio emitted signals and voices, one after another. ‘Guv?’ It was Sergeant Miller’s speaking.

  ‘Here, Miller,’ Dan said.

  ‘The fire’s on the east side of Trap Hill. Vehicle driven between rocky outcroppings and set there. Or that’s what they’re saying happened. It’s well under way.’

  ‘Was Robert Hill the only one to call it in?’

  ‘No, guv. His wife did, too. Mrs Esme Hill. She was out riding and saw it.’

  ‘Do we know if the vehicle was occupied?’

  ‘Not yet, sir.’

  ‘Right. There shortly. Make sure the scene is protected. There could be no connection to anything we’re interested in but just in case … extra caution.’ He signed off.

  ‘Ashton’s at the parish hall in Folly and he’s been over the maps,’ Bill said. ‘That seems like a fair distance away from Knighton itself, but that land still belongs to Hill. He owns a bloody country over there.’

  Following the fire vehicles, they started making a wide circle around what Dan had assumed, incorrectly, was the entire Knighton estate. The wind picked up, buffeting the car and slapping the odd broken branch across the road. A rumble set up, long and low. ‘Thunder,’ Dan said, glancing at his partner. It was a little while before lightning flared along distant hills, swelling and fading like a reflected firestorm.

  Dan rolled down his window an inch in time to hear the crackle and then a muffled boom. ‘Nothing like some well-timed sound effects.’

  ‘The engines are turning here,’ Bill said, making a left and climbing what must be Trap Hill. Mud sprayed in fans from the tires.

  Half a mile and a fireman flagged them down. Bill opened his window and the man bent to look at him. ‘Police,’ Bill said, holding up his warrant card.

  ‘No point trying to get closer,’ the man said. Water dripped from his helmet. ‘One of your lot already tried to put in a perimeter but everything’s shifting with the fire and the weather. The vehicle is about gone. I’d say it’s burned out completely.’

  A tall figure flapped downhill toward them, dark hair plastered to his head, mud covering his boots and a good deal of his heavy coat.

  ‘Robert Hill,’ Dan said.

  ‘He called us in,’ the fireman commented. ‘He’ll have been sent down, too. Best wait for our chief to give you the go ahead before you carry on up there. We won’t be letting anyone get closer yet.’

  Bob Hill went to Dan’s side of the car. ‘I’m no expert,’ he said, ‘but from the shape of what’s left, I’m just about sure that was a Jeep. Don’t ask me what kind. If it’s the one I saw at the site, I couldn’t tell you much about that, either.’

  ‘Get in,’ Dan said, unlocking the back door and relocking after Hill was in the seat. ‘How did you know what was happening?’

  ‘My wife called me. She was riding back to Knighton and saw the flames. She said she’d called for police and fire but wanted me to do it as well to make sure. Her signal wasn’t sounding good. She didn’t have a clear connection. When she mentioned she’d got close enough to see a green vehicle it seemed too much of a coincidence so that’s why I tried to get hold of you, but I couldn’t get through. You do remember me telling you I thought it might be a green Jeep I saw.’

  ‘I remember.’

  Tony’s clinic assistant, Radhika, had made them tea but Gladys still looked frozen. With the news that Beverly was dead and couldn’t be hanging around that area, her spirits had lifted, but a message from Dan suggesting she shouldn’t go home yet had clearly frightened her again. She would not try to think who her attacker had actually been.

  They sat together in the small office that doubled as an overflow for caged and recovering animals. The cages were all empty but Milkshake, a long-haired tortoiseshell Radhika had acquired as the clinic cat by what Tony called nefarious means – the excuse for adopting the cat was that she would, in extreme situations, make blood donations – Milkshake slunk past Gladys giving her the stink-eye she reserved for strangers.

  ‘Nice cup of tea,’ Gladys said into the silence.

  ‘Good.’ Radhika, strikingly framed by the deep green of her sari showing at the neck of her white coat, smiled at Gladys. ‘Sergeant Lamb promised to get back to you soon and he always does as he says he will.’

  Alex caught Tony’s eye and he grinned. They continued to have an oddly matched and strangely fascinating love story evolving before them.

  The phone rang and Alex doubted she was the only one who jumped. Radhika picked up. ‘Folly Animal Hospital.’ Tony had renamed his small animal clinic. ‘Oh, yes, yes indeed. Would you like to speak with her? Oh, very well then. Mr Frank Lymer will come for her. I shall tell her. But the rest of us should wait here. Yes, thank you. I will, I promise. And so should you. Goodbye.’

  Radhika looked around. ‘Not very remarkable, but Sergeant Lamb said your husband is coming for you, Gladys. They are no longer concerned about you going home.’

  ‘But why were they concerned?’ Gladys frowned around the room. ‘Don’t you think it’s funny not to say why I shouldn’t go home then say I can, but not tell me why about any of it?’

  ‘It is a bit,’ Alex said. Honesty couldn’t hurt in this case. It was funny, as Gladys put it. ‘But look on the bright side. If they aren’t worried about you, neither should you be.’

  ‘The rest of us should wait here but what was it you promised Sergeant Lamb, Radhika?’ Alex asked innocently.

  ‘To take care of myself,’ Radhika announced, sounding defiant. ‘We are concerned for one another always. I think you know that. I am very lucky.’

  ‘And so is he,’ Tony said; tritely, Alex thought.

  They heard the bell at the back door of the clinic and Gladys jumped up. Tony walked out behind her, leaving Alex and Radhika alone – except for Milkshake who now curled up on Radhika’s lap, spreading black and golden hairs on her white coat.

  Tony returned and let out a sigh. ‘That’s some of the tension gone but I’m still concerned about that long loose end. Who took up where Beverly left off?’

  ‘Let’s not worry about it tonight,’ Alex said. ‘I wish Dan and Bill would come and ask or say what’s on their minds, so we could go home.’

  The doorbell rang again and all three of them laughed, if nervously. ‘I hope this is a case of saved by the bell,’ Tony said. He got up again. ‘We could move into the sitting room.’

  ‘It’s warmer in here,’ Radhika said. ‘And I don’t want to wake Milkshake up.’

  Tony grunted and left the room once more to return only minutes later with the two detectives.

  ‘Oh, my,’ Alex said before she could stop herself. ‘I’m sorry but you both look awful. I thought I was tired but—’

  ‘We’re buckling,’ Dan said, interrupting her. ‘But we haven’t fallen yet. Question, Alex. When you were at the Hill site on the night of the trailer fire, did you see a vehicle driving out?’

  She shook her head, no.

  ‘You’re absolutely sure? Think about it.’

  Alex looked aside, trying to remember being among the new houses and seeing the start of the fire, the black, oily smoke. ‘No – except, yes I did, but not right there. I was driving up that rough road toward the new village. A utility vehicle came at me like the proverbial bat. Nearly hit me then shot past. I was shaken up and sat there for a minute before carrying on.’

  Dan looked dubious. ‘First you say
you didn’t see a moving vehicle then you talk about almost being hit.’

  His manner irritated her. ‘That’s right. When I was focused on a trailer fire and a man in trouble, I didn’t think about almost being hit. I’ve had a lot on my mind since then.’

  ‘So you have,’ Dan agreed. ‘A utility vehicle perhaps. That’s what you’re suggesting. Any idea of the make.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Large, small, new, old, color, license plates?’

  ‘Not large. Not small. Could be new or old because the mud on it made it camouflage color – or that’s as close as I can come. And license plates? You’ve got to be joking.’

  Dan whistled tunelessly.

  ‘We’re all tired and irritable,’ Bill said. He grabbed a straight back chair, pushed it toward Dan and got a second one for himself. ‘Some camouflage is sandy and brown, some is green and beige and brown. Roughly.’

  ‘Mostly mud in this case,’ Alex said. ‘With some green, I suppose. But I wouldn’t swear to it.’

  ‘You don’t have to, me darlin’,’ Dan said with a grin that surprised Alex. His Irish brogue was usually reserved for humorous moments so she assumed he was at least pleased with her response.

  ‘Does that mean we can all go home?’ Tony asked. He didn’t look amused. ‘And could you let us know if you have any suspects for the woman who took over from Beverly Irving to watch Lily and Alex. I don’t know what makes you so sure everything’s sewn up safely because Beverly died.’

  ‘Nothing’s sewn up safely. Would you say, Bill?’

  ‘Yes indeed, guv. I would say so. We’re a murderer – or two – short for a start. Frank Lymer’s in the clear which is why Gladys needed to wait with you until we were sure. He knows they need to be vigilant. Thank you for the report on what Gladys told you, by the way, Alex. Very, very helpful. It’s cleared up a lot of questions. Unfortunately, our band of clever elves in Gloucester has turned up information that puts us back where we were with one aspect of these cases but does in fact simplify another.’

  Bill went to Radhika and held out his hands. She deposited the cat in his arms and it crawled to drape over his shoulder where it had obviously spent time on other occasions.

  ‘I take it you’d like me to finish up here, Bill?’ Dan said but he sounded even enough. ‘Evidently Beverly Irving found a means of getting herself on someone else’s death certificate.’

  ‘Oh, no,’ Alex exclaimed. ‘I don’t believe it.’

  ‘Believe it. And now logic would suggest she’d be walking around in the identity of the person buried as Beverly but that didn’t happen. Her ashes were interred with all the right official steps – with her name and details supplanting those of a woman who had really died and been cremated. The deceased’s identity can’t be released yet, not that she has any interested family apparently. Our Beverly thought of everything until she must have undergone a brain-change and brought attention to herself. I think she really believed Lily and Alex and Gladys would keep quiet because she could control them.’

  ‘But who is she and where is she?’ Alex said. ‘I mean who is she pretending to be and where is she?’

  ‘Hey ho,’ Dan said, pushing to his feet. ‘It’s off to bed we go. Maybe the answers to the questions will come to us in dreams.’

  THIRTY-THREE

  ‘Do you see anything different? With the sisters?’ Hugh studiously made a point of not looking toward the fireplace. The night was bitter and a stout fire roared up the chimney.

  ‘They’ve complained about being cold so you built an extra big fire for them?’ Alex suggested.

  ‘Dopey answer, Alex,’ Hugh said. ‘Look again.’

  She stared for a few moments. ‘Oh, no. Two covered grocery wheelies. Tell me the second one has their shopping in it. Max is on the table, as usual.’

  Hugh pulled a beer for Kev Winslet and poured a glass of Cinzano for his lovely little wife, Fay, who rarely accompanied her big, often loud, husband. If his bluster bothered her, she showed no sign, rather Fay looked at him with undisguised fondness.

  ‘Well,’ Alex said when Hugh turned back to her. ‘Is there another cat in the Burke family?’

  ‘No. At least I’m told there isn’t.’

  ‘This is a ploy to take my mind off the current nastiness, isn’t it? You’re not funny, Hugh, and it isn’t working. Not a word from O’Reilly and Lamb since last night. I’m choking on my own nerves.’

  ‘A ploy? I’d use a ploy lightly? Never. It’s a dog, I think.’

  Alex shook her head. ‘No, it’s not. That’s silly. Can you imagine those cats with a new dog in their house?’

  ‘I’m just passing along some news, that’s all. If you want to abuse me for it, I’m a big boy.’ His grin was shark-like.

  Leaving the counter and walking quickly to the sisters’ table, Alex asked, more abruptly than she’d intended, ‘Have you got a dog?’

  The red tartan blanket across Harriet’s knees moved and a tiny white dog pushed out its head. Bright black eyes regarded Alex, sadly she thought, and a long, very pink tongue protruded from the side of a closed mouth.

  Alex leaned over and scratched the dog’s nose, rubbed between her ears and finally planted a kiss on her head. ‘You took in Lillie Belle. Thank you, ladies, but aren’t the cats having fits?’

  ‘Oliver ignores her and Max thinks she’s a kitten that barks. She barks and he taps her with one paw, like an irritated mother, and Lillie Belle stops barking. It’s really working very well.’

  ‘You’re the kindest, nicest people I know. I didn’t even think about where she was.’

  ‘That glamorous Mrs Hill and her son just came in,’ Harriet said in a low voice. ‘I wonder if they’ve picked a winner for the contest. If they have, someone will be very happy.’

  ‘I’ll be glad when it’s over. Talk to you later.’ With a sinking stomach, Alex turned around to see Esme and Grant Hill talking expansively at the counter while Hugh listened politely. When he saw Alex coming, he gave a wave. He didn’t deal well with overpowering people and was ready for her to take over.

  ‘Good evening,’ she said. ‘Lovely to see you. I hope you had an easier drive tonight. At least we’re only getting rain, not snow.’ She came close to wincing. Her heritage was showing. The British could always use weather to make empty conversation.

  Esme threw her arms around Alex in a smothering hug, murmuring how thrilled she was to see her. Over the woman’s shoulder, she met the cold eyes of Grant Hill who would never make an actor if it meant covering his real feelings. He detested Alex.

  She untangled herself from Esme, smiling as she did so. She was saved from welcoming Grant. He turned his back to her and ordered drinks.

  ‘Bob,’ Alex heard Esme exclaim.

  Bob Hill joined his family. He looked at Alex. ‘My poor family isn’t used to me turning up like this,’ he said. ‘Workaholics like me get bad reputations for being no-shows but I’m working on improving, aren’t I?’ He gave his wife’s shoulders a squeeze.

  Esme rested her head on his shoulder and smiled at him.

  ‘Audra changed her mind about having a night in and came with me,’ Bob said, searching around. ‘Where did she go? Oh, might have known. She’s persuading people they wanted to move so we can have the biggest table.’ He cast his eyes upward.

  Audra, Lady Mekins, was indeed pouring the charm onto a couple at the largest table in the bar and they were in the process of moving to share a smaller table with another couple. Inwardly, Alex cringed but the new tablemates seemed quite happy with the arrangement.

  ‘What’ll you have, Dad?’ Grant asked and Alex took in a sharp breath.

  The delight on the son’s face at the sight of his father almost hurt to watch.

  ‘Orange juice and tonic,’ Bob said. ‘It’ll be gin and tonic time for Audra. How are you, Alex?’

  ‘Well, thank you.’ She didn’t belong with this group. ‘We’re having a busy night but that’s how we like it.’

&
nbsp; ‘It’s the atmosphere and the way you treat people that brings in the folks. You make them want to come. That’s a gift.’

  He embarrassed her. ‘Thank you. Please make yourselves comfortable.’

  ‘We’ve picked a winner for our pub name,’ Grant said, still not cracking a smile at her. ‘Would you like to make the announcement?’

  ‘Why not let your father do it. Everyone would like to put a face to his name.’

  Bob accepted a piece of paper from Grant, and some envelopes, and said, ‘Hello, everybody. I’m Bob Hill. For my sins, the new village near Winchcombe is being built by my company. I won’t bore you by going on about how good it’s going to be for the area. Now, what are we going to call the new pub there when it’s built?’ He waved the envelopes. ‘And who wins a thousand pounds? From this, I see there’s a second place of four hundred and an honorable mention good for a hundred. Sounds very nice. Let’s see what we’ve got.’

  He looked at the paper and chuckled.

  Alex noticed her mother slip through the archway leading to the restaurant and inn. She stood against the wall, her head on one side. It did Alex good to see Lily interested again.

  ‘The first prize goes to The Cock and Bull, submitted by Alfred Short. Is Alfred here?’

  A red-faced local farmer got up amid shouts and cheers. He came forward to accept his prize. ‘A round on me,’ he announced to the bar. ‘Nothing over a pound apiece, mind you.’

  Everyone laughed.

  Kev Winslet got second for Bottoms Up and the honorable mention went to new incomer, Basil Lloyd-Edwards with Heads It Was Queenie, which Alex decided was a stretch for most imaginations.

  Alfred Short bought drinks for all who wanted them and the atmosphere rose to a roaring pitch.

  Smiling, Bob put an arm around Alex’s shoulders. ‘This is something,’ he said over the din.

  What Alex felt was Grant’s eyes boring into her. She looked away and he walked rapidly to Lady Mekins’ table where he stood behind the woman and leaned down to talk into her ear. Grant raised his face to stare at Alex but Lady Mekins frowned at him and shook his head. What Alex wouldn’t give to be able to hear what he was saying about her. Whatever it was, he didn’t seem to be getting a positive reaction.