Murder in House

by Veronica Heley

  ‘Be devious. Let her think she’s pulling the strings. Ask her opinion about everything. I agree she should keep away. We can provide the help her mother needs, don’t you think?’

  ‘Agreed. I’ll phone her in a minute. Must eat first.’

  As she returned through the hall the landline rang, and she answered it while looking at her watch. The afternoon was wearing on, and she was so hungry she felt hollow.

  ‘Mother, is that you? Are you there?’

  ‘Diana?’ Was something wrong with her daughter’s voice?

  ‘Can you come? I need . . . I don’t know what to do. I’m at the old house.’

  ‘What? No, I’m just going to have my lunch.’

  ‘I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t urgent.’ Was that a sob?

  ‘Diana? Are you all right?’

  ‘No, not really. I rang the police and they want me to go to hospital, but I can’t, not with people coming to look round the house. Stewart rescued me, but he can’t stay long. You will come, won’t you?’

  THIRTEEN

  Thursday afternoon

  Ellie stared at the receiver. Diana in trouble? Whatever next! Had she really mentioned police? Hospital? No, no. There must be some mistake. It was Mrs Belton who had needed the police and been taken to hospital.

  Stewart rescued Diana? Oh, come on! Ridiculous notion. Ellie was not going to run to Diana’s side without good reason. Diana had pulled tricks like this before and anyway, she had to eat something or she’d fall down. And, she had to phone Ursula.

  Didn’t she?

  Well, Mrs Belton was fast asleep upstairs, and it wouldn’t do any harm to postpone the call to Ursula. As for Diana . . . wait a minute. Had Diana said she was at Ellie’s old house? If she’d got into trouble there, twisted her ankle or whatever . . . well, she could jolly well wait till Ellie had eaten. How dare she try to summon her mother to her side for such a trivial matter! But, how typical!

  Police? Hospital? Ellie shrugged. She was going to eat before she did anything else, and only after she’d eaten would she take a cab over there. She would not disturb Thomas again; he had more than enough to do and needed to catch up on what he ought to have been doing that morning. She must remember to take the keys to the old house with her. Now where had she put them? In a safe place. But which safe place?

  Rose had gone off for her afternoon nap, leaving soup on the stove and a pile of sandwiches on the side. Good.

  It was nearly three when Ellie got out of the minicab at her old house. The sky was leaden, but it was not raining for once. The house looked bright and shining, lights were on in every room, and the garden was still in need of attention. The 2Ds notice board was still up. Because it had got dark so early, there were lights on in most of the surrounding houses, though none at Kate and Armand’s next door.

  Ellie rang the bell and used her key to let herself in. The house echoed to her call of ‘Hello!’ There was no response. No workmen lurked. There was a pronounced smell of new paint and freshly cut wood, and the central heating had been left to tick over. No Diana. What was going on? And then she saw the remains of a mobile phone on the floor, and drew in her breath. Oh, no. Not again!

  Footsteps came down the drive, and Diana appeared. ‘I was sitting in my car with the doors locked, waiting for you. What took you so long?’

  Diana’s face was puffy with newly created bruises, there was a cut on her mouth and her nose looked twice its normal size. The fake fur on the collar of her black winter coat had been partially torn away, and she’d lost an earring. Her voice was shaky, and so were her hands.

  Ellie thought: no, it can’t be him again! Why should he attack Diana? ‘What happened to you?’

  ‘I was showing some prospective tenants round and, as I walked them back to their car, a man came up behind me and asked if I were Mrs Quicke. I said I was Ms Quicke, yes, and he followed me back into the house, slammed the front door and started slapping me around, asking me what I’d done with his sister! I tried to say I didn’t know what he was talking about, I asked him to leave, but he didn’t stop, not for a minute. I got out my mobile to ring for the police; he wrenched it off me and stamped on it.

  ‘It was a nightmare. When I fell down, he picked me up and started all over again. And then Stewart let himself in – he’d come to check up on something the workmen had done – and this man threw me across the hall and squared up to Stewart. I thought there was going to be a fight, for Stewart’s as big as him, if not bigger. But he pushed past Stewart and ran out of the front door. I don’t understand. Did he think I was you? And if so, why?’

  Ellie said, ‘Oh, dear. How awful!’ and didn’t know how to begin to explain.

  Diana held her forefinger under her nose. ‘Is my nose bleeding again? I ran the cold water tap and bathed it, and I thought it had stopped, but . . .’ She was almost in tears.

  Ellie wanted to put her arm round her daughter, but didn’t quite dare. Diana was not one to encourage familiarity.

  Diana dabbed at her nose, sniffing. ‘Stewart rang the police for me, because I wasn’t sure which way up I was. They sent some stupid berk of a constable round who seemed to think I’d been asking for it, taking prospective tenants around by myself, and laying myself open to every nutter that passed by. He even asked if it were Stewart who’d attacked me! I ask you!’

  ‘What was his name? The policeman.’

  ‘How should I know? Maybe Stewart remembers, for I don’t. After he’d gone, I sat in Stewart’s car while he went to see if Kate were in so that she could look after me for a bit, but she wasn’t there. Then he locked me in, and went to the Avenue to get me some sweetened tea and some biscuits, because I’m such a sight I couldn’t go anywhere.

  ‘The tea made me feel better, but I didn’t know what to do about the next client that was due, because Denis can’t leave the office if I’m out on the job. I rang him and told him what had happened and he took the same line as the police, that I’d asked for it! Can you believe it? In the end Stewart agreed to show my clients round for me while I sat in his car. It was decent of him, I suppose. I said, “Won’t you get in trouble with my mother?” and he said you’d understand, but he couldn’t stay long as he had another appointment to go to.

  ‘That’s when I rang you. Since then I’ve been sitting in my own car with the doors locked. I don’t understand anything, and I don’t know what to do next.’ With a wail, she finally gave way to tears.

  Ellie managed to put her arm round her daughter’s shoulders. Diana was taller than her, but for once she didn’t reject the offer of comfort. ‘There, there.’

  Diana gulped and sniffed. ‘That man said he’d not finished with me. He said he knew where I lived, that he’d traced me through the phone book.’

  Ah. So that’s how he’d arrived at this address. And, seeing Diana here, showing people around, he’d leaped to the conclusion that she was Mrs Quicke. He’d never seen Ellie, and when Diana said she was Ms Quicke, he’d thought he’d got the right person. The phone book entries were only changed once a year, and the phone for this house was still listed in Ellie’s name. She’d only moved to the big house when her aunt was dying, and Miss Quicke’s number had been ex-directory. So he wasn’t going to trace Ellie by that means, which was a comfort, sort of.

  ‘He’s after me, not you,’ said Ellie.

  ‘What! But who is he, and what does he want with you?’

  Ellie took the photos out of her handbag. ‘Is that the man who attacked you?’

  ‘How should I know? He wore a mask. A wolf’s head.’

  ‘You mean that you let a man wearing a mask into the house?’

  ‘No, no. He didn’t have a mask on when he came through the door, I’d have noticed that. He was putting it on as I came back into the house. I know I’m going to have nightmares. Who is the man in the photo, anyway? And why should he want to attack me?’

  ‘If I’m right and it’s the same man, his name is Anthony Prior and he beat up his step
sister so badly that she ran away. I took her to a place of safety and now he’s trying to track her down. I dread to think what he might do if he found her.’

  ‘He can’t just go around assaulting people. What are the police doing about it?’

  ‘Her family say she ran away because they objected to her sleeping around, so the police aren’t interested. If they could only see her now . . . but the girl was so badly beaten, she’s in no condition to make a statement to the police yet. Anthony wants her back before she can do so. He knows I took charge of her, and he mistook you for me. There is a local gang who wear masks and go round terrorizing householders at night. Everyone’s heard about them, and I suppose he thought that wearing a mask would be an elementary precaution against being recognized.’

  ‘Gracious me!’ Diana tried to laugh and cry, both at once. She shook off her mother’s arm. ‘Well, well. It seems you owe me, mother.’

  ‘Yes.’ Ellie looked around at the newly-decorated house. ‘I was so angry when I saw that you’d put the house up for rent instead of living in it for yourself, that I told Stewart to rent it out for me instead. But I was wrong. A gift is a gift and what you choose to do with this house now is your concern, not mine. I hope you found a tenant for it today. Did you?’

  ‘Stewart did. The clients that he took round for me want to take it.’ She tried on a laugh and it came out as near hysteria. ‘There’s a funny thing; he’s working for you, but he found me a tenant.’

  ‘Where are you living now?’

  ‘Nowhere. I put my bits and pieces in store and spent last night at the office on the daybed. You’ll let me stay with you now though, won’t you?’

  Ellie grimaced. ‘Of course. Rose’s bedroom is vacant.’

  ‘What? Surely I can have the guest room.’

  ‘I’ve someone in it already. Another victim of the Priors. At least, I think the two cases are connected, although when I come to think of it, I’d have a hard job proving it. And before you throw another wobbly, the other person is in a far worse state than you, so be grateful for small mercies. Now, are you fit to drive us both home?’

  ‘Ant, what’s up? Has Ursula phoned yet?’

  ‘I wish. There’s no sign of her at her mother’s place. No sign of the mother, either. I don’t understand it. Will you check back with the boys, see if they overdid the damages bit? She can’t still be in hospital, can she? I tried the neighbour, but she’s not in this world, totally out of it.’

  ‘But you’ve found Mia?’

  ‘I traced Mrs Quicke to her house; it’s empty and to let but she was there, showing people around. I had words but she’s a tough nut, wouldn’t even admit to knowing Mia. Unfortunately we were interrupted before I could really get down to it, and then she called the police, so I had to leave.’

  ‘Don’t tell me the perfect Anthony failed!’

  ‘A setback, that’s all. I’m going back to the Quicke woman’s house now, to see if I can get something out of the neighbours. And I’ve got another address for her, so I’ll get her soon. I want you to go to Ursula’s when you finish work and wait for her. Right?’

  ‘I don’t like this. Suppose the Quicke woman took Mia to the police?’

  ‘We’d have heard if she had. And until she does, we’re safe, right?’

  Thursday early evening

  Diana’s driving was usually excellent, but this evening she was not herself. She took corners either too wide or too close, and stalled at the traffic lights. Ellie was relieved when they eventually crawled into the driveway of the big house, even if they did only just miss one of the cars already parked there. Ellie identified the cars: Thomas’s and Stewart’s.

  Diana took no notice of either, but staggered to the front door and waited to be let in. ‘I could murder a gin.’

  As Ellie let them into the hall, doors opened and people popped out of them; Stewart from the sitting room, Rose from the kitchen, and Thomas from his office. Also, Mrs Belton, inching her way down the stairs with an expression of suffering on her face.

  All four opened their mouths to speak but Ellie forestalled them, shedding coat and handbag. ‘Let the wounded soldier through first. Diana, up the stairs to Rose’s old bedroom. You can get yourself cleaned up in her bathroom and have a rest, or come down to join us when you feel like it.’

  Diana did not know Mrs Belton from Adam, but recognized at once that this was the rival to her occupation of the spare room. Assuming the mantle of the Tragedy Queen and developing a worse limp even than her rival, she winced her way up the first few steps, holding on to the banister. ‘It’s an insult that I, who will inherit this house one day, am sent to sleep in the servant’s quarters.’

  Mrs Belton saw no reason to put up with this. ‘If you’d been driven out of house and home—’

  ‘I’m homeless,’ said Diana, nearing the top of the stairs. ‘Can you say the same?’ She expected Mrs Belton to move over for her but Mrs Belton, with one arm in a sling and the other hand clutching the banister, was made of sterner stuff and stood her ground.

  To her audience’s fascination – which woman would give way first? – Diana had to edge around Mrs Belton. But Diana was not beaten yet. She said, ‘Oh, and Stewart, I’ve left my overnight bag in my car. Bring it up for me, will you?’ She dropped her keys over the banister and, without waiting to see if Stewart would obey her, went through the door on the landing that led to Rose’s old quarters.

  Stewart threw up his arms, but collected the keys. He was grinning. So was Thomas. Mrs Belton, having won that battle, sailed down the rest of the stairs without limping.

  Rose, however, was not amused. ‘Is Diana staying for supper, too? I can’t produce meals out of thin air, you know. Oh, and that Grace person – “Disgrace” I call her – has been here again, but I told her you were out for the day and she went away.’

  Ellie rubbed her cold hands together. ‘Diana got beaten up in mistake for me. I think she met up with the same person as Mia and Mrs Belton. How are you feeling now, Mrs Belton? Do go through into the sitting room and find yourself a comfortable seat. Thomas, Rose: Diana’s homeless. I’ll find her somewhere else to live tomorrow.’

  Rose said, ‘Humph!’ and stalked off back to the kitchen.

  Mrs Belton inclined her head graciously to Ellie. ‘Thank you for asking. I’ve had a nice nap, but could do with some paracetamol and a hot drink. Do you know when Ursula will be arriving, and may I ask where she is to sleep?’

  ‘I’ll get you some painkillers in a minute, Mrs Belton,’ said Ellie, ‘but I must see to my daughter first.’

  Stewart bumped back into the hall, carrying the large suitcase which was Diana’s idea of an overnight bag. ‘Upstairs?’ he said.

  ‘I’ll come up with you,’ said Ellie, mounting the stairs. ‘Rose’s bed was stripped. I’ll have to find some bedding, and clean towels.’ She leaned over the banisters to talk to her husband. ‘Thomas, you want to speak to me. Is it urgent?’

  ‘When you’ve got a minute. I’ll see to Mrs Belton, shall I?’

  Stewart mounted the stairs at Ellie’s side. ‘You’ll want to know what happened. I went to your old house to check on the skirting board in the master bedroom that the workmen were supposed to replace and hadn’t, and walked in on some comic book villain attacking Diana. I was so surprised I didn’t think quickly enough. I ought to have tackled him, but he pushed past me and fled. Diana was in a bad way. I called the police and they took our statements, but I didn’t know what to do next. Diana had some clients due to look over the house, but she wasn’t fit to show them round, so I did it for her. They said they’d take it. Only, afterwards I thought you’d be justified in sacking me for doing that. I would have phoned you, but I don’t have your new mobile phone number.’

  ‘You did the right thing, Stewart. I’ve changed my mind. I said I’d let her have the house, and so I will. She can do what she likes with it. What did you make of her assailant?’

  ‘The police asked me that, bu
t it all happened so quickly, I only got the most fleeting impression. He was wearing an animal mask.’ He humped the suitcase into Rose’s room. From the noise of running water, they gathered Diana was in the bathroom next door.

  Ellie saw that the room – though of a decent size – was hardly fit to house anyone at the moment, as they’d pulled furniture this way and that, clearing Rose’s things out. First she drew the curtains. Now, where was that summer weight duvet?

  Stewart said, ‘What can I do to help? I’m pretty handy around the house nowadays.’

  ‘Top of the wardrobe, spare duvet in a plastic bag. There should be a pillow or two there as well. I’ll fetch linen from the cupboard on the landing.’ She retrieved clean towels, duvet cover, sheets and pillowcases, and admired the deftness with which Stewart helped her make up the bed.

  She said, ‘Tell me what else you remember about the man.’

  ‘Nothing much. He slammed the front door in my face and, by the time I’d got it open, he’d reached the road and was taking off his mask. He was running away so fast, I can hardly say.’ He frowned. ‘Fair hair, I think. And I think, yes . . . I think he was wearing a suit. Grey, pinstriped.’

  He looked puzzled. ‘I’ve only just remembered that. When the police came, they seemed to think the masked gang were youngsters larking around. Although what youngsters would think they were doing, attacking a woman showing clients around a house, I don’t know.’ A sudden thought. ‘He wasn’t that young. I’d say late twenties. You know how thin most teenagers are. They can be big-boned, but they haven’t filled out yet. This man was as tall as me, and had filled out.’

  ‘Gracious!’ said Diana, making an entrance, wearing only bra and pants. ‘Aren’t you mother’s little helpmeet! She’ll be asking you to put on a frilly apron and use a feather duster in a minute.’

  Stewart flushed, but managed to keep his mouth shut.

  Ellie said, ‘You wear me out, Diana. Either keep a civil tongue in your head, or find yourself a B. & B. somewhere. Understand? And you can apologize to Stewart. You should be on your knees thanking him for saving you today, instead of being rude to him.’