Still Death (A Lexie Wyatt murder mystery Book 1)

by Shauna Bickley

  ‘I wondered if you could check out any people reported missing in the Norwich area about eighteen months ago.’

  Her father made a non-committal noise and Lexie heard her mother talking to someone else. ‘Sorry, Lexie, my ride has just arrived and I’ve got to go. I’ll think about it.’

  Lexie wandered back down to the cottage. She had assumed Richard Dance was Miriam’s husband or partner and Grace’s father, but she could be wrong. She’d been wrong about so many things.

  Her phone rang. This time it was Veronica.

  ‘We’ve got the go-ahead for the first feature but nothing more at the moment. We’ll need some good hooks. I want us to leave enough questions to make it easy for Peter to let us carry on with the series, but it will also have to stand as a one-off. He wants to see the finished feature before he makes a decision. We’re in competition with two other series ideas for that space.’

  Lexie took out the four-article arc and the outlines she’d developed and worked in some additional ideas to the first one. She had already completed the telephone interviews and she checked through her notes of those.

  She worked with her outline for the first article and filled in more detail using the interview information. Max lay across her feet like a personal body warmer, which, given it was summer, she certainly didn’t need. She read through what she’d done and was pleased with how it was taking shape. Veronica should be happy with what she’d produced, and it was far more than they’d initially agreed. She’d practically written the whole feature, but she was under no illusions about Veronica sharing the credit. Max got up and stretched then wandered out to the garden. Lexie pushed her chair away from the table and followed him in a reversal of their usual roles.

  Lexie sat on the bench in the garden. She had surprised herself at how much she enjoyed the research and writing the article but also at how much she didn’t care whether she got any credit for her work. She thought back to her days at Raines. The most important thing to her had been that the client’s ideas and dreams for their company were realised and in the best way possible. Success for the client and seeking a good outcome was what drove her, not praise. In that respect, things hadn’t changed.

  She did the supermarket shopping and after piling that into the boot of the car decided she’d treat herself to a coffee before picking up the children. Afternoons evidently weren’t as popular with the coffee and lunch brigade. There was a group of three elderly ladies sitting at a table full of teapots and cups, but only as Lexie walked into the café did she see Jed at a table reading a newspaper. He glanced up and smiled then nodded at the seat opposite him.

  After she ordered her coffee, she sat at his table.

  ‘Hello Alexandra. How are you?’

  ‘Just call me Lexie, everyone else does.’

  ‘Except Veronica,’ he commented with a grin.

  ‘That’s true.’ She didn’t really want to talk about Veronica or Webber Media. Did Jed know about Veronica and Peter? Probably not. ‘How are things with you? Busy?’ She asked the question to move the topic away from Veronica but realised she didn’t know much about him. He was always polite and friendly, but she couldn’t think of any time they’d shared more than passing pleasantries, usually when she visited Longcross House.

  ‘Yes, the estate keeps me busy, although it might not look like it right now, and I’ve still got interests in a couple of businesses, but I can choose my hours with those.’

  ‘It sounds like a good lifestyle.’

  ‘I can’t complain. Hope you’ve settled into Nettleford okay. How’s the work going with Veronica? She can be a bit of a taskmaster at times.’

  Lexie smiled at his last comment but kept her reply brief and polite. Life in Nettleford wasn’t as expensive as London, and as Nathan now earned more they weren’t desperate. However, Jed might mention what she said and there was no point in annoying Veronica unnecessarily.

  ‘How did you enjoy your weekend in Scotland?’ he asked.

  ‘We had a lovely time in Inverness. It’s the first time either of us has been there. It was a surprise for Nathan’s birthday.’

  They talked for a few minutes more until Lexie had to leave.

  At home, she shoved the groceries onto shelves in the cupboard. Cherry Tree Cottage definitely needed a makeover, and a new kitchen would be top of her list. The shelves must have come from the ark with at least four different colours of paint flaking off onto the floor.

  Veronica probably didn’t realise how lucky she was being married to someone like Jed and living in Longcross House.

  Lexie stood with a large bag of crisps in her hand. Veronica must have told Jed about them going to Scotland, although she couldn’t imagine Veronica being interested in anything but herself. Come to that, Lexie couldn’t remember mentioning Scotland. She’d only told Veronica they were going away to make sure she didn’t ring.

  The following morning she drove out to Longcross House. She had hoped to hear from her father before she left but suppressed the urge to ring him again. He hadn’t promised he would do anything. For all she knew, he might not be able to look into records without an official reason. Even if he could find a way, he might be too busy to do anything immediately, and who knew how long it might take to find the information. If he couldn’t, or wouldn’t help, her curiosity would have to sort itself out. Miriam didn’t appear to want any help.

  Lexie missed Evelyn and her good humour and sheer optimism even in her fight against cancer. In contrast, she was useless, unable even to make up her mind as to whether she believed Patrick’s story. The few things she’d done hadn’t given her any more insight into what might have happened. Instead she was fooling around trying to find out Miriam’s secrets.

  She took her laptop with her to Longcross House with the four-article arc and outlines, and the draft version of the first and possibly only article.

  Lexie parked on the circular gravel area in front of the house. The front door had been closed, but when she got out of the car, Sean stood on the steps. Her heart thudded uncomfortably and her mouth was suddenly dry. She ducked her head back into the car and pulled out her laptop, hoping she looked more composed than she felt. Sean walked a few steps closer as she locked her car.

  ‘Hello, Sean, I didn’t realise Peter was here.’

  Sean raised one eyebrow fractionally. ‘He’s not.’

  Lexie walked past him. He followed her into the house and closed the door. Her shiver had nothing to do with the coolness of the hallway.

  ‘I’m in my office,’ Veronica called out.

  Lexie was relieved Sean didn’t follow her into the room. ‘What’s Sean doing here?’ As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she knew the question was a mistake. She always tried not to pry with Veronica or ask anything that might give that impression.

  Veronica made the usual “don’t bother me with trivia” wave of her hand. ‘I have no idea.’

  It was best to keep quiet and not compound any mistakes, but she needed to know. Lexie sucked in a breath and gripped her hands behind her back in an effort to stop them shaking. Sean must have told Peter about her snooping around his office.

  ‘I thought he was Peter’s kind of minder. Strange he’s here when Peter isn’t.’ She hoped her voice wasn’t as shaky as she thought it was.

  ‘Jed still has businesses he runs, he probably needed some help. He and Peter have known each other a long time. He said Sean would be here for a couple of days.’

  That was interesting. She’d assumed the connection was Veronica working for Peter at Webber Media. If they’d been friends for a long time, then Peter and Veronica having an affair was even worse than she’d originally thought.

  ‘I didn’t ask you here to waste my time on inconsequential chatter, so can we please get on with some work.’

  Hopefully that was the reason and Sean’s appearance was innocent and nothing to do with her.

  Lexie sat at Veronica’s desk and switched on her laptop.

/>   ‘Here is the big picture idea I’ve created for the series, and these are the individual outlines for each feature. As you can see the first article is now quite detailed. I’ve placed some of the information and a few quotes from the telephone interviews I’ve conducted. The subsequent ones are more sketchy but still with enough information for Peter to see our plans for each.’

  Veronica pulled the laptop round to face her and started reading through the file. Lexie’s phone rang. Damn, she’d meant to switch it to silent before coming in, but seeing Sean had wiped everything else from her mind. She glanced at the screen, intending to cut the call but it was her father.

  ‘Excuse me, but I really need to take this call.’

  Veronica made a carry-on gesture, and Lexie answered the phone as she walked into the lounge next to Veronica’s office.

  ‘Hi, Dad, how’s it going?’ She sat on the arm of one of the couches.

  ‘Busy as usual. I got caught up in another case. I hate to admit this, but I can’t find the piece of paper with the details you gave me.’

  Lexie smiled to herself. Her father would hate having to admit he’d lost his notes, but it did mean he’d probably try to find some information for her.

  ‘Not to worry, Dad. The woman is Miriam Connell, but I think she changed the name from Donnell. I’d guess it wasn’t done through legal channels. The man’s name is Richard Dance.’

  ‘Right, I’ll see what I can do.’

  Lexie switched the phone to silent and went back into Veronica’s office.

  ‘I’ve taken a copy of this and the links you had for the research,’ said Veronica. ‘I’ll look through it again later. The four-arc ideas aren’t too bad, and you’ve made a good start on the article, but it will need more work. I’ll take over on this one now, and you can do some groundwork on the next one, which I think should be the women in politics angle.’ She wrote something on her notepad and handed it to Lexie. ‘These are two women you’ll find useful to interview for that. Give them a call and arrange times with each of them. I’ve got a number of people I’ll speak to on the fashion item.’ Veronica glanced down at some scribbled notes she’d made, which as far as Lexie could make out were the headings she’d come up with for each of the articles. ‘We’ve done well. I’m feeling pretty confident Peter will be impressed enough with this to let me carry on.’

  Veronica had managed to move from “we” to “me” in two sentences, but Lexie hadn’t expected anything else.

  ‘Not a problem. I’ll head off home and make a start on the second feature.’

  22

  It was two days later before Lexie heard from her father. She was in the garden, hanging out washing. The little dresses and T-shirts danced on the washing line as if in imitation of Tilly and the twins. The phone rang in the house, and Max barked.

  ‘It’s okay, I heard it.’

  ‘I don’t have long,’ said her father. ‘I’m off to a meeting, but I thought you’d want to know what I’ve discovered.’

  That was the understatement of the year.

  ‘Richard Dance and Miriam weren’t married and there isn’t a missing person’s report on Miriam, but someone is looking for her.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Richard Dance’s mother.’

  That kind of figured. If Richard was Grace’s father, then the woman would want to keep in touch and see her grandchild, even if she wasn’t close to Miriam. Lexie ran her finger along the top of the bookcase as her father talked and frowned at the mark she’d made in the dust.

  ‘There are a few other things you should probably know.’

  Lexie put the phone down after the call with her father and wandered out into the front garden. That was more than she’d expected. She turned on the hose pipe and was watering the flowers in the tubs when a car pulled onto the gravel patch in front of their fence.

  ‘Dominique. Hello, this is a surprise.’ In her bewilderment at Dominique’s visit she didn’t sound very welcoming.

  ‘Good morning, Alexandra. How are you today?’ If Dominique sensed anything other than a pleasant welcome, she gave no sign of it.

  ‘I’m fine, thank you. Any problems with the exhibition?’

  Dominique smiled and shook her head. ‘No, I am showing a group around the exhibits later. I spoke at their society some time ago and promised a guided tour during the exhibition.’ She locked the car and wandered through the gate. ‘Your garden is very colourful.’

  Each time Lexie had met Dominique, the woman had seemed quietly poised and assured. Today, she appeared ill at ease.

  ‘Thanks, but more through luck than any skills I might have.’ Her mother must have let Dominique know she’d told Lexie how they met.

  ‘I’d like to have a talk with you. Is now a good time?’

  Lexie gestured towards the front door and turned off the hose pipe.

  Dominique waited for her at the door and Lexie led the way into the house. ‘Would you like a drink?’

  ‘Orange juice or water would be fine.’

  Fortunately the girls hadn’t found the orange juice on the top shelf of the fridge. Lexie poured two glasses then took them out to the back garden. At least here she wouldn’t have to worry about the state of the lounge. Although it wasn’t yet ten, the day was already pleasantly warm, with just a little high-level cloud.

  Lexie pulled over one of the cushioned chairs they’d brought from London and waved for Dominique to sit there while she took the one that still bore the juice stains from the weekend. Why would Dominique want to talk to her? There wasn’t anything about her story she needed to explain. Lexie felt bad enough about badgering her mother.

  ‘You visited Alec in Scotland.’

  Lexie felt her mouth drop open. This woman surprised her constantly. ‘Yes, but how do you know?’

  An icy hand seemed to hold her heart. If Dominique knew, then who else was aware they’d been to Scotland and talked with Alec Gillies?

  ‘Alec told me.’

  ‘You know him? I mean, he has one of your paintings, but I didn’t think that came with a friendship invitation.’

  ‘It doesn’t. At least not in many cases. But Alec, and Ross and Sadie, bought paintings from my first exhibition and that made it special for me.’ She shrugged. ‘Also I liked them. We aren’t friends exactly, but we keep in loose contact. I don’t have many friends. Don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not looking for sympathy, I prefer it that way. When I’m working I don’t need to meet people. All of this,’ she made a gesture which Lexie took to mean the exhibition rather than her garden. ‘I find it irksome but it’s part of the job. Occasionally I meet people who are less annoying than most, although rarely men.’

  ‘I can understand that,’ said Lexie. Sitting in her garden, talking to this striking woman, it was hard to associate her with the horrific tale Jean had told, but the look in Dominique’s glance told its own story.

  ‘Alec spoke to me purely as an artist, I found that refreshing, and he bought Stargazer. Of all my paintings, the Stargazer themed ones have always been my favourites, and I took special interest in the people who bought them. I feel the same way with Portal. I didn’t want to sell those paintings, but it was a necessity. I needed the money. Also it was my first exhibition and a good start was crucial for my career. Now things are different. I don’t think I will sell Portal.’

  She looked around as if suddenly aware of her surroundings and became business-like. ‘Alec also came to my first exhibition in the States, which was several years after my initial one in London. I believe he was working there at the time. We spoke briefly during the exhibition, and he asked if I’d have dinner with him. That’s something I rarely do.’

  ‘Which? Dinner with a man or a prospective purchaser?’

  Lexie had spoken without thinking. She hadn’t meant the comment to be rude or ironic, but Dominique smiled. ‘Both. But that evening I said yes. There was something infinitely sad about him, as if any other answer would make a huge difference. O
ver dinner he talked more about himself than I think he would normally. He told me about the love of his life and that she’d recently been killed. He also told me about Penny’s daughter Caroline, his adopted niece, as he called her.’ Dominique looked questioningly at Lexie.

  ‘Yes, I know about Nicholas and Penny, and also Caroline.’

  ‘I met Caroline shortly before she was killed.’

  That was a surprise. The conversation had taken a turn Lexie hadn’t anticipated.

  ‘Where did you meet her?’

  ‘At the photo shoot for the exhibition. Not at Longcross House. We did those first. I didn’t want my photo taken with the sculptures. I didn’t want my photo taken at all, it’s my work that people want to see, not me. I keep away from promoting myself and make it about the work, but that doesn’t always happen. We live in an age where it appears everyone is up for grabs.’

  Lexie wasn’t sure why Dominique wanted to remain so low profile. Her story was horrific, but no one knew about that part of her past and she must look very different now. However, Lexie realised she couldn’t possibly know how such an experience might still affect Dominique.

  ‘Anyway, Veronica wanted some photographs of me and kept on. Finally, I agreed to just one photo. She was running short of time and I had other engagements, so ultimately it had to be London. I refused to have photographers in my home, so Veronica organised it at Peter Webber’s house.’

  ‘How did it go?’

  ‘When I arrived, Veronica was there, as was the photographer, but someone from the magazine was missing. Veronica rang Caroline. I didn’t know what was going on, or who was missing, but Veronica was so rude to Caroline on the phone, I felt embarrassed to be part of it.’

  ‘I take it you never had any problems with Veronica?’

  Dominique smiled at the tone in Lexie’s voice. ‘She was extremely pushy about wanting a photograph of me, and I could have been as obstinate, but it suited me to have the exhibition at Longcross House and to have some dealings with Webber Media, so I acquiesced to the photograph. It’s always a case of choosing which battles to fight. I was surprised to find out that you are doing some work for her.’