4 Camera ... Action ... Murder!

by Faith Mortimer

  “How? If there’s one person who needs murdering, then it’s that woman.”

  Adam raised his eyebrows at the man’s statement and listened carefully while Mr Graham continued.

  “Isabelle Macpherson is the real reason I’m here, Inspector. When I found out what this lot were planning, I telephoned her, and she gave me a load of old hogwash. She told me as plain as day that plagiarism is not a crime per se and is only disapproved of on moral grounds. She seemed to believe there’s only liability for copyright infringement and that it doesn’t exist as an offence in a legal sense. Well, maybe in her eyes, Inspector, and I may not have the right to help in a criminal court, but I’m sure as hell is fire, I have a strong case for a civil court. When I pointed this out to her, she just laughed and put the phone down. She is or was, since you’ve not confirmed my theory, an evil and domineering woman. The rest is history,” he said, spreading his hands and shrugging. “And here I am.”

  “Mr Graham, my sergeant here will take all your details and your statement regarding your conversation with Mrs Macpherson and where you were earlier today. By the way, it’s Superintendent Lovell, sir.”

  As a dazed Sydney Graham was escorted from the room, everyone looked around them in stunned silence.

  “Ye gods! That was an amazing ten minutes. For one moment when he said he wished to report a crime, I thought he meant another murder. So Duncan and Patrick are up to their necks in plagiarism, eh? And Isabelle more or less told our eminent university professor to push off and not to bother her. A lovely lot of people we have here, I must say.”

  “Patrick told me he and Duncan rowed about this the first day we all arrived, and then I overheard Patrick and Isabelle having another huge battle. She told Patrick he was nothing but a pathetic little man, and I thought he was going to hit her. They obviously hated one another, and it was pretty scary for one moment,” Diana said. “Isabelle and Duncan argued all the time over money, Caroline and the film. That was definitely not a happy marriage…” she trailed off, realising she was almost accusing Duncan.

  “I think I ought to have Patrick back in for a few minutes. I was going to let him go with everyone else, but I might ask him what he’s been doing to his face. I think it’s meant to look like he’s cut himself shaving, but it looks more like scratches to me. Did he have a beard before today?” Adam asked as he sank back down in his seat.

  “Not so much a beard, more a lot of untidy face hair that’s definitely not designer stubble. He has made a mess of his face though,” Steve said.

  “We have to get a move on while we’ve still got everyone here. We’re going to talk to Macpherson again, and if he doesn’t want to cooperate, then we’ll take him down to the station. A few hours sitting on a nice hard chair away from all your home comforts often gets them singing like the proverbial canary. We’ve been too nice and understanding so far. It concerns me that he’s not showing much remorse over the death of his wife.” Adam finished icily.

  Diana stared at Adam while he was saying this. She remembered how strong and tough he could be. To an outsider he came across as polite and easy-going, but deep down he was as hard as granite. She knew he liked to see people face to face when they were telling him something important, and he obviously considered there was some significance in Duncan’s lack of remorse. Nothing would deter Adam when he thought he was on to something.

  ***

  “She laughed at me in my face, and I’m afraid I couldn’t stop myself. I only grabbed her arm because she was waving it around. But if Diana hadn’t have come in at that moment, then it’s true, I think I might have hit her,” Patrick confessed to Adam.

  “Are you sure you didn’t anyway? And where did you get those scratches on your face while we’re on the subject? Did you hit Isabelle and she lashed back with her nails?”

  It was clear from Patrick’s expression he understood what the senior policeman was suggesting.

  “What are you saying? That I might have something to do with Isabelle’s death?” he whispered in a scared voice. “Honestly, Superintendent. I might have disliked the woman intensely, and I have done for years, but not enough to murder her.” He looked so upset and frightened, Adam thought he was about to break down and cry.

  “Where were you early this morning?”

  “I was in bed until I came down to breakfast.”

  “At what time was that?”

  “About half-past eight, I think. I…I’m not quite sure of the correct time. Sorry.”

  “And were you alone during the night and morning?”

  Patrick looked more worried as he remembered. “No, not all of the time.”

  “Who was with you, and what time were you together?”

  “Joanna Bullen was with me for most of the night.”

  “And what’s your connection with Miss Bullen?”

  “We’ve had an on-off relationship for many years—for almost twenty years, actually. It’s my fault. I’ve never quite got round to making it permanent.”

  Adam paused while he made a few notes, and Patrick went white when he saw what he was doing.

  “Why are you writing all that down? Am I being charged with something?” He asked in a hoarse voice.

  Adam looked up. “No, Mr Mulligan. I’m merely taking notes for myself, so I can remember later. I’m filling in where we left off last night. If I was going to charge you, I’d have another officer with me, and besides, we’d most probably do it down at the station. I’ll repeat my earlier question. What time did you get together? Oh, and here’s another one. How long was Miss Bullen with you last night?”

  Patrick looked guilty as he dropped his head towards the floor. “She came to my room a little after midnight. Neither of us could sleep, we were too wound up. But it wasn’t just because of what happened to poor Caroline, although we thought it was dreadful. Jo and I have been going through a rough patch. She recently found out about my play. The one I’d written and showed to Duncan all those years ago. I was so stupid. I was young and thoughtless. I know now I should never have done it.” Patrick’s face turned as white as a sheet, and he withdrew a grubby handkerchief from his trouser pocket and rubbed it across his moist forehead.

  “Jo’s cousin, Sydney Graham, discovered everything and put two and two together. I read through his notes and copied some of the work he hadn’t included in his book. I didn’t know at the time it was extra writing and ideas he hadn’t published. If I had, then I swear I wouldn’t have done it. I thought I was just rehashing what he’d already published and embellished it somewhat. And because he never took any interest in the theatre, he’d never find out about the play. Anyway, he accused Jo of passing me the new work and me for stealing it during one of the few times we’d been at his house together. She was more upset because he said he no longer trusted her and was thinking of cutting her out of his will. He’s unmarried, and because he has no living brothers or sisters, Jo stands to inherit everything he has. Jo and Sydney have always had an understanding until now. She’s not well off, and I know she could do with the money, since her acting parts are on the lean side sometimes.” He shied away from Adam’s piercing eyes and looked down at his feet.

  “Anyway, I’m not her favourite person since she found out. Last night she wanted to talk things through. Jo says she still loves me, and she wants me to promise I’ll make everything right. I am to apologise to Sydney, Mr Graham, and explain what I did all those years ago. I have to make it very clear she had no knowledge of my stealing his work. Anyway, we stayed up talking, and then we went to bed. She was very tearful while we were together, and I wanted to make things right between us. She must have left to return to her room in the early hours, because when I woke just before eight she’d already left me.” Patrick shifted his weight in his chair and looked back at Adam.

  “Are you certain it was that time when you woke?”

  Patrick thought for a second and then moved his head up and down. “Positive. I heard Mrs Smith, the housekeep
er, arrive on her bicycle. You can’t mistake the sound of someone cycling over gravel, and my bedroom overlooks the rear of the house where she leaves her bike. She always arrives between seven thirty and eight to see to breakfast.”

  Adam leaned back in his chair. “You mentioned Caroline a moment before. You realise we are also investigating her death. How well did you know her?”

  “Not that well. We’ve met a few times, especially once Duncan decided he wanted to make a film. The odd thing is why he wanted me in the production anyway. I mean, I wrote the original play after all. I wondered what his real motive was in casting me. Was it just to rub my nose in it? You probably think I’m odd to go along with it, but I wanted to keep an eye on Joanna and make sure she was treated right. I thought I could swing it so Duncan would make her part bigger if I made more fuss. Isabelle shouted me down and told me otherwise.”

  “Your acting career is your business, Mr Mulligan. Unless it’s linked to our investigations, it’s of no concern to us. Returning to Caroline, I’ve been led to believe Duncan Macpherson likes young pretty girls. Would you say that’s a fair assumption?”

  Patrick nodded vigorously. “Duncan always had an eye for pretty blonde young women. Caroline was one in a long line of starlets.”

  “Had you heard any talk about his affairs?”

  Since Adam had changed his topic of conversation away from Patrick and Isabelle, Patrick seemed to brighten and relax a little in his company. He transferred his bulk in his chair to make himself more comfortable. “The usual sort of thing, I suppose. Duncan’s a comparatively rich and gifted man, and the girls flock round him for the chance of being in his acting company. Caroline was just another one looking for the big break.”

  “So you don’t think she was in any way different? She was just another young woman seeking an entrance into the big time.”

  “No, I considered her exactly the same as the others, except she did possess good stage presence and could act.”

  “Apart from that, what was she like? Was she friendly? Was she good company?

  Patrick paused before replying. “She was an angel to look at, but she had a cruel tongue sometimes.”

  “To you in particular or anyone, and in what way was she cruel?”

  Patrick exhaled noisily. “You have to realise Caroline was extremely beautiful and a natural actress. Duncan was obviously smitten with her looks, youth, and talent, whereas I’m a lot older and nowhere in her league when it comes to acting. I understand all that, but she knew how to rub salt into a wound if she wanted to, and it hurt.”

  Adam thought for a moment. “Would you say Joanna got on well with Caroline? “

  Patrick acted surprised at his question and made a face. “I believe so. She never said otherwise.”

  “What about with the Macphersons? Does Joanna ever complain about them?”

  He frowned and took his time. “Yes, occasionally, like everyone does when you’ve worked with or are working for someone. It’s only natural to have a moan now and again. Jo told me she thought Duncan was a bit ridiculous when it came to young women, and she never understood why he chose her for the role in The Holbein Legacy. Jo’s a good actress herself, and although she’s older, she considered she should have been given a bigger part in the film. She wasn’t after Caroline’s part though. She just wanted something better for herself because it was such a good opportunity. It’s often harder for more mature actors to get good parts, and I tend to agree with her.”

  “So, is it true that when Joanna badgered Duncan—as you did yourself into giving her a larger part in the film—you tried to get Isabelle to intercede on your behalf too?”

  Patrick looked affronted at Adam’s words and spluttered before replying. Adam thought he made a good attempt at acting, but not quite good enough, and he understood why the shabby man played lesser roles on stage. Moreover, he was a liar, and Adam needed to remember it.

  “Just one last question, Mr Mulligan, and this is strictly confidential to our enquiries. Did you know Caroline was pregnant, and if so, do you know who the father was?”

  Patrick looked astonished at Adam’s final question. “No I didn’t. That’s shocking.”

  “Why? Is it because there’s such a disparity between Duncan and Caroline’s ages? Or because both mother and baby are dead?”

  Patrick acted coy and pursed his mouth as if he didn’t want to say anymore, but under Adam’s stern look, he hastily changed his mind.

  “No, it’s nothing like that. I was just wondering…” Patrick’s voice went soft before trailing off.

  “What? What were you just wondering?”

  “I was wondering who the father was. According to what was said—and this is only hearsay—Caroline was a dab hand at playing around. When she was with company, she flirted with anyone. It was one of the reasons Isabelle was so incensed with Duncan and his stupidity. I heard them arguing about her, and Isabelle swore Caroline would be the last or Duncan would never see a penny more of her money. On the other hand, I believe you might like to ask Sebastian Moss about his relationship with Caroline.”

  Chapter 16

  Adam was surprised after interviewing Patrick. Slipping out of the library for a break and much-needed cup of coffee, he could hear voices coming from the drawing room and went to investigate. He crossed the hallway and found a small group of the original house guests clustered around inside the room.

  From the look on Diana’s face, it was obvious she had something to tell him.

  “Adam. We’ve cleared it with Duncan, and he’s happy for us to stay here today and tonight, so you can get on with your investigation.”

  Adam looked surprised but smiled at her news. “Well, this is most irregular, but I won’t say I’m not pleased. It’ll help us no end. Thank you. Despite the seriousness of the cases, the team is very aware of how much time and help you’ve all already given us. Even so, it’s very much appreciated. Diana, can I have a word please?”

  ***

  Despite relaying Duncan’s agreement into letting everyone stay for one more night, Diana would have preferred to spend it away from Havershall House. Staying in the sumptuous building and picturesque grounds might have been delightful in normal circumstances, but having experienced at least one murder there and a possible second, Diana was finding it a bit alarming. She gave herself a stern talking-to. She had been mixed up in solving murders before. This was nothing new, and there was no reason to believe anyone else was in danger, especially her. She listened while Adam told her what he was planning next.

  “In an about-turn of face, Duncan is now being extremely cooperative in helping us with our enquiries. I don’t know why he’s changed, but I’m even more convinced he’s guilty of murdering his wife. It’s all adding up, and I believe it’s money or the lack of it at the end of the day that will prove to be his overall motive. The Macphersons argued vociferously over it, so I’ve been told by many witnesses,” Adam said once he and Diana were alone. “Now, we have to talk to Andrew Downs and the gardeners after that. That shouldn’t take long, and then I have Ms Thompson to deal with. She’s a bit of a man-eater isn’t she? I’m not sure I’d want to be trapped in a dark alley at night with her. Have you said anything to Clare?”

  Diana resisted an urge to grin. Clare on the trail of a man was a sight to behold, and nine times out of ten she got her way. If Adam was on her menu, then there was nothing he could do about it. Diana felt a bubble of laughter rise in her, but keeping a straight face, she fought it down.

  “Clare? No, why should I? Clare’s a nice person. She’s as sweet as pie once you get to know her.” And you will, mark my words, she thought to herself.

  Adam frowned at Diana as if he wondered whether there was a double entendre to her words. “Mmm. I’m not sure what you’re getting at, and I haven’t time to think about it, because I have to get on. By the way, I’ve leaned on forensics to come up with their results in double-quick time. I want to know if they’ve found anything on
the screwdriver, the glove, and on Isabelle herself. Lab test times are quicker these days, although DNA testing, even with the introduction of a special chip, still takes about a week. Anyway, I’ll let you know.”

  “It’s good of you to include me and Steve, Adam.”

  “Diana, if I couldn’t trust you, then it would be a pretty poor show. Besides, every smart policeman has a good amateur sleuth behind him,” he said smiling. “And I do trust you.”

  Diana looked at Adam, and she couldn’t decipher the look in his eyes. Once, long ago, she trusted him with her heart, and although she believed him to be a policeman of the highest calibre, she felt sorry for the next female to be emotionally involved with the superintendent.

  “Thanks. I’ll see you later then.”

  “Make sure you relax. It’s not every day you discover a body…even you!” Adam said while walking back into the house.