4 Camera ... Action ... Murder!

by Faith Mortimer

  “Hello there. How’s your hangover today?” she asked before he got a chance to speak.

  She heard a gruff laugh in answer. “I’m fine, thanks, no hangover at all, but then I was careful since I was driving, don’t forget.”

  “Of course, it wouldn’t do for the cream of Cheltenham constabulary to get plastered and breathalysed, would it? So, Adam, what can I do for you? Have you found anything new?”

  “Yes and no. I can confirm whose fingerprints are on the rowing boat though.”

  “Ah! Good, are there any surprises?”

  “Depends what you mean. A lot are smudged as we’d expect if it was regularly used. But we’ve matched Duncan’s, Isabelle’s, Caroline’s, and Sebastian’s. In addition, there are those of the two gardeners we interviewed, the divers, and one other photographer, who helped Caroline with the boat. So, there are no surprises there as far as I’m concerned.”

  Diana thought quickly. If anything she wasn’t surprised. After Isabelle had found her and Steve in the boathouse, she had done exactly what she had said. The next morning there had been a sign saying, ‘Danger! Keep Out’. She doubted anyone would have entered the building after they had that first day, because it was getting late and all the guests were getting ready for dinner. Anyone missing would have been noticed according to the alibis given to Adam and his team. It was a blow though. Diana’s earlier suspicions were in danger of being wrong. She now had two or even a tentative three candidates for the murders. Damn!

  “You’re very quiet,” Adam broke into her thoughts.

  “Sorry, I was thinking. And there’s nothing else? Incidentally, where did you get to last night at Clare’s just before we all went to bed?”

  “Are you checking up on me?” he laughed.

  “No, just curious.”

  “I had an idea and went to investigate the contents of Clare’s garden shed. I was curious over which weedkiller she used.”

  “Ah!”

  “She and Sebastian were discussing her fruit trees, and he said he’d bring some round. She said she already had some there. When I looked, I discovered something very interesting.”

  “Don’t tell me, you found the same weedkiller that was found on Isabelle’s neck.”

  “Exactly that! Disulfoton. I wonder where she got it from.”

  Diana looked round her in case Russell overheard her, and she lowered her voice when she replied.

  “You just said Seb said he’d bring some weedkiller round, and she replied there was no need.”

  “Yes, she did. And if you remember, Sebastian made out he didn’t know she had a supply. Now, I wonder if one of them is lying. It looks like we need to speak to her and Seb again.”

  Diana waited for a moment. “Well, it could only be Seb,” she whispered. “Clare was up front telling us she had weedkiller at home. She wasn’t hiding anything. Besides she doesn’t know about it being found on Isabelle, nobody does. I haven’t told anyone.”

  “Just keep it to yourself. I’ve got to dash now, but I’ll keep in touch. You can always text me if you find anything. I understand you’re with Russell sometime today.”

  “Yes, I’m with him now, actually. We’re having lunch at his house. Adam, I’ve…” She paused. She was thinking back to that morning’s visit to the Everyman Theatre.

  “Yes? What is it? Do you want to tell me something you’ve discovered, darling girl?”

  “Diana! Whatever are you doing in here?” Russell said as he entered the room. Diana jumped and moved the telephone away from her ear.

  “Sorry, Russell, I was just passing and saw all your fabulous books. Hang on, I’ll just finish my call.”

  “I’ve got to go—we’re about to eat. We’ll speak later.”

  She listened as Adam questioned her about what she was going to say earlier.

  “No, it’ll keep. It’s just about the theatre.”

  “Please just be careful will you? I have a hunch we’re getting closer. I realise you can’t speak now, but ring me as soon as you’re free. Remember, don’t trust anyone.”

  She could picture Adam and could almost see the questions whirling around in his mind. It was a nuisance but it would have to wait. Besides she had nothing really new to tell him, just an odd feeling. Maybe he was right. She couldn’t trust anyone.

  Chapter 24

  “That was lovely, Russell. You’re a very good cook, and the lemon drizzle cake was sublime. Thank you for inviting me.” Diana leaned back in her garden chair and took a sip of her Chablis. Savouring the crisp flavour, Diana realised Russell could choose a good wine too.

  Russell beamed with pleasure. “The pleasure is all mine, my dear. You’ve been away so long. We’ve all missed you. Do you think you’ll stay in Cyprus forever?”

  Diana considered his question. “I don’t know for sure, and forever is a very long time. Steve and I have a pact. If ever one of us begins to dislike the island and really wants to come back to England, then the other will agree. No arguments. Likewise, if either of us is very ill and needs medical or hospital treatment, we’d prefer to be back here where we know the system. I’m a UK tax payer, and we’ve actually kept our private medical insurance cover going just in case. I think I like it there in Cyprus more than Steve, actually. He gets a bit narked with the locals, he finds their attitude odd, and hates the way they treat animals. Well, that’s something we both dislike.”

  “There’s also the Middle East situation.”

  Diana pulled a face. “Politics ruin everything. And if it’s not politics, then it’s in the name of religion. Why can’t we all live in peace and go about our lives and not bother anyone?”

  “Ah…that, my dear, is the age-old question, and nobody knows the answer, although many think they know best.”

  There was a sound from indoors, and both turned their heads towards the direction as Sebastian stepped outside through the kitchen doorway.

  “I thought I heard you out here. Have you finished eating?”

  “We have, but there’s plenty left if you want anything.”

  “No thanks, I’m not hungry. Hello, Diana, how are you?” Sebastian hovered by her chair for a moment before sitting down next to his father. He looked pale and agitated, and Diana found it hard not to stare. Sebastian was a changed man from a few days ago.

  Diana responded with a gentle smile. “Very well, thank you. I hear you’ve been working. Have you anything exciting on at the moment?”

  Sebastian wrinkled his nose. “Not really. Business has been slow, and Barry has even decided to cover a couple of weddings to keep us ticking over. It’s not our usual line of work, but I suppose it’ll make a change. There’s a promise of some more work from Duncan Macpherson, but who knows if that’ll even come off now,” he sighed. “We’ll just have to wait and see and brave it out like everyone else who’s feeling the pinch. We’re lucky in having some regular clients and their orders are, so far, still coming in. Barry’s acting a bit like an old woman at the moment though. Ever since he suffered that stomach bug of his, he’s been precious.”

  “It did sound like an awful dose of food poisoning from what he told us last night,” Diana said looking from one man to the other.

  “Yes, although it didn’t last long. It was bloody horrible at the time. It’s a good job Dad and I didn’t eat the same dishes as Barry the day before he was ill.”

  Di’s ears pricked up at Seb’s statement. Did she miss something earlier? “It is. Were you having dinner together then?”

  Sebastian paused as he recalled that evening. “Yes. Dad and I decided on a takeaway that evening. Knowing Barry was on his own, we invited him over. We all shared and ate the same things, although my boss is a bit of a pig when it comes to spare ribs. He stuffed himself with those and polished off the leftovers. He probably overdid it, especially the sauce. When you think of it, he could have got the bug from the Chinese restaurant. We’ve had a few dodgy meals from there from time to time.”

  As Diana nodded h
er understanding there was a beep on her mobile, informing her she had received a text. She glanced at the screen and saw it was from Adam.

  “Excuse me a moment,” she said and pressed ‘view’.

  She blinked in surprise at the message. ‘Forgot to tell u. Found C’s costume had weighted hem. No way she cud swim. Caution, darling girl.’

  No wonder Caroline had found herself in immediate difficulty once she fell into the lake. The long dress would already have been heavy, and with a weighted hem, she would have found it impossible to swim. Poor girl, she never stood a chance. Was it a coincidence that the weights were already in the hem as a means to make the garment hang properly? Or had someone sewn them in recently? Diana remembered their first day at Havershall House, when she and Steve were straining to listen in on Isabelle and Duncan’s conversation about costumes. They heard Isabelle say something about how she had chosen them with Duncan’s help and they had roped Sebastian in to deliver them to the house. Diana also recalled Sebastian telling her his father had a stake in the costume shop. Diana was feeling uncomfortable because she considered Russell a good friend, and yet, he and all those who were involved seemed to be casting aspersions on everyone else’s characters. Sebastian handled the costumes. Was it a coincidence? But what was Adam really warning her about and more to the point, who?

  She looked troubled as she replaced the phone into her handbag. She could do without all this agonising. Could she, should she, trust Russell and Sebastian? There was no way she was going to divulge anything she had been told to either of them, but should she be extra careful? She had known and trusted Russell for many years, and Sebastian had apparently been in love with Caroline. Mulling it over she thought Adam was simply telling her to be cautious in what and who she asked. There was no need to go in both feet first and trample over everybody. She smiled. Adam still remembered how hasty she could be.

  “Anything wrong, my dear? You look a trifle pensive, if I may say so,” Russell said, a tender smile playing around his mouth.

  Diana looked up and shook her head. “No, it’s nothing to worry about.” She shivered. The sun had gone behind some very grey clouds, and the resulting sky looked like it would rain any minute.

  “I expect Steve’s keeping tabs on her. He’s heard about your theatrical lectures, Dad. He doesn’t want Diana coming home and boring him to death.” Diana glanced Seb’s way, surprised at the caustic tone in his voice.

  “What an outrageous thing to say, you young puppy. Diana, tell him. Were you bored today in my company?”

  Diana laughed weakly. “No, far from it. Seb, your father has always been interesting. He’s a mine of information and taught me heaps when I first arrived here. And he was a true friend, especially when I was going through a rough patch.” Her eye caught Russell’s, and he gave a slight shake of his head. Of course, Seb might not know anything about her fright all those years ago, she guessed. Diana decided it was better to steer the conversation away from it.

  “I’m only joking,” Sebastian answered. “So who was it? Was it Steve?”

  “Seb, don’t be so nosey. Diana’s text messages are her private affair.” Russell turned to his son with a frown.

  “It’s all right, honestly. It was from Adam, Superintendent Lovell. He called me just before you came home and had forgotten to mention something.”

  “How is he getting on with this nasty business? Has he arrested that bastard, Duncan, yet?” Russell asked with a sneer upon his face. “I would have thought if he doesn’t move fast the trail will get cold.”

  Diana dithered over his choice of words. “The trouble is I’m not sure there is a definite trail. So far—” She stopped, unsure she should say anything else.

  Sebastian and Russell looked eagerly at her, obviously waiting for her to continue. “Duncan is very upset, you know. He has Caroline’s mother coming down to see him today and he’s not looking forward to seeing her. Do either of you know her?” Diana continued neatly side-stepping her near mistake.

  Sebastian shook his head. “No, Caro and I never got that far down our relationship. Dad knew her though, didn’t you?” He looked over to where Russell was finishing his glass of wine, and Diana thought his stare was almost accusatory. What was the matter between these two?

  Russell placed his glass carefully on the table before he spoke. “Caroline’s mother? I don’t know her. I’ve met her a few times…it was years ago. But I can’t say we’re any more than passing acquaintances.”

  Sebastian turned to Diana. “Did you know Caroline’s father is a member of the government? Sir Thomas Elder—you may have heard of him?”

  Diana gasped with surprise. “Of course I have! But I thought her name was Tushing?”

  “It is…at least, that’s her stage name. At first she used her mother’s maiden name—she was known as Francine Burke. She was Caroline Burke when she first hit the stage, but her manager decided it was showier and more marketable to have something completely different. She didn’t want to draw attention to her illustrious father by taking his name, so chose Tushing instead.”

  Diana let his words register. So, if Caroline’s father was a member of the government, once her death was publicly confirmed as murder, the press would have a field day! No wonder Adam was working his socks off to get the killer as soon as possible. So far, the lid had been kept on the details concerning her death, and the word ‘murder’ hadn’t been mentioned. Nobody knew, except those few who had been the last to leave Havershall House. How had Adam managed it? He must either have a lot of clout or he had called in every favour he possessed. Adam! That rat! He had never told her about Caroline’s well-known father. Why ever not? She would give him a piece of her mind when she next saw him. She could have placed her size nines right in the mire. At that moment, the heavens opened, and the three of them grabbed whatever they could from the garden table and rushed indoors.

  “Well, at least it held off while we were eating,” Diana laughed.

  “The garden has got very dry this last week, so it’ll welcome another shower. I think tea would be in order? Seb, take Diana through to the study. It’s more comfy in there.”

  Russell wandered off down the hall, and Diana followed Sebastian into the room she had been exploring before lunch. She remembered the books she was looking at when Russell interrupted her earlier and one in particular. Sebastian wandered morosely over towards the window while Diana walked over to the shelves and plucked the book in question.

  “This looks interesting, Seb. Being a keen horticulturist, are mazes one of your hobbies too?”

  Sebastian joined her and looked over her shoulder. “Not really. I prefer larger trees and flowers to shrubs. That’s one of Dad’s books you’ve got there.” He turned away and walked back to the window where he stood moodily watching the rain.

  “Oh, I see. Sorry.” Diana flicked through the book, and as she did so, a folded piece of paper fell out. Surreptitiously, she gave it a quick read through and discovered it was a map of the maze back at Havershall House. It had a small mark printed in the corner, and she noticed it said, ‘Property of Havershall’. Diana carefully replaced the book where she found it and went to sit in an armchair.

  She thought back to an earlier conversation with Russell, one she shared with Steve. It was just after they both revisited the boathouse and discovered the boat had been tampered with. One of them asked Russell if he had visited the maze. He said…what had he said exactly? Diana concentrated. It was something like, ‘No, mazes terrify me ever since I was a boy and got lost at Hampton court.’ He then went on to say Hampton Court Maze was the eldest and most visited in the world. He mentioned another maze in Italy, she recalled. She couldn’t remember its name, but the one at Havershall was modelled on that very maze and it was easy to get lost in. So, if Russell feared mazes, then why did he have a book about them? And why was one of Duncan’s maps inside? Of course, maybe the book wasn’t his, and it was really Sebastian’s. Something didn’t ring true. She
wished there had been time to tell Adam about seeing the book earlier. Maybe she would text him when she found a moment…

  Russell entered the room with a tea tray. He placed it on a coffee table and asked Diana how she liked it. Before she had a chance to answer, Sebastian turned away from the window abruptly and stated he was going out.

  “But you’ve only just got in? Where are you going now?” asked his father.

  “I told Clare I’d take a look at her orchard. Some of the trees are showing signs of canker. I thought I’d treat them if I could.”

  “Look at the weather, why not wait until tomorrow.”