4 Camera ... Action ... Murder!

by Faith Mortimer

  “No. I don’t—I don’t want to stay in. I feel claustrophobic indoors right now. I’ll see you later. I’ll just go and get my boots first.”

  Diana and Russell listened to him clumping along the hall. Russell shrugged. “It’s probably for the best. I always think it’s a good thing to keep busy. More cake, Diana?”

  Diana shook her head and gave him a rueful look. “No thanks, I’d better not as much as I love it. I’ve eaten heaps today.”

  “You’re probably wise not to overindulge. I seem to suffer from indigestion these days more and more.”

  Sebastian stuck his head round the door. He held a pair of Wellington boots in one hand and a pair of stripy gloves in the other. “I’ll be off then. See you later, Dad. It was nice to see you again, Diana.”

  “Wait a minute. What time can I expect you home? Will you want supper with me?”

  “Not sure, and no, don’t cook anything for me, I’ll get fish and chips if I feel like it.” He paused, and his next statement surprised Diana and his father. “I’ve decided to go away for a while. Barry’s happy enough because he doesn’t have to find me any work until I return. Bye then.”

  “What? This is a bit sudden, don’t you think? Where will you go? And what about the police? What if they want to talk to you again?”

  “I don’t know where, just away from here. As for the police, I don’t really care. I’ll just have to take a chance. I’ll be back to pack a bag later after seeing Clare.”

  “Well, if you’re sure it’s the right thing to do. I suppose they have your contact number,” Russell mused. “Hang on. Those are my gloves you’ve got there.”

  Sebastian looked at the gloves in his hand. “Yes, I know. I can’t seem to find mine. I thought you wouldn’t mind me borrowing yours.”

  “Just don’t lose them.” Russell dismissed him, and Diana got the feeling he actually seemed relieved Sebastian was going out.

  Once Sebastian had left the house, Russell turned to Diana. “I must say that was a surprise. I never expected Seb to decide to take off. I expect you’ve realised he and I have our moments, and right now is one of them. He’s a liability at times. He’s forever misplacing things and not remembering where he left them. I suppose that’s the last I’ll see of that pair. He really should be in his own place. It’s time he looked after himself. His mother always spoilt him. How’s your tea doing, ready for some more?”

  “No, thank you, Russell. Actually, I really must be off too. I’ll just pop into the loo before I go.”

  Diana left the room to find the bathroom. She was deep in thought. She had discovered many things this afternoon. Russell had a book on mazes despite saying he disliked and feared them, and Sebastian had lost a pair of gloves. Could the glove found in the maze the other day be his? And what had become of the other?

  She washed and dried her hands before glancing in the mirror. The woman staring back at her looked pensive, and Diana changed her facial expression to one of blankness. She couldn’t let Russell know what she suspected.

  Re-entering the study, Diana walked over to the chair where she had left her handbag. She almost hesitated before picking it up. She could have sworn she had left it further back on the seat. A cold feeling swept over her. Her mobile with Adam’s text! Could Russell have taken her phone and read it for himself? Adam had ended the text advising caution…what if Russell had read it? Surely not. The text message was private, and they were friends.

  Diana stood before Russell and flicked a look his way. Was she imagining a grim look upon his face?

  “Sit down for a moment, my dear. I feel that you’ve hardly arrived before you’re up and off. It’s been so nice having you here again. Quite like old times.” He indicated her empty chair.

  Diana felt torn. Half of her wanted to stay and ask more questions, and the other half felt uneasy. She walked over to the bookcase and acting with apparent random picked up the book about mazes. She turned back towards Russell.

  “Oh, I see you have a book about mazes.”

  “What? Oh yes, it’s not mine actually. It belongs to Seb. He’s been addicted to them ever since he went on a school trip to Italy. If you want to know anything about them ask him. He’s quite the expert.”

  So both were denying ownership of the tome! One was certainly lying. But which one was it: father or son?

  Chapter 25

  Once the words left his mouth, Diana knew something wasn’t right. She paused; a few minutes wouldn’t hurt, and then she would definitely leave.

  “You know, if Clare hadn’t invited you to stay, I was going to suggest you come and spend some time here. I’ve plenty of room, and the offer is still there if you want to prolong your visit to Cheltenham.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Russell, but we’re going back to Hampshire in a day or so. Besides I’m not sure Sebastian is ready for us and a toddler, especially after Caroline—” She stopped. She was about to mention Caroline and her pregnancy, but two things made her change her mind. Sebastian had never mentioned Caroline being pregnant and neither had Russell. She wondered if either of them knew. Russell raised his eyebrows at her words.

  “Caroline? I suppose you mean about her pregnancy? Your policeman friend would no doubt have told you.”

  As Diana moved her head in agreement, he stood up, wandered over to the window, and stood facing out before continuing.

  “It was quite a shock when she told me, and I was very surprised. Especially because I suspected she knew I wasn’t that enamoured with her being involved with Sebastian. In fact I did wonder if she did it to amaze me or if she was just being mischievous. She was a spoilt young woman and really needed saving from herself. There are many such women if you look around you.” He raised his hands and then dropped them. “You see she never disclosed the fact about being pregnant by Sebastian and neither did I. I don’t even know if she told anyone at all.”

  Diana gasped. “You mean—?”

  Russell turned round to face her. She noticed how forbidding his face appeared as he shook his head. “Yes, it was a secret. And I’d rather you kept this information to yourself. I gather the police haven’t mentioned it either, or else Seb would be even more upset.”

  “Of course I won’t.”

  “I presume the police have said nothing because of the question about paternity. I’m almost sure it was Seb’s. Hopefully, nothing more will be said about it because I don’t see how this would help the case, and it would be just dredging up facts no one needs to know.” His voice was low and flat.

  Diana felt staggered at Russell’s apparent lack of remorse. Despite a young woman’s death and that of her infant, the foetus could have been his grandchild. An incoming text caught her attention, and she was glad of the excuse in not having to answer him. She pulled the phone from her bag and saw it was from Adam. She skimmed over what he had sent, noticing that he was calling on Clare and then Duncan later that day. She really wanted to speak to him and thought this was the perfect excuse for leaving. She stood up, thrusting the phone back into her purse.

  “I’m sorry, Russell, but something important has come up. I have to leave. Thank you so much for lunch and the tour. I’ve had a lovely day.”

  She made her way from the room and walked down the hall towards the front door with Russell following her.

  “I do hope everything is all right. Was it from the police again?”

  Diana almost gave a start, and she thought rapidly. She might have mentioned she was on a call to Adam earlier when she was in the study but hadn’t said that her first text was from Adam. Or had she? No, she was certain she hadn’t. So, did Russell know the identity of the sender of the first text, or was he referring to her telephone call. She grabbed her jacket from the peg and opened the door as Russell laid a detaining hand upon her arm. His fingers felt hot against her skin, and she smelt a peculiar smell on his breath. Flustered, Diana jerked her elbow from his grasp.

  “Diana, whatever is the matter? You’ve go
ne as white as a sheet! Is it bad news, my dear? Please don’t rush off without telling me. You know how I care for you and your well-being.” His face looked kind and completely genuine.

  Diana gulped. “I’m sorry. I have a lot on my mind. It’s my sister-in-law. She and my cousin are supposed to be coming down here, and she’s not well. She’s expecting her first baby, and I really need to speak to Steve about her.” She needed some air.

  Russell didn’t look entirely convinced. “Are you sure that’s all? You’re not getting het up over Caroline and Isabelle, are you? You really should let the police do their job.”

  “Yes, of course that’s all. I’ve only been involved because I know Adam.”

  “I see. Well, as long as you’re all right. Are you going straight back home? Are you fit to drive?”

  “Yes, perfectly. Thank you for your concern.” She pushed past him and walked out onto the front-door steps before half turning back towards him. “I may call in on Duncan briefly before I head over to Clare’s, because I don’t know when I’ll see him again if we’re leaving soon. I promised I would, and he said he wanted to talk to me.”

  Russell’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, he said so last night. Please remember he is a consummate liar, a gambler, and a near-bankrupt. And I strongly suspect a murderer. Do be careful. Would you like me to accompany you?”

  “There’s no need. There are plenty of people around at Havershall. I doubt we’ll be alone. Caroline’s mother may still be there. Goodbye, Russell.” She hurried down the steps before he had a chance to detain her further. She gave a brief wave before leaving the garden and turned onto the pavement.

  So much was whizzing around in her mind. She needed to collect her thoughts and then ring Adam. She felt they could finish the jigsaw together now…there were just a few remaining pieces to be fitted together, but she felt sure she was almost there. Russell and Sebastian were strange. Russell acted the concerned old friend, and yet he was completely cold where his son’s dead lover was concerned. Sebastian was erratic, apparently told lies, and why did he suddenly decide to visit Clare? He was also planning on leaving Cheltenham that night. She really ought to warn Adam. Looking at fruit trees in the rain was hardly an emergency. Diana felt a strange feeling steal over her. She realised her nervousness stemmed from the thought of Sebastian visiting Clare. The young man was behaving very oddly, and Diana had noticed an unpredictable wildness in his eyes. The house would be empty; Patrick and Joanna were only staying the one night, and Steve would be somewhere down on the river. She had no real idea when Adam would get there, since his time keeping wasn’t perfect, and who knew what could happen to detain him. Clare would be all alone…

  Chapter 26

  Diana reached her car and, once she was seated, reached for her phone. She had masses to tell Adam, and now was as good a time as any. She rang his number and waited. There was no answering pick-up, and within seconds it went through to his voicemail. Damn! She would have to leave a message. Diana realised she was babbling and forced herself to slow down…she finished by asking Adam to meet her at Clare’s as soon as possible.

  ***

  Driving back to the cottage, Diana began to put two and two together. She felt sure her instincts were right. So many little things were falling into place, and she had seen glimpses of the grief lurking in his eyes. But there was still the question of the baby…was Caroline killed because of it?

  Diana glimpsed at her watch. She wasn’t too far behind Sebastian, and she prayed Adam was already on his way there; maybe she would find Steve safely in the house, calmly drinking tea and passing the day with his hostess, unharmed. Clare had changed her mind that morning. She had decided to go up to London in the evening. If she had stuck to her original plan, Diana wouldn’t be apprehensive.

  The cottage was farther away than she first thought, and worrying about the time, she put her foot down. If she received a speeding ticket, then she hoped Adam would bail her out. He owed her one. Hadn’t he kept Caroline’s father’s identity to himself? The countryside flew past her speeding car, the tall, dried stalks of the golden wheat fields just waiting to be cut and rolled into bales; wooded copses, a meandering river, and pretty houses all built in the honey-coloured sandstone of the area. But Diana saw none of it, so intent was she in reaching her destination. She swerved to avoid a pair of plump pheasants, and her nearside wheels hit the grass verge causing her to bump along, low branches and brambles catching the car and scratching the side. A large oak loomed just off to her side, and with a shriek of alarm she turned the wheel, barely scraping past the danger. Bugger! She would have to answer to the car-hire company for any damage. Beads of sweat broke out on her brow as she swore again, and she forced herself to concentrate. If she ran the car off the road and suffered a fatal accident, then she wouldn’t be able to help anyone.

  She reached the junction leading to Clare’s cottage just as her mobile sprang into life. Diana glanced at the number and saw it was Adam. Her pulse was racing, and she decided she must pull over, calm down, and steady her nerves.

  “Di! Where are you? I got your message. I think I understand what you were babbling on about.” Diana thought he sounded annoyingly amused and couldn’t think why. “You have certainly thrown more than one spanner in the works. Your findings have thrown an entirely diff—”

  “Adam,” she interrupted him. “Shut up and listen! Sorry, I’m so glad you called. I’m on my way to Clare’s. I’m about seven minutes away. I…I’ve pulled over. I nearly hit a tree. I was going too fast.”

  “Silly girl, for God’s sake take it steady now. It’s all right. There’s no need to hurry, we’re already at Clare’s.”

  A feeling of relief crept over Diana, and she closed her eyes. Thank goodness! She realised she was shaking.

  “Clare and Steve are here with me as well as Barbara, my sergeant.”

  “And Sebastian? Has he arrived yet?” Diana asked in a rush.

  “No. I assume he’ll appear any minute now, according to your message.”

  “What about the weedkiller? Has Clare told you where it came from? Has she remembered?”

  “Not exactly. She says she didn’t buy it, and I believe her. The label on the bottle shows it came from a nursery no longer in business, so it was purchased some time back. Hello, can you hear me? Did you catch what I said?”

  “Yes, yes, I’m still here. Your voice is fading in and out a bit. I’m sitting near a hill, so it might be causing a blind spot to the signal.” Diana felt frustrated because there was so much she wanted to tell him and the reception was so bad.

  “There, that’s better. You’re loud and clear again. Clare’s pretty sure the weedkiller was brought round because it was needed for her garden. Although Sebastian said he couldn’t remember last night, she’s almost certain it was used earlier this year.”

  “Yes. Did you understand my message about the gloves? Sebastian told his father he’d lost his recently. The one I found might be his.”

  “Yes. We’ll go through that with him as soon as he arrives. It’s far too early to get a DNA result, but we can certainly push it through as fast as we can. I’m sure we’ll soon have him confessing all.” Adam’s voice sounded calm and self-assured.

  “I haven’t told you yet, but Sebastian’s planning on taking off from here tonight. He doesn’t know where he’s going, but he didn’t seem concerned about hanging around to answer any more questions from you.”

  “Is he now? Interesting and what about—hello? Hello? Can you hear me, Diana?”

  “Yes, I’m still here.”

  “Okay, I’ve got you back.”

  “And listen, Adam, what about the book on mazes I found at the house? Although both Russell and Sebastian denied it belonged to either of them, Russell definitely said Seb became hooked on mazes when he went to Italy on a school trip. I’ve known Russell for years, and I’m getting confused. I…I don’t know if he was lying.”

  “We’ll get to the bottom of it once we�
�ve interviewed Sebastian again. Look, a car has just arrived, it’s probably him. I’ll see you later.”

  “Good. That’s all right then, and if there’s time after, I would like to visit Duncan. I promised I would, and I’d like to meet Caroline’s mother. Did you know she’s visiting him today?” Diana asked.

  She was met with silence. “Hello? Hello. Damn!” The phone was completely dead. In disgust, she threw it on the passenger seat and put the car into gear ready to move on. After no more than five hundred metres the phone rang again.

  “Diana, Duncan here. Are you busy? I wondered if you had time to spare and could come over this afternoon. Francine, Caroline’s mother is here, but because she has to get back up to town by this evening, it would have to be pretty soon.”

  “Oh…hello, Duncan. I was expecting someone else to ring. I am on my way back to Clare’s actually. I’m just about there.”