by David Beard
Emily was now ahead of the conversation and couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘She was beautiful; I have seen some old photos.’
‘Not as beautiful as you, my dear. You are far too good looking to be a police officer.’ This made Emily very uncomfortable as she anticipated what was coming.
‘I suddenly realised I fancied her more than Henry and that was probably why I was so angry. I was by then in my late twenties and I didn’t know who I was until that moment. It was a life changer. I had been living a life of denial.’
‘But you’d been through medical school; worked with red blooded footballers that you probably didn’t like. How could you possibly not know?’
‘I assumed I had a low sex drive. Fundamentally, I am very shy so I have never looked for companionship. My father was a vicar and my mother was extraordinarily traditional in her views. I was a virgin when I married…’
Emily interrupted her, ‘You didn’t succumb before…’
Geraldine in turn interrupted her, ‘Looking back, I think that was why he married me. Henry always had to win and we had a good relationship anyway. To carry on,’ she decided to return to her theme, ‘I had never met a woman who made a pass or said she fancied me. I was a very serious student, I worked hard and didn’t socialise a great deal. Of course, I had feelings for people and I concluded that I was probably bi-sexual, which upset me as it was clear that my parents would be unable to cope with that. So, it was all suppressed. On the other hand of course, Henry was totally different and he made all the running, not me. Our courtship was incredible. He was already wealthy so I was introduced to a world most people just dream about. Let’s go to Paris tomorrow for dinner. It’s Ascot next weekend we must get you a hat. That sort of thing.’
‘I don’t understand, you stopped the physical side of the marriage, so what did Henry get out of it?’
‘I didn’t stop it. It just petered out. I didn’t want it and Henry was having as much as he wanted elsewhere. You see, Henry was a predator. It was the chase that inspired him and then he conquered. That’s how he developed his business and he had to win. He needed new ground; that’s why he had so many different affairs.’
‘And what about Lynley? She doesn’t fit into that mode.’
‘They stuck together because they were like-minded. She too was a predator. I think they compared their conquests but they also knew the only way their relationship would work was if they remained unattached to one another. I don’t think their relationship was very emotional or cerebral; it was pure sex, no more.’
‘So where did you fit in, what did you provide for him?’
‘He wanted a base to return to. Even he needed stability and someone to attend to it. Without this,’ she wafted her arm around, ‘he would have lived in impersonal hotel rooms or a rubbish one room flat as that was all he would be prepared to look after. As time went on, I don’t think I could say we loved one another anymore but we were great friends and we certainly enjoyed each other’s company.’
‘Someone said you provided him with his food and did the laundry.’
‘That’s about it. Believe me, that routine of domestic security was very important to him.’
Emily shook her head slowly; what a selfish devil he must have been, she thought. ‘So, what did you get from it?’
‘Well, all of this. I live in one of the best houses in the area. I love gardening; I have a full time gardener and two part timers. I have private health care. Do you know how much it cost to plant all of those trees and buy those sculptures?’
‘Well, no…’
‘And neither do I. If it pleases me, I have it. I just do what I want. Part of my day consists of taking this lovely couple,’ she fondled the head of one of her dogs sitting at her feet, ‘for a walk on Exmoor or along the canal. I have a top of the range four by four; he never asked what it cost. These pedigree boys cost a fortune. I have the perfect lifestyle.’
‘So, it’s money?’
‘No, it’s freedom. Unfortunately, money is a necessary ingredient for that.’
Emily thought, that is not everyone’s philosophy and she decided to pursue it. ‘But you are not free. You are stuck here looking after his ideal house, doing his chores. What about companionship – love perhaps? What about your own needs? May I ask what of your own physical needs?’ She wondered if she had overstepped the mark and wished she had not asked the last question.
Geraldine knew they had arrived at the crux of their conversation and there was no going back. It was astonishing that after so many years, her life had remained a secret to everyone but the time had come when it had to be revealed. ‘This property is enormous, even for a fit young woman to look after and Henry expected it to be his palace. I needed a workforce.’
‘Your gardeners!’
‘Yes, but I also need someone to help in the house as well. I met Elfie.’
‘Ah! How?’
‘Henry knew of her; he had met her somewhere and one day he brought her around when we were looking for help and she was looking for a job. I was fascinated by her and fortunately she returned the affection. She has lived here for the last fifteen years. Everyone knows her as our housekeeper but…’ she hesitated once more, ‘she is rather more than that. So, I have everything I want: freedom, money, beautiful surroundings and a fabulous love life. I must confess that Henry was not aware of our relationship and we were very careful to ensure he never found out as I don’t think he would have approved. He was not narrow minded, so I don’t know why; we just knew. That was the only blight really. Henry and I have long since had separate bedrooms. He was away a great deal, so……need I say more?’
‘I haven’t met her until today.’
‘It’s August. She has just come back from visiting her parents who live in the Haut Savoir.’
‘Oh, I love it. Annecy, somewhere like that?’
‘Close by and not far from Geneva also.’
‘When did she go?’
‘On the Friday before the disasters. I took her to Bristol Airport and then I visited a friend who I used to work with at the Robins. We spent a lovely evening with the dogs on Clifton Downs, had a meal. That’s why I wasn’t around when the keys were stolen. It was a good day but it was very late when I returned home and to an empty house.’ She sighed and looked at the biscuits on the table, ‘Henry was always in control: he was always focussed and I never knew a time when he would ever need to ask a question such as, “what happens now?”, except for those last few days.’ Geraldine decided to sample another biscuit. As another stalling measure she asked, ‘Do you want another cup of tea?’
‘No, no, no, we need to keep going.’
Geraldine sighed once more and took time to digest her snack. ‘Look, surprisingly Henry and I were close but over those last few days he was unsure of himself. There were phone calls that required a raised and angry voice, something he never needed to do as he was always in control and he was very articulate. I felt he was being closed in; things were falling onto him and he couldn’t find a pathway from it. He spent more time than usual with her,’ she continued referring to Lynley, ‘at least I assumed it was her; I could be wrong. I just sensed it was all going pear shaped.’
‘His phone spent time in the canal with him and we are not sure it is recoverable. Did he use the landline regularly?’
‘Very rarely, perhaps when he forgot to recharge his mobile, but that would be about it. He did keep his business correspondence on the computer for obvious reasons; the office would want to know what was going on but he was very particular in keeping his private stuff separate from it.’
‘Well, as you have probably guessed we have a list of all the recent phone calls from here and from his mobile. Before I go, one thing puzzles me. He was a ruthless businessman but, you say, very generous. It doesn’t add up.’
‘Yes it does. He knew what side his bread was buttered. It may sound horrible but we were all used for his benefit. I knew that but, as I have ex
plained, it suited me as well.’
‘We have knowledge of his will. Do you know of his daughter?’
‘Well, no. It is a total mystery to me. She hasn’t come forward either. I don’t even know if she was born before we met or afterwards. I really can’t help you.’
‘Thank you for your time and the tea, I must go.’
*
As Emily drove to Wilde’s farm her mind was buzzing with all the information she had just received. She found it hard to rationalise the complexities of other people’s lives. She concluded that she was pretty boring and leading a conventional existence. Immediately her inquiring mind challenged it as she could not ascertain what was conventional. She hoped her next interview would not leave her in greater confusion regarding complex relationships.
Jenny Wilde was an elegant lady, now in middle age but still glowing with the beauty of her youth. Emily pondered how the ragged individual she met in the yard could hold the attention of such a smart and good looking person.
She showed her ID and Jenny invited her in. They sat at the kitchen table and as with all interviews it began with the tea ritual. She recalled Smalacombe’s recount of Jimmy’s inadequacies in making a brew and she hoped this time it would be more expeditious. Indeed it was and they were soon ready to begin.
‘Jenny, I must begin by saying this isn’t going to be easy for you or me but there are things we have to resolve.’
‘Well, I understand and in any case I have nothing to hide,’ she answered with a broad westcountry accent but without the dialect or swearwords of her husband’s.
‘How well did you know Henry Crossworth?’
‘We knew him well. Jimmy has been on the council with him for years.’
‘No, I’m sorry, I meant you personally? Jimmy has discussed his relationship with him with my superior.’
Up to this point Jenny was relaxed and happy to discuss this but Emily’s narrowing of the focus concerned her. ‘What are you saying?’
‘I just want to know how well you knew him.’
‘No you don’t. Just come clean. What you want to know is did I have a thing with him? Right?’
Emily did not expect to be challenged in this way and to make matters worse she knew that Jenny Wilde had assessed her position correctly. Emily was not sure how to continue but after some thought, the pause of which signalled to Jenny that she had gained the upper hand, Emily decided to not to back off. ‘Well, did you?’
‘What you are saying is, if I did have a go with him then Jimmy had a motive to murder him. Do you really think I am so thick to fall for that sort of trickery?’
Emily was lost for words and wished that Smalacombe was with her. How would he react? Something occurred to Emily and she changed course. ‘No, that is not my motive, Jenny…’
‘Mrs Wilde!’
‘I’m sorry. You have a son and a daughter.’
‘I do, and you’re not dragging them into anything.’
‘Absolutely. How old is your daughter?’
‘Twenty five.’
‘Look, I did warn you this is difficult and I have no option but to ask you some embarrassing questions and before you interrupt, you don’t have to answer them but it will help if you do.’ She waited to see if Mrs Wilde’s body language showed any relaxation. Unfortunately it didn’t. ‘Crossworth has a mystery daughter who will be in her mid twenties and he has left half of his fortune to her. No one knows who she is so we have to check everyone who may have had a relationship with him. This is about discounting you not accusing you or Jimmy. We need to find his daughter.’
‘I’m not discussing this.’
‘I can’t drop it. I will have to see you again and perhaps formally so that you can be properly represented.’
Emily expected her interviewee now to stand up to indicate that the session was over but she did not. She sat quietly, deep in thought and kissing her thumb. Eventually she spoke up, ‘How can I be sure this will be under wraps?’
‘If it proves to have no bearing on the outcome of this case then no one other than me and my superior will know of your disclosures. May I say, you have a hold on me as I have given you some secret information? I trust you, as well, not to broadcast it.’
‘She is not Crossworth’s daughter. Just check out the family likenesses. I am sure of that.’ She went into the front room and returned with a framed photograph of Jimmy and his daughter who was also called Jenny. She handed it to Emily.
Emily nodded; there was no doubt that this was a picture of father and daughter. ‘Yes, Mrs Wilde, I can’t argue with that.’ She handed the picture back, ‘and, the other part of the question?’ Emily persisted and wondered why Mrs Wilde added, “I am sure of that”.
Jenny Wilde stared at her inquisitor without blinking. When she felt Emily was cowed she decided to speak. ‘I have nothing more to say. Just think; if I thought there were millions in this I would certainly let you know if she could be his daughter.’
‘Thank you, Mrs Wilde. You haven’t answered the other side of my question but that will do for now.’
‘Get this straight. Jimmy may be a farmer but he can’t kill anything. I have to put down the Christmas turkey. If he can’t do that do you think he has the stomach to kill someone? Ian has to do all the shooting when the foxes are around.’
‘I’ll be in touch.’
CHAPTER 11
Smalacombe and Emily were summoned to Sheila Milner’s office first thing in the morning and as they strolled along the corridor Emily exaggerated her limp; she had a plan.
He asked, ‘How’s the ankle?’
‘It’s ATFL.’
Smalacombe blinked and looked at the ceiling. ‘I’m suffering from WTFIT.’
‘That sounds serious. And it is…?’she asked.
‘What the fuck is that?’
Her plan was working, ‘The anterior talofibular ligament is damaged…’ She had rehearsed her response and waited for the riposte with a twinkle in her eye. She knew what was coming.
‘Oh come on, bloody doctor now?’
Emily laughed loudly. Gotcha she thought and it was worth the effort. ‘I’m pretty sure it will be better by tomorrow. Before we go in,’ she added, referring to Milner’s office, ‘let me tell you I had a tough time with Jenny Wilde.’
‘Not just me who messes up then!’
‘You’re right there. Complete disaster. All I can say, Dexter, is that she hedged when asked about a relationship with Crossworth. She has no reason to do that if she didn’t have an affair with him. I’m convinced she did. Her daughter is the spitting image of Jimmy, by the way, so there is nothing to gain from that.’
‘But, if Jimmy knew…’
‘Exactly! There is more to this I think. I approached it all wrong, I’m sorry,’ she admitted.
Smalacombe was sympathetic; she was human after all. Even with an extra brain it was still possible to make mistakes. ‘Join the club, Emily. No need to worry.’
Sheila Milner was becoming impatient; she could see no sign of progress. As always the updates were not arriving. She didn’t feel inclined to sit, as pacing around and expressing herself with a multitude of arm movements helped her to alleviate the stress through physical action, which left her clear minded and in control. It meant that her subordinates also had to stand, which they did, both with their hands clasped in front of them.
‘When was the last time you reported back to me?’
Smalacombe could see that Milner was agitated, ‘I’m sorry, mam we have been very busy.’
‘You haven’t answered the question.’ His reply annoyed her even more: it was his usual response in such circumstances. She came around to the front of her desk and leant back on it. ‘How can I run things if I don’t know what is going on?’
‘Mam, may I speak?’ Emily spoke up and Milner looked to her fiercely and nodded her head once as an indication that she could. ‘The Chief Inspector and I have hardly been in the office. We are very conscious that there is
so much to do and we are not clearing it up quickly enough.’
‘Hmph. I can tell who you are working with.’
‘I have hurt my ankle, may I sit down?’
Milner threw her hands in the air and looked out of the window: is this the limit of their concerns, she thought. She walked around behind her desk and sat. She pointed vaguely at empty chairs. Smalacombe dutifully brought a chair forward for his sergeant and then placed one at its side for himself. He decided it was time to take over or Milner’s bad mood would continue and they would be faced with a wasteful hour of recriminations and nothing more. ‘Mam, we have at last made a breakthrough,’ he looked to Emily who was surprised, ‘I haven’t yet discussed it with my sergeant, but at last we have a pattern.’
Milner placed her elbows on the desk, rested her chin on the back of her hands and listened intently.
‘Firstly, we are faced with an astonishing coincidence. We have two separate crimes on our hands.’
‘Well of course we do, two bloody murders,’ she exhorted irritably.
‘No, that is one scenario if you like. There are a number of very disgruntled business people who decided to destroy Crossworth’s A Gate Services because he was exploiting them. I don’t think they wanted him dead; I think they wanted him to endure failure and perhaps even a little bit of poverty.’ He looked towards Emily, who was wide eyed as he revealed his contention. ‘I have come to this conclusion this morning,’ he explained to her, ‘I haven’t had the opportunity to discuss it with you yet.’
Milner looked to the sergeant, ‘Join the club.’ She looked back to Smalacombe, ‘Go on.’
‘The murders are not about business, well not A Gate Services’ business. They are about personal matters. So, there are two separate factions working for Crossworth’s downfall.’
‘That would be coincidental, but how can you be sure?’
Emily had picked up all the threads and wanted to contribute, she looked to Smalacombe who guessed her desire and he nodded. ‘There are two main indicators at least, mam. Firstly, Heather Lynley had no connection with Crossworth’s business affairs, so why kill her? Secondly, why sack her daughter at the same time as they murdered her? The two cannot be directly connected, if they were, it would be a give away…’
