Enigma of Fire

by Marilyn Leach

  She shoved it toward Berdie, who took it.

  Mrs. Limb gaped.

  “I know, Mum, but what if Alec, what if it should happen again, another especially bad episode? I didn’t want to be caught out.”

  Berdie stuck the mobile in a pocket of her overalls. “Thank you, Jenny, very noble of you.” She lifted her wet chin. “And if I may say, there is help available for your Alec, and absolutely no shame in it.”

  Mrs. Limb and Jenny exchanged glances.

  “At least let my husband call on you, now that we know how to find you. There’s many who suffer the same problem as your Alec. My husband can help.”

  “He’s very circumspect?” Jenny questioned.

  “I know of few more so,” Berdie assured.

  “Yes, all right,” Mrs. Limb agreed.

  “Good,” Lillie interjected, “you’ve made a wise decision. And I believe we all need to move on now so we don’t catch a chill.”

  Jenny mounted her bike and started the engine.

  “Aside from your husband knowing, our situation won’t be put about the village, will it,” Mrs. Limb reinforced.

  “No,” Berdie reassured. “My husband will come to call at your summer cottage. Now, we’ll see you Sunday, you and the kiddies?”

  The woman nodded.

  “To the off then.” Lillie took Berdie by the excess fabric of her overall sleeve and pulled her in the direction of the van.

  “God go with you,” Berdie called to Mrs. Limb, who worked to open the gate while Jenny blasted up the lane.

  “Job well done,” Lillie pattered. “We found all we were looking for and more.”

  “Yes, we did,” Berdie mumbled and her heart gave a brief flutter.

  “You don’t seem very pleased.”

  “There’s a much larger concern now. We’ve just sharpened a double-edged sword, Lillie.”

  “And how’s that?”

  “Don’t you see? We’ve discovered this rainy morning that there was no hoax call. It was all legitimate. There was no plot to get the commander in the vehicle.” Berdie had difficulty letting the words slip through her wet lips. “I believe my Hugh was the intended victim after all.”

  13

  “Mrs. Elliott?” Chief Inspector Kent, standing at the crime scene, tipped his head as he beheld Berdie. “Are you all right?”

  “Oh, Chief Inspector, I’m so glad you’re here. I just dropped Lillie at her home and got over here as quickly as possible.” Berdie took a very deep breath. “That local knowledge you spoke of. I had to tell you straightway that I’ve found what’s been missing.”

  Kent cocked his head to the side. “Proper-fitting eyeglasses, presumably.”

  “Oh.” Berdie’s concern for Hugh and getting pertinent facts to Chief Inspector Kent had entirely trumped her dreadful appearance. And the fact that the rain had stopped added a bizarre quality to the situation. “I do apologize. A mishap amidst curious circumstances.” She ran a finger through wet hair and tried, unsuccessfully, to straighten her glasses. “It’s just that I’ve discovered something that will turn your entire investigation on its head.”

  “Is that a fact?” Kent ran an inquisitive eye over her soaked blue uniform and half smirked. “Working undercover, are we? Is it electrics or plumbing?”

  Berdie realized that her critical information would be better received without the distraction of her ghastly appearance. “Can you come to the vicarage in twenty minutes for a quick cuppa?” Berdie requested with the hope she could tidy herself up in that amount of time.

  “Quick cuppa? I can see my way clear to do that.” Kent smiled.

  “Make it twenty-five minutes,” Berdie corrected and turned from the crime scene to trudge her soaked body to the vicarage.

  Getting herself in proper order again took some doing, but she was soon ready. She wasn’t especially fond of her old black-framed spare eyeglasses, but they would get the job done until her other ones could be repaired. The floral-print wrap dress she wore was a deliberate attempt to regain some dignity in her dealings with the chief inspector. And in a timely manner, Berdie put the kettle on and toasted up some scones.

  A strong rap came at the back door of the kitchen, and Berdie, who held two teaspoons, glanced at the clock. “Spot on,” she quipped and pulled the door open.

  “I hope you have a moment, because it’s important I see you right now.” Tillie, hair loose and denims tight, entered the kitchen before Berdie had a chance to respond. “I’ve been trying to get hold of you all morning.”

  “I’ve been out. What is it?” Berdie moved to the nearby kitchen table and put the spoons down among the other preparations for elevenses.

  “Are you encouraging my father to make an absolute fool of himself?”

  “What?”

  “Are you?”

  “Tillie, I’m sure I haven’t any idea what you’re on about. Come, sit down.”

  “You know very well what I mean. My father and that Sandra woman.”

  “Ah.” Berdie pulled out the chair. “That Sandra woman happens to be a very loving soul. Some tea?”

  Tillie remained standing. “They’ve just met, and he’s mooning over her like a schoolboy.”

  Berdie smiled.

  “I found him out in the back garden of the B and B in the wee hours of this morning, and in his pajamas. Stargazing. Apparently, Sandra told him it was good for his soul. It’s madness.” Her volume rose with her anger. “And that’s not all. He’s been practicing with his prosthetic leg again, all to impress her.”

  “Is that so bad, Tillie?”

  “It’s not a proper fit. It gives him terrible sores.” She knit her brow. “Isn’t that just like you? Seeing things through rose-tinted glasses.”

  Berdie adjusted her black frames. Hardly rosy.

  Tillie verbally stomped her foot. “What do you know about his past with women? When Mum left, his life was a shambles.” Tillie’s voice trembled. “It’s just not fair.”

  “Tillie, take a breath.”

  “And now look at poor Avril. Why she ever took up with that man, I can’t imagine.” The young woman cocked her eyebrow. “I’m glad he’s gone, frankly.”

  “Gone?”

  “You’ve not heard? Kabil’s done a bunk. Gone.”

  Berdie took a moment to let the news settle in. She knew Kabil had been ill at ease and distant. Somehow, she wasn’t all that surprised.

  “Cedric tried to tell Avril from the start that man was mixed up with a bad crowd. He warned her that she’d never be first consideration in Kabil’s life as long as his cause held his soul.”

  “Cause? What cause?”

  “Not only does she have to cope with her father’s misfortune, now she’s been abandoned. This whole thing is a complete dog’s dinner.”

  “Tillie, perhaps you should sit down.”

  “Now Dad’s going the same way.”

  “Tillie, you’re overwrought.” Berdie used her most soothing tone. “Your father is not Avril. His simple attraction to Sandra is different entirely. And who’s to say she’s not good for him?” She patted the chair. “Please, sit down.”

  Tillie’s face went red, and her fist came down upon the table with such force it made the teacups rattle in their saucers. “I don’t want to sit down. I want my father to see sense.”

  Berdie looked Tillie straight in the eye, and what she saw there was genuine anger. “Tillie, your father is a grown man. He’s responsible and aware of what he’s doing. He and Sandra are just enjoying time together. That’s all.”

  “What does he see in her? What can he offer her? He’s disabled.”

  Berdie expanded her eyes and balked. “Tillie, did you hear what you just said? Your father is missing a leg, not a heart.”

  Tillie clenched her jaw. She put her hand to her forehead and closed her eyes. “I didn’t mean that. I don’t know why I said it.”

  “You’re upset."

  Tillie straightened. “Yes, I do know why I said i
t. Because he’s not financially capable. He can’t support her or her scatty aunt.”

  “Hang about, Tillie.” Berdie’s tone was not so soothing now. “You’re jumping way ahead of the game.”

  The young woman huffed. She looked askance at the table set for two. “Oh, you’re expecting someone?”

  “Chief Inspector Kent should be along any moment.”

  “I didn’t know…” Tillie looked toward the half-open door and took a deep, calming breath. “I won’t take up any more of your time.”

  “We can discuss this later. Come by or ring me.”

  “Just don’t encourage my father in this silly business, Mrs. Elliott. That’s all.” Tillie turned and made for the door, wasting no time on pleasantries.

  “God go with you,” Berdie called to the disappearing woman and set about getting the clotted cream from the fridge for the scones.

  Poor Avril. She must encourage the young woman to come stay with her and Hugh at the vicarage. And as far as Tillie’s outrage, she couldn’t help but wonder if the caregiver was a bit jealous of her father’s good fortune. But that was all secondary to the thing that mattered most to her right now: Hugh’s wellbeing.

  Berdie heard a rapid knock at the door and hoped it was her anticipated guest.

  “Come in, Chief Inspector.”

  Jasper Kent entered the kitchen and closed the door. “Blimey, she wasn’t by half in a hurry.”

  “Tillie? Yes, she’s in a bit of a spin.” Berdie put the cream on the table. “Do you remember what life was like when you were in your twenties?”

  “Before or after marriage?”

  Berdie chuckled. “Please, sit down.”

  Jasper Kent took his hat off and hung it at the coat hook near the door, exposing his close-cut brown hair. He sat at the table.

  Berdie removed the tea towel covering a basket of warm scones.

  “This is quite nice. Scones and all.”

  Berdie sat in the chair opposite. “It is elevenses, more or less.”

  “Thank you. Certainly beats cold coffee and a digestive back at the station.”

  “Yes, well, God bless this table and our bringing of light to troubled situations,” Berdie said in somewhat of a rush, half to Jasper Kent and half to the great Provider. “Tuck in. I’ll pour.”

  He took a scone from the basket whilst Berdie splashed some milk in his cup.

  “You were right about the young lad from London being guilty of something. Though Brice isn’t sure, I’ve determined it’s not setting the blast.”

  Berdie nodded and tried not to appear smug. “What’s he done then?”

  Kent glanced round the table. “Strawberry jam?”

  Berdie lifted the lid on a ceramic dish shaped like a giant red strawberry, revealing the luscious fruit preserves.

  Kent stuck a teaspoon in and ladled it onto his scone.

  “It’s his Uncle Chander, been importing illegal foodstuffs into the country, dodgy meat and vegetables without health certificates or import licenses. We cottoned onto it without the lad even implicating him.”

  “He’s very fond of his uncle. Not a grass.”

  Kent filled his spoon a second time, and third, piling it on the scone. “Yes. Well, it seems Sundeep’s been his delivery boy to certain buyers.”

  “I had no idea. He’s in trouble then?” Berdie poured tea into Kent’s cup.

  “I should say, but he’ll probably receive nothing more than a caution and community service since he’s young, with no previous record, and he’s been so forthcoming concerning the whole affair.”

  “That’s good.” Berdie splashed milk in her cup, and then added a teaspoon of sugar. “I think he’s learned his lesson. He’ll stay clear of trouble now.”

  Kent grabbed the spoon next the clotted cream. “Ah, lovely. My wife doesn’t let me eat this at home, says it’s bad for me.”

  Berdie watched him ladle five teaspoons of the almost-thick-as-butter cream atop his jam.

  The chief inspector’s mobile sounded from a trouser pocket. He puffed. “Excuse me, must get this.”

  Berdie was well-acquainted with interrupted conversations. After all, she was the vicar’s wife in a small village. She smiled, poured her tea, and prepared her scone.

  “Kent,” he spoke into the mobile. “Yes.” He paused. “Right.” He made a clucking sound. “Please keep me informed then.” He returned the mobile to his pocket. “Sorry, no rest for the wicked.”

  “Are you wicked, Chief Inspector?”

  “It depends on if you’re talking to the good guys or bad guys. Anyway, we have a new lead.” Kent returned to his overflowing scone, took a deep bite, and chewed. “Um, nothing compares with scones and cream.” He munched with satisfaction.

  “New lead, you say?” Berdie probed.

  “When we track him down,” he said between chews. He dabbed a napkin at the cream on the corners of his mouth. “He’s done a runner.”

  “Kabil?”

  “There’s no flies on you, Mrs. Elliott.”

  “Then you won’t mind me saying that you’re probably on a hiding to nothing on that one.”

  “Oh yes? He’s got motive: the commander was dead set against him and his daughter getting cozy. And that’s beside the fact that he’s linked to some questionable organizations. And you never heard it from me.” He took another bite of scone.

  “What would be his motive for”—Berdie took a breath—“killing my husband?”

  “Your husband? Why would you say that?” Inspector Kent slowed his munching and stared at the somber Berdie.

  “The missing piece.” She wondered if he could read the apprehension that surely played cross her face.

  Jasper Kent set the scone down and continued to study her eyes. “You’ve found something out.”

  Berdie stood, walked to the kitchen dresser, and opened a drawer that held odds and ends. She pulled out a mobile phone.

  Kent watched every move.

  She returned to her chair and set the mobile next him on the table. “It’s Sundeep’s. A bit wet, but there it is.”

  The chief inspector leaned forward, eyes cautious. “Where’d you find it?”

  “I didn’t. It was discovered on Old Barn Road, near the grocery box that Sundeep delivered the morning of the blast. It was given me this morning.”

  DCI Kent leaned back in the chair and stretched his arms forward on the table, his fingers spread out. “I hope I’m going to get a straight answer on this.” He paused. “Who gave it to you?”

  Berdie took a sip of tea, avoiding his eyes, and then lifted her chin. “The call made to Hugh that afternoon was legitimate.”

  Berdie watched Kent’s jaw tighten as he drew his hands back to the edge of the table.

  “So this comes under the heading of professional confidence, does it? The investigative reporter doesn’t reveal her confidential sources?” He tapped a finger on the table. “The churchwoman’s obligation to privacy?”

  “Something like that. Yes.”

  Berdie observed a red tinge develop on the tip of the lawman’s ears.

  “You’re going to have to trust me, Chief Inspector.” She looked him in the eye. “Jasper. I can tell you this—”

  “Berdie, please.” The words yelled extremely perturbed.

  “I can tell you this,” she went on, her confidence building as she did so. “There was a family in great need, they used Sundeep’s mobile phone to call Hugh, and their home is next to impossible to find from Old Barn Road.” She folded her hands on the table. “I know this is extremely frustrating for you. I understand. I’m giving you as much information as I can at the moment. You’ll get more later, directly from the source, if you step lightly. But please hear me out on this. Just consider: we’ve not found anyone who spied out the crime scene at the time of the blast. Your primary suspect, Sundeep, has, for all intents and purposes, been exonerated. In terms of motive, with Hugh as the target, your new lead, Kabil, is left at the back of the pack.�
�

  Kent shifted in the chair.

  “And don’t undermine your gut instinct. Just this morning, you told me you had a sense of trying to grasp smoke, that local knowledge could be critical. You’re right. The commander was not the intended victim.”

  The inspector heaved an enormous sigh. “Berdie Elliott, if ever there was a woman so capable and at the same time so aggravating…”

  Berdie leaned forward. “Be that as it may, Chief Inspector Kent, the real issue now is who wanted, or wants, to kill my Hugh, and why?”

  ****

  Berdie, elevenses with Jasper Kent behind her, arrived at the hospital in good time. Now she could see clearly through the large window that opened from the hall to the commander’s hospital room.

  Dave stood near the end of the bed. Avril, in a chair, sat near the head of the bed, Sparks at her side. But all Berdie could really see was her Hugh. It looked that he was about ready to leave, so Berdie waited for him outside the door.

  “Hello, love,” he greeted when he entered the hall, Dave behind. “You’re wearing your old spare glasses.”

  “Oh, Hugh.” Berdie wrapped her arms around him and gave a tight squeeze. She couldn’t help herself. She was so grateful he was still here to hug.

  He returned the embrace, a slight red flush above his clerical collar. “Not that I mind, but why the special greeting?”

  Dave, wearing a sheltered grin, moved a discreet distance away and looked out the hospital window.

  “Hugh, you could be in danger.”

  He wrinkled his brow and smiled. “It’s only a rowing practice, Berdie.”

  “No, I mean real danger. Someone may want to do you in.”

  Hugh chuckled. “The only ones who’ll do me in are Rollie and Chad if I don’t get to rowing practice.”

  “But, Hugh.”

  He took Berdie’s hands. “I have the best news possible.” He gave her fingers a squeeze. “Cedric’s regained consciousness.”

  Berdie blinked. “Hugh, that’s wonderful, wonderful, but—”

  “Sparks ignited a spark, pardon the pun, and Avril lit the fire.” Hugh’s face beamed. “Thank God! In a week’s time we’ve gone from despair to hope. We’re so blessed.”