Murder by Suspicion

by Veronica Heley

  ‘Karen, you could sign up with an agency to do some modelling, couldn’t you? And you might consider selling your story to the tabloids.’

  Karen went all starry-eyed and even unstuck herself from Edward’s side. ‘Oh, yes! That’s what I’ll do. Thanks, Mrs Quicke. I thought you were, like, too ancient to come up with any good ideas, but this is ace. Don’t you think so, Edward?’

  Edward’s face was a picture. Doubt fought with hope. Hope won. Edward would always expect things to be made easy for him, wouldn’t he?

  Ellie got out her phone. ‘Now, before we summon the police and, remembering it’s a Sunday afternoon and the top people may or may not be on duty, I’m going to ring my solicitor and see if he’s free to help us. That’s where my having money comes into this: I’ll pay for him to represent Malcolm, Agnes and Mr Cook. Also for Karen, provided she tells the truth and clears Malcolm of rape and kidnapping. Is that all right by everyone?’

  ‘What about me?’ said Edward, annoyed at being left out.

  ‘You’ll pay for yourself,’ said Ellie.

  Sunday, early evening

  Home again. At last. The sun had lost its brilliance, but it hadn’t rained for a while and the air was dry and dusty. The trees were still densely leaved and green, but every now and then a brown leaf drifted down to the pavement. Soon autumn would be upon them.

  ‘Yoohoo, I’m back!’

  Thomas appeared from his study, talking to someone on his mobile, raising a hand to her and smiling. Thomas was all right.

  Susan appeared from the kitchen, also smiling. Susan was wearing an apron and carrying a mixing bowl. She also nodded and smiled. So Susan and Rose were all right.

  Susan said, ‘Like a cuppa?’

  ‘Bless you,’ said Ellie and shucked off her jacket.

  Only then did she see the black-clad figure sitting on the hall chair.

  Claire. Not smiling. Fidgeting. ‘Oh, there you are at last. I’ve been waiting for ages.’

  Now what?

  Ellie shrugged and led the way into the sitting room. Claire followed. Ellie seated herself in her favourite chair and looked around with pleasure. There were flowers on the table in the window, and the furniture was just where she liked it.

  Claire said, ‘I’m so worried. I dropped over to see my brother, and there were police cars all over the place so I didn’t dare go in. Has somebody died? You’ve got a friend in the police, haven’t you? I thought you could ring them and find out what’s happened.’

  ‘What makes you think that someone’s died?’

  The woman was anxiety itself, leaning forward on the edge of her chair. She guessed that something had gone very wrong with her plans, but didn’t know how much they’d been compromised. ‘Was there an accident, maybe?’

  ‘Why don’t you ask your brother what has happened?’

  Claire shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t like to intrude.’

  Ellie sighed. What a mess these people had made of their lives! ‘If you’d asked your brother, he’d have told you that they’d decided to tell the police what they know about Jenna, Gail and Karen.’

  Knowledge flickered at the back of Claire’s eyes. Ellie remembered seeing that flicker once before, when Claire had begged for help but had been less than free with the truth. All the time Claire had been asking for Ellie’s help, she’d been withholding evidence. She was like a spider, trussing Malcolm and Edward into submission with the knowledge of what she knew. A deadly spider. One who could kill?

  Thomas had told Ellie to be wary of the woman. But, surely, she was harmless? What damage could she inflict on Ellie? There was nothing she could use for blackmail … No, nothing that Ellie could think of.

  Susan came in with a tea tray laden not only with teapot and cups and saucers, but also slices of a delicious Victoria sponge. For two.

  Ellie took the tray from her. ‘Nothing for Claire. She’s not staying.’

  Claire bridled. ‘You would refuse me even a cup of tea?’

  ‘Yes, I would.’ Ellie poured herself a cup of tea, took a slice of cake and handed the tray with everything else on it back to Susan, saying, ‘Claire is on her way to the police station, you see. To confess.’

  ‘What?’ Claire flushed beetroot red. ‘Why, what have I done? You can’t accuse me of wrongdoing! In front of a witness, too. I could have you for that.’

  ‘Ah, yes. Perhaps you’d like to stay for a moment, Susan. You might like to hear what I’ve learned about Claire in the last few days.’

  Susan put down the tray and took a seat.

  Claire, predictably, began to weep. ‘Oh, how could you! When I’ve tried so hard to help you. You were only too keen to employ me when you needed someone to look after Rose, weren’t you? Didn’t I do the best I could for her? Yes, I did. Then you threw me out, sacked me because you’d heard some ridiculous rumour. I could have you up before a tribunal for that, couldn’t I?’ Her gaze skittered around the room, and her hands tightened into fists.

  Ellie sipped tea and ate a mouthful of cake. ‘Three elderly ladies were given so much cough linctus by you that two of them died, and the third became so disorientated that she didn’t know what she was doing.’

  ‘I haven’t heard it’s a crime to treat a cough with linctus.’

  ‘Overdosing brings about sleepiness, hallucinations, disorientation and, if there is a heart problem, death. Susan; Claire’s mother died this way, and so did an elderly lady who Claire worked for recently. Rose was dosed with linctus too, though she has more or less recovered.’

  ‘Which proves,’ said Claire, ‘that I was right to treat her cough with linctus. What else can you accuse me of?’ Her eyes were wide with apprehension. If she’d seen the police cars at her old house, she must be aware her plans had gone awry. But by how much? That was the question that must be occupying her mind.

  ‘Blackmail,’ said Ellie. And left it at that.

  Claire wriggled, eyes and mouth wide. ‘Blackmail? Are you accusing me of blackmail?’

  ‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ said Ellie. ‘But Malcolm, Edward and his mother, Mr Cook and Karen are all talking about it to the police as we speak. Oh, and just to make matters absolutely clear, I’ve got my solicitor on the case, looking after their interests.’

  Now Claire didn’t know what to think. She ran her tongue over her lips, her eyes searching the room again and again … worrying how much Ellie knew, and wondering how much she could deny. She chose to pretend ignorance. ‘What for?’ That was probably her best defence.

  ‘Harbouring under-age girls who should have been at school.’

  ‘Really? Malcolm, Mr Cook? Harbouring under-age girls? Oh, surely not!’ She tried to produce a laugh. ‘That is so ridiculous. I can’t believe you’d really think that.’

  ‘What about Edward? Do you think he’s also innocent of the charge?’

  ‘Edward?’ Her tongue flickered in and out.

  For a moment Ellie was reminded of a snake. Now that everything was going to come out, would Claire take the opportunity to revenge herself on Edward by agreeing he could have been responsible for harbouring an under-age girl?

  Claire shook her head, smiling, dabbing at the tears on her cheeks. ‘Oh, you’ll have me in stitches. Whatever will you think of next?’

  Almost, Ellie gave up. Better brains than hers would have the task of trying to work out how much Claire had known and what use she’d made of that knowledge. So she said, ‘Do you think they’ll get done for murder as well?’

  The woman hissed, drawing back in her chair. ‘What, what? Murder, you say? No, no. That’s not … Oh, how could you tease me so? You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? Well, all I can say is that it takes a twisted, evil mind to torture me like this, after all I’ve tried to do to help you.’

  Ellie suddenly felt very tired. ‘Now don’t go on about wanting to see me dead and in hell. I think hell is where you are right now, Claire. You may be able to talk yourself out of this, and you may not. That’s not my
problem. You may fool yourself into thinking that you have been doing wrong in order to benefit the Vision, but God is not fooled, and there will come a reckoning.’

  ‘How dare you preach to me about—’

  ‘Just stating facts. Here’s another one. Malcolm may or may not go to prison for what he’s done, but either way, he’s stopped working for the Vision for free. Also, Edward has realized that his oversight of the addicts sent to Ambrose has been less than perfect. Even if he retains his job – which I think, myself, is doubtful – I don’t think Ambrose will be getting any more referrals from Social Services.’

  Claire’s eyes went dull, and she seemed to shrink in her chair. A double blow.

  Ellie turned her own eyes away and took another mouthful of cake. Got it down with a swallow of tea. Someone rang a bell. A double ring? Two people ringing the doorbell? Ellie got to her feet.

  Susan’s head turned to the hall. ‘Was that Rose’s bell?’

  Claire struggled out of her seat, a smile on her face which looked painful. ‘I’m not staying here to be insulted. You’ll hear from my solicitors in the morning.’

  ‘Splendid,’ said Ellie, shepherding her out of the room.

  Thomas, appearing from his study. ‘Was that Rose’s bell?’

  Rose lay huddled in a heap on the hall floor.

  Ellie cried out, ‘No!’

  Mikey, in the doorway, open-mouthed. ‘I came for my bike. Did you find my phone …? Is that Rose? What …?’

  Claire pushed past him and slid out of the house.

  Ellie knelt down at Rose’s side and reached for her hand. ‘Rose? Rose, are you all right?’

  Susan hovered. ‘Shall I ring for an ambulance?’

  Ellie couldn’t think straight. ‘Rose?’

  Thomas was on his knees at Rose’s other side, turning her towards him. ‘Take it gently, now.’

  ‘I tripped and fell,’ said Rose. ‘Silly me. Miss Quicke said to follow her, and I tripped over my own two feet. So sorry. I know you’re busy.’

  Ellie said, ‘Are you all right?’ thinking and not thinking, fearing the worst while hoping against hope.

  Thomas helped Rose to sit up in his arms. ‘Let’s get you to bed.’

  ‘No,’ said Rose. ‘I don’t want to go to bed. Help me to my chair.’

  Thomas picked Rose up and carried her back to her chair in the kitchen. The others followed. Midge arrived from nowhere and hunkered down on the ledge beside Rose’s chair.

  ‘That’s good,’ said Rose, smiling at them all. ‘I like to see what’s going on.’

  Ellie propped Rose up with pillows and cushions.

  Mikey rang his mother to say he’d be late and seated himself beside Rose, holding one of her hands, rubbing it gently, patting it.

  ‘Supper?’ said Susan. ‘Or an ambulance?’

  ‘Supper,’ said Rose, smiling. She reached up a wavering hand to touch Ellie’s cheek.

  ‘We always feel better when we’ve eaten.’ Her eyelids drooped.

  Susan, while keeping an eye on Rose, foraged in the freezer and produced a lasagne which she’d made earlier. She put it in the microwave to cook and set about preparing a green salad to go with it.

  Ellie held Rose’s free hand.

  Now and then Rose opened her eyes long enough to smile at them.

  The minutes ticked on.

  Rose dozed, and woke. Smiled at them, and dozed again.

  Mikey found the box of tissues and blew his nose. ‘I’m not going home, and you can’t make me.’

  Thomas brought a chair from the table and sat close to Rose, murmuring prayers.

  Ellie continued to hold Rose’s hand.

  Each time Rose opened her eyes, Ellie smiled at her, and Rose smiled back.

  The clock in the hall struck seven, and the microwave timer pinged.

  Rose roused herself. ‘Supper time? Keep some back for me, will you? Go on, eat; I can’t bear food going to waste.’

  Susan dished up. They ate at the big table, or tried to. In silence. Watching Rose gently breathing through the last hour of her life.

  Thomas said, quietly, to Ellie. ‘Shall I ring the doctor?’

  Ellie shook her head. She left the table to sit beside Rose and hold her hand again.

  Mikey stacked the plates in the dishwasher while Susan put some cling film over the uneaten portions of lasagne.

  Rose opened her eyes, looking at someone the others couldn’t see. ‘Not long now,’ Rose said. ‘Miss Quicke says my clothes are a disgrace and we’re going shopping for some more this afternoon … as if that matters where we’re going. Tomorrow we’re picking out some more roses at the garden centre. Peace, and that white one that I can’t remember the name of …’

  Her eyes closed again … for maybe two lightly-taken breaths.

  Then she started upright in her chair. ‘There’s her bell. I must go to her …’

  Thomas caught Rose as she fell back in her chair and closed her eyes.

  Ellie held Mikey’s hand in hers while Thomas said the prayers for the dying.

  Midge stretched himself out, yawning. He jumped down from the ledge and made his exit through the cat flap.

  Mikey rang his mother. Vera and Dan arrived. Vera wept with Mikey for Rose. Dan put his arms round both to comfort them and eventually took them both home with him.

  Thomas laid Rose on her own bed and stayed beside her all night. He told Ellie to go to bed, but she couldn’t rest. It was a long night.

  Later

  Thomas took Rose’s funeral.

  Ellie bought and planted two roses in the garden; one was called Peace, and the other was the white one which Rose couldn’t remember the name of, but Ellie thought must be Iceberg.

  Rose’s will left half her estate to the daughter who’d ignored her for so many years – ‘for old time’s sake’ – and the rest to be divided equally between Mikey and Ellie.

  News drifted back to Ellie in dribs and drabs, mostly through Lesley’s visits.

  ‘I suppose you’ll think it good news,’ said Lesley, tackling a piece of Susan’s chocolate cake. ‘The Crown Prosecution service has decided not to press charges against Agnes and Mr Cook.’

  ‘Yes, that is good news,’ said Ellie, who was feeling very quiet since Rose’s death.

  ‘As for that Karen …’ Lesley wet her finger and captured the last crumbs of cake from her plate. ‘She’s been driving everyone mad, taking selfies of herself with every member of the police force who interviews her and putting them on Facebook.’

  ‘Still as bald as a coot?’

  ‘She seems to think it will get her a modelling career. Quite the little businesswoman is our Karen, negotiating to sell her story to the tabloids. Maybe she’ll make it on to television as a media personality. I wouldn’t put it past her.’

  Karen had exonerated Malcolm from charges of kidnapping and rape, which helped the powers that be to view his part in the disappearances of Jenna and Gail less severely than they might otherwise have done.

  ‘Malcolm’s the one I feel the most sorry for,’ said Ellie, ‘and he’s the only one likely to go to prison.’

  ‘Stupid lad. Led by his hormones. Cheer up, Ellie. He’s been charged with manslaughter, but the case against him is circumstantial, and with a good barrister there’s a chance he’ll get off.’ She put her empty cup down. ‘My niece working out all right for you?’

  ‘We’ve let her have the flat up at the top of the house. There’s no separate entrance, unfortunately, but she says she loves it up there, though she’s still using our big kitchen to try out this and that. Most days she cooks us something we can all eat together. It’s suiting us just fine.’

  ‘And young Mikey? Is he buying a racing bike with the money Rose left him?’

  ‘Dan and Vera had a long talk with him about that. Mikey’s real father is from a wealthy family, but their ideas for him may not chime with his, so he’s starting a university fund of his own. The money will go into that. He misses Ros
e. And so does Midge …’ Ellie said as that wily cat jumped up on to Lesley’s lap to purr and beg for food.

  ‘So do you. So, I know, do I.’ Lesley heaved Midge off her lap. ‘I must go.’

  Ellie said, ‘What about Claire?’

  Lesley shrugged. ‘What can we charge her with? Two elderly ladies died and were cremated. Claire might have hastened their ends, but there’s no proof that she did so.’

  ‘She blackmailed Malcolm and Edward into helping the Vision.’

  ‘She says she never did. She says they offered to do it off their own bat. We can’t make blackmail stick, Ellie. I know you don’t like the woman – well, neither do I – but to bring charges we have to have some evidence of wrongdoing, and there is none.’

  A few days later Ellie paid Agnes a visit and was not surprised to find Emmanuel Cook already there. Both were subdued, but cautiously hopeful for the future. Malcolm had been granted bail and was working all hours trying to make up for lost time.

  Agnes said, ‘He’s feeling a bit depressed. He feels he’s living under a cloud of suspicion and can’t see any way out from under. All he can do is hope that some day, some how, the police will discover who really killed those two girls. But he’s grateful that he no longer has to work for the Vision.’

  ‘What about Edward?’ said Ellie, touching a spot which she knew must be sore.

  Agnes shook her head with a sigh. ‘I told him all along that he was asking for trouble, but he wouldn’t listen. I can only hope that this has been a lesson to him.’

  ‘I doubt it,’ said Mr Cook. ‘Edward’s never been able to keep it in his pants, has he?’

  Ellie was intrigued. ‘Is he still seeing Karen?’

  ‘We wouldn’t know about that,’ said Agnes primly. ‘All I said to him was that he shouldn’t bring any more girls back here, and he promised me he wouldn’t.’

  Emmanuel chuckled. ‘He got a right rollocking at the Town Hall, mind you. It was six of one and half a dozen of the other that he’d lose his job. He’s survived after a fashion, but I don’t think he’ll be getting promotion in a hurry.’

  ‘And his wife?’ said Ellie.