A Bombing Enigma

by Angelika Lansdale

  Bradley’s phone rang while they were eating dessert. He excused himself from the table and went into the kitchen to accept the call. Cynara could not hear what he was saying but his tone sounded quite formidable. She again started feeling tense. Charles also seemed to be sharing her sentiment. His grim countenance only increased her anxiety to the point that she could not eat another bite. They both sat restlessly and waited.

  Bradley hung up his phone and walked back into the room slowly. “That was my source. Scotland Yard brought in Nancy for questioning. She had an alibi the night of Elizabeth’s attack, which has been confirmed. So she was not the attacker.”

  Chapter 40

  “Her alibi is foolproof?” Charles interjected.

  “Yes absolutely reliable,” Bradley replied. “Nancy acknowledged her intense dislike for Elizabeth. She blames her for the failed affair and is certain George would have married her if Elizabeth had agreed to the divorce. However her loathing does not make her a murderer.”

  “Well I guess it was too easy. This case is not going to be solved so quickly,” Cynara said tiredly.

  “You thought that Nancy could not have been responsible for Qureshi’s and Sharon’s deaths. Elizabeth’s shooting was distinct from their murders,” Charles pacified. “Bradley and I both disagreed. The chances of having three crimes in the family that are not linked are too slim.”

  “In reality, such coincidences are not possible,” Bradley added. “I guess we are all correct. These crimes are connected but the criminal is not Nancy Young.”

  “It is almost as if someone is toying with us.” Cynara pronounced.

  “What do you mean?” Charles asked sharply.

  “Every time we think we have the motive or we know who the culprits are, there seems to be a new twist. First, it was Abaan and terrorism. Then it was still terrorism but not Abaan. The latest was Nancy due to a personal vendetta. However, all our conjectures have turned out to be false. We are no closer to the truth than the day I discovered that cursed email,” Cynara said frustrated.

  “Yes we do seem to be going around in circles,” Bradley agreed.

  “I feel like the real culprit is probably watching and laughing at us,” Cynara said.

  “That is ridiculous,” Charles said. “This case is complex. We have to be patient and wait for the police to resolve it.”

  All three of them sat there quietly mulling over the situation. “Do you think the press would have found out about Nancy?” Cynara finally asked.

  “Probably,” Bradley said. “It will be difficult to keep it out of the papers. You are thinking of Elizabeth?”

  “She will now learn about George’s unfaithfulness. You are right, it is probably for the best. But it will break her heart,” Cynara said.

  “It will also be embarrassing for the family, especially Elizabeth’s in-laws,” Charles said.

  “Yes it is all so unfortunate,” Cynara sighed. There was nothing any of them could do to protect the Stewarts from the humiliation. Cynara felt very concerned about Elizabeth. She knew the revelation would be painful. Elizabeth really had George on a pedestal. Those who did not know the truth in the Stewarts clan were also in for a shock. Cynara wondered how long it would be before the story made the headlines.

  The story was released early in the morning as breaking news. Charles was watching when Cynara awoke. The news anchor started by saying the investigation in Elizabeth’s shooting had taken a surprising new turn. In a stepped up effort, the authorities questioned Ms. Nancy Young, a former mistress of George Stewart. She was held for a few hours and released without being charged. They showed footage of Nancy sprinting to her car, with her face turned away from the cameras, outside the Scotland Yard office. The broadcaster closed the segment by saying they were still awaiting an official statement from the authorities.

  The cat was finally out of the bag. Charles suggested Cynara should quickly get ready and go to the manor. He felt the media was going to congregate outside soon, if not already there. They loved nothing more than a scandal and this certainly was sizzling news. Mr. George Stewart, a happily married, respectable man, had an affair. It was only a matter of time before all his affairs became public knowledge.

  Cynara’s phone rang as she was brushing her hair, after a quick shower. It was Jane. She wanted to know if Cynara had seen the news. Cynara hesitantly admitted she had known of George’s unfaithfulness for some time, since she had found Jimmy’s diary. Jane was quite offended at not being taken into her confidence. Cynara tried to explain her reasoning for not disclosing this fact. She had wanted to protect them. What was the point of revealing George’s disloyalty now, when he was already dead?

  Jane did seem to understand the rationale behind Cynara’s thinking. Her mum was talking to her aunt and they were all coming over to break the news to Elizabeth. Jane had spoken with Mrs. Simpson. Fortunately, there was no television in the downstairs bedroom where Elizabeth was currently staying. At least she was spared the humiliation of learning about George’s duplicity from the news.

  Cynara ate a bowl of cereal and hurried over to the house. She could see one news van outside the gate. Soon more would follow. Mr. Drake opened the door. His demeanor did not reveal anything. Cynara was unable to tell if he had heard or not. He really was the epitome of discretion. Cynara did not broach the topic at all. She enquired after Elizabeth. Mr. Drake told her she had slept well through the night and Mrs. Simpson was currently assisting her with her toilette.

  Mrs. Simpson came into the study after a few minutes. Elizabeth was all changed and wished to meet her. Cynara promptly went to the bedroom and entered after knocking. Elizabeth was sitting up in bed, propped up against a few pillows. She looked frail but had a slight color in her cheeks, better than the last time Cynara had seen her. She was recuperating well. Cynara worried how it might deteriorate after the family’s forthcoming visit.

  Elizabeth greeted her very warmly. She admitted to Cynara that she was extremely happy to have dodged the bullet, literally. The incident had made her realize that she wanted to live again. It was time to end her long period of mourning. George’s death had crushed her very existence. She had been unable to cope without him. Being shot had been therapeutic for her. She could now appreciate life, how precious and fragile it really was. You are here one minute and dead the next. She wanted to make the most of still being alive.

  Cynara listened to her with mixed feelings. She was elated Elizabeth had finally decided to end her grieving. But she was terribly worried about Elizabeth learning George’s true nature. It was going to be ghastly. How would she react? Plus, it was also public knowledge now. People would gossip, and she would have to face a great deal of humiliation. Would that drive Elizabeth back into her solitary existence? Please God no! Cynara prayed silently.

  Mrs. Keene bustled in with a bowl of porridge and some fruit on a tray as they sat chatting. They continued to talk while Elizabeth ate. The doorbell rang just as she finished her breakfast. Cynara, knowing who it was, was filled with dread. Jane, her mother, Ruth’s mother, and Elizabeth’s mother-in-law entered the room. They all came bearing smiles and greeted Elizabeth very warmly with hugs and kisses. Cynara excused herself on the pretext of work, beating a hasty retreat to the study.

  Cynara was too disturbed to work. All four women had masked their feelings and arrived looking vivacious. However, by now the atmosphere in the room must have become melancholic. She had been surprised to see senior Mrs. Stewart. It was brave of her to face Elizabeth. Maybe she had known what her son was like. Mothers sometimes knew the truth.

  Cynara was restlessly pacing the room when Jane came after about half an hour. “It i

  s done. She now knows.”

  “How did she take it?” Cynara asked.

  “As expected. She is devastated!” Jane proclaimed.

  “I was surprised to see Mrs. Michelle Stewart,” Cynara said.

  “Yes, she also saw it on the news and called mum.” Jane said
.

  “Did any of them have any inkling about this?” Cynara was unable to stop herself from enquiring.

  “No, nobody had a clue. George used to be a real player but it all stopped after he met Elizabeth. Now I can deduce that he never changed his ways. Instead, he just became cautious and used discretion,” Jane paused. “I am right in assuming Nancy was not the only one?”

  “Yes, Jimmy mentioned the affairs in his diary. He used to drive George to meet the women,” Cynara said.

  “Did he mention all their names?” Jane asked.

  “No. He did not mention any names, or specify how many there were. All he said was he could not understand why a man with a wife like Elizabeth would be interested in other women,” Cynara said.

  “Very true,” Jane agreed. “The why is a very good question.”

  “It is for the thrill. That is what I have read about happily married individuals who still are unfaithful to their spouses,” Cynara said.

  “Yes probably,” Jane nodded. “I just hope Elizabeth forgets soon and people in York let her get past it. Aunt Michelle suggested we all go away on a holiday, until this blows over. However, Elizabeth refused flatly. She does not want to hide.”

  “She will have to face it, so better now than later,” Cynara said. “Mrs. Stewart sounds like an amazing woman.”

  “She is. This must have really hurt her sentiments, but right now she is only thinking of Elizabeth and providing her support,” Jane said. “She and Uncle Philip are going to call a press conference this evening and give a statement on behalf of the family.”

  “I hope it stops the reporters from hounding Elizabeth,” Cynara said.

  “There are a lot of them gathered outside. It is best for everybody here to remain indoors,” Jane stated.

  Jane returned to Elizabeth’s room and Cynara commenced her work. The women in the Stewart family were quite impressive. Instead of displaying histrionics, they were all sensibly dealing with the difficult situation. Extramarital affairs were quite a common phenomenon and typically made headlines only for a short duration. Cynara was sure it would fizzle and die out soon. The only long-term consequences would be for Elizabeth. She would need to get over George’s hypocrisy, the husband that she had revered.

  The Stewart women stayed until lunchtime and then left. Cynara walked them to their car parked in front of the porch and rushed back. A lot of reporters were milling outside, waiting to interview anyone who came out of the gates. They thronged around Jane’s car shouting out questions in quick succession. Jane kept the windows rolled up, persistently honked her horn, and drove away. Mr. Drake shut the gate behind them and just ignored the paparazzi. He hurried back inside muttering angrily.

  Cynara had lunch in the kitchen. Mrs. Keene had already taken a tray for Elizabeth. They seemed to know why the manor was surrounded by the press but did not comment on it at all. Instead, they stuck to safe topics and discussed a movie that had been recently released. Mr. Drake had seen it at the pictures. Cynara went back to the study after helping clean up the table. Mrs. Simpson came a few minutes later to let her know that Elizabeth wished to see her. Cynara approached Elizabeth’s room with a little trepidation. She knocked and opened the door.

  Elizabeth was sitting on a chair next to her bed. She looked up at Cynara broodingly. “You should have told me.”

  Chapter 41

  Cynara stood arrested at the door for a second, not knowing how to respond. Before she could say anything, Elizabeth continued a little indignantly, “You have known all this time.”

  Cynara nodded her head, “Yes.”

  “From Jimmy’s diary? He mentioned it?” Elizabeth questioned.

  “Yes,” Cynara murmured.

  “George used our chauffeur to drive back and forth with his mistresses.” Elizabeth said bitterly. “It is plural?”

  It took Cynara a second to understand what Elizabeth meant. “Yes, Jimmy wrote that Mr. Stewart had some affairs. He did not mention any names. But it was more than one.”

  Emotions played on Elizabeth’s face. “Life is a real bitch,” she said bitterly. “I loved him, was always such a good faithful wife. And it comes down to this. Why? Why did he do it?”

  “One can never say,” Cynara said softly.

  “And here I thought I had the perfect marriage! Shows what a fool I have been all this time. Such a fool!” she exclaimed harshly hiding her face in her hands.

  “Please do not berate yourself,” Cynara said immediately.

  Embarrassed by her outburst, Elizabeth composed herself and slowly looked up. “I do not blame you for not telling me when you read the diary. It must have been hard to keep it to yourself. I would have probably done the same in your place.”

  Cynara was grateful for these words and felt real admiration for Elizabeth. She had put aside her shame and humiliation and instead was trying to make Cynara feel better. Elizabeth was a lady in every sense of the way. How could George have cheated on such a person? He must have been a real ass. “I am very sorry Elizabeth for keeping this from you. Mr. Stewart was already dead and, seeing how much you loved him, I thought it best to let it remain a secret forever. I never imagined these circumstances,” she explained.

  Elizabeth nodded her head wearily, looking exhausted. Cynara helped her back to bed and returned to the study. She had struggled with her conscience ever since she read Jimmy’s diary. It had been wrong to keep this knowledge from Elizabeth, but she had wanted to shield her from the bitter truth. It was no longer a secret and Elizabeth had understood her reasoning. Now finally her guilt could be assuaged.

  Bradley texted Cynara just as she was shutting down the computer for the day. He was going to attend the press meet at Mr. Philip Stewart’s residence and wanted to drop in later on in the evening. Cynara texted back asking him to join her for dinner. Charles was going out with some friends and Cynara was not looking forward to being alone. Bradley’s visit would give her something to do.

  Cynara saw only one news van still parked outside the gates as she made her way to the cottage. The rest had all left, probably for the Senior Stewarts’ manor. Elizabeth was fortunate her father-in-law had volunteered to talk to them. Otherwise, they would all still be camped outside clamoring for information. She hoped Mr. Philip would be able to answer all their questions and satisfy their curiosity.

  Charles was waiting for Cynara. Cynara had telephoned him earlier and described the family’s visit and her meeting with Elizabeth. Charles also shared her opinion that Elizabeth had handled the situation very gracefully. They had a quick cup of tea before he left for the evening. Cynara busied herself preparing a simple meal. Luckily, since her brother’s arrival, her pantry was always sufficiently stocked. She speedily finished cooking and arranged the table.

  Cynara was quite excited about seeing Bradley and looked forward to her dinner with him. He had become more than just a journalist working on the story, whom she was assisting. She felt very comfortable with him and was able to communicate easily. He was good-looking, polished, a man of the world. It was flattering that he wanted to spend so much time with her and was constantly seeking her out.

  Cynara reluctantly admitted to herself that she was starting to really like Bradley. Every time they met alone, there was some sort of an undercurrent. It affected Cynara but she was unsure whether Bradley felt it too. In fact, it was really the first time she was actually thinking about Bradley not just as a reporter but as a man who intrigued her.

  Cynara had always been attractive to the opposite sex. She was good-looking, smart and easy-going. There was never a dearth of men seeking her company during university days. Cynara had a serious relationship in her third year. He had been a little older. They dated for about six months before Cynara broke it off. She felt they were not compatible enough. He had also come to the same conclusion and they parted ways as friends. They were still in touch via email.

  The loud knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Cynara quickly smoothed her hai
r in the mirror. After conceding to herself her attraction for Bradley, she now felt self-conscious about facing him. She walked to the door and opened it with a bright smile, trying to mask her feelings. Bradley stood there looking tired with rumpled hair, as if he had been running his fingers through it constantly. He came inside, closing the door behind him. Cynara poured them both a glass of wine. Bradley sprawled on the sofa, his long legs stretched out in front of him. He gratefully accepted the glass and took a few sips.

  Cynara sat down across from him and asked about the news brief. It had been short and precise. Mr. Philip Stewart had stated that certain facts had come to light about his son’s relations with certain women. They were his private affairs and the media had no business generating scandals. He reminded them that it was their moral responsibility to assist with the ongoing investigation and to not waste time spreading rumors. Mrs. Michelle Stewart had also been present and sincerely requested them to respect the family’s privacy. They ended with that and refused to make any further comments.