A Bombing Enigma

by Angelika Lansdale

  Fatima’s death made them all believe that an elusive terrorist was targeting Elizabeth. Did Fatima’s killer deliberately leave the mutilated picture behind? Was it just a prop used in the drama? If Kevin was the mastermind, did Jimmy send him the photograph? That would have been over a year ago. Did he really hold on to the photo for that long? For what purpose? Cynara’s thoughts kept swirling around in circles. She suddenly started having difficulty in keeping her eyes open. Switching off the lights, she went back to sleep.

  Cynara woke up in the morning feeling exhausted. Her sleep had been very fitful with frustrating dreams where she was unable to reach her destination no matter how hard she tried. She reluctantly dragged herself out of bed and took a shower. Charles was still sleeping when she came out of her room. She enviously wished she could do the same. Instead, she made toast and coffee and sat down to eat.

  Cynara was disappointed Charles did not awaken before she left for the manor. She had wanted to tell him about her conversation with Bradley. Cynara was anxious to see what he would think of their conclusion that Kevin was involved. He might be able to shed some light on the situation. Cynara was confident they were on the correct course. They just needed hard evidence to substantiate their theory and find Kevin’s partner.

  Cynara worked for an hour and then looked in on Elizabeth. She seemed better. The pallor of her cheeks was being replaced by a normal hue. They chatted for a while before Cynara returned to the study. She did not mention anything of her analysis with Bradley. It was not possible to accuse Kevin without solid proof. The questions were still burning at the back of her mind. It was best to tackle each puzzle individually.

  Cynara called Bradley. She asked him if he had taken anyone else in his confidence. Bradley was surprised by her question but told her that she and Charles were the only two people he had shared anything with. Cynara discussed what was bothering her, especially Elizabeth’s picture at the scene of Fatima’s crime. It was too far-fetched to think Jimmy had somehow managed to acquire the photo. The more realistic possibility was that George himself had sent the photo to someone. Could it have been to a mistress? Bradley repudiated that suggestion. Why would George give his wife’s photograph to an illicit companion?

  Cynara felt it might prove beneficial to approach and talk to George’s girlfriends. One of them might be able to throw some light on the case. George had affairs with Nancy Young and Christine Wilkins. Cynara told him about her hunch that his cousin’s wife, Janine Jennings, had been another one of George’s conquests. Bradley was not very surprised. Janine was a beautiful woman and had worked closely with George, before she met Peter. Peter had never mentioned anything to him, but then one did not really discuss these matters. Bradley agreed to meet Nancy and Christine and asked Cynara to visit Janine.

  Charles walked in a few minutes later with a big grin. He gave Cynara a tight hug. The company where he had interviewed had called and offered him the job. He was on his way to meet with the human resources department and complete some formalities. They wanted him to start from the following Monday. Cynara felt delirious with joy. After signing the papers, he was going to London for the night. He needed to fulfill some requirements for his job in Perth in order to resign.

  Cynara refrained from apprising him of the latest developments. She decided to wait for his return from London. Cynara did not want him to worry while he was away, especially at this happy juncture. His high spirits were infectious and Cynara almost forgot what she needed to do after he left. She stood there for some time imagining their future in York. Their parents would have been happy to see them both settling down in this city. She finally sighed and came back to the present.

  Cynara called Janine a little before lunch. Fortunately, she was home. Cynara told her she needed to see her urgently. Janine was a little surprised but courteously invited her over. Cynara came out of the study and found Mr. Drake and Mrs. Simpson in the hallway. She informed them that she had some pressing business and needed to go out for a few hours. Elizabeth was sleeping and they would let her know once she awoke.

  Cynara took a direct bus to Janine’s house. They went into the kitchen where Janine offered her a cup of tea. Cynara accepted gratefully and they both sat down at the table along with a plate of biscuits. After chatting for a few minutes, Janine looked at her expectantly and enquired as to what the urgent matter was. Cynara did not know how to approach the topic and then decided honesty was the best policy.

  Cynara first apologized for what she was about to ask. She then explained that everyone was now aware of Mr. George Stewart’s extramarital affairs because of Nancy Young’s testimony. Janine had followed the news on TV and knew of these developments. Cynara took a deep breath then came right out and questioned if Janine had an affair with George while she had worked with him. Janine was neither offended nor appalled. She looked at her silently, nodded in accession and then dropped a bombshell.

  Cynara was in a daze and stumbled out of the house at the end of their conversation. She was unable to fathom what she had just heard. It unsettled her to the extent that she walked past the bus stop without realizing. She finally halted and got her bearings. Cynara called Bradley and asked if he could pick her up. He was not too far and told her to wait for him. She stood there only a few minutes before Bradley drove up.

  “What is it?” he asked as Cynara climbed into the car.

  “Janine did have an affair with George. She ended it after Elizabeth threatened her.” Cynara’s voice choked with emotion.

  Chapter 44

  “What?” Bradley practically shouted. “Elizabeth knew about George’s affair with Janine?”

  “Yes,” Cynara nodded. “She knew.”

  “Well this changes everything,” Bradley said.

  “I am unable to digest it,” Cynara burst out. “Elizabeth knew. If she knew about Janine, she must have also known about the others. Then why did she pretend ignorance to the affairs? And she had him on such a pedestal. Why? Or was it all an act?”

  Bradley refrained from replying. He kept rummaging his fingers abstractedly through his hair and drove at breakneck speed to his mother’s house a few streets away. They both alighted from the car. Cynara followed hesitatingly, not wishing to intrude. His mother was not at home. Bradley unlocked the door and hurried her through to the kitchen. He made them sandwiches for lunch. They sat down at the breakfast table and ate silently, both preoccupied with their own thoughts.

  “Tell me exactly what happened,” Bradley said after they finished eating.

  “I went over to Janine’s and asked her directly if she had an affair with George,” Cynara said.

  “She must have been really taken aback?” Bradley cut in.

  “No. She was expecting my question,” Cynara said. “They had a brief affair. She ended it after Elizabeth openly confronted her.”

  “Elizabeth actually confronted her?” Bradley asked. “What did Janine do?”

  “She felt very guilty for seeing a married man and immediately broke it off. A month later, she quit the job as well,” Cynara said.

  “Did she ever tell George about her meeting with Elizabeth?” Bradley asked.

  “No. She was too ashamed,” Cynara replied. “Why did Elizabeth pretend ignorance? Was she saving face because it was too degrading? Did she think the truth will never be revealed?”

  Bradley jumped up from his chair and started striding around the room. He finally stopped and looked at Cynara, “We discussed there is a girl involved in the case, Kevin’s associate.”

  “Yes” Cynara said wondering what Bradley was hinting.

  “That girl or rather woman may be Elizabeth,” Bradley stated.

  “Elizabeth? How is that possible?” Cynara gaped at him. “She herself was just shot.”

  “Probably another ploy! It was hardly a shot. The bullet just grazed her arm,” Bradley said reflectively. “Elizabeth most probably is the woman.”

  “Why?” Cynara asked incomprehensibly. “No
it is not possible.”

  ‘Money. Elizabeth also wanted the money. It all makes perfect sense now,” Bradley said excitedly.

  “How does it make sense?” Cynara asked in bewilderment. She covered her ears with her hands, as if to block out what Bradley was suggesting. “No, I refuse to believe it. Elizabeth is not involved.”

  “Just hear me out for a minute. Please, Cynara, humor me,” Bradley implored.

  Cynara stared at him mutely and then put her hands down on her lap, “I am listening.”

  “I am speaking hypothetically. Let us assume Kevin and Elizabeth were in cohorts. They wanted money. George had to die. Ninety percent of the time when a rich man dies as a lone homicide, the wife is the first suspect and his cousin the next. So they waited for the right opportunity, which came in the form of Jimmy,” Bradley said.

  “Jimmy?” Cynara asked.

  “Jimmy joined work as their chauffeur. Elizabeth found out about his aspirations to become a Muslim and exploited him. She probably fooled him into believing she felt the same. They both converted, by getting the materials from Qureshi’s shop. He wanted to become a Jihadi. She suggested a venue to him, the horse races, for this heinous act. He must have believed she was going to perish along with him. At the last minute, she left. George was killed in that suicide bombing. Mission accomplished. There was no question of her or the cousin ever being suspected. For the rest of the world, it was a terrorist attack,” Bradley explained.

  “And they killed Qureshi so he could not identify Elizabeth?” Cynara asked.

  “Yes. Elizabeth pulled that trigger,” he said. “If you recall, the woman who took the taxi that night was from the same street as the manor.”

  “But according to the driver the woman resembled Ruth,” Cynara said.

  “All Elizabeth needed was a wig and an oversized coat and she could pass off as Ruth in the dark,” Bradley said.

  “What about the other incidents and murders?” Cynara asked.

  “It was all to make us believe in terrorism,” Bradley said.

  Cynara reflected on his words. “Kevin and Elizabeth are partners?” she asked.

  “Presumably,” Bradley said.

  “Who shot Elizabeth?” Cynara queried.

  “Kevin,” Bradley replied. “It was just another tactic to make us think terrorists are targeting Elizabeth.”

  “In other words, all the deaths were just to force us to believe that terrorists are responsible?” Cynara asked.

  “Yes,” Bradley said.

  “It is all too incredible,” Cynara said shaking her head. “I refuse to accept it.”

  “Well, let us look at the hard facts. Elizabeth knew about the other women in George’s life and pretended otherwise. The love she claims for him is a charade. She is acting a part and fooling the rest of us. Thus, she is definitely not as innocent as she seems,” Bradley summarized.

  “But like I said earlier, she could have been just saving herself from the disgrace. I mean it is very demeaning for a woman to know her husband is such a Casanova,” Cynara argued.

  “I agree with that. However, if that were the case, the mourning would have been over by now. Why carry on with the act for so long?” Bradley pointed out. “No, my explanation is distinctly more plausible. Elizabeth is not the innocent she pretends to be.”

  Cynara’s thoughts were in turmoil. Was Elizabeth really a cold-blooded killer? Could Bradley’s hypothesis be true? She did inherit a very large inheritance as George’s widow. Life, however, must have been equally lavish as the wife of a rich man. Was it love for Kevin? It was hard to envision them together, as a pair. If Elizabeth was not involved, what other reason was there for her weeping widow farce? How could they prove any of this? Where was the evidence?

  “Okay, even if what you are saying is true, how do we prove Elizabeth’s guilt?” Cynara asked.

  “That is going to be a real challenge. As far as I can tell, the only mistake made so far is using that particular photograph, as the original is still there in the attic. You yourself pointed out that it was hard for someone to have access to it, other than George. Well George was not the only one with access, even Elizabeth had access,” Bradley said.

  “Elizabeth also had access.” Cynara chewed her lower lip thoughtfully. “I still cannot believe she is guilty.”

  “Please at least consider my theory,” Bradley requested.

  “You have already planted the seed,” Cynara responded. “But there is no evidence to substantiate your theory.”

  “I need time to think how we can get the proof,” Bradley paused reflectively before standing up. “I will take you back.”

  Bradley drove Cynara to the manor. Mr. Drake let her in. She asked about Elizabeth. Mr. Drake replied that she had slept until lunchtime. Kevin and Margaret had visited briefly and left only five minutes before her arrival. Cynara’s ears perked up at hearing Kevin’s name. She regretted not being there to observe how he and Elizabeth had interacted with each other.

  Cynara completed the work she had started in the morning. Mrs. Simpson came in and informed Cynara that Elizabeth had invited her for tea. The tray was already there. Cynara slowly went along to Elizabeth’s room, worried that her expression would give her away. She could not reveal anything was wrong. Steeling herself to look as normal as possible, Cynara entered.

  Elizabeth was sitting up in bed looking angelic. She gave Cynara a warm welcome and poured out tea from a tray lying across her lap. Her sweet demeanor made Cynara pause and wonder if they had it all wrong. Could she really be a ruthless gold digger? A murderer? She was certainly a liar. Elizabeth had lied about the affairs. It was imperative to find out the truth, especially if Bradley was wrongly accusing her.

  “I have to share some good news with you,” Cynara said. “Charles got the job.”

  “Congratulations. That is fantastic,” Elizabeth said sincerely.

  “Yes. I am thrilled. That is why I had to go out today. Charles needed me to send some documents,” Cynara said.

  “Send documents?” Elizabeth looked a bit puzzled.

  “Yes. He has gone to London and forgot to mail them. I had to take care of it for him,” Cynara said. “I met Janine Jennings at the post office. We started talking and ended up having lunch together.” Cynara was observing Elizabeth closely and saw her eyes widen a little as she heard the name.

  “Janine Jennings?” Elizabeth asked.

  ‘Yes, Janine. She knows you,” Cynara said artlessly. She saw Elizabeth’s mask slip for a brief second and a look of concern flashed across her face before she concealed it behind a smile. Even though it had only been for a fleeting moment, it shook Cynara’s belief in her innocence. Was Elizabeth an imposter?

  “Oh yes, I remember now. She worked for George a few years ago,” she replied a little glibly.

  “Yes. Charles and her husband Peter are good friends from school. She had heard about you on the news and asked how you were recovering,” Cynara gushed, trying to keep any sign of nervousness from her voice.

  “That is very kind of her,” Elizabeth said somewhat guardedly. “She quit before I had the opportunity to get to know her.”

  “She would love to meet you. Maybe we can all have lunch one day,” Cynara suggested guilelessly.

  Elizabeth almost choked on the sip of tea she had just taken. Cynara stood up and feigned concern until the coughing spasm had passed. “Sorry,” Elizabeth apologized.

  “I hope the police catch your attacker soon.” Cynara changed the topic.

  “We will all live in fear until they do,” Elizabeth responded.

  “That is what terrorists do, instill fear,” Cynara said. “I pity them.”

  “What do you mean?” Elizabeth asked.

  “It must be such excruciating circumstances that make them terrorists. Just think of Abaan. He was a butcher, living a regular life. Then one day he was falsely accused of being a terrorist. It resulted in him actually becoming one. Is it not a bit poetic?” Cynara ask
ed the leading question.

  “Very unfortunate,” Elizabeth agreed.

  “If he had not been arrested, he probably would still be here, prospering as a butcher and writing,” Cynara said.

  “Yes, writing poetry, living an ordinary life,” Elizabeth agreed.

  It was already 5 p.m. Cynara left the manor and practically ran to her cottage. She called Bradley and blurted, “You are right. Elizabeth is a conniving little liar. Her husband’s affairs are not the only thing she pretended ignorance to. She also knew about Jimmy’s diary and has read it.”