As she entered Richard’s bedroom he was sat on the bed pulling on his jeans. He looked up, startled to see her, hadn’t he bolted the door?
“Charlotte be quiet I think we may have burglars downstairs.”
He put on his trainers and pulled a t-shirt over his head. He ran to the door but Charlotte barred his way.
“Charlotte move, I may be able to catch them in the act.”
She ran her hands across his chest and tried to kiss him. He gripped her hands and pushed her away.
“It’s okay Richard they’re gone, I watched them running across the lawns.”
“Who were they, could you recognise them again?”
He walked to the window and searched the drive and the trees but could see nothing, the morning mist lay heavy on the ground and the birds were starting their morning chorus. She walked towards him and put her arms round his waist and rested her head against his back.
“They were just two young boys; I think I scared them off. Come back to bed, make love to me.”
She could feel his muscles tighten. She took a step back as he turned and looked at her. He walked to the bed and sat on its edge looking down at his feet, he ran his hands through his hair. She sat beside him and ran her hand up his back and laid her head on his shoulder.
“Everything will be okay, Richard, from now on it will be just the two of us as destiny predicted.”
He pushed her hands away and stood up looking down at her. “What on earth are you talking about?”
“Richard, surely you can see that fate brought you to this house, to be with me. I watched you arrive and looked after you as you grew up; everything was going smoothly until that harlot tried to take you away from me.”
Richard shook his head in confusion. “I’m sorry, Charlotte I just don’t understand, what are you talking about, how could you have watched me grow up when we have only know each other for a few years?”
Charlotte stood up and pushed passed him and began to pace the floor irritated. “Oh, Richard for an intelligent man you can be so stupid. Can’t you see I did it all for you, so that we could be together forever.”
Richard stood facing her, he could see how incensed she was becoming and realised how unstable she was, a feeling of dread coming over him.
“What did you do Charlotte?”
She looked up into his face and smiled. “I got rid of that whore, there was no way I was going to let her get her grip on you, you belong to me, can’t you see that?”
Richard felt nauseous. “What whore are you talking about, Charlotte?”
“The silly mad one that threw herself under the horse, once I got rid of her it was easy to get rid of that sister of yours.”
Richard turned from her and moved to the window, he couldn’t breath, his heart was pounding; he opened the casement and lent out and took a deep breath. When he looked back into the room she was playing with the bows on her blouse, looking for all the world like an innocent child.
“How did you get rid of Victoria?”
As much as he didn’t want to hear he had to know.
“It was easy, I told her you didn’t love her anymore, that you loved me. The stupid girl ran out of the house looking for you, to ask if it was true. I couldn’t let her get to you now could I, so I held her back when the horse reared, it was easy.”
Tears streamed down his face. “So she was running away from you and not Sarah, but we didn’t see anyone else around, how did you do it?”
She walked towards him and placed her head on his chest. “Oh Richard, haven’t you realised yet. I was brought up in this house, this is my home and always shall be, and I can come and go at will.”
He held her wrists and looked down at her. She smiled and put her head on one side. “I’m a ghost.”
He staggered backwards; this can’t be happening to him, he didn’t believe in ghosts. He looked at Charlotte’s smiling face. Now it all made sense, the bracelet in the flowerpot, the torn dress, Sarah had tried to tell him about Charlotte but he wouldn’t listen to her. Charlotte moved towards him but he pushed her away and she fell to the floor.
“Get away, get out of my house, and don’t touch me.”
She could feel the fury taking her over. “Oh no, I’m going nowhere, do you hear Richard. You were sent to this house to be with me for eternity. We have made love in that very bed; don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy it, because I know differently. That slut could never satisfy you the way I could.”
He swung round and slapped her across the face. “Victoria had more love and passion in her little finger than you will ever have.”
Charlotte came up close to him, her eyes were black and evil, he could feel her rancid breath on his face. “But she’s not here is she, I am and I mean to stay.” She twirled around and faced him a smile crossed her face. “Together we could be so happy.”
Richard felt a stabbing pain in his chest and he shoved her away from him. “Do you honestly think I would ever want to touch you again, the very thought makes me want to throw up.”
She moved close to him and wrapped her arms round him. “Don’t say that Richard.”
He looked down finding it hard to breath, his chest tightening as he thrust her to the floor. “I would rather die than be with you.”
Charlotte stood upright and took in a deep breath. She looked at the man in front of her, how could he say these things. How could he hurt her again? Once they were to be married and then he left her alone and now he says he no longer wants her. “If I can’t have you then no one shall.”
She charged towards him and hit him hard in the chest. Richard felt the heavy blow and staggered back and felt himself hit the window, he heard the wooden frame splinter and the glass shatter. He could feel himself falling backwards. He looked up at the sky and thought of how things might have been, his arms flayed as he dropped to the ground. He hit the gravel with such force the air left his lungs and the pain shot through his body. He lay there looking up at the window far above him, Charlotte stood in the opening looking down at him, she looked like a mad woman the wind blowing through her hair. Suddenly she threw back her head and let out a terrifying scream.
“Nooo, this can’t be happening, go away, he’s mine.”
He turned his head to the side and saw Victoria coming towards him holding out her open arms. A smile crossed his face and he felt himself rise from the ground. He walked towards Victoria and took her in his arms. He could hear Charlotte screaming and he looked up at the window and smiled, she could keep Moorcroft, he had all he needed right here beside him. He looked down into the lovely face of the woman he loved and together they walked away from Moorcroft.
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CHAPTER 18
Mary pulled the collar up on her coat and tightened her scarf around her head, trying to stop the cold wind from chilling her bones. She thanked the young farmhand for the lift and walked up the drive towards Moorcroft. There had been a light rain earlier and she kept her head bowed watching for puddles in the gravel. Her thoughts were with her sick mother, the doctor had given her a sleeping draft and she was now comfortable in her bed being watched over by a neighbour, he wanted to admit her to hospital tomorrow if a bed could be found for her. She pushed herself forward her head bowed low, she wanted to let Richard know what was happening in case he called at her house and got no reply. She was breathing heavy, she could do without this long trek everyday, perhaps it was time to look elsewhere for work; Frank at the pub was always asking her to help out.
She took her hand from her pocket and wiped her nose and looked up ahead. She stopped in her tracks; something didn’t look right up at the house. She focused her attention on the upstairs windows and moved from left to right, one of the windows looked different but she was too far away to guess why. She quickened her step. By the time she reached the roundabout she could see that the window was broken and the casement jagged, what on earth was going on? She quickened her pace heading for the side of the house and the back
door, when something caught her eye. She stopped and slowly turned her head, a feeling of dread rising in her chest. Her hand went to her mouth as an anguished cry escaped her and she looked towards the prostrate figure. She ran towards the body and looked down on the handsome face of Richard Gardener. “Oh dear Lord help us this day.” She knelt down beside him and gently stroked his face, he was as cold as ice, one leg unnaturally bent to the side and a pool of congealed blood surrounded his head. She looked around, what was she to do now? She looked up at the window, she should call the police, this was no accident. She pushed herself up and as quick as her legs would take her she ran to the back door. She put her key in the lock and turned it and gave it a push but it wouldn’t open. “What’s going on here, surely the bolts can’t be on.” She gave it another push but it wouldn’t move. What was she to do now, go into the village or run to one of the farms for help? She looked around her, the farm I think, that may be nearer, but will they have a phone, no it will have to be the village to be sure of getting help.
She made her way round the side of the house and once more looked at poor Richard lying there on the gravel, what an end to such a likable young man just when he was getting his life in order. She quickened her step, there was no point in running and doing herself a mischief, there was no helping Master Richard now. At the gate she looked both ways hoping to see a car but there was no chance of that, the only vehicles that used this track were the people of Moorcroft and the farmers. She pulled up her collar and headed for the village.
By the time she was banging on the door of the little one man police house she was out of breath. The blue door opened and the balding man still in his shirt sleeves looked down at her.
“Now Mary what on earth has brought you banging on my door this time of morning, I’m only just finishing my breakfast.”
“I need you up at Moorcroft.”
He could see her anxiety and opened the door wider. “Come on in lass and I’ll make you a brew.”
She walked inside and flopped on a chair still trying to get her breath. “Oh, Fred, a terrible thing has happened up at Moorcroft, you must come and see right away.” She stood up and grabbed his arm.
“Now steady on Mary, here have this cup of tea and steady yourself then tell me all about it.”
Mary took the cup and looked up at Fred’s concerned face. “I suppose Master Richard won’t mind me having just a sip.”
Fred watched her as he pulled down his sleeves and buttoned up his tunic, something was very wrong here. He sat in the chair opposite. “Now, Mary, are you ready to tell me what’s happened.”
Tears sprang to her eyes as she related her discovery of Richard Gardener. Fred stood up and tugged at the bottom of his uniform, there was going to be some nattering in this village tonight with a murder on their doorsteps. “Right, I’ll get in touch with Preston and then we’ll go back up to Moorcroft and contain the scene of the crime.”
Mary looked up at him. “Must I go back up there Fred; I need to be with my mother?” Fred had heard of her mother’s illness and felt sorry for the poor caring woman. “You go home Mary, but don’t leave the house because I’m sure the big bods from Preston will want to talk to you.”
Mary thanked him and left him talking on the phone. As she turned into the lane to her cottage she watched as Fred passed her in his police car heading for Moorcroft.
By lunch time the name of Richard Gardener was on everyone’s lips, so when Mary heard banging on her front door she ignored it, she was fed up with her nosy neighbours. She sat looking down at the sleeping face of her mother, listening to the crackle of her chest as she breathed. The banging persisted and Mary stormed downstairs and was ready with a mouth full of abuse as she opened the door. She was taken off guard as she looked upon a tall gentleman in an overcoat and wearing a trilby pulled down over his eyes. For once Mary was speechless and looked up at the man and then to the young woman constable stood behind him.
“Are you Mary Shaw?”
Mary nodded.
“My name’s Inspector Crawley, I wonder if we may come in, I’d like to ask you a few questions.”
Without saying a word Mary opened the door wide and beckoned them in. The Inspector had to bow his head so as not to bang it on the low beams; the smile from the young woman was not missed by Mary. “Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll put the kettle on.” Before the Inspector could object she was already in the kitchen filling the kettle.
Once they were all three settled with a cup of tea, the Inspector looked at the young officer and she took out a pad from her pocket and was poised ready to take notes. He cleared his throat and looked directly into Mary’s eyes. “Right Mrs Shaw, could you start by telling me why you were up at Moorcroft this morning, and then we’ll move onto your discovery of the victim.”
Mary bristled. “Mr Gardener you mean, that’s the name of the gentleman.”
The Inspector nodded. The young woman smiled at her and Mary began her tale. By the time she was through she was wiping the tears of grief from her face and the young constable was patting her hand.
“I have just two more questions to ask you. One, did you touch your employer or anything other than the back door and two, can you think of anyone who would want to harm the gentleman?”
Mary thought a while and shook her head. “I stroked his face that’s all, as for enemies, I can’t think of any.”
“I believe he lay off a lot of staff, would any of them bear a grudge perhaps?”
Again Mary shook her head. “You’re barking up the wrong tree there, everyone understood why he had to lay them off, it was the only way to prevent him going bankrupt, besides that was all a long time ago.”
The young man stood up and looked at Mary. “We’ll be off now but we may be back to talk to you at a later date.” As he reached the door he turned. “Mrs Shaw, would you have an address for Miss Gardener, the deceased sister?”
Mary’s hand went to her mouth and she sank into her chair. “Dear Lord, I had forgotten poor Miss Sarah, she must be told.”
The Inspector waited.
“I don’t know her address but Master Richard recently got a letter from her, he showed me the photographs of her and her husband and her little boy.”
He came and stood by her side. “So his sister married and now has a family, do you know her married name?”
Mary looked up at him and nodded her head. “When she left Moorcroft, she was in the company of Mr Charles Wesley; they were sweethearts at the time. They later got married and now she has a son, a lovely looking little boy, but where they live I only know it was further south, midlands I think.”
The young man thanked her and opened the door. Mary watched them as they got in the car, then she closed the door and rested against it. She cleared the cups away and wearily climbed the stairs to sit with her mother.
Moorcroft was soon flooded with cars and policemen and after the scene had been examined Richard’s body was unceremoniously placed in a black body bag and taken to the police mortuary. A congregation of nosey onlookers had started to collect at the gates, along with the usual reporters and village gossips and all had to be held back. The Inspector looked down the drive; he would never understand these morbid intruders on death. He summoned a group of officers and together they went to the rear of the house, while other policemen scoured the surroundings for clues. With Mary’s key he unlocked the door and pushed, it didn’t give an inch. Mary had said that there were bolts to top and bottom, but that they were seldom used now that she had a key of her own. He gave the nod and two burly men charged the door, it took several attempts before the bolts gave way and Moorcroft was open for inspection.
As they walked slowly into the house, the young inspector took a handkerchief from his pocket and opened each door in turn and briefly looked around, what looked like the pantry was undisturbed so he walked onto the next room, he opened the door to discover the kitchen, it looked like every cupboard had been opened and it’s con
tents thrown to the floor, broken china and food stuffs were scattered everywhere. The Inspector moved on until he reached the great hall, he stopped and looked up at the magnificent staircase, the chandelier and the wood panelling with envy. He gathered his men around him and gave them his instructions.
“Right you two, I want you to look in every room and to make sure that no one is hiding, that means looking in cupboards and wardrobes, anywhere a person could hide, don’t forget the attic rooms and boys, try not to disturb anything and wear gloves.”
He opened the door to the dining room, the table had been overturned and the chairs thrown against the wall. Leaving his men chatting he opened the door to the drawing room, this room too was in chaos, the seats had been ripped and the inners spewed out, pictures on the wall had also been slashed and furniture scattered and gouged. He moved onto the next room and opened the door to the study, from the doorway he could see that this room had suffered the same attack, furniture ripped apart and papers torn and scattered.
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