Murder My Neighbour

by Veronica Heley

  Ellie waved her hands in the air. ‘She was packing to leave home for good, so wouldn’t she have intended to take her most precious possessions in the car with her? There’d be at least two big suitcases containing her clothes; a make-up box; the tin that she kept her costume jewellery in; probably also a briefcase and laptop, but certainly a handbag and her jewellery box. And, I suppose, whatever she kept in the safe . . . if there really is a safe.’

  Ears breathed in and out, audibly. ‘Just how does it happen you know what she took with her?’

  ‘I guessed,’ said Ellie. ‘By the way, I didn’t look all that closely when I lifted the lid on the freezer . . . Was she wearing earrings when she was found?’

  ‘No,’ said the DC.

  ‘What business is it of yours?’ asked Ears at the same moment.

  ‘Oh, do go away!’ said Ellie, sinking back into the chair and closing her eyes.

  ‘What! You look here, Madam!’

  Still with her eyes closed: ‘If you shout at me, I shall burst into tears, and then you’ll be sorry.’

  He made a tearing sound in his throat, and she heard him charge out of the door. A gentle touch on her hand. Ellie opened her eyes to see the DC leaning over her. ‘I’m so sorry. Look, I can see you’re not quite . . . May I come back to see you tomorrow?’

  ‘Of course, my dear.’

  Thomas came in, looking over his shoulder to where Ears was stamping out of the hall. ‘What’s up with him?’

  ‘Chronic frustration,’ said Ellie, ‘due to his own incompetence. Thomas, have you photocopied those lists? Would you give a copy to the Detective Constable here? I was trying to work out when Mrs Pryce was killed, and my notes might be of interest.’

  The DC took them. ‘Thank you. Most helpful. I don’t want to tire you, but is there anything else?’

  ‘Lots; but for a start, can you find out why the freezer was left behind in the garage when everything else was removed?’

  ‘I can tell you that. The discovery of the body was on the local news this morning, and the man who’d bought all her kitchen equipment rang us to say that he’d arranged to buy the freezer, too. Only, it was too big to get on his van at the last minute, so he left it behind and adjusted the amount of cash he paid Mrs Pryce for the rest of the stuff.’

  ‘Which day was that?’

  ‘About six o’clock on Thursday evening.’

  ‘It must have been after the house clearance people had been through the house and gone. I suppose the freezer was forgotten about after that; nobody checked because they assumed it would have been taken away with the rest of the kitchen equipment, and Mrs Pryce wasn’t around to tell them otherwise. We know the car had gone by Friday morning, when Jack arrived to put padlocks on the doors. So putting her in the freezer – which must have been done on Thursday night – wasn’t premeditated. An opportunistic hiding place. Mm. Well, let me know how you get on, won’t you?’

  ‘Take care of yourself,’ said the DC, and left Ellie in peace.

  Except that she could feel Thomas hovering; wanting to say something? She said, ‘What is it you’re afraid to tell me?’

  ‘You know me too well. I think we should get the facts about what happened with Diana down on paper. Not for the police, I hasten to add, but as insurance.’

  ‘You want me to sign a paper saying that Diana tried to k–k . . .’ she gagged. ‘Isn’t it better forgotten?’

  ‘The very existence of such signed statements should avoid a recurrence. Yes, I can see why you wouldn’t want to do it, and I’m not sure you’re up to it, but I mentioned it to Gunnar—’

  ‘Surely the fewer people who know about it, the better?’

  ‘If she’s tried to kill you once—’

  Ellie winced.

  ‘—and there’s no repercussion, then the next time she loses her temper with you, she might try again.’

  ‘No, no. It was a moment of madness.’

  ‘I’d agree with you if it were possible to reason with her, but it isn’t. She was beside herself with fury. If I hadn’t caught her, she would have thrown that radio into the water.’

  ‘She might have drawn back at the last minute.’

  ‘I can’t risk it. Suppose you were having an argument in the kitchen and there happened to be a knife handy. You’d be gone in an instant, and I’d be left thinking I could have done something to stop her.’

  ‘But she doesn’t inherit anything much under the terms of my will. Killing me wouldn’t get her what she wants.’ Ellie didn’t want even to think about this. Tears threatened.

  ‘True, but she was in such a temper she didn’t consider the consequences. If I hadn’t been there, you’d have died. Where reason fails, fear might keep you safe. Gunnar agrees and is coming round to talk to you about it.’

  Tears came, slipping down her cheeks.

  He took both her hands in his. ‘Oh, my dear love.’

  ‘I know I mustn’t give in. It won’t solve anything if I do. I can’t in all conscience ask the Trust to bail her out, and even if I did she’d spend it and come back for more at a later date. Of course you’re right, and she has to be stopped now. Vera put the radio in the bottom of the wardrobe. There’ll be her fingerprints on it, of course, but also Diana’s. Perhaps you could let Gunnar hold it for us?’

  There was a stir in the hall, people shouting. A scream?

  The door burst open. Rose staggered backwards into the room and fell. Diana strode in, one side of her face puffy and discoloured. She was wearing a closely fitting neck brace and was followed by an unhappy looking little man carrying a briefcase before him as if it were a breastplate.

  After them came their young guest, Mia, red rags of temper in her cheeks.

  ‘Ah, there you are!’ Diana gestured to the little man who’d been following at her heels. ‘Serve the writ on that man with the beard!’

  ‘What,’ demanded a bass voice, ‘is going on?’

  Everyone fell back to let Ellie’s solicitor, Gunnar Brooks, enter. He was a massive man, with a big presence. He took up his stance before the fireplace and immediately became the focal point of the room. Both judge and jury, as it were.

  Mia helped Rose into a chair. ‘Are you all right, my dear?’

  Rose was on the verge of tears. ‘No real damage. Don’t fuss. I must get Mr Brooks his tea.’ She tried and failed to get up.

  Mia pressed her back into her chair. ‘You sit still. I’ll get it in a minute.’

  Gunnar raised one bushy eyebrow. ‘So, Diana. To what do we owe the pleasure?’

  Diana’s black eye was a stunner. She herself was a stunner, face white, clothes black. A vengeful fury. ‘I’m glad you’re here, Mr Brooks. You can be a witness to my complaint. I have here a writ to serve on my stepfather for assault!’

  Ellie managed to get to her feet, holding on to Thomas’s arm. ‘Oh no, you don’t, Diana.’

  ‘He assaulted me. He can’t deny it, and neither can you. I am going to sue the pants off him and nobody can stop me.’

  ‘I doubt it,’ said Ellie. ‘If you’d really intended to serve a writ, you’d just have done it. Instead, you’re playing the tragedy queen, and this audience is not impressed. Yes, Thomas hit you. But there was a reason, wasn’t there? Do you want me to spell it out in front of witnesses?’

  ‘I was trying to talk some sense into you, and he thought . . . I have no idea what was going on through what passes for his mind, but clearly he must be deranged and in need of psychiatric attention, for he turned on me without warning and gave me such a punch that I felt my neck snap. My doctor says I have a whiplash injury, and I am going to need full compensation.’

  Thomas said, ‘If you serve that writ and the case comes to court, then what will be my defence?’

  ‘She doesn’t intend it to come to court,’ said Ellie. ‘Gunnar, this is just the latest in Diana’s ploys to get me to give her some more money, and I’m not playing. I’m glad you’ve come because Thomas and I need to make statem
ents about what really happened when Diana caught me in the bath the other day.’

  Gunnar smiled with his usual benevolence. ‘Dear Rose, are you much hurt? Would you like me to sue Diana for her assault on you, pushing you into the room and knocking you to the floor like that? I would be happy to serve as a witness.’

  ‘So would I,’ said Mia.

  ‘And I,’ said Thomas.

  ‘And I,’ said Ellie. ‘Diana; go!’

  Diana was furious. ‘If I do, you know who will suffer, and that’s your precious Stewart, because I’ll take my son away from him for good!’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ said Ellie. ‘No court would take you seriously when they hear what tactics you’ve been employing to get your own way. And please note; I’ve had enough. You’ve finally managed to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.’

  ‘You can’t cut me off. I’m your only daughter.’

  Gunnar beamed at Diana. ‘I’m sure the courts will appreciate everything Ellie’s done for you – and everything you’ve done for her.’

  Diana was trembling with rage, but managed to control herself . . . with an effort. She turned on her heel, gestured the man with the briefcase to follow her and made a fine exit. Needless to say, she slammed the front door after herself.

  ‘Are you all right, Rose?’ Ellie was anxious.

  ‘Tickety-boo, and all the better for hearing you give Her Highness a piece of your mind, which I never did think to hear and am all the better for it, thank you very much. Now, Mia; Mr Brooks always has a piece of Victoria sponge and a glass of Madeira. What do you think we can find for him today?’

  When Gunnar had taken their statements, ingested a piece of Mia’s chocolate cake and drunk his ritual glass of Madeira, he departed with the broken radio and two handwritten and witnessed statements as to Diana’s recent actions.

  Ellie sank back into her chair. She had to admit she was tired, and yet she’d hardly done anything that day, had she?

  Thomas took her hand. ‘My dear, that was brave of you. I know it would have been a lot easier to pretend it never happened.’

  She nodded. Every time she closed her eyes, she was back in the bath, with Diana raising the radio over her head and . . . She tried to turn her thoughts away from that moment, knowing that next time she closed her eyes, the same scene would be replayed in her head. Perhaps if she could pray about it . . . but she was too tired. Tears threatened again.

  ‘Now,’ said Thomas, ‘supper will be ready soon, and then you’re going back to bed. In the morning we are going shopping in Paris, to replace my Kindle and your engagement ring.’

  She tried to smile and failed. ‘Oh, no; I couldn’t.’

  He took no notice. ‘Mia will pack all your prettiest clothes, and tomorrow morning early you and I will get into a minicab – which I’ve already booked – and we’ll leave everything behind us. We’ll have our breakfast on Eurostar, first class, and be in Paris for lunch. I’ve booked us into a five-star hotel, and for five days and nights you and I will pretend to be Lord and Lady Muck, swanning around to different restaurants, buying you several new outfits, replacing your ring, visiting the Louvre, going to the opera or ballet, perhaps? After that, we may go on down to the south of France for a breath of sea air, or perhaps we’ll decide to go on a tour of famous French gardens.’

  ‘I can’t just—’

  ‘While we’re away, Stewart is going to have our bathroom remodelled, with new tiling, a new bath, and a walk-in shower cabinet. We thought about a wet room, but on the whole I think I’d prefer a shower. Oh, and there’s to be gold-plated taps on everything. Rose insists.’

  ‘Thomas, no!’

  ‘The alternative is that I take you to a private clinic where they will prod and poke you, and prick you with needles and practice all sorts of mumbo-jumbo to find out what’s wrong with you . . . Whereas you and I know it’s grief and sorrow and shock that’s laid you low, and I dare to think my remedies will do you more good than anything a doctor would prescribe.’

  ‘Yes, but—’

  ‘You never let me spend my money on you, so this is my chance to give you a treat. I need a holiday, too. When did we last go away together?’

  ‘I can’t possibly. There’s so much to do, so many problems—’

  ‘We’ve had a conference, Rose, Mia, Stewart and I, and we have decided you should go, and go you shall. I phoned Pat, and she agrees. Stewart and Pat will cover everything which Rose and Mia can’t deal with. Let the police deal with crime – that’s their business; ours is to help you recover.’

  ‘But Diana might—’

  ‘Gunnar has our statements and the radio. I suggested that he get someone to look into her finances. He will see that Stewart is well represented if it comes to a court case. I’ve spoken to Stewart and told him why we can’t have little Frank this weekend, and he quite understands. It suits him better, anyway, as he was supposed to be taking his family on a river boat excursion, which Frank doesn’t want to miss.’

  She couldn’t find the words to object, though she knew she ought to. Running away from your problems was all wrong. ‘But your work—’

  ‘I’ve seen off the bishop, haven’t I? And this last couple of days I’ve been working all hours to get the next issue out. I’ll take my laptop with me, of course, but honestly I can afford to take a few days off without the world coming to an end.’

  ‘Diana wanted to k–k . . . I can’t say it.’

  He sighed. ‘Yes.’ He smiled, began to laugh. ‘You have to admire her nerve. Fancy claiming whiplash! Whatever will she think of next!’

  Saturday morning

  ‘Kyra? Nirav here. Relax. It’s good news. I’ve landed a job with Mrs Quicke’s outfit. Almost the same money, too. I’m to work on the team that updates accommodation in their rented sector. I had to promise I’d never take advantage of my position to move into one of their vacant properties, but I don’t think they trust me completely because they’ve only given me a three-month contract. I suppose I can see their point of view.’

  ‘But we don’t need to now, do we? We can stay where we are for a while?’

  ‘No problem. But to be on the safe side, I’ll put out one or two feelers, have another bolt-hole ready, just in case.’

  On the third morning of her stay in Paris, Ellie struggled out of the cold brown wilderness that trapped her whenever she fell asleep and made an effort to pray. It was a worry to find how difficult it was. The usual words such as ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ were no longer appropriate. She tried them out and felt she was getting an engaged signal, rather than an open line to her best friend.

  What could be wrong? She’d cried out to Him when she was in danger of death, and Thomas had saved her. So why couldn’t she thank Him?

  Thomas had got up a while ago and was in their sitting room – they actually had a suite! What luxury! – saying his morning prayers.

  She delved into her mind and found a dense fog blocking further thought. So, was this something to do with Diana?

  She was seized with a bout of the shakes. Fear. All right, face it, Ellie. Your daughter tried to kill you.

  Ellie had been in danger before and felt fear, but had been confident that life would return to normal in due course. In this case, it was impossible. Life could never be the same again, for Diana had broken the last taboo: that of trying to kill the person who had given her life.

  In her mind’s eye Ellie saw herself shrinking into a small dark place, unable to move. Broken. Imprisoned. When she returned home, she’d never be able to venture out of the house in case Diana were lurking nearby. If Diana were to contact her by phone, Ellie would be tongue-tied, unable to speak. Were Diana to demand more money, Ellie would have to give it to her. Though where she’d get it from . . . ?

  She pulled her thoughts away. Living like that would mean there could be no growth, no bright mornings, no hope. Even now she could feel the tendrils closing around her, tightening around her forehead, warning he
r not to consider crossing a road lest she be run over, or walk down a steep staircase in case she fell.

  This would never do; she was being reduced to a shivering shadow of herself. She would not go down that path!

  Dear Lord, out of the depths I cry to you.

  At long last, she heard his voice in her head. Forgive and grow.

  Forgive Diana? Impossible! She heard the word echo down a long corridor in her mind. Impossible, impossible, impossible.

  Yet our dear Lord had done just that; He’d forgiven those who were in the very act of putting Him to death.

  Not possible, possible, possible. She couldn’t imagine herself doing it. It was too much to ask.

  Dear Lord above, help me to grow big enough to forgive.

  She felt the tendrils which had wound tightly around her head release their grip on her a little. Was it possible that one day this fear would leave her, and that her spirit would be quiet again?

  Thomas came bustling in. ‘Aren’t you up yet? Breakfast’s here. Shall we go for a walk afterwards?’

  He’d decided that a walk a day kept diets at bay, and who was she to argue? His very presence banished her fear.

  ‘Any news?’ Every day he had the Times newspaper to read at breakfast, but what she really wanted was news from home. Or did she? Wouldn’t it be easier never to go home, but to wander around the Continent in idle fashion for the rest of her life? No, perhaps not. Too boring.

  Thomas beamed. ‘I rang them all while you were still asleep. Rose and Stewart and little Frank all send their love. Stewart says the bathroom’s not finished yet, so we have to stay away another week at least. Rose is fine, ordering spring bulbs for the garden. Mia was out already; she’s started going in, mornings only, to the printing works that she’s inherited. Oh, and Rose says that the police have got someone for Mrs Pryce’s murder.’

  ‘That’s good. Who was it?’

  ‘Dunno. A relative, I think.’

  ‘Terry Pryce, I suppose.’ She frowned, thinking this didn’t sound right, and then shook her head at herself. It was no longer her problem. ‘Does it look like rain? Because if not, I’m going to wear one of my new dresses.’