Aunt Bessie Invites (An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Book 9)

by Diana Xarissa

  Bessie flushed. “He wasn’t my type,” she answered curtly.

  “Well, that’s just as well, isn’t it? I’ve tried to get that policeman to give me a list of women Jacob spent time with, but he won’t. I’d appreciate it if you’d share some names and contact information with me. I’d very much like to talk to some of the women who were involved with him.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t really have that information,” Bessie said. “Who have you been able to speak with so far?”

  “Oh, some woman called Mona who went out with Jacob once or twice. I’m more interested in who he was seeing more seriously.”

  “From what I saw, he wasn’t seeing anyone seriously,” Bessie told her. “He seemed to go out with a different woman every other day.”

  “But he was looking for a wife,” Jane said.

  “He was?” Bessie asked, surprised.

  Jane nodded. “When he left home, he told our father that he was going to find himself a nice hard-working farmer’s daughter to bring back and help run the farm. He was lazy, my brother. He thought if he found a farmer’s daughter who was used to hard work, she could take over a lot of the difficult work and he could sit around and drink whiskey all day.”

  “What makes you think he’d found someone here?” Bessie asked.

  Jane shrugged. “When Jacob set his mind to something, he generally managed to accomplish it,” she replied.

  “He wanted to buy a farm here, but he didn’t manage that,” Bessie said.

  “No, he didn’t,” Jane asserted. “He may have told people that was why he was here, but the last thing he wanted was to stay on the Isle of Man. He was using that as an excuse to meet farmers and their daughters, that’s all.”

  “I thought someone told me that you didn’t even know he was on the island,” Bessie said.

  “I didn’t,” Jane agreed.

  “So maybe he came over here and fell in love with the place,” Bessie suggested. “Maybe he decided to buy a farm here, rather than go back home.”

  “He didn’t have any money,” Jane replied. “Father gave him enough for a short holiday, but he certainly couldn’t have bought any property over here, or anywhere else for that matter.”

  Bessie pressed her lips together, her mind racing. “So when did you last hear from him?” she asked after a moment.

  “From what I can determine, he sent us a letter just before he left Liverpool for the island,” Jane replied. “He’d been courting a young woman there, but her father didn’t like the idea of her moving away. The father wanted her to stay and work on their farm. From what Jacob said in his letters, there was an ugly scene. Anyway, Jacob wrote that he’d decided to head south and see what he could find.”

  “But he came across to the island instead,” Bessie said.

  “Yes,” Jane nodded. “I’ve no idea why.”

  “He was getting ready to leave the island when he died, though,” Bessie said after a moment.

  “Which is another reason why I think he’d found a bride,” Jane said. “If he’d come and taken a look around and not found anyone suitable, he’d have moved on quickly, but he stayed for several months. That suggests to me that he’d found someone and was courting her.”

  “Maybe she turned him down when he asked her to move across with him,” Bessie said, thinking about Bahey removing Karen from the island to get her away from Jacob.

  “I’m assuming that’s what happened,” Jane said. “But I’d really like to speak to her. If things had been different, we might have been sisters-in-law, and I’d like to hear what she remembers about my brother.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t suggest any likely candidates,” Bessie told her, remembering her promise to Bahey that she wouldn’t tell anyone about Karen’s relationship with the man. “I can tell you that at the time he simply seemed to be going out with everyone for a very short time and not getting serious about anyone,” Bessie added.

  “That’s what Mona told me as well,” she replied. “But I don’t believe it.”

  “Do you think the woman he was seeing, if there was one, might have had something to do with his death?” Bessie asked.

  “Maybe,” Jane said. “I keep thinking he probably just got into a bar fight that ended up coming to blows. Jacob had a temper and he got thrown out of our local pub at least twice a year for getting into fights with other customers. I’d like to believe that there was a fight and his death was accidental. That’s less painful to think about than the possibility that he was murdered.”

  Bessie nodded. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you.”

  Jane dug a tissue out of her handbag and touched it to her eyes, which looked quite dry to Bessie. “Thank you,” the woman said softly. “The years of not knowing were very difficult as well.”

  “Yes, I’m sure they were,” Bessie said. “Perhaps you’d like a cup of tea?”

  “Oh, no,” Jane exclaimed. “I don’t drink tea.”

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “No, thank you. I’d rather hear more about Jacob, if you remember any more?”

  “I really wish I did,” Bessie told her. “I only met him a couple of times. He seemed intelligent and full of confidence. I was under the impression that he was here to buy property, and I think that’s pretty much all we ever discussed. I recall suggesting a farm a few miles outside the village to him and his asking me about the owner and his family.”

  “Did the owner have any available daughters?” Jane asked.

  “Now that you mention it, no,” Bessie said.

  “And do you know if my brother ever took your advice?”

  “He didn’t,” Bessie replied. “The owner was actually considering selling at that time and I remember asking him about Jacob a short time later. Your brother never did go to see him.”

  “As I said, he wasn’t looking to buy anything,” Jane said. “But the story gave him a good excuse to visit all of the area farms.”

  “I wish I could help you more,” Bessie said.

  “Yes, well, I’m off to see where they found the body next,” Jane told her. “I understand the people who have the farm now don’t remember Jacob.”

  “I’m sure they must have some vague memories of him,” Bessie said. “But it was a very long time ago, after all.”

  “I wish I could say that you’ve been very helpful, but you really haven’t,” the woman said, getting to her feet. “I appreciate your being willing to see me, even if it has been rather a waste of time.”

  Bessie stared at her, unable to think of a polite way to reply. She got to her feet and followed the woman back into the kitchen.

  “I do think that your police could try a bit harder,” Jane said as she pulled her coat back on. “The don’t seem to be doing much of anything.”

  “It’s difficult for them to find anyone who remembers your brother,” Bessie said, eager to defend John and his hard work. “He was only here for a short time and that was a long time ago,” she added. “They’re doing their best to track down as many people as they can, though.”

  “Yes, well, I’m not impressed with their work thus far. Apparently, the man who used to own the farm where Jacob was found is not right in the head. I gather the police have interviewed him, but they couldn’t get any sense out of him. Perhaps I should insist that they try harder.”

  “I’m not sure there’s much anyone can do with poor Niall Clague,” Bessie said. “He’s very ill and his memory is completely unreliable.”

  “Or so he says,” Jane retorted. “I’m sure that must be the easiest thing in the world to fake. If I’d murdered someone, I’d probably pretend to be crazy in order to avoid answering questions.”

  “He’s been having trouble with his memory for many years,” Bessie said, keeping her voice steady. “It isn’t like he suddenly started pretending to forget when the body was found.”

  Jane shrugged. “I still think it’s suspicious,” she said. “And
I’ve said that repeatedly to the two policeman with whom I’ve spoken. Well, one is a policewoman, actually, but I’ve told her many times that I think that Nigel Clague needs to be pushed harder.”

  “It’s Niall,” Bessie said tightly. “And I’m sure the police have done their best with him.”

  “I wish I had your confidence in their efforts,” the woman said sharply. “But then, it isn’t your brother’s body that’s been found, is it? It’s all so distressing.”

  The tissue came out again and Bessie found herself peering at it, looking for any signs of wetness. It looked completely dry as the woman dabbed at her eyes and then slid the tissue back into her pocket.

  “Do let me know if you think of any more questions for me,” Bessie said as she showed the woman to the door. “I wish I could remember more.”

  “I’m going home later today,” the woman replied. “Perhaps you’d be good enough to give me your number? If I think of any further questions, I’ll ring you.”

  Bessie found a scrap of paper and a pencil in a drawer and wrote down her number. “Please do ring, if you think I can help,” she said, confident that she’d never hear from the unpleasant woman again.

  “Yes, well, we can but hope,” Jane said.

  Bessie opened the door for the woman and watched as she climbed into the expensive-looking car that was parked outside. As it pulled away, Bessie noted that it was from one of the island’s hire car firms. Pushing the door shut, Bessie turned the lock and then sighed. The ingredients for shortbread were still spread across the counter, so she decided to go ahead and bake, even if her guest had already come and gone. Once the shortbread was in the oven, she reached for the phone. She’d might as well just ring John and save him a trip later in the day. A knock on the door stopped her hand in midair.

  “I’m earlier than I thought I would be,” John said from her doorstep. “I hope that isn’t a problem.”

  “Of course not,” Bessie assured him. She stepped back to let him in and then smiled. “The sun is trying to peek out,” she said as she shut the door behind him.

  “The wind seems to be keeping the clouds moving along,” John told her. “It rained pretty much all morning, so I imagine we’re due a few hours of sunshine before sunset.”

  “Maybe I’ll get another walk in,” Bessie said. “It wasn’t exactly walking weather this morning.”

  The oven timer buzzed, interrupting their chat.

  “Is that shortbread?” John asked as Bessie pulled the tray from the oven.

  “It is; would you like some?”

  John smiled. “I feel like a small child who’s just been given an unexpected treat. I’d love some, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course I don’t mind,” Bessie told him. “I was planning to make it for my guest, but she turned up before I’d finished. After she left I felt as if I needed a treat.”

  John chuckled. “Does that mean you didn’t get along well with Mrs. Harris?” he asked.

  “We got along fine,” Bessie replied as she switched on the kettle. “But I didn’t like her.”

  “She didn’t seem to be the most likable person,” John said. “But she’s not happy with our investigation. I thought that might why she was, um, unfriendly at the station.”

  “I think she’s pretty unfriendly everywhere,” Bessie said. “I told her I was certain you were doing your best, but she didn’t seem to believe me.”

  “I’m sure it’s difficult, finding out your brother was murdered many years ago, but we really are doing everything we can.”

  “She seems to think you should be pushing Niall more.”

  “Yes, she said that to me and Anna when we met,” John replied. “I don’t think she believes that he’s really unwell.” He shrugged. “She also suggested that we should have found the body at some point in the last forty years. She seems to think we were negligent in not locating it at some point.”

  “Pardon?” Bessie said. “How were you supposed to find the body of a man who was never even reported as missing?” she demanded.

  John shook his head. “She’s upset,” he said. “I don’t think she even knows what she’s saying half of the time.”

  “I’m sorry you have to deal with her,” Bessie said. She fixed them each a cup of tea and then put generous servings of the warm shortbread onto plates.

  “It’s all part of the job,” John said, sipping his tea. “Ah, this helps more than you can know,” he told Bessie.

  “So what did you and Jane Harris talk about?” John asked after he’d finished half of his shortbread.

  “She thinks Jacob was here looking for a wife, rather than a farm,” Bessie told him.

  “And what did you think of that idea?”

  Bessie shrugged. “I was just turning it over in my head while I was baking,” she said. “What she said made sense, and it ties in with what Bahey told me, but it doesn’t fit well with what I remember of the man. He certainly didn’t act like a man who was looking to settle down.”

  “None of the women I’ve spoken to about the man have said that he suggested marriage or anything other than a few casual evenings out,” John told her. “I haven’t talked to Karen yet, although I’ve read Pete’s report on what Bahey told him.”

  Bessie nodded. “From what I saw of him, he was all about having a bit of fun. Maybe his sister is remembering what she wants to remember, rather than the truth.”

  John shrugged. “I wouldn’t suggest any such thing to her,” he told Bessie.

  “No, I wouldn’t, either,” Bessie agreed with a laugh. “Would you like more shortbread?”

  “Oh, I shouldn’t,” John said. He flushed. “But I’d love some.”

  Bessie cut him another generous piece, taking a much smaller helping for herself. She told herself that she was just having more so that John didn’t feel self-conscious about eating in front of her, but she knew that wasn’t strictly true.

  “I’m going to tell you something else,” John said, after Bessie had refilled his teacup. “It’s going to be in the papers tomorrow, so I expect it’s probably all over the island already.”

  “If it is, I haven’t heard it,” Bessie said. “I haven’t heard anything new about the case since the body was positively identified.”

  “When we began to clear out the space around where the body was found, we discovered that it wasn’t simply packed with Fenella’s mother’s things,” John told her. “At the very back of the space we found Jacob’s suitcases.”

  “I suppose that explains what happened to them,” Bessie said thoughtfully. “It’s also another connection between Jacob and the Clague farm.”

  “Maybe,” John said. “Or maybe, having found a good spot to hide the body, the killer just dumped the suitcases there as well.”

  “But that would have taken time,” Bessie said. “And the longer he was there, the greater the chances that Niall or Eoin would find him.”

  “Unless Niall or Eoin, or both, were involved,” John added the obvious conclusion.

  Bessie nodded. “Poor Fenella. She must be worried sick about her father.”

  “Anna’s going back down to question him again tomorrow,” John told her. “She’s having his doctor meet her there to help out.”

  “Jane suggested that he might be faking his confusion,” Bessie said. “Anna doesn’t really think that’s the case, does she?”

  “I couldn’t possibly tell you what Anna thinks,” John replied. “Having a doctor there will help protect both Anna and Niall, though. Fenella wants to be there as well. I’m not sure if Anna has agreed to that or not, though.”

  Bessie sighed. “It’s all very sad,” she said. “How is Eoin holding up through all of this?”

  “It seems to be taking a toll,” John told her. “He doesn’t look well, but he insisted that he’s fine when I asked.”

  “Do you have any suspects, other than Eoin and Niall?” Bessie had to ask.

  “We’re in the process of tracking down as many
of the former farmhands as we can,” John replied. “In cold cases like this, the whole process can be rather long and drawn-out. Many of the people we’re looking for have passed away. Many of those who are still around have little or no recollection of the man, even if there were here at the right time.”

  “He was only on the island for a short time,” Bessie said. “I suspect he made much more of an impression on the young women in Laxey than on the young men.”

  “That definitely seems to be have been the case,” John agreed. “We’re also looking at the time he spent in Douglas, but it seems that barely anyone remembers him from the short time he was there, aside from one woman who went to dinner with him a couple of times. She’s still a little bit angry at him for dropping her after that, or at least that’s the impression that Pete got from her.”

  “Inspector Corkill is also an excellent judge of character,” Bessie said. “I suspect he’s right about the woman, whoever she is.”

  “I believe I told you that there was an angry farmer who’d hoped to sell his land to Jacob as well,” John said. “He died many years ago, though, so I only heard the story second-hand. The disagreement happened some months before Jacob’s death, so I find it hard to believe that it’s relevant to his murder, but we are trying to look into it as much as we can.”

  “Did the farmer in question have a daughter about the right age for Jacob?” Bessie asked, thinking about her conversation with Jane Harris.

  “He did,” John confirmed. “But from what she’s said, her father never let the man get near her. Apparently, the man was very protective. She didn’t marry until after her father died, when she was nearly forty.”

  “Interesting,” Bessie remarked. “Fenella said that her father didn’t want her to marry young, either. She said Eoin only managed to court her because he was already on the farm and could do so without her father really noticing.”

  “Do you think Niall was happy with Eoin as his son-in-law?” John asked.

  Bessie nodded. “Eoin has always been a very hard worker,” she replied. “He started on the farm as seasonal help, but he quickly became indispensible to Niall. For a while it looked as if his brother was going to do the same, but then Nicholas made some unfortunate friends and ended up leaving the island.”