“Do you like our paintings, Mr McGowan?”
Luke spun around to find Elizabeth standing next to the corridor. She was dressed casually in a white t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, her golden hair tied into a neat bun. Her piercing blue eyes were fixed on his as she’d posed the question.
“I’m no historian, but I am impressed.”
“They span several generations. Our family blood line can be traced back to the Norman conquests. To the first lords and ladies of that era.”
“My Grandfather was a butcher from Luton.”
Elizabeth smiled. She stood herself next to Luke and studied the portraits herself.
“It is fascinating what you can learn about your ancestors when you look deep enough. The secrets you can discover,” she spoke looking intently at the portraits. She spoke softly, her eyes far away as if recalling those early discoveries. “I would have never have imagined the things I discovered,” she went on, turning back to face Luke.
“What sort of discoveries?”
She took a step closer to him, giving his jacket a delicate brush with her hand. Her expression was suddenly serious. She said, “You seem like a nice man, Mr McGowan. I’m not so sure if it’s wise you stay here.”
“And why would that be?”
She glanced back towards the corridor. At its end, the faint din of a busy kitchen could be heard. As yet there was no sign of anyone approaching. She turned back to Luke.
“What did you mean by that?” Luke persisted. “Why wouldn’t I be safe here?”
“I just think you should leave this village as soon as you can.”
“And I just take your word on that, right?”
Again, she glanced towards the corridor.
“Please. Just listen to what I’m trying to tell you. There are things going on in this village that you would find very difficult to understand,” she continued with a whisper. “It’s complicated. It would just be wise if you were to leave. That’s all I can say on the matter, Mr McGowan.”
“Do you know a young lady called Lena Chatterton?”
Elizabeth looked startled.
“Well? I’m not playing games here Elizabeth. It’s important that you trust me and tell me the truth.”
“That’s what you were trying to tell me last night, wasn’t it? Of course I know Lena. She’s my cousin. And what have you got to do with her?”
Luke was about to reply when, from out the corridor, Mrs Harrison suddenly appeared with two very large silver platters balanced on her right arm. She froze as she spotted Elizabeth and Luke, almost shocked to find them together.
“Elizabeth. I didn’t know you would be joining Mr McGowan for breakfast.”
“We were just talking. I was on my way into the village.”
“I see.”
“Morning Mrs Harrison,” Luke spoke.
“Good morning Mr McGowan.”
Mrs Harrison then placed the platters on the table and wiped her hands quickly across her white apron.
“Breakfast will be served soon Mr McGowan. Will you be joining our guest, Elizabeth?”
“No Mrs Harrison. Like I told you, I’ll be heading into the village soon.”
“Very well. Then I hope you’ll be back in good time. Your father isn’t keen on you staying out so late in these winter months.”
“I know. We’ve been through this before. You can tell father that I’ll be fine. There’s really no need for anyone in this house to be concerned. I know when and where I need to be.”
“Very well. In that case I’ll pass on the message.”
“You can do just that,” Elizabeth replied. As Mrs Harrison left the room, Luke turned to Elizabeth and said, “Is everything okay, Elizabeth? There was quite a lot of friction between you both.”
“Yes. Everything is fine, Luke. You should take a seat. You must be very hungry. I need to be somewhere else soon. We can talk later if you’re still around. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of questions,” she went on.
“I did have one or two.”
“Yes. I thought you might have. Well, enjoy your food, Luke,”
“I will.”
With that, Elizabeth headed for the dining room door. Watching her go, Luke sat himself at the table and waited for Mrs Harrison to return with his breakfast. When she came back, she brought him a full English breakfast with coffee. He hadn’t eaten properly since the previous morning and managed to polish off his plate within twenty minutes. Mrs Harrison had returned ten minutes later and had taken the dishes away. She told him that Lord Chatterton would see him within the hour and that he should take a walk around the grounds in the meantime. Luke had done just that, welcoming the fresh air and the chance to view his new surroundings. As with the Chatterton Hotel, the lawns that surrounded the hall were just as overgrown and riddled with weed. He found the hall’s exterior in much the same state of decay as well. Rot had eaten away at several of its top storey windows and, when he looked closely, he could see that entire sections of brickwork were missing. On more than one occasion, as he walked the grounds, he would spot a handful of nesting swallows darting in and out of the mansion’s fractured rooftop. It seemed Lena had been correct in her analysis. The Chatterton family were not the well to do aristocrats they had perhaps once been. The dilapidated estate was testament to that. Twenty minutes into his walk, Luke had stopped to inspect one of the many statues he’d noticed from his bedroom window. For as far as he could see they were littered about the estate’s grounds, nestled in amongst the occasional coppice of trees, or almost entirely hidden from view within the lawn’s tall grass, their large, white marble heads poking out from behind the grass blades. One in particular had caught Luke’s attention. The statue sat beside an old well, its head standing parallel to the well’s wooden frame and bucket. He ran his forefinger slowly along the statue’s neck. The head resembled a serpent of some kind, although its body was clearly that of a man. Its mouth sat open, its eyes fixed on Chatterton Mansion directly in front. From its mouth a thin, double-forked tongue licked the cold October air. Its eyes were small and narrow. When Luke looked closer, he could see that its pupils were also oblong in shape.
“Mr McGowan!” Mrs Harrison was now standing in the patio, having opened the dining room’s French doors and stepped outside. “Mr McGowan. His grace will see you now. If you could kindly follow me please,” she continued, leaving the patio and walking across the lawn, not once turning back to see if Luke was following. Luke did follow. He was anxious to finally meet Lord Chatterton.
“Wait here please,” Mrs McGowan instructed. They had circumnavigated the hall. They now stood outside the hall’s left wing where a small door led them into a narrow stone chamber. The chamber’s ceiling had almost completely rotted away. So much so that as Luke looked up he could see a flight of wooden stairs running up through the various floors. At the very top of this chamber, Luke could see a large glass observatory. He could also hear the distant murmur of conversation from high above.
“Follow me please, Mr McGowan,” Mrs Harrison continued leading Luke through the chamber until they arrived at the foot of the staircase. “Just follow the stairs to the observatory. His grace and a friend will be waiting for you.”
“Friend?”
Mrs Harrison looked suddenly annoyed. She wasn’t used to people questioning her.
“Just follow the staircase Mr McGowan. I don’t have the time to explain. I have duties to attend to. Urgent duties,” she went on quickly turning from Luke and heading back down the chamber and towards the door. Luke waited until she had gone before he turned his attention back to the staircase. He began to study the observatory and the wooden staircase which, twisting and turning, led to the glass observatory. As he was watching, he suddenly glimpsed the shadow of a man moving at the top of the staircase. Tentatively, Luke began to climb the staircase, the murmuring of conversation growing louder the higher he went.
“It’s a beautiful day for star gazing. Wouldn’t you agree, Mr Mc
Gowan?”
Luke was three steps away from reaching the observatory floor when the question had been posed, his torso and head only just visible to Lord Chatterton.
“Are you a lover of astronomy, Mr McGowan?” Lord Chatterton continued, his eyes still glued to the giant telescope which sat at the very centre of the observatory. “I’ve been fascinated by our solar system since early childhood. I expect Elizabeth would have mentioned that to you.”
Luke didn’t reply.
“Cat got your tongue, Mr McGowan?”
“Turn and face me when you talk. You might get a different reaction.”
Lord Chatterton didn’t flinch.
“Cat got your tongue?” Luke continued.
Slowly, Lord Chatterton turned from the telescope to face Luke. He was an elderly gent of around seventy. He moved awkwardly and it was quickly obvious to Luke that he was in some discomfort. The man was bald except for two large tufts of silver hair which sprouted out from behind his ears. Nevertheless, he was a tall man and well-built for his age. He would have been, Luke reasoned, an intimidating figure at one point. He was not alone either. Luke glanced to the shadows which lived off to his right. There was a second figure present. He could see the man’s boots but little else.
“You are my guest, Mr McGowan. I’ve always been a generous host. You can ask anyone in the village. They will vouch for this fact. But please. Don’t try my patience. I don’t suffer fools gladly,” Lord Chatterton now spoke looking directly into Luke’s eyes. Again, Luke didn’t reply back.
“Marshall. My stick, Marshall, for heaven’s sake, man! Must I always remind you?” Lord Chatterton now barked, his keen eyes darting off towards the shadows. Slowly, the boots began to move. Gradually, a figure emerged. Luke recognised the man straight away. He was the same chap who’d followed him into the hotel in King’s Cross. He was tall like Lord Chatterton, only thinner. He still wore the large, grey trilby hat and overcoat. The hat’s rim hid most of his features. Luke could see a gaunt, almost featureless face living beneath the hat. The man’s skin was an unhealthily pale colour and as he stepped clear of the shadows he almost appeared to swim in his clothes he was so thin. His left hand, a long, bony limb, clutched the Lord’s walking stick. His eyes were dark and deep set. His eyebrows were grey and Luke guessed he was a man somewhere in his mid-fifties.
“Thank you Marshall,” Lord Chatterton spoke grabbing the stick from his friend. “Next time be ready at my side. You hear, man? You’re getting slower by the week. I shall have you replaced if you’re not careful!”
Marshall simply nodded obediently, perhaps having been berated in the same fashion many times over down the years. His eyes didn’t leave Luke’s once during the dressing down. They remained fixed. Both men knew they had recognised one another.
“Welcome to my estate, Mr McGowan. I trust you are feeling a little better now? You were in bad shape when you first arrived. Marshall here had a tough job carrying you to your room. I expect you don’t remember that little episode, eh?” Lord Chatterton went on, grinning to himself.
“I only remember certain bits from last night. Perhaps you could fill me in later, Lord Chatterton?” Luke replied.
“Spencer. You can call me Spencer from now on. I’ve never been one for pointless titles. Are you thirsty? I have some wonderful whisky with me if you care to try a drop? Put those whiskers back on your chest!”
“He doesn’t look like a man who can handle his drink,” Marshall hissed.
“Quiet Marshall. Speak when I tell you to speak. Is that clear?”
“Very well your grace.”
“Would you care for a drop of whisky, Mr McGowan?”
“Sure. I’d take you up on that offer,” Luke replied, locking eyes with Marshall once again.
“You can make it a double too.”
Spencer grinned.
“Good man. Good man!”
On cue, Marshall retreated into his shadows. A clink of glasses and the sound of a bottle being opened was heard. Marshall then reappeared with two full glasses of whisky. He handed the first to Lord Chatterton and then offered the second to Luke.
“Thank you,” Luke spoke snatching the glass from Marshall’s claw-like hand.
“Down in one, eh?” Lord Chatterton bellowed knocking back the whisky in one quick motion.
Luke followed.
“Damn good stuff, eh?”
“Mighty fine,” Luke replied, his eyes now streaming. He wanted to cough but managed to keep his burning chest under control.
“Another?”
“A little later if that’s okay Spencer.”
Marshall smiled and said, “Perhaps the boy needs time to recover?”
“Marshall! I won’t tell you again, man. Keep that poisonous little mouth of yours shut or I shall slam it closed for you! Do you hear me, man? Do you hear?”
“Very well, Sir.”
“Good!”
Marshall retreated back into his shadows. He took a seat against one of the chamber’s empty window frames and didn’t utter a word.
“You must forgive my aid, Mr McGowan. He’s very protective of me. We were in war together, you know? The Falklands. I was his officer in command.”
“I’m sure you made a lovely couple.”
Marshall began to step clear of the shadows, his fists now clenched. Lord Chatterton simply help up the palm of his hand.
“Stay where you are Marshall. I can see our new friend has a sense of humour. I like that in a man. No need to get upset.”
“And tell your friend he needs to be more careful in the future when he’s trying to tail someone.”
Chatterton smiled.
“Very observant.”
“It pays to keep your eyes open in this world. So many are asleep.”
“Very true, Mr McGowan. Very true. Nothing is quite as it seems.”
Luke stepped forward and held out his hand. Chatterton accepted the gesture. He grasped Luke’s hand tightly and said, “Come and sit with me Luke. I want to explain everything.”
“After you.”
Chatterton led Luke towards the telescope. A small wooden table and three chairs sat beneath the telescope’s large, steel frame, its shadow very nearly covering the entire set.
“Please Luke. Take a seat,” Chatterton spoke. Luke did as he was asked choosing the chair which sat nearest to the staircase. He kept one eye on the shadows opposite as he did, watching for any kind movement. There was nothing to see. Marshall hadn’t twitched.
“How is our little Lena? I hope the poor blossom is faring well?” Chatterton continued once he had taken the seat next to Luke. Luke hesitated, feigning a look of mock surprise as he did. Spencer grinned and said, “Oh, come now, Mr McGowan. Did you really think that a man in my position, with the sort of resources I have at hand, could be kept in the dark? I’ve known of Lena’s intentions for several weeks now.”
“And that’s why you had me trailed?”
Chatterton again smiled.
“I like to know who gets close to my family.”
“Lena thinks her mother and little brother could be in danger.”
“Our Lena has a wild imagination, Mr McGowan. You shouldn’t pay too much attention.”
“She thinks you want him dead.”
“I can assure you I have the boy’s best interests at heart.”
“That’s not the impression I’ve been getting from Lena. Quite the opposite.”
Chatterton slowly rubbed his eyes. Composing himself he then said, “Let me ask you something Luke. How much do you actually know about Lena?”
“I don’t follow.”
“I know she’s hired you to track down Lee. I know you’re an ex-boxer and jailbird. I also happen to know that you haven’t a penny to your name. My question is this: How much research have you done on Lena?”
Luke stayed silent. It seemed everyone had an angle on his past and he didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“No. I didn’t think as much. O
nce again my intuition is correct. You haven’t done any research, have you?”
“Get to the point Chatterton!” Luke snarled.
“Well, I don’t know why I should be so surprised. How much did she offer to pay you? I suppose a man in your situation doesn’t ask too many questions when a pretty lady dangles cash before his face.”
“You’re starting to irritate me, Chatterton.”
“Lena has a history of mental instability, Mr McGowan. She’s been sectioned twice. Did you know about that?”
“No.”
“I didn’t think so. Are you feeling stupid now? I have to ask. I’m constantly surprised by amateurs like yourself.”
“She thinks the boy is in danger. What was I supposed to do? Ignore her?”
“You could have gone to the police. You could have filed a report.”
Again, Luke stayed silent.
“No. I didn’t think so. There would have been no profit in that course of action. I fully understand.”
“I wanted to help.”
“Of course you did. You’re one of those rare individuals who puts the needs of others before his own. Forgive me. I must be getting complacent in my old age.”
“Where is Lee? You seem to know everything already. I know Lena would appreciate the information.”
“Yes. I’m quite certain she would. I’m quite sure information like that would be of great interest to Lena. Both Claire and the boy are in safe hands. That’s all you need to know at this stage young man. Bear in mind that Lena also stands to make a lot of money if anything should happen to her baby brother. Are you so sure her motives are as pure as yours?”
The Devil's Blue Eyes Page 12
