Dangerous Secrets

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘If you can. If not, there’s always tomorrow. I’m at a loose end this evening and thought it might be a chance for us to discuss your options.’

  ‘Thanks, but Ryan and I are planning to eat at the pub. We haven’t got ourselves organised to cater for ourselves yet.’

  ‘I see. Tomorrow evening would suit you better, perhaps?’

  ‘That would be lovely. Thanks.’

  ‘Fine. I’ll call again tomorrow and we’ll fix a time and place.’ He hung up quickly.

  ‘You could have gone out with him. I can fend for myself,’ Ryan told her.

  ‘Maybe, but I wanted time to think. Too short notice. Besides, I didn’t want to leave you on your own just yet.’

  ‘I left you when Dad was here.’

  ‘Irrelevant.’

  ‘Look, you should know I’m thinking of going back home. Will you at least come back with me and try it for a bit?’

  ‘No point. I’ll come and collect my stuff sometime but I’m not staying. Go if you must but this is my home now.’

  ‘Maybe I’ll leave in the morning. I know Dad said I could stay for two weeks but I’m not doing anything useful here. I need to move on.’

  ‘Looks as if tonight is our last night together then. Let’s find somewhere quiet for a meal. Too much noise and gossip at the pub for my liking. I’ll miss you though.’

  ‘I hope you’ll be all right. Not get too lonely.’

  Julia pursed her lips. She was going to be lonely but, somehow, she had to get to grips with what was left in her life. And pretty desolate that looked at the moment.

  ‘Actually, I’ll stay on tomorrow and we’ll go shopping. I want to be sure that you get a new phone and replace stuff that’s been stolen. Dad says the insurance will have to cough up soon enough. And I don’t want you spending too much time with Annie over the road.’

  ‘Don’t fuss, I’ll be fine. Besides, I’m seeing Bryce Davies, remember. He might even offer me a job.’

  ‘Damn it. It’s all so unnecessary. And I don’t trust him. I’d like to know how much he’s offered Annie for their place. Everything’s a mess.’

  ‘Changes, brother dear. That’s what growing up is all about.’

  ‘We just haven’t had enough practice, have we?’

  ‘Maybe you’ll realise why, one of these days. Dad doesn’t want us to grow up and he’s only angry now because he’s losing control of us.’

  ‘There’s a whole lot more to it than that. Come on then. Let’s find somewhere quiet to eat. Then tomorrow we’ll go shopping.’

  I’m beginning to find this nightly routine of going round and round Annie’s cottage becoming a right bore. But the job, once started, has to go on.

  I’m certain the remaining sister will soon sell up all her stuff and move away. I just have to keep tapping on the window for a few more nights. It’s all happening much more quickly than expected but then, killing the other old bat was never the plan. If only she hadn’t come outside when she did …

  No doubt, there’ll be some other target soon. I’ll give it one more go with the trusty twigs left from the other nights’ work. Amazingly effective, they are. I just have to begin another round of tapping on the windows.

  I wonder if I should make some ghostly calls and pretend I’ve come to haunt her? That could be amusing but not really necessary and I don’t want to be recognised.

  The old lady’s looking out. She looks terrified. That’s it. She’s left the room, scuttling off every time she hears the tapping on the window.

  Most successful. Can’t believe she actually believes it’s her sister coming back to haunt her.

  Chapter Six

  It was an extensive and expensive shopping list the following day. Ryan’s credit card took the brunt of the purchases as he was about to earn his own wages. Julia decided on a high-priced phone with every facility she might need in future.

  ‘Don’t give Dad my new number. I don’t want to hear from him.’

  ‘You’re very harsh.’

  ‘I don’t want him trying to blackmail me into returning to live with him. Besides, I’m still not convinced that Mum really did commit suicide. I think he may have had something to do with it.’

  Ryan stared at her. ‘Come on, Sis. You mustn’t let that thought eat you up. Believe me, he wasn’t even there at the time. Don’t torture yourself. Now, let’s get this stuff back to the cottage. We need to collect these receipts for the insurance company so there’s masses to do.’

  The all-too-familiar police car was parked outside Annie’s house, when they arrived back. Sergeant Trekellis was in the garden, staring down at the ground. Annie was standing near him, wiping her eyes on an immaculate lace handkerchief. The Rentons walked over to the gate.

  ‘Is there something wrong?’ Julia asked.

  ‘Oh dear, Julia, Ryan. I’ve just spotted something most unpleasant.’ The brother and sister pushed open the gate.

  ‘Keep your distance, please,’ the sergeant instructed. ‘We may have a crime scene. I’ve called the inspector and he’s on his way.’

  ‘But what is it?’ Julia asked peering down to see what they were looking at.

  ‘We think there may be blood on this rock. I noticed it was lying on the lawn, somewhere it shouldn’t have been. I wasn’t sure. I’ve been staring at it ever since …’ her voice cracked and she couldn’t say anything more.

  ‘Miss Smythe is wondering if her sister may have hit her head on this rock. There’s traces of what might be blood and possibly even some hair. Nothing conclusive of course. We aren’t sure when the injuries were caused to her sister.’

  ‘But if she’d been hit there, how would she have got down to the beach? It’s not exactly a straight path down.’

  ‘Yes, well it’s certainly a conundrum,’ the sergeant replied with a frown and slight shake of the head. He didn’t want anyone speculating and upsetting the old lady.

  ‘Let us know if there’s anything we can do. We need to unload our shopping. Replacements for the thefts,’ Julia told them.

  ‘I’m going to head off this afternoon,’ Ryan told his sister. ‘If you don’t mind, that is. You’re going out tonight anyway so I guess you’ll be OK.’

  ‘As you like. You will take care, won’t you?’

  ‘Same to you. Even more so. If there’s a murderer around, you’re the one taking risks. Can’t I persuade you to come with me? Just till things are sorted here?’

  ‘For goodness’ sake. Don’t be so dramatic. We don’t know that Betty was murdered and we’re certain the old tramp died by misadventure. Maybe the poor woman tripped and fell in the garden and staggered to the beach by mistake. Disoriented, you know. Perhaps because she was concussed.’

  ‘Well, just you take care and make sure you lock everywhere when you go out and when you go to bed.’

  There was a great deal of activity in Annie’s garden for the rest of the day. The possibly bloodstained rock was taken away for testing and attempts to identify footprints given up after so long since the fateful night. Ryan drove away late afternoon, leaving Julia feeling somewhat desolate. But, it was her own choice so she needed to come to terms with her new life.

  Her new phone rang.

  ‘Ryan? Is everything all right?’ She was certain it must be Ryan as he was the only one who had her number.

  ‘It’s Bryce. I called your brother and he gave me your details. He wasn’t willing to give me your number at first but I explained we were going out for dinner. I hope you don’t mind. We are still on for dinner this evening?’

  ‘Oh, yes, of course. Sorry. I’ve only just got the phone and nobody has the new number. Or so I thought. Yes, I’d like to have dinner.’

  ‘Good. I’ll pick you up at seven. There’s a nice restaurant I know just outside Penzance. Quite smart but secluded, and an excellent menu.’

  ‘Thanks. See you later.’

  A posh restaurant, she thought. Her wardrobe was basic to say the least. Still, basic though it ma
y be, it was all good stuff so she wouldn’t let him down. Not that it was so important to make an impression. Did she even like the man? Probably not much but he could be useful to her. She frowned at her thoughts. Maybe she was more like her father than she had realised. She glanced through the window and saw the police vehicles had moved away. She would make one final check on Annie for the day.

  The old lady seemed to have shrunk in the last few days. Her trademark neatly coiled plaits that circled her ears were loose and her jumper had stains on the front. She looked old and vulnerable. Maybe moving to sheltered accommodation couldn’t come soon enough for her.

  ‘Are you all right?’ Julia asked.

  ‘Not really. I can’t think which is worse. Knowing Betty wandered off and had an accident or thinking she may have fallen or, worse, been attacked. How could it happen?’

  Julia couldn’t think of a reply. ‘What do the police think?’ she mumbled at last.

  ‘They seem to think it may have been an attack. If she was hit …’ her voice faltered. ‘If she was hit by that rock, she could never have made it to the beach. Perhaps whoever did it must have carried her down there and dumped …’

  She stopped and Julia moved forward to hug her. Annie stiffened. She wasn’t used to any contact with another human being. Julia’s arms dropped back.

  ‘Come on. Let’s have some tea,’ she suggested. God, she was beginning to sound like Sergeant Trekellis.

  ‘I seem to have been making tea all day.’

  ‘Have you got any brandy? It might help you relax.’

  ‘Goodness, no. We don’t hold with strong liquor. Our father told us never to drink anything alcoholic.’

  Julia talked to the woman for almost an hour, without the benefit of tea. It was already six o’clock and she needed to leave to get ready for her date, if a date it was.

  ‘I’m sorry but I have to go now. I’m going out this evening. Look, this is my new phone number. Call me if you need anything, day or night.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you, dear. What a blessing it is that you are here. I couldn’t have coped without you. I hope you’ll be safe without Ryan to protect you. You will take care of yourself, won’t you?’

  ‘Of course. Make sure you lock up carefully when I leave. And try to get some rest. Good night.’

  ‘Be careful dear. And thank you.’

  By seven o’clock, she was showered and changed and ready for the coming evening. The sleek sports car drew up at the gate and she carefully locked the door and went out. The conversation was somewhat stilted until they reached the restaurant.

  ‘Did I hear there had been yet more police presence around you?’ Bryce asked.

  ‘Across the road. A rock, possibly blood stained, has been found.’

  ‘Suggesting?’

  ‘Foul play. Perhaps the old lady was hit and didn’t fall. Nothing conclusive yet, of course.’

  ‘Nasty business. Now, choose whatever you’d like to eat. Don’t even consider the cost, of course.’

  Julia frowned slightly. As if she had ever considered the cost of food when she dined out. She flickered a smile and nodded her thanks. This man was certainly enjoying new found wealth rather than being born to it. He was really quite nice looking with light brown hair neatly cut, and eyes somewhere between blue and hazel. His suit was immaculate, light grey with a silky sheen to it. Clearly expensive.

  ‘Right, I’ll have the sole, I think. And pâté to start. Thanks.’

  ‘I’ll have the same. Any preference for wine?’

  ‘Dry please, and white of course.’

  ‘So tell me,’ he began, as the starters arrived, ‘what’s your background? You want a job but you look as if you hardly need to work at anything menial.’

  ‘Went to Uni. Got a degree. Nothing spectacular. Took a Cordon Bleu course and recently went on a safari to Kenya as the camp cook.’

  ‘That sounds enterprising. Obviously a private education behind you.’

  ‘Does it show that much?’

  ‘Certainly does. Your connection with Porth Bay? Trengillyn?’

  ‘Family holiday home. Now ours. My brother and I have inherited it from my mother. She died recently.’

  ‘I’m sorry. Yes, you did mention it when you came to the office. And are you planning to sell it?’

  ‘Oh no. I’m going to live there – for the foreseeable future, anyway.’

  ‘Really?’ Was that a flicker of disappointment she saw in his eyes? ‘You’ll know I am interested in buying as many properties as possible. Big plans for the area.’

  ‘I couldn’t part with it. It means too much. To both of us.’

  ‘But it’s in need of a lot of work, isn’t it? A bit basic for you, I’d have thought.’

  ‘Not at all. It’s always been a favourite place. We’ve replaced some of the stolen items so I’m all set.’ A slight frown creased his forehead and a look of irritation? Was this the reason Bryce Davies was treating her to an expensive meal? Perhaps their cottage lay in the way of his plans and he was trying to soften her up. He smiled suddenly, as if struck by a thought.

  ‘My receptionist is leaving soon. Getting married. What skills do you have in that line?’ The sudden question threw her slightly.

  ‘I’m computer literate of course. Speak quite well, I believe. Good for answering phones and so on.’

  ‘Indeed you do. Would you be interested in a sort of PA role? I can offer you a decent salary and I’d want you to start soon. Lucy will work alongside you for a week or two and then you could take over. She’s getting married soon and wants to give up work. She can go sooner rather than later.’

  ‘Wow. That sounds terrific. And close to home as well.’

  ‘Good. Call in to the office tomorrow morning and we’ll sort it out.’

  ‘Well, thanks. I didn’t think it would be that easy.’

  The rest of the evening passed pleasantly enough. Ryan sent a text to say he’d arrived home and reminded her to lock up safely. Bryce saw her to the door but made no suggestions about going inside the cottage, much to her relief. Once inside, and well and truly on her own, she walked round checking windows and doors. The new purchases were all in place and she decided she would make records of all the identification numbers and take photographs next morning. Listening to the wind howling, she began to feel rather lost and alone. The weather had turned wet and stormy as it so often does in Cornwall. Creaks and groans in the old building sounded so much louder in the night, especially knowing she was there alone. The tiles on the roof seemed to have developed a life of their own as they rattled and banged. Her nerves, already jangled, allowed her very little sleep. No wonder Annie wanted to move out. What she had always thought of as her own personal sanctuary had been somewhat spoiled. She thought that this too was part of growing up.

  ‘About time too,’ she said aloud. The words seemed to echo round the empty rooms. She realised it was probably the first time she had been here on her own. It was usually a place filled with friends, family, and laughter. Now it just held the ghosts of the past. She had so many things to prove to her father but mainly to herself. She would not be beaten at the first hurdle. This was a civilised place and somewhere she had known all her life. She smiled ruefully. So was Annie and Betty’s cottage, to them. She plugged in her iPod and tried to drown all the strange sounds with her favourite music. At last, she fell asleep.

  The storm passed over during the latter part of the night and the beach looked washed and clean and ready to start the day. Overnight, a lot of the sand has washed up again, covering the rocks. The miracle of seaside beaches and the way character could change from one day to the next. Julia sat on the garden bench with a cup of coffee and watched the early morning dog walkers strolling along the sea’s edge. Dogs of all shapes and sizes charged round chasing sticks, stones and each other. Soon, the annual dog ban would come into effect and spoil their fun, all in the name of protecting the families from the dangers of coming into contact with dog
poo. Sadly, they frequently left plenty of litter and biological hazards of their own.

  The sun was warm on her face and she went inside to look at her store of clothes left at the cottage. They smelt damp and neglected and were clearly unsuitable to wear this morning. She’d wash them all later and hang them out to dry. Perhaps a trip into Penzance was called for to restock her wardrobe. Hardly the West End where she usually shopped, but there were one or two independent boutiques which might provide something stylish if not actually labelled goods. She grabbed her car keys, planning to get breakfast somewhere en route. Then she paused, remembering that her life had changed. No longer could she go shopping at every whim. She needed to bite the bullet and go back to her old home and bring down some of her collection of clothes. If she modified her habits, they should last for some considerable time. She made toast and put the washer on, feeling better.

  ‘Come into my office,’ Bryce invited. Lucy scowled at what she saw as a rival and an intrusion into her comfortable world. ‘No calls until further notice, Lucy. Anything important, take a message and say I’ll call back later.’

  ‘I suppose you’ll want coffee?’

  ‘Thank you. Good idea.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’ No, sir, three bags full, sir, she muttered out of hearing. Who was this woman anyway? Some new bit on the side for Bryce fucking Davies? He certainly seemed to be making enough fuss of her. She made coffee and carried it through ungraciously, dumping it down on the desk.

  ‘Thank you very much,’ Julia said politely.

  ‘Yes, thanks, Lucy.’ Bryce was not smiling.

  ‘Anything else?’ the girl asked, clearly wanting to know what was going on.

  ‘No. I’ll let you know when we’re done.’ The girl left, not quite shutting the door.

  Bryce rose and clicked it to. ‘She’s bursting with curiosity. I haven’t told her yet, of course. I wanted a thorough discussion with you first. Make sure we can agree on terms and so on. So, how was your first night alone?’

  ‘The storm kept me awake for a while but otherwise, it was fine.’

  ‘Good. Nothing untoward then?’