Dangerous Secrets

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘That’s not what I mean,’ Gerard protested. ‘You don’t know about the terrible crime he committed.’

  ‘I know what he’s done.’

  Ryan opened his eyes and looked at her with deep gratitude. He had understood her message. His voice grew stronger, knowing he had some support.

  ‘And Dad, this was never a ploy to get your attention. Don’t credit yourself that everything that goes on in our lives, is about you. I know you have done quite a lot to damage both of us recently but far from seeking your attention, we want to move on. You’ve made it clear that you want a different life. Get on with it. We’ll get on with ours. Let us do it. You’ve lost control over us and you don’t like that, do you?’

  ‘I don’t think you totally realise the problem we have here, Julia. And I’m not talking of this suicide attempt. Ryan has committed a serious crime. If he doesn’t do what is expected of him, he could spend a considerable amount of time in jail. And knowing his proclivities, that could be most unpleasant for him.’

  ‘Boarding school was good training for that,’ she snapped. ‘And I know what he did. You still don’t think you are more than a little to blame? You think Mum didn’t know what a bastard you are and always have been? She put up with it for our sakes. You’ve pushed us too far this time.’

  ‘You are rather a silly girl. Now you know the truth, I shall expect you to come back home and try to behave like a responsible adult. You know what will happen if you don’t.’

  Ryan glared at him.

  ‘I don’t care anymore, Dad. If you insist on telling the authorities that I helped our mother to die, I’ll have to face it. Whatever happens, I’m not going back to work for you. I’m going to live in Cornwall and help Julia fight your maniac schemes. Yes, we know all about your consortium with Bryce and Jeremy and even that doctor is in on it too to some extent.’

  ‘What?’ Julia screeched. ‘You actually did what I asked and found out about it all?’

  ‘Yes, I did. But suddenly, it was all too much and so … well, you know what I did.’

  ‘So all the damage that was caused and the deaths of two people, it was all down to you and your greed?’ she challenged her father.

  ‘I admit to nothing. But when it’s built, this complex will generate enough to make all our fortunes. Vast fortunes. You can live in comfort the rest of your lives. I was doing it all for you.’

  ‘Like hell you were. Your precious Charlotte and all the other women that will follow her, they’re the ones who will benefit. You’re guilty of being an accessory to murder and criminal damage.’

  ‘Now wait a minute. None of that was ever authorised.’

  ‘But it happened.’

  ‘You’ll keep quiet about it or you’ll regret it. I told Bryce he was an idiot to employ you. You were too close to everything. But he thought he knew better.’

  ‘Strikes me the whole bunch of you need to calm down and stop these accusations flying round.’ They had all forgotten about Rick’s presence in the room. ‘Ryan needs some peace and rest to recover. Julia and I need some sleep and you, sir, I suggest, need to do some serious thinking of your own. Your daughter is quite correct. You and your partners are guilty of being accessories to murder, even if you weren’t personally committing the act. Accusations and counter-accusations won’t resolve anything.’

  ‘None of your business, lad,’ Gerard snapped.

  ‘I think it is. I’m in love with your daughter and I’m hoping she’ll marry me once I get around to asking her.’

  Julia stared at him. Marry him? An easy decision, she realised.

  ‘Of course I’ll marry you.’

  ‘You hardly know him,’ Gerard scoffed.

  ‘Actually, something else you’re wrong about. I’ve known him for several years and we have a very good relationship. Something you’d know very little about.’

  ‘He’s after your money. You’ll notice he only asked you after hearing you’re going to be very wealthy.’

  ‘But I’ve been disinherited, remember? You made it clear that if I left The Gates, I would be cut off from everything. All I have left to live off is my wits and the proceeds of Crofter’s land. Without that plot, none of your crazy schemes can happen the way you want them to. It must be worth a fortune if it all happens. If not, I shall build a new house on the land.’

  ‘I doubt that. No permission would be granted and I shall instruct the insurance company to withhold payments.’

  ‘You really are a piece of work, aren’t you?’ Rick said with hatred showing on his face. ‘I can see why your son’s an emotional wreck and why your daughter left you. I think I’d rather be somewhere right out of your company. I’ll wait in the café, Julia.’

  There was silence after his departure. A nurse came into the room.

  ‘Perhaps you could leave my patient to get some rest now. I’ll be bringing him some breakfast soon and then if he’s well enough, I’ve arranged an appointment with our counsellor.’

  Gerard went down the stairs with his daughter, suggesting that she and Rick should stay at The Gates.

  ‘I know you are reluctant to be there but you may as well. I’ll keep out of your way until such time as you feel we can talk. Harsh words were exchanged up there. We have to find a way out of all of this.’

  ‘I’ll see what Rick thinks.’

  ‘He does seem like a sensible chap. If you think he’s right for you, go ahead. But I’m still not sure he’s a sensible choice.’

  ‘What you think is irrelevant. He’s been offered a job in Plymouth so that’s probably where we’ll make a home.’

  ‘And Ryan?’

  ‘He’ll be welcome to stay with us for as long as he wants. Perhaps he’ll want to find somewhere of his own.’

  Gerard glanced at his watch.

  ‘I’d better go. I have a number of meetings to sort out. I might see you later?’

  ‘Maybe. Now I really do need some rest. And Dad, if you try to get Ryan arrested for his part in Mum’s death, I shall make sure the authorities know all about your involvement in the deaths at Trengillyn. Understand?’

  He glared but walked away without further comment.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Once Ryan was discharged from hospital the next afternoon, they spent a quiet time making plans. Gerard had kept away from them, busying himself with his own tasks. The three of them decided to return to Cornwall, find somewhere to rent together, and decide what to with their future in their own time.

  ‘I doubt I have a job anymore,’ Julia said.

  ‘A surf lifeguard doesn’t earn much either. I think it’s the frugal life from now on.’ Rick frowned. ‘But I shall soon be earning a decent wage when I start working like a proper grown-up.’

  ‘At least it’s our own life,’ Ryan added.

  They rented a huge caravan on a holiday park in a nearby village, found on the Internet and ready for them to move into immediately. They arrived on the Friday afternoon and soon settled in.

  ‘I need to go to Trengillyn and touch base with the lads. See if I still have a job there,’ Rick announced.

  ‘And I’ll have to see Bryce to collect the remains of my stuff from his place. He’ll probably be at the office still. What do you want to do, Ryan?’

  ‘Might as well come with you. I suppose I really need to see the remains of the cottage. Closure or whatever it’s called.’

  ‘Good. I don’t want to leave you alone too much. Shall we meet in the pub later? Grab some food there?’

  ‘Sure. Frugality starts later. Pub might be crowded later. It’s the night before Wayne and Lucy’s wedding. I suspect they’ll all be celebrating their last night of freedom.’

  ‘Goodness, that’s tomorrow. Feels like an age ago since we were all talking about it. We can always leave if it gets too noisy.’

  Bryce was still at the office when Julia arrived. Ryan chose to wait outside.

  ‘Hope your brother’s feeling better,’ he asked. ‘There’s a
spare room for him at my place if you need it. Families need to stick together.’

  ‘Thanks but we’ve rented somewhere. Kind of you though, in the circumstances.’

  ‘I had a call from Gerard. I guess you know all about our plans.’

  ‘I realised afterwards that you seemed to know my father when you took that call. The one about Ryan. You used his first name without my ever telling you what it was.’

  ‘I should do. Didn’t you know we’re distant cousins? That’s why I mentioned families sticking together.’

  ‘Really? That may explain something. Family genes I suppose.’ She glared at him. ‘I also know you are behind all the vandalism, causing the cottage to be burnt down and the murder of Betty Smythe and Sergeant Trekellis. Quite a package, isn’t it?’

  He smiled cynically.

  ‘You may think you know. You can prove nothing. Anything you know is all based on hearsay. Young hooligans taking advantage of empty properties. You know the score. It’s what the police believe.’

  ‘How can you be so calm about it? People died. An old lady, leaving her sister positively bereft. A policeman who was retiring in a few months. He’s left a wife. Don’t you have any conscience?’

  ‘It had nothing to do with me. I have only been buying properties when people wanted to sell them. Any so-called murders you talk about are nothing to do with me. From what I understand, it was never intended to be murder. People simply got in the way.’

  ‘And the fire that destroyed our cottage?’

  ‘Most unfortunate. Again, I’m sure it was never intentional. You’d kept rubbish in the loft and it caught fire. Bad habit.’

  ‘It only caught fire because someone started the blaze. You should employ more reliable hooligans.’

  ‘I’m a dealer in property. Nothing more.’

  She glared at him, unable to believe he could be so cold and callous about the events. Of course he was mixed up in them. In as deep as anyone could be. It was useless trying to talk to him. He was much too clever to admit anything. She wanted to get away from his lies and his smarmy grin. He thought himself so clever. So successful.

  ‘I’d like to collect my things from your place if that’s OK. I assume you’ve replaced me here.’

  ‘You’re welcome to come back to work next week. Now you know about the big plan, you could be even more useful than before.’

  ‘I doubt that would be a good idea, with all I know about it. I think the papers will be interested to know what’s been going on, don’t you? There could be massive protests. Environmental damage, ruining part of the heritage coast to name but a few things.’

  ‘You are so naïve my dear. The employment prospects alone in this deprived area are quite phenomenal. The council is right behind us, for starters. We already have an outline approval and the full plans will be submitted very soon.’

  ‘You can’t include my bit of land in your scheme. I certainly won’t be parting with that without a fight.’

  ‘A compulsory purchase order will be applied if you resist us. There won’t be much in the way of compensation now there isn’t a building on the site. By the way, Derek managed to clear it all during the week while you were away. Call it a gift from me. There’s no charge. Saved you a fortune, you should know.’

  Julia was temporarily speechless. The cheek of the man. ‘But if you agree to sell, I think we might still be very generous in the circumstances.’

  ‘We shall see. Now, if it’s all right with you, I’ll collect my things. I’ll leave the key on the table when I’m done.’

  ‘Whoa there. I’m not letting you go there alone. I don’t know what else you might decide to take away with you. You can wait till I finish here and I’ll accompany you.’

  Julia gave a shrug. ‘As you like. But I’m not done with all this yet, believe me.’

  She sat in the waiting area while Bryce put on an elaborate show of working. She wondered where Ryan was at this time and went to look out of the window. Though superficially he seemed to be recovering, she remained vigilant. He was standing staring out to sea, possibly watching the surfers. She would call him over when she was leaving. He could come with her to Bryce’s, even if he waited in the car outside.

  At last, her now ex-boss was ready to leave. She hooted for Ryan to come over and they followed Bryce back to his home.

  ‘I hadn’t realised you were bringing a bodyguard,’ he sniped. ‘Not that I fear he’d be much use, from what I hear.’

  She bit back the protest that was burning and went inside. Ryan got out of the car and leaned against it, looking quite relaxed.

  ‘Look, Julia. I never wanted things to end this way. Come in and have a glass of wine or something. Let’s talk it over. I was actually hoping you and I might have a future together. I know your father would approve of it wholeheartedly. He wanted a liaison between your brother and Jeremy’s daughter. Keep it all neatly together. That didn’t work out for reasons … well, reasons we can surmise. I’m not such a bad chap you know. I’ve done well for myself so far and I’m going to be very rich very soon.’

  ‘Sorry but it would never work. Money isn’t that important to me. You’re too like my father in many ways. Now, excuse me and I’ll get out of your way.’

  She didn’t listen to any more of his protests and went to her room to collect her things.

  The pub was surprisingly quiet when they all met together.

  ‘So where are the merry wedding bunch?’ Julia asked. Rick gave a slightly sardonic smile.

  ‘There’s been a development. Wayne and his brother have scarpered. Done a runner. Word is that they got paid for some work they’d done and got a ferry over to Spain on the proceeds.’

  ‘Good heavens! Poor Lucy. She’s been planning this wedding for half her life.’

  ‘She’s quite gutted, it seems. Spitting fire and brimstone about men and their evil ways.’

  Julia was thoughtful. She had wondered about the two brothers after she’d overheard one of them offering electrical goods.

  ‘So, do you reckon it really was Wayne and Daryl responsible for all the damage and robbery?’

  ‘I think so. They were paid off and decided to run. I suspect he’d never intended to get married at all.’ Rick had clearly been busy catching up on all the gossip. It seemed to have been the talk of the village while they’d been away.

  ‘Poor Lucy. But they can’t be allowed to get away with it. We should tell the police.’

  ‘I think they already know. Lucy decided to dob them in. Revenge for being a woman scorned.’

  ‘Good for her. Will they catch them though?’

  ‘Hope so.’

  ‘But what about all the stuff they took? Has any of that been found?’

  ‘Haven’t heard anything.’

  Julia’s phone rang.

  ‘Penzance police here. We need to see you as soon as possible. Any chance you could come into the station?’‘Is there anything wrong?’

  ‘Well, nothing new. We want you to identify some items we believe were stolen from you. The sooner we can sort them out, the better. We think we have some more information for you too, regarding the recent fire at your cottage.’

  ‘Right. My brother is with me. We’ll come right away.’

  She switched the phone off and passed on the message.

  ‘How about that for timing?’ she said to the others. ‘We have to go and identify our belongings. Save our meal till later Jim, will you?’

  Rick went with them, anxious to hear more of the story that was unfolding.’

  They were led into an interview room where a large array of goods was laid out.

  ‘Good grief,’ Ryan said. ‘They were busy bees weren’t they?’

  ‘So where did you find this little lot?’ Rick asked.

  ‘In a shed near one of their friend’s houses. A friend of the two main culprits.’

  ‘Wayne and Daryl?’

  ‘I suppose the jungle drums have been beating. Yes, the two o
f them have been charged with a number of offences. We caught them just before they boarded the ferry to Spain, I believe it was.’

  ‘Were they the only two involved?’ Julia asked.

  ‘It was a group of them doing the fencing but just Wayne who’s been charged with the more serious offences. But I really shouldn’t be talking about it.’

  ‘I can understand that, of course. But we were badly affected. They broke in several times and did a huge amount of damage. And it is public knowledge, after all.’

  ‘I think I know most of it,’ Rick offered. ‘You can correct me if I’m wrong, officer. The gossip in the village is all cut and dried.’

  The young policeman smiled.

  ‘Go on then. Let’s see how accurate the gossip is.’

  ‘I heard that Terry came clean about it when he was questioned. He’s not the brightest of the bunch and thought he’d get off lightly if he pleaded guilty. The whole lot of them were involved, one way or another. Gwen, Terry and Demelza. The girls provided the shed to store everything and were selling it off a bit at a time, led by Terry. They were quite clever, not parting with it all of it right away. Bryce was in on the deal, of course. As long as it all had the effect he wanted, he was willing to let them make what they could out of the stolen goods. He’d made sure they robbed his properties too so it looked less obvious. He claimed it all back on insurance. How am I doing so far?’

  Julia listened, amazed by what she was hearing.

  ‘Not bad. Carry on.’ The policeman seemed quite amused by what was being said. Julia was more than a little shocked.

  ‘Heavens. We actually employed them to clean up their own mess. Well, the mess caused by their friends. But it was dreadful that two innocent people had to die. Presumably one or both of them will be charged for murder?’

  ‘Wayne seems to be the chief suspect. A pair of partially burned trainers was found in a garden incinerator. The same make as the ones that left footprints in the various places.’

  ‘The wonderful Wayne. The sun shone out of him according to Lucy. I really thought Lucy was better than that.’

  ‘She has a bit of a habit. Bryce made sure she stayed in line by keeping Wayne supplied with the drugs Lucy needed. He let Wayne give her whatever she wanted, so of course she thought he was wonderful,’ Rick replied.