Amanda Cadabra and The Cellar of Secrets

by Holly Bell

  ‘Sergeant,’ she said in astonishment.’ Er … hello.’

  ‘Good evening, Miss Cadabra.’

  ‘You’re not here to arrest me, are you?’ she asked, worriedly. ‘I know I don’t have an alibi.’

  ‘No, miss, nothing like that,’ he reassured her comfortably.

  Relieved, Amanda was suddenly aware that she was keeping her visitor standing at the door. ‘Would you like to come in?’

  ‘Thank you.’

  She showed him into the living room where the inspector stood up as the sergeant entered.

  ‘Oh,’ she said, aware of Trelawney’s embarrassing situation. But the sergeant held out his hand, saying, ‘Inspector Trelawney, I take it. My CI said I might find you here. He speaks very highly of you, sir. Pleasure to meet you.’

  ‘Thank you … er?’

  ‘Baker, DS Baker, sir. I understand you are here investigating another case in connection with Miss Cadabra’s family, and kindly assisted her in extracting some evidence that may pertain to the case of the death at the Centre.’

  ‘Yes, but I’d rather my name was kept out of it. I don’t want you to think I’ve been treading on your toes, Sergeant.’

  ‘Not at all, sir. In fact, Miss Cadabra, the chief inspector said I should come round, and take the evidence off your hands at once. Help the case along, and save you the trouble of bringing it in.’

  ‘That’s very kind indeed you, Sergeant,’ said Amanda appreciatively. ‘Please sit down, and let me make you some tea.’

  ‘Thank you, Miss, that would be very nice. It has proved to be a somewhat busy evening, what with one thing and another.’ Amanda went off to the kitchen. ‘I understand, sir, you‘ve been kept informed of developments?’

  ‘Yes,’ confirmed Trelawney.

  ‘The suspect has been apprehended with possibly an accomplice. We have a warrant to search their places of residence. I believe that may be under way as we speak.’

  ‘You didn’t want to be present for that?’

  ‘No, that’s all right, sir, my young DC is very capable, and I understand this case may have a history that, it seems, you and Miss Cadabra can help me with, if you would be so kind.’

  Amanda came back into the room bearing tea and Hobnobs. Baker greeted the sight with unqualified approval.

  ‘Ahhh, Hobnobs. Now that’s just the ticket. Thank you kindly.’

  ‘While you’re having your tea, would you like to see what we found?’ offered Amanda.

  ‘I would indeed.’

  ‘Can I start at the beginning, please? I’d like to explain how I come to be showing you Exhibits A and B?’

  ‘Please do. In your own time.’

  ‘Well, Lost Madley has always…’

  After she had given Detective Sergeant Baker the back-story, Amanda showed him her map of the hamlet and the diagram of the Centre. She leaned over the table. ‘See how the end of the Centre overlaps half of the pub. One day, my cat was exploring and found a crack in the ground, and you could see there was a room, a cellar, down there.’

  She sat back. ‘On the day he was killed, the doctor had said he was going to poke around the ruins. What if he told someone, and they were scared he’d get down there, and find what was still hidden inside? Well, this is what was there.’ She picked up the bundle of files and loose sheets from the floor by the sofa. ‘These papers.’

  Baker flicked through them. ‘Hold on … I see why they sent me here instead of on the searches. I know what this is. Specialist area of mine, World War II. This is the … yes, the Mosquito. These are the plans —’

  ‘Yes, stolen by the killer’s father who was a consultant on at least one occasion at Salisbury Hall.’

  ‘Well, there were a lot of schematics, blueprints and drawings. It’s possible that these wouldn’t have been missed.’

  Amanda leaned down again, picked up the suitcase, and plumped it on the table. Baker’s eyes instantly narrowed. ‘Wait,’ he said. ‘I bet a pound to a penny that I know what this is. This is how he communicated with his German masters.’

  He popped the latches and opened the case almost reverently.

  ‘Oh yes … I know what this is …. You don’t see many of these. They didn’t make many, you know. Those were the early days.’

  ‘Is it …?’

  ‘Oh, it’s German all right. 1939. Have you touched this handle on the morse key?

  ‘No,’ said Amanda definitely.

  ‘There’s just an outside chance we could get a print off it. Don’t know if it would be any good or useful but… you never know.’

  ‘There’s a lady who lives here, who is very elderly, and she remembers this man being in Little Madley at the time. When I showed her the picture of his son, she recognised the likeness. We think his son must have grown up with the terrible burden of knowledge that his father was a traitor to his country. And when he found out about the Centre project —‘

  ‘Or maybe it was his idea so he could get access to this stuff.’

  ‘I guess,’ agreed Amanda. ‘But the most important thing was that he should be in control of the situation. So he tried to influence who the staff would be. People he personally had a hold over.’

  ‘Like Schofield,’ commented Baker.

  ‘And like Charlotte Streeter, his niece. And that’s why Schofield got the job over Dr Sidiqi when I know from personal experience that she was far less qualified. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if she wasn’t actually the homoeopath she claimed to be either.’

  ‘I’ve just had a thought, if I may chime in,‘ said Trelawney.

  ‘Please do, sir.’

  ‘When Miss Cadabra and I were in the Big Tease, er …’

  ‘That’s all right sir, I know the place you mean. Very nice sausage rolls.’

  Trelawney grinned. ‘Thank you, Sergeant. Well, Bill MacNair came in.’

  ‘The security man,’ added Baker.

  ‘Yes. He was distraught, naturally. But he recounted an incident at the Centre. He said it was the day that Sidiqi came for his interview. It was also the day that MacNair had been called into Gibbs’ office and told that a complaint had been made about him, uncharacteristically, I understand. Later, MacNair was in the café and saw Gibbs and Streeter looking as though they had had an argument. MacNair reported that Streeter said to Gibbs, “I thought you trusted my judgement.” MacNair assumed it was in regard to himself but what if it was in regard to Robin’s claim that Sidiqi wasn’t the best candidate?’

  ‘Of course,’ said Baker. ‘Streeter wanted Schofield, and Gibbs wanted Sidiqi for the post.’

  ‘And Bill said,’ added Amanda, ‘that Damian Gibbs had given him his first job when he came out of the army, so Bill was one of Damian’s people not one of his, Robin Streeter’s, so Robin tried to get Bill fired, by saying there’d been a complaint about him!’ She looked at the two policemen hesitantly, ‘It’s all just conjecture but what if ….’

  ‘Go on,’ encouraged Trelawney.

  ‘Well, what if Streeter heard Sidiqi was going to explore the ruins after dark? So before it was dark, Robin acted as though he was leaving, got MacNair to have a drink and drugged him. Knowing that Bill would assume he’d just fallen asleep on the job, and would be too scared to admit it. Then, when Robin got to the lab, he drugged Sidiqi in the same way, then rigged the centrifuge to explode later enough for Robin to be where he could be alibi’d. In the pub or at home with the family. What do you think?’

  Baker’s mobile rang. He stood up. ‘Excuse me …. Baker,’ he said into the phone, as he walked into the kitchen for some privacy.

  Chapter 48

  Dr Crossley’s Secret

  Amanda looked at Trelawney, barely able to contain her excitement.

  ‘Clearly, you’re enjoying this, Miss Cadabra,’ said Trelawney, regarding her with amusement as he leaned back in an armchair.

  ‘Well, of course, I am. I’ve never been in on anything like t
his before.’

  ‘I’m so glad,’ he said cryptically. ‘I see you’re deeply affected by the demise of the doctor.’

  ‘Well, naturally I’m sorry that he came to an untimely end. But that’s not my fault,’ Amanda pointed out ‘It’s not like he was killed in a fit of jealousy by Samantha Gibbs because he’d had one lunch with me.’

  ‘I expect, naturally, you’re sorry about that too. That she has turned out not to be bound for Holloway prison,’ he commented.

  ‘What an ungenerous supposition, Inspector,’ she replied, with the semblance of outrage.

  Baker came out of the kitchen. ‘A substance, Somnexepam, was found at the homes of both Schofield and Streeter that corresponds to the substance, traces of which were found in the body. It was an experimental drug, a fast-acting preanaesthetic, being tested at the last place where Dr Schofield was employed.’

  ‘Well!’ marvelled Amanda.

  ‘Furthermore, parts of a centrifuge, trace elements of metal, electrical parts and tools were found in the home of Streeter, indicating that it was he who rigged the machine in the lab to explode.’

  ‘Ha!’ she exclaimed. ‘Oh!’ she added, as a thought occurred to her. ‘Sergeant, Dr Crossley didn’t have an alibi. At least, he wouldn’t say where he was. Do you know where he was?’

  ‘Yes, miss. We found out by the simple expedient of having him tailed.’

  ‘And?’ asked Amanda looking at him with avid curiosity.

  ‘Well, now, miss, we do have to preserve confidentiality, you know.’

  Her face fell.

  The Sergeant conceded, ‘I’ll just say this: Mawlten.’

  ‘Mawlten?’

  ‘And whatever you find, you’ll keep to yourself.’

  ‘Yes, of course, but …’

  ‘He’s a dark horse that Crossley. I’ll say no more.’

  ‘All right, er, thank you.’

  Sergeant Baker paused and sat back down on the sofa. He dunked a Hobnob in his tea in meditative silence. He looked up at Amanda.

  ‘You know, miss, you took a big risk.’

  ‘I did?’

  ‘Asking questions all over the village when the murderer was still at large. Were you alone at any time between then and when you went to the Centre to have a look-see?’

  Amanda thought. She’d gone home to change.

  ‘Yes,’ she admitted.

  ‘He could have come after you, in your home. What would you have done then?’

  Amanda knew what she would have done. She would have had to use magic. A lot of it, defence spells, against a human. The ripples would have been dramatic. Not a stone thrown into a pool but a hefty great boulder chucked into a lake.

  ‘I take your point, Sergeant,’ she said seriously.

  ‘However,’ said Baker mitigatingly, ‘I commend your good sense in asking the inspector here to assist you at the scene. Mr Streeter might have made sure that you were buried with the evidence.’

  ‘Yes, I see. You’re quite right,’ she said penitently. ‘I will be much more circumspect next time.’

  ‘Next time?’ responded Baker and Trelawney in unison.

  ‘I mean,’ said Amanda carefully,’ if circumstances should arise in the future of a similar nature, however unlikely that is, I shall, er … more tea anyone?’

  Baker finished off his Hobnob and his drink. ‘I think I’ll call it a night, if it’s all the same to you, Miss Cadabra. It’s been a long day, and will be a busy one tomorrow.’ He stood up. ‘Er ... just one more thing before I go,’ he said. ‘I understand you were given your five minutes alone in the lab. Did you … um … sense anything?

  ‘As a matter of fact, I did, Sergeant.’

  ‘Hm,’ said Baker. He didn’t ask what, and Amanda wondered why. ‘Well, all’s well that ends well, is what I say. Good night, sir.’

  ‘Good night, Sergeant,’ Trelawney bade him, offering his hand. ‘Good work.’

  Baker shook it, saying, ‘Teamwork, sir, teamwork is what it’s all about. And procedure.’

  ‘Indeed, Sergeant,’ Trelawney agreed heartily.

  ‘We coppers know that. Perhaps you can explain it to the young lady sometime,’ he said, with a knowing look in Amanda’s direction. ‘Night, all.’

  Amanda closed the door.

  Trelawney looked at her as she came back into the living room. ‘I hope you took all that the sergeant said to heart. He’s a wise and experienced man.’

  ‘Yes, Inspector,’ Amanda replied meekly.

  He was not deceived. ‘I mean it. I’m already investigating your relatives’ deaths; I don’t want to be investigating yours,’ he said tartly.’

  ‘Yes, Inspector,’ she replied seriously. ‘I promise to be more careful next — I mean, another time.’

  ‘Good,’ he said shortly. Trelawney continued on a more relaxed note, ‘Well, if there are any more revelations, let me know. I’m still in Crouch End until Sunday.’

  ‘Thank you, and thank you for driving my car home.’

  ‘Foot not damaged?’

  ‘No, and it was very thoughtful of you to rescue my shoe.’

  ‘My pleasure,’ Trelawney replied, gallantly.

  ‘Oh, what do you think the sergeant meant by Mawlten? It’s a town, isn’t it? In Essex? Or was it police code for something,’ Amanda asked earnestly.

  ‘Just a town.’

  ‘Wait …. We have to solve this mystery before you go!’ She opened her laptop and Googled. ‘Nothing … hold on! YouTube …. Mud racing? Hmm, I don’t know why he’d want to hide that … oh … dark horse! The sergeant said he’s a dark horse…. Dark horse Mawlten …. Oh my goodness!’ Her eyes creased with merriment, and a broad grin lit her face. She looked up at Trelawney.

  ‘Well?’ he smiled back in anticipation.

  ‘Look!’

  The video played a scene of ten men and women, attired in black with tunics and garters adorned with bells and red and white ribbons. They wore black hats and masks, were dancing with a skipping motion, and periodically clashed short wooden sticks, while a band, similarly clad, accompanied them.

  ‘Well! Who’d have thought! Robert Crossley is a Morris dancer!’ cried Amanda.

  ‘Indeed,’ agreed Trelawney. Amanda studied the screen, discerning the face of the doctor and the red curly hair and features of his wife.

  ‘Here’s Mrs Crossley too! But they’re very good,’ objected Amanda,’ and they’re carrying on an ancient tradition. Why be so secretive?’

  ‘Well, it is sometimes the butt of humour, Miss Cadabra, and he might not have thought it consonant with a man in a serious profession.’

  ‘I suppose … Oh well, that’s that puzzle solved.’

  ‘And on that note of success, I shall depart,’ said Trelawney. Amanda showed the inspector to the door where they shook hands.

  ‘Goodnight,’ she bade him.

  ‘Sleep well.’

  He got into his car, and she waved him off as he drove down Orchard Way.

  Suddenly Amanda missed Claire. Claire would share her excitement. How she’d love this! ‘

  ‘I can’t wait till she comes home, Tempest,’ said Amanda enthusiastically. Then stopped. ‘Of course, I’ll have to leave out all of the magic bits … like how I met George and … went back to 1940 and … held the cellar ceiling up and … opened the trunks … but … yes … everything else … oh and then there was moving the CCTV camera and sending Bill to sleep, and locking the door when I first found the body, and levitating my phone around the crime scene taking video, and then … oh. Hm.’

  Amanda reconsidered. ‘Actually, the person I really want to tell. … is Aunt Amelia.’ She smiled. ‘Too late at night now but … yes, Aunt Amelia. She would understand everything.’

  Amanda went to the kitchen and poured hot water into her mug to freshen the tea, and got a gingernut biscuit from the tin. She sat on the sofa, and Tempest established himself of her lap. She dunked
and sipped and cogitated.

  ‘George. I hope George is at peace now. I think I’d better go and see, as soon as I can.’

  Chapter 49

  George and Violet

  With all evidence gathered, the crime scene tape was taken down, the police presence departed, the cleaners came in and the Centre reopened.

  Amanda called in at reception. The Scotsman was there.

  ‘Bill,’ said Amanda with delight.

  ‘Yes, lassie, still here.’

  ‘Are you on days too?

  ‘Just helpin’ oot until they can find a replacement for Gloria.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘She, er … left’.

  ‘Ah. So she was one of Mr Streeter’s …’

  ‘Quite, miss,’ he replied succinctly. ‘They’re interviewing people to replace Mr Streeter and Dr Sidiqi. It might take a wee while to get things back to normal.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Er … who else?’

  ‘The cleaners, the café staff, the new therapists who actually weren’t really therapists, who replaced Melanie and Kathleen who were too intuitive for Mr Streeter’s liking, and the acupuncturist,’ Bill listed.

  ‘Charlotte wasn’t involved, was she?’ Amanda asked hopefully. ‘She seemed nice and a real therapist.’

  ‘No, I don’t think Miss Streeter knew anything about it, but she said she’d rather not stay. I think she felt embarrassed. Mr Gibbs gave her a good reference. But it’s another one has to be replaced.’ Bill shook his head regretfully then smiled at Amanda. ‘Nice of you to pop in, though.’

  ‘I wondered if I might go in to pay my respects, as it were.’

  ‘Dr Sidiqi’s lab? Yes, of course. Take as long as you like, miss. The cleaners have been in, it’s all tidy.’

  ‘Thank you, Bill.’

  Amanda took the familiar route through the double doors along the passage, through the second doors, into the Opal waiting room. And there was the sofa where she’d sat that day, waiting nervously for a second encounter with Dr Schofield and had seen Toby’s smiling face around the door for the first time.