‘Righto, governor.’
Cooper left the kiosk and walked back to the car. He chuckled to himself. ‘“Quiet as the grave”, indeed.’
*
Adina was standing by the window of the apartment, peering through the net curtains. She had been in the, so-called “safe house”, for barely a day and had kept an almost constant look out for any signs of police activity. Although Adina felt safe within the confines of the Diplomatic Mission, she was suffering from anxiety and felt very restless.
‘Do come away from the window, Adina,’ said Chaim Herzl.
‘I can’t help thinking that they’ll find me. I just want to go now, get to the airport and get on the plane.’
‘You are perfectly safe, Adina. Nobody will find you here, and, even if they did, they’re not allowed to enter the Mission.’
Herzl walked across to her, wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her on the cheek. He then took her by the hand and led her back to the sofa.
‘I can’t stop thinking about Raymond. He must be very worried about me. He’ll be wondering where I am.’
‘You can’t afford to worry about him, Adina.’
‘I know.’
‘And you can’t afford to telephone him either. It would only complicate things for you. He must not know where you are. Promise me you won’t try to call him,’ pleaded Herzl, with slight impatience in his tone.
‘I wasn’t going to call him. I just want the bank to clear the cheque, and then I can have my money and I can leave the country.’
‘It’s not just the money that is causing the delay, Adina. We need to coordinate the movement of your mother and sister for them to arrive in Vienna on the same day as you. We must get them out of Romania first, then we can all go on to Israel together.’
‘Still, I need to go to telephone the bank to find out when the cheque will clear and what they will need from me.’
‘I will take you to a telephone box at the back of the complex and I will be with you when you make the call. We can’t have the police tracing the call back to here. The less they know about our involvement the better.’
Herzl escorted Adina to the rear of the Mission and they left the compound through a small service gate for which he held the keys. This led to a quiet, tree-lined avenue bordering Hampstead Heath. They walked to a telephone kiosk that was barely thirty yards from the gate, and, armed with the necessary change, Adina dialled the number for Martin’s Bank in Shoreditch. She was finally put through to the branch manager.
‘Blenkinsop. May I help you?’
‘Yes, Mr Blenkinsop. My name is Miss Adina Giurgiu. I have a savings account at your branch. A colleague of mine paid a solicitor’s cheque into your branch last Friday and I am waiting for it to clear. Can you tell me how long it will take?’
‘That would take about five days, madam. Today is Monday, so it should be cleared by Thursday, all being well.’
‘I see.’
‘How much is the cheque for, madam?’
‘Three hundred pounds. It was money left to me by my employer, Lord Roding, who has died. The original cheque is on the account of Green and Green Solicitors. I would like to draw the money out in cash. Can you do that for me?’
‘Yes, we can certainly do that, madam.’
‘What do you need from me?’
‘A letter requesting the payment in cash. If you would prefer, you may deliver that to us on the day you draw the cash. We will need you to have your savings passbook and your passport. Would you like us to telephone you when the cheque has cleared?’
‘No, thank you. That won’t be necessary. I will call you again on Thursday morning.’
Adina ended the call and Herzl shepherded her back into the compound, returning her to her accommodation. Adina was starting to worry, and, on reflection, she was concerned that her wish not to receive notification by telephone might have aroused suspicion. However, she reassured herself with the knowledge that the cheque was valid; and the account was her own. The bank couldn’t possibly know of her situation. Within ten minutes of her replacing the receiver, Blenkinsop had related the details of the call to Linda Collins.
29
DAY TWENTY-NINE
Tuesday 9th August 1949
It was to be a red-letter day for the company of Green and Green Solicitors. Geoffrey Green, the senior partner, had arrived early, and he had twice mulled over the final will and testament of Lord Jeremy Roding. At 11.00am today he was due to read the will to interested parties and he was not looking forward to it. He anticipated that Lady Francine Roding was going to be unhappy with what he had to tell her. Green was going to need support, and as soon as his junior colleague, Reginald Cohen, arrived for work he called him into his office.
‘I’m going to require your help this morning, Reginald.’
‘What for, sir?’
‘The reading of Lord Roding’s will.’
‘What time is the appointment?’
‘It’s at 11.00am.’
‘I think I’ve got an appointment at 11.00am, sir.’
‘No, you haven’t, young man. I’ve checked.’
‘Do I really have to deal with that bloody awful woman, sir?’
‘Yes, Reginald. She is our client, after all, or at least her late husband was. A good man was Jeremy Roding, and a great bon viveur in his day. I dined with him on several occasions. He kept a good table.’
‘Pity he didn’t have good taste in women,’ said Cohen.
‘Now do keep a respectful tongue in your head. We made you a partner at a relatively early stage in your career. You can’t just pick and choose to deal exclusively with the more pleasant clients. This is going to be difficult and I am going to need your support.’
‘Sorry, sir.’
‘Anyway, here is the will. You had better read it and then you’ll realise where the conflict is likely to arise later.’
‘Very good, sir.’
Geoffrey Green left the room to visit the lavatory. On his return, Cohen was just finishing reading the document.
‘I see what you mean, sir,’ said Cohen, taking a long draw on his cigarette. ‘Wouldn’t it be better to just have a constable on standby in reception?’
*
‘Where on earth is everybody this morning, Mrs Aldis?’ said her ladyship as Beryl placed the plate of bacon and eggs in front of her.
‘Raymond has gone into Colchester, Adina has gone away for a couple of days to stay with one of her Romanian friends and young James has the morning off to accompany his aunt to an appointment.’
Beryl was feeling in a particularly mischievous mood this morning. She knew about James’ impending visit to the solicitor’s office and that Raymond was helping the police with their enquiries. But she was going to disclose the minimum of information and she would let her ladyship find out the full details for herself. As far as Beryl was concerned, her future did not lie at Beaumont Hall and she was past caring. Now that she had her nest egg of three hundred pounds, life was about to change for the better and she would soon be setting up her own tea shop. Lady Fanny Roding could go to hell.
‘I see, and did Raymond take the Rolls?’
‘No, my lady. It’s still sitting in the stables.’
‘So how did he get into town?
‘He got a lift. Raymond has been working hard on the Rolls, preparing it for sale, so he probably didn’t want to take it out.’
‘He was supposed to be coming with me to the solicitor’s this morning, I hope he’s back in the next hour, otherwise I’ll have to go on my own by taxi.’
Fanny had arrived back at Colchester on the last train the previous evening and had not thought to inform Raymond. She now regretted digging her heels in about the use of the Rolls and wished that she had let Raymond drive her to London. Still, never mind, thoug
ht Fanny, things are about to change and they’re all going to have to get used to it.
As the time approached 10.15am, there was still no sign of Raymond, so Fanny ordered a taxi, which arrived at the solicitor’s just before the meeting was due to begin. As she entered the reception area, Fanny immediately caught sight of James Davidson, who was seated with his aunt Ruby. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be at work, young man?’ said Fanny, with a tone of disapproval.
Both James and his aunt got to their feet, and Ruby spoke in his defence. ‘He got permission to take the morning off, my lady. He has to see the solicitor.’
‘I see,’ said Fanny, ‘I suppose his lordship has left you some money as well. There’ll be none left at this rate. Well, you can earn it, since you are here, by acting as my witness in the absence of Mr Jenkins, when the time comes.’
At this point, Reginald Cohen stepped into the room, introduced himself and, having checked the identity of Ruby Gedge and the fact that it was she who had been James’s legal guardian, he ushered them all into the office, where they were greeted by Geoffrey Green. They were seated, and Green spread the pages of the will out across the table in front of him.
‘Thank you for coming, my lady, Mr Davidson, Miss Gedge. I shall get straight down to the business of reading the last will and testament of his lordship, the late Jeremy John Beaumont, 7th Lord of Roding, which was sworn under oath by his lordship on the 18th July 1949. Right, if you are ready my lady,’ said Green.
‘Let’s just get on with it shall we,’ said Fanny in exasperation.
Geoffrey Green read the document aloud. He went through the usual terms of Lord Jeremy Roding being of sound mind, etc. Fanny wanted him to cut through the niceties and get down to the detail. What has my husband left me with, you boring little man?
Green summarised the total estate, of which Fanny anticipated that she would be the sole beneficiary:
‘“The estate known as Beaumont Hall, with the main house, its contents and outbuildings, four tied cottages, eighteen acres of parkland and the sum of one hundred thousand pounds, which is held on account by Coutts & Co Bank, 440 Strand, London WC2, I bequeath to my son and heir James Davidson.”’
There was silence in the room. James and Ruby turned to each other, but they were stunned and just couldn’t find the words to express themselves.
Not so, in the case of Fanny, who erupted, ‘Have you gone bloody mad? There must be some mistake surely?’
‘No mistake, my lady. Please stay calm, I haven’t finished reading yet.’
‘“To my dear wife, Lady Francine Roding, I bequeath Roding House in Bedford Square, London WC1, with all contents and the sum of ten thousand pounds, which is held on account by Coutts & Co Bank, 440 Strand, London WC2.”’
‘We are duty bound to inform all principal beneficiaries of the terms of the will in writing, in due course. The terms being in force from this moment.’
‘It’s not right. It’s not right. I’m not having this!’ Fanny leapt to her feet.
‘I have here letters written by his lordship that are addressed to you both individually.’ Green handed the letters across. ‘My lady, should you wish to challenge the terms of the will you would be able to do so through the high court. However, we would not be able to act for you. That is all I am at liberty to say. Mr Davidson, if you would stay behind, there are some matters that we need to discuss.’
‘You won’t hear the last of this!’ Fanny stormed out of the building onto the High Street. She found a quiet spot in Castle Park where she could sit, read and digest her letter.
“Dear Fanny, if you are reading this, you will know that I have finally passed on to a better place. My dear friend and solicitor, Geoffrey Green, will by now have read my last will and testament. I expect that you will be unhappy that the London house and the sum of money are all that I bequeath to you, but this should help you to pursue life in London. Something that I know you have always cherished. However, the family name must go on, and I have been aware that James Davidson is my natural son since the day of his birth. My name is not shown on his birth certificate as his biological father, since I needed to hide the fact from Bettina. I did, however, sign an affidavit and place it with my solicitor at the time of his birth. James’ mother, Evelyn, was the sister of Ruby Gedge. We had an affair and James was the result. Bettina was unaware of our relationship. When Evelyn was killed during the war, young James came to live with his aunt Ruby in the village. Although I have been unable to declare the nature of our relationship, I have provided modest financial support throughout his life. It is a fact, therefore, that his aunt Ruby has always known that I was his natural father. As for the relationship between you and I, my dear, I have known, for some time of your closeness to Raymond Jenkins.
“Sister Margaret made me aware of the fact and counselled me about the state of our marriage. It does not matter now. You are free to follow your own path. I wish you well for the future and hope that you find happiness. Yours sincerely, Jeremy.”
Fanny sat on the park bench in silence, trying to assimilate the implications of the letter. The reading of the will had presented her with an unwelcome surprise, but the more she thought about it, the more she realised that she would only have had the bother of managing the estate. A costly and time-consuming responsibility, requiring her to spend much of her life at Beaumont Hall. Fanny reminded herself that she had come from humble stock and had started life with nothing. This way, at least, she would still be able to live her life in London and have the man of her choosing. The house was a very valuable piece of real estate in a prime part of Central London and ten thousand pounds was not an inconsiderable sum. Life was indeed about to change, and she was beginning to look forward to it.
30
DAY THIRTY-ONE
Thursday 11th August 1949
Over a period of three days, the OP was manned constantly with staff on twelve-hour shifts, and, while they had seen the comings and goings of the Buick, there had been no sightings of Adina Jenkins in or around the Highgate complex. This fact did not trouble Cooper too much, as Adina had clearly stated that she would contact the bank on Thursday and he believed that, true to her word, she was likely to visit the bank and claim her bequest. However, Alby Cooper was leaving nothing to chance. He and his team would have the area in and around Martin’s Bank well covered.
The bank was due to open for business at 9.30am sharp. Earlier, Cooper, Linda Collins and Tom Rogers had arrived, and had taken up position. They were given a room at the rear of the bank and a telephone with its own outside line, putting them in direct contact with the OP team, consisting of Ian Mills and Jane Stewart at Highgate. Brian Pratt was ensconced in an office above the shop immediately opposite the front door of the bank, from where he could give an early warning of Adina’s arrival.
*
Adina had endured a troubled night. Due to a combination of anxiety and eager anticipation, she had managed very little sleep. She was up at the crack of dawn, laying her things out on the bed and checking the necessary documentation. She just wanted to get on with the day’s business. Chaim joined her for breakfast, and, even though they had discussed their plans late into the previous evening, they went over the details yet again.
At 10.00am, Adina put her call into the bank from the telephone kiosk at the rear of the Mission complex.
‘Hello. May I speak to Mr Blenkinsop, please?’
‘Blenkinsop.’
‘Hello Mr Blenkinsop. Adina Giurgiu speaking. I am telephoning to find out if my cheque has been cleared yet.’
‘Ah yes, Miss Giurgiu. If you would wait just one moment, please, I will find out what the position is for you.’
Blenkinsop quickly walked along the corridor to fetch Cooper. On their return to his office he snatched up the receiver. ‘Miss Giurgiu, your cheque has cleared, and you may draw against it today, if you wish. If I may just remi
nd you that you need the letter that we spoke about the other day, and your passbook and passport for identification purposes. When would you like to come in to draw down the money?’
‘I should be able to come to the bank just before midday. Thank you very much for your help, Mr Blenkinsop.’
‘It is my pleasure, madam. We will see you later.’ The call was ended.
‘Thank you for that, sir. Did I hear correctly that she’s coming in to the bank today?’ asked Cooper.
‘Yes, that’s right. Just before midday.’
‘How did she sound?’
‘She did sound rather nervous. She sounded foreign, although I’m not too good on accents, and wouldn’t have been able to place her as coming from Romania, or anywhere else, for that matter.’
‘Did she give you any indication as to where she was phoning from?’
‘According to the girl on the switchboard, she was calling from a telephone box, but beyond that I couldn’t say.’
Cooper was animated. As he walked back to the room to inform the other members of the team, he had to stop and take several deep breaths to calm himself. If the operation was to be a success, he needed to maintain control. One thing was certain, they could not afford to miss her this time.
*
The telephone rang in the bank office at 11.20am and Linda Collins picked up the receiver. ‘It’s the OP, governor,’ she said, handing it to Cooper.
‘Hello, Ian?’
‘The Buick is at the gates of the complex now, governor. Usual driver with a woman in the back. Turning onto Hampstead Lane and away south towards Holloway. Out of sight now.’
‘Thanks Ian. Stay in position and keep us informed of any other developments.’ Cooper put down the phone.
‘Right, it looks like she’s on the move in the Buick with only the driver. She’s sitting in the back. She knows you, Linda, so you’d better stay out of sight with me for now. It’ll probably take them about twenty minutes to get down from Highgate. Will you let Brian over the road know, please?’
Devotion to Murder Page 30
