False fire Read online

  Manisa consulted her notebook. ‘What about Gideon?’

  Everyone relaxed and smiled except Bea, who frowned. She hadn’t taken to that personable young man.

  Steve smiled. ‘Oh, Gideon! He’s all right. Runs the estate agency side of the business. My father thought the world of him, encouraged him to branch out for himself. Gideon has his own flat not far away, and has just got a new car. Girlfriends galore. He hasn’t any need to get rid of Alicia. That’s ridiculous.’

  Manisa looked a question at Bea, who said, ‘It’s true I don’t like him much. I was annoyed that he didn’t seem to consider I was worth talking to at dinner. Yes, he’s a good-looking lad and knows it. Yes, he was ignoring Alicia and me in order to text his Faye across the table. I admit I thought that impolite. It’s a generation thing, I suppose. He has charm and good looks and, to give him credit, he did leap to Josh’s side at the first sign that he was in distress.’

  ‘Daddy’s favourite,’ said Steve, smiling. And if the smile was a trifle rueful, well … that was understandable, too, wasn’t it?

  Bea ran her fingers back through her hair. ‘You’ll excuse me but I have a feeling, probably unjustified … don’t you think the girls have been rather quiet lately?’

  William shot back to the windows and, November chill or no, threw them wide open. ‘Girls?’ He disappeared down the outside staircase, closely followed by Mel.

  Bea dead-heated to the window with Steve.

  Uh oh! What have they got up to? I’m too old to look after such lively children! And Mel has her mind set on other things now.

  Bernice was sitting astride the tall boundary wall. Halfway up, Alicia was clinging to the wall, unable either to climb further up, or to let herself down again.

  William strode across the flowerbed to lift Alicia off the wall, rather as one detaches a limpet from a rock at the seaside. He ordered, ‘Bernice, come off there at once!’

  Bernice whined, ‘We weren’t doing any harm. We saw Winston walk along the wall and drop down into the next garden and we thought it would be fun to see where he went. You needn’t have worried about Lissy. She’d have been perfectly all right if you’d let her alone.’ She stood up, balancing herself on top of the wall … which was enough to give the grown-ups a heart attack.

  Mel clapped her hands. ‘Bravo! And now you’ve done showing off, you can climb down and join the party.’

  ‘Poof!’ Bernice crossed her arms, teetered, and decided that yes, she might as well descend to earth. She measured the distance to the ground, and hesitated. It was, perhaps, a little further than she’d expected.

  Steve held up his arms. ‘Jump, and I’ll catch you.’

  Bernice closed her eyes – they saw her do that quite distinctly – and jumped. Steve caught her, set her on her feet and held on to her till she was steady again.

  Mel said, ‘Well done, Steve. I’m sorry. My fault. I should never have taken my eyes off them. One of my brothers is just the same. Can’t see a wall or a tree without wanting to climb it.’

  Bernice picked up Teddy, whom she’d abandoned at the foot of the wall, and led the way back up the stairs, sturdily stomping up them as if she’d never had a moment’s failure of nerve. But she did hesitate when she saw Manisa.

  ‘Come along in,’ said Manisa, who had also been drawn to the windows to see what was going on. ‘There’s a couple more questions I’d like to ask you two girls.’

  Mel stripped off their jackets and the party resettled themselves, with the two girls sitting close to one another on one of the settees with Teddy between them, and William hovering behind.

  ‘Now,’ said Manisa. ‘Just for my own information, did either of you girls ever access any sites selling fireworks on the Internet, either at school or at home?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Alicia, in a tiny voice. ‘At school. We wanted Grandpa Josh to set some off in his back garden, and we wanted to see what we could get which didn’t have bangs. I don’t like bangs, and nor does Bernice, much. But he said No, so we didn’t do anything more about it.’

  ‘You didn’t order any?’

  ‘Of course not. We’re not allowed to order anything on the Internet on the school computers.’

  Bernice said, ‘We didn’t need to, anyway. The Head said we were going to go to a big fireworks display, the whole school, on the common land, on the proper date. So we didn’t bother.’

  ‘Someone gave you a box of indoor fireworks. Who was it?’

  They shook their heads. Bernice said, ‘We don’t know.’

  ‘We carried them up to our room to open later.’ Alicia’s eyes welled with tears. ‘All my things have gone now. And the presents we’d been given. I had ever such a pretty little watch, and some ballet shoes and a leotard and—’

  Steve said, ‘We’ll replace them. Promise.’

  ‘If I know you two fashionable madams,’ said Bea, ‘you’ll have wanted some of the things in different colours, so next time round you can choose exactly what you want.’

  Alicia brightened up at that.

  Bernice said, ‘I don’t need things.’ Which was possibly true, except that she definitely needed Teddy at the moment. And then, ‘Do you think I could ring Mummy now? If she isn’t too busy today and baby bro isn’t too spotty, maybe I could go over there and help her look after him?’

  Which showed she did need people still, even if she didn’t need things.

  ‘Indeed,’ said Bea. ‘We’ll ring her in a minute and see how she’s getting on. But don’t let’s forget your Aunt Sybil will be arriving at Heathrow soon, breathing fire and slaughter and planning to demolish your boarding school. Shall we get a car to go and meet her?’

  Reminded of everyday life, Steve looked at his watch. ‘Look at the time! I was due at the hospital hours ago to take Daphne her bits and pieces. I took two bags of stuff, which I’d sorted out from home, one for her and one for Uncle Bill. I took them down to the car, which is still parked in the driveway at home. And then what happened?’

  He put his hand to his head. ‘That’s right. I got into the car and put the key in the ignition and nearly passed out, I was so tired. I remember thinking I wasn’t safe to drive. I got out my phone and asked for a taxi. I took what I thought was Uncle Bill’s bag out of the car to bring here … only, it was Daphne’s – and they’re not really alike, are they? Well, both are black, but … I must have left his in my car and it’s still there. I’ll have to collect it soonest. Daphne will be furious. I must get her stuff to her, and then, if she’s well enough, I’ll take her down to the spa hotel for a few days, unless … I wonder if the boyfriend would take her?’

  Mel said, ‘Didn’t you say you’d asked him to do so, and he’d made some excuse?’

  Steve was distracted, fingering his phone. ‘Yes, yes. You’re right. Daphne first. Then I must speak to the funeral people and start ringing round Dad’s old friends and … our office manager at work! He mustn’t hear it from … and Mrs Frost, poor Mrs Frost, I’ll have to trace her son, if …’

  Bea said, ‘Steve! Don’t turn your phone back on. Everyone, please! Listen to me for a moment.’ She turned to Mel. ‘I think the children could do with a wash and brush-up after their little adventure in the garden. And perhaps a hot drink and a biscuit?’

  ‘The biscuit tin’s empty,’ said Bernice. ‘And you said I could speak to Mummy.’

  ‘Wait till I can be with you,’ said Bea, ‘so that we can work out when you can see her.’

  ‘I can ring her myself,’ said Bernice. She stalked off to the kitchen, getting out her own phone as she went.

  ‘Wait for me!’ cried Alicia, and went off after her.

  Mel treated Steve to a look of apology and followed them.

  Manisa was smiling, wryly. ‘Well, we know who’s the dominant partner there.’

  ‘Bernice,’ said Bea, with a sigh. ‘From a long line of modern buccaneers. She plays chess like a grand master and has only to see a line of figures once to remember it. The blood of
the Holland family runs in her veins and my bet is she’ll end up as managing director of some multibillion-pound international corporation.’

  William laughed. ‘So long as she keeps looking after Alicia.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Bea. ‘That’s the point. Are we all agreed that the children are at risk? William? Steve?’

  They nodded, if with some reluctance.

  Manisa said, ‘I’m prepared to consider it as a possible theory, yes.’

  Bea said, ‘On Friday night a well-prepared attempt was made to kill one or both of them. We don’t know who, or even why. But we know that it happened, and that it caused two other deaths and burnt out a family house on the way. I don’t think we should assume the killer will stop now. Why should he … or, indeed, she? So the question is: what precautions can we take to make sure the girls survive? William, you and Steve were on your phones this morning, answering voicemail messages, taking new calls. Did anyone at any time suggest separating Alicia from Bernice?’

  William said, ‘No, but …’ He looked at Bea. ‘I should have told you. Sir Leon rang, wanting to speak to you. He suggests taking you and the children out to Richmond Park for the day. But that’s not the sort of thing you meant, was it?’

  Bea could imagine how the day would go. Leon would get his chauffeur to drive them there and expect her to look after the children. He would be happy to pay the bill for lunch. He would feel pleased with himself for having arranged the outing. ‘Did he say when Sybil is due? Someone must meet her at Heathrow. And, has he sorted out the school situation?’

  William shook his head. ‘Sorry. There’s so much been happening. We haven’t had time to stop and think.’

  In a few words, Bea put Manisa into the picture about the school, saying, ‘I have no right to interfere with the arrangements the families make for the children, but …’

  Steve produced a wry smile. ‘But that’s what you’re going to do.’ He was getting to know her, wasn’t he?

  Manisa stood up, preparing to go. ‘Mrs Abbot has the right idea. I haven’t been able to get to the top of the house yet, but I can tell you that, from my examination of the curtain which was set on fire in the dining room, a timer was involved.’

  Steve said, ‘You mean … like a watch?’

  ‘A clock. Yes. Digital. Set to trigger a firework. The mechanism was not particularly sophisticated, but it would be beyond the capacity of those two children.’

  ‘You mean that someone did set out to kill them?’

  ‘That’s not proven, yet. Mrs Abbot, Lord Morton; you say the lights went out while you were climbing the stairs to the top floor? I need to take a closer look at the fuse box in the kitchen to see if we can account for that failure, and I need to speak to the electricians recently employed by the family. Until we can get to the top of the house and look at the children’s room, I’d prefer not to say any more, but I do agree with Mrs Abbot to a certain extent. Whichever way you look at it, the children have had a rough time. It might be best not to send Alicia back to boarding school for a few days, especially if she has to go without Bernice. And now, I really must go.’

  THIRTEEN

  Sunday lunchtime

  Bea showed Manisa out, saying, ‘You’ll let us know what you find out? The officer who called on me said he was interested in an alleged assault on Faye, but he was certainly not interested in the fire.’

  ‘I will.’ Off went Manisa, looking at her watch. Well, it was a Sunday, wasn’t it? Did fire investigators usually have to work on Sundays? Perhaps they did. Which reminded Bea that she usually went to a church service on Sunday mornings … well, that would have to go by the wayside today. And – a little shriek as she looked at her watch – it would soon be lunchtime, and what did she have for everyone to eat?

  She returned to the living room to find the two men thrusting their chins out at one another. She thought: William will want to keep Alicia safe at all costs, while Steve …? Steve doesn’t know what to do next. He doesn’t want to think Alicia is in danger. And, with so much else on his plate, who can blame him for that?

  ‘Mrs Abbot,’ said Steve, ‘don’t you think we’ve gone a bit over the top? Electrical accidents happen. There were particularly unfortunate results’ – and here he winced – ‘but that’s all they were. You think Alicia’s in danger, but I don’t see it. I’m going to take her in to see Daphne, just as soon as I’ve sorted out one or two—’

  William interrupted. ‘I’m willing to help you, Steve, if you’ll allow me to do so. For a start, I can take Daphne’s things in to the hospital for you. If that scumbag of a boyfriend of hers doesn’t want to take Daphne down to the hotel, I’ll do that for you, too. I’ll take Alicia with me. It will make a nice outing for her, and free you up for some of your other tasks.’

  ‘I couldn’t let you—’

  ‘Of course you could. Hospital visiting times are flexible at weekends, aren’t they?’

  Steve sounded relieved. ‘I admit it would be a great help. I brought Daphne’s bag here by mistake and I see it’s in the hall here. I’ll give you the details for the hotel and you can liaise with them. Perhaps it would be a good idea for Alicia not to go back to school just yet. If Alaric rings—’

  ‘She won’t be here, will she? He can’t possibly object if I’ve taken her to see her mother. As for the rest, I don’t like the thought of sending her back to a school which harbours bullies. Perhaps we can find another place for her to go, perhaps with Bernice to look after her.’

  Steve could see a light at the end of this particular tunnel, and ran towards it. ‘I must say, that sounds sensible. If you really don’t mind …?’

  ‘Of course I don’t mind. When I get back, perhaps you’ll let me help you with the phone calls, the funeral arrangements, advising people about Josh. I’m at your disposal, provided I can be sure that Alicia is safe.’

  Bea thought that was all well and good, but … ‘Has anyone checked that the school actually has expelled Bernice? Would they really do that just because someone says her father was a scumbag? Heavens! If they refused to accept anyone whose father has ever had a brush with the law or cheated on their income tax, the schools would be empty overnight. And, by the way, does Alaric even know that we’ve got Alicia here safe and sound?’

  Steve fingered his phone. ‘Yes. I told him. He rang me back with a message – which I haven’t had time to answer – wanting to know what arrangements we were making to get her back to school. I must ring him, tell him we’re not at all sure she ought to …’ He turned over a page and made another note on his pad.

  William would guarantee to keep Alicia safe for today. Steve would identify the electrician. The two men would transfer Daphne to a hotel and get on with the business of Josh’s funeral.

  Bea struck one fist in the palm of the other hand. She thought the men were dealing with brush fires while a major storm was bearing down upon them, screeching in its thirst for blood. Or whatever. They were not looking at the big picture. Wasn’t it even more important to find the man or woman who wanted the children dead? The police would get involved eventually, but how long would it be before they took any action?

  In the kitchen, she saw that the dishwasher had finished its routine and was waiting to be emptied. She started to do that, resting her own hand on the top of the machine.

  A hand came over her arm and covered hers.

  William’s hand.

  His hand was warm. Large. Capable.

  She could withdraw her hand easily enough, or she could turn and link her fingers in his.

  With a start she realized she hadn’t donned her diamond engagement ring that morning. Had she subconsciously wished to show William that she had decided not to wear it, encouraging him to believe that she was open to receiving his advances?

  How old-fashioned.

  How strange to feel her pulse quickening. She sought for some mildly amusing remark that she could make, to show him she was neither shaken nor stirred. And came up with ‘
Lawks!’

  Which made her giggle.

  He was standing so close to her that she could feel the warmth of his body. She thought he was going to kiss her if she didn’t make any move to escape. Escape? Was he hunting her down? No, ridiculous.

  But, she couldn’t make up her mind what to do. Withdraw, or turn towards him … in which case, yes, he would kiss her.

  She said, her voice uneven, ‘I am not in the habit of—’

  ‘I know.’

  He was going to kiss her. Oh, lawks, indeed! She could do any number of things: bring up her knee, shove him away, scream …!

  Er, no.

  Heavy breathing at hip height.

  Oh. The girls, of course. Standing beside them, pink-cheeked and tousle-haired, fascinated to see what the adults were going to do next.

  Mel was behind them, laughing, also pink-cheeked and tousle-haired. ‘We’ve played Hide and Seek till we’re worn out and in need of sustenance. Can I make them something for lunch before I have to give my old lady hers?’

  William stepped away. She rather thought he muttered a bad word as he did so … which made her giggle all over again. What? Did Wonderful William actually swear on occasion? How very human.

  William said, ‘Shall I do cheese on toast all round? Alicia and I are taking her mother down to the hotel where she can be properly looked after and have a good rest. After that, perhaps we can find a place to have a cream tea and …’ He checked with Bea, ‘May I bring Alicia back here tonight?’

  ‘Oh, goody!’ Alicia jumped up and down, jack-in-a-box fashion. ‘I can sit in the front of the car, can I? Say I can sit in the front.’

  ‘I haven’t a car here, remember? So we’ll take a cab to the hospital and after that we’ll hire a limousine with a chauffeur to take us all down into the country.’

  Steve hove into sight, brow furrowed, switching off his phone. ‘Uncle Bill, I can’t get through to Alaric, but I’m sure it’ll be all right for you to take Alicia with you.’ Then, catching sight of Mel, he … yes, he blushed. ‘Oh. Have you been having a good time?’