Murder for Nothing Read online

  ‘How about one a month?’

  Ellie smiled. ‘Six over a year. One every two months, and I retain the option to send them away if they don’t appeal to me. You will let me have Jake’s number within half an hour?’

  ‘Within five minutes, dear lady. And I will get someone to drop Angelica’s handbag into the nearest police station, with a note that I found it on a bench in the Ealing Broadway shopping centre. Her cards are all maxed out, by the way.’ He rang off.

  Susan had been listening to this one-sided conversation with a grin. ‘Did he fall for it?’

  ‘Actually, I rather like him.’

  Susan’s smile widened. She nodded. ‘Yes, he can be very charming when he chooses, but he’s going to put you to a whole lot of trouble, dealing with hopeless cases who need money and can’t repay.’

  ‘Granted that it’s easier to deal with institutions such as schools and clubs, but it is rather soulless. Perhaps he’s giving me a push to deal with the Mr Micawbers of this world, who might be able to dig themselves out of a hole if given a helping hand or two.’

  ‘And down-and-outs?’

  ‘Them, too. The other trustees might not approve but I think that we should get down in the muck sometimes. And, yes, some of it won’t be very savoury, but … well, it feels right.’

  Her phone rang and Rafael said, ‘There is no information on Angelica’s phone for anyone named Kate, but she has the phone number for Jake Hartley Summers. He lives in a flat just off Wimbledon Common. Have you a pen and paper to take down his address and phone number?’

  Ellie had, and did. The phone clicked off.

  Susan said, ‘Good for Rafael. He’s a man of his word. Usually. You’ll let the police know? Meanwhile, I think I’ll look in on Lesley. I’m worried about her.’

  ‘Aren’t you supposed to be back at college?’

  ‘I’ll make the time up. This is more important.’

  Ellie agreed. ‘All right. Take her up a cup of tea?’

  When Susan had departed, Ellie sat on, thinking about what she ought to do next. She could ring the police now and speak to Lesley’s boss. Hand over the information she’d gathered and leave it to him to investigate Jake and Kate and whoever.

  But Ellie had a history with the Detective Inspector, whose large ears turned bright red whenever his blood pressure rose. Most unfortunately, Ellie – who hadn’t known his name when they first met – had referred to him as ‘Ears’. The nickname had shot through the station staff and become common knowledge. Ears had of course eventually heard about it and had been known to speak harshly and at some length about interfering old women who … insert words of choice.

  Ears would not welcome any intelligence she might have to offer, and might even go so far as to dismiss it as unimportant.

  Ears was an officer of medium intelligence who had probably been promoted as far as he would go. Ears disliked women in the force, and clever women like Lesley were an especial abomination. Ellie could well imagine that he’d been secretly amused that Lesley’s flat had been vandalized in her absence. If Ellie rang and gave him this piece of information, Ears might decide that as Jake had left the party early and Angelica hadn’t been sure that the redhead she’d spotted had been his previous girlfriend, then they would be no further forward in their efforts to identify her.

  On the other hand, if this Jake really had known the girl, then he could tell the police her name, her family could be informed and Ellie could keep out of it.

  She was aware that this was, perhaps, the coward’s way out, but it would surely be the best in the long run.

  Ellie dialled Jake’s number. ‘Is that Jake? Jake Hartley Summers?’

  ‘When I’m awake, yes. Who are you? Don’t tell me. Let me guess. Your company thinks I’ve been in an accident and will want to sue for damages or … No, those people are usually ringing from Bombay. Are you still on about that bank insurance thingy? No, that’s an automated call, isn’t it? I know, you want me to compare lifestyle choices, which I haven’t the slightest intention of doing. Right? So, who are you?’

  He sounded amused, as if he enjoyed baiting cold-callers. His voice also told Ellie that he’d been educated privately, gone on to university, didn’t have to work hard for a living – if at all – and that he thought he was Prince Charming.

  Ellie said, ‘My name is Ellie Quicke. Mrs Ellie Quicke. A girl called Angelica is currently staying with me.’

  ‘Oh. Right. Angel’s fairy godmother. What’s the silly chit done now?’ A yawn. ‘Apologies. Late night last night. Poker. Groan. Did I lose, or did I lose? Next question: why am I not at work? Answer: I’m on gardening leave.’

  ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘I’ve been put on the naughty step, sent home to “find myself”, rapped over the knuckles. In other words, I deleted some files that I hadn’t oughta and they’re getting in some nerd or other to try to recover them. Total waste of time, anyway. The stuff wasn’t worth keeping.’

  ‘I see,’ said Ellie, grasping only the fact that the lad was in some sort of trouble at work. ‘Well, it’s about Angelica. She hosted a party on Saturday night, which I believe you attended for a short time. Is that right?’

  ‘So …?’

  ‘You know a redhead called Kate? I believe she used to be your girlfriend. Yes?’

  ‘Mm. Sort of. We used to go around together.’ He was wary, taking time over his answers.

  ‘Did you see her at the party?’

  ‘Kate? No. I wasn’t there that long. So what?’

  There was no easy way to break the news. Ellie said, ‘On Sunday night, the body of a redheaded girl was found in the garden of the house in which the party had been held. She had no identification on her. The police are involved. Someone said it might be your ex-girlfriend, Kate.’

  A long silence. Ellie said, ‘Are you still there?’

  ‘Yes. I mean … No identification, you say? I don’t understand. And why have you contacted me?’

  ‘I’m following up something someone said about you having a redheaded girlfriend. It might not be the girl you knew.’

  ‘Who said it was my ex?’

  ‘Angelica.’

  A long pause. ‘I suppose I could give Kate a ring, check that she’s all right.’

  ‘Yes, you do that.’

  Another pause for thought.

  ‘Mrs … what did you say your name was? If what you say is true … I’d better have your number, hadn’t I? … I suppose, if it is Kate … but I don’t understand why no one’s identified her. What a bore! If it is her, the police will jump to all sorts of wrong conclusions. I mean, we were friends, yes. But nothing more. Or at least, not recently. Months ago, we had a sort of … I suppose the police will want to know if we were sleeping together, which we weren’t, not now. They’ll assume the worst, and there’ll be endless questions about this and that and … How did I get mixed up in this?’

  He was beginning to accept that the girl in the garden had been his ex. Well, that was a step forward.

  He said, ‘Our families go back a long way, you know. Our mothers went to the same nursery or whatever, way back when Moses was alive. Her brother’s just graduated. And her father! He’ll go spare. He’s devoted to her. Her mother died last year, you know? No, why should you know? It probably isn’t her.’

  Ellie had had enough of Jake. Self-centred whatsit! He could at least pretend he was upset that his girlfriend had died … though, of course, it might not be his Kate at all. ‘Have you a paper and pen to write my name and number down? You need to ring Kate’s parents, and then the police, to check if it’s the girl you know or not. You can ring me back any time. I won’t be going out.’

  ‘If it is Kate, I’ll be gutted.’

  So maybe he did have a heart, after all. She said, ‘I’m sorry. I hope for your sake it isn’t her.’

  ‘Yes, but … wait a minute. How did she die? Was it drugs? Did Angelica have drugs at the party?’

  ‘Drugs? N
o, I don’t think so.’ Ellie put the phone down and the front doorbell rang.

  She opened it to find two plainclothes policemen on the doorstep, flourishing shields to prove they were the real thing. Not ‘Ears’, thankfully.

  Ellie said, ‘Ah, police. Right. You need to speak to …?’

  They asked for Susan. And Angelica.

  Ellie went to the foot of the stairs and called the girls to come down. ‘It’s the police, wanting a word.’

  Susan descended, looking strained. ‘Of course, of course. I’m happy to speak to the police but, Mrs Quicke, I’m worried about Lesley. Can you keep an eye on her?’ And to the police, ‘I’m sorry, I really don’t know anything about the party on Saturday. I was out with some friends. We went to the cinema.’

  They were not impressed. ‘If you’ll just come down to the station …’

  Andy appeared at the head of the stairs. ‘Who is it? Oh, police? Officers, I have to tell you I was mistaken when I said that Susan must have arranged the party at our flat. It wasn’t her, but—’

  ‘Yes, it was!’ Angelica appeared. Incredibly, and in spite of her tears, she looked as distractingly pretty as ever, but she had taken the precaution of picking up a pack of tissues in case she needed to burst into tears again. ‘Officers, I would never, ever have done such a thing!’

  The police looked puzzled. Susan folded her arms and raised her eyes to heaven.

  Andy said, ‘Look, officers. There’s been some mistake. My cousin didn’t mean to … She was—’

  Angelica said, ‘But I have an alibi, officers! I can prove I left the party early!’

  ‘Perhaps,’ said the taller of the two policemen, ‘it would be a good idea for us to talk this over down at the station?’

  ‘Oh, no!’ cried Angelica. ‘I can’t! I mustn’t! You couldn’t be so cruel!’

  ‘What a good idea!’ said Susan.

  Andy fidgeted. ‘Look, officers, I … This is all a bit embarrassing. I didn’t mean to suggest that Angelica would know anything about—’

  ‘That’s for us to decide,’ said the taller of the policeman. ‘I really think it would be best if the two ladies come down to the station and we can sort out their alibis.’

  ‘Oh, no!’ wept Angelica, turning her flower face up to Andy.

  He responded, ‘Would you like me to come with you, Angelica? I mean, I’ve got you into this mess. Do you want me to get you a solicitor?’

  Angelica turned adoring eyes on him. ‘Oh, would you? I’m so frightened.’

  Susan said, ‘Humph!’ to the air. She marched outside, calling back to Ellie, ‘Don’t forget Lesley!’

  Andy ushered his cousin outside. The two policemen disposed of the girls in the back of their car. Andy got into his to follow them. And then the house was empty again.

  Except for the sleeping beauty upstairs. Ellie went up to have a look at Lesley, who appeared to be drowsy but not as deep in sleep as before. And rather flushed. Ellie put her hand on Lesley’s forehead and decided that Susan was right to be concerned.

  Lesley half opened her eyes and tried to sit up. She failed. ‘Oh, dear, have I wet the bed?’

  Ellie pulled back the duvet and saw the stain spreading out from between Lesley’s legs.

  ‘Lesley! You’re pregnant?’

  Lesley tried to laugh. ‘Bad timing, right?’

  Ellie felt as if the room were going round and round. She pushed herself upright. This was no time for her to faint. But if Lesley were to miscarry …?

  Ellie tried to work moisture into her mouth. In her mind, she slid back through the years to when she had had miscarriage after miscarriage herself, when her whole life had been focused on producing a living child … when she’d failed, time and again, when she’d ended up in tears every month … when Diana had been the only baby who had survived.

  Ellie told herself that her weakness was not going to help Lesley. She told herself to be strong. Lord, help me. Lesley shouldn’t have to go through what I suffered.

  Ellie knew that sometimes miscarriages can’t be stopped. Ellie wanted nothing to do with what was happening. She wanted to run screaming from the room, but no. Her desertion wouldn’t help Lesley.

  With an effort, Ellie pushed her friend back on to the pillows. ‘I think you’re in danger of miscarrying. Keep still. Don’t move. I’m ringing for an ambulance.’

  Lesley wailed, ‘Oh, no! Don’t say that! I want this child so much.’ She breathed deeply, and then drew up her knees as a contraction took hold of her body. ‘Oh!’

  Ellie stumbled down the stairs. She’d put her own phone down somewhere. She couldn’t think where. Had she left it in the kitchen? She made it to the landline in the hall and dialled nine-nine-nine. ‘Ambulance, please. Yes, it’s an emergency. My friend is miscarrying. Yes, my name is …’

  The doorbell rang.

  Ellie tried to concentrate. If she didn’t give the operator the right address the ambulance wouldn’t find them. But the doorbell! She couldn’t think what to do. There wasn’t anybody else at home, was there? If only Thomas hadn’t been called to an emergency on the other side of London.

  She continued to give the operator their details. ‘Yes, that’s her name. Lesley with an “ey” at the end. She’s bleeding heavily and having contractions …’

  The doorbell rang again.

  Ellie was informed an ambulance would be there directly. She crashed down the receiver and opened the front door.

  A young man stood there with his hand raised, ready to press the bell again. A motor scooter was parked behind him. Baseball cap on backwards. Black and tan clothing, expensive and clean. Chinese or Japanese, maybe. A tiny moustache. Dark eyes. Intelligent. The student known as Timmy Lee? What on earth was he doing here?

  ‘Mr Lee?’ said Ellie. ‘You’re looking for Angelica?’

  Was that a cry from upstairs? Ellie was torn. Should she tell this lad to get lost and attend to Lesley? She dithered, not knowing what to do.

  ‘My apologies, Mrs Quicke. Angelica did say you were like a second mother to her. I gave her a lift from the party on Saturday night, and I wondered, as she has not been in contact with me, if you might know …?’

  Well-spoken, educated. The very slightest of lisps? Ellie hesitated, thinking that if Lesley were miscarrying she ought not to be left alone. She ought to get rid of this man, but … He should be down at the station, helping the police with their enquiries. He could clear Angelica of all involvement.

  He solved her dilemma by stepping towards her so that she gave way. And now he was in the hall and the front door had shut behind him.

  She said, ‘Look, the police have Angelica down at the station, asking her about Saturday night. They need to know whether or not a girl called Kate was still alive when she left the party … although, of course, it might not be Kate. But if you can give Angelica an alibi then you really must tell the police when you left the party.’

  He had narrow eyes, very black. ‘A girl from the party is really dead?’

  ‘Did you see a redheaded girl arrive at the party?’

  ‘Yes, perhaps. Where is Angelica? I need to see her, urgently. I gave her a lift home from the party when things got a bit tight. That is the right word, is it not?’

  ‘One of them, yes,’ said Ellie. And turned her head to listen again. Was that Lesley calling for help? She tried to get rid of the man. ‘Angelica is being questioned by the police as we speak. She could do with an alibi. Look, I’m sorry to throw you out but I have a friend upstairs who needs medical attention.’

  He sat down on the hall chair. ‘I will wait until Angelica returns.’

  That wasn’t at all what Ellie had had in mind. She glanced up the stairs. That really had been a cry for help, hadn’t it? ‘I must attend to my friend.’

  Timmy waved her away. ‘I wait. And I will think about what I did see.’

  ‘No, that’s not what … Oh, well, you’ll have to excuse me for a minute.’ Ellie bounded up the stairs, slowing
down near the top. She found Lesley on the floor in a foetal position. ‘Sorry, Ellie … your mattress and duvet! Such a mess … Oh!’

  Another contraction. Ellie helped Lesley back on to the bed when the contraction eased. The miscarriage was well on its way. No amount of bed rest was going to stop it.

  Lesley’s head rolled back and forth.

  Ellie said, ‘How far along are you?’

  ‘Seven weeks, almost. Aagh!’ She convulsed again.

  Nearly fifty days. Ellie tried to think backwards. Lesley had conceived before Susan had been eased out of Lesley’s flat and while the wedding preparations had been going on. Lesley had been pregnant when she and Andy had had a spat over the amount of attention Andy had been showing to Angelica. At that time, Ellie had seriously wondered if Lesley should have gone through with the wedding. Ellie had feared, even then, that the couple were mismatched. But then, seemingly mismatched couples often made a solid partnership in marriage, with each person respecting the other’s strengths and weaknesses.

  Ellie had kept her misgivings to herself. She’d thought Lesley must be besotted by the man to excuse the selfish way he carried on. But now, in view of what she’d just learned, perhaps Lesley had gone through with the marriage because she knew she was pregnant?

  Ellie got a wet cloth and washed the perspiration from Lesley’s face.

  Timmy Lee’s voice floated up the stairs. ‘Ambulance arriving. Shall I let them in?’

  Ellie sang out, ‘Yes, please do.’ And to Lesley, ‘I’ll come with you.’

  Lesley panted, clutching at Ellie’s arm. ‘No. Don’t come. I’m better off by myself. I made this mess; I’ll get through it by myself. There’s something I have to tell Andy, but … I can’t think straight. What was it? Tell him to look in the piano.’ She panted as another contraction took hold of her. ‘I’m losing the baby, aren’t I?’

  The paramedics burst into the room with a merry, ‘What do we have here?’ Then got down to business. Ellie, feeling weak, took the stairs to the ground floor. Slowly. And only when she was in the hall did she remember her caller. Timmy Lee. Chinese, perhaps. Only, there was no sign of him.