HIDDEN SECRETS (13 page)

“The Lotus hotel please.”

Ten minutes later, Kate stood in the hotel reception face to face with Alex Lawton.

“So you came back,” he smiled.

“Look at this,” she thrust her phone under his nose.

Alex read the text and then looked up at her.

“It says Ben’s alive, that’s wonderful news,” he paused, “Who sent it?”

“I don’t know it’s a withheld number.”

“We should show it to the police straight away. They may have equipment that can trace withheld numbers,” he spoke as he keyed the number into his phone. Fifteen minutes later the police arrived.

“It could be a hoax you know; the papers are full of Ben’s disappearance,” an officer informed Kate. Disregarding the remark, she drew his attention to the second part of the message concerning the contract with Alex.

“I didn’t mention that the contract had been delivered here to be signed, so it has to be genuine,” Kate correctly pointed out.

“We’ll need to keep your phone for a few days, if that’s alright Mrs. Preston,” the same officer informed her.

“No it’s not alright,” she shook her head. “It’s my only contact with my family, and the person who sent this message may text again,” she refused to hand it over, clutching it firmly to her chest.

“It's vital evidence in the case,” he argued.

“No you’re not having it,” she reiterated.

The policeman gave up and wrote the words of the text into his note book together with the time it was received.

“My Inspector won’t be very pleased about this,” he informed her as he left.

“I’m sure he’ll get over it,” Kate clutched the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.

The police reluctantly left the hotel at the exact moment that Kate received a second message. She opened it and read it to Alex.

“I now have the contract in my possession. Thanks for the signature, will be in touch again later.”

“How the hell did they get hold of the contract? It was in my office,” Alex turned to Kate.

“I’ve got no idea; have you checked your office to see if it’s still there,” she suggested.

“I’ll be right back,” Alex rushed off and returned a few minutes later with an anxious expression on his face.

“It’s gone, and the original; someone’s taken them from my office.”

“And I think I know who,” Kate suddenly remembered.

“What do you mean?”

“I saw him there when I was looking for you earlier. When I asked what he was doing he said he had to take a document to you. He had a brown envelope in his hand. I offered to take it and he refused,” she explained.

“Well, who was it?” he asked impatiently.

“Joseph, didn’t I say?”

“I never asked him to go to my office. I don’t allow anyone in there, are you sure it was him?” he doubted her word.

“Absolutely, he had his name badge on anyway,” she insisted

“He wouldn’t do anything like this; I’ve only just promoted him,” he turned to Mrs. Gilroy.

“Can you send one of the girls to find him, he’s got some explaining to do,” he spoke through gritted teeth, and added, “And can you send a porter to collect Mrs. Preston’s case.”

“I assume you’re staying?” he turned to Kate.

“Of course, but don’t bother with a porter; I’ve only got an over-night case,” she picked it up and headed in the direction of the lift, where an elderly couple were waiting.

“Which floor do you want dear,” the woman asked her.

“The third please.”

“The same as us,” she smiled.

When they arrived, she left the old couple arguing over who had got the key to their room, and headed towards her own. Placing the key in the lock, she was surprised to find it already open. Perhaps the cleaners had forgotten to lock it properly she thought as she stepped into the room and glanced around. What she saw made her knees buckle and her mouth fill with bile as she attempted to wretch. Stumbling backwards, tried to scream, but nothing came out of her mouth. Her entire body went into shock, and this time a blood-curdling screech filled the room. Running footsteps sounded outside in the corridor, and then someone was beside her. The elderly man from the lift called out.

“Don’t come in here Dora,” he warned his wife. “Go downstairs and find Mr. Lawton and tell him it’s an emergency.” Dora dashed along the corridor at amazing speed and took the lift.

         Still shaking though sheer terror; Kate was unable to avert her eyes from the young woman’s dead body that lay sprawled across the bed. A black silk scarf still tied around her neck, was partially draped over the crumpled sheet. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth at a grotesque angle, and her eyes bulged from their sockets. She had been a pretty girl in life; but now her features were twisted and ugly as her motionless form looked up with unseeing eyes. Her thick black hair was spread across the pillow as if it had been carefully arranged by someone who had feelings for her. But the most appalling act which had been inflicted on the dead woman’s face, made Kate feel physically sick. Her eyelids had been smeared in bright blue eye shadow; not in a neat fashion and lacking precision, it was almost as if a little girl had been experimenting with her mother’s make-up.  Red lipstick had been daubed in the same style, but with a callous twist, a mocking smile painted over her lips, was almost touching her nose. Her cheek bones had been over heightened with blusher giving the appearance of a circus clown. The circumstances of her death were brutal, but the painted face was a symbolic act of parody, a ritual which must have been significant only to the killer. Kate had to get out of the room away from the disturbing image, but she was rooted to the spot, transfixed by the hideous unfortunate woman. Amidst the horror her mind began to play tricks with her. Was this the same woman that Ben had spent the night with before he disappeared? Joseph had said she had long black hair, and was very pretty.

       The sight of this once pretty woman was something she would never forget. Still unable to tear herself away from the scene, she jumped as a pair of strong arms gripped her shoulders.

“Come away Kate,” Alex gently stroked her arms and ushered her away from the bed, but she stood in the doorway and refused to leave the room.

“Call the police now Sean,” he turned to his assistant manager who had just entered the room,” and get rid of this lot,” he turned towards the crowd of guests who were gathering in the hallway trying to catch a glimpse of what was going on.

Alex approached the bed and took a closer look at the body.

“I know this woman,” he said bending down to get a closer look.

“Who is she?” Sean asked.

“I’m almost certain she’s the wife of a friend of mine, Charles Lewis. It is her; it’s Emma.”

“She looks very young,” Kate was now by his side.

“Charles is a lot older than her. The last time I saw him he said he was sure she was seeing someone else. He was very angry and threatened to kill her if he ever caught her with another man.”

“Surely he wouldn’t do that to his own wife?”

“I don’t know, but jealousy is an unpredictable emotion, it can do terrible things to some people. I don’t know what he’s capable of, but I do know he was very much in love with her,” he moved closer to her body.

The police duly arrived and cleared the reluctant spectators from the corridor. Kate was questioned for the second time in a few days, and the Scene of Crime Officers painstakingly searched the room for any clue that might identify the killer. Samples of hair were taken from the bed and scraping from beneath the woman’s fingernails.

“I’m Chief Inspector Bissell from Exeter C.I.D. Has anyone touched anything in this room?” he demanded to know.

“No,” Kate replied in a whisper.

“What about you two?” he turned to Alex and Sean, who shook their heads.

“And you are?” The inspector asked.

“Alex Lawton the hotel proprietor, this is Kate Preston, and my under manager Sean Hughes.”

“Do we have a name for the victim yet?” the inspector addressed a fellow officer.

“Her name’s Emma Lewis, I knew her,” Alex volunteered the information.

“Was she a guest in your hotel Mr. Lawton,” Bissell asked.

“She was here a few nights ago just visiting another guest, Ben Preston, who incidentally has gone missing.”

“Oh yes I’ve seen the file, he’s your husband Mrs. Preston?”

“Of course; do you think the incidents are connected Inspector?” she asked.

“It’s Chief Inspector actually; and it’s too early to say yet Mrs. Preston. Have you,” his words trailed off.

“There’s something in her hand Inspector,” one of the S.O.C.O team interrupted him.

“What is it?” he asked impatiently.

“It looks like a note.”
“Well what does it say man?”

“The price of beauty is high, but how many more must die?” he read the words aloud.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Alex asked.

“I don’t know, but I hope it’s not a bloody serial killer on the loose. They’re so unpredictable, and I’ve only got a couple of months before I retire.”

“I think we’ve finished here now, the Coroner can do his magic now,” a voice beside the bed announced. The body was covered and removed before the room was sealed off. Alex was questioned at length regarding his relationship with Emma and the omission of her name as a guest in the hotel register. Even stranger was the fact that no one had seen her enter the hotel, or the room in which where she was killed.

“I assume you’ve informed her husband?” C.I. Bissell asked Alex.

“There’s no reply at his home, and his mobile is switched off, but I’ll keep trying until I get through,” Alex replied.

“I noticed you don’t have a doorman at the front of the hotel,” his tone was one of condescension rather than observation.

“An unfortunate oversight on my part Chief Inspector,” he replied.

Alex intended to rectify the problem first thing in the morning. In fact, today had been rife with problems. In spite of a thorough search, no one had been able to locate Joseph. He should have been in the wine cellar unpacking a recently arrived order, but he had failed to turn up.

        The police eventually left the hotel after issuing instructions that the crime scene was not to be interfered with in any way. Alex assured them that the entire third floor would be sealed off and the guests re-located elsewhere. In the mean time, he allocated a ground floor room to Kate as far away from the body as possible.

“Keep everyone away from this floor Sean and close the lift down.”

“Right away Sir,” he hurried away, eager to please.  

“You look as if you need a drink,” Alex turned to Kate when they were alone.

She nodded and followed him to the Silver Bar.

“I can’t understand what’s happening. Ben is missing, a woman is dead and now Joseph has disappeared. You don’t think he’s dead too, do you?” she asked searching his face for a hint of what he was thinking.

“No I just think he’s avoiding me, but it’s out of character he’s generally very reliable,” Alex’s brow wrinkled. Joseph’s betrayal had angered him; he had always been a trustworthy and respectful member of his staff.  Still deep in thought he poured two large glasses of red wine and passed one to Kate.

“It just goes to show you can never trust anyone completely in business. You have to be ruthless, fair but ruthless,” he picked up his glass and downed half the contents.

“That’s a bit harsh Alex; there are a lot of good people in the world.”

“Maybe, but they don’t seem to be working in this hotel,” he drained his glass, poured another and topped Kate’s up. She took a small sip and turned to face him.

“Do you think Ben is still alive?” she looked deep into his eyes with a sorrowful expression on her face.

“Of course I do,” he replied over-enthusiastically.

“How can you be sure?” she persisted.

“Why would anyone want to kill him Kate, it doesn’t make sense?”

“Shall we have another drink?” he asked.

“Not for me thanks, I think I’ll go up to my room,” she had tears in her eyes as she stood up.

“I miss him so much,” she choked back the tears. Alex knew how she felt. His own long term relationship with his partner of ten years had ended acrimoniously just a few weeks previously. It had been a silly argument; sheer jealousy on Alex’s part and now his stupid pride was depriving him of the company of the man he loved. All he had to do was pick up the phone; and he had tried to do so on several occasions, but he couldn’t take the last step towards re-kindling his relationship. Living in the hope that Simon would and phone him, two weeks had passed by, and now he was beginning to think that he had lost him forever.

CHAPTER 10.

MONDAY EVENING

In the darkness, Ben tried desperately to loosen the tightly bound ropes from his limbs. Anxious to escape and distance himself from his unbalanced and extremely dangerous wife, he struggled frantically. He had no doubts that this woman was capable of murder, and the thought spurred him on. After half an hour of squeezing and twisting his fingers, he detected a slight movement in the ropes and pulled his left hand, then his right hand free. His hands shook as he fumbled with the freshly tied knots around his ankles, but within minutes he managed to struggle free and leapt from the chair. Dark curtains hung from the windows and he peered through them for any landmarks that might identify his location; but all he could see were a row of trees and a few cars parked in a side street. The light was fading quickly and visibility was minimal, but he spotted car headlights shining on the dimly lit road outside as a car came to a halt, and then footsteps approaching the door. Instantly, he turned and leapt back into the chair with his hands clasped behind his back as the door opened.

“I’ve bought you some food so eat it; you’ll get nothing more until tomorrow.”

Placing the food on the table, she turned her back and on him. Taking advantage of the situation, he sprang to his feet and launched himself at the unsuspecting woman. The impact sent her sprawling to the floor as her head struck the corner of the stone fireplace, and a trickle of blood flowed instantly from a wound. She was motionless, and Ben stared down at her momentarily not knowing if she was dead or alive, not daring to feel for a pulse. He wanted her dead, but not like this.

        Bending down, he groped around in the semi-lit room and detected a weak pulse in her neck. What should he do now?  Phone for an ambulance, he had no idea where he was. Finding the key to the room in Anne’s coat pocket, he unlocked the door and looked up and down the street. There was no one in sight as he stepped cautiously into the dark street. Within minutes, he spotted a young couple walking hand in hand heading directly towards him.

“Excuse me, what’s the name of the street?” he called out to them.

“St. Margaret’s Court,” the girl replied.

“Where?” he asked next.

“Where what?” she called back.

“What’s the name of this place?”
”Are you mad, you must know where you are mate,” her boyfriend smirked.

“Just tell me where I am will you,” Ben was becoming impatient and anxious, half expecting Anne to emerge from the basement waving a meat cleaver.

“Ashburton about twenty miles from Exeter.”

“Thank you.”

Ben ran back quickly to the house, pushed open the door and stared down at the floor in disbelief. Anne was not there. Dashing quickly back outside he realised her car was gone too. Fearing she may still be in the vicinity, he began to walk quickly breaking into a run as he moved swiftly along the tree lined street, not knowing or caring where he was going.

        As he wandered aimlessly around the unknown town, Patrick Hinds drew deeply on a cigarette and drank endless cups of black coffee as he typed slowly but methodically on his lap-top. It had been three full hours since he had thought about having a drink, and he pushed the image of a double scotch from his mind. He had managed to down load the details of the Parish girl’s deaths, which had been classed as accidental and case closed. Now it was time to contact Danny, and he keyed in the number on his mobile.

“Hi Danny, it’s Pat. I could do with some information on Ben Preston, and Gerry Parish. Is there anyone who could find out about them? I need to know about their pasts.”

“Sure thing I’ll get onto Shirley in the records department, she owes me a favour.”

“Great, I’ve got a call waiting; I’ll get back to you later Dan.”

“Hello Pat Hinds speaking.”
“Mr Hinds, I thought you’d be interested in knowing that a young woman has been found murdered in the Lotus hotel and she’s the wife of a friend of the hotel owner,” a man’s voice informed him.

“My god, are you serious?”

“No I’m making it up. Of course I’m bloody serious man.”

“Who are you?” Pat asked.

“It doesn’t matter who I am.”

“I’ll be right over; and thanks.”

When Pat arrived at the hotel, he discovered Alex Lawton engrossed in a telephone conversation.

Eventually, the conversation came to an end, and Alex turned to Pat.

“I’m sorry about that, Mr. Hinds isn’t it?”

Pat nodded, “I’ve just received an anonymous call about a possible murder in your hotel,” he enquired guardedly.

“It’s definitely a murder; a young woman. That was her husband on the phone; he’s on his way down here now. He’s devastated.”

“So she was staying here on her own?” Pat attempted to prise information from him.

“I can’t really say,” Alex replied shrewdly.

“So, how was she killed?”

“Strangled,” he replied bluntly.

“Crime of passion,” Pat began to scribble notes.

“Where was the body found?” he continued to fire questions at Alex.

“You ask more questions than the police. She was found in one of the rooms, but you can’t go up there.”

“I know, but can you give me some names and details about the victim?” he pressed relentlessly.

“Look Mr. Hinds, this might well be a big story for you but this hotel is my business. We’ve only been open for a couple of months and this could ruin me. Would you stay in a hotel where someone was murdered if there was another close by?”

“Are you asking me as a guest or a reporter?”

“A guest, oh forget it. I was just trying to point out the possible harm you could do.”
”I won’t say anything about the hotel then, or maybe I could just say business is proceeding as usual,” Pat suggested.

“It’ll be difficult not to say anything about the hotel Mr. Hinds.”
“Call me Pat.”

Alex relayed all the details of Emma Lewis’s tragic death to Pat and when he was satisfied, he closed his notebook and thanked him for his time.

“Please be careful what you write Mr. Hinds, Pat,” Alex warned him again.

“Don’t worry, I’ll run it by you first,” he called over his shoulder as he disappeared through the front entrance.

“A reporter with a conscience, I don’t think so,” Alex muttered to himself.

As Pat Hinds drove away from the hotel, a highly conspicuous black Mercedes pulled up outside the building. The driver locked the car and walked towards the entrance. To onlookers he appeared anxious and preoccupied, although his attention to his attire was perfect. Still an attractive man at fifty eight years old, his charcoal grey suit and pure silk tie encapsulated his extreme wealth. His greying hair added an air of distinction to his overall demeanour. But for all his wealth, it was a very unhappy man who walked through the doors of the prestigious hotel.

“Charles I’m so sorry we had to meet again under such tragic circumstances,” Alex greeted his friend and offered his hand in a gesture of sympathy.

“Why didn’t you phone me on Wednesday when Emma didn’t return?” he added.

“Because she’s done this before, and I don’t like to keep checking up on her. I assumed she’d be back tonight,” Charles explained.

“I feel responsible with her being found in my hotel.”

“Are you sure it’s Emma, you couldn’t have made a mistake could you?” he asked sorrowfully.

“No I’m sorry it was definitely her, but the police will want a positive identity. Have you told her mother yet?”

“Yes, she’s taken it very badly of course. It can’t be easy for her to lose her husband and then her only child. I don’t know how she’ll cope.”

“It’s early days yet, and she has you to help. Have you eaten?” Alex asked, always the perfect host.

“No, I really aren’t hungry, but I could do with a scotch.”

”Yes so could I, it’s been a dreadful day,” Alex agreed.

The two friends sat at the bar with a bottle of scotch between them and talked about Emma and their golfing days.

“I think I should let the police know you’re arrived. You don’t want to go to the police station tonight do you?” he asked.

“I have to know Alex I can’t go to bed not knowing the truth.”

“I’ll tell them to send a car round then.”

Half an hour later, a police car arrived and Alex escorted his friend to the mortuary. He knew there was little doubt of her identity, but Charles clung to the belief that Alex may have been mistaken.

“Why didn’t you tell me about her face?”

“I couldn’t it was bad enough that she’d been murdered.”

“Why would anyone do that to her, it’s obscene,” he wiped away a tear.

I don’t know Charles, but it could be connected to your business.”

“That’s ridiculous Alex, and you know it,” he leapt from his seat.

“No it isn’t. You sell cosmetics; it’s more than a co-incidence. You haven’t upset any one lately have you?”

“Upset any one?” he shook his head. “I’m in business just like you I’m not a counsellor, I have to be ruthless yes, but it’s a very competitive market, and I’m up against cheap Chinese imports flooding the market. I sell quality cosmetics to high class customers. Why would anyone want to kill Emma?” he choked back the tears.

“Don’t know Charles,” he replied quietly.

Charles turned away and began to pace around the room. After a few minutes silence, he spun round and face Alex.

“I want to ask you something, and I need a truthful answer.” 

“Alright, I’ll do my best,” Alex replied knowing what was coming next.

“Emma was found in this hotel wasn’t she?”

“Yes in one of the rooms, but you already know that,” he stated the obvious.
”Why was she here? When she didn’t return home I phoned Magda, the girl she was supposed to be with, and she informed me she hadn’t seen Emma for six weeks. She was here in this hotel, wasn’t she”?

“I didn’t see her, but a member of my staff did. She was having a drink with one of the guests, that’s all.” he made light of the event.

“Can I speak to this person?” he asked.

“If I knew where he was; he’s gone missing.”

“Missing; what do you mean?”

“It’s a long story Charles,” he sighed.

“Look Alex,” he butted in.

“I know she was having an affair. I found some messages on her mobile phone. It’s not important now, but I need to know that this person she was involved with isn’t responsible for her death.”

“I can assure you he isn’t; he went missing on Wednesday morning.”

“So whoever’s responsible must be staying in this hotel?”

“We don’t know that yet Charles,” Alex replied.

“What are the police doing; why aren’t they here?” he raised his voice.

“Calm down Charles; they’re doing all they can,” Alex attempted to pacify him.

“I know you’re upset, and you’ve got every right to be, but try and stay calm, please.”

It was at this point that Kate put in an appearance.

Alex stood up to introduce her.

“I’d like you to meet a friend of mine, Kate. This is Charles Lewis, Emma’s husband.”

“I’m so sorry about your wife, you must be really upset,” she replied feeling intensely uncomfortable, as she shook his outstretched hand.

Kate was shocked at the age difference between Charles and Emma, and as if he read her thoughts, Charles commented.

“I can see you expected Emma to be married to a younger more handsome man, but she did love me, and I her. Some say she only married me for my money, but I know differently, although it’s irrelevant now, isn’t it?”

Kate didn’t answer the question, it had answered itself. Emma was dead; it was of no importance what other people thought; least of all her.

The next sentence Kate spoke was to make matters far worse, and the atmosphere intensely volatile.

“I know your wife was having an affair with my husband,” she announced.

Charles turned towards her.

“Your husband and my wife?” the words stabbed at his heart.

“Let me pour you another drink Charles; would you like one Kate?” Alex asked sensing the imminent tension.

“Just a tonic water for me please,” she replied quietly.

Charles stared at her with hatred burning in his eyes; but events were to become far more unpleasant as Ben Preston walked into the hotel reception.

“Can I help you?” Mrs. Gilroy asked.

“I need to speak to Alex Lawton.” Ben’s tone was one of desperation.

“Is he expecting you?” she asked trying to disguise her disgust at his dishevelled appearance.

“Just tell him Ben Preston is here,” he informed her brusquely.

Mrs. Gilroy scurried away in search of her employer. She found him in the bar and waved her hand to attract his attention. Sensing her pensive expression, he excused himself and headed towards her. After a brief conversation Mrs. Gilroy turned and left. Alex expressed no emotion as he approached Kate and as discretely as possible, delivered the news.