Murder in Time (13 page)

Mikey was still not talking. Also understandable, if irritating. It was difficult to know what to say to him. Ellie tried to put herself into his shoes and found her head going round. Dizzy.

Thomas met Ellie's eyes and shook his head. He didn't know, either. If
Thomas
didn't know how to deal with Mikey, then how could Ellie manage it? Yet she must try, for Vera was building up a head of steam. She wasn't the sort to give up and start weeping and wailing. She was more like a volcano getting ready to erupt.

Perhaps it would be best to attack the problem head on, rather than leave it to fester?

Ellie put the last dirty plate in the dishwasher. ‘There now. Council of war, everybody?'

‘I'll make some coffee,' said Thomas, ducking responsibility.

Mikey lowered his eyes to the cat Midge, who was sitting beside him.

Ellie said, ‘No coffee for me. Vera, whatever you and Mikey decide to do about Abdi, you should do so without pressure.'

Vera said, ‘I am
not
going to the police. I couldn't bear it.'

Ellie sighed. ‘I realize that. It would be a desperately hard thing to do, especially now, when you and Mikey are so settled here. But we've got to work out how to deal with Abdi, who says he has a witness to you killing the doctor—'

‘What nonsense!' Vera flushed.

‘Agreed, but to stop his nonsense, we have to get the people who were in the garden that night to help us. Do you remember Jack the Lad? He confirms what you've told us, but doesn't want to get involved with the police. However, he did give away some names—'

‘Abdi was one,' said Vera. ‘I guessed another, but I had no proof.'

Thomas said, ‘How did you know who it might have been, if you were unconscious?'

‘There was someone who might have brought drugs to the party. I didn't know. I wasn't sure. I tried a name on Abdi. He laughed, but I thought I was right. I went to see the man concerned at his home. I don't know if Abdi had warned him or not, but he threw me out, saying I was trying to blackmail him, that he'd never taken part in such a disgraceful act, and that if I repeated the slander, he'd have me arrested.'

‘Was that Dick Prentice?'

Vera winced. ‘How did you know?' Then, she nodded. ‘Yes, it was.'

‘Jack gave me his name. He also mentioned a friend of Dan's called Raff.'

An indrawn breath. Shock. ‘Raff was one of them? Oh! That's awful! He was a close friend of Dan's.' She tried to absorb the news. ‘I heard he died. Afghanistan, wasn't it? Got a medal for bravery.'

Ellie said, ‘Dick Prentice. Abdi. Raff. Do you have a fourth name?'

Vera had her head in her hands. ‘No. I don't know … What makes you think there were four?'

‘Because Jack says one of them has too much to lose for him to name him. He said the man is standing for some kind of office. Who do you know in that position?'

Vera shook her head. ‘I can't cope with this.'

‘All right,' said Ellie. ‘Let's try something else. Let's see if we can find out who really killed the doctor.'

V
era lifted her hands in a helpless gesture. ‘They said he was murdered by someone after drugs.'

Ellie nodded. ‘The police hauled in the gatecrashers and cleared them. In the end, they ran out of ideas and shelved the case. At least,' she said, trying to be truthful, ‘I haven't checked with them yet, but that's what I've been told.'

Mikey gave her a dark look, and she sighed. ‘Yes, Mikey. You are quite right. I've heard several people's versions of that night's events and haven't checked any of them. For instance, when I spoke to Dan—'

‘You did
what
?' Vera pushed back her chair. ‘I can't believe you'd—'

The doorbell rang. Everyone froze.

‘Speak of the devil,' said Rose, inching herself to her feet. ‘I'll get it, shall I?'

‘I'm nearer,' said Ellie. ‘It can't be him. I mean, no! Really!'

It was Dan, all right.

He'd changed into a grey and blue designer shirt over dark-grey jeans. He'd probably shaved again. He'd certainly brushed his hair. He was not nervous … or was he? He was, perhaps, amused at himself for taking so much trouble with his appearance. Ellie wondered if he'd had the contents of his wardrobe out and tried on several outfits before deciding on this one.

‘Mrs Quicke. I hope you don't mind my dropping in. Fortunately, you are in the phone book.' A deprecating smile.

‘We're in the kitchen, having a council of war.' She led the way, and he followed. She made the introductions. ‘My husband, Thomas. Our housekeeper, Rose. Vera, you know. And her son, Mikey.' She swept her hand around. ‘Everyone, this is an old friend of Vera's, Dan McKenzie.'

‘Coffee?' Thomas held up the cafetière. ‘I've just made some.'

‘Thank you, but no.' Dan's eyes went past Rose to Vera, who was on her feet on the other side of the table.

Well, well! If I stood between them, would I get an electric shock? So this is what it's all about? A simple case of physical attraction between two people from different parts of town?

Dan broke the spell first. Perhaps he'd come prepared with what to say? ‘Nice to see you again, Vera.' He was very much in command of the situation.

This was rotten for Vera, who'd come straight from college, whose hair was tied back at the nape of her neck, and who was wearing a creased, long-sleeved white T-shirt and black jeans. No make-up. She looked all right, but not as fantastic as she could appear when she was dolled up.

She let herself back down on to her chair. ‘Dan. Long time no see. Ellie, you forgot to introduce the family's cat. Dan, our cat is called Midge, and he's sitting next to Mikey. Take care, he bites.' And from that you couldn't tell whether it was the boy or the cat who might take a bite out of the newcomer.

‘Cats usually take to me,' said Dan, holding out his hand to Midge who, to everyone's amazement and, perhaps, annoyance, lifted his head to let his jaw be scratched. Dan's gaze passed on to Mikey. ‘And you are the boy genius?'

Mikey narrowed his eyes. ‘And you are the man who ought to have been my father?'

That got through to Dan, all right. Various expressions passed over his face. Shock first. Horror? Was he going to reject Mikey's suggestion outright? Was that amusement? Was he going to laugh at the boy, or with him? ‘Yes, Mikey. That's right. Your mother and I were once very good friends, but something happened and I was told she didn't want to see me any more. Only, today I heard something which made me wonder if I'd been misinformed. I've come to find out if what I'd been told was right and to say sorry if I got it wrong.'

‘Too late,' said Vera's voice. Her eyes said something different. Her eyes said she was hungry for him.

‘Try me.'

A shrug. ‘After … what happened, I was ashamed. I couldn't bring myself to ring at first. When I did ring, I spoke to your mother and left a message for you. She said you wanted nothing more to do with me.'

‘I rang your father. He said much the same thing.'

Rose settled herself into her big chair. ‘I remember, I had this boyfriend once. My father hated him, and there were words said. He was turned away from our door when he called, and I didn't find out for ages. By which time he was seeing someone else. Ah well. If we could only have our time back again.'

Vera lifted her chin. ‘I wouldn't wish anything different. I have Mikey and good friends. I have a lovely flat and the offer of a good job when I finish at college.'

‘While I,' said Dan, ‘lead the usual aimless life of the middle-classes. I have a job which I enjoy but brings in no great kudos. I distract myself from the pointlessness of my life by competition cycling. I've bought an old house which needs underpinning and am living in characterless rented accommodation. Oh, and I'm divorced.'

Ellie's eyes switched from Dan to Vera and back again. As did Thomas's. As in a tennis match.

‘I haven't been with a man,' said Vera. ‘Since.'

Dan corrected her. ‘Yet you are “Mrs Pryce”, according to the newspapers.'

Vera flushed. ‘He was a good man. He needed me. He was dying. He couldn't manage to … But I would have, if he'd been able to.'

‘He left you with good connections.'

‘Thankfully. And how did Daphne leave you?' A silky tone of voice.

‘You've kept tally?' Amused.

A shrug. ‘It was in the papers. Your mother won, after all. She always wanted you to marry Daphne.'

‘It didn't last. Your father won, too. He didn't want
you
to marry
me
.'

‘He's dead, and so is my mother. But your mother is still alive and living in luxury.'

Narrowed eyes. ‘Now I don't think you got that information from the papers.'

Vera lifted her chin. ‘One of my friends worked as a cleaner for your mother. She used to keep me up to date.' And that was rubbing his nose in the fact that cleaning had been Vera's job, too, wasn't it?

‘I thought you were no longer working as a cleaner. You're at college now? And with a good job in view?'

Vera turned to Ellie. ‘I was going to tell you, when all this blew up. On my way home yesterday I met the manager of the new hotel and she said their reception staff were dire, giving them lots of grief. She asked if I'd consider going in part-time as soon as I could, and if it worked out, I could take over the desk as soon as I got my degree. I said I'd be delighted.'

‘Ah, that's the new Pryce Hotel, named after your husband? The one that's been in the papers so much recently? The papers had a picture of you and Mikey cutting the ribbon at the opening. Do you have shares in the family business?'

Vera set her teeth. ‘Certainly not. I'm going to get the job on my merits and not on patronage.'

‘As did I,' said Dan.

Vera relaxed her shoulders. With her eyes still on Dan, she said, ‘Mikey, homework!'

Mikey wriggled. He pulled his schoolbag towards him but didn't take anything out.

Thomas pulled out a chair for Dan. ‘Join us, do. We were discussing how to find your father's murderer before you arrived.'

Dan might not have heard. His eyes never left Vera. ‘Mrs Quicke said Abdi wants something from you.'

‘My son. He can't sire any more children, so he wants Mikey.'

Incredulous. ‘Mrs Quicke said he threatened to get you arrested for murder if he doesn't get the boy?'

‘Correct. On evidence offered by a private investigator whom he's paid to dig up dirt.'

With his eyes still on Vera, Dan said, ‘And what's your reaction to that, Mikey?'

Mikey stilled. Mute.

Thomas intervened. ‘Mikey will make up his own mind in due course. It's a wise child knows his own father.'

Which you could take several ways.

Ellie thought it time to start a new thread in the conversation. ‘Can we clear up a small point? Was it Dick Prentice who took the rape drug to the party?'

Vera pulled a face. ‘I suppose it might have been. He was desperate to get a girl, but none of us would look at him.'

Dan said, ‘Slightly dodgy exam results for everything except maths. Did he cheat? Possibly. Risqué jokes. Plenty of pocket money.'

‘I know he tried cannabis. He once offered me some in exchange for a kiss.' She shuddered, remembering perhaps that Dick had taken by force what she'd refused to give.

Dan looked self-conscious. ‘I know I said our lot didn't use drugs, but we had all heard we could get them at the school gates. I didn't fancy playing Russian Roulette with drugs though. My father had told me enough stories about their effects …' His voice trailed away. ‘I suppose it must have been Dick.'

Vera nodded. ‘He was after Gail that last term. Probably bought it specially for the party.'

‘Gail? She despised him.'

‘Perhaps that was why. I know you thought he was harmless, and that I was overreacting when I said he gave me the creeps, but …' Vera swept her hair loose and retied it. ‘Thinking about it afterwards – and I had plenty of time to think about it afterwards – my guess is that he put it in the bottle of Diet Coke and gave it to Gail after we took refuge in the hut in the garden. She passed the bottle on to me. I was thirsty and upset. I drank and passed out.'

He frowned. ‘You think Gail passed you the drink, knowing what it contained? Or innocently?'

‘There wasn't much that was innocent about Gail, even then. I think Spotty Dick gave her the drink, she suspected something wasn't quite right about and passed it on, not caring whether it was spiked or not. She didn't like me. Had her eye on you—'

‘Did she?' Yet there was knowledge in his eyes.

Vera threw back her head. ‘Don't tell me she's got you at the end of a piece of string nowadays?'

‘I do see her every now and then, yes. She's moved back into town, working in a local GPs' partnership.' This line of questioning was making him uncomfortable. He'd told Ellie he was seeing someone suitable. Was it Gail?

Vera shrugged. She got to her feet. ‘Mikey, homework.'

Mikey delved into his school bag. Slowly.

Vera said, ‘I'll just get a loaf out of the freezer for breakfast. We're running low on cereal, as well. Remind me to put it on the next order for Tesco's.'

‘Let me help you,' said Dan, on her heels as she made for the larder.

Vera said, over her shoulder, ‘I can manage perfectly well by myself.'

‘I know that.' She went to pull the larder door open. He put his hand up and leaned on it, keeping it shut.

Heads swivelled to watch.

Vera and Dan froze in time and space … eye searching for eye.