Next Door to Murder (10 page)

‘Now, what were we saying? Ah yes, the flat.' Felicity passed her a cup of coffee and a plate of shortbread biscuits. ‘It hasn't a separate entrance – it didn't seem necessary with family – but the front door's always unlocked when someone's home. So when you're working here, don't bother to knock, just come straight in and take the lift. And I'll give you the code for the gate before you go.'

‘Thank you. You say Julian's grandparents lived here; has it always been the family home?'

‘Oh no; over the years, everyone had their own place, but by the time Julian was six or seven, old Albert was in his eighties and getting decidedly frail. He and his wife had a large house along Alban Road with a sizable garden, and it was obviously too much for them. So my parents-in-law offered to convert the top floor here, and they were glad to move in.' Felicity smiled. ‘It gave Albert a new lease of life – he lived to be ninety-six.'

‘But you and Julian took over the house when you married?'

‘Yes. He'd always loved it, and reading between the lines, I don't think my mother-in-law was too fond of it. She's Swedish, and a lady of definite opinions. As soon as we became engaged, she nudged Graham into handing it over to us and moving to a modern house in Woodbourne, more suited to her Scandinavian tastes!'

Rona sipped her coffee. ‘You mentioned your children; how old are they?'

‘Minty's nine – named, as you'll gather, after Araminta – and Robin's seven.' Felicity gave a little laugh. ‘I think Julian told you about the one son per generation? I've always been thankful we had a girl first, or he mightn't have risked a second baby, in case it was another boy!'

‘Surely he doesn't take it that seriously?'

‘Fortunately, it wasn't put to the test.'

The sound of the front door reached them, followed by Julian's voice calling, ‘Hello?'

‘We're in the conservatory,' Felicity called back, and he came striding through to join them, holding his hand out to Rona.

‘So sorry to keep you waiting. An unexpected emergency; there was a leak at the shop and no one could find where it was coming from.'

‘Did it do any damage?' Felicity asked anxiously.

‘No, fortunately, but we moved some of the stock just in case. We didn't want to close, obviously, so it was literally a question of all hands to the pump.'

‘And now it's fixed?'

‘Yes, and everything back in place.'

‘Would you like some coffee, darling? This will be cold, but I could make some fresh.'

‘No, thanks, I had some down there, to keep me going. Has Tara gone?'

‘Yes, she sent her love.'

‘Right. Well, if you're ready, Rona, I can show you around upstairs.'

As she followed him out to the hall, he said suddenly, ‘On second thoughts, you might like to see this first.'

He pushed open the door of the room across the hallway, revealing a handsome dining suite, whose sideboard was resplendent with crystal and silver. But it was not that he wished to show her. As she entered the room, he gestured to the wall behind the door, on which hung a large portrait in a gold frame. Rona didn't need to be told who the sitter was, but she was certainly a striking-looking young woman. Her rich auburn hair was caught up in the fashion of the time, but the tilt of her chin and a glint in her eye gave some indication that this was no meek beauty, content to sit back and allow others to dictate her life. She had, as Rona knew, defied her family and run away to marry a humble craftsman.

Julian was looking at her expectantly, and she said, ‘She's very beautiful, and brave, too, to do what she did for love.'

‘It wasn't exactly riches to rags, you know,' Julian said, with a touch of impatience. ‘Sebastian might not have been her social equal, but the business was already well-established and increasingly highly thought of.' He smiled ruefully. ‘People tend to confuse Sebastian with the romantic story of John the barrow-boy who started the firm, but that was nearly eighty years before. Anyway, I thought you'd like to see her.'

He led the way back into the hall and round a corner to where a small lift had been installed.

‘I usually make a point of walking up,' Julian said with a smile, ‘but my secretary uses this, and I suggest you do, too. It's more convenient, and takes you straight to the second floor.'

Thereby preserving the privacy of their family quarters on the first, Rona noted.

They emerged on to a small landing, which had two doors at the front of the building and two at the back. The front rooms, Julian explained, had been his grandparents' bedroom and sitting room, though no traces remained of that former usage. The first room they entered was equipped with two desks, a computer, scanner, fax machine and all other necessities of the modern office. Shelves crammed with books lined the walls – most of them, from Rona's quick glance, on furniture – and two small filing cabinets stood behind the door.

‘As I mentioned,' Julian continued, ‘I have a secretary who works freelance, and whom I call on as need dictates. She usually comes in when I'm away, to deal with emails, queries and so on, and any work I've left for her. She could probably answer any questions you have, but if you need to speak to Felicity or myself, one of these phones is an intercom.'

He returned to the landing and opened the second door. ‘And this is the archive room.'

Rona looked around in some awe. One wall was solid with filing cabinets, each drawer bearing a card meticulously listing its contents. Against the opposite wall were several glass display cabinets containing papers and various artefacts. There was also a comfortable-looking sofa and, under the window, an upright chair in front of a large table, where papers could be spread out.

‘I presume you have a laptop?' Julian enquired.

‘Yes.'

He nodded in satisfaction. ‘The rooms at the back are a bathroom and kitchenette respectively. They've been left more or less as they were, and obviously still come in useful. Beryl makes tea and coffee, and if she's here over lunch, warms up food in the microwave – our one innovation.'

‘It's all very compact,' Rona said admiringly. Remembering other family archives she'd studied, she added, ‘Are the records mostly to do with the business, or is there also personal history? I admit I'm more interested in the human element.'

Julian gave a short laugh. ‘Oh, we've had plenty of that! There are letters and photographs by the score. Make full use of them. All I would ask is that I have the chance to veto anything that's too sensitive.' He hesitated. ‘Would you like to make a start now, or have you another engagement?'

‘I'd like a preliminary look, if I may. Then I could make a proper start tomorrow.'

‘Fine; I'll leave you to it, then. Just let yourself out when you've finished. Oh, and I'd better give you the security code for the gate.'

Rona took it down.

‘We have a daily who's here nine till four every day, so the house should always be open. Good luck with your research! I'll be most interested to see what you produce.'

‘I have Lord Roxford's Private Secretary on the line,' Carla said expressionlessly, ‘enquiring if you'd be free to lunch with him tomorrow.'

‘Oh God!' Dominic flung himself back in his chair. ‘Dress code sackcloth and ashes, I presume?'

‘He suggests his club,' Carla continued, ‘and apologizes for the short notice, but the summer recess starts on Thursday.'

When he made no comment, she added, ‘You've not much choice, have you?'

He ran a hand through his hair. ‘This, I could do without. Why couldn't the silly girl do as I suggested, instead of running bleating to her father?'

‘Probably thought he had more clout.'

‘He's always seemed a laid-back sort of chap,' Dominic said reflectively, ‘but admittedly that was before I toyed with his ewe lamb. You're right, though, I'll have to go.' He straightened, his face brightening. ‘And when you've accepted with due thanks, see if you can get me a mid-morning appointment with Brocklehurst. No point in wasting a trip to London.'

The phone rang stridently, breaking Avril's concentration on the television programme she was watching. Pressing the mute button on the remote, she went to answer it.

‘Mrs Parish? Guy Lacey here. Sorry to trouble you, but Sarah's mobile's switched off.'

‘It would be,' Avril replied. ‘She's gone to the cinema.'

‘Then I wonder if you'd be kind enough to give her a message? She asked me to collect her music centre; she'll want it at home during the summer, and can't fit it into her car. I'd intended to come on Thursday, when she breaks up, but something's come up and I shan't be able to make it. So could you tell her I'll call round tomorrow instead, about seven thirty, if that's all right?'

‘I'll tell her, yes.'

‘And perhaps she could phone me, to confirm it's OK?'

‘I'll see she gets the message.'

‘Thanks very much.' A pause. ‘Did you enjoy your lunch at the Clarendon?'

‘I did, thank you. And you?'

‘It was a good send-off for my colleague, but I have to confess I don't care for all-male occasions. Too much booze consumed, for one thing, and I'm getting too old for that; I always pay for it later. Was yours a special occasion?'

‘My daughters' birthday.'

‘Both of them, of course. I must say they're very alike.'

‘On the surface, maybe.'

‘But it's only skin deep? Well, that's what makes life interesting, isn't it? Not that I'd know, having only one.'

‘Oh, life's been interesting, all right.'

He laughed. ‘Right. Well, see you tomorrow, perhaps? And thanks for taking the message.'

See you tomorrow, perhaps?
Avril repeated to herself as she restored sound to the television. Yes, she thought she could promise him that.

Six

R
ona was in the archive room the next morning when her mobile rang, and she answered it to hear her sister's agitated voice. Unusually, they'd not spoken for over a week, when Lindsey had been so unforthcoming about her French trip.

‘Can you meet me for lunch, Ro? I need to see you.'

Rona felt a wave of irritation. Another of Lindsey's crises, no doubt. ‘Actually, Linz, it's not very convenient. I'm working at last, and—'

‘You have to eat,' Lindsey said sharply.

Rona thought of the salad in the fridge across the landing. No doubt it would keep till tomorrow, and it wasn't as though she was paid on an hourly basis. In fact, the Willows weren't paying her at all, but she'd hoped for a clear day to start her research.

‘Well?' Lindsey said impatiently. ‘You're in Marsborough, aren't you?'

‘Yes, off Alban Road.'

‘For heaven's sake, that's just round the corner. The Bacchus at one?'

Rona sighed. Lindsey always wore her down. ‘I'll be there,' she said.

Lindsey was already seated at an alcove table.

‘Where's Gus?' she asked, as Rona joined her.

‘Spending the day with Max. I can't cope with him when I'm working.'

‘You fixed yourself up with the Willows, then?'

‘Yes; I'm based at their home in Oak Avenue. Down past the station,' she added, in response to her twin's enquiring eyebrow.

Lindsey picked up the wine bottle and filled Rona's glass. ‘It was arranged at the Kingstons' dinner party?'

Rona nodded. ‘This is my first full day.'

‘And I've scuppered it. Well, sorry and all that, but I wanted you to see this.'

She reached in her handbag, produced a page from a society magazine, and passed it across the table.

It was filled with photographs taken at some function, and Rona wondered what she was supposed to be looking at. Not recognizing anyone, she turned to the text for elucidation. And found it.

Under a shot of a smiling couple seated at a table ran the caption:
Lady Miranda Barrington-Selby and Mr Dominic Frayne.

Rona studied the faces with interest. So this was the famous Dominic. The picture was too small to distinguish features, but her eyes moved critically over the thick hair, the confident smile. And the girl with her hand possessively on his arm looked young enough to be his daughter.

Unwillingly, Rona looked up to meet her sister's eyes.

‘The magazine's dated the ninth of April,' Lindsey said unsteadily. ‘That's after we met.'

‘But you hadn't been out with him then,' Rona pointed out reasonably. ‘Perhaps he dumped her after meeting you. You didn't think he'd been living in a monastery, did you?'

‘Or perhaps he
hasn't
dumped her,' Lindsey said darkly, ‘and that's how he spends all those weeks when I don't hear from him.
Lady
Miranda, for God's sake! I can't compete with that! And just
look
at her, Ro! She looks about twelve! If I'd seen that photo without knowing either of them, I'd have taken him for a dirty old man!'

‘Oh, come on! He's not
that
old. Where did you find this?'

‘At the dentist's, where else? I had my six-monthly check this morning.'

‘Pity they don't update their magazines.'

‘That wouldn't have changed anything. And don't say “What the eye doesn't see”, because it won't wash.'

A waiter approached and they broke off to choose and order their meal.

‘So what do you expect me to do?' Rona asked, when he'd gone.

‘Advise me.'

‘On what? Linz, there's only one option; forget you ever saw it.'

Lindsey stared moodily at the photograph. Then, very deliberately, she tore the page in half, then into quarters, then into still smaller pieces, and stuffed them in the ashtray.