The Body of a Woman (25 page)

Authors: Clare Curzon

BOOK: The Body of a Woman

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âAttempted? I don't understand.'

âConcerning the hit-and-run. We believe now that Chloe was the intended victim but she was nippy enough to get clear. Nearly pulled Hetty free too, brave lass.'

Hadfield looked appalled, then disappointed. âThat's splendid, but I was hoping you'd got someone for killing Leila.'

âBetween ourselves, Mr Hadfield, we're hoping to press more serious charges when material evidence is substantiated. Rest assured; it's all in hand. How is ChloÃ« now?'

âI'm all right,' said a cool voice from the doorway. âI've had another session over the phone with the Gregorys' mother in Montreux and that's helped a lot. She's a shrink, you see.' She pulled a childish face. âMust've cost the earth but I don't care any more about running up huge phone bills.'

âA sense of proportion,' Yeadings agreed, beaming. âThat's what a quiet life's really about. I was hoping to have a word with you if you felt up to it. There are one or two missing patches in your story that I might be able to fill in now.'

âI'd like that. The blanks have been bugging me. Once it's all properly come back I want to forget it entirely this time.'

âDid you ever meet Neil Waites before that night? He said he'd seen you first in the public library.'

She shook her head. âHe used to leave messages there later. That's when I felt I was being stalked.'

âIt won't happen again. He's going voluntarily into a nursing home for treatment, though it's doubtful he'll ever completely recover. The drugs have damaged his brain irreversibly

âIf he comes out, and if you wish it,' Yeadings suggested,

âhe can be charged with abducting and holding you without your consent, and sexual assault. That would mean your having to give evidence in court and live through it again.'

ChloÃ« shuddered. âNo. I want it to be over. It's enough
living with what happened to Leila. I'll never get over the awful gap she's left. She was my real mother, you know; no matter who birthed me.'

Janey stayed with the girl while Hadfield saw him out. âD'you remember,âthe older man said on the doorstep, âonce calling Janey Mrs Hadfield? I've decided it's time I put that right. It'll make a better case for claiming the children. Actually ChloÃ«'s the only one underage, and it's unthinkable leaving her with her father. Then when Eddie comes back from America he'll want to share a home with his sister.

âKnightley's had a sort of breakdown; confessed to me this Beryl girl was blackmailing him to marry her. Claimed she was pregnant, but he had his doubts. He had to buy her off, on top of gambling debts. It leaves him short of cash, so I've offered to buy the house. Leila liked it and that's good enough for me. Can't go uprooting the child any more, eh?'

Yeadings grasped the man's hand. âI wish you all the best.'

He found Beaumont and Zyczynski had taken over his office and presumed to get the coffeemaker going. âWe saw your car drive in,' Z said in excuse.

They were both grinning like monkeys. There was nothing like success to give the team an infusion of goodfellowship. Jeffrey Piggott had just been charged with illegal slaughter of a deer.

âIs Walter Pimm talking yet?'

âSilent as the grave,' Beaumont assured him. âBut we've got him on the lot: dealing; attempted murder of Chloe; strangulation of her stepmother; and attempting to pervert the course of justice.'

Yeadings sighed. â“That man's silence is wonderful to listen to,” ' he quoted.

He saw Z grasped the quotation but couldn't place it.

âUnder the Greenwood Tree,' he supplied. âHardy'

Beaumont looked more wooden. âThat'd be a Laurel then?'

Good, Yeadings thought, watching Z wince, then smile: Beaumont's in punny form again. Team harmony's restored.

But heaven help us when Mott pulls out. That's when the sparks will really start to fly.

THE BODY OF A WOMAN. Copyright Â© 2002 by Clare Curzon. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS.

An imprint of St. Martin's Press.

www.minotaurbooks.com

First published in Great Britain by Allison & Busby Limited

eISBN 9781466823440

First eBook Edition : June 2012

First St. Martin's Minotaur Edition: May 2003