The Flower Girls (18 page)

“Jasmine always did her own thing. I’m not saying that’s wrong but there are degrees. She really didn’t care what people thought or did. She was just…” Poppy shrugged. “
Jasmine
. Different from me. I think sometimes I care too much what people think. It worried me that one day she’d get herself in a mess. I just never expected it would be so horrible for her. Whatever my sister did she didn’t deserve to die like that.”

“I’m just curious,” he said. “Having a very beautiful sister can be a burden.”

“Well I suppose it could be. But if you mean men-wise, well Jasmine and I were attracted to very different kinds of men.”

“And the men, were they not attracted to Jasmine when they saw her?”

“One or two.” She shrugged. “Usually the fickle type. We were never in competition that way, Inspector, even if you think that.”

“What about Seth Sanderson?”

She felt the heat as a blush stained her cheekbones.

“What about him?”

“His marriage was over, he said, and you lived there for a time.”

She shrugged. Not willing to tell him anything. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Am I a suspect or something?”

“Something. Someone phoned in anonymously and said they’d seen you with Jasmine.”

“When?” She sat up straight. “I haven’t seen Jasmine for eight years. That’s ridiculous. I flew here to see her and she wasn’t at Heaton Grange. I never saw her!”

Inspector Foreshaw gave her a long look. She held his gaze defiantly. Unwilling to tell him how stupid it was, he could check on her flight. The taxi she took from the station, her alibi was firm.

He sighed. “Time wasters, we get them all the time. I know you weren’t here when Jasmine left. Don’t think I haven’t checked.”

A sigh escaped; there was a faint throbbing behind her eyes. “Then why are you questioning me like this?”

“I just wanted to see how you would react. This case is shocking. I need to solve it. Anyway, we did get a useful call. A driver on the road where Colin Redway dropped your sister saw someone who was probably Jasmine later.

“He saw her get in a silver car. He wasn’t sure of the make; it was a big expensive car, any ideas?”

“It wasn’t Redway the footballer?”

“No, his car’s pillar box red. Likes everyone to know it’s him, even down to the personalized number plate.” He didn’t say it, but she almost heard him whisper
these people.

Her mind switched to Edward Donnington. He drove a sports car, small two-seater. Thank God none of the cars at Heaton Grange matched that description.

“The driver who saw her was a little curious. It had started to rain and here was this girl in a flimsy dress and high-heeled shoes in the middle of nowhere, no coat, just a handbag. He did say he would have asked if she wanted a lift but the silver car, coming the other way, stopped and the door to the passenger seat flew open. Jasmine, supposing it was her, ran to get in.”

“Why didn’t the driver who saw her come forward before?”

“He was away. He’s a ship’s officer, so many months away. He was on his way to join his crew. He just got back two days ago. He’s in the clear.”

“But you have a description of the car; that’s good isn’t it?”

“Well, the color’s pretty common these days. Our witness didn’t get the number of the car, more’s the pity, but I guess it’s something. I’m pretty sure it was Jasmine.”

“You think it was random then, she chose the wrong car to get in.”

“I’m not sure; it could be someone she called to pick her up. We know there was an hour between when Redway drove off and left her and when our driver saw her. One thing it does confirm is that Redway couldn’t have gone back for her. And why didn’t she just thumb a ride with someone? It’s not the busiest of roads but I can’t believe only two cars went by in that time.”

“Well, people can be afraid to pick up someone.”

“Yes there is that. But a pretty girl in a flimsy dress, it’s starting to rain, you had to be heartless to leave her there.”

“They could have feared it was a trap. People up to no good do that don’t they, use an innocent-looking person and then leap out…”

“You’ve watched too many t.v. detectives,” he said pleasantly.

“Have you told Seth?”

“Not yet. I’m on my way to see him when I leave here.”

“Does he know about any of this, I mean about Redway and the cocaine, does he know everything?”

“Yes he does. He was a bit surprised about her attitude to coke; it’s all around the circles she moved in, he said, so why was she so angry with him in particular?”

“Jasmine was really against drugs. I’ve said it before. If people were using in her company she would just leave. It wouldn’t matter what she wanted. I went to a dinner party with her once and coke was on offer; she dragged me out of there. There was a guy she was keen on but it didn’t matter. I know Seth doesn’t quite get how anti-drugs Jasmine was. I don’t suppose anyone he knows uses the stuff. He’s a pretty straight-up guy, you know.”

“Yes. I appreciate that. I like his books, you know.”

“Really? I typed one for him but I haven’t really read the others, not yet. I can’t face thrillers at the moment. All that blood and gore…” She shivered.

“Too close to home?”

“Yes.”

Ian Foreshaw started to move away. “If you think of anything you’ve my card?”

“Yes. It is looking positive isn’t it?”

“Sort of, I don’t want to encourage you to think we’re on a breakthrough, these things can take time, but I really want to catch this bastard.”

“Me too, I mean I want you to do it. Thank you.”

Back at the hotel it was time for her to slip into her uniform and go back on the desk. Time went by quickly and when the night porter arrived to take over she was surprised it was so late.

Once in her room she didn’t even shower. Stripped off her clothes and then clambered into bed. She lay some long while puzzling over what she’d learned. Who was the driver of a silver car? What was their connection…was it random, was it more sinister?

Had Jasmine the packet of drugs, was it someone who had wanted those back? Had the inspector thought of that? Of course he had. It was probably the first thing he thought about. Then there was the spiteful time waster saying they had seen her and Jasmine together. That was odd. Someone had it in for her, or were they just merely sick, sad people who had nothing better to do with their time? Closing her eyes, she drifted slowly into sleep.

Chapter 23

Back on duty, the monotony of the work routine was making her depressed. It was the same old day in and day out and living at the hotel made things even more unbearable. Still, she appreciated she was lucky to have a job and she didn’t need telling twice that she was lucky she was alive and not murdered and left in a deep ditch.

“Poppy.”

The voice—the explosion of joy ran from the tip of her toes to the top of her head, spreading to all parts in between. Looking up, she met those fascinating green eyes that haunted her dreams.

She knew her smile trembled. When she greeted him it came out like a deep, husky whisper, “Hello Seth,” making the prosaic words magical.

“How are you?” His voice was strong and clear. No trembling, no deep meaning.

“Okay.” She held his gaze in spite of the tumult inside her. “And you?”

“Same. Foreshaw told me he’d spoken to you.”

“Yes, the silver car’s something I suppose.”

“Of course, anything can help.”

“Did you want to see me?” She disliked the slight puppy dog pleasure of her tone.

“Well, of course to see you is always a pleasure, but specifically I’m here for a meeting.”

“Oh, of course. The Landowners Association. It’s in the blue room.”

“Yes, it usually is. Would you like to get a coffee later or are you busy?”

I’m busy.
She said the words to herself,
and I don’t need patronizing.
You’re not here to see me, you said as much
. But she said, “I’m off duty at two; we could go over to the pub if you like.”

“The meeting’s over after lunch; it would be about two-thirty before I can get away; shall I meet you there?”

“Great.”

“See you then.”

She would have time to shower, wash her hair, change into something fetching!

Are you mad? You walked out on the guy, now you want to look good for him? And don’t kid yourself that you want to look good for yourself, that’s a lie and you don’t lie, not even to yourself.

All these thoughts flashed in and out of her mind but at two o clock she was dashing up to her room, throwing off her uniform, showering, and washing her hair. She blow-dried it and left it loose. It had grown longer, she hadn’t bothered getting it cut and it curled around her shoulders. Determined not to let him think she’d done herself up for him, she wore only a little make-up and slipped into jeans and a crisp white shirt blouse. Satisfied she didn’t look like she’d made too much effort, she sped from the room and practically ran down the back stairs. Once outside she crossed to the pub. It was just turned two-thirty when she burst through the doors but Seth was already there, standing at the bar. Hearing the door whoosh open, he turned and saw her and smiled. It turned on lights inside her, banishing the previous gray mood.

“Black coffee?” he enquired. She nodded, her eyes taking in the room. She saw a table by the far wall, and she crossed the bar and slid into the settle. Seth came, followed by the barmaid who had a tray with a carafe of coffee and cups and saucers.

“This all right for you, Seth?” she asked perkily.

“Fine, thank you, Jeannie.”

So, he was known here. She’d never been here with him so she hadn’t known that. The barmaid cast her eye over Poppy, who realized she’d been on duty when she’d met Foreshaw here. By the look Jeannie gave to her, Poppy surmised she thought her a player!

Some chance,
Poppy thought.
I’m the kind of girl who runs away from what she wants.

They sat in silence for several long moments; it was not one of those pleasant silences, but filled with tension. When they decided to break the silence they both spoke at the same time.

She said, “How have you been?”

“I needed to see you for two reasons.”

She gulped. “What?”

“I’m fine but I’ve been miserable without you,” he said in answer to
her
initial question.

Deciding to be honest, she said, “I’ve been pretty miserable too. I don’t know why I feel I have to do this—stay away from you—but I think it has all to do with Jasmine’s unsolved murder. I can’t think of any other reason. I suppose I feel guilty, as if I’ve stolen the happiness she could have had.”

“She didn’t want to have the kind of happiness you had. I feel guilty too, guilty for getting involved with Jasmine. It wasn’t fair, she might have thought I was what she wanted but really I was the last person she should have been involved with because I’m not a party animal. Jasmine was made for busy places, lots of fun; I never wanted that. Nightclubs, dancing the night away in Ibiza—it just isn’t my thing. I should have realized and not been led by lust. Sorry, is that too frank for you?”

“No. It’s honest. Jasmine saw you as a ticket to all those things she wanted. You both were wrong but, you tried to do the right things. I know that. Jasmine said some horrid things about you but I can see they just weren’t true.”

He went very pale, staring at her. “She did like what?”

“It doesn’t matter now.”

“It does to me.”

Poppy sighed, regretting her words. He was the one person in the whole world she didn’t wish to hurt.

“That you were cruel to her. You wouldn’t let her go anywhere; you were suspicious, moody and withdrawn. You held onto the purse strings, just so much rubbish.”

He took up his coffee and took a long sip, obviously mulling over what she said.

“It’s not entirely wrong. I tried to rein her in. I did from time to time cut off her credit to bring her back. I never knew where she was but I needed to have her at home to try and talk some sense into her. I wanted a divorce but she didn’t want to leave permanently. I admit to being moody—I was sick of her—I’m sorry, but that’s the truth. You can have no idea what it was like.”

“I think I can. I know how willful Jasmine could be and how she could behave if she didn’t get her own way. I loved her because she was my sister but that doesn’t mean that I never despaired of her.”

“Well then, she didn’t lie entirely. If you look at it from her point of view I was all those things she said, only it wasn’t quite without reason. However, I was never cruel to her in any way, just exasperated and sick to the back teeth.”

“There’s nothing worse than being involved in a relationship that’s so rotten.”

“Or in one that is perfect but impossible,” he said. He spoke from the heart and she melted, realizing he meant
their
relationship. If only she could make the leap—but she knew it would be difficult until this horrid situation was done with.

“Well…let’s see what happens. You did say there were two reasons.”

“Yes. The Donningtons are selling up. They’ve gone to live down south to be close to Edward and Susanna. However, Robert has come back to see to the selling. They decided to put the house up to auction. It should fetch a good price and might be quicker than being on the open market. He still wants to talk with you. I said I would mention it.”

“I wonder why he has this obsession to talk with me,” she said, and realized her voice was cold; she practically shivered with the idea.

“I don’t know. Maybe he too feels guilty, who knows? Actually, I feel sorry for him in a way.”

“That’s generous of you, Seth. I’d want to punch out his lights.”

He grunted softly. “If he latched onto you that
would
be my reaction. I can’t pretend that I like what he did, but Jasmine…” he sighed, “well, she had her ways.”

“And men just went weak at the knees.” She tried not to sound bitter but it came out that way. It was that taste of bitterness on her tongue that made her acquiesce. She didn’t want to be bitter and she didn’t like the way Robert Donnington kept going to Seth. It had to be painful for him and it seemed as if Donnington would never give up.