Found Guilty at Five (19 page)

T
HIRTY-
N
INE

“W
HO ON EARTH WAS THAT?” SAID
A
KIKO, WATCHING AS
Lois chased across the grass in pursuit of the ex-gamekeeper. The three of them had reached the shop on their way to the spinney, and Lois had said she would just nip in for a word with Mrs. Norrington.

“One of Mum’s lost causes, I suppose. It wasn’t Parsons, anyway. I’d know him again anywhere,” said Jamie. “Presumably Mum knows who it is. She must have a good reason to be on his tail so enthusiastically.”

Lois came back to join them, puffing a little, and furious that he had got away.

“And what were you going to do with him, if you’d caught him, Mother? Who was he, anyway, and why the chase?”

“It was that nasty character who was briefly a gamekeeper here. Given the push twice by Mr. Norrington. He was coming out of the shop, and I’ll bet you five pounds to a penny the till is empty.”

“Where’s Mrs. Norrington, then?”

“Just coming,” said Lois. “We’ll give her the bad news.”

“Don’t tell me,” Melanie said, as she approached. “He’s taken the cash.”

“Ah, so you’ve worked that out already,” said Lois. “Did you see who it was?”

Melanie shook her head. “Not close enough, but a cast-iron guess would be Foster, our ex-gamekeeper. I hope he didn’t hurt you, Mrs. Meade? I never trusted him and wouldn’t put it past him to be violent. Geoff says I’m imagining things, but he looked a bit mad sometimes. D’you know what I mean?”

*   *   *

“S
O
I
WASN’T EXACTLY HEROINE OF THE HOUR.”
L
OIS LOOKED
across the lunch table at Gran. “If Jamie hadn’t called out to stop me running after him, I might have caught him. But he was right. What would I have done with the rotten sod, if I’d got him? At least it might be useful to know he’s still around, and almost certainly up to no good.”

Gran had been biding her time, and now she said sternly, “It is just as well your husband isn’t here, Lois Meade. He would be so angry with you, you silly woman, he’d never let you stir from this house again! It’s no use telling you to behave like a normal person. You’ll just have to go your own way, but don’t blame me if one day you end up in big trouble.”

A small silence followed this heartfelt attack, and even Lois was for a moment without a sharp reply. Then she sighed, and said that she was sure her mother was right. She would do everything she could to mend her ways and be like a normal person.

Then she turned to Jamie and Akiko and said, “Mrs. T-J rang, Mum says, and invited us all to go to her house for the meeting. You will be pleased to hear your gran accepted politely for us, just like a normal person.”

“Well done, Gran,” said Jamie, frowning at his mother. “So, two o’clock at Stone House?” He looked at the kitchen clock. “Nearly time to go. Shall we all go together?”

“So am I included in this planning meeting?” Gran said.

“Of course not, Mother,” said Lois impatiently. “You know perfectly well this whole business is best left to as few people as possible.”

“But thanks for offering,” said Jamie placatingly. “We need you to stay and take any messages that come through for us. Particularly any that claim to be for Akiko Nakamasa.”

*   *   *

M
RS.
T-J
WAS WAITING AT THE DOOR FOR THEM, AND USHERED
them into her drawing room. She had set out small tables, with notepads and pens, and Lois was touched by her efforts to seem businesslike.

“It is very kind of you to have the meeting here,” she said. “Shall I begin? I’ve made some notes which might be useful for a start.”

*   *   *

“B
LIMEY!
T
HIS WHOLE PLACE STINKS OF PIG SHIT,”
E
ZEKIEL SAID
under his breath. He was sitting next to Foster in the big dining room at Last Resort House, and Foster had to agree that the entire estate was bathed in the odour of pig.

“A good breeze will blow it away,” Foster said, and Solomon Grundy frowned. Not for the first time, he wished he could think of a way of getting rid of the pair of them. But he had used both in the past, returning faked musical instruments to the unsuspecting owners of the originals and collecting dues. The cello they had successfully lifted from Meade House was now somewhere in Europe with a rich collector, and his skilled resident was taking time off from Noah’s Arks to put the final convincing touches to the replacement.

No, Parsons and Foster knew too much. It was stalemate, he reflected sadly. He knew too much about them, and they about him. Parsons was in trouble, he knew that. The police had already been round, and he had lied convincingly, as usual. He would make no effort to conceal him, nor would he shop him to the fuzz.

“But hey, Ez, listen to this,” said Foster. “I was innocently spying out the lie of the land around Farnden Hall this morning. In your interests, of course. There was a small altercation in the chapel gift shop there, when some cheeky bloke had helped himself to the cash. Three people appeared inconveniently. The first was Mrs. Lois Meade, of Meade House, known to us to be an interfering busybody; the second, a young man who is obviously her son; and third—wait for it—a very attractive girl who was without doubt Japanese! How’s that for a good morning’s work?”

“I thought as much,” Parsons muttered. He was aware that Grundy was still staring at them, and half-whispered, “Keep it quiet. Himself is watching our every move. But thanks a lot. Ready for stage two?”

Foster shook his head. “Sorry, old lad. Think of some other plan. And if you’re on the run, as seems likely from your reluctance to do your own romancing, I’m out of it.
And
you owe me a fiver.”

*   *   *

T
HE MEETING AT
S
TONE
H
OUSE HAD NOT BEEN A SUCCESS.
F
OR A
start, Lois let it be known she had come to the conclusion that, in the inspector’s words, Jamie’s scheme was amateurish and dangerous. They would have to think again, she had said, and the response was chilly. Mrs. T-J tried hard to put things right by saying she was sure that with some extra safeguards put in place, it stood a good chance of success. What did they have to lose? But Lois had not agreed. She was sure that they had to wait for a sighting of Parsons, and then do what a normal person would do—call the police.

Jamie and Akiko had been suspiciously quiet. Lois had expected them to protest and accuse her of chickening out, but no, they maintained mutinous expressions and said nothing. This was worrying, Lois decided. Were they contemplating acting on their own?

Then, sensing defeat, Mrs. T-J had changed the subject to the arrival of Mr. Nakamasa. He was being brought to Farnden on the following day, and everything was ready. She had asked them if they would kindly go through her list with her, just to be absolutely sure.

Lois had excused herself, leaving Jamie and Akiko to do the checking, while she returned home to make her peace with Gran.

F
ORTY

L
OIS HAD MUCH TO THINK ABOUT, AND AFTER SHE HAD
returned home, she apologised to Gran, who wiped her eyes and said nobody knew how much she had to put up with.

Lois had told the others to start again from scratch, and now she intended to do just that herself. The new and possibly most important factor in the whole thing was the arrival of Nakamasa and the likelihood of being able to talk to him.

This would obviously not be possible the day he arrived at Stone House, but quite soon he might be pleased to meet Akiko’s friends. Or would he? Perhaps he had had no change of heart and still regarded the English collectively as undesirable. But in that case, why would he have agreed to Mrs. Tollervey-Jones’s offer of convalescence? Then again, English policemen had rescued him from not only a severe heart attack but disabling handcuffs as well. This might well have led him to reconsider.

Time to report to Hunter Cowgill. She dialled his direct number and he answered immediately. “Lois? Can I come and see you? I know it is Sunday, but I was just about to ring you.”

“Why? What has happened?”

“I’ll tell you when I see you. I shall be with you in about half an hour.”

“Yes, all right. I’ll be in my office, so you can go through the ordeal of Gran answering the door. Derek is going to be late home, but Jamie and Akiko should be back soon, if you want to speak to them.”

“Shouldn’t be necessary at the moment,” he said.

*   *   *

T
RUE TO HIS WORD, HALF AN HOUR LATER
I
NSPECTOR
C
OWGILL
lifted the heavy knocker on Meade House front door, and in seconds he heard Gran’s footsteps approaching. He squared his shoulders and fixed a stern, official look on his face.

“Ah, Inspector Cowgill,” said Gran. “How can I help you?”

“Your daughter is expecting me, Mrs. Weedon,” he said, and moved towards her. But Gran was too quick for him. She stood firm in the open doorway and asked was it about the awful thing that had happened to Akiko’s father? They were all very upset, she said, and if anything new had come up, they would
all
be very keen to hear what he had to say.

Lois finally took pity on him, and came out of her office. “Thanks, Mum. I’ll take the inspector into my office now. I’m sure he’d appreciate a cup of coffee?”

Cowgill nodded and followed Lois, breathing a sigh of relief. “Your mother is better than a guard dog,” he said, sitting down opposite her.

“Not really. But what with my new assistant ferreter and my strong-minded mother, I’m up to here with old ladies. So, you first?”

“Right. We have been pursuing what has emerged about the man who is the most likely suspect for abandoning Nakamasa to what could well have been his death. According to the team who found the old boy, he had not many hours to go. Now, Lois, this Parsons is dangerous. He is acting on his own, so far as we know. I must insist that if Jamie or Akiko spots him, they are on no account to approach him.”

“Right,” said Lois. “Then you will be relieved to know that I have cancelled Jamie’s scheme. He is not pleased, and he and Akiko have gone quiet. Nothing more I can do at the moment. That is, until Mr. Nakamasa arrives at Stone House tomorrow.”

“Then I hope you have more success with him than we had. Mind you, they wouldn’t allow us more than five minutes to question him. I am on my way to see Mrs. Tollervey-Jones to make sure she does not admit any strange men claiming to be Nakamasa’s friend. If anyone does turn up, I shall ask her to let me know at once.”

“I should think so!” said Lois. “He is a very old man, isn’t he? They wouldn’t even let Akiko see him at first.”

“It may prove to be a stroke of genius to get him brought to Long Farnden,” admitted Cowgill. “He’ll do much better with his daughter beside him.”

“Mrs. T-J’s idea,” Lois said. “My new assistant, groan, groan.”

“Oh, Lois, my Lois,” said Cowgill. “I am never quite sure whether you are friend or adversary!”

“I’d tell you, if I knew what that meant,” Lois said with a grin. “So, nothing more to be said or done at the moment. Except that I’m very sure Parsons will turn up in Farnden before very long. He’ll be keeping out of sight, but I reckon he’ll really need to know whether Nakamasa is alive or dead.”

“We’re watching out for him, my dear. I advise you all to do the same, but not to approach him. Get a message to me at once.”

F
ORTY-
O
NE

A
KIKO HAD SLIPPED OUT OF
M
EADE
H
OUSE, TAKING
J
EEMS
on her lead, hoping she had not been seen by anyone. She needed to think. Her father was due to arrive at Stone House around two o’clock this afternoon, and she knew he would be warmly welcomed. She had agreed to be down there to greet him, and now felt she needed fresh air before the big event.

Although Lois had backed out of Jamie’s scheme, she had said that Akiko must continue to be closely monitored. Cowgill had agreed with her on this. She should certainly not be out on her own, dog or no dog, and on no account must Parsons be approached.

There had been no shouts from Meade House as Akiko left, so she trusted that no one had seen her. Derek had gone to work earlier, Mrs. M was in her office, and Gran was forcing food into a reluctant Jamie in the kitchen. He had been in a very strange mood since his mother had turned against his plan, and the atmosphere generally in the house was claustrophic. She was pleased to be out and away from it all.

She met several cars on their way to visit the hall grounds, but she continued walking down the small lane until it wound around the edge of the estate and entered the spinney behind the house. She knew Mrs. M had permission to take Jeems walking in there, and she followed the narrow path leading to where the trees were young and well spaced out, and where a low level of thicket, brambles and ferns grew in profusion. An occasional shaft of sunlight picked out summer yellows and greens, and Akiko smiled with pleasure.

“Oh, poor Jeems!” she said, as the long lead became entangled in the underbrush. She made an effort to free the cord, but it was hopeless. In the end, she told Jeems to stand still while she untangled the lead, unhooking her for a moment. “Then you can find your way out, but must go again on the lead, as Mrs. M ordered,” she said.

Jeems obediently halted, but at that moment, only a few feet ahead of them, a rabbit started up from the thick tangle of ferns. This was too much for the feisty terrier, and she shot off after it, soon becoming lost from sight.

“Jeems! Jemima! Please come back!” shouted Akiko. The sky had darkened, and drops of rain fell heavily on the leaves. She felt a sudden quiver of fear. If she left the footpath in order to hunt for the little dog, and Ezekiel
was
around, as they had originally hoped, he might feel safe enough to do more than approach her. He could abduct her! He had done it twice and could do it again.

Akiko remembered suddenly that once, when Jeems had run off across the playing field, Jamie had told her not to worry. The dog would come back to them, he said. She was very clever, he had assured her, and had a good nose for picking up the scent of people and things. He had been right, of course. Although she had now disappeared, it was not long before she was back, wagging her tail.

Akiko continued along the footpath until she could see clear daylight ahead. She knew she would soon be out on an estate road where visitors would be strolling. She was thirsty and tired, and thought of the coffee machine inside the chapel shop. Melanie would be on duty, and with returning confidence she tied Jeems to a sapling growing outside and joined a small crowd looking at the souvenirs.

“Good morning, Akiko!” said Melanie. “A bit wet for walking? And how’s young Jamie? You must soon be returning to concerts and things in London?”

“Oh yes, I hope so,” Akiko replied. “But my father is coming to rest at Stone House for a while, and so I shall be staying on here. Oh, and I was wondering,” she added, “if you knew anyone who would lend me a cello for me to practise on? I would, of course, pay a fee. I have left my hired one in London, and should be keeping in practice every day.”

Melanie thought, but shook her head. “Can’t say I do,” she said, “unless you try the music shop in Tresham.”

But then a tall girl, about Akiko’s age, came forward and said that she was staying locally and might be able to help. “I am temporarily at Last Resort House, and there is a man there who is very clever with musical instruments,” she added. “I have seen him at work.”

Akiko beamed. “I wonder if he could at least point me in the right direction. Isn’t that what you say? My English is not good, I’m afraid. If you could ask him for me, that would be very kind,” she said. “I am staying at Meade House in the main street. You could ask anyone. They all seem to know where the Meades live! I would take great care of it. Where is Last Resort House exactly? I think I saw it from a distance once.”

“It is a big old farmhouse in Waltonby. I am there with a friend. It is a community, you see. I don’t really know much about it, and I don’t expect to be there long. But I could ask and let you know?”

Akiko nodded, remembering what Lois had told her. She thanked the girl again, and decided to go straight back to ask for advice. The thought of playing a cello again was overwhelmingly good news for Akiko.

*   *   *

“H
I,
D
IANA,”
S
OLOMON SAID, AS HE GREETED HER BACK FROM
her walk. He was quite attracted to this new visitor to their community. She was tall, blonde and slender, and had a warm smile. Arriving with Foster, she had been introduced by him as his sister’s friend. Solomon had taken that with a pinch of salt, and guessed that she had been cohabiting with Foster in the gamekeeper’s cottage until they were turned out.

He had not yet had time to discover all he needed to know about her. Foster had said that she was in shock after the death of her parents in a sailing accident, but Solomon had heard many variations of that over the years and reserved judgement. She was probably not full-time Resort material, though she had every appearance of being wealthy. Meanwhile, she was very fanciable and he liked having her around.

“Been for a walk?” he continued. No one had yet told her that solitary walking outside the bounds of the community was not allowed. For residents’ own protection, of course, he would stress.

“Yes, I thumbed a lift to Farnden to pay a visit to the hall. It is open to the public, and until it started to rain, it was a beautiful walk back. There is a gift shop there, with souvenirs. Look, I bought some postcards with views of the hall.”

“Very nice,” said Solomon. “Now, I think it is time for us to have a little talk about how we expect people to make the most of life in our community. Perhaps you would like to come to my office and have a coffee? Shouldn’t take long,” he added, with a beaming smile.

“Right, of course,” she said. But a small seed of suspicion took root, and she decided not to mention that she planned to go over to Farnden again this afternoon with advice for the Japanese girl. As for a cello, it did not seem an appropriate time to mention it. Everyone here had been very kind. But something about this smooth-talking man jarred, and he never looked her straight in the eye.

Never mind, she told herself, if I don’t like it here after all, I can always go back home. But where was home? Perhaps she should try a little harder to settle here, but she had no wish to be a prisoner, even for a while.