‘I’m not sure…what do you think Grandy would do?’ She answered herself instantly. ‘She’d talk to Henry first.’
‘That’s my feeling,’ Paula agreed, her hand resting on the telephone. She took a deep breath, preparing herself to make the call to Edwina at Clonloughlin. Picking up the receiver, she instantly put it back in the cradle, swung around. ‘Sally may be in touch any minute. You’ll have to talk to her, Emily, so let’s decide what you’ll say.’
The two young women stared at each other worriedly for the longest moment.
Finally Paula said, ‘It seems to me that the wisest thing would be to tell her that I have a problem, that I want to see her, talk to her, and will she please drive over immediately.’
‘She’ll want to know what’s wrong on the phone!’ Emily cried, her eyes flaring. ‘I know I said we should tell her face to face, but now I’m wondering what explanation to give.’
‘You’ll manage. Wriggle out of it, don’t say anything concrete. You’re very good at being evasive, Emily.’
‘I am?’ Emily gave Paula a doubtful stare. ‘If you say so.’ She shrugged, then ran over to the pram as Tessa began wailing.
Paula sprung up and followed her cousin. ‘They’re probably both damp and need changing. Let’s take them upstairs anyway, and maybe you could then start preparing their bottles.’
‘Nora would be off today, wouldn’t she?’ Emily moaned.
‘It’s always the way,’ Paula murmured, rocking her baby daughter in her arms, making soft hushing sounds.
‘Dower house, Clonloughlin,’ a quiet male voice announced when Paula got through to Ireland fifteen minutes later.
She gave her name, asked to speak to the earl, and a split second later Anthony was on the line.
‘Paula…hello. Thanks for everything, for taking charge the way you have. I’m very grateful. My mother was panicked earlier, quite at her wits’ end, and she fell apart when the police came back.’
‘I realize that, and it was nothing, really. I’m glad to help in any way I can. How are you feeling?’
‘Fine. Very fine,’ he asserted. ‘I’m holding up pretty well under the circumstances. This is extremely unpleasant, of course, but I know it’s going to be all right.’
‘Yes,’ Paula said, thinking he did not sound fine. Not in the least. His voice was weary, drained. Hoping she sounded more positive than she felt, she added, ‘Everything will be over and done with in the next twenty-four hours, you’ll see. Try not to worry in the meantime. I’d like to know what’s been happening, but first I must tell you that Emily spoke to Sally a few minutes ago. She’s coming over here. She thinks I have some sort of crisis. We thought it was wiser not to tell her about this on the telephone.’
‘I’m relieved to hear you’ve contacted her, Paula, I’ve been worried about Sally. I didn’t know where to reach her in the Lake District. When we spoke on Friday Sally said she’d call me on Monday or Tuesday. Perhaps you would ask her to ring me, once you’ve explained this dreadful situation.’
‘Of course. What are the latest developments? I know from my mother that the police have left…obviously they haven’t charged you –’
‘How could they!’ he interrupted heatedly. ‘I haven’t done anything wrong, Paula! I wasn’t involved in Min’s death –’ His voice cracked and there was a pause as he struggled for control. After a moment he spoke more steadily, apologized, ‘Sorry for breaking down. It’s been such a terrible shock. Min and I have been having bitter quarrels, and she was being impossible, but I didn’t wish anything like this to happen.’ He lapsed into silence.
Paula heard his harsh breathing as he tried to compose himself. She said gently, ‘You must be strong. We’ll get you through this safely, Anthony, I promise.’
Eventually he said, ‘You’ve been awfully good, Paula, awfully helpful. Well’ – he sighed, added wearily,’ – they’ve established the time of death. The local doctor did an examination. He thinks it was between ten-thirty and midnight.’
Paula’s mouth went dry. From what Edwina had said, Anthony had taken her back to the Dower House around nine forty-five, then returned home. To go to bed? If so it was most unlikely that he had an alibi for his whereabouts during those key hours. But she made no comment, not wanting to alarm him further. ‘Your mother said something about an autopsy.’
‘Oh yes. I hope that’ll be tomorrow. The inquest and Coroner’s Court will be on Wednesday or Thursday. Everything’s so tediously slow here.’ There was another heavy sigh, then dropping his voice, Anthony confided, ‘It’s that damnable land rover. I’m not certain the police believe me – about it breaking down in the afternoon.’
‘Yes,’ Paula acknowledged. ‘But are you sure no one saw the land rover out there in the late afternoon, when it really did break down? Perhaps one of the estate workers? That would prove to the police that you’re speaking the truth.’
‘No one has come forward, and it’s very deserted in that area of the estate – miles away from the house. I doubt anyone was around. However, there has been one positive development. A bit of news. The police have information that should exonerate me. They’ve been interviewing everyone here for the past few hours…the staff, the estate workers. Bridget – my housekeeper – told them that she saw me in the house between eleven and midnight.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me this before! Then you have an alibi!’ Paula was flooded with relief.
‘Yes, I do. I only hope the police believe her story.’
‘Why wouldn’t they?’ she demanded, tensing.
‘Don’t misunderstand me, Paula, I’ve no reason to think they don’t believe her, but Bridget has worked at Clonloughlin all of her life. Her mother was the housekeeper here before her, and she and I – well, we sort of grew up together. I’m praying the police don’t get the idea she’s lying to protect me. Mind you, she’s unshakable in her story.’
Puzzled, Paula asked nervously, ‘Why didn’t you mention this to the police before? If you were with her last night after your mother left, surely –’
‘I wasn’t with her,’ Anthony interjected. ‘Actually, I didn’t even see her. Bridget suffers from migraines, and apparently she had one all last evening. She was cleaning the kitchen after dinner when the migraine became unbearable. She passed the library on her way upstairs to her room. The light was on, the door was open, and she glanced in, saw me reading. However, she didn’t call out to me because of her blinding pain. She ran upstairs, found her pills, and returned to the kitchen. She made herself a pot of tea, rested in the chair for half an hour, finished her work, set the dining room table for breakfast, and just after midnight she went to bed. Again she glanced through the open library door. I was by then working on the estate books, doing the accounting, and not wishing to interrupt me, she simply went on up to bed without even saying goodnight. It was her day off today and she wasn’t here when the police first came.’
‘Oh Anthony, this is the best news I’ve heard today!’
‘I think it is. Still, she is the only person who saw me during those crucial hours. The two maids who work here had already gone home to the village – they come in daily. So…there’s no one to corroborate her story, and it’s well known around these parts that she’s devoted to me, and is extraordinarily loyal to our family. The police might – and remember I’m only saying might – doubt her word, think she and I concocted the alibi.’
Paula’s heart plummeted, her relief of a moment ago evaporating entirely. ‘Oh God, don’t say that.’
‘I have to look at the worst, view this situation objectively,’ Anthony said. ‘On the other hand, I don’t see how the police can dismiss her, say she’s lying without being absolutely certain that she is making it up, and I know she’ll stick to her guns.’
Pulling herself upright in the chair, Paula said slowly, ‘Yes, that’s true. However, when I talk to Henry Rossiter later, about getting legal advice, I’m also going to suggest we retain a criminal lawye
r.’
‘Hang on a minute!’ Anthony exclaimed. ‘That’s jumping the gun isn’t it!’ He sounded aghast at this idea. ‘I haven’t done anything wrong, I’ve told you that, Paula. A criminal lawyer. Christ, that’s going to make me look as guilty as hell.’
‘Of course it isn’t,’ Paula shot back sternly, determined to stand her ground. ‘And let’s wait to hear what Henry has to say. I trust his judgement, as Grandy has for many years. He won’t steer us in the wrong direction. Please, Anthony, don’t make swift decisions out of hand.’
‘Very well, get Henry’s opinion,’ he agreed, although somewhat grudgingly.
After they had concluded their conversation Paula sat at her desk in the conservatory. She ran a hand through her hair, rubbed her eyes, stretched. Then eyeing the pad in front of her on the desk she dragged her thoughts back to her list. Three people still had to be called…Jim, Winston, Henry Rossiter. Looking at her watch she saw that it was now seven-thirty. Henry would not be available for another hour at least, and obviously Emily had not had a chance to reach Jim or Winston in Canada, since she was preparing the babies’ bottles in the nursery. Paula went to join her there.
Once they were settled comfortably, each cradling a child, Paula recounted her conversation with Anthony.
Emily listened carefully as she adjusted the feeding bottle, glancing at Paula several times, nodding her understanding.
‘That’s the gist of it then…Bridget has given Anthony an alibi.’
A silence fell between them as they concentrated on the babies. Then very quietly, but in a voice of steel, Paula said, ‘No grandson of Emma Harte’s is going to be in the dock standing trial for murder. I promise you that.’
CHAPTER 24
‘I hope you really do understand why we had to lie to you, Sally,’ Paula said gently.
‘Yes. And it’s just as well that you did.’ Sally Harte swallowed and cleared her throat nervously. Her voice shook as she added, ‘I don’t think I could have driven over here without having an accident if Emily had told me the truth on the phone.’
Paula nodded, continued to survey her cousin intently, filled with anxiousness for her.
For the last fifteen minutes, all through Paula’s account of the events in Ireland, Sally had managed to cling to her self-control. Paula admired her for taking the terrible news without flinching. I ought to have known she would be brave, Paula thought. She always was stoical even as a child. The Harte backbone, her grandmother called it. Yet despite this extraordinary show of strength, Paula knew Sally was shattered. It showed in her cornflower eyes, now so devastated, and in her lovely face which was stark with shock.
Sally was holding herself so rigidly in the chair she looked as if she had been paralysed by Paula’s recital, and leaning forward Paula took hold of Sally’s hand. She was alarmed at its deathly coldness, said, ‘Sally, you’re frozen! Let me get you a brandy, or make you a cup of tea. You need something to warm you up.’
‘No, no, really. Thanks anyway.’ Sally attempted to bring a smile to her face without success, and as she continued to meet Paula’s worried gaze her eyes suddenly filled. ‘Anthony must be under the most dreadful strain,’ she began unsteadily and stopped. Now the tears came, spilling out of her wide blue eyes, rolling down her ashen cheeks. Still she did not stir, nor did she utter a sound.
Paula got up and went and knelt in front of Sally, encircling her cousin with her arms. ‘Oh darling, it’s going to be all right,’ Paula murmured with the utmost gentleness, full of compassion. ‘Don’t fight the tears. It’s much better to cry really, to get the pain out, and crying does help a bit. It’s a release.’
Sally clung to Paula, heaving with silent, racking sobs, and Paula stroked her black hair, gentled her, and eventually the awful quiet heaving lessened. Soon Sally straightened up, brushing her wet face with her strong painter’s hands.
‘I’m sorry,’ she gasped, her voice strangling in her throat. She strove hard to get a hold of herself, blinking the tears away. ‘I love him so much, Paula. I can hardly stand it, knowing what he’s going through…he’s so alone over there. I’m sure Aunt Edwina is no help at all. She’s probably blaming all this on me.’ She shook her head desperately. ‘Oh God!’ She pressed her hands to her contorted face which expressed her anguished thoughts. ‘He needs me…’
Paula, who had returned to her chair, stiffened at these words. She held her breath, willing herself to be silent. She knew what must be said, but she was also aware that it would be wiser and kinder to wait until Sally had calmed herself further.
Emily, hovering in the doorway of the drawing room, flashed Paula a warning look and began to move her head violently from side to side. Silently Emily mouthed, ‘Don’t let her go over there.’
Paula nodded, motioned for Emily to come into the room. This she did at once, seating herself in a nearby chair. In a half-whisper, Emily said to Paula, ‘No luck, I’m afraid. There’s no reply from Jim’s room or Winston’s either. I’ve left messages for them to call here the minute they get back to their hotels.’
Although Emily had spoken softly, Sally had heard her, and at the mention of her brother’s name her hands fell away from her face. She jerked her head, looked directly at Emily. ‘I wish Winston were here. I feel so…helpless…’
‘I wish he were here too,’ Emily replied and patted Sally’s arm in her motherly way. ‘But you’re not helpless, since you’ve got us. It’s going to be fine, honestly it is. Paula’s been super, and she’s in full control, on top of everything. Try not to worry.’
‘I’ll do my best.’ Sally’s eyes swivelled to Paula. ‘I haven’t thanked you – you’ve been wonderful. So have you, Emily, and I’m very grateful to you both.’
Discerning that Sally was a little more composed, Paula said, ‘There is one thing I must say to you – please don’t go to Ireland to be with Anthony. I know you’re sick at heart, dreadfully concerned about him, but you really mustn’t go over there. You can’t do anything constructive, and, very frankly, your presence would be highly inflammatory.’
Sally was startled. ‘I’ve no intention of going to Clonloughlin! I know there’s been a lot of nasty gossip, Anthony told me about that weeks ago – he tells me everything. Obviously I don’t want to add fuel to the fire. But Paula, I do think I ought to go to Ireland, either to Waterford or, better still, Dublin. I’ll go tomorrow. I can leave in the morning, from Manchester Airport, and be there in several hours. At least I’ll be closer to him than I am here in Yorkshire –’
‘No!’ Paula exclaimed with unusual sharpness. ‘You can’t go. You’re staying here – even if I have to put you under lock and key!’
Sally began, ‘But I –’
‘I’m not going to let you go to Ireland.’ Paula threw her cousin a stern look and her mouth settled into resolute lines.
Sally stared back at Paula defiantly, and her pellucid blue eyes filled with stubbornness. Asserting herself, she said with equal firmness, ‘I understand your reasoning. On the other hand, what harm is there in my being in Dublin?’ When Paula remained silent Sally went on, ‘It’s hundreds of miles away from Clonloughlin.’ She stopped again, frowned. ‘If I’m in Dublin, Anthony will at least know I’m within easy reach, and we can be together once the inquest is over,’ she finished shakily, sounding less sure of herself. The trembling started anew, and Sally clenched her hands together in her lap, striving to curb this, and then her eyes unexpectedly welled. ‘He needs me, Paula. Don’t you understand that? Understand that I have to be with him?’
Paula commanded: ‘Now listen to me, and listen very, very carefully. You cannot help Anthony in any way whatsoever in this trying situation. In fact, you could easily do him irrevocable damage by showing up in Ireland. If Anthony were suspected of murder, you could be his motive. In Grandy’s absence I am in charge in this family, and you’d better understand that I’m making all the rules. Therefore, Sally, I must insist that you stay here.’
Sally had
shrunk back in the chair, momentarily stunned by Paula’s vehemence. She had not realized how formidable her cousin could be.
Paula and Emily were watching Sally and now they exchanged knowing glances. It was Emily who broke the silence. She touched Sally’s arm, said, ‘Please take Paula’s advice, Sal.’
Emotionally, Sally had the desire to be with Anthony because she believed he needed her during this dreadful time; intellectually, she was beginning to accept that going to him would be the wrong move to make. Paula was right in everything she had been saying. Listen to your head, not your heart, she cautioned herself.
‘I’ll stay here,’ Sally whispered finally, leaning back in the chair, passing her hands over the aching muscles in her face.
Paula let out a sigh of relief. ‘Thank God for that. Are you feeling up to ringing Anthony now? He’s anxious to speak to you and you’ll set his mind at rest, once he knows how well you’re coping.’
Sally jumped up. ‘Yes, yes, I must talk to him at once.’
‘Why don’t you go to my bedroom where it’s quiet – private,’ Paula suggested kindly.
‘Thanks, I will.’ Sally paused at the door, swung her head. She stared at Paula. ‘You’re the most daunting person I know,’ she said and disappeared down the hall.
Paula gazed after her, then looked at Emily speechlessly.
Emily said, ‘I’d better get to the phone too – don’t you want to reach Henry Rossiter? It’s well past eight-thirty, you know.’
Together they sat on the terrace, enjoying the gentle stillness of the gardens, cloaked now by a dark-blue sky peppered with brightly twinkling stars. It was a clear night, cloudless, with a full moon, and its silvered rim was just visible above the tops of the distant trees swaying and rustling under the soft evening breeze.