A Well Kept Secret (7 page)

“That is correct, and as far as I know, they were not particularly close. I only recall seeing him once, and that was when I was a child so my memory of him as a person is vague in the extreme.”

“Yes, I can see that it must be a bit puzzling,” the solicitor admitted. “I only wish I could enlighten you as to what was in his mind.”

“Perhaps I am being unusual in endeavouring to understand why he did it,” Martin mused. “After all, I imagine that most people receiving an unexpected legacy are just happy that they have received it, and never bother as to why. I’m afraid I have that sort of mind that always likes to find reasons for things.”

“Then I am genuinely sorry that I am not in a position to resolve the matter for you.”

“Well, it isn’t that important; maybe I will meet some of his friends and acquaintances whilst I’m here, and they may be able to tell me something that will answer the question for me?”

“Yes, I suppose that is possible,” Mr Dobson agreed, but his tone implied that he thought it rather unlikely. “I understand that you are in business?”

“Yes; engineering as it happens.”

“I see; so I may assume you will not be taking up permanent residence in these parts?”

“At the moment I have no plans to move house, if that is what you are asking?”

“You must forgive my natural curiosity; almost every person who knew the late Dr Marston is concerned about what will happen to his home now that he has departed this earth. I imagine it is too early to ask if you have made any plans for Springwater House?”

“That is why I am here in Wellworthy; I thought I would spend a few days getting the feel of the place before I make any firm decision with regard to its future.”

“A wise move, if I may be permitted to say.”

At that point Miss Grayson tapped on the door and brought in a tray spread with cups and saucers, a small teapot under a hand knitted cosy, along with milk and sugar, and a small plate of biscuits. She poured out two cups of tea after first enquiring if Martin took sugar and milk. When her task was completed she quietly exited the office, closing the door behind her.

“This question as to why my uncle wished me to inherit his estate has been on my mind since I first learned of his death,” Martin said as the door closed behind the receptionist. “As I have mentioned, there has been no correspondence between him and my late mother that I am aware of, and certainly not with me subsequent to her death. The truth of the matter is that until I was advised of the will I had forgotten his very existence. I hope you will agree this makes the bequest somewhat extraordinary. If you have known him for so many years, even without having definite information, I wondered if you had any suspicions of anything, well, unusual that may assist towards helping me to understand the reason for his action?”

Mr Dobson shrugged eloquently. “As I said; he never gave me any reason,” he repeated. “Nor do I entertain any ‘suspicions’ pertaining to the matter. The will, which superseded one made some twenty five-odd years ago, was made shortly after the death of your aunt, replacing the earlier one in which you were not mentioned. I’m afraid that following the death of his wife he became rather withdrawn, and when he decided to completely redraft his will, he made no reference as to why he made the decision.”

“Hm, presumably the original one left everything to his wife, and she will have made out a reciprocal one I've no doubt?”

Mr Dobson looked uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, that is a matter I am unable to comment on.”

Martin was mildly surprised at his stuffy attitude but allowed it to pass without comment.

“He must have been pretty lonely,” he remarked, changing the subject slightly, “living in that great mausoleum of house on his own?”

“If he was, he never admitted to the fact,” Dobson responded, his expression appearing to indicate that he felt on safer ground now. “I did suggest to him on one occasion that living in such a big place all alone was perhaps not the best thing for him in his declining years, and that he should consider moving to a smaller one. He refused to consider the matter, telling me that it was his intention to die in the house where he had lived for most of his professional life.”

“I suppose it was only natural that he felt rather attached to it. After all, it was where he must have spent all of his married life.”

“Possibly; although as far as I am aware no one ever heard of him speaking of the place in glowing terms, certainly not in the latter years. On the other hand, it has to be admitted that he never left it for any length of time. He never went away on business, never even went away for a holiday. I sometimes felt that he regarded the house as more of a prison than a home.”

“How extraordinary,” Martin commented, then added; “Do you think that the loss of his wife is what caused him to alter his will?”

“I would think there is possibly some connection; the new will was drafted only the matter of a few weeks after her funeral,” he admitted. “Whether this was just a passing whim, or if the matter had been on his mind for some time I couldn’t say.”

“And there is nothing at all you can think of that would enable me to resolve this interesting conundrum?” he pressed.

Mr Dobson looked at him, and Martin formed the opinion that the solicitor did know something, yet for whatever reason was not prepared to divulge it.

“If it is of any assistance,” he said, “and speaking quite unofficially and in confidence you understand, I can tell you in respect of your earlier question that your late aunt’s will left everything to her husband. I am under an injunction not to discuss your late uncle’s earlier will.”

“I see, well I thank you for taking me that far into your confidence,” Martin responded quietly, covertly watching the solicitor as he spoke.
 
“Naturally I would not seek to pressure you into breaking professional confidences, although you must admit that the situation is unusual. Not that I have anything like your experience of such matters, yet I do not recall ever hearing of anyone being unable to discuss a revoked will. I find that most curious, yes, most curious. Indeed, I suspect that there is something about this whole business that is not quite as it seems. No doubt I shall find out what it is in time, and it will turn out to be something terribly mundane and not worth the effort.”

“You may be right,” Mr Dobson agreed politely, but again his expression seemed to indicate that he felt Martin was probing into something he really didn’t want to talk about, “on the other hand, as far as I know, you are the only surviving member of the family on either side. Personally, I would assume that he made a straight choice between family and perhaps a charity.”

Martin finished his tea and refused the offer of a biscuit.

“I know that you must be very busy,” he said, realising that there was little more to be gained by prolonging the meeting. The solicitor either couldn’t or wouldn’t talk about possible motivation for the will, and insisting wouldn’t get him anywhere. Perhaps Charles might get something out of the man? “Therefore I must not take up too much of your time.” He glanced at his watch as he spoke, and then added; “I think that perhaps you have at least helped me to understand the sort of man my late uncle was. It was good of you to see me without an appointment.”

“I’m sorry I could not tell you more. I’m so pleased you called in; you may rest assured that anything I can do to assist with regard to the estate, I shall naturally be happy to oblige.”

“That is very good of you.” He paused as a thought crossed his mind. “As it happens, there are a couple of small matters which you may be able to resolve for me. Firstly, I have failed to discover any personal documents in the house; am I correct in assuming that you have removed these for safekeeping?”

“Yes indeed; I can arrange for my clerk to place these in your car for you as you leave if you wish?”

“That will be most kind.”

“And the other matter?”

“I am a little curious about the terms of the tenancy of the flat above the garage.”

If Mr Dobson was surprised by the question, he did not betray the fact. “Ah, yes, I thought you would be; quite an unusual situation in my experience.
 
Dr Marston wanted a special lease drawn up guaranteeing Mrs Brent’s security of tenure of the flat with full rights of access until such times as she chose to leave.”

“Isn’t that more than just ‘unusual’? If I should decide to sell the house, I can foresee all sorts of complications arising.”

“I quite agree; I advised Dr Marston at the time that such an arrangement might well produce problems in the future, but he was adamant that this was what he wanted.”

“How long did Mrs Brent work for my late uncle?”

“To the best of my recollection, about two years; she was employed by him about six months before the death of your aunt.”

“I see. Do you happen to know if she applied for the position as a result of an advertisement, or via an employment agency?”

“I really do not know; you will have to ask her direct.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

“Was there anything else?”

“I believe that she was the person who discovered the Doctor’s body?”

“So I understand.”

“If you could tell me the name of his physician, maybe I will have a word with him about what happened?”

The lawyer looked at him with an expressionless face for a few moments. “It was a perfectly natural death, Mr Isherwood,” he said at last, “I do hope you are not implying otherwise?”

“Not in the slightest; I’m just curious about what happened, that’s all.”

“I see, well, you will need to speak to Dr Rawlinson; he took over Dr Marston’s practice when he retired. You will find his surgery next to the chemists at the bottom of the High Street.”

“Thank you; there is one last matter that perhaps you will be so good as to attend to for me?”

“Certainly.”

“I have had a discussion with Mrs Brent this morning, and as a result of this she has agreed to temporarily resume the position of housekeeper at Springwater House under the same terms and conditions that applied during her time with my uncle, except in the matter of hours. She tells me that that her salary etc., was handled by yourself. If you would be so kind as to organise this for me, her engagement is with immediate effect until such times as I advise otherwise, at the same salary irrespective of hours. Naturally, if I decide to dispense with her services at a later date I will agree a satisfactory severance settlement. If you will draw up any papers that you need signing in this respect I will call again when they are ready. If you will forward your account for all expenses incurred to my own solicitor I will be much obliged.”

“I will put matters in hand at once Mr Isherwood. Whilst on the subject of staff, may I ask if you have come to any decision about Mr Dawkins?”

“Dawkins; who’s he?”

“Mr George Dawkins is the part-time gardener employed by Dr Marston. He has been paid a retainer up to the end of the month; do you wish to keep him on for the time being?”

“Yes, I think that will be a good idea; keep him on at the same rate as my uncle was paying until I have reached a decision about the property.”

“Leave it with me, I’ll make the arrangements. I expect you will see him if you go back to the house before this evening; I believe this is one of the afternoons that he works there.”

“I will keep my eye open for him. Well, I must not take up any more of your time. If your clerk will get those papers for me, I will be on my way. Thank you for your help.”

“Not at all, it has been a pleasure.”

The lawyer pressed a buzzer on his desk as he rose, and presently a younger man put his head round the door.

“Dr Marston’s personal papers, Perkins,” the lawyer said. “If you will be so kind as to take them to Mr Isherwood’s car; he will be leaving within a few moments.”