Deathly Christmas (17 page)

“It’s been completely different to what I expected too, but I couldn’t be happier.”

“Me neither.”

Everything will be fine I’m sure, thought Jane. How could somebody like James ever kill anyone? He’s not the sort. He’s a gentleman.

    
“Now for the next course,” James continued. “It’s rack of lamb.”

“Wonderful,” Jane said, the smells already wafting in from the kitchen.

James opened a bottle of Pinot Noir to go with the lamb, but Jane was drinking very slowly now. She was worried that she would get drunk. Jane didn’t drink a lot normally and didn’t want to lose control.

For desert, James presented a rich chocolate torte and they had small glasses of desert wine to go with it. Jane was feeling full and her head was spinning from all the alcohol. She realized she hadn’t been drinking slowly enough.

“Are you alright?” James asked.

“A little too much food and wine, I think.”

“Go and sit down on the sofa and I’ll tidy up.”

“Let me help you, James.”

“I won’t hear of it, Jane. Let the food settle and I’ll join you shortly.”

“You’re a marvelous host,” Jane said, kissing him on the cheek.

He grinned as he started to clear the table.

Half an hour later, James came and sat down on the sofa next to Jane. She was fast asleep and he kissed her lightly She woke up with a start.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I dropped off.”

“That’s alright, darling. I shouldn’t have woken you. You looked so beautiful and peaceful lying there.”

“Thank you. I actually feel wide awake now. That nap did me the world of good.”

“I’m glad,” he said, stroking her cheek. “My God, you are stunning, Jane. I’m a lucky man.”

He brought his lips to hers and Jane felt herself trembling with desire again. She didn’t want the moment to end, all her fears of him killing his aunt evaporating into the night. As their lips parted, she couldn’t hold back any longer.

“I love you, James. I know we only met a few days ago, but I feel as if I’ve known you forever. I know I can’t expect the same feelings from you.”

“Why not? From the moment we met, I knew you were special. I don’t give my heart away easily, Jane, but I will admit I am falling in love with you.”

“Oh James,” she said, throwing her arms around him. “This has been the perfect Christmas.”

“Yes it has, darling, yes it has.”

At about eleven the following morning, Eve and David returned home, having taken Alison and Robert to the airport to catch their flight back to England.

Eve collapsed on the sofa as soon as they got in.

“It’s been lovely having guests, but it is nice to have the place to ourselves again.”

“Yes it is, darling,” David replied, sitting down next to her.

He put his arm around Eve and then gently kissed her.

“It’s been a traumatic holiday season, hasn’t it?” he remarked, once their lips had parted.

“You could say that,” Eve sighed. “I know you’re talking about the murder, but I must admit that I’m quite looking forward to a rest after all this partying.”

“You, tired of partying? I don’t believe it!”

They both laughed, but suddenly Eve looked serious.

“What’s wrong, Eve?”

“I was thinking of Jennifer. Do you think the police are still doing anything to find her killer? She might not have been a nice woman, but she deserves justice.”

“I have no idea what’s happening, Eve. You’re not thinking of searching for the murderer again, are you?” he asked wearily.

David had naturally been concerned about this. He had wondered if once Alison and Robert had gone home, Eve might get bored and want to look for the killer again.

“No, of course not. I’d have absolutely no idea where to start anyway.”

“Good.”

“And of course I wouldn’t want you leaving me again.”

“I don’t think I could ever leave you, Eve. I was too worried about you when I was gone last time. But I will be really angry if you do start all that nonsense again.”

Eve sighed for a second time. She did love David, but why wasn’t he interested in getting involved in more exciting and adventurous things? Eve thoroughly enjoyed taking risks, thinking how much more exhilarating it made life.

“Right, I’m going upstairs to get on with my writing,” David stated. “My agent’s given me a deadline and I’ve not got a lot of time left. I hope you won’t be too bored without me.”

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry; I won’t do anything reckless. See you later.”

Eve lay back on the sofa, feeling a bit tired. Portia jumped up and put her head on her lap. Eve thought about the murder, not really coming up with any new ideas. She began dozing off, but then sat up with a start, remembering something Paul had said the night before. He had told them he was adopted.

What if Jennifer Anderson had been his real mother and he had killed her because she had abandoned him? He had a temper as she well knew. However, the murder had been planned and wasn’t committed in a fit of rage. Perhaps Paul had thought about killing her from the day he found out she was his birth mother. He could possibly have asked Jennifer to move to Crete so they could get to know each other and then pretended to get on with her. Then on Christmas Eve he had gone over to Jennifer’s house, taking the desert wine as a gift. Little did she know that it was laced with strychnine and was going to be the last thing she would ever drink.

Eve knew she couldn’t go to the police with this story. After all, she had only thought of it herself and it could easily be completely untrue. What was she to do? Perhaps she should go and talk to James. He might know if his aunt had had an illegitimate child that she’d given up for adoption.

Eve then wondered if she should go and tell David that she was popping out.

No, I’d better not. I don’t want to disturb him. Besides he doesn’t want me interfering in the murder; not that this is really interfering, but he would still be angry. Nothing will probably come of it, so David doesn’t need to know.

Eve went and put on her jacket. Portia looked up expectantly, but Eve decided to leave her dog at home, remembering when Phyllis almost killed her pet by giving her rat poison. She had decided never to take Portia with her whenever she did anything connected with the murder.

As Eve strolled through the village, she nearly turned round and went back home. This was probably a waste of time. Paul probably wasn’t Jennifer’s son, and even if he was, why would she tell James. After all, they didn’t get on.

Eve was disappointed in herself. She’d had much better ideas during the summer murders. What had happened to her brilliant mind?  However, in the end, she decided to keep walking. What else was she going to do today anyway?

Arriving at her destination, Eve saw that James had parked his car outside his house and right next to it was Paul’s. Her heart started beating faster. Perhaps her theory was right after all.

However, Eve’s first inclination was to run away.

What is wrong with me? I didn’t used to be this timid. But it does seem strange that Paul is visiting James. Come on, I’ve got to pull myself together and find out what’s going on.

Eve rang the doorbell, but there was no reply. She rang again, but still nobody came to the door. She knew James was at home, so why wasn’t he answering?

Something fishy is going on and I’m not leaving.

Eve started banging at the door and finally James appeared.

“What on earth is going on?” he asked, looking flustered and quite angry.

Eve realized she hadn’t planned what to say.

“Err, I was looking for Paul and saw his car outside,” she said loudly, in case he was close by and could hear her.

“He’s not here.”

“Well, that’s strange. Why would he park outside your house then? It seems very odd.”

“I have no idea, Eve.” James replied, sounding annoyed.

He wanted her to go, but she was rooted to the spot.

“How was your dinner with Jane last night?”

“Lovely. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Suddenly there was a bang from the sitting room.

Both of them looked towards the room.

“What was that?” Eve asked.

“I have no idea. I’m sure it’s nothing important,” James replied, sweat starting to run down his forehead.

Another small bang followed and Eve leapt towards the sitting room door before James could stop her. When she opened it, she gasped. Both Jane and Paul were sitting on the sofa, hands and feet tied up and their mouths covered with tape. A couple of ornaments were on the floor, obviously knocked down by Paul from the table next to him.

Suddenly Eve felt an arm around her neck and a gun in her back.

“You should have just left when you had the chance, Eve,” James hissed. ‘Now you’ll have to join your friends on the settee.”

Eve felt sick. Why hadn’t she listened to David? He always knew best, yet she continually went off and did her own thing. He would be mad with her this time, that is, if she came out alive.

* * * *

 Jane had woken up late that same morning and was surprised to see it was well after ten thirty. She felt in the bed for James, but he wasn’t there. She knew he had work to do, so she had expected him to get up early. He had told her to have a lie-in the previous night, so she was sure he wouldn’t mind her being in bed so late.

Jane got up and went to have a bath and do her make up. As she came out of the bathroom, James came in with a breakfast tray. It was beautifully set out with flowers, fresh juice, cereal, boiled eggs, toast, croissants and marmalade.

“Oh James, you shouldn’t have,” she said, delighted nevertheless.

James put the tray down, then took her in his arms and kissed her passionately, holding her close.

“Yes, I should have,” he said moments later. “You deserve it. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I can’t join you as I have a few phone calls to the U.K. to make, so enjoy this and I’ll see you a bit later.

“Okay, darling.”

Jane sat down to indulge in her special breakfast. James was completely spoiling her and she didn’t mind one bit. Could life get any better than this?

* * * *

About forty minutes later Jane was full up, having thoroughly enjoyed her wonderful breakfast, and wondered if it would be alright to go downstairs. She didn’t know why she was nervous. She had spent a night of passion with James, so she shouldn’t be uneasy with him, but she was on edge, not wanting to disturb him if he was still working.

I’m being silly. Why aren’t I completely relaxed with the man I’ve fallen in love with?

Finally, Jane got up the courage to go downstairs. She went and put the tray in the kitchen and then went towards the sitting room. She was about to open the door when she heard voices. One was James, but she couldn’t quite make out who the other person was.

“I shall be contesting the Will,” James said abruptly.

“It won’t do you much good.”

“You’re Jennifer’s illegitimate child. She gave birth to you, but she didn’t want you. She was totally ashamed of what she had done and that you were the result of it.”

Jane gasped. Jennifer had a son. Who was it? She still couldn’t tell who the other voice belonged to.

“She changed her mind about me. We were getting on well.”

“Well, you’re not having her money,” James stated.

“Why are you so concerned about her money, James? She didn’t have that much. You’re a rich man and her cash is a drop in the ocean to you.”

“I had to put up with her all my life. You didn’t deserve the money and I’m having it,” James remarked stubbornly.
   

“As I said, I don’t think you’ll win.”

Oh my goodness, Jane gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. That’s Paul. He’s Jennifer’s son. He must have killed her for the money.

“Well,” James said harshly. “There are other ways.”

What’s he going on about? Jane wondered.

“Now James, put that away,” she heard Paul say. “Look, we can discuss this man to man, there’s no need for violence.”

Jane stumbled against the door and wanted to run upstairs and hide, but she was frozen in fear.

“Jane, are you out there?” she heard James call. “If you are, come in here.”

Jane wasn’t able to do anything but obey him.

When she opened the door, she saw Paul standing completely still with James holding a gun at him. In that one moment all her hopes and dreams disappeared.

“I’m sorry, Jane,” James said coldly. “I wish you hadn’t come downstairs and seen this. Then everything could have remained as it was between us. Now I’m going to have to get rid of you as well I’m afraid.”

“I thought you loved me, James,” she asked, tears beginning to fall.

“I did, I do, but I’m not going to jail.” James replied. “Now, get over there.”

“But why, James, why did you kill her? I thought you had money?”

At that moment, the doorbell rang and James grabbed Jane and threw her on the settee.

“Don’t you dare make a sound,” he said harshly, as he first tied up Paul’s hands and legs and taped up his mouth, before doing the same to Jane.

Paul looked at her. She was weeping and all he wanted to do was put his arms around her, but he couldn’t. He had known all along that James was no good for her and now he had broken her heart. If they ever got out of this mess, he would try and mend that heart of hers if he could…. and if she would let him.

The person outside was now banging at the door very loudly.

Who is that at the door? Please don’t let them give up. Paul prayed.

* * * *

Eve was now tied up as well, but James had run out of tape.

“Now, keep your mouth shut, Eve,” he spoke severely. “I won’t hesitate to shoot you.”

Eve was certain he wouldn’t, but she wondered if he really would have the nerve to kill all three of them.

    “Before your untimely arrival, Eve, Jane asked why I killed my aunt if I had so much money. To tell the truth, I also have a lot of debts. I like to gamble; the big league of course. However, these debts have been mounting up, so I had to do something about it.

I lied to you all about my relationship with my aunt. Jennifer and I actually got on very well. It was my mother I didn’t get on with. Jennifer promised me that she was going to leave me everything in her Wills, both here and in England. I was her only relative…. or so I thought. I didn’t plan to kill her. I actually came here before Christmas to ask if I could borrow some money to help pay off the debts, but she didn’t have much to hand. She still had the house in England and had spent all her cash on the house here, but she said once she sold the house in the U.K., she would lend me some money. I couldn’t wait that long, so she had to go. What that bitch hadn’t told me was that her son...,” he paused, the anger rising again. “I can barely say that word…. her son had contacted her. That was the reason she moved here, to be near him,” James pointed at Paul, his finger shaking. “Paul had found out who she was and had gone to see her in England. They had got on well and she moved here to get to know him. Apparently you didn’t tell anyone that she was your mother, did you, Paul? Not even your brother or sister-in-law? And she didn’t bother to tell me she’d changed her Wills. If she had, she would be alive today. There would have been no point killing her. But I thought with you dead, Paul, I’d inherit everything after all.”