Deathly Christmas (7 page)

“Eve, James would like a quick word with you.”

She noticed David seemed even more annoyed, if not slightly angry, and wondered if he was jealous. There was no need for him to be this way, even though it was quite flattering. Eve didn’t want anyone but David, although she found James very handsome and a touch mysterious. There was no harm looking at other men, as long as that’s all you did. However, perhaps David was simply irritated because James had the audacity to turn up at this time of night.

“Good evening, Eve, I’m sorry to bother you at such a late hour, but I would like some help if possible,” James asked with that husky voice of his.

Definitely should have been an actor, thought Eve.

“From me?” she exclaimed. “I can’t imagine how I can help you, but of course if there is any way I can assist, I would be delighted.”

David cringed. Eve was fawning all over him. They would have to have this out after James left; and the sooner he went the better.

    The man is too young for her as well, thought David. What is he, mid-thirties? How can Eve do this, and right in front of me as well?  

“Well,” James spoke slowly and clearly. “I’m afraid I don’t have great faith in the police finding my aunt’s killer. You did so much better than they did in the summer and I was wondering if you would help this time.”

“I would love to,” Eve said quickly.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” David interjected. “Eve nearly lost her life a few months ago. It’s too dangerous.”

“Poppycock!” Eve exclaimed. “Take no notice of David. I’ll be fine. However, I did take a few too many risks in the summer; I will admit that. I will be more careful this time,” she said pointedly, looking at David.

“If you’re sure...”

David knew there was nothing he could do, except keep an eye on Eve. She had a mind of her own and would do whatever she wanted.

“Well,” Eve continued. “Have the police given you any idea of who they think might have killed your aunt?

“None whatsoever. I don’t think they have a clue. What about you?”

“There seem to be very few suspects at the moment,” Eve said, shaking her head regrettably. “But it’s early days yet. Tomorrow night we’re all off to the posh Italian restaurant in Chania, so I shall be talking to people again. Hopefully I’ll be able to gather some more information. Are you coming, James?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Betty asked me, but I don’t think so. It feels like I’ll be celebrating the Christmas season a little too much after my aunt’s death.”

“I think it could be advantageous, James. Kevin, Lucy and Paul Fowler will all be there, so we can get their reactions to you. They weren’t at Betty’s party, so this will be the first time you’ll all meet.”

“Very well, I’ll come,” James replied.” Would it be alright if I get a ride there with you? Betty offered me a lift if I went, but I’m finding her too overbearing. I do have a hire car, but I don’t know Chania at all and would probably get lost.”

“That’ll be fine. We’ll pick you up at seven thirty,” Eve said straight away. “Oh, where are you staying?”  

    “The Sea View Rooms. Only place in the area I could find open at this time of year. But I’ll walk here. I like a bit of exercise.”

“Fine, get here at about seven thirty then.”

David, feeling like a spare part, went and saw James out.

How dare Eve invite James to come with us? What about Robert and Alison?

“Well, that went well, don’t you think, David? Talk about killing two birds with one stone! James wants me to help him solve the murder, plus I’m going to get him the ideal woman!”

“What?” David exclaimed.

“Jane, she’s crazy about James. We’ll give her a lift as well.”

David shook his head, but he was relieved. At least Eve wasn’t interested in James herself as he feared, but why did she fancy herself as a matchmaker as well as an amateur sleuth? As far as he could see, James and Jane weren’t at all suited. Couldn’t Eve see that? Jane, despite having striking good looks, hadn’t been spoilt or damaged by them and was a sweet, gentle girl, while James was a man of the world and thought too much of himself. This could only end in disaster. And why wouldn’t Eve give up these silly notions of solving the murder? Had she forgotten what happened in the summer? All she could recall were the exciting parts, not the dangerous and life-threatening ones. What was he going to do with her?   

* * * *

The following day Eve invited Jane to come over at five to start having her make-over. She knew it would take at least two hours, if not a little more.

Alison had said that she and Robert would travel into Chania that evening in Betty and Don’s car, which had pleased her aunt no end. Betty was still smarting from the fact that Alison and Robert had decided to stay with Eve.

Eve was excited about the evening, thinking how well her plans were unfolding. To start with, James and Jane would be able to sit together in the back of David’s car and chat during the journey into town. It would give them a little time to get to know each other.  

David had told Alison and Robert about James’ visit the previous evening and they were both dismayed that he wanted Eve to help him find his aunt’s killer. However, they were relieved to see that Eve seemed more interested in her role as a matchmaker at the moment. It was surely less ominous than being an amateur sleuth.

James was due at the house at seven thirty and they were all going to leave soon after. This should give them enough time to find parking spaces in Chania.

While Eve was doing Jane’s make-over, David popped back to his own house to get a few things. He was staying at Eve’s for the whole of the Christmas period, a sort of trial run for marriage or living together, but he was in two minds about the experience. It had started off well and they had had a very romantic couple of days, but it was now turning out quite differently to what he had expected, mainly because of the murder hanging over them. David hadn’t envisioned keeping such a close eye on Eve and he was finding it quite tiring. 

Eve was definitely a high maintenance woman. Because she got bored easily, she had to be entertained for most of the time. A quiet life did not suit Eve at all and David still wondered why she had come to live on the island of Crete after having led such a hectic life as a showbiz agent in London. Of course he was glad she had, otherwise he would never have met her.

However, when Eve was bored, she could be difficult to be with and his work as an author often suffered, but when she enjoyed life, she was the most exciting woman in the world. She really was too young to retire and he wondered what she was going to do with the rest of her life. She was well off enough to never have to work again, but David thought this would drive her crazy. Eve had been stimulated in the summer by the murders and she hadn’t been too fed up with the Christmas festivities, but without this murder to occupy her mind, David knew Eve would go stir crazy before long. Perhaps this was why she had decided to try a bit of matchmaking. However, David didn’t want to have to rely on murders or matchmaking to keep Eve occupied. Both were risky and one was certainly dangerous.

The doorbell rang dead on seven thirty and Alison went to let James in.

“Good evening, James. Eve and Jane are still upstairs getting ready I’m afraid, but David should be back from his own house in a moment.”

“It’s Alison, isn’t it, Betty’s niece?”

“Yes, it is. Would you like a drink, James?”

“No thank you. I imagine we’ll be going soon,” James replied courteously.

Just at that moment David opened the front door and came in.

“James, good evening. No Eve yet? Not surprising! She always takes her time getting ready.”

However, Eve and Jane suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs. Eve looked as amazing as she always did, but all eyes were drawn towards Jane. She was absolutely stunning this evening. Looking at herself in the mirror a few minutes previously, Jane couldn’t believe her eyes. Eve had done a magnificent job, and out of nowhere the ugly duckling had turned into a beautiful swan. Jane had gained the confidence she much needed and she knew she wasn’t going to fade into the background this evening.

Eve had washed and conditioned Jane’s hair and it shone beautifully. Her long straight black tresses now fell in waves over her pure white shoulders. Jane’s make-up was perfect; her baby blue eyes were highlighted by a sapphire blue eye shadow and her lips were painted a luscious red. Eve had lent her a short midnight blue dress, and because the two women were about the same size, it fitted perfectly. Jane had been a little nervous about wearing it as she rarely exposed her body this much, usually wearing knee length skirts and dresses. However, Eve thought she could get away with it as, like her, Jane was very slim.

Eve glanced at James and smiled to herself. His eyes were glued to Jane.

Thank goodness. Eve thought. Perhaps David won’t be jealous now. Though it was quite fun for a while!

Eve enjoyed making David jealous, but it wasn’t her best idea. David had nearly walked away from Eve a couple of times because he thought she was interested in someone else. However, for Eve it was only harmless fun and she most definitely wasn’t keen on anybody but David. 

Alison nudged Robert. His mouth was open and his eyes were fixed on Jane. He whispered apologies to Alison immediately.

“Well, this won’t do at all,’ Eve said. “We’re going to be late. I’m surprised Betty and Don haven’t arrived yet.”

“Yes,” Robert agreed, just as the doorbell rang.

David went and let Betty and Don in. Betty stared at Jane in amazement, but couldn’t keep her mouth shut.

“Goodness, what have you done to yourself, girl? A bit over the top, isn’t it?”

Jane felt as if she was about to burst into tears and Eve opened her mouth to have a go at Betty, when James piped up.

“Mrs. Jones, there is absolutely no reason for you to criticize Jane or to be so rude and judgmental. She’s looking absolutely beautiful this evening and I’m proud to be her escort tonight.”

Eve tried to stop herself from laughing out loud. What a wonderful put down.

Betty was flabbergasted. How could he speak to her like that? She was an important woman in the community and he was putting her down in front of so many people. How dare he, especially with Eve in the room?

Nobody else said anything, all of them feeling slightly awkward. Alison, although she knew how stroppy her aunt was and how unnecessary her comment to Jane had been, didn’t like to see her humiliated and decided to end the situation quickly before Eve decided to get involved and it ended up in all-out war.

“Come on, Aunt Betty, Don, we’ll be late for our booking. Let’s get going.”

“Yes, we’d better,” Don agreed, relieved that Alison had diffused the situation.

Betty turned without saying another word and left with her husband and Alison and Robert following her.

When they had gone, James turned to Jane.

“Are you alright, Jane?”

“Yes, thank you. I thought I looked nice, but….”

“You look beautiful. Take no notice of that old prude.”

“We are a small community here, you know,” David said crossly. “We don’t need feuds. Betty speaks before she thinks and doesn’t usually mean what she says. We have to live here. You don’t.”

David was getting fed up of James. The likes of him always tried to take over.

“I’m sorry,” James said. “But the woman insulted Jane and I’m not having that.”

“Oh for goodness sake, let’s forget about Betty,” Eve put in. “She’s a nasty piece of work, full stop. She’s jealous of you, Jane, because you’re young and beautiful. She’s jealous of me as well and doesn’t think I’m good enough for David. You have to ignore her. I know it’s hard because you’re sensitive, but you’ll have to try. We all think you look lovely and that’s all that matters. Nobody takes any notice of that dried up old prune. Anyway, it’s time to go, so let’s get a move on!”

Jane smiled. She was feeling better already. Eve was right about Betty and she shouldn’t worry about her. James found her attractive and that was what counted. He had barely looked at her before, but today he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. To top it all, he had stood up for her against Betty. This was going to be a wonderful evening. She was sure of it.

* * * *

Jane and James sat in the back seats of the car while David drove, with Eve in the seat next to him. Eve chatted about Betty continually and then realized she should be leaving the two lovebirds to talk to each other, so she started rambling on to David about his book. He however, wished she’d be quiet as he hated being disturbed while driving. She knew this, but chose to forget it most of the time.

In the end, Eve started to eavesdrop on the conversation coming from the back of the car. Jane was asking James about his work as a merchant banker and she told him about her job as a social worker. Then the conversation drifted to his aunt.

“When was the last time you saw her, James?”

“At my mother’s funeral last year.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. How awful; losing both your mother and aunt in such a short period of time.”

“Well, it was difficult losing my mother – she died of cancer. We had always been close. But Jennifer…that was a different matter. She wasn’t a nice woman at all. She couldn’t even be bothered to go and see my mother when she was ill. I was surprised to see her at the funeral.”

“How terrible. Didn’t they get on?”

“My mother was always trying to get in touch, inviting her over and so on, but Jennifer never wanted to know. I have no idea why. She was never kind to me either.”

“Yet you’re desperate to find out who killed her?”

“Of course I am. I want to know why, Jane. There must have been some reason. She wasn’t a thoughtful or loving person, but she must have done something completely evil for someone to want to murder her. I have to find out what it was.”

The car stopped and David parked up. Jane was sorry that the conversation had come to an end. It was interesting hearing about Jennifer Anderson, but more important, she was enjoying talking to James.