Found Guilty at Five (17 page)

T
HIRTY-
F
OUR

E
ZEKIEL WAS IN BIG TROUBLE.
S
OLOMON
G
RUNDY HAD
hauled him into his office and now demanded to know what he thought he was up to.

“We have a peaceful regime here,” he said. “And of course we make sure there is no offending our neighbours or arousing their curiosity. Let alone involving the police! I want a detailed account of how you came to be out in the woods after curfew, shouting obscenities at Foster and attracting unwelcome attention.”

“Oh, sod off, Grundy!” said Ezekiel. “Who d’you think you are, standing there pontificating like some tin-pot dictator? Still, that’s what you are, aren’t you. Just remember who you’re talking to, and what I know about a certain fake cello! I’ll thank you to treat me with respect, or else!”

“Come, come,” said Solomon, backing down. “You surely know I am concerned for your safety? You only turn up here when you are in trouble of some sort. I have every right to be curious on your behalf.”

“Oh, give it a rest. If you must know, I saw a fox from my window prowling about in the trees, and that’s the truth,” said Ezekiel. “I know we keep a lot of chickens here, and sell the eggs we don’t need. This fox went over to the run and was digging his way in, and then he’d have been inside the house in no time. They’re very clever you know. Like me. They’ll keep trying until they get what they want.”

“And what do
you
want, Ezekiel? Why have you come here this time?”

Ezekiel grinned. “All right, I’ll own up, guv. I came to do penance for my sins, reverend sir. I seek forgiveness for all my wicked ways, and wish to serve you in any way I can.”

“Bollocks,” said Grundy. “That’s quite enough of that. Just tell me the truth.”

“I am in a somewhat tricky situation,” said Ezekiel, serious now, “I’ve come to find my friend Foster, and ask him for his cooperation. If that is all right with you, Grundy?”

Solomon was silent, thinking. He didn’t believe a word of Ezekiel’s story, but he did not wish to pursue it further in case it meant having the police back on the premises.

“Very well,” he said. “And don’t worry about Foster the fox. I’ll say no more. Now go. Go, please, Ezekiel. Just get out!” Grundy turned away from him, and Ezekiel stood at the door, chuckling. “Go! Now!” Solomon shouted.

Ezekiel sauntered off and made for his bedroom in order to think hard about what he would do next. Last night’s episode had involved Foster, who had returned to find Parsons in residence, and had been less than pleased. It was a long time since he had seen him, and word had got round circles they both moved in that Parsons was in trouble. When he heard what was proposed, he refused point-blank, and Parsons had gone for him, causing him to run out into the grounds, with his ex-friend in hot pursuit and shouting at the top of his voice.

*   *   *

“S
O YOU’VE GIVEN THAT GAMEKEEPER ANOTHER CHANCE, HAVE
you, Mrs. Norrington?” Janet the postlady had handed over a parcel and a pile of letters, and now stood on the doorstep smiling at Melanie.

“No, certainly not! Mr. Norrington gave him the boot when he came back. A very unpleasant man, Janet, and not one we want prowling about the place. He threatened us with unnamed nasties when he went, and I hope that’s the last we see of him.”

“I thought I saw him coming out of that Last Resort place this morning,” Janet said. “He said good morning in a leering sort of way.”

Melanie frowned. “I should ignore him. If he’s gone to Last Resort House, he may still be lurking around. Anyway, Janet, how’s your mother now? Such a shame she picked up that nasty bug.”

The phone rang from inside the house, and Melanie walked off to answer it. Geoffrey was away for a couple of days, and she hoped it would be a message from him. But it was the usual cold caller trying to sell her double glazing, and she put the phone down mid-sentence.

“I’ve done now, Mrs. Norrington!” called Dot from the kitchen. “Anything else you need? Otherwise I’ll see you tomorrow and concentrate on putting stock into the old cupboard in the chapel vestry. It’s quite dry. I could open the window and let some air in, and then help you stack the stuff.”

“Right, thanks. That’s a really good idea. So I’ll see you as usual at half past eight tomorrow?”

After Dot had left, Melanie made her way to the shop to relieve the girl from the village who was learning to be a useful assistant. As she walked away from the house, she felt a sudden shiver of worry. So that awful man was still around. And Geoff away overnight. The great house could be quite spooky at night, and when she was alone, Melanie usually locked herself into their bedroom and took a sleeping pill to make sure she did not wake until morning.

“Time to go home now, thank you,” she said to the girl. “Any customers this morning?”

“No, just some old tramp cadging a cup of tea. I sent him away with a flea in his ear. I hope I did right, Mrs. Norrington?”

“Quite right,” said Melanie. “We’re not a hostel for down-and-outs.” She smiled, but that scary shiver returned and she tried once more to phone Geoffrey, just to hear his voice.

T
HIRTY-
F
IVE

L
OIS RETURNED FROM SEEING
C
OWGILL IN
T
RESHAM IN TIME
to collect a folder she needed from the house, before setting off for Waltonby and her appointment with Mrs. Rowntree. When she opened the kitchen door, she saw Akiko sitting at the table, and nobody else around.

“Where’s Jamie?” she said.

“He has gone to the shop. He will not be long.”

Lois frowned. “I thought I said you were not to be left alone,” she said.

Akiko nodded. “But I persuaded him,” she said. “I feel very safe in Meade House.”

“Well, you’ll be even safer along o’me in the New Brooms van,” Lois answered. “I have to see a client, and I’ll be glad of your company. Come on, get your jacket. It’s a bit chilly this morning. I’ll write a quick note for Jamie.”

Akiko smiled. “That would be very nice, thank you. I am ready at once.”

They drove through Farnden high street and passed the shop, where Jamie stood at the door and stared as they went by. Akiko waved gaily, and they continued at Lois’s usual breakneck speed on their way.

One of these days, thought Jamie, as he made for home, my dear mother is going to get so many points on her licence that she’ll be banned from driving completely. And then what will she do? Get around the problem, no doubt. Police connections and all that. And Akiko with her? Well, it was quite nice of Mum, to take her along. Poor girl needs a break.

There was a message on the house phone from Mrs. T-J asking Akiko and Jamie if they would like to come down to Stone House for coffee. Jamie hesitated, but not for long. He was growing fond of the old thing, and decided to go down on his own straightaway.

Without wasting time, Mrs. T-J came to the point. She had been doing some work on Parsons identity, and found that he had come up before the magistrates’ court in the northern town of Rudleighton on the edge of the Lake District, years and years ago.

“How on earth did you discover that?” Jamie asked admiringly.

“There are ways,” she said mysteriously, now quite into the spirit of ferretin’.

“Mm,” said Jamie. “Why was he up before the bench?”

“Petty larceny. Got off with a fine. It was a first offence, apparently.”

“So, that is helpful,” Jamie said, but could not think why.

“Next, are you absolutely sure he was the one quarrelling with Mr. Nakamasa?”

“Come to that,” said Jamie lightly, “are we sure it was Parsons who drove off with Akiko’s father?”

“Well, are we?” Mrs. T-J was beginning to think Jamie was not taking her seriously.

“Yes,” said Jamie. “Akiko recognised the voice. And she has talked to her father on the phone in hospital, and he confirmed it was Parsons. But well spotted, Mrs. T-J. Important points.”

“And here’s another one. Does Parsons have a gun?”

Jamie thought for a moment. “I think her father does. Parsons has a fearsome knife, I believe. I don’t know for sure, I’m afraid.” He looked longingly at the coffeepot, but his hostess did not respond.

“No, nobody seems to know. But it is just one of the many questions I shall ask Mr. Nakamasa when he arrives. There is a lot more we need to know about Akiko’s family.”

“He may not be up to too much questioning at first. Do you know when he is coming?”

“Monday, all being well. An ambulance will bring him, and I shall have everything prepared for him. I was hoping Akiko would be with you, when we could have discussed exactly what he will need. But perhaps later. Coffee?”

*   *   *

O
WING TO MINIMAL DIRECTIONS GIVEN BY
M
RS.
R
OWNTREE, IT
took some time for Lois and Akiko to find the neat, nineteen thirties detached house. It was up a long private drive on the outskirts of Waltonby, and as Lois’s van drew up outside, the front door opened and a small, neat woman stood smiling at them.

“Looks promising,” said Lois, and Akiko laughed. “How can you tell, Mrs. Meade?” she asked.

“Oh, long experience,” Lois replied. “And by the way, why don’t you call me Mrs. M, like the girls on my team? Less formal than the full whack. Right, in we go.”

“I shall stay in the van and wait for you,” Akiko said. “You can lock me in and I shall be quite safe. Please do not worry. I am used to looking after myself.”

Lois frowned. She was not happy about this arrangement, but in the end decided it would be, as Akiko said, quite safe. She walked up the small path to where Mrs. Rowntree stood, introduced herself and went in, determined to keep the interview short.

In the end, it was Mrs. Rowntree who, after fifteen minutes, said, “Right, that seems to be all, Mrs. Meade. I shall be glad of help from your team straightaway in packing up and labelling my goods and chattels for the removals van. Please give me a ring to confirm. Nice to have met you. Goodbye.”

All this was said as she firmly ushered Lois to the door, which was now shut firmly behind her. She walked up to the van and was relieved to see Akiko still safely sitting in the passenger seat.

“That did not take long,” said the girl. “All went well?”

“Very well,” said Lois. “If only all clients were as efficient! Now, I am going to drive round to look at the house she’s moving to. Are you happy with that?”

“Oh yes, that would be very nice. I like to look at the English landscape. It is so gentle and well cared for, and very beautiful.”

“Depends where you are,” Lois said. “But look, look at that flock of birds on the stubble field! I love that. The colours, and everything.”

“You are a country person?”

Lois laughed. “Not really. I’m a towny by birth. Grew up in a housing estate in Tresham. Oops! Watch out, squirrel! I do know a squirrel when I see one.”

Mrs. Rowntree’s new house was in fact three hundred years old, a long, low cottage in the main street. It was separated from the road by a strip of garden and a row of spreading roses trained along a low post and chain fence.

“Come on, let’s look around,” Lois said. “The house is empty, ready for Mrs. Rowntree to move in.”

They pushed open the small side gate and walked round to the back, peering in small diamond-paned windows as they went.

“It looks rather dark inside,” Akiko said. “I do not think I would like to live here.”

“Nor me,” said Lois. “But some people find it cosy in these old houses. Me, I like big windows and lots of light coming in.”

“Me, too,” said Akiko, delighted with the rapport she and Jamie’s mother seemed to have. “When I have a house of my own, I would like it to be exactly like Meade House. Large and light and comfortable.”

“Right,” said Lois. Alarm bells were ringing. Was this a prelude to an announcement? But no, if Akiko and Jamie were thinking of an engagement, they would do the announcing together, surely? And though she could see Akiko was smitten, she couldn’t say the same for Jamie. Not yet, anyway.

“What is that big house in the trees over there?” Akiko said, sensing that she had said something not quite comfortable for Lois.

“Oh, that’s the Last Resorters. A mysterious lot. Charitable group, rescuing drug addicts and people down on their luck. They give them a home and work to do. They’ve been there for ages, but nobody seems to know much about them. They keep themselves to themselves. Sometimes they come into Josie’s shop for supplies. Not big supplies. They get those at a supermarket people say they own in Tresham. She says some of them are really quiet and polite.”

“It is good to hear of people doing such good work,” Akiko said. “Are we going inside Mrs. Rowntree’s house?”

“No, I don’t have keys,” Lois said. “We’d better be getting back now. Gran will have lunch on the table and we’ll be in trouble.”

“And that will not do! Gran is a very strong person, isn’t she?”

“She’s had to be,” said Lois. “She always says most of her grey hairs are due to me being a terrible teenager.”

Akiko laughed happily. “I, too, wanted to be a rebel,” she said. “My father was so much older than other girls’ fathers, and my mother died young, so I had only grandparents’ guidance for behaviour, and I think they spoilt me. But Papa kept a close watch on everything I did. Have I said that right?”

“Quite right,” said Lois, putting her foot hard down on the accelerator on a straight stretch of road. “Home again, and there’s Jamie waiting for us.”

*   *   *

C
ONCEALED BEHIND THE TALL HEDGE WHICH SURROUNDED
L
AST
Resort House, Ezekiel had watched them pass by with satisfaction. So, Akiko and her boyfriend
were
around. And Nakky? Almost surely dead by now. He had had a quick look through the house newspapers, and there was nothing about a wealthy Japanese businessman left abandoned on the M1. But why should there be? He was not famous, and his grim past was not known to many, if any, apart from himself.

He must move quickly now, and find a way of catching Akiko Nakamasa by herself, so that he could satisfy himself that her father was really dead. Then he’d be off like a rocket.

He made his way to the chickens’ field, where the birds were kept in big houses inside even bigger runs. The job allocated for today was to clean out all the houses and runs and put in fresh sawdust. Egg collection was done by the women, presumably because they were thought to have more delicate hands. Cracked eggs were regarded as a transgression, and the careless handlers duly reprimanded.

One of these days, thought Ezekiel, the Resorters are going to rise in a body and revolt. I hope I shall be here to see it, he thought, as he scraped chicken droppings off the perches.