Found Guilty at Five (18 page)

T
HIRTY-
S
IX

I
N
F
ARNDEN
H
ALL SHOP,
M
ELANIE
N
ORRINGTON WAS PILING
up stock in the now-clean-and-sweet-smelling vestry. Dot Nimmo was on her knees beside her, and they had nearly completed the task when the bell over the door jangled.

Melanie struggled to her feet, and turned to see who had come in. At first, she did not recognise him, but then she remembered. It was Solomon Grundy from Last Resort House. She had met him before, but never had a real conversation, and now wondered what he could want with her. She saw he was carrying a bag which he began to open, unwrapping a number of exquisitely carved animals.

“Good morning, Mrs. Norrington,” he said, as he set them out in pairs on the counter. “I’ve brought along a Noah’s Ark, the work of one of my residents, and as you see, they are really something special. I was hoping you might take a look, and decide to sell them from your lovely shop.” He glanced around at the jewel-bright stained-glass windows and stone faces looking down on him, survivors from Geoff’s conversion of the chapel to a shop.

Melanie picked up an enchanting figure of a kangaroo, with a baby joey peering from its pouch. “Oh, aren’t they adorable?” she said. “Dot, come and look at these.”

“Morning, Mr. Grundy,” grunted Dot. She looked at the figures, and said they looked like copies of some she had seen in Marks & Spencer in Tresham. Then she went back to the vestry.

Melanie frowned, and asked if this was so. Solomon Grundy laughed, and said Mrs. Nimmo would have her little joke. And no, of course they were not copies. An old fellow who had spent a good half of his life in the fellowship of the Last Resorters had carved them skilfully in their own workshops. Then he brought out Noah and his family, and the Ark itself. All were marvellously individual, and Melanie forgot about Dot’s reservations.

“Well, I would really love to have them in the shop,” she said. “I am sure my customers would buy them for special Christmas presents. But how long does it take for your old man to make them?”

“Ah, well, not too long, fortunately. He has other important work he does for us. But we have three sets finished, and I could let you have one more for stock.”

“And the price? I imagine the old man will want a tidy sum for such wonderful work. On the other hand, Christmas is an expensive time, so we wouldn’t want to overprice them.”

Solomon Grundy named a sum which seemed about right to Melanie, and said he would leave them with her, and bring others in as soon as possible. As he turned to go, he stopped and said, “Oh, and by the way, Mrs. Norrington. You haven’t seen your ex-gamekeeper recently, have you? I owe him some money, and have no forwarding address.” He knew perfectly well where Foster was, but was checking on his version of why he had been sacked.

Melanie shook her head, and shivered. “Not likely!” she said. “My husband sent him off with a flea in his ear, and we don’t wish to see him ever again. We thought maybe he was staying with you?”

“Ah, I see,” said Solomon, and managed a wintry smile. “Not popular then?”

“Dreadful man! My advice to you would be to write him off and forget you ever saw him. Now, I must get on. Thank you for coming in. Good morning, Mr. Grundy.”

After he had gone, Dot came round to the other side of the counter and said she had finished the job and would be getting off home.

“Fine, and thank you very much, Dot. But before you go, can you tell me why you clearly disliked our visitor and his wares? I know I am not very experienced in the retail trade, but I did think those carvings were very special.”

Dot nodded. “The carvings were all right. It was the visitor I didn’t take to. I apologise if I was rude, Mrs. Norrington, but that man has a very dodgy reputation in Tresham, and I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. But don’t take any notice of me. All gossip, I expect. I’ll be off now, and see you next week.”

For a long time after Dot had gone, Melanie sat on a stool behind the counter and thought about her morning. She had, of course, heard the rumours about Last Resort House, but had discounted them. As far as she knew, they were doing a very charitable Christian job with people who desperately needed help. Perhaps she would have a talk with Geoff about Mr. Grundy. She certainly intended to keep the Noah’s Ark and all its lovely creatures, if she had to buy them herself!

T
HIRTY-
S
EVEN

W
HEN
J
AMIE GOT BACK TO
M
EADE
H
OUSE, NEARLY LATE
for lunch, he saw Akiko already at the table, and was surprised by her glowing face. She had not looked so happy for weeks, and he had forgotten just how lovely she was when not overburdened with worry.

“Hi, Jamie!” she said, and then continued with a rush. “Where have you been? We have had a very nice morning, haven’t we, Mrs. M? First we went to see Mrs. Rowntree—well, your mother had a talk with her and I waited in the car—and then we went on to see the house our new client will move into, and it was all very exciting.”

Gran’s eyebrows were raised again, and Lois said that yes, the morning had been useful, and Akiko had been good company. Then she glared at Jamie, and said, “And where, if I may ask, have
you
been? First you leave Akiko alone in the house, and then just now I thought I saw you coming up the road from Stone House. I should have thought you could have waited and taken Akiko with you this afternoon? That message invited you both.”

Jamie sighed. “I could say the same to you, Mum. Taking Akiko off on a jaunt without a word! Well, a scribble on a scrap of paper! But no harm done. I had nothing to do, so thought I’d go off and see the old thing. She was pleased, and rarin’ to go with your father, Akiko. She’s all fired up to give him the best possible convalescence.” He had decided not to mention Mrs. T-J’s list of questions. “She was proud of what she has discovered about Parsons, though I thought it wasn’t much use.”

“Right,” said Lois, sitting back in her chair and folding her arms, in an exaggerated listening pose. “I’m all ears.”

Akiko frowned. “What does that mean, Mrs. M? You seem to have only two, like all of us?”

“Get on with it, boy, do,” said Gran to Jamie. “I’ve got work to do.”

Jamie’s revelations did not come as much of a surprise to Lois. “We could have guessed that Parsons would have form,” she said. “I suppose it could be useful to know where and when. Was that all she had to say?”

“Only that Akiko’s father would be here on Monday, she hoped. I think she would like to have a chat with you,” he added, turning to Akiko. “She wants to make sure that she has everything your father is likely to need. She’s very capable, but there will be personal things, I expect.”

“How did she find out about Parsons’s previous crime?” said Akiko. “He has been with my father for years and years.”

“It was a really professional enquiry job Robert did,” he answered, and explained about legal records. “She said it was from a very long time ago, when he was just a teenager. Already off the straight and narrow, apparently. Then she asked me some questions. She’s really on the ball, Mum. No senility there!”

“Well,” said Gran sarcastically, “if Mrs. Tollervey-Jones says so, it must be correct, don’t you think, Lois?”

“Drop it, Mother,” said Lois shortly. “I reckon Mrs. T-J and Jamie have done a really good job. When I next see Inspector Cowgill, I shall have more to tell him.”

“But before you do that, Mum, shouldn’t we decide on how to trap Parsons into approaching Akiko?” Akiko said nothing, and Lois replied virtuously, “I’m afraid I’m not in the business of concealing information from the police.”

“Huh!” said Gran. Time to change the subject, she decided. “So, Akiko, how did you like our countryside? Waltonby is a lovely village, isn’t it. I used to cycle over there when I was young, to see a friend whose dad was a farmer. Came back with eggs in my bike basket and never broke a single one.”

“Ah, a love gift! That was very clever,” said Akiko, responding warmly. “I, too, thought Waltonby a beautiful village. But I did not like the look of that house behind the dark trees. The little tower on the roof with a bell inside reminded me of a prison I have seen. Or a watchtower, like they had in those war films.”

It was as though a frost had suddenly hit the warm kitchen.

“Oh Lor,” Gran said. “Somebody just walked over my grave.”

Akiko looked puzzled, and Jamie could see this whole conversation getting out of hand. “Now, Gran, anything we can do to help? Tomorrow morning, I thought Akiko and I might take Jeems for a walk up in the hall spinney. I’m sure the Norringtons wouldn’t mind, would they?”

*   *   *

A
FTER LUNCH,
A
KIKO ASKED
J
AMIE IF HE WOULD GO WITH HER
down to Stone House, and if he did not wish to stay, she would be perfectly safe. She was keen to make plans for her father, and needed to express her gratitude to Mrs. T-J for her kindness. She was just the kind of person to persuade her father to be sensible and not try to get back to business too soon. Mrs. T-J was aristocratic, proud of her considerable abilities and experience as a magistrate and firm enough to quell the most rebellious character.

But Papa was no pushover. What a strong influence he had had on her life! She knew he loved her twice as much as usual in a family, because of losing his lovely wife so soon. Akiko had been told that she looked exactly like her mother, and she had seen this for herself in family photographs. A good thought struck her. Perhaps Papa would like some photographs around him in his convalescence? She would ask Mrs. T-J if Robert could collect some from the convent. It could be arranged, she was sure, and then they could be posted to Farnden. Father would be so pleased!

They set off for Stone House, with Akiko bubbly and cheerful, delighted with her new idea, which Jamie had approved. Everything was going to be all right. She skipped along, humming a happy tune.

T
HIRTY-
E
IGHT

D
EREK HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP TO DATE BY
L
OIS, WHO HAD
chosen a sleepy moment last evening, when he was full of food and drink and settled in front of the television. She had given him a short account of the latest on Ezekiel Parsons and Nakamasa and was happy to note that he answered in monosyllables, patted her hand and said wasn’t that the actor who had played in the last James Bond movie?

Now, with a quick breakfast inside him, he departed for a meeting with a pal, waving cheerily. “Shan’t be in for lunch, Gran!” he shouted from his van halfway down the drive.

So that’s okay, thought Lois, checking her phone messages. There wasn’t much admin to do this morning, and she took a large sheet of clean paper and began to jot down notes on how to trap Ezekiel Parsons in the safest possible way for everyone. After checking with Cowgill, of course.

First, they had to find out where Parsons was now. Last seen in London by Jamie and Akiko in the convent. So only they would be able to recognise him. If he meant to approach Akiko again, he would expect them to have stayed together, at least for a while. He had probably tried Jamie’s flat in London again and found it empty. Then the next most likely place would be Long Farnden, where Jamie’s family lived. He probably already knew where that was, from shadowing Akiko when she came to Josie’s wedding.

From what Akiko had said about him, he would be staying at Last Resort House. Or would he? His long association with the community would perhaps be too well known by the police for him to go there. Would he be thinking Nakamasa must be dead, or was he planning on the possibility that he was still alive? A tricky one.

Lois got up and went to the window. The street was empty, and a light rain had begun to fall. She tried to put herself in Parsons’s shoes. What would he be thinking? Worried, probably, about Nakamasa’s state of health. If the old man had died, then he would need to be as far away from the law as possible. Out of the country, preferably. Or, in the event of Nakamasa being still alive, he would reckon on worming his way back into favour and going on as before.

But even supposing he was around here already, they could not assume that he had seen Akiko. But he would certainly be looking for her. So they had to arrange that he
would
see her, but not be able to approach her because she would be with someone. Even more important now, then, to make sure she was never alone whenever she left the house.

Then set the trap. They would tempt him out into the open with a message that Akiko would be in a certain place at a certain time, and alone. How would they do that and at the same time make sure she was strongly protected? One for the discussing with the others.

So, Parsons finds Akiko alone, and she keeps him talking, when out of the bushes and round corners of buildings would appear a crack team of armed policemen led by Inspector Hunter Cowgill, shouting war cries as they came, to arrest and carry away Ezekiel Parsons?

She laughed loudly. Rubbish! She could just imagine what Cowgill would say to that.

“Mum?” said Jamie, putting his head round the door. “Are we having a planning meeting today?”

“Yes, sometime. I thought you and Akiko were taking Jeems up to the hall spinney this morning?”

“Yep, that’s right. Akiko had a long talk with Mrs. T-J yesterday, but mostly about taking care of her father. The old thing is keen, and might want to join us this afternoon. Say about half two? I’ll let her know, if you like.”

Lois took a deep breath. “Fine,” she said. “But if she’s not free, we’ll go ahead anyway. I’ve made some notes, and I don’t want to waste time fixing another date.”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Jamie, grinning. “Why don’t you come with us now? The extending dog lead seems to be missing, but we can let her off the short one where it looks safe. And she’s more likely to return, if she knows you’re with us.”

*   *   *

K
NOWING FOR CERTAIN THAT THE HUNT FOR HIM WOULD BE ON,
Ezekiel Parsons kept to the shadows, as would have to be his habit from now on. He had been avoiding Foster after their noisy argument, but he still needed the man to help him. He planned to find him and eat humble pie, so their friendly relationship could be restored.

He was playing truant from Last Resort House upon learning that Solomon Grundy intended to set him on the worst job in the community—cleaning out the pigs. For a start, he would have to move them out into the field while he scraped, brushed and hosed down their concrete sties, and he was scared of pigs. He knew they could be powerful, angry beasts when roused. And then there was the smell! He would not be able to stop vomiting, and so had decided to skip out while someone else was volunteered.

“Foster! Wait for me!” Ezekiel had seen him through Last Resort trees, wearing a symphony in brown and green, and looking for all the world like the country gentleman. What a twit the man had become! Still, that shouldn’t get in the way of him giving help to an old friend.

“What is it, Ez? I’m not sure I’m speaking to you.”

“Oh, c’mon, boy. All forgotten and forgiven. Let’s shake hands and start again.”

Foster looked at Ezekiel’s muddy hands and declined. “No thanks,” he said. “But what did you want, anyway?”

“Why don’t we go along to the park, and talk about it at our leisure? Kids and their parents don’t get down there until later.”

“What’s the job, then?”

“Well, there’s a girl I’m keen on, and she won’t have anything to do with me.”

“Surprise, surprise!”

“Okay, okay. But I clean up pretty good, and if I can just open a conversation, I know she’ll listen. She’s a nice girl, but just a bit timid. You know the sort.”

“Not these days,” said Foster. “But what would I have to do?”

“Loiter, my friend. Loiter outside Meade House in the high street. I can give you likely times. There’s a snappy white terrier they take for walks, and just once or twice I’ve seen my girl by herself with it in the spinney by the hall.”

“I am certainly not approaching strange girls! Maybe you can do that in town, but in villages they put you in the stocks.”

“No, you don’t have to approach her. All you have to do is ring me on your mobile and tell me she’s on her way. It’s not that far, and I can borrow a bike from Grundy.”

“And then what?”

“That’s my business. Your part is over. I’ll slip you a fiver if it works.”

“Payment in advance, or else I don’t do it. I’m skint.”

“So am I, but I can find a fiver.”

“How shall I know it’s her?”

“Easy,” said Ezekiel, “she’s Japanese.”

*   *   *

A
S
F
OSTER WALKED AWAY, CHOOSING A NARROW ROAD TO
Farnden and dodging onto verges when farm traffic came along, he thought hard. Was Parsons losing his marbles? His ridiculous idea was totally unworkable. He had agreed to it in principle, but only to get away from him. What is more, he did not believe a word of it. Parsons in love? If it was true, there was no chance a nice girl would look at his scruffy, unsavoury person twice! No, he would loiter for a short while, and that would be that.

He walked on in the direction of Farnden Hall and the spinney, where he planned to look around, just in case Ez insisted in some horrible way on his cooperation. If Norrington was not there, he would be safe enough. Sunday mornings, Melanie was usually early in the shop. Sunday was their busiest day, with trippers and shoppers with nothing else to do. But that would be later. He quite fancied her, but knew she didn’t like him. He could avoid her if necessary. A diversionary tactic might be required.

*   *   *

I
T HAD BEEN A BORING MORNING FOR
M
ELANIE IN THE SHOP SO
far. Not a single customer. It was still early, of course. There had been a cool breeze in the park this morning, but now it was warming up, and the shop was stuffy.

She opened the door and stood outside for a minute, breathing deeply. Then she heard their new guard dog, Bonzo, barking his head off, real angry barking at the back of the house. That meant only one thing. Someone was in the stable yard, someone he didn’t like. Without thinking, she ran as fast as she could to see who was there.

Foster, watching from the shadows, smiled triumphantly. Plan B: help himself to petty cash from the shop. Call it wages owing. He made his way swiftly and in no time had the contents of the till in his pocket. Then he turned to leave.

“Oh, it’s you! What are you doing here?” said Lois, standing front of him, blocking the exit. Akiko was lagging behind, but now watched as Foster edged towards the door.

“Fancy seeing you, Lady C!” said Foster, ignoring her question. “And is that your man-eating dog?” Lois turned to look where she had tied Jeems to a post. It was all Foster needed to distract her, and “Must go!” he shouted, pushing past her. He nodded at Akiko and Jamie, and then sprinted away until he was sure he was not being followed.