Found Guilty at Five (25 page)

F
IFTY
-F
OUR

F
OSTER FILLED IN THE FINAL PIECES OF THE JIGSAW FOR
Cowgill. He began by saying he had met Parsons years ago, and then lost touch with him.

“I suppose we were both petty thieves, Mr. Cowgill,” he said. “You wouldn’t have looked twice at us. Never stole anything really valuable. Just enough to keep body and soul together. Then Parsons got taken on by this Japanese businessman, who seemed a decent enough sort of chap. But Parsons discovered something about him. All to do with the Japs’ ill treatment of prisoners in the death camps in Burma in the last world war.”

“Do you know what it was, this dread secret?”

“Not exactly. But it was enough to keep a hold over his boss for years. Parsons claimed he’d talked to one of the survivors who remembered Nakky, as he called him. One of the most vicious, so
he
claimed, but there was no way of checking. Not much more than a boy, Nakky was. Parsons and I were still in touch at that time, and he told me about it. He was cock-a-hoop at the thought of a cushy billet for the rest of his life. Apparently the Jap was crazy about his daughter, and Parsons threatened to tell her what her father was really like, unless he stumped up a regular payment and a job. This was, you bet, at a good deal more than his salary as dogsbody assistant.”

“I see. So what have you come here to tell me about the murder of Parsons?”

Foster gave him a shifty look. “Murder?” he said. “Don’t you mean accident?”

“No. Murder, Mr. Foster. I understand you were a witness.”

“Who told you that?”

“Never mind who told me. Now
you
tell me what you saw.”

It was a well-prepared story. According to Foster, he had found Grundy returning from the kitchen garden in the middle of the night, with mud on his hands and boots. He’d then given him a cock-and-bull story about planting strawberries, and showed him the patch in the fruit cage.

“He wanted straw to be laid down to protect the plants, and asked me to do it early next morning. We’d got straw in one of the barns, and I did what he asked,” he said.

“But you knew it was a grave, right? Had even had a hand in digging it?”

“Oh God, you’ve got it all, haven’t you. Well, I’d heard Grundy and Parsons arguing and shouting last night. It sounded serious, and I listened. Parsons was plotting his escape, and Solomon Grundy wouldn’t play ball. I think Grundy did him in. There was a sort of a smothered shot sound. Not very loud, but the place was quiet as the grave. Oops! Sorry, sir. Anyway, I could hear more or less everything, and I thought there’d been an accident. But now you’re saying you know Grundy is a murderer? I expect you’ll get him, then. I wouldn’t waste any time, if I were you. He moves faster than a weasel, that Grundy.”

“Thanks for the edited version, Foster, but you’re wrong about one thing. I
would
look at you twice, and in order to do that, I’ll ask you to come down to the station for official questioning. Possibly some revisions to your story. My sergeant’s out in the car. He’ll look after you.”

“And Grundy?” said Foster urgently.

“Got him already. But thanks anyway.”

*   *   *

T
HERE WAS REJOICING AT
S
TONE
H
OUSE.
W
HEN
M
RS.
T
OLLERVEY-
Jones was told about Parsons’s demise, she showed no emotion exept delight.

“Thank goodness that dreadful man will be out of Mr. Nakamasa’s life forever,” she said. “He’s told me all about him, you know, Akiko. I am sure he will tell you, too, when he is ready.”

“I doubt if there’s much more he can tell me,” said Akiko grimly. “Papa was a different person before I was born, and I am concerned only with how he has been as a father to me. May I go to see him now? He has probably heard us talking and will be awake.”

“Oh yes, I am sure he is waiting to see you. You know the way, my dear.”

Akiko walked through to her father’s room, knocked and went in.

“Papa?”

He stretched out his arms, and she went slowly over to him. “It is all over, my daughter,” he said gently. “And now we can start a new life together. Your Jamie is welcome to a share of you. I have quite decided on that.”

“No need, Papa. It is all over with Jamie, too. In fact, I am not so sure that it was ever anything more than friendship on his side. I hope that we shall remain friends, but I have decided to pursue my solo performing career, which I can easily do in Japan. When you go back, I shall come with you. Then I can look after you and play my cello as much or as little as I choose.”

“Are you sure of this, Akiko? I already have a promise from Mildred, er, Mrs. Tollervey-Jones, that she will visit.”

“I am quite sure, Papa.” Akiko nodded and bent her head as a token of respect.

There was a knock at the door, and Lois appeared. “All right for me to come in?” she said. “I just rushed down to tell you Jamie is going back to London. He is leaving in about half an hour, and there is just time for you to see him, Akiko, if you want to come back with me?”

Akiko flushed and hesitated. Then she said, “No, I think it is not a good idea. Please tell him I will write to him to explain why I must return to Japan with my father very soon. You have a very splendid son, Mrs. M, and I hope we will meet again someday. And give him my love.”

*   *   *

“L
OIS, MY DUCKIE,” SAID
D
EREK, WHEN SHE RETURNED HOME.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but am I right in thinking this particular bout of ferretin’ is over?”

“Mmm,” answered Lois. “For the moment. By the way, is Cowgill still around? I’ve just remembered something I wanted to ask him.”

F
IFTY
-F
IVE

“
I
SHOULD THINK WE CAN ALL GET BACK TO NORMAL NOW,”
Gran said. “Jamie’s back in London, taking time off to get into practice again, Akiko Whatsit has gone to Japan with her precious father, and the
FOR SALE
notices are up outside Resort House.”

“How do you know that, Mum? You’ve not been over to Waltonby, have you?”

“Josie told me. Apparently they did a moonlight flit after that Solomon Grundy, otherwise known as Alfred Black, was taken into custody. I expect the police will find out where they’ve all gone.”

“What about all the pigs and chickens and the rest of the livestock?”

“Left them there, without food or water. A local farmer has taken them temporarily, until they get some contact with another branch of the community. If there is one. If you ask me, we shall hear no more of that lot.”

“And a good job, too,” Lois said, sitting down at the kitchen table. Gran put a plate of sandwiches in front her.

“Hey, what’s this? Has the cook gone on strike?”

“Yes,” said Gran. “I’m having a week off. If you want a hot meal, you can cook it yourself. And if you take my advice, you’ll do what Derek says and book a holiday for the two of you. I reckon we’re all exhausted with all the Nakamasa goings-on.”

“Mrs. T-J doesn’t seem exhausted. Mind you, word has got round that she’s planning an autumn break in Japan.”

“Ye gods,” said Gran. “Whatever next? You’ll be telling me soon there’ll be wedding bells in the spring. Well, if she can catch a millionaire, so can I. So watch out! Oh good, here comes Derek. We can all sit down together.”

“Have your spies told you how Diana’s doing being Mrs. T-J’s new lodger? I saw them out together, going for a walk with what looked like a new Labrador puppy. Stone House is full of surprises these days!”

Derek came into the kitchen smiling. “Guess what I’ve been doing,” he said, bending down to kiss Lois on the cheek.

“Booking a holiday for two in sunny Spain,” Lois said.

His face fell. “Trust you to ferret out where I’ve been,” he said.

“Not difficult,” she said. “There’s a ruddy great brochure advertising the Costa Brava sticking out of your jacket pocket.”

“Have you gone and done it, Derek?” said Gran. “I hope you have, boy. If not, this daughter of mine will have you changing your mind as soon as look at you.”

Derek nodded, and like an amateur magician, he produced an envelope and placed it in front of Lois. “There we are, gel,” he said. “Tickets for two weeks on the Costa Brava.”

“I suppose you know what Costa Brava means?” said Lois.

“Yeah, of course. It means it costa lot to go there, and only a brava man would even think of it.” Derek sat hack in his chair, sandwich in hand, looking smug.

“My, you’re full of fun today, Derek Meade,” Lois said. “It actually means wild coast, so should be just your thing. And I suppose you think two weeks in the Costa Brava will put all thoughts of ferretin’ out of my mind? Well, I can only say it’s a really nice idea, but there is a small matter of ferretin’ not yet cleared up.”

“We’ll see about that, when we get back. Meanwhile, you’d better go to the shops and splash out on a bikini or two.”

“Oh my God,” groaned Lois. “Not beachwear! I’ll take my jeans and a few tops and that’ll be quite enough for me. Now, I shall have a lot to do reorganising New Brooms while I’m away, so I’ll go and make a start.”

*   *   *

“L
OIS?
D
ID YOU CALL ME EARLIER?”
I
T WAS
C
OWGILL.
L
OIS
looked at her watch. She had been working in her office for two hours and felt like a diver coming up for air.

“No, not me,” she said. “One of your other girlfriends, I expect.”

“Other? Meaning you are one of them?”

“Ever hopeful, Hunter. But no, sorry. I’ve just been told I am having a second honeymoon with my dear husband on the Costa Brava. A little village called Cadaques. Two and a half hours from Barcelona, and chiefly known for being an artist’s paradise. There’s a gallery there full of Dali paintings. Whoever he is. We can give it the once-over.”

“I see you’ve been consulting Wikipedia, my dear. Well, I must say I envy you. Don’t forget to send me a postcard, and keep your eyes open for ferretin’ opportunities.”

“Well, since you mention it, I’m glad you rang. Even if it was a pretty feeble excuse. There is one thing left over from the Nakamasa case. Remember the theft of Akiko’s cello? Well, I’ve had a letter from Japan. You know she’s gone back there with her father. Well, it’s from him. Apparently Akiko is still moaning about the loss of her original, and he’s promised to do all he can to find it.”

“I don’t think that need concern us, my dear. Nakamasa can afford to search every avenue, straight and bent.”

“Well, they’ve done the straight bit, so he says. Ads in all the media outlets all over the world, et cetera, et cetera.”

“So he wants you to do the crooked bit? Is that it?” asked Cowgill.

“That’s it, more or less. I was going to give you a ring to see if you’ve got any bright ideas. Needless to say he’s offering a small fortune if I find it.”

“You already won a small fortune on the lottery, didn’t you, you and Derek! How much more do you need? I see this could be a very dangerous and foolish mission, and might land you in extremely murky waters.”

“It’s not the money. Well, not altogether. The cello was stolen from our drive, remember? And Akiko was a guest in our house and a colleague of our son Jamie. Derek doesn’t agree with me, but I feel we should make some effort to find it. Get us off the hook, if you know what I mean.”

“You’re being ridiculous, Lois. But if you’re adamant, then of course I will give it some thought.”

*   *   *

B
Y THE TIME
L
OIS HAD TOLD
J
OSIE THE NEWS AND
M
RS.
T-J
HAD
subsequently been in the shop for her supply of soup, most of the village knew that Lois and Derek Meade were off to Spain for a jolly.

“Such good news!” enthused Mrs. T-J, calling into Meade House to deliver the Women’s Institute magazine for Gran. “I went to Cadaques once with my husband. He was a keen Dali fan. You know, those droopy clock faces in lunar landscapes! Wonderful little place. Do hope it’s not spoilt now, like the rest of the Spanish coast. When are you going, Lois? I’m sure I’ve got some old photographs, if you’d be interested. Oh, and by the way, Diana has had a postcard from Jamie. He’s in Guernsey for the weekend, giving a recital. She was thrilled to bits to hear from him, you know. Um, well, I must be off. Things to do. Goodbye, my dear. Let me know when you’re off.”

“That woman’s finally lost it,” Lois said, as Gran came in with a cup of tea. “Droopy clock faces? I ask you, Mum.”

“What I’d like to know, Lois, is who’s going to be in charge of the team while you’re away. And not Dot Nimmo, I hope!” Gran frowned and banged the cup and saucer down so hard that the spoon rattled.

“Funny you should mention Dot,” said Lois blandly. “Just the person I was thinking of. I am sure you’ll give her any assistance she needs?”

“I’d give ’er her cards if it was me,” answered Gran. “But if you must, you must. Why don’t you just ask Hazel Thornbull? She’s got all the paperwork at her fingertips in the office in Tresham. Much better idea.”

“Or maybe Mrs. Tollervey-Jones? I’ll think about it.”