Found Guilty at Five (9 page)

S
IXTEEN

N
AKAMASA’S OFFICES WERE IN A SPLENDID
V
ICTORIAN
Gothic building in the city and had once been a convent. Planning regulations were imposed on the conversion, but with limitless financial resources, he had made a very good job of it. Akiko, who had been there many times to meet her father, had always sensed in the narrow corridors and cell-like rooms an atmosphere of almost tangible loneliness, and found it depressing. The nuns had belonged to a silent order, and she could not imagine how anyone could voluntarily want to remove themselves from music, and love and laughter, and the rewards of friendly conversation.

As she looked around the small cell which her father had arranged to be decorated and frilled especially for her, she once again thought she could hear the shuffling footfall of unhappy women, enclosed in their own thoughts. And prayers for deliverance, maybe?

The journey down from Scotland had been uneventful, staying halfway in a comfortable hotel in the market town of Appleby. She and her father had had a good dinner in the restaurant, while Parsons went out to find a pub. It had been an opportunity for Akiko to attempt once more to get her father to tell her more about the man she so disliked, but he had clammed up, as he had done so many times before.

She had tried to ring Jamie from the hotel phone, but there had been only the message voice. She was about to tell him to ring her on the hotel number, but had been interrupted after saying only “Jamie, it’s me.” Not much of a message, but at least he would know she was somewhere. She would wait until they got to London, when she could be sure of being private.

Now arrived in London, they had settled into the convent, and Nakamasa insisted on going to his office at once to check for messages. Akiko had remonstrated with him, reminding him of what his doctor had said. Or was alleged to have said? She had watched him carefully, in case he should need help, and though he walked more slowly than usual, and looked pale and tired, he was cheerful.

He had installed a live-in housekeeper when he had taken over the convent, and now he looked at his watch. Time for dinner. He sniffed. Good smells were wafting over from the kitchen. He would walk along to the dining room and see if Akiko was there. She had been so quiet on the journey, except for sharp remarks addressed to Parsons. He supposed sooner or later he would have to tell her about Parsons and his ruthless hold over him. Years and years he had suffered from what could only be called blackmail. It had become a way of life, and so far Parsons had kept his side of the bargain. A relationship of mutual respect had developed between the two men. One day he would explain the bargain to Akiko, and hope she would understand. His relationship with his daughter was by far the most important thing in his life.

A thought struck him, as he entered the dining room and saw Akiko waiting for him, sitting quietly reading a magazine. If he could persuade her to return to Japan with him, he would organise some quiet removal of Parsons, which he could justify by saying he did not need him once they were back home. He knew that she would be immensely pleased. And once he was rid of the man, permanently rid of him, Akiko need never know his dark secret.

Retirement had begun to seem a desirable option. He tired more easily now, and although for his own purpose he had exaggerated the severity of his recent illness, he did genuinely feel the need of a more restful life. A peaceful retirement, with his daughter to keep him company back at home.

“Ah, there you are,” he said merrily. “All well? Parsons has reminded me about the stolen cello, and I have made some enquiries already about a replacement for you. I shall look forward to a private recital for one old man!”

Akiko did not answer for a minute or two, and then said, “Tomorrow, Papa, I must go back to my own flat and continue my career. I shall naturally keep in close touch with you whilst you are in London. Peace and quiet, the doctor said, and I know you will find that difficult. But you must be sensible. I presume the faithful Parsons will be at your beck and call, and you will be able to contact me at any time.”

“Tomorrow is another day, my darling,” said Nakamasa. “Now let us eat our delicious dinner.”

And tomorrow, Akiko said to herself, I shall be in touch with Jamie again, and we can be together.

S
EVENTEEN

P
ARSONS RETURNED TO HIS UNCOMFORTABLE FLAT IN
Bayswater, having been given a sizeable handout from Nakamasa for the safe completion of his duties. He had had plenty of time to think about his master plan for making a great deal more money, before Nakamasa gave him the push.

He had a strong feeling that Miss Akiko would finally persuade her father to get rid of him, now that his usefulness was waning. He knew from years of experience how Nakamasa’s daughter had become the old man’s overriding concern, bordering on obsession. Because of a lifelong need for control, and also a deep love for a child who had grown so like her tragic mother, Nakamasa had made sure of monitoring almost all her waking hours. Until, that is, she left Japan to study in London. Parsons had been a vital tool in those earlier years, and as a result had found Nakamasa an easy victim for blackmail, based on what he knew about him.

Now, opening up his damp and dingy quarters, chosen because of its anonymity, safe from prying eyes and unwelcome callers, he unpacked his meagre shopping and took out a sandwich. He put the kettle on the gas ring that served his cooking needs, and sat down to finalise his plan. He made a strong cup of tea in a cracked mug, and stirred in three spoonfuls of sugar. One day soon, he told himself, I shall have a comfortable home and, with luck, a family of my own.

And now to the plan. He listed in his head three easy steps to becoming a millionaire.

One, make a final demand, a lifetime promise never to divulge what he knew and never to ask for more. But would Nakky trust him to keep his promise?

A fresh thought struck him. Why bother with the old threat? It was wearing a bit thin. In a world drowning in information technology, it was unlikely that Akiko would still know nothing about the history of the prisoner-of-war camps in Burma.

Two, he could simply abduct her. No problem there. He’d done it before. Then a straight person-to-person demand to Nakky, with a threat to eliminate his daughter if he didn’t pay up. But he knew the answer to that one. In seconds, before he could move three paces, Nakamasa, in order to save her life, would act swiftly. Every morning, the first thing he put in his pocket was a small but deadly gun. His faithful servant wouldn’t stand a chance. Then, with all his resources and the aid of the police, Nakky would find Akiko in no time.

Three, keep the blackmail anonymous. He would get untraceable messages to Nakamasa saying that unless he paid up a million pounds, his daughter would be eliminated. Nakky’s first move would be to enlist Parsons’s help to find the blackmailer. This he would pretend to do, meanwhile playing him along. At the right time he would name a safe collection point.

Then, with money in the bag, he could release Akiko, and run, fast and far, forever. Foolproof!

He looked at his watch. Time for a pint, and a swift game of cards with some innocent punter in the pub. Then tomorrow, all systems go!

*   *   *

I
N
M
EADE
H
OUSE,
L
OIS AND
D
EREK WERE PREPARING FOR BED,
and as often happened, launched on a discussion safe from interruption by Gran.

“Well, I’m very worried about him,” said Lois. “You know our Jamie, he was always very stubborn. Pleasant about it, but whatever advice we gave him, he did exactly as he’d meant to do all along.”

Derek nodded. Lois and Jamie had always been especially close, and he trusted her to get it right. Lois had suggested they consult, and after listening, he said, “I’m sure you’re right, me duck, but he’s a grown man. He doesn’t want his mother rushing about after him. I know you won’t agree, but it sounds to me like a job for the police. And is it really any of our business? The girl is obviously having a bit of a breakdown, and we’d do well to stay out of it. Leave it to Jamie. He’ll calm down, and realise his abduction idea is a load of rubbish.”

“You could be right, I suppose. And that’s why I am going up to talk to him face-to-face, and then leave it alone. I’ll not be rushing about. I shall be cool as a cucumber.”

“So much for consultation,” said Derek sadly. “I might as well go and eat worms. I think you are being absolutely ridiculous, duckie. You’re usually the one with good common sense, and here you are, behaving like a neurotic teenager.”

That did it. Lois was silent for a few minutes, then went over to Derek and put her arms around his neck. “I love you, Derek Meade,” she said. “And you’re quite right. You know I hate to admit being in the wrong, but this time I own up. I’ll stay at home and have a good talk to Cowgill. After all, he’s family now.”

*   *   *

N
EXT MORNING,
M
RS.
T-J
WAS PREPARING TO CATCH A TRAIN TO
London. Jamie’s odd request about relaying messages to his mother had puzzled her. Something more behind it? She had decided impulsively to go up to see Robert and family, and arrange a meeting with Jamie before she came home. She had every right, she told herself, as a member of the ferretin’ team.

Now, this morning, she was not so sure. She had not slept well, revolving in her mind various approaches she should take with Jamie. Perhaps better not to go at all? But waking early, she decided it was too late to change her plans. Robert would be expecting her, so she might as well go. They had all been pleased to hear she was coming and Robert’s voice had grown noticeably warmer when she had replied that she would be going back to Farnden the same evening.

Once on the train, travelling first class as always, she began to feel the excitement of a journey out of the village. Before her husband died, they had travelled widely, spending weeks at a time in faraway places. He had retired early, and spent a great deal of time managing the hall estate, which he loved. She had filled her own time being a magistrate, chair of the Bench and in the family courts. But they had both made sure of good holidays, and train journeys were the ones Mrs. T-J liked best.

She thought back over countries they had visited, and soon her eyelids drooped and she fell into a light doze, dreaming she was once again in the California Zephyr club car, cocktail in hand, and gazing with wonder at the beauty of the Feather River valley, the Utah desert and a procession of changing landscapes.

“We are now approaching Euston station,” said the anonymous voice, loud in her ear, and she woke feeling refreshed and looking forward to the day.

As she queued up to leave the train, she thought perhaps it would be best to ring Jamie more or less straightaway, and ask when she could call to have a little chat. She had intended to take him by surprise, but now reconsidered. After all, she might turn up later this afternoon and not find him at home. Then her journey would have been wasted. She stepped out on to the platform, found her mobile and dialled his number.

Jamie was at home, still in his pyjamas and ready to take a shower. “Hello? Oh yes, Mrs. Tollervey-Jones? You’re going to be in London? Well, really, there is nothing more to tell you at present. But, of course, you are always welcome to come and have a coffee before you catch the train home.”

*   *   *

H
OW WAS YOUR JOURNEY,
M
OTHER?”
R
OBERT SAID, AS
M
RS.
T-J arrived. He was looking well, she thought. Business must be good. Always plenty of criminals to defend, she supposed. Well, perhaps he would give her some tips on how to proceed in their efforts to save Akiko Nakamasa.

The day passed pleasantly enough. She was shown photographs of the family’s recent holiday in the Faroe Islands, mostly shots of the girls against a background of black basalt humps in the sea. Around four o’clock, as they were having tea, Felicity looked at her watch and said they must not leave too late to get to the station. Of course, she insisted, they had plenty of room for Grannie to stay overnight. But if she had made other plans?

“I should like to catch the five o’clock back to Farnden if possible,” Mrs. T-J said firmly.

“Then I shall certainly run you to the station. We don’t want you held up the underground!” Robert said.

“Absolutely!” said Felicity, and she hushed the girls when they interrupted with urgent pleas to their grandmother to stay.

Mrs. T-J got to her feet and proposed leaving. She had had a good day, she said cheerfully, but there were things she had to do. She climbed into Robert’s car and waved goodbye. Then, as the car purred along, she wondered if she should have taken the tube? Robert might insist on putting her on the train to Tresham. When they reached the queue of cars outside Euston, she said quickly that she would alight right here and he could drive on home. She was getting old, she reflected sadly. Always changing my mind, being unsure what to do next. Definitely symptoms of old age.

*   *   *

“W
HAT A PLEASANT FLAT,
J
AMIE!
A
ND A LOVELY VIEW RIGHT
over London. You must be doing well with your concerts?”

He assured her that his diary was comfortably full, but Akiko’s disappearance had meant that he had had to cancel one or two bookings. The conversation limped along, until Mrs. T-J said, “Now, Jamie, your message was a little mysterious, my dear, as you must admit, and I have popped in to clear things up.”

Jamie’s offers of tea, coffee, or a small sherry, were all refused, and he collapsed into an armchair. He truly had nothing more to say to the old duck, and regretted his previous impulse to ask her for help.

“Under what circumstances,” she continued, “could you possibly need to telephone me instead of your mother, or, come to that, if it is an urgent matter concerning Akiko, get hold of Inspector Cowgill. He is the most efficient policeman, you know. I have known him for many years, from my work on the Bench. And then, your family all have mobile phones in their pockets wherever they are, haven’t they? But Mother first, is my advice.”

What he really meant was obvious to Mrs. T-J. He might need his mother to be informed, but he did not wish to listen to her reply.

“Of course,” he said. “Mobiles are a boon and a blessing to men. But there is always a time when some are switched off and others run out of juice, and I would love to think of you as backstop, if it is not too much trouble.”

“Ridiculous, my dear,” she said magisterially. “Either get on with it, and risk the consequences, or if you need help, ring your mother or Inspector Cowgill.”

With a feeling of having been let off the hook, Jamie got up and walked to the window. “I honestly believe,” he said, “that Akiko is out there somewhere, held against her will. And I shall find her, you can be sure of that.”

“You might, and then again, you might not. It is for you to decide how much to be involved. It only remains for me to tell you to be cautious and sensible. Perhaps you would think of doing that before you rush in, all guns blazing? Anyway, I shall say goodbye now, and be on my way.”

Jamie shook her hand. “Safe journey, Mrs. Tollervey-Jones,” he said. “I’m grateful for your advice, but I must find her as soon as possible.”

Stubborn, just like his mother, thought Mrs. T-J.