Anne Sole Daddy Loves Belinda (Dark Eden) (pdf)

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And I hadn t told Fernando about my theories, because I wasn t sure of my facts.
Besides, we d had other things on our minds.
*****
Steve came down for the funeral service. I hadn t been sure that he would, but
he was at the crematorium at the right time. He came in just before the doors closed
and left almost immediately afterwards. We didn t speak, but our eyes met for a
brief moment as he stood near the door, and the look he gave me was heavy with
reproach.
Was it that obvious to him that Fernando and I were lovers? He couldn t
know and, yet, I sensed that he did. His expression was a mixture of jealousy and
hurt, and I felt regret that our relationship had turned sour.
I did not regret what had happened between Fernando and me it was the
one bright thing in my life at that moment. His presence beside me at the service for
April comforted me, and I was grateful. I accompanied him to Juan s service, which
seemed strange to me and, afterwards, he drove us back to Sir Melvin s house.
Miss Stratton had accompanied Brenda and Sir Melvin, which had surprised
me. Somehow I hadn t expected her to make the effort. Brenda wept all through the
service, but her aunt kept her gaze fixed straight ahead. She looked pale and
strained, and turned her head aside when I looked at her directly.
Miss Stratton shouldn t have come this afternoon, I said to Brenda when we
were all back at the house. She is obviously ill.
I told her to stay at home, Brenda said. But she insisted on coming with us
she said she had to pay her respects.
The chapel had been full. We d tried to keep the whole thing private, but
there were people who d had to be told and, somehow, the location had leaked out.
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Ann Sole Daddy Loves Belinda
It wasn t just journalists, who stood outside in a drizzling rain, and those that were
amongst the silent crowd had shown both restraint and respect. A lot of April s fans
had been there, too, and some of them were weeping openly. Apparently, a lot of
people had loved her.
Inspector Thorpe was one of the few invited back to the house afterwards.
You can collect Miss Langley s personal belongings whenever you wish, he
told me over a cup of tea and a slice of Brenda s fruitcake. We re holding some
diaries and telephone tapes for a while but we ve finished with the rest. If you do
think anything is missing please let us know.
I haven t been back to April s apartment. I suppose I shall have to once I ve
seen her lawyers&
Ah yes& He frowned at me. I was about to ask, Miss Langley. Would I be
right in thinking you had been to your sister s apartment after her death and before
your visit with us?
Something in his tone warned me that he had been speaking to April s
lawyers, who had obviously told him that I had sent them a package.
Yes. I collected some papers for the lawyers.
You didn t think that worth mentioning? His eyes were bright with
suspicion. What else did you remove?
Some personal photographs, I replied. Nothing that would interest you,
Inspector childhood pictures.
You are quite sure?
Perfectly. I lied without flinching. Now may I ask you something?
Yes, of course.
You worked on the Janice Creek case, didn t you?
Yes. Something registered in his eyes a flicker of fear, resentment&
something. Why do you ask?
I ve been researching the case out of curiosity. I wondered if there was
anything of interest that wasn t in the papers?
Again that flicker in his eyes. The case was never officially solved. I was
taken off it after some months personal problems. A man was arrested a year later.
Someone tipped off the local police, informed on him, accused him of the murder.
Unfortunately, he took his own life before a confession could be obtained so we shall
never be certain if he was the one.
My journalistic instincts honed in on one sentence. You say someone
informed on him anonymously that s a bit odd, isn t it? Didn t you get a phone call
telling you something was wrong at the cottage on the day of the murder? Doesn t
that make you wonder about the person who contacted the police?
His gaze narrowed in suspicion. You seem very interested in the case, Miss
Langley. Is there a particular reason?
Only that I m naturally curious about these things.
You should be careful of poking your nose into murky corners, he said.
Mr. Husk asked a lot of questions about Janice Creek, too. Perhaps he asked one too
many.
I felt cold all over. What are you implying? He glanced in Sir Melvin s
direction for a moment. You surely don t think& I was shocked as I saw his
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Ann Sole Daddy Loves Belinda
expression.
The case was taken away from me, Miss Langley, he said, and I sensed his
resentment. Someone complained to my superiors. I was ill and I had made some
foolish remarks about the child. They gave me an extended holiday. I might have
made an arrest then, but it s too late now. I doubt the mystery will ever be solved
in this case the murderer seems to have got away with it.
Clearly he still believed that Sir Melvin might have been guilty!
What do you mean foolish remarks?
It was just a look in her eyes. For a moment I thought& no, there s no point
in bringing all that up. It was just a foolish notion. At the time I was ill, and I drank
too much. Janice Creek wasn t a pleasant sight& He was visibly affected by the
memory. There was a lot of blood&
Belinda was only two and a bit wasn t she?
I m not sure exactly but somewhere around that. She would be twenty-two
or three by now I imagine.
Have you any idea what happened to her?
She was adopted I suppose.
April had been twenty-three on her last birthday, which was three months
ago, just a few months older than me. Could Belinda have been two and a half
when it happened?
Perhaps why? What are you keeping from me, Miss Langley? It is an
offence to withhold evidence, you know.
If I had evidence I would give it to you now, Inspector. All I have are [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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