The sight of Andrew Howard running to The Cousins in order to report on his mother’s afternoon guests, with particular emphasis on the letter no doubt, had the most unexpected effect on Kate: it resolved all her uncertainties.
Pacing about the little living-room at Woodman’s, while Daniel in his wheelchair mixed drinks, she demanded, largely of herself, ‘And why not ring Longwater? Because he didn’t want anybody overhearing what he had to say, that end or this.’
‘Could be.’
‘Which proves it’s something potentially dangerous.’
Daniel nodded uncomfortably.
‘And remember—Grandmother did consult him about her suspicions, whatever they were. He came right here to Woodman’s, Sally saw him. So if those suspicions were important, more important than Rosemary was admitting … You suggested that yourself, Daniel.’
‘I’m not denying it.’
‘Did he go scuttling over to Longwater then? Good God, I’d have thought Lydia was a better judge of character.’
‘You’re right, she was.’
‘Well if he did, you see what it means, don’t you? The Cousins would have known exactly what Grandmother had up her sleeve. And if it was really threatening, something that mustn’t on any account leak out …’ She came to a stop, staring at the heavy newel-post which terminated the banisters: and it was indeed all jagged corners, as Sally had said. ‘Daniel, if that was the case I can believe Mark came over here and killed her, I really can. Did you know this is what did it? Hitting her head on this ugly thing?’
‘Sally again?’
‘Yes.’ She went over to the table and stared at him with fierce eyes. He pushed her drink towards her but she ignored the gesture. ‘It makes sense of a lot of things which make no sense otherwise.’ And, in a kind of fury: ‘Oh Daniel, admit it, don’t just sit there looking po-faced!’
‘All right, it makes sense, but it’s based on a hundred “ifs”.’
‘I’m sick of reason, something in my gut tells me it could be the answer.’
‘It could, yes.’
‘So the original happening, incident, whatever you want to call it, did take place when Mark and Helen were living abroad. Rosemary Howard was telling the truth about that. The roots of it are in Corsica.’
‘Or Italy. And Kate, it was all a long time ago, maybe twenty years—they’ve been back in England for over ten.’
‘What’s twenty years? People remember—specially odd or unusual things.’ And, with absolute finality: ‘I’m going there, Daniel, I’m going to find out what went on.’
Her brother’s head jerked up and he spilled some of his gin and tonic. ‘Kate, you can’t!’
‘Why not?’
‘In the first place, your job.’
‘I haven’t had a holiday for two years. Only last week Alex was telling me to take one before the summer rush.’
It was no good his bringing up language as an impediment because her only academic distinction (or was it an extraordinary natural knack?) lay in that direction; but all the same he felt a baleful certainty that she should on no account do what she proposed. He pulled her down into the chair beside him. ‘Come on, have a drink, you’re not thinking straight.’
‘What’s the point in thinking straight about something as crooked as this? I want to find out what happened and why. And I want some proof, Daniel.’
‘Kate, darling Kate, please listen to me. If you’re right and Andrew Howard’s over there at Longwater this very moment telling tales, and if there is something that’s got to be covered up—OK, maybe including Grandmother’s death—don’t you see what it means? You’d be putting yourself in great danger. The practical thing to do is keep quiet, don’t rock the boat, above all stop asking questions.’
‘You’re the one who’s hyped on asking questions.’
‘Not if there’s any truth in what you’re saying now.’
‘I’m going, Daniel. OK, we’ll play it cool, no one need know, but I’m damn well going.’
‘I don’t like it.’
‘Then come with me.’
‘Don’t be daft, what good would I be?’
Kate was so used to his disability that she sometimes failed to take it into consideration at all, particularly when she was excited. His question shamed her, and she studied the thin face in silence for a moment. ‘Oh God! Will you be all right on your own?’
‘Of course. I always am.’
‘But if that fat lawyer’s telling Mark what we’re up to … Supposing he … turns nasty?’
‘I’d shout for Tom, wouldn’t I?’
Not for the first time the thought of Tom Duff struck Kate with overwhelming relief. His parents owned the Woolpack, a free house, and somehow an unlikely understanding had arisen between Daniel and their son. Tom was very large, a rugby player of local distinction, with fair hair and a child’s eyes and a nature so generous, so open, that Daniel had apparently, and more than once, revealed his true thoughts to him over an occasional half pint of bitter. Even the obvious pity which Tom felt for Daniel’s crippled condition—and could in no way hide—was forgiven, counterbalanced by the certain knowledge that if ever Daniel needed help Tom would answer the call as fast as his Land-Rover would carry him.
Reassured, Kate said, ‘We’ll keep in touch, I’ll ring you every night. There are things you’ll have to do here.’
At this, her brother went so far as to bang the table with his fist. ‘For Christ’s sake, Kate, you can’t go alone, anything could happen!’ And then, struck by a brilliant solution, ‘Of course, Steve! Take Steve.’
The words stopped her dead in her tracks, robbed of all impetus. She heard Steve’s voice saying, ‘OK, I’ll book a couple of weeks in Shangri-La.’ Daniel saw it all reflected in her expression. ‘Have you and Steve … called it off?’
She nodded, miserable because of the fact itself, and miserable that she hadn’t so far found the courage to discuss it with the only (other?) person in the world she loved.
‘You never told me.’
‘It’s not … Yes, it is important, but it’s something I’m learning to live with.’
‘You were crazy about him.’
‘I think we were … are crazy about each other.’
‘Then he’ll go with you.’
‘No. Because I won’t ask him. Don’t worry, I can manage on my own.’
‘But Kate … where are you going to start? Who’s going to give you information?’
‘I’ll start at Cortiano, their place in Corsica. Why did they keep it on? I think there’s a reason. And what about the ménage-à-trois? Who was the third person? I’d like to talk to her, or him.’
‘That was just tittle-tattle, she used it as a red herring.’
‘So you say, but are you right? For God’s sake, something pretty shocking must have happened if Mark had to kill Grandmother to stop her talking about it.’
‘He probably didn’t, that was just a wild guess.’
‘OK, I’m working on wild guesses from now on.’
Her brother ran both hands through his hair, making it stand on end. ‘But what do you think you’re going to achieve?’
She had managed to keep it to herself all day, but it had to be said, and this was the obvious moment. She grasped his hand and held it tightly. ‘If there was money owing to Father it’d be yours now, you’re his heir. I’m going to force bloody Mark to give it back to you.’
‘Force Mark!’
‘By blackmail if need be. Or perhaps he’d rather get sent up for murder.’
Her brother groaned. Kate said, ‘That money’s going to cure you, Daniel. If it’s the last thing I do I’m going to see you cured!’