Piotr thought it would be a good idea to ambush Benedict. To interview him before he went into the shop and was on home ground. That way he might be caught by surprise. He might even give something away.
So, Piotr waited at the end of Marsh Road, far enough away from Meeke’s to not catch Tilda’s eye, but close enough that he’d be able to spot Benedict. He found a patch of sunlight warming a wall, so settled against the bricks to wait.
It didn’t take long.
He soon spotted Benedict striding through the pedestrian zone. He looked smarter today, his suit pressed and his hair brushed. He was smiling at the world in general and the shoppers on Marsh Road in particular. As he got closer, Piotr could hear Benedict greeting strangers like long-lost friends.
‘Good morning, madam, perhaps we’ll see you in Meeke and Sons today? Sir, hello! It’s an excellent day to peruse quality antiques!’ Most shoppers, clutching their bags of potatoes and lettuces and apples, looked confused.
Well, at least Benedict was feeling talkative.
Piotr sauntered towards Benedict, casually. ‘Morning!’ he said brightly.
Benedict gave a wide grin, before recognition wiped it from his face. ‘Oh,’ he said, ‘it’s you.’
‘Yes, Piotr. We met yesterday. I just wanted to say sorry about last night. I promise we had nothing to do with the damage.’
Benedict gave a humourless laugh. ‘I suppose the fairies did it? Oh no, I was forgetting, it was the curse.’ He waggled his fingers as he said the word ‘curse’ – a witch casting a spell.
‘Tilda thinks so. We’re not so sure.’ It didn’t seem to be the time to mention Andrew. ‘Did you see anything or anyone suspicious in the shop at all? Anything that might explain how the crystal shattered?’
‘Why, yes, I did, as a matter of fact.’ Benedict leaned in conspiratorially. ‘I saw five children who were standing right next to the cabinet all looking very guilty. That’s what I saw.’
Piotr felt his pulse quicken, a warmth of anger spread through his chest. ‘I said we didn’t do it and I meant it. We’re trying to help your aunt. Which is more than you’re doing.’ He spoke loudly, forcefully. Shoppers stopped to watch.
Benedict pulled himself up to his full height and glared at Piotr. ‘How dare you! I would do anything for Tilda. That’s why I’m here. The poor thing is under a lot of stress. She hasn’t got a business brain and the shop isn’t busy. It’s no wonder she’s started imagining things, and you lot are making it worse. The sooner she hands the shop over to me and my investors and goes for a long, well-deserved rest, the better!’
Piotr took a few deep breaths. His brain was whizzing. Benedict wanted to take over the shop. He wanted Tilda out of the picture. He had a motive. ‘Will Tilda let you take over?’ Piotr asked. ‘She loves that shop.’
Benedict pressed his palms together and smiled a smarmy sort of smile. ‘Not only will she let me, she’s already talked about packing her bags. She might even be gone by the weekend. We’re looking at brochures for hotels by the sea this afternoon.’
Piotr watched in stunned silence as Benedict gave a tight little bow and headed towards Meeke’s.
Someone was trying to frighten Tilda out of her own shop.
And he had a strong suspicion that that person was her own nephew.