Herringbones and Hexes, page 18
“The lights are on upstairs. That has to be good,” I said as Theodore pulled up.
I pointed to where a black Mercedes sat idling right in front of the building’s door. “And that’s her car and driver. That has to be a good sign. She hasn’t left yet. And I’m guessing she’s alive because she always texts him when she’s ready to go and then he appears like magic in front of her door.”
“That’s a relief,” Rafe said. “We’ve a chance to catch our killer then. Presumably he’ll follow her home if he plans to do away with her tonight.”
“Yes. They were probably waiting until she’d finished the deal. Sign the contracts, get the deal in motion, and then Jemima’s no longer an asset. She’s a liability.”
At that moment, the door opened and Jemima came out. She was laughing, looking very pleased with herself. Beside her was Nico. And something about the expression on his face as he looked at her made my blood run cold. I was probably being fanciful, but he had the same look a hawk has when it’s about to swoop down on innocent prey.
He walked her to the car and opened the back door himself. She slid into the back of the Mercedes, and to my shock and horror, Nico slid in after her.
“Oh, that’s not good,” I said.
“He won’t attempt to kill her, not in the car, with her driver right there,” Theodore said.
But I think we all felt the tension in the air. And then, just as we were about to pull out and follow the car, Rafe said, “That’s not her driver.”
I followed his gaze and saw her driver, her real driver, Dick, come staggering from a nearby doorway. Blood was trickling down his face. He tried to call out and then crumpled.
“William, go and stay with him. See if there’s anything you can do. Call the ambulance and the police,” Rafe instructed.
William jumped out and ran to the man lying crumpled on the ground.
I wanted to help, too, but I suspected Jemima Taft needed our help more.
Chapter 25
I wanted Theodore to jam his foot on the gas and tear after the car containing Jemima and her potential killer, but Theodore eased into the sparse traffic, leaving a fair distance between the Mercedes and us. I knew intellectually he was doing the right thing, not alerting them to our presence. The Bentley wasn’t exactly a stealth vehicle. He was doing his best to remain out of the killer’s sight.
“It must be one of his men driving. They’re taking no chances,” Rafe said.
Theodore agreed, “They’re not going to take her back to her house. He’s heading out of town. I imagine they’re going to kill her and ditch her body. Make it look like an accident.” Theodore seemed to ponder alternatives. “Perhaps they’ll make it look as though she took her own life. No doubt they’ll leave abundant evidence that she killed her friend and was filled with remorse.”
He wove around a van. “Good thing we arrived when we did or I rather think they’d have come back to finish off her driver.”
I was getting panicky now. Had Jemima figured out something was wrong? They weren’t going in the right direction for her house. Or was charming Nico stringing her along with some surprise he had in mind? I hoped he was. I didn’t want to think of her terrified, not knowing that we were right behind her.
“Can’t you overtake them or something?” I asked.
“Patience, Lucy,” Theodore said. I would never forget how he remained calm while I was so nervous and stressed, I couldn’t sit still. Even Rafe, normally completely unflappable, sat straighter than usual. He reached out and gripped my hand, which helped.
I said, “Can’t you do some like vampire super-speed thing and catch them?”
“It hasn’t come to that yet,” Theodore said, sounding for all the world like we were on a Sunday drive. “Be patient.”
Patience was about the last thing I had in stock right now. I tried to think of some spell that would stop a speeding car, but I didn’t have one. I now knew how to put a hex on someone, but if I put a hex on Nico, it wouldn’t kick in until tomorrow. That would be far too late.
While I was having these thoughts, the car was on the ring road out of Oxford. Rafe and Theodore spoke in low tones that I couldn’t hear. Which was very annoying. They turned off onto one of the smaller byways leading out of town, and Rafe said, “Good. Hold on, Lucy. You’ve got your seat belt on tight?”
Was this really the time for a seat belt check? But I nodded. I was well strapped in.
We were on a B road, with sparse traffic, and I could see Rafe scanning ahead out the window. His night vision was, of course, superhuman, so where I saw darkness with smudges of light from houses, he probably saw every detail clearly.
After a few knuckle-biting minutes, as we cruised along the road, the Mercedes nothing but a pair of taillights some ways in front, Rafe said, “Now.”
Theodore sped up behind the car in front and then pulled out as though he were going to pass. Again, we were on a road that was one lane each way. We were now in the path of oncoming traffic. Fortunately, there wasn’t any, but I was starting to be as concerned about my safety as I was about Jemima’s.
Instead of pulling to the side, the Mercedes sped up. Theodore drove even faster. They must have done something to the Bentley’s engine. This stately old dreamboat could final at Daytona.
And then to my absolute shock because I hadn’t been expecting it, Theodore suddenly turned the wheel hard, and the Bentley rammed the other vehicle.
The Bentley is a magnificent car. It’s heavy and solid, and when it’s made up its mind on a course of action, it’s very stubborn. There was a horrible sound of metal grinding on metal, sparks flew, and the Mercedes nearly went off the road.
I could see the driver. He looked like a thug, but to give him credit, he was an excellent driver. He managed to hang on to the wheel and get back on the road.
Theodore went at him again.
There was another sickening impact. This time the car went right off the road. The countryside of Oxfordshire isn’t full of cliffs. There was no dramatic dive. The car went into a ditch, out the other side, hit a tree and stalled.
The Bentley was still rolling to a stop when Rafe jumped out. There was a blur of motion, and suddenly he had the back of the town car open. With one arm, he yanked a terrified Jemima out.
She was shaking and crying. Also babbling, but he just brought her over and opened the door of the Bentley and pushed her in beside me.
Her eyes opened wide. “Lucy? What on earth are you doing here?”
“You’re safe now,” I told her, watching as Theodore joined Rafe. I admit I half expected them to go with the sharp-toothed brand of justice, but instead they used their superhuman strength and within no time had those plastic zip-tie handcuff things restraining two very angry Italians.
Theodore came back and opened the rear door. “Are you all right, ladies?” he asked, looking concerned.
“Yes,” I answered. Jemima just nodded. She was in shock, shaking and sniffling.
Rafe said, “Theodore, call the police and stay with the culprits. I’ll send someone back to fetch you.”
“It will be my pleasure,” Theodore said, looking delighted. Since he had a private investigator’s license, he was always more than pleased to help the police in their endeavors. Especially if he got one over on them.
Rafe took the wheel of the Bentley, and we headed much more sedately back to town. Jemima put her head into her hands. “How did you know where I was, Lucy? They were going to kill me.”
“Yes. I know,” I said, handing her a tissue from my bag.
“You saved my life. You and your friend.”
“Do you know why?” I had to ask. I had my theory about Felicity’s murder and her near miss, but I wanted to hear her story.
“I’ve been such a fool,” she said. “I trusted Nico. We put together a tremendous, most lucrative deal. He said we were going out to celebrate. I asked him to take me home so I could change, and then I noticed we weren’t headed for my house. I told my driver he was going the wrong way, but it wasn’t my driver.”
“No.”
“They were going to kill me,” she said again, her voice shrill. “Nico said I couldn’t be trusted. Said I had loose lips. I, who value discretion above all.”
“You’re going to have to tell the police everything, you know.”
“I suppose I’ll have to. Though it goes against the habits of a lifetime to break confidence with my clients.”
“But you did break it. When you were inebriated last night, you started talking about this deal. You told us everything.”
She put her head in her hands. “I’m so ashamed. I know I drink too much, but I’ve always thought I deserved to let my hair down when I work so hard all day. Anyway, even though I was obviously saying things I shouldn’t, it was only you and Felicity. How did Nico hear about it? Unless Felicity was really secretly working for him.”
I shook my head. I’d been wondering the same thing. “Was it his idea to have dinner at the Wainwright?”
“Yes. It was. But it’s one of the best restaurants in Oxford. There was nothing wrong with that.”
“Except that I think he was staying there too. When I went to find the bathroom, he walked by. He must have overheard you.” I thought again about that waiter who was always hovering, ready to fill our champagne. “Maybe he even bribed the waiter after we left to find out what we’d been talking about.”
“I’ve been such a fool,” she said again.
I didn’t think she was going to become less foolish if she kept repeating that more times.
“And now Felicity’s dead.” She turned to gaze at me. “Did Nico kill Felicity?”
“I believe so. Or somebody who worked for him. My guess is they thought she was you.”
I went through my theory again about Felicity sleeping on the main floor and Jemima being tucked in on a higher floor.
“Poor Felicity. She always did want to be me, and she finally got her wish.”
Chapter 26
“I don’t know what to do or where to go,” Jemima said, sounding half hysterical.
“That’s easy,” Rafe said. “We’re taking you straight to the police.”
“But I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“No. They’ll want a full statement from you. You are the one who can tie your friend Nico to Felicity’s murder.”
I added, “And your attempted murder. Had he made it clear that was his plan tonight?”
“Not in so many words. He said he had a surprise for me. I admit I grew quite frightened. I asked him to take me straight home, but he only laughed. He said I talked too much and had to be taught a lesson.”
I suppose, from a policing standpoint, it would have been better if Nico had had a length of clothesline in his hands and was wrapping some around Jemima’s throat when he was pushed off the road. However, I suspected that there would be enough evidence that the police could put together a solid case.
And at least Jemima was still alive.
After we dropped Jemima off at the police station, we headed back to Crosyer Manor. Naturally, the remaining vampires were still knitting away, clearly waiting to hear the outcome of the evening’s adventures.
I had dreaded telling Sylvia about the Bentley, but Rafe took charge. “We apprehended the murderer,” he said. “Theodore was brilliant. He’s stayed to turn the killers over to the police.”
“And Jemima?” Olivia wanted to know.
“She’s safe. William stayed behind to help her driver, who was attacked.” While everyone was on a high from that news, he said, “I’m sorry, Sylvia. The Bentley sustained some damage.”
For a second, her eyes flashed, as they tended to do when she wasn’t best pleased, but then she shrugged. “I know a good mechanic. And if it’s completely ruined, I suppose I’ll have to buy a new one. Perhaps a different color would be nice.”
I could imagine Sylvia buying a different Bentley to match every outfit.
After we’d talked through the whole evening’s adventures and everyone congratulated everyone else on a job well done, Hester said, “Now can I show you my coat? I worked all day to get it finished so I could show it off this evening.”
My grandmother stood up and began to put her knitting away. “No, Hester. Not this evening. Olivia and Lucy have had a very big day. We have to remember they’re only mortal. They need their sleep. You can show us your coat on Thursday.”
“But—” her whine was cut off before it had properly started when Alfred took her arm and pulled her to her feet.
“Come on. I’ve got a tricky computer problem at home that needs sorting out. I was hoping you could help me. No one understands computers the way you do.”
She was too egotistical not to fall for his ruse, and so she allowed herself to be led out. The rest of the vampires, taking the hint, quickly left, Alfred offering to drive the Bentley and pick up Theodore who, having handed Nico over to the police, found himself in need of a ride.
When they’d gone, Olivia said, “I’ll call William. No doubt he’ll need a ride home, too.”
“Thank you, Olivia.”
“I feel dreadful about poor Felicity, but at least now we know who killed her and why. I’ll sleep a little easier. I know William will, too.”
She left the room without even asking if Rafe needed anything else for the night. Such uncharacteristic Thresher behavior that I knew the events of the past couple of days had really gotten to her. After she left, I settled on the couch where I’d sat earlier. Nyx was curled up sound asleep on my herringbone rug, which Clara had left almost halfway completed. I’d have to remember to thank her in the morning.
“Will William be okay?” I asked Rafe, who didn’t sit beside me, as I assumed he would. He couldn’t seem to settle.
“Yes. A change of scene might do him good.”
I raised my eyebrows. “A change of scene?”
He walked toward the long windows and gazed out into the back garden. “Lucy,” he said, his face averted.
A niggle of dread began to poke at me as I looked at him standing there so still.
He said, “I’m going away.”
The niggle turned into a full-on tsunami of dread. “Going away?” My voice came out too high. I pulled myself together and tried again. “Where are you going?”
“New Zealand.”
“New Zealand? Why are you going there?”
“That curious book I was showing you, that I bought from a New Zealand collector. She’s got several volumes that she’d like me to look at. They’re kept in a properly controlled environment, too precious to travel. I must go to them.”
“And you’re going to take William with you?” I thought about it and nodded. “That’s probably the best thing for him. A couple of weeks away will take his mind off Felicity. He could try out New Zealand restaurants and walk along the beach and whatever else you do in New Zealand.” I’d never been there, so I was making this up as I went along.
Rafe turned to me at last, and his eyes looked as wintry as I’d ever seen them. “Not a couple of weeks, Lucy. We’ll be gone indefinitely.”
“No.” The word was out before I could stop it.
He smiled, a slow, sad smile. “I can’t do this anymore, you see. I can’t see you, want you, fight my constant desire to have you with me. Part of me. It’s too painful.”
My heart was beating hard. “I know I haven’t given you an answer, and I should have. I’m so sorry. It’s just—”
He stopped me with a raised hand. “You don’t need to explain. I understand the situation perfectly. I think, perhaps, in your situation, no decision is still a decision.”
I sat there, staring. My heart felt like it had forgotten how to beat.
“I don’t want you to go.”
He looked so sad. “I have to.”
It was my fault. I’d been so wretchedly indecisive. I tried to tell him how I felt. “It’s not that I don’t love you,” I began.
“I know. You don’t have to explain. I understand. And I want you to know, wherever you are, if you ever need me, I’ll be there for you.”
I could feel tears pooling in my eyes. “Will I ever see you again?”
There was a pause. “Yes. I’m sure you will, but I don’t know when.”
I felt like I couldn’t breathe. There wasn’t enough air in the room. After a moment, he said, “I’m going to my office now to prepare what I need to take with me.”
This had to be the most awkward goodbye ever. I got to my feet and went towards him. “When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow.”
“So soon?”
He didn’t say anything, just opened his arms, and I went into them. We held each other for a long time. He kissed me, gently and sweetly, then without another word, he walked out of the room.
Chapter 27
The next morning at Cardinal Woolsey’s, Violet and I were two of the least engaging salespeople in the history of retail.
Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. So were mine. I had expected that I would have to be the one to deliver the news to her that William was leaving for an indefinite period of time, but he’d phoned her himself. He’d also filled her in on the whole story of Jemima Taft and the real reason Felicity Stevens had been murdered.
Normally we would have talked it through and exclaimed over all the high points of the murder investigation, but today, neither of us could be bothered.
“We might as well just put up the closed sign,” I said. “I can’t make the effort to sell wool.”
“I know what you mean.” She sighed. “Shall I put the kettle on?”
“Why not?”
Everything seemed pointless today. Even Nyx looked depressed. Her little head hung out of her basket, and she followed me with big, sad eyes as though it was all my fault. Which I supposed it was. Rafe wouldn’t be leaving if it wasn’t for me, and if he wasn’t leaving, he wouldn’t be taking William with him, thus depriving Violet of yet another romantic possibility.
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