Sick of Shadows - M. C. Beaton [68]
They walked softly down to the basement, opened the back door and let themselves out into the garden. They put their boots on and went out through the garden gate and began to run across the fields.
Rose finally stopped running. “We’d better circle round to the main road or we’ll be lost.”
“There’s a farmhouse over there,” said Daisy. “Let’s go there and get someone to get the police.”
“I don’t trust anyone,” said Rose. “The farmer is probably a tenant of the Tremaines and would tell them first. If we bear left, we should meet the road to Moreton.”
They trudged on, always looking fearfully to the left and right.
At last they reached the road. “Now I feel free,” said Rose as they both strode out in the direction of Moreton.
They rounded a bend in the road and Rose let out a scream of dismay. Jeremy and his father were just emerging from a copse.
They ran towards them. “Get the maid,” shouted the rector. “I’ll get the other.”
Daisy shrieked in fright as Jeremy reached for her, and kicked him as hard in the crotch as she could. He doubled up and fell on the road. Rose seized a hat-pin out of her hat and drove it into the rector’s arm. Undeterred, he threw his arms round her and began to drag her towards the trees. Daisy jumped on his back and clawed at his eyes.
The Rolls, speeding round the corner, nearly ran into them. Harry slammed on the brakes and leaped from the car. The rector released Rose and stood with his head hanging while Daisy slid off his back. She saw Becket climbing out of the back of the car and threw herself into his arms and kissed him full on the mouth.
A carload of police which had been following Harry’s car came to a stop. Father and son were cautioned and handcuffed.
Overcome with relief, Rose ran to Harry. “You silly girl,” he said furiously. “You could have been killed.”
Rose, who had been about to throw herself into his arms, backed off. Her face flamed. “You would never have found out it was them if it hadn’t been for me,” she raged. Then she burst into tears.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” said Harry. “I was so worried about you.”
He tried to take her in his arms, but she turned away.
Daisy moved forwards and put an arm around Rose. “Quietly, now, my dear,” she said. “It’s all over now.”
EPILOGUE
Once more, methought, I saw them stand
(’Twas but a dream I know),
That elegant and noble band
Of fifty years ago.
The men, frock-coated, tall and proud,
The women in a silken cloud,
While in the midst of them appeared
(A vision I still retain)
The Monarch sipping pink champagne,
And smiling through his beard.
—JAMES LAVER
The Tremaine family were interviewed at Scotland Yard separately. Harry was given permission to sit in on the interviews.
All were claiming that they had been overset by Dolly’s death and outraged by Lady Rose’s visit, thinking she was prodding and prying and opening the fresh wounds of their grief.
During a break in the interviewing, Harry drew Kerridge aside. “I think you should point out to Jeremy that unless he owns up to murder, his mother and father will hang as well as himself.”
“I think he’s the toughest one of the three,” said Kerridge. “Oh, by the way. Berrow and Banks have been found.”
“Where? How?”
“About forty miles south of Glasgow. They were driving and their motor hit a bridge. Banks was thrown clear but hit a stone and was killed outright. The motor with Berrow went up in flames, so the state is spared two expensive trials. Banks had been stripped naked, probably by the locals. The police did a house-to-house search in the nearby village but found nothing. They probably buried the stuff somewhere and will dig it up later when they think the heat’s died down. Berrow must have taken the wheel after the village because the locals did say that it was Banks at the wheel when they drove through.”
“Good riddance,” said Harry. “Let’s try Jeremy again.”
As they entered the interview room, Harry was struck afresh by the difference in looks between Jeremy and his beautiful sister.
Jeremy looked