The Missing Duchess Page 14

  'Come now, Stepfather. You and I both know better than that. This window was broken from the inside, otherwise the glass would have been on the sill, not in the garden. What was going on?'

  At his Stepfather's expressionless face, he asked gently, 'Who are you trying to protect?'

  When Faro looked away, Vince murmured: 'A lady's honour, perhaps.' And when he didn't answer. 'I suspect there is a lady involved. I'm as gallant as the next man, so you'd better tell all. I might even be able to help.'

  Faro remembered ominously that the last person who had suggested he might be able to help had been his cousin Leslie and that had ended in Sandy's death. Faro felt he would never quite cease to blame himself in some measure for the lad's tragic end.

  'Miss Fortescue stayed here last night -'

  And Faro told him the whole story, omitting that after coming to his bed to report a suspected burglar, she had stayed there too.

  'What extraordinary behaviour,' said Vince. 'Why on earth should she do such a thing? Unless -' He paused.

  'Unless what - ?'

  'It is possible that the lady wanted some attention from you and by pretending - of course, it is a ridiculous suggestion.'

  That wounded Faro into saying: 'I don't find it in the least ridiculous.' Too late, he saw that he had fallen neatly into the trap.

  Vince's smile was triumphant. 'Ah!'

  'Oh, very well. She was scared, so she said. She spent the rest of the night with me.'

  Vince nodded, he wasn't taken aback as Faro thought he might be. 'So what happens next?'

  'How the devil do I know!'

  'Stepfather - don't explode - I'm trying to help, remember. All I want to know, for your own good, is - are you in love with Miss Fortescue?'

  'I haven't had time to think about it,' said Faro shortly.

  'Then I suggest you take time to do just that.' When Faro looked hard at him, Vince continued: 'Sounds rather as if she might be a suitable wife for you, if she could be persuaded to leave the warmer climate of Luxoria -'

  Faro laughed. 'This is incredible. For once, the situation is reversed and I find myself having to listen to the sort of advice I am usually giving to you.’

  'Don't change the subject, if you please,' said Vince sternly. 'Are you contemplating asking her to be your wife?'

  'No,' said Faro shortly.

  'And why not? In the circumstances it would seem appropriate. Making an honest woman - and so forth -'

  'According to convention, Vince, but then I have never been a slave to convention and I'm too old to start now.'

  'You could try.'

  Faro shook his head. 'I'm not in the least sure that Roma -Miss Fortescue - is bound by convention either. She seems as impulsive as her royal mistress. And talking of that, do you honestly see an ex-royal lady-in-waiting settling down in Sheridan Place and running a policeman's household?'

  'You're not a policeman, you're a very senior detective, and not at all bad-looking, come to that. Yes, Stepfather.' Vince considered him thoughtfully. 'Even a quite conventional woman might just leap at the prospect.'

  'Rubbish. How could I support her in the luxury she has been used to in the household of Luxorian royalty?'

  'Oh, do stop being such a snob, Stepfather. Greater social leaps have been taken - and are being taken - every day. And I am assured by those who know that love is a bridge.'

  'Love.' Faro shook his head sadly. 'I'm afraid I haven't got to that yet, Vince. I'm still bewildered by the whole thing, by a situation over which I seemed to have no control. All I can say is that I'm just damned sorry that it happened -'

  'Then why didn't you send her packing before it began?'

  Faro shivered. 'Because there was something wrong -'

  'Wrong? How?'

  'The whole night was odd, out of time, somehow -enchanted. Oh, I can't explain -'

  'Can't you? Well, I can. It's happened to me many times,' said Vince. 'It's called infatuation, Stepfather. And I am very experienced in that particular field - as well as you know,' he added bitterly.

  'I've also fancied myself in love, Vince, but truly, I have never felt - well, taken over. I've always turned my face against magic, don't believe in it.'

  Ignoring his stepson's cynical expression of disbelief, Faro continued: 'And yet last night, it was as if there was some other force here in this house. I even dreamed of the Luck o' Lethie -'

  The famous fertility symbol.' Vince frowned. 'I hope not. What if she has a child -'

  'Oh, don't be so damned ridiculous, Vince. I dreamed of the Crusader alive, leaving his tomb. It was all so vivid.'

  Vince's expression said that he was unimpressed and Faro went on hastily, 'Look, I neither want, nor do I expect does she want, any lasting relationship. Not even a transient one, for that matter. There are too many mysteries surrounding that lady and her mistress.'

  'Dangerous waters, I'd say,' Vince agreed. 'Best steer clear of them.'

  Faro sighed. 'And talking of dangerous waters and the advisability of discretion, Cousin Leslie brought up the subject of our missing Duchess.' He stopped, reluctant to accuse Vince of betraying his trust.

  But Vince merely smiled. 'Did he indeed?' What was he on about? 'I didn't realise you had confided in him?' He sounded surprised.

  'I hadn't. But apparently you had,' Faro said angrily.

  Vince's mouth dropped open and Faro cut short his protests.

  'I gather you had rather a lot to drink and, well - in absolute confidence with a relative, of course - you let slip the whole damned business of the Royal disappearance.'

  'I did WHAT?' Vince shook his head. 'I swear to you, Stepfather, I never mentioned it. I wouldn't, would I, for heaven's sake.'

  'Not in the normal scheme of things, lad, but you know as well as I do what you're like when you have taken a drink. Throw all your cares away and all discretion to the winds. You've never overcome your student recklessness -'

  'Wait a minute. My own secrets, I grant you. I can't be guaranteed to keep them. But not confidences relating to your criminals - or my patients. Such are sacrosanct.'

  'Well, someone told him -'

  'Honestly, Stepfather. I didn't. You must believe me. I never said a word -'

  'Not that you remember, anyway,' said Faro coldly.

  And Vince's further protests were cut short as the front doorbell rang and Mrs Brook admitted the doctor's first patient of the day.

  Chapter 17

  Hurt and angry at Vince's lack of discretion, Faro gathered his notes on the case which he would read on the train to Aberlethie.

  As he glanced through them, there was something at the back of his mind, a significant fact or comment that had failed to register when he had heard it. Of the utmost importance, he felt this was the vital clue that still eluded him and held the solution of the mystery.

  He sat down. The morning train to North Berwick was forgotten as in his precise neat handwriting he added to his notes an account of the death of Sandy Dunnock and his purchase of the violet cloak -

  As he wrote, the scene came vividly before him -

  The jewellery Miss Fortescue had told him that her mistress was wearing on that fatal night. He drew out the list, checked the items again.

  ‘A gold chain with its eight-sided cross -' The same chain which he suspected was the one he had recovered from the Wizard's House lay in the open drawer beside him.

  ‘A gold bracelet with a snake's head and ruby eyes -'

  He threw down the pen with an exclamation of triumph. For he knew where he had seen the bracelet. On Mrs Dunnock's wrist as she leaned over the stairhead in Bowhead's Wynd, brandishing a fist at Leslie and himself, screaming abuse -

  He saw it again slipping from her arm, falling at their feet. Saw Leslie throw it back to her -

  The violet cloak, the visit to Aberlethie could wait. They were suddenly of minor importance compared to a visit to Bowhead's Wynd and a confrontation with Sandy's mother.

  It was not an int
erview Faro looked forward to as he climbed the odorous stairs. The door was opened a couple of inches and one of the Dunnock children peered out.

  From inside, a shout: 'Who is it?'

  'A man - I dinna ken him.'

  ‘Tell him yer ma's no weel.'

  Faro pushed his way in. 'I must talk to her.’

  The room was crowded with mourners and Faro hated intruding on the woman's grief. Sandy had been coffined. He lay on a trestle-table at one end of the room, his countenance pale and angelic in the face of death.

  As Faro removed his hat and stared down at the lad, had he been able to lay hands on Batey at that moment, he would have dragged him here, forced him to look at this pathetic sight. Surely even his cold heart would have felt remorse for this sad waste of a young life.

  Pushing his way through the neighbours, he observed that there was food and drink in plenty at this wake. Those he encountered knew who he was. They stepped aside hastily, averting their heads as if to avoid recognition or the touch of his shadow. He was unpleasantly aware of murmurs and hostile stares, of fists shaken after him.

  Mrs Dunnock regarded him dully. 'What do ye want wi' us now? Have ye no' done enough?'

  'I'm sorry, Mrs Dunnock. I bitterly regret what happened, but my men weren't responsible for your lad's death. You ken that fine well. The man chasing your lad had naught to do with us.'

  Watching her closely he opened the bag, took out the violet cloak. He had the satisfaction of seeing recognition - and fear - as he asked:

  'Is this yours?'

  'Mine? Chance would be a grand thing.' She laughed harshly. 'I didn't steal it either if that's what you're getting at. I had nothing to do with that.'

  That was all Faro needed to know. She had confirmed his suspicions of some connection between Sandy's family and their cronies regarding the disposal of the dead woman's garments. They had guessed their resale value and without too many scruples had removed them and substituted a beggar's ragged gown.

  He guessed that whatever had happened, her clothes had not suffered from immersion in the water as had Roma Fortescue's. It fitted into the pattern that, terrified, she had died of a heart attack.

  He held up the cape again to let Mrs Dunnock have a good look. 'Did Sandy find it, then?' he asked gently.

  In answer she turned her face away. 'I dinna ken - I dinna ken anything about it.'

  Faro nodded. Thanks for your help. I am grateful.' As she gave him a look of surprise, he leaned forward and took her wrist as if to shake her by the hand. A quick look confirmed that the bracelet with its snake's head was no longer there.

  That bonny bangle you were wearing,' he said lightly, 'have you lost it?'

  The fleeting panic in her eyes was swiftly replaced by mockery. 'Oh, is this what you mean?' And from her apron pocket she took a large brass curtain ring, the kind gypsies in the Lawnmarket sold for ten a penny.

  Faro shook his head. 'No. The one with a snake's head.'

  Avoiding his eyes, she said calmly. This is the only bangle I've ever had. The only kind the likes of me could afford.'

  So she knew the value of the other one, Faro thought, as she continued: 'Your eyes must be going bad, mister, with staring into other folk's business.'

  'Is this man bothering you, Meg?' The Hogan brothers came over. 'Get going, Inspector, there's nothing for you here. Leave the poor soul to mourn her lad.'

  Faro left with the dubious satisfaction of knowing that Mrs Dunnock had lied. She had recognised the cloak and had been told to get rid of the bracelet.

  The Hogans were certainly involved. They would have helped with the sale of the bracelet and the proceeds would have bought the abundant food and drink littering the table. Whoever was behind that sale, Faro thought grimly, was responsible for both deaths - of the woman in the West Bow and the drowned man in St Anthony's Chapel.

  There seemed little point in making a special journey with the cloak for Miss Fortescue's further identification. That could wait, he decided as he returned to the Central Office.

  McQuinn was walking up the front steps.

  Trains all back to normal, sir. Delivered the young lady right to the Castle door. She suggested I leave her at the Aberlethie halt to make her own way across the grounds, but I insisted on escorting her.'

  His glance was enigmatic, then he grinned. 'Much against her will, I fear. That's a strong and independent lady - benighted in Edinburgh - all on her own too,' he added, shaking his head.

  'Don't I know it. I had to give her a night's lodging.' Faro hoped he made it sound casual and unconcerned enough to convince his sergeant. 'How did Sir Terence and his lady react to her reappearance?'

  McQuinn shrugged. 'They're very good at concealing their feelings, that class of people. Give nothing away, but Lady Lethie seemed uncommon relieved to see her. Quite pink she went. However, his lordship had more pressing problems than Miss Fortescue's return.'

  'What kind of problems?'

  'Well, as I was walking the young lady towards the house, one of the servants came rushing out followed by Mrs Hall, the housekeeper. She was very excited and agitated. She'd seen us coming down the drive from the kitchen window, "You got here fast, officer," says she. She'd recognised the uniform and thought I was there about the burglary.'

  'Burglary? What burglary?' Faro demanded.

  'Seems that one of the family treasures had been stolen.' He took out his notebook and read. 'The Luck o' Lethie, they call it. Very old and very valuable. According to Mrs Hall, it was in its usual place a couple of nights ago when she checked that the windows were secure before going to bed. But the next morning, when she went in to see if the fires had been laid for the Laird's return, the cabinet containing the Luck was empty.

  'Naturally she gave the alarm and told the local constable -I've talked to him, sir, he confirms all this. Mrs Hall was in a proper panic, wondering what his lordship would say when he got back this morning. Wringing her hands, she was, usual story. They'd hold her responsible for what happened in their absence. Like as not lose her situation, be packed off without a reference.'

  Faro's thoughtful expression indicated that he was well ahead, reconstructing the scene with quite a different explanation.

  It was so simple, he should have known immediately. 'How did Miss Fortescue take all this? Was she scared?' he asked.

  'Not a bit of it. Didn't seem to find it particularly interesting. Just dashed into the house and left us.'

  'Ah,' sighed Faro happily, as McQuinn continued:

  'I took the usual statements from the staff, sir. This had to be an inside job, there was no sign of forced entrance, doors and windows securely locked. I was assuring Mrs Hall that no one could blame her in such circumstances when his lordship appeared in a great hurry. Said it was all a mistake, that the Luck hadn't been stolen at all.'

  'Indeed!'

  'Rum business, sir, if you ask me. His lordship then went on to say it was back in its usual place, would I care to look? Right enough, it was there in the cabinet. His lordship then explained that he had had it removed for cleaning, and had completely forgotten to tell Mrs Hall. He was most apologetic for wasting our time.'

  McQuinn stopped, frowned. 'You know, sir, I didn't believe a word of it.' He paused. 'He was protecting someone - I just got that feeling. Do I proceed with this one, sir?'

  'No need. We'll take his lordship's word for it.'

  Faro didn't need to go to Lethie Castle to find the answer to the Luck o' Lethie's miraculous reappearance. He knew where it had been and who had taken it. All he needed to know was why.

  A lot of light was suddenly being shed on the mystery. The only complication was that one particular facet which now concerned him personally was becoming darker and more sinister than ever.

  As he was making some notes in his office, the door opened to admit Superintendent McIntosh.

  'Where do you think you've been, Faro? I've been waiting for you for hours.' He flourished a paper, effectively cutting shor
t any of Faro's explanations.

  'Never mind about that. You have a special assignment here. Faro. Direct from the PM. You're to take Miss Roma Fortescue. at present residing at Lethie Castle, to an assignation in Perth -to be presented to the Queen -' Pausing, he read, 'At Enrol Towers, home of Her Majesty's equerry, Sir Piers Strathaird -'

  'Why Perth?' Faro interrupted. *Why can't she come to Holyrood?'

  McIntosh stared at him angrily. 'I wasn't aware that we had any rights in deciding Her Majesty's movements about the country. It's one of her favourite jaunts, a decent distance from Balmoral, less than a day's ride.'

  'I was thinking of security, sir,' said Faro.

  'Oh, she knows what she's doing. Besides, what happens in Perth isn't the business of the Edinburgh City Police, Faro. I expect they have it all tied up nicely. Can't teach them their business, can we?'

  McIntosh's grin suggested relief, a complete absence of the anxiety that generally added ten years to his age and decreased his life expectancy by a similar amount each time his sovereign set foot in Edinburgh.

  'Seems the Grand Duchess of Luxoria is at present with Her Majesty at Balmoral.' He stared at the paper again.

  'Naturally wants her lady-in-waiting -'

  Faro stared at the Superintendent. The Grand Duchess is with the Queen? At Balmoral?'

  Mcintosh nodded. 'That's what it says. Here, read it for yourself.'

  Faro stared at the letter written on the familiar personal notepaper of the Prime Minister. He had seen it many times and while it usually spelt trouble for him, the signature was undoubtedly Mr Gladstone's.

  'The Grand Duchess wishes to be reunited with her lady-in-waiting Miss Roma Fortescue at the earliest.'

  'How did the Grand Duchess got to Balmoral, sir?'

  Mcintosh shrugged. 'How the deuce do I know?'

  'Well, aren't you curious, sir? She was reported as missing,' Faro reminded him. 'The last we heard of her was in an overturned carriage on the road from North Berwick from which she apparently vanished without trace.'

  'Presumably someone assisted her.'

  'They did indeed,' said Faro grimly. 'But who?'

  'Don't ask me. She has a tongue in her head.' He gave Faro an arch look and shook his head sadly. 'I'm surprised at you not being sharper on to this one, Faro,' he said in the manner of one wise after the event. Tapping the side of his nose, he winked broadly. 'A secret assignation. Get the drift? One she was so canny about, she wasn't even taking her lady-in-waiting into her confidence.'