R.T. Raichev - Murder of Gonzago

‘No one tried to argue with her?’

‘Louise did, unsuccessfully. Clarissa managed to scare us off. She said she had a plan, which she described as foolproof. She assured us everything was going to be all right. She insisted her main concern was for Stephan’s welfare. She said Stephan would die if he were to be locked away in a Caribbean jail, which was the worst thing that could happen to anyone. I do believe she genuinely loves Stephan. So we never called the police.’

‘All highly irregular.’

‘We were perfectly aware it was all highly irregular, Major Payne, but we had no choice, really. Clarissa then told me to go and get Stephan. She wanted him inside the house.’

‘I don’t suppose you’ve told Stephan you are his grandmother?’

‘No, of course not. He has no idea — but we get on. For some reason he has taken to me … Renee came with me. She is wonderful, simply wonderful, always so composed. We found him sitting calmly by the swimming pool, dropping pebbles. It was obvious he had been smoking pot. We could smell it. He came like a lamb. He could hardly walk. I took him to his room and put him to bed. Several minutes later Dr McLean arrived. Clarissa had called him.’

‘A local doctor?’

‘Yes. A black doctor, whom, it became clear, Clarissa knew very well indeed. She got both doctors — SS and McLean — together in Lord Remnant’s study. The long and the short of it is that a death certificate was eventually produced giving the cause of death as ‘heart attack’. It bore the signatures of the two doctors. Later that night Clarissa called us to the study-’

‘All together?’

‘No. One by one. When my turn came, she took my hand and said she relied on my discretion. She then gave me a cheque. She knew I had a passion for cruises, she said. She told me to treat myself to a cruise. The money she was giving me was enough for ten cruises.’

There was a pause. ‘Did she give the others cheques as well?’

‘I believe she did. I assume so. I never discussed it with anyone. Well, that’s it, really. We all acted in cahoots. I am not in the least sorry Lord Remnant was killed. He was asking for it.’ Hortense sounded defiant. ‘But I am not as strong as I imagined I was. I have been suffering terrible pangs of conscience.’

‘Didn’t Lord Remnant employ any security guards?’ Antonia asked.

‘He did, but it was their night off. There were two of them — unreliable as they come. They returned about midnight, blind drunk. I don’t think they quite took in what had happened. They held their hands to their foreheads in salute. I believe one of them tried to kiss Clarissa. She sacked them the very next day.’

‘What did Stephan say? I mean when he recovered?’ Payne asked. ‘Did he actually admit killing his stepfather?’

‘He said he didn’t remember a thing. He said he must have done it. He actually got rather excited about it. He seemed pleased. He wanted to know every detail.’

‘Where is Stephan now?’

‘At an ultra-expensive place called Sans Souci. He’s already been there a couple of times. Clarissa says they are used to Stephan and his hallucinations there. Which means that if he brags about killing his stepfather, they will think nothing of it.’

‘Why did you send the tape to Gerard Fenwick?’ Payne asked after a pause. ‘You couldn’t have wanted your grandson exposed as a murderer, surely?’

‘No, of course not. That’s the last thing I’d ever want.’ Suddenly Hortense Tilling sat up. She took off her glasses. ‘I have a confession to make. Please, don’t be angry with me. I never sent the tape .’

‘But you said-’

‘I know I let you believe it was me. I did so because I was curious to know what’s been happening. Who’s been saying what and to whom. I’ve been sick with anxiety. I rather hoped you’d tell me more. I am sorry I misled you. I felt I needed to talk to someone. I rather liked your faces. I really did. That’s God’s truth.’

Payne stared back at her. ‘But if you didn’t send the tape, who did?’

‘I left the camera on a side table. For several minutes there was general confusion. Augustine broke down and wept. Then the other two servants appeared — the two women. They also started weeping and wailing and tearing their hair … Then — then I saw-’ Hortense broke off. ‘Oh dear, it must have been her! Yes! I am sure it’s her.’

‘Who?’

‘Louise. Louise Hunter. I saw Louise Hunter pick up the camera. She stood looking down at it. She has one of those big expressionless faces … She must have taken the film out. I don’t think she likes Clarissa. Clarissa was a bit sharp with her … I didn’t see her do it, but she must have done!’

‘But the postmark on the padded envelope was Kensington and Chelsea,’ Payne objected. ‘You are the only one of the house party who lives in Kensington.’

‘Louise comes to Kensington quite often. I have bumped into her several times. She goes to the V amp;A and other museums. There is also a tea place she goes to. Every Thursday afternoon, she told me. Belarus tearooms called Matroni. Actually,’ Hortense said, ‘I have seen her sitting at a table by the window, sipping tea out of a saucer and staring glassily at the samovar. I don’t think she is a particularly contented woman.’

Stephan Farrar sat frowning down at his mobile phone. ‘Mummy isn’t answering. She’s the busiest woman in the world. She hasn’t got a moment to spare. That’s why I’m here, I suppose?’

‘That indeed is the reason, dear,’ Nurse Highgrove said comfortably. She plumped the pillows and smoothed the bedspread.

‘I must speak to her. I’ve remembered something. It’s rather urgent, actually. Perhaps I could speak to someone else. Someone who was at La Sorciere when Daddy R. died? Let me see.’ He looked down at his mobile once more. ‘I’ve got Auntie Lou’s number. And Gloves’s. Now, shall I ring Gloves or shall I ring Auntie Lou?’

He was a slender youth who looked about fourteen, with hair the colour of pale butter, cut en brosse , a small nose, a wide mouth and startlingly bright blue eyes that burnt with a feverish flame. He was wearing dark blue silk pyjamas styled as some sort of uniform. He brought to mind Saint-Exupery’s petit prince .

‘Why don’t you phone both of them?’ Nurse Highgrove suggested. ‘I am sure they will be pleased to hear from you. What are friends for? But wait till you’ve had your tea first, why don’t you?’

‘I don’t want any tea. What I want is a fix.’

‘You know you can’t do that sort of thing here, Stephan.’

‘I can see you’re brimming over with moral indignation, aren’t you, Highgrove?’

‘Not at all. I wouldn’t know what moral indignation was if it hit me on the nose. I don’t want you to make yourself sick, dear, that’s all.’

‘I won’t make myself sick. I’m used to it.’

‘You’re sucking your thumb again, Stephan.’

‘Am I? Sorry. Shall I tell you why I like having a fix, Highgrove? Shall I give you a highly rationalized explanation of my addiction? It’s because I like being the subject and the object, the scientist and the experiment, all at the same time. When I have a fix, I’m setting the spirit free by enslaving the body.’

‘That’s clever talk, but I am not sure I approve of it,’ Nurse Highgrove said briskly. ‘Enslaving the body indeed. Doesn’t sound at all nice. As a matter of fact, I’d rather you didn’t say things like that ever again, Stephan.’

‘I remember there was a dinner at Remnant once — a rather grand dinner party. As it happened I’d taken something earlier on, Diamond Skies, I think, while they were serving cocktails. As soon as we sat down, I removed my black tie and announced that I was in fact a rat, then I got under the table and proceeded to gnaw at the ankles of each guest in turn. I eventually passed out at Princess Michael of Kent’s feet.’ Stephan laughed. ‘Everybody pretended nothing had happened, but I don’t think Daddy R. was amused.’