Deathly Christmas (10 page)

“I do hope Eve’s going to be alright,” Jane said, interrupting his thoughts. ‘What an awful thing to happen. She’s barely started looking for the killer and he’s already tried to get rid of her.”

“Well, it goes to show what a good detective she must be. If the killer was here in the summer, he or she would have already known that, if not, her reputation certainly did precede her.”

“Well, I hope she stops all this nonsense. I like her and it’s not often I make new friends. I wouldn’t like this friendship to be cut short.”

“I wouldn’t have thought you two would have got on so well. You’re like chalk and cheese.”

“I know, but in the little time I’ve known her, she’s given me confidence in myself.  I am a bit worried though. I hope she doesn’t find me boring. I’m sure she must have worked with all sorts of exciting people back in England when she was in show-business.”

“You’re not boring in the least, my darling. Don’t put yourself down. I for one am delighted to have met you.”

Jane sighed with pleasure. Life had certainly taken a turn for the better.

* * * *

Half an hour later, Jane and James were sitting on the settee in Jennifer’s home. That morning, the police had given James permission to use her house. They had searched it thoroughly and had found nothing which gave any clues as to who the killer might be.

“You’re sure you don’t find this strange? Being in my aunt’s house, I mean,” he asked.

“Not at all,” she replied. “After all, I am staying in my Dad’s house and he’s dead too.”

“I’m glad you’re okay with it. It doesn’t worry me at all, but I know you’re sensitive. I thought it would be more comfortable than my hotel.”

James went and poured them both whiskies.

“I wonder how hard it will be to sell both our houses.” Jane asked.

“I would imagine it will be pretty difficult,” he replied. “A lot of people wouldn’t like to live in a house where a murder’s been committed, but then I expect some would find an eerie and ghoulish quality about it.”

James smiled at Jane. She looked vulnerable and younger than she was, and as much as he wanted her now, he knew he had to take things slowly with her. He reckoned she was quite innocent and could be frightened off if he came on too strong.

James stroked her cheek and she smiled at him. Touching her lips with his, he kissed her gently and she felt a warm glow spread through her body. She wanted more, but it seemed inappropriate in Jennifer’s house. She also had to admit that she felt a little on edge being alone with him. She had only met James and hardly knew anything about him.

James and Jane cuddled up together on the settee saying nothing, yet feeling comfortable with each other. It had been a long day and both started to drift off, when they were startled by a knock at the door.

“Who on earth can that be?” Jane asked, feeling slightly apprehensive.

“I have no idea. Nobody would know we’re here, but I suppose I’d better go and see who it is.”

Jane was nervous as James went and answered the front door.

A few moments later, James came back with Dimitris Kastrinakis, the police officer in charge of his aunt’s murder, and two other police officers.

Jane sat up.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “I hope nothing’s happened to Eve?”

“No, Miss Masters will be fine. It’s Mr. Anderson I must speak to; in private.”

“Anything you have to say, you can say in front of Jane.”

“Very well, we have heard that you did not like your aunt.”

“Who told you that?” James asked sharply. “The only person I’ve mentioned it to, is Jane. Did you tell the police?”

James sounded angry and Jane felt she was about to burst into tears.

“Of course not, James,” she mumbled.

“Oh, I’m sorry, darling. I know you would never do anything to hurt me. What am I thinking?”

He went over and hugged her and Jane felt relieved. He was probably shocked by the arrival of Dimitris, not to mention a little nervous. That was all. However, she wondered what was going on.  

Was James a suspect in his aunt’s murder? No. Not my handsome, intelligent James, the man I was hoping to build a future with. The man I was dreaming of marrying last night when I was lying alone in bed. No, he’s not a cold blooded killer. I don’t believe it, I don’t.

“I’m afraid we can’t reveal our source, Mr. Anderson, but rest assured it wasn’t Miss Phillips here.”

James’s face suddenly lit up.

“I know exactly who it was. It was that woman in hospital. Eve Masters! I told Jane about my dislike for my aunt in the car going into Chania. She was obviously eavesdropping. It could have been David of course, but I very much doubt it. He’s not interested in anyone’s business and was concentrating on driving. Anyway, how could I have poisoned her, I wasn’t here. I didn’t arrive on Crete until the 26
th
December. I have the ticket to prove it.”

“We have been in touch with the airline, sir and have discovered that you were a passenger on the last flights from Chania to Athens and Athens to London Heathrow on December 24
th
. I am afraid I am going to have to arrest you on suspicion of murdering your aunt Jennifer Anderson…”

Before Dimitris could say anything else, Jane let out a scream and then fainted.

* * * *

Half an hour later, Jane woke up on Jennifer’s settee. She looked around and couldn’t see James or Dimitris. However, Annie was sitting at the table reading a magazine.

Jane sat up slowly, her head hurting badly.

“Annie, where’s James?”

Annie jumped.

“Oh, Jane, you’re awake. You don’t remember what happened?”

“Yes I do. I hoped it was a dream, but I can see that it wasn’t. James has been arrested for murdering his aunt hasn’t he?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“I don’t believe he did it, Annie. He didn’t like his aunt, but I can’t see him killing her.”

“None of us knew him that well, so we don’t know what he’s really like, Jane. I know you’ve spent more time than us with him, but it still wasn’t that long.”

Jane had started sobbing and she tried to wipe the tears away, but they kept coming. Before long she was crying uncontrollably.

“There, there, dear,” Annie, said, moving over to the settee and putting her arms around Jane, hoping to console her.

“Hopefully the police are wrong,” she continued. “I mean, just because he was here on Christmas Eve, doesn’t mean he was the one who killed his aunt. All I’m worried about is that he didn’t tell anyone he was here before Christmas. It does make him look guilty even if he’s not. ”

“I hate Eve,” Jane said vehemently. “It’s all her fault. If it wasn’t for her, James would be here with me.”

Oh dear, thought Annie. Eve’s gone and done it again. She’s made another enemy.

“She must have had your best interests at heart. She went to a lot of trouble to make you look attractive for James, so she must now think you are in danger.”

“Humph,” was all Jane said.

“Anyway, if you’re feeling better, I’ll give you a lift home. I’m sure you don’t want to stay here.”

“Thank you, thank you very much. I don’t fancy walking home.”

The following day the whole village was alive with gossip about James and his arrest. Most people were shocked. They had found him to be a polite and sophisticated man and it was hard to believe that he was capable of murder.

Annie had told her husband the news after she had taken Jane home. Pete had been out when Dimitris Kastrinakis had called to ask Annie for her help with Jane.

Annie asked Pete not to mention to anyone that Eve was the one who had suggested to the police that James was the killer. However, he had let it slip to Robert and Robert, never being one who was good at keeping a secret, had mentioned it a couple times around the village, and soon everybody in the area knew.

“Trust Eve to get involved again,” Betty commented to Kevin Fowler in the local shop. “Serves her right that she ended up being poisoned. The police warned her not to interfere, but would she listen?”

“From what I gather, she did very little interfering,” Kevin replied sharply. “The killer, if it really is James, wanted her out of the way from the start. He or she obviously reckons that Eve is a good detective. And nobody deserves to be poisoned. Eve could have died, you know.”

    Kevin wasn’t keen on Betty. He thought she was overbearing and he didn’t like the way she tried to control everybody. He and his wife, Lucy, tried to avoid most activities she organized.

“No point being good at anything if you’re dead,” Betty snapped and walked away.

Kevin shook his head. Betty was a most obnoxious woman.

* * * *

Eve was sitting up in bed waiting for the doctor to come round and hopefully discharge her. She was bored. It was already midday and nobody had visited her yet. She was quite put out. After all, she had almost died again. Didn’t anyone care?

David wasn’t coming to the hospital until she was discharged and he could take her home. She was going to phone him when she got the good news.

Please let the news be positive, she wished. I couldn’t bear to spend another night in hospital.

 Eve closed her eyes, wishing the time away, when a voice called out,

“Eve, how are you?”

She jumped and was surprised to see who her visitors were. They weren’t particular friends of hers and she wondered why they had come.

“Kevin, Lucy, how lovely to see you. I’m not doing too badly, thank you,” she answered politely.

“It was quite a shock when my brother, Paul, told us what happened to you. Obviously, we heard about the goings on in the summer, but we didn’t think you’d be targeted again,” Kevin remarked.

“Nor did I,” Eve replied. “Especially as I hadn’t done much to try and find the killer. I was attempting to keep a low profile this time. The police warned me, but apparently the murderer thought I was a threat.”

“It looks like it,” Lucy said. “And on top of that, we hear Jane is very upset with you.”

“With me!” Eve exclaimed. “Why? What have I done? All I’ve done is help her.”

“Well, according to her it’s your fault James has been arrested,” Lucy continued.

“James arrested! That’s news to me,” Eve yelled, startling the old woman in the bed opposite.

“Oh, you don’t know then?” Kevin asked. “You told the police he hated his aunt and they found out he was here on Christmas Eve. The long and short of it is that he’s their prime suspect in Jennifer’s murder. They arrested him last night.”

“Oh my God,” Eve stuttered. “So he must have flown out on Christmas Eve and come back on Boxing Day. I knew it. I told the police to check the plane records. At last they’re taking me seriously……. I didn’t want to hurt Jane though. I knew she liked him and at first I thought he was okay. It was only when I heard how much he disliked his aunt that I became suspicious.”

Both Kevin and Lucy nodded.

“I’m afraid I don’t think James is a very nice man,” Lucy said. “He seemed stuck up to me and not interested in us lowly folk. He’s been quite rude to our Paul. He was a bit upset last night when they were here in the hospital. James rushed ahead with Jane and they got into his car leaving Paul behind. Paul was sure James could see him waving, but he didn’t stop and give him a lift home. I don’t think there was any room in Annie and Pete’s car, so Paul had to fork out for a taxi. No, that James is not a nice man.”

“Oh, I’m sorry about that,” Eve said. “Paul should have waited a bit longer. David was only here for about another half an hour after the others left. I was so tired that I soon fell asleep and David went off home… Oh well, I suppose I’ve made another enemy in Jane, but if it’s true that James is the killer, she’ll thank me in the end.”

“Hopefully,” Lucy said. “But when you’re in love…..”

Eve felt quite upset. She wasn’t looking forward to a confrontation with Jane.

“Anyway, we’d better be off,” Kevin said. “We were on our way to Chania, but thought we’d pop in to see if you were okay. Is there anything we can get you?”

“No, I have everything I need.  Thanks for coming to see me.”

As Kevin and Lucy left the ward, the doctor came in.

“Well, Miss Masters, you look brighter today, just a couple more tests and then I’m sure we’ll be able to send you home.”

“Thank goodness for that,” she replied.

However, it suddenly hit her that she wasn’t looking forward to going home after all. David had been angry with her and would be watching her like a hawk, Jane now despised her, and Betty would be thinking that justice had been served with Eve being poisoned once again. To cap it all, months of boredom ensued. Eve had hoped this murder might keep her occupied for some time, but it was all over before it had really begun.

* * * *

While Eve was perched uncomfortably in her hospital bed, Jane Phillips was sitting in her front garden with a gin and tonic. She wondered if winter was ever going to come; it was such a lovely, sunny day and it didn’t seem at all like December. She leant back in her deckchair, allowing the sun to warm her face.

It was only midday and there was more gin than tonic in her glass, but Jane didn’t care. She didn’t usually drink much, but today she needed it. She was still in shock after James had been arrested, but she hoped she’d be alright in a couple of days’ time. After all, she hardly knew James and it couldn’t have been love, could it? It had just been a silly crush, but then perhaps it could have developed into something more.

James was so handsome and such a gentleman, and they had talked and talked at the pub the previous afternoon. She usually found it difficult to chat to men, but it had been easy with him. She couldn’t believe he was guilty of the crime. James wasn’t capable of murder. Just because he didn’t like his aunt, didn’t mean he had killed her. 

Jane wasn’t quite as angry with Eve today. Eve had put a lot of effort into getting her together with James, so she must have had cause to think he was the murderer. Anyway, she probably wouldn’t have said anything to the police before talking to her first if she hadn’t been poisoned. She had wanted to find the killer on her own and take the glory for herself. Whatever the truth was, she was going to have it out with Eve. She had liked her and didn’t want the friendship to end before discussing the situation with her first.