The Chrysalid Conspiracy (53 page)

“Sheila?” asked Amelia, with an amused look on her face. “Would you be kind enough to tell us what you know? It’s quite important – to you as well as us.”

“Sure, if it’ll help,” she said.

“Thank you,” said Amelia. “Caz, will you get your sister in here? It’s not fair to leave her out and she needs to hear this. I think it’s going to be very interesting.”

“Amelia, what are you up to?” asked Rayn. “And why are you grinning all over the place?”

Claire came in, mumbled her apologies and sat meekly at the table, pleased that she had been included again. Amelia introduced Sheila and left her centre stage.

“I don’t really know much, but my dad does a lot of work for them,” Sheila informed them. “He and mum collect specimens of plant life for them. They pay him very well.”

“When did they become involved, do you know?” asked Amelia, still with that half smile.

“It was about the time I got back from college,” she said. “I was a mess, still addicted to drugs, drink and, shall we say, social interaction. Mum got this Dr Smith in. She stayed a couple of months and sorted me out. Got me straight again before she left and put dad in touch with the foundation.”

“And you were clean within two months, you say?” asked Claire, breaking her silence.

“Yes. This doctor was pretty amazing.”

“She must have been to cure addictions like those in that time,” said Claire. “On a scale of one to ten, the chances of a full recovery are nearer to zero than one.”

Carrieanne responded to Sheila’s perplexed expression. “Sorry, she has a photographic memory. She’s a child genius with a master’s degree in rectal discomfort,” Claire didn’t join in the laughter.

“Look, I’m not sure what you kids are trying to say, or what it is you want from me,” Sheila remarked. She turned to Amelia. “That story you gave us last night really scared me. How am I involved? Oh, sorry,” she suddenly paused looking at the two young sisters. “Did I…”

“It’s Okay,” Rayn answered her. “It’s alright, they know the theory; they just don’t believe it yet.” She’d been sitting wondering what Amelia was up to and suddenly arrived at the same conclusions. She too sat back and smiled, saying “Did you notice, during your ‘wilderness’ travels, that when one door closed, another one opened? You know, something always turned up?” she asked.

“Yes, actually I thought I was always pretty lucky like that. Something always seemed to turn up at the right time. But now I come to think on it, it’s as if it was already there waiting for me to fall into it. Why?”

“It wasn’t luck, Sheila,” added Amelia, after a nod from Rayn.

“You’re not here by accident. Was this Dr Smith person tall and slim with an eastern complexion, a compelling intellect and an ageless beauty?”

Sheila stared at her, incredulous. “How would you know that?”

She was becoming very frightened.

“When’s your job interview?” asked Rayn.

“As I’m here a few days early, she’s seeing me this afternoon.

“Good” Amelia gave her a warm smile of encouragement. “Don’t be afraid, Sheila. Go see Maddy and you’ll find out what we are talking about. She’ll explain it better than we can. She knows the whole picture. Just remember – you’re among friends, and this is where you are supposed to be. It’ll also explain how I knew you were coming and your real name.”

Sheila was totally bewildered. Her world was turning inside out and she was struggling to find a landmark to maintain her perspective. Part of her wanted to cut and run, but this is something her parents had set up. And she owed them, big time.

“I think that’s enough for now,” said Amelia brightly. “It’s getting near lunch time. Anyone for baguettes? Rayn, we need some money from my mum, and find out what she wants. Sheila, would you be kind enough to pop over to the bakery? It’s just up the road. And get some of those gorgeous jam doughnuts as well. Caz, would you help me to the toilet please? And Rayn, we’ll need some drinks. Then you can tell Caz and Claire exactly what happened on Sunday afternoon. And be careful, those two can see straight through you.”

The two sisters registered surprise and sympathy at Amelia’s plight and the two deaths, but were devastated by the news that Horace had died, and burst into tears.

When they’d calmed down, Rayn gave them the straight, unfunny version of the events at the Hall. The girls were suitably impressed and not a little frightened by it all.

Sheila returned with the goodies, having declined the offer of lunch on the grounds that her appetite had gone ‘walk about’ and she didn’t know when it would be back.

“It’s a bit weird out there. What’s going on around here?” she asked Amelia. “I popped into that beauty and massage parlour next door to check out the chances of a job. You know, as a back-up if things don’t work out. Force of habit, really. Anyway, she said they were closing down at the end of next month.”

“Oh,” said Amelia. “Well, I’ll be sorry to see Sandra go, but people do move on. What’s weird?”

“Well, the garage next door is closed. Big handwritten sign on the doors and the baby outfitters next door are having a closing down sale. The place after that is all boarded up, and in the bakery I heard them talking about finding a relocation site so they don’t lose their jobs. What’s going on?”

“I don’t know,” said Amelia. “The garage was closed because George died, but I didn’t know about the others.”

“That guy Sambo still lives there.” said Carrieanne, “He told me Lorraine told him her boss said he could stay on until they could make other arrangements,” said Carrieanne.

“Hmm, this is interesting. I wonder?” Amelia pondered for a minute. “Tell you what Caz; can you get your friend’s brother, the computer hacker, to find out if there is anything going on for us?”

“Er… there might be a problem there. He charges twenty-five quid a go. I still owe him for the last one,” confessed Carrieanne.

“Oh Caz, I wish you’d told me. It’s a bit expensive, but what the hell. Rayn, pop in and see mum and tell her I need to borrow fifty pounds, would you?” She smiled at her hesitant friend.

“Oh sure,” Rayn showed her reluctance. “Wish me luck,” and she made for the door.

Sheila made her apologies and said she had to go. She’d been nervous about her interview with the doctor. “But now I’m a complete mess. I’ve got to get myself prepared for it,” she said. “I’ll come back this evening and give you and your mum a workout regardless, okay?”

“Yes please, Sheila. Then you can tell us what happens,” said Amelia.

“More to the point,” added Rayn. “You can tell us how you feel about what you learn. We can swap notes.” Sheila gave them a quizzical look as she gathered up her things and left.

When she came back from visiting Lucy, Rayn handed Amelia the money she had asked for and the four girls finished eating with Amelia and Rayn going round again in a vain attempt to appease their ravenous hunger. “How was she?” said Amelia, expecting the worst.

“Actually, she didn’t say anything. She just gave it to me,” Rayn told her. “She’s sitting there with a strange look on her face and a tear in her eye. I asked her if she was all right but she wanted to be alone for a while. Do you think she’s okay?”

Amelia thought about her mother asking if they could spend some time together and assumed it was connected. She sent out a gentle ‘scan’, just in case, and was unnerved to feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment mixed in with an enormous relief, and no other emotion. Amelia was stunned. This was no normal reaction to the recent events she was aware of. What
was
going on?

Her mind was suddenly dragged back into the living room when Rayn placed Ryxyl’s mask in the middle of the table and she was left with no time to pursue the question.

“Dare I ask?” she said to Rayn.

“I’ve had an idea, but I’m not sure about it. It’s based on something you said,” she said, adding the bait to pull Amelia in. It worked.

“If it’s what I think it is, I’m halfway there,” Amelia replied. Rayn was furious.

“If you’ve been reading my mind Amelia, I’ll…”

“Mind reading?” interrupted Claire, who had been studying the mask.

“Come on Rayn,” parried Amelia. “You know I can’t do that.”

“You couldn’t yesterday,” Rayn came back at her. “But I never know with you these days.”

“Look,” Amelia tried to reassure her. “It just means we’re on the same wavelength. That’s all. Now, what’s this idea?”

“Yeah, okay. Sorry,” said Rayn. “Caz, Claire, do you mind if we discuss this openly? It involves your father, in a not very favourable light.”

“Major understatement, but eloquent,” put in Amelia.

“This sounds interesting,” said Claire. Carrieanne nodded, looking a bit unsure.

“Good,” responded Rayn. “Amelia, what does this tell us? How does it help?”

“Not a lot, really,” answered Amelia. “It’s valuable, but I suspect that’s irrelevant. It looks old but we’re not sure. There are no markings on it to tell us if it may have any religious or ritual significance or anything, so I guess it’s a personal thing to Ryxyl. If you’d seen her face when she lost it – Wow! that told a story.”

“Good,” continued Rayn. “So it’s nothing more to us than a war trophy, but it is highly significant to Ryxyl, right? Then why don’t we use it as bait?”

“What, you mean set a trap and catch her when she comes to get it?” suggested Amelia.

“I’m not sure we could win that one Amelia. As you said yourself, she’s too good. I was thinking of something a little more subtle. And no wisecracks,” she warned her friend.

“Well, go ahead then,” encouraged Amelia.

“Why don’t we figure out a way,” she said, adopting a conspiratorial tone, “of ensuring that the vicar gets his hands on it? If Ryxyl finds out and gets it back, we’ll know they’re working together.”

There was a silence, broken only by the sound of Amelia adjusting her position on her rubber ring seat. The sound was inappropriate but no one laughed.

“It’s very good, Rayn, in fact brilliant. But there are a few flaws that I can see,” said Amelia.

“I did say I wasn’t sure,” answered Rayn. “Okay. What are they?”

“First of all, we have to get it to him, and then make sure Ryxyl finds out. Any ideas?”

Before Rayn could say anything Claire spoke up in a quiet voice. “May I ask a question?”

“Sure, go ahead. What’s up?” said Amelia.

“If she finds out we’ve got it at home, and they are not in this together what will she do?” There was another silence.

“She’ll come and get it. Let’s make something happen” Carrieanne was almost jubilant as she spoke.

“But Caz, you can’t do that.” cut in Claire. “She kills people. We’re talking about our…” But she was drowned out by her sister.

“Look Claire, you’ve been telling me he’s a twisted, fanatical bully for years. Are you changing your mind now that I’m finally agreeing with you?” Saliva appeared at the corner of Carrieanne’s mouth. She wiped it away with a trembling hand.

“But Caz. How can you? Whatever he’s done, he’s a human being, you can’t just…This is Mur…” Claire looked frightened.

“Woah!” said Amelia, suddenly. “Look, I’m sorry we got into this. Let’s forget it completely and think of something else.”

“Actually,” Rayn interrupted. “I’ve been giving this killer thing some thought. I think we’ve got it wrong.”

“How do you figure that out?” said Claire, torn between her need to protect her sister and her conscience.

“Well,” said Rayn. “If you analyse the events more closely, it looks like she doesn’t kill unless she has too. I mean, we assumed she went to the Hall to kill Lucy, but she had a sword, so why was she dragging her out of bed? And when Mrs Orugo came in, she didn’t use it. She pushed her over violently enough to break her neck, again not using her sword. That’s not intent to kill, more to get her out of the way. George collapsed and died of a heart attack, she probably didn’t know he was dead, just that he was no longer a threat. She only tried to kill us when she realised her plan had gone wrong and she had nothing to lose. Anyway, if she had intended to kill everyone she wouldn’t have needed a mask. So I think it’s highly unlikely she’ll do anything but try and steal it. What do you think?”

“Once again, Rayn, what would I do without you? Thanks for that. It had never even occurred to me.” Amelia spoke with genuine gratitude.

“That sounds a bit more reassuring,” said Claire. “Okay, let’s do it. Let’s make something happen. Amelia, could we take the mask with us, do you think?” asked Claire. “I’ve got an idea.”

“Sure, go ahead,” she said.

“Come on, Caz. It’s going to be a long night. We’ve got to let him outsmart us without him realising he’s the one being outsmarted, and we’ve got to get our stories watertight. See you tomorrow, unless we’re grounded.”

Amelia woke up several hours later, surprised she had even slept. Bridie was offering her coffee and Sheila was laying a blanket on the table, ready for her massage.

Amelia sat up too quickly and winced in pain. “Hello Bridie. Hi Sheila. What’s going on?” She was disorientated, not sure if it was morning or not. “Where’s Rayn?” she asked.

Bridie smiled and told her. “Nigel came over with Molly to tell us her news, and he practically threw them out when he found out they hadn’t been training. He sent them off for a long run while he collected the kids. They should be back soon.”

“And what was the news? Was it good?” Amelia asked.

“I’ll say. Nigel starts tomorrow. I’m not sure what he’s doing but he has to spend a few days familiarising himself with the estate. He’s taken over George’s old maintenance job, and Molly wants to speak with Lucy about her new job up at the Hall. I don’t know what that’s all about. So, how are you?” Bridie was bright and breezy, but there was a shadow in her eyes.

“I’m fine thanks, Bridie,” she said.

Bridie looked at the table, with Sheila standing next to it, oiling her hands and ready for business. “Sheila, that looks awfully clinical, and painful.”

“No way Bridie,” laughed Amelia. “Sheila has the hands of an angel.” She remarked.

“It looks like my idea of hell.” Commented Bridie.