The Legacy (30 page)

Chapter 59

Harry was in the shower, thinking through the last few days. Ganesh had edited the films of both Richards' and Highworth's interrogations, removing anything that might help the police identify who had carried out the questioning. They'd copied the films onto a memory stick and sent it to Jake, the policeman leading the investigation into Lucy's father's death in Edinburgh. It would be unlikely that the films could be used as evidence but the story they told could be investigated and, pointed in the right direction. The police would no doubt be able to unravel most of Highworth's illegal activities over the last twenty or so years. They'd agreed not to edit out the bits that described Lucy's father's role. There was a risk that this would lead to his reputation being tarnished but, without this part of the jigsaw in place, it would be difficult for the police to put the whole story together. ‘And anyway,' Lucy had said when they had discussed it, ‘the truth's bound to come out sooner or later.' Harry hadn't met Jake but he could imagine the surprise on his face as he started to watch the footage.

The shower was hot and powerful and he could feel the life returning to his muscles. He had just come back from running with Lucy. She was supremely fit and had taken a mischievous delight in watching him struggle to keep up. They had followed the same route that he had run with Sarah a few days ago. By the time they'd reached Butt Hill, he was ready to admit defeat but Lucy had punched him on the shoulder and raced off in front of him. ‘Come on fatty, race you to the top,' she'd called over her shoulder as she'd sprinted for the car park. He'd charged after her but he didn't come close to catching up. Even Boot had been left in her wake. They'd jogged slowly back to the house and agreed that they'd have a quick shower before going out for supper at the Ring O'Bells. Sarah and Ellie had set off that afternoon to take Camilla back to London. The two Gurkhas had also headed home, leaving Harry and Lucy with the house to themselves for the next few days. They had been so busy over the last forty-eight hours that Harry hadn't really given much thought to what would happen next with Lucy. He still wasn't sure whether she felt as strongly about him as he did about her. He hoped so but he was still a little bit nervous about making the first move. He was thinking about this when he heard the shower door open. He looked round. Lucy stepped into the shower, dropping her towel to the floor and closing the door behind her. She was naked.

‘So that's why she called you Fish,' said Lucy, patting the tattoo on his buttock before turning him round and putting her arms around his neck. ‘We've got plenty of time to get to know each other properly now,' she whispered in his ear, arching her back as the hot water hit her.

‘Yes,' replied Harry, putting his hands on her hips and pulling her close against him.

It had taken her a while to pluck up the courage to come into the bathroom. She'd sensed his apprehension over the last few days and had been worried that he might be shocked at such a brazen approach. But his body's reaction confirmed that it had been the right thing to do. It had been a long time since she'd been with a man and she was therefore surprised at how quickly her own body responded to his touch.

‘Let's have a late supper,' he said, kissing her gently on the mouth as his hands slowly began to explore her body.

Epilogue

Harry and Lucy were having breakfast on the veranda of their hotel suit. They'd flown to Spain a few days before and had decided to stay in Javea. Lucy's father had mentioned it when he'd spoken to her before she flew out to Nepal to begin her expedition. He'd recommended the small resort as an ideal place for a break. They were staying in the Parador, one of a chain of luxury hotels set up by the Spanish government to breathe new life into historic buildings. Though the Javea Parador was relatively modern, it was located at one end of the main beach and had stunning views across the bay.

Isobel and Jake were due to fly out at the weekend to spend a few days with them. They had intended to come out earlier but Jake, as the police officer who'd received the films, had found himself at the centre of the Scottish end of the investigation. Recognising the opportunity to make his name, he'd been reluctant to leave Edinburgh until he was confident that the team that had been assembled had started to make progress. He and Isobel had been seeing a fair bit of each other since their first date in Tiger Lily's. They were an ideal match and Lucy was optimistic that the relationship would last.

It had been four weeks since they'd sent the films to Jake. To their surprise, the police had reacted almost immediately. Highworth's arrest, which appeared to come out of nowhere, had attracted a great deal of national media coverage. The Commissioner of the City of London Police, Sir James Briggs, had given several interviews suggesting that Highworth had been under investigation for a number of months and that his arrest had been the result of a recent breakthrough. He made no mention of the films but did suggest that a man who had been killed in a tragic accident on Dartmoor might be connected to the case. There were one or two desperate accusations that Briggs himself had been involved but these were dismissed as malicious slander. Sir Charles Knowles, the well known and widely respected city grandee, had been quick to support ‘Straight Jim', telling the
Times
that the City was lucky to have such an incorruptible man in charge of its police force. Indeed, there were even rumours that Briggs might now be considered for the Met following the recent retirement through ill health of its commissioner.

Harry and Lucy watched the sun begin its climb above the horizon. It was a warm, balmy morning and Harry was feeling more relaxed than he had for years. He reached across the table and took Lucy's hand. ‘Now that you are a rich lady and your PhD has been confirmed, have you given any thought to what you're going to do next?' he asked her.

She looked at him. ‘I don't know,' she replied, smiling mischievously. ‘I'm getting a great deal richer every day so, for the moment, I don't think I need to do anything other than enjoy being with you.'

‘What do you mean?' asked Harry slowly. Interest rates were at an all time low and there was little chance of Lucy making much from the money her father had left her in his bank accounts.

‘Highworth was right,' she said. ‘Bubble.com didn't need Fairweather. Mymate is on track and it looks like it's going to be even better than he thought.'

‘I still don't get you,' said Harry.

‘Don't be angry with me but you know when we got back to the house after seeing Highworth?'

‘Yes,' said Harry suspiciously.

‘Well, I phoned my Dad's old financial advisor in Edinburgh and told him to take the money in the legal accounts, less the half a million for Kate, and invest it in Bubble.com shares. He refused at first, thought I was losing my marbles. Murdo McCleod had to convince him that I was sane and eventually he agreed to do what I asked. According to this morning's share prices, my three and a bit million has doubled over the last four weeks. And it's all legal.'

‘No way,' said Harry, amazed.

‘Yes way,' replied Lucy. ‘And if Highworth's predictions turn out to be right, it should have doubled again by the end of the year.' Harry started to laugh. ‘More coffee or would you prefer something stronger?' asked Lucy as she popped open a bottle of champagne that the hotel had discretely chilled for her.

‘What are we celebrating?' asked Harry.

‘Life,' said Lucy, pouring two glasses and handing one to him. ‘And us. We're a good team, you and I. I think we owe it to ourselves to spend some of Dad's money on a team holiday. He would have approved of that,' she said, chinking her glass against his.

‘Where do you have in mind?' asked Harry, delighted at the prospect of spending more time with Lucy.

‘Not sure yet,' she replied. She'd given the matter a lot of thought. Although it was early days, she felt that for the first time in her life she'd met a man with whom she wanted to spend every minute of every day. Wherever they decided to go, she was determined that it would be a destination where this would be possible.

THE END