The Scent of Death--A Sukey Reyholds British police procedural (24 page)

‘Not at all,' said Sukey, ‘but there's something I have to tell you first. I'm Detective Constable Reynolds from the Avon and Somerset Police.' She held up her ID.

‘The police!'

The eyes of both women widened and they exchanged excited glances which quickly turned to consternation. ‘Does that mean Mr Rainbird's death wasn't an accident?' said Mrs Palmer.

‘I'm afraid it does,' said Sukey. ‘We weren't sure at first exactly what happened to him and at first it seemed it could have been an accident, but now we're fairly certain he was murdered.'

‘How dreadful,' said Mrs Fellows, her papery voice reduced to a whisper.

‘I wonder if his lady friend knows about it,' said Mrs Palmer.

‘We gather he had a lady friend, but we don't know anything about her,' said Sukey. ‘Have you seen her?'

‘Oh yes,' they both said eagerly. ‘She doesn't come very often – at least, we only see her occasionally but of course she may come when we don't see her.'

‘Could you describe her?'

‘Oh dear.' Apart from recalling that ‘she's quite nice looking, about the same age as Mr Rainbird and always very nicely dressed,' neither woman was able to give anything approaching an accurate description.

Sukey was beginning to feel discouraged when Harry suddenly said, ‘If you saw a picture of her, perhaps you'd recognize her?'

‘Oh yes!' they both said eagerly. ‘Have you got one?'

Sukey shook her head. ‘If we knew who she was we wouldn't be asking you these questions,' she pointed out gently. ‘Well, thank you anyway. We mustn't take up any more of your time.'

Both women apologized profusely for their failure to say anything useful and Sukey and Harry made their escape. The minute they were back in the car Sukey said, ‘We haven't got any picture to show them, so what on earth was the point of that?'

‘You don't need to know – not for the time being anyway.'

‘So what do we do now?'

‘It's getting on for lunchtime. Didn't I say I had a surprise for you?'

‘Y
ou said something about a special treat,' said Sukey, as Harry turned into the drive at Greenings and pulled up in a parking space, ‘so what are we doing back here?'

‘I thought we should change into something a bit less casual,' said Harry. ‘Jeans and a sweat shirt aren't quite suitable for where we're going.'

‘Which is where?'

‘You'll see.'

Realizing there was no point in asking further questions, Sukey followed him up to their room, where she changed into the simple dress she had brought to wear for dinner, brushed her hair and checked her make-up. She slipped on a jacket and did a brief twirl in front of him. ‘Will this do?' she asked.

He pretended to study her with a critical eye before giving her a hug and saying ‘Perfect – as always! I hope those are comfortable,' he added, indicating her low-heeled pumps. ‘There'll be nowhere to park where we're going so you'll have to do a bit of walking.'

‘Where to?'

‘You'll see.' Meanwhile he had changed into a grey suit with a plain blue shirt and striped tie. He glanced in the mirror, brushed his hair and said, ‘Right, let's go.'

‘Hang on a moment while I put these evidence bags in the safe. Just in case we get mugged,' she explained. ‘Unlikely, I know, but I'd hate to have our morning's work wasted.'

At Richmond station they took a train, emerging into the daylight of Piccadilly at Green Park Underground station. The sun was warm and there was a hint of spring in the air. Harry took her arm. ‘It's not far now,' he said. A few steps further on he stopped at the entrance to the Ritz. ‘Here we are.'

Sukey's eyes widened. ‘Are we having lunch here?'

‘I told you it was a special treat. I've made a reservation in the Rivoli Bar. Come along.' When they were seated at their table he said, ‘How about a champagne cocktail to celebrate?'

‘I'd love a champagne cocktail, but what are we celebrating?'

He ordered the drinks from the waiter standing at his elbow before lowering his voice and saying, ‘In case you hadn't noticed, it's exactly a year since our adventure in that tattoo parlour – remember?'

‘How could I ever forget?' She glanced round the bar; it was already busy, the few unoccupied tables bearing cards reading ‘Reserved'. ‘This is lovely,' she said. ‘Whatever made you think of it?'

‘Dad told me he and Freddie stayed here one weekend a couple of years ago. They were feeling a bit flush as they'd just won a prestigious golfing tournament and decided to put a bit more to the prize money and treat themselves to a weekend of luxury. I'm afraid I couldn't run to a weekend – and in any case it wouldn't have been as convenient for our researches as Greenings.' The waiter returned with their drinks and he raised his glass. ‘Let's drink to the memory of a very special day!'

‘The day you nearly got the two of us killed,' she reminded him. ‘Being here has just reminded me of something,' she added as they sipped their drinks and studied the menu. ‘When Vicky and I interviewed Luke Grayson …'

‘Who's Luke Grayson?'

‘The brother of John Grayson, the one who calls himself Romeo. He works for the same firm of accountants as Rainbird.'

‘Which you said I didn't need to know,' he reminded her.

‘You still don't. Luke Grayson came to identify his brother's body; he told us quite a lot about his family but during a conversation Rainbird's name came up. He expressed surprise and shock, but he didn't mention he was a colleague. When we found out he'd withheld that information DI Rathbone told us to see him again.'

‘And what reason did he give?'

‘That isn't important. What is interesting is that he stated that on the Friday evening Rainbird was killed he was here, making sure everything was in order for his mother-in-law's one hundredth birthday party the next day.'

‘I see what you're getting at,' said Harry. ‘You obviously think it's significant for some reason, but before we go any further let's decide what we're going to eat. Do you fancy one of these dishes to share? They look interesting.'

‘Good idea. Which one shall we have?'

Harry beckoned the waiter. ‘What do you recommend?' he asked.

‘The savoury hors d'oeuvres are very popular with our regular guests, sir.'

‘That sounds a good recommendation,' said Sukey. ‘Let's have those. Vicky and I found Grayson's attitude a bit arrogant,' she said as the waiter left to place their order. ‘It was only to give him a bit of aggro that I asked him where he was the night Rainbird died. He expressed outrage, said he was here and suggested very scornfully that if I didn't believe him I could check with the maitre d'.'

‘And as you happen to be here you think you might as well do just that?' said Harry.

‘It seems too good a chance to miss. I've no idea how big the party was but I doubt if it would have been held in here. When the waiter brings our food he'll tell us the right person to ask.'

‘Mr Luke Grayson?' The events manager consulted his computer. ‘Ah yes, he gave a luncheon party for fifty guests. It was exactly a week ago today.'

‘That's right,' said Sukey. ‘It was his mother-in-law's one hundredth birthday and I understand he was particularly anxious that everything should go without a hitch. He even said he spent the previous evening here, going over all the details. Presumably that would have been with you?'

The man smiled as if the recollection struck a chord. ‘Oh yes, I remember. He was
most
particular and spent at least an hour going over everything – although,' he stopped for a moment and referred back to the computer, ‘actually it wasn't the evening, it was the morning. He insisted on going over every detail to make sure we were quite clear about his instructions: the menu, the wines, guests seated in the correct order and so on.'

‘Yes, he is a stickler for detail,' said Sukey, ‘but I understand everything went well on the day.'

‘I can personally vouch for that. Are you planning a similar function? Did Mr Grayson recommend us?'

‘Not exactly; it just cropped up in conversation. Thank you for your help.'

‘My pleasure, madam.'

‘What do you think we should do next?' said Harry as he and Sukey left the hotel. ‘I don't suppose you have Grayson's home address?'

‘As it happens I don't, but even if I did there's no way I'd use it without DI Rathbone's say-so. My remit while I'm in town is to check Rainbird's flat and chat to some neighbours, and that's what I've done; end of story.'

‘But Grayson's come up with yet another lie,' Harry protested. ‘Surely you can't let him get away with that. If he checked his party arrangements at the Ritz on Friday morning he would have had plenty of time to be at Dallington Manor in time to kill Rainbird and be back well before midnight.'

‘That's true, but what's the motive?'

‘You said he works in the same office as Rainbird and we know Rainbird had some stuff on Freeman that he wouldn't want spread round. Suppose he had some dirt on Grayson as well.'

‘It's possible, but a previous DCI who was asked for a character reference when I transferred from the Gloucestershire force mentioned that I was inclined to be what he called a loose canon, and DCI Leach said the same after the tattoo parlour adventure, as you call it. I'm not going to risk yet another rap on the knuckles for the same thing. The best I can do is report this to Rathbone when I get back.'

‘Is he on duty today?'

‘As far as I know.'

‘Then why not give him a call now and tell him what you've found out?'

‘It's tempting, but how do I explain why I started questioning the events manager while I was having lunch with you? He has no idea you're the reason I'm doing this weekend in town.'

‘You don't have to let him know about me. Tell him you've got a rich uncle; I'm sure you can think of something.'

‘Vicky knows I'm meeting you because I'd already told her I'd asked you to do a bit of ferreting around near Rainbird's place for me. She promised to keep it quiet for the time being, but if I told Rathbone about this and he shared it with the others she might feel duty bound to say you're the one who invited me to London and took me to lunch at the Ritz. I've got to think this through.'

‘All right,' he said resignedly. ‘It's still quite warm so let's go for a stroll in Green Park.'

The mild weather had attracted a number of people to the park. There were families with children; some had spread blankets on the grass and were enjoying picnics while others were strolling along the paths, stopping every few yards to admire the flowers. ‘Let's hire a couple of deckchairs,' Harry suggested. ‘Maybe you'll think better sitting down and relaxing. Or you might have a little nap while you digest your lunch.'

‘Which was delicious,' said Sukey. ‘Thank you so much, Harry.'

They sat for a while without speaking. Around them, pigeons were pecking in the grass, occasionally taking off with a noisy flapping of wings when chased by a shrieking child. Sukey closed her eyes, reflected on everything they had learned that day and tried to decide how she should handle it. She found herself praying.
Please Lord, tell me what I should do!

Harry was the first to break the silence. ‘About this chap Grayson,' he said. ‘You've got the rest of today and most of tomorrow to get in touch with him. If you leave it till you get back to work to tell Rathbone what you've just learned, my guess is you'll get a rocket for not reporting it right away. He's sure to want it followed up and it would make more sense to do it while you're here rather than have to make another trip to London. In that case you might even have to pay for your own ticket as a penalty for neglect of duty,' he added with a sly grin.

‘You know something,' said Sukey, ‘I think you're right. I'll call him now.' Rathbone's response was as Harry had predicted. ‘We have to follow this up, if possible while you're still in town. I remember asking Ashman for his home address. I've got it here somewhere. Yes, here we are.' He dictated an address and telephone number. ‘Got that?'

‘Yes, Guv.'

‘Go and tackle the bugger right away and keep me posted.'

‘Will do, Guv. You were right,' she said as she put her phone away. ‘He lives in Isleworth; have you any idea where that is?'

‘It's not that far from Richmond,' said Harry. ‘Let's go back to the hotel and look up the address.'

A little over an hour later they were parked outside an impressive house in what was evidently a prosperous area. Every property had a large front garden and a wide drive with parking for two and in some cases three cars. The drive at number twenty-five, however, was empty. ‘There's obviously no one at home,' said Sukey.

‘Why don't you ring the bell?' Harry suggested. ‘There might be someone in who could tell you when he'll be back.'

Sukey shook her head. ‘I want to catch him unawares,' she said.

‘Give him a call later on,' he suggested.

‘I don't think so; it might be awkward if his wife answered the phone. I've got to go carefully. If only I could think of a way to catch him face to face – wait a minute!' she exclaimed. ‘Tomorrow's Sunday and being so religious he's sure to go to church. But which church, I wonder? If we knew, we could check the times of the services.'

‘Maybe he goes to one near here,' said Harry. ‘Let's drive round a little.'

They had not gone far when Sukey noticed a spire rising above some trees a short distance ahead. ‘That looks like a church,' she said. ‘Let's try and find it.'