The Lost Gardens(18)

Her question hung in the air for several moments, while Latimer was clearly trying to frame an answer.

He leaned back in his chair and ran a hand across his forehead. ‘No, we didn’t, Jamie,’ he said. Then, after a pause ‘And no, we can’t, I’m afraid.’

‘Can’t what,’ asked Jamie.

‘Have him exhumed.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because Major Ryder was cremated.’





Chapter Six

After dinner Jamie offered to show Bella around the upstairs rooms. This gave Kingston the chance he had been hoping for—the opportunity for a private talk with David. There were questions—one in particular—that he wanted to ask that would have been out of the question in the company of Jamie. The last thing he wanted was for her to get the impression that he was nosing into her affairs.

With fresh coffee for Latimer and a cognac for Kingston, the two of them sat across from each other, chairs angled toward the fireplace. For a while he and Latimer talked about the restoration, Kingston briefing him on the encouraging progress they’d made so far and describing some of the structures and features that they had uncovered and were going to rehabilitate.

Soon, the conversation shifted to Jamie.

‘How did you track her down?’ asked Kingston.

‘It took longer than we anticipated because we initially assumed that she was English or British. When we drew a blank with our inquiries, we turned it over to a private investigator. ’

Kingston nodded. ‘I’m not one to be nosy, David, but I’m curious. How is it that Jamie was able to make what appears to be such an easy and rapid transition from her life back in California? I’ve tried to picture myself suddenly thrust in her position and how I would react, what a huge impact it would have on one’s life in general. There’s her job—presuming she had one—her family and friends, her house or apartment, all those things. As I understand it, she made a fairly quick decision to chuck it all up and come over here, thousands of miles away, where she doesn’t know a soul. I must say, for a single woman, it’s damned adventuresome.’

Latimer put down his cup and saucer. ‘As you’ve probably found out already, Jamie is not your typical American. She tends to keep herself to herself. In a way, I suppose, she’s more like us.You know, the stereotypical reserved Englishman or woman in this case. In due course I’m sure she’ll come around.’ He chuckled. ‘With someone as charismatic as you, Lawrence, rather quickly, I would imagine.’

‘Seriously, is she going to be able to afford all this? You and I both know what kind of money it’s going to take.’

Latimer paused for a moment, as if debating just how much of Jamie’s personal information he could pass on. ‘Let me put it this way,’he said. ‘The two of us have spent a lot of time going over the estate’s assets. Early on she gave me a rough idea of what she wanted to do and later she presented me with what I would call a very pragmatic and sophisticated business plan. It not only detailed all the various projects and changes that she was recommending but included their projected costs. The breakdown of the expense estimates was quite extensive and specific. Working with her builder, she produced a timetable and work order list several pages long. I wouldn’t mind betting she’s done this kind of thing before. She’s exceptionally bright, you know.’

‘I’ve already come to that conclusion, David.’ Kingston took time crossing his legs. ‘By the way, what did she do in the States?’

‘You know, she’s been rather vague about that. She just said that she worked in the wine business. She did tell me her father worked for a wine import company, though. Perhaps she did, too. Her parents are both dead, by the way.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

‘Anyway,’ said Latimer, with a slight shrug, ‘just what motivated her to drop everything back there to come over here and take on this challenge, I really can’t say. I’m more than satisfied that she can afford it though, don’t you worry on that score. I don’t know where this Ryder chap got his money from—family money for the best part, I suppose, but somehow he managed to invest it very wisely over the years.’ He chuckled. ‘All I know is that it didn’t come from his army pension.’

Kingston nodded in agreement. ‘Well, the important thing is that the money’s there, right?’

Latimer smiled. ‘Oh, you’ll get paid all right, if that’s what you’re worried about, old chap.’

Kingston returned the smile. ‘Never gave it a moment’s thought, David.’