Three Little Maids(37)

‘No and I don’t like this line of thought one bit,’ he groaned. ‘It only serves to back up the first idea I had that we’ve got a serial killer here - a real crazy nut.’

‘Or a clever murderer.’





25




She heard Kent leave the house before she’d made her early morning coffee. They had talked on well into the night. About old times, laughed a lot and discussed those things that were harder to discuss and divulge in the light of day. ‘I lost my mother when I was ten,’ she said. ‘My Dad’s remarried. Are your parents still living?’

‘I was adopted, Viviane,’ he announced it quite casually.

‘Really, Jon?’

‘Yep… I was only a few hours old when I was left in a phone box in the grounds of a London hospital and adopted by Jim Kent and his wife Margaret. My Mum and Dad. And two brothers and a sister Briony as well. I had a great home life.

‘So you never knew your real mother?’

‘No. And I could have been just like Raymond, if I’d had a single parent mum. I didn’t have the problems and trauma that the lad has obviously gone through. I consider myself a damn sight luckier than he was.’ He said getting up from the chair. ‘Better call it a day I think.’

‘Yes, I think so too.’

‘The old boy’s raring to go this morning, isn’t he?’ Simon remarked cheerfully as he came down for breakfast. ‘It must be the sea air here agreeing with him.’

She frowned. ‘I expect he’s got to keep well on top of things.’

He laughed. ‘I know, Mum. I can still remember how fraught and edgy Dad used to get when he was on a case.’

‘Well, I’m glad you do then. So don’t hassle Jon when you see him. And not so much of the old boy. You’ll wish you were in such good nick when you’re his age. ‘

‘Jon is it now?’ He grinned. But shut up when he saw her frown.

*

Viviane groaned when she saw Esmeralda’s tall, imposing figure advancing towards her. She was working on the book reservations at her desk. She put down her pen and waited with a wary smile for her old friend.

‘Good morning, Viviane. How are you? You usually take off round the countryside today. But I felt sure that you were working here at base. And here you are,’ she declared triumphantly. ‘So I haven’t wasted my time in coming in.’

‘No. Joan is having a turn this week instead. It does us all good to have a change of routine.’

What was it Esmeralda wanted to say? Viviane wondered. She felt sure that it was to do with the death of the French girl. And she was right.

‘You know that what I said last Friday came true,’ Esmeralda said. ‘The Tarot cards cannot lie.’

Viviane heard and made no comment. It would be a waste of time anyway. Esmeralda was prepared to enlarge on it readily. ‘That young French girl came to consult me in my booth on Friday. She wanted advice from the Tarot. And I told her she was treading on dangerous ground with the two men she was involved with - ’

‘Two men?’

‘Yes. One of them was the chef at my hotel. Cliff Jones. A volatile, angry young man. I saw them together afterwards on the sea front. They were arguing in a public place. Such a pretty young girl she was. She wouldn’t listen to my advice.’ She shook her head and the amber beads clinked around her thin neck like temple bells.

‘Do the young ever listen? You warned her obviously.’

‘Of course.’ Esmeralda drew herself up imperiously. ‘I have to say what I see. But I never mention death even if I see it in the cards. Just a warning of the danger surrounding her. She wouldn’t listen. Instead I got some choice French words from her that I wouldn’t choose to interpret,’ she said with a look of disdain on her strong features.

‘It is possible, then, she was playing a difficult game if Cliff Jones is so jealous natured.’

‘Yes. Oh, yes. She most definitely was. And she could have paid for it with her life.’ Esmeralda tossed her turbaned head again. ‘Your Police Inspector should speak to him. He could be the killer. They should investigate his movements that night. And find out too who else she was meeting. She didn’t deny that there was someone else.’

Viviane grimaced. ‘My Police Inspector! Steady on. He’s my tenant, Esmeralda. That is all. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. Please be careful what you’re saying. Gossip spreads quickly here. And you of all people should know that.’

Esmeralda grinned. ‘Just as you say, Viviane. I’m sure you are a model landlady and very circumspect.’

Viviane sighed heavily, and drummed the desk top lightly with her fingers. She doubted she could control Esmeralda’s mischievous tongue. ‘Have you got a book you want renewed, Esmeralda? You’ll have to go to the counter for that. Or have you just come in for a chat?’