Dangerous Waters, page 25
‘It’s ok. Not your fault. Perhaps he won’t stay long,’ she said hopefully.
Dan returned with their drinks and Jeanne’s wish was granted as only a few minutes later he took his leave of them, muttering that he had someone to meet.
Jeanne let out a sigh of relief and Marcus seemed to perk up, becoming more chatty.
‘You never really told me much about your weekend in London. What did you end up doing?’
She felt on safer ground and was quite happy to describe both her meeting with the agent and the good time she’d had with Freya. Time passed quickly and it was with a shock that she saw it was nearly ten o’clock.
‘I’d better get going. I don’t want to be late tonight as the storm’s about to break. Thanks for the drink. I guess we can still be friends,’ she said, smiling.
He stood up and kissed her lightly on the cheek before saying, ‘Thanks again for coming, Jeanne. I appreciate it. I expect we’ll see each other around. Take care.’
She went back to her car relieved to find that so far the rain had held off. Twenty minutes later she was back at the Marina and just as she was preparing to board La Belle Élise the first drops of rain fell. Flashes of forked lightning were visible on the horizon and the rumble of thunder was getting closer. She had taken her torch which was just as well as it was pitch black and judging by the lack of lights on the neighbouring boats everyone else was either already in bed or out. She had hardly seen anyone on the other boats during her stay and for the first time since her arrival she wished she had company.
By the time she had unlocked the cabin she felt desperately tired, even worse than the previous night. It must be this heat, she thought drowsily. And perhaps the wine. She almost fell into the bunk and was immediately asleep.
It was several hours later when she stirred. She had been having a bad dream and woke up, her heart hammering and feeling afraid. She had dreamt she was in a boat which had been hit by another one and it was sinking and she was drowning. She reached out groggily for the light switch and cried out. Something was wrong, the boat was listing and she could hear water sloshing about. As she swung her legs over the edge of the bunk her head swam and she felt dizzy. Putting her feet down gingerly she found herself standing in water.
‘Oh my God!’ she cried. ‘The boat’s sinking!’ She struggled to keep her footing, waves of nausea overtaking her as she reached for her clothes and the torch. She stumbled slowly to the door. The water was a few inches deep and the boat was rocking from side to side but she finally made it to the door and after a struggle managed to pull it open. She crawled up the steps and into the cockpit.
It was dry in there but she could hear the rain lashing down on the awning and through the clear plastic window caught flashes of lightning. Gingerly she lifted up part of the awning and screamed. The boat was no longer moored safely on the pontoon but was drifting, battered by the wind and rain, towards the rocky harbour entrance and the open sea.
chapter thirty
Panic began to engulf Jeanne as she struggled to clear her head but dizziness and nausea kept sweeping over her. Nick, she must ring Nick! She stumbled back down into the cabin to find her phone. It was a while before she could remember where it was. The previous evening was a blur and she struggled to think what she had done on returning to the boat.
Handbag! The thought floated into her mind and she rummaged around on the bunk and found it under the bedclothes. Grabbing her phone she dialled Nick’s number. It rang and rang and Jeanne was just about to give up in despair when his groggy voice answered.
‘Izzat you, Jeanne? Whassa matter?’
‘Oh, Nick! Thank goodness! The boat’s adrift… it’s… going out to sea… and… and… she’s sinking! There… there’s water in the cabin!’ she was now crying with terror.
Nick came to as if he’d been slapped. ‘Ok. Hold on! I’m on my way and I’ll get help. Wait in the cockpit.’ He cut off the call and Jeanne was left shaking but hopeful. Nick wouldn’t let her drown! As she looked around the cabin she saw her laptop and files. She couldn’t lose them! Disobeying Nick’s command to stay in the cockpit she began to slowly transfer the computer and the files up the steps and into the relative safety of the cockpit. It was slow and difficult because the boat kept shifting and she was still dizzy, finding it hard to carry anything and remain upright at the same time.
She was crawling up the steps with a box file when she heard a shout – ‘Ahoy there! Jeanne – can you hear me?’
She scrambled into the cockpit and opened the awning. There were two men in a dinghy coming towards her and she could just pick out Nick.
‘Yes, I… I can hear you. Wh… what do you want me to do?’
‘Just stay there for the moment. We’re going to attach a rope for a tow. You’re quite safe, she’s not that low in the water. Just hang on!’ Nick shouted.
She thought she might as well bring up the other files while she waited. There was no way she would leave them on the boat once she was rescued.
She could hear the men’s voices as they made fast the rope.
‘OK, Jeanne. We’re going to start towing now. Won’t be long. Better if you sit down.’
‘Right.’
She sat on the bench seat and felt the boat lurch as the dinghy started to pull away. It must have a powerful outboard, Jeanne thought, as it took the strain. Le Belle Élise was only metres away from the nearest pontoon and slowly the boats inched back towards safety.
There was a bump and the boat rocked for a moment and then steadied. The awning was thrown back and Nick jumped down into the cockpit. Jeanne staggered into his arms and burst into tears.
‘Hey, it’s all right. You’re safe, darling, you’re safe. Hush, now, hush,’ he said gently as he held her tight. He brushed the hair back off her white, tear streaked face and guided her to the side of the boat and then onto the pontoon. The other man reached out to give her a hand and threw a waterproof cape around her shoulders.
‘All right, miss? You’ve had a nasty experience, you have. We’ll soon have you in the warm and dry.’
Jeanne nodded numbly, still in shock. She saw Nick’s head appear in the cockpit and called out to him, ‘Nick, my laptop and files. Please don’t leave them!’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll make sure everything’s safe. I’ve just got to stop the water coming in. I may be a while. Mike, could you please take Jeanne up to the office? And if you’ve got any brandy or something, for the shock?’
‘No problem. Come on, miss, let’s get you out of this rain. Nick knows what he’s doing, he’ll be along directly.’
As Mike guided her steadily along the pontoon Jeanne saw lights on in a couple of boats and voices called out to ask what was going on.
‘It’s all right, folks. A boat lost its moorings but it’s safe now. You can go back to sleep,’ Mike answered and within moments all was darkness again. The rain ricocheted off the boats with a sharp staccato and lightning lit up the sky overhead. She was glad of the hooded cape as she stumbled towards the steps leading to the office.
Mike unlocked the door and helped her into a chair. He then disappeared into another room and came back with a tumbler containing what must have been at least a double measure of brandy.
‘Here, miss. This’ll make you feel better,’ he proffered the glass shifting from one foot to another.
‘Th…thanks,’ Jeanne murmured and took a cautious sip. The fiery liquid caught the back of her throat and she gasped. The brandy’s warmth spread through her body and began to settle her groaning stomach.
‘Will you be alright now? I’d best see if Nick needs a hand.’
‘Of course. I can manage.’
He quickly left the office and she sat huddled in a chair taking small sips of brandy.
She groaned. What a night! And how on earth did the boat become adrift and start taking in water? The questions swirled around her befuddled brain. Nothing made sense to her. And she couldn’t understand why she felt so dizzy and sick. Her head was like cotton-wool and when she tried to remember what had happened the previous day everything was a blur.
Sometime later, as she was on the verge of losing consciousness, the sound of heavy footsteps outside startled her awake and for a moment she thought that danger was still stalking her. Her heart was hammering in her chest when, to her great relief, Mike entered, followed closely by Nick. They were both carrying her boxes of files and Nick also had her laptop. After putting everything down Nick went over to her and she stood up shakily as he threw his arms around her.
‘Well, you sure gave me a fright, young lady. I’ve never been so scared in my life as when you phoned to say the boat was sinking!
But you’re safe now,’ he said, stroking her hair.
‘But what happened? How did the boat come loose? And why all the water?’
‘The sea cock had given way, I don’t know why. And the valve in the heads was set to the pump position. I’ve managed to fix it temporarily so at least no more water can come in. As for the moorings – they couldn’t have come loose on their own,’ Nick’s jaw tightened as he added, ‘We’ll talk about it later. You need to get to bed, you look all in. And you should see a doctor. I’m taking you home, okay?’
She nodded, too horrified by the implication of what he’d just said to say anything herself. If Nick was right, then it meant that someone had just tried to kill her!
chapter thirty-one
It was midday before Jeanne opened her eyes and again felt that disorientation of not knowing where she was. It slowly dawned on her that this was Nick’s bedroom and she was in his bed. She vaguely remembered asking him if she could sleep with him as she didn’t want to be alone. He had been happy to oblige, even managing a joke about neither of them being in a fit state for seduction and they were both quite safe.
Nick had called a doctor and he had carefully examined Jeanne while she told him about the dizziness and nausea. He had taken a blood sample before leaving, telling her to rest, before going out of the room to talk to Nick.
As the memories began to surface Jeanne could feel her heart racing at the thought that she had been close to dying at sea for the second time in her life. She was beginning to feel scared at being on her own when the door opened and Nick came in bearing a tray with orange juice, coffee and toast.
His eyes lit up when he saw that she was conscious.
‘Hi, glad you’re awake. Hadn’t wanted to disturb you before but I’m afraid you’re going to have a visitor in an hour or so. How are you feeling?’
‘A bit groggy still and I’m so thirsty! I could drink gallons. Who’s the unwanted visitor?’ she asked, drowsily.
‘Your old friend Inspector Ferguson. He wants to talk to you about last night. But if you’re not up to it I can put him off a bit longer.’
‘No, it’s all right. Though I think I’d better be out of your bed and dressed!’ she managed a faint smile.
‘When you’ve had your breakfast would you manage a shower? Might make you feel better.’
‘I’d love one, if I can stand up without feeling dizzy. Mm, this coffee’s good. A snazzy machine special is it?’
He grinned and said, ‘Of course! No instant rubbish in this house. I’ll leave you to eat in peace. I’ve got a couple of calls to make and I’ll be back in a jiffy.’
‘Shouldn’t you be at work?’ she asked, puzzled.
‘I should be, but as the boss I took a unilateral decision to stay home and take care of my, er, guest. I’m running things from here today, hence the phone calls.’
Jeanne sat up nibbling the toast and drinking her coffee and began to feel a little better – at least physically. Her stomach seemed happy to be fed and watered and when she had finished she pushed the tray to one side and slowly swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Taking a deep breath she put her weight on her feet and levered herself upright.
‘Hey! You were supposed to wait for me,’ Nick said as he came in and strode quickly to her side.
She glanced up at him and said, ‘I’m all right. I’d like to try and walk on my own.’ She carefully took a few steps away from the bed and although she felt a bit unsteady, she took a few more before returning and sitting on the edge of the bed.
‘See? That was okay, wasn’t it? I think I could manage a shower now.’
‘It’s just through here,’ he said, pointing to a door on the opposite wall. As he led the way Jeanne had a thought.
‘What’s happened to all my things on the boat?’
‘I brought back your files and laptop last night, or rather early this morning. And I grabbed some of your clothes which are downstairs. The rest are still on board but perfectly safe. I’ll bring up your clothes while you’re having your shower. But don’t you think you should stay in bed? The doctor did tell me you needed to rest for as long as possible.’
‘I’d rather get up but I don’t think I’ll be fit for much. Could you please show me how this amazing looking shower works?’
Nick went through the settings with her, setting out fresh towels before leaving her alone.
The shower was as powerful as it looked and Jeanne allowed the jets to play over her body, easing the tension from her aching muscles. She had caught sight of herself in the bathroom mirror and was horrified to see her hair, normally her pride and glory, looking like a bunch of rats’ tails and she washed it back into condition.
After wrapping herself in a giant fluffy towel she stepped back into the bedroom. Her clothes were laid out on the bed and for a moment she felt embarrassed at the thought of Nick collecting up her bras and knickers with her other clothes. On reflection, she couldn’t remember how she had got out of her wet clothes and into Nick’s pyjama top the previous night. Oh well, she thought, it’s too late to worry about that now. She noticed that he had also left her a hairdryer – he was obviously well versed in the needs of women!
She had just finished dressing and was about to dry her hair when Nick knocked on the door. She called him in and he just popped his head around the door.
‘Are you feeling all right? Didn’t like to leave you for too long.’
‘Fine, thanks. Is the Inspector here?’
‘No, he should be here in about ten minutes. Just take your time, he can wait. We’ll be in the kitchen when you’re ready.’
‘Ok.’
Fifteen minutes later her hair was dry and combed into shape and Jeanne was ready to go downstairs to re-live a night she would rather forget.
She found the Inspector and another policeman sitting at the kitchen table with Nick, drinking coffee.
They stood up as she entered and Nick quickly pulled out a chair for her.
The Inspector was looking sombre as he introduced his sergeant to Jeanne and then continued.
‘Jeanne, I’m sorry to bother you when you should be resting but, as you’ve probably realised, it was no accident that happened to you last night. Looks like someone tried to kill you and we’ve got to find them quickly in case they try again.’
She gasped. ‘You think someone could try again? I don’t understand, who wants to kill me?’
‘The same folk as killed your parents, most like. This latest incident proves to me that your parents’ deaths were no accident but deliberate, just as you were beginning to suspect yourself. They need to stop you remembering enough to identify them. I’m afraid there’s no nice way of saying this, but if someone’s already killed two people they’re not likely to worry about killing a third,’ he said, watching her carefully.
Nick was sitting next to Jeanne and he reached out and held her hand as she struggled to come to terms with the Inspector’s words.
‘So, you’re absolutely sure that someone planned to… to kill me last night?’ she said eventually.
‘Yes, we’re sure about that. The blood test confirmed the doctor’s suspicions. You’d been drugged and were not meant to wake up till it was too late.’
‘Drugged! So that’s why I felt so awful! But how, when?’
‘That’s what I need you to tell me. Where were you yesterday and who did you see?’
Jeanne’s head was still not completely clear and she had to think hard for a moment.
‘I went to the cottage for a few hours and was on my own the whole time. Then I went back to the boat and later I changed to go out. Oh! Now I remember! Marcus had phoned me and asked me to meet him… ’
Nick cut in sharply, ‘Marcus? You didn’t tell me. I thought you two had fallen out?’
‘We did. But he said he wanted to apologise and wanted us to be friends. I didn’t want to see him but wanted to keep the peace for the sake of the group. I didn’t think it would hurt to have a drink with him,’ she said, upset. She didn’t want Nick to get the wrong idea about her seeing Marcus.
Nick squeezed her hand and said, more gently, ‘I understand, don’t worry.’
The Inspector had been watching them, becoming impatient.
‘Please, Jeanne. Tell me who this Marcus character is and what happened.’
She turned to face him and continued.
‘His name’s Marcus Davidson. I knew him at school and met him again soon after I came back in the spring. We went out together a few times and then we fell out. Anyway, I met him at The Doghouse on Sunday evening about eight thirty and had a drink with him. He looked awful – he’s usually very smart – said he’d been working late and not sleeping. Then his brother turned up and bought us another drink. He left soon after and I left about ten and went back to the boat.’
‘Marcus’s brother, is he Dan Davidson, the antiques dealer?’ the Inspector asked as he and his sergeant exchanged glances.
‘Yes, I’d met him before, at my cottage. He bought my old furniture from me. He… he gave me the creeps. I think he’s on drugs. Oh! drugs!’ Jeanne’s hands flew to her face.
Nick looked horrified. ‘I didn’t know you knew Dan. He’s a bad lot, isn’t he, Inspector?’
The Inspector nodded. ‘He’s not someone to get on the wrong side of, that’s for sure. Been trying to nail him for years but… Can you excuse us for a minute?’ He beckoned to his sergeant and they went outside for a few moments and the Inspector came back alone.
