A Forgotten Shadow, page 20
“Probably,” agreed Shadow. “Really it all came down to the gun. When we discovered the gun that killed Flynn’s was the same one that killed my father, it made sense that someone who was around then had to be involved. We knew from those old photos that Sybil was a decent shot. She had the opportunity to take Annabel’s telephone; she could easily have crept into the library from the garden, used the secret passageway to go upstairs unnoticed and gone into Annabel’s bedroom while Annabel was unwell. Then there was Seb telling us he’d picked up his granny on the way back from taking photographs. That’s when she must have been walking back to the village from the tunnel, having been sure to drop Annabel’s phone where it could be easily found. Ironically, if Annabel hadn’t been so careful to delete her messages, Sybil may have discovered that she and Flynn were planning on leaving and he may still be here.” He paused for a moment as he considered what might have been. “I’m also fairly certain Sybil was the one who contacted the chief constable about her concerns regarding our presence. The police had backed off once during an investigation involving her family and she hoped it would happen again.”
“And all because she was jealous of Flynn and Annabel.”
“Jealous and bitter,” agreed Shadow. “She had dedicated her life to the estate, but Bertie had never lived up to her expectations as an heir. She was growing old, and her health was failing, I think she was scared of no longer being able to control the estate and its future. Flynn had always been a thorn in her side, and she saw Annabel as a threat to her position. Her hatred made her irrational. I think she discovered the affair when Annabel met Flynn at Clancy’s. She dropped a very heavy hint to me about Annabel finding something worth staying in the village for. Sybil thought Flynn and Annabel might put Seb’s inheritance in jeopardy and so took the opportunity to try and remove them both by putting Flynn in his grave and Annabel in prison.”
Jimmy sighed and shook his head.
“She hoped we’d think it was a crime of passion.” He paused. “Hey, Chief, I was thinking while we were up at the castle… The way Sybil thought Annabel would pass off Flynn’s child as Bertie’s, do you think Plum or Bertie could really be Bill’s child?”
Shadow held up his hands. “I don’t know, and I don’t want to know. I think we should definitely let those particular sleeping dogs lie.”
They drove on in silence for a few minutes before Jimmy spoke again.
“Why do you think Sybil and Bill didn’t run off together, like Flynn and Annabel planned to?” he asked.
Shadow shrugged. “Things were different back then and Bertie was only a baby, but I have a feeling my father’s death was the real reason. They’d managed to hush up what happened, but the scandal around a duchess leaving her husband for a gamekeeper was bound to lead to awkward questions being asked, and the possibility of them both facing criminal charges.”
“But they still loved each other, and Bill remained faithful to her after all these years. I guess they are together forever now,” sighed Jimmy sounding wistful.
“Yes,” replied Shadow quietly, “and Sybil got her final wish.”
*
As they approached Kirkdale, Shadow’s phone began to ring. It was the custody desk.
“Pull over here,” he ordered. “I don’t want to risk losing the signal while I take this.”
Jimmy obediently stopped opposite the pub and waited as Shadow answered the call and listened to what the custody sergeant had to say.
“Well, Chief?” asked Jimmy, as Shadow slipped his phone back into his pocket.
“It appears a night in the cells has given Siobhan a change of heart—either that or her solicitor has managed to make her see sense. In exchange for us lowering the charge from attempted murder to GBH, she is prepared to give evidence against Lord Eastwold. Apparently, switching the horses was all his idea, a way for him and Siobhan to make the money they both needed. He only told Bertie about it a few days before, made it sound like a huge joke.”
“Not a very funny one for the other trainers and jockeys.”
“No but as always, Bertie was happy to go along with his old friend. However, when Sybil got wind of the scheme, she didn’t share his sense of humour. I expect she tried to put a stop to it, but Siobhan and Eastwold were determined to go ahead, hence the last-minute invite issued to their London lawyer.”
“Bet was right about her always knowing what was going on. I guess when it comes to parenting there’s a thin line between protecting and controlling, Chief,” said Jimmy.
Shadow raised an eyebrow. “That’s unusually astute of you, Sergeant. While you are in this philosophical mood why don’t you go and arrest Eastwold. Those two constables on the gate can help if you need them. It might cheer them up after losing their car in front of the chief constable.”
“Don’t you want to come, Chief?”
“No, I’ll get out here,” said Shadow opening the car door. He’d spotted Sir Charles outside the pub, pacing up and down as he smoked a cigarette. “Come and collect me later.”
He walked across the road and raised a hand in greeting to the politician.
“You can tell it’s been a stressful day. I haven’t had one of these in years,” said Sir Charles taking another drag.
“You didn’t feel like staying at the castle?”
“No, not when the news came through about Sybil and old Greenwood. It felt like I was intruding. The chief constable is taking Seb and Plum up to the crash site. I told Annabel I’d wait here for her while she packs her bags. She said she’d like to stay in the cottage where she used to meet Flynn for a while, until she decides what to do next. I imagine it holds happy memories for her. Where is your sergeant off too?” he asked as they watched Jimmy turn the car around and drive back towards the castle.
“He has an appointment with Lord Eastwold,” explained Shadow.
Sir Charles gave a knowing smile. “I can’t say I’m surprised. I didn’t think for a minute Siobhan had acted alone.”
“Poor Bertie.” Shadow sighed. “It can’t be easy for him. He’s lost his wife, mother and best friend all in the same day.”
“Don’t feel too sorry for him, Shadow. I expect he’ll find comfort where he does most nights.” Sir Charles inclined his head towards the pub window, where the barmaid could be seen pulling pints.
“Bet?” asked Shadow incredulously. Sir Charles grinned.
“It’s been going on for years. Where do you think Bertie was while we were all at La Scuola that night?”
As if sensing she was being watched, Bet looked up and gave them both a little wave.
“Oh, I know she’s an outrageous flirt, and Sybil certainly didn’t approve,” continued Sir Charles as he stubbed out his cigarette, “but Bet’s the only person who has never wanted Bertie to be any more than he is. Will you join me for a pint?”
“I’ll be along in a minute,” replied Shadow. He turned, walked a little way up the road, stepped through the gates into the churchyard and followed the narrow path that meandered between the graves. Stopping in front of the two simple headstones, he stooped down to remove the now wilting white roses from the graves of his parents and grandparents. He ran his fingers over his father’s engraved name and brushed away a few specks of dust.
For a moment, he stood there silently with his head bowed. When he raised his eyes again, he saw a magpie perched on the headstone, his black and white head tilted to one side as he surveyed the chief inspector. With a small smile, Shadow saluted him, as his grandfather had taught him, then turned and headed back towards the sounds of life and laughter echoing out of the village pub.
THE END
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Acknowledgements
My thanks as always to the wonderful team at Tule: Jane Porter, Meghan Farrell, Cyndi Parent and Nikki Babri.
I was very lucky to work with three amazing editors again: Sinclair Sawhney, Helena Newton and Marlene Roberts. Many thanks for all your suggestions and your support.
A big thank you to Patrick Knowles for another beautiful book cover and to Lee Hyat for coordinating the design.
A Forgotten Shadow – Crossword
Across
1. The upper class to the coast I carry (11 letters)
4. Initially Fred, Ian and Xander alter the odds in their favour (3 letters)
5. Ride the filly or stallion along the shore (5 letters)
6. Tim and Tom begin to put money on who they think will win (7 letters)
8. You can’t hire the one to succeed you (4 letters)
Down
1. An infidelity when Fiona and Anthony are seen at the fair (6 letters)
2. Don’t scare the horses or they won’t win here (5 letters)
3. Yes Dr I count in the great outdoors (11 letters)
6. Beatrice uses Brie to get what she wants (5 letters)
7. Snug is the last thing you feel when they go bang! (4 letters)
A Forgotten Shadow – Crossword Solution
If you enjoyed A Forgotten Shadow, you’ll love the next book in…
The Chief Inspector Shadow series
Book 1: A Long Shadow
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Book 2: A Viking’s Shadow
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Book 3: A Ghostly Shadow
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Book 4: A Roman Shadow
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Book 5: A Forgotten Shadow
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Book 6: A Christmas Shadow
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About the Author
H L Marsay always loved detective stories and promised herself that one day, she would write one too. She is lucky enough to live in York, a city full of history and mystery. When not writing, the five men in her life keep her busy – two sons, two dogs and one husband.
Visit her website at hlmarsay.wixsite.com
Follow H L on Facebook and Twitter @MarsayHelen
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H L Marsay, A Forgotten Shadow
