‘There can be little doubt. This house and grounds are valuable assets. Should you wish to sell, they will bring a large sum, despite the state of the market. There is money deposited in several banks. Finally, there is a life assurance in which you both are named as beneficiaries.’

  ‘He must have thought he’d live for ever or he wouldn’t have mentioned us.’

  ‘You are his children.’

  ‘You think that stirred his emotions?’

  ‘Did you know he had a life assurance?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘The sum involved is five hundred thousand pounds.’

  ‘That’s what we’ll get?’ Alec asked.

  ‘Hasn’t the inspector just said so,’ she snapped. She spoke to Alvarez. ‘Do you intend to bore us with any more questions?’

  ‘A few. Do you know a lady named Janet Nast?’

  ‘I met her for the first time a few days ago.’

  ‘Where was that?’

  ‘She came here to ask when the funeral would be. Tried to make out she was shocked by his death. Hoping to find he’d left her something for services rendered.’

  ‘You knew there had been a relationship?’

  ‘I didn’t imagine they’d been whist partners.’

  ‘Do you know if she is married?’

  ‘She wore a wedding ring. My father preferred that. Gave him the added pleasure of cuckolding the husband. Why do you want to know about her? Is she the named woman in the will?’

  ‘That is so.’ He stood. ‘Thank you for your help.’

  Neither of them spoke or moved as he left. Roldan appeared to open the front door. ‘Is everything all right, Inspector?’

  ‘Is it ever?’

  He walked over to his car, drove up to the gateway, waited for traffic to clear. Had Caroline been speaking from the heart when talking about her mother or from self-interest?

  TEN

  Seated behind his desk, receiver to ear, Alvarez waited.

  ‘Are you there?’ Salas demanded.

  ‘Yes, señor.’

  ‘Then why the devil don’t you say so?’

  ‘I was told you would speak to me and so thought you’d make the first overture.’

  ‘To The Perfect Fool? Why did you not phone me as I ordered?’

  ‘I was just about to, señor.’

  ‘I find it significant that when you fail to make a report and I ask why, your invariable answer is that you were just about to.’

  ‘That has to be a coincidence.’

  ‘For you, the arm of coincidence is of infinite length. Why has it taken you so long to prepare yourself “just about to ring” when I said you were to do so immediately on your return from Ca’n Mortex?’

  ‘I had to wait a long time for the brother and sister to return.’

  ‘And you were content to stay there, rather than telling the staff to inform you when they returned so that in the interval, you could carry out some of the work you have left undone?’

  ‘You told me to wait until they did return.’

  ‘If I tell you to swim to Dragonera, you will do so without thought?’

  ‘I can’t swim.’

  ‘The things you can’t do become legion. Did you remember why you were waiting for the return of the brother and sister, or by then had you forgotten the purpose of your visit?’

  ‘I spoke mainly to Señorita Caroline. They came to the island to ask their father to make a bigger allowance to their mother. He claimed he was unable to do so, lacking sufficient money. The stupidity of that was obvious when he lived expensively in a house which is worth a great deal of money since it is in a prime position, overlooking the bay and one can see the open sea through the headlands . . .’

  ‘Presumably, you mean between them. When I want a description of the physical features, I will ask someone who can present them accurately.’

  ‘They did know the terms of the trust fund and that they would gain no benefit from it on the death of their father. So that no longer provides a motive.’

  ‘You have proof they were unaware of the terms?’

  ‘I don’t know how one could have proof of that negative, señor.’

  ‘Nor do I.’

  ‘Then I can’t understand why you asked.’

  ‘In a vain attempt to remind you that, lacking such proof, the motive remains.’

  ‘I am convinced they were not lying.’

  ‘Then continue on the assumption that they were.’

  ‘They were unaware of the contents of the señor’s will.’

  ‘I need to repeat the question I asked a moment ago?’

  ‘When I told them about the life assurance, Alec Sterne asked me, with some concern, whether he and his sister would receive the assured amount. That was significant.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘It showed he thought there could be doubt that they would qualify, due to the staged suicide. Of course, any life assurance must make certain suicide renders a policy null and void. But it is fact that when someone is unexpectedly told he is coming into a large sum of money, his immediate reaction is likely to be to gain confidence that it is true and not subject to any proviso.

  ‘And one has to return to the question, how could one or other of them become involved in the attempt to make it look like suicide since that would negate the assurance?’

  ‘Have either of them medical knowledge?’

  ‘I can’t say.’

  ‘Because it would have needed the ability to view matters with logical intelligence and imagination. Have you anything to add to your report which will not further obfuscate what, if any, conclusion you have come to?’

  ‘No, señor.’

  ‘Then you will question the woman in Porto Cristo. Do not waste any more of my time by explaining you will arrive there too early or too late, so would it not be better to leave the visit until another time.’

  ‘I had no intention of doing so.’

  ‘A lie is acceptable only when it is believable. You will not report immediately on your return, since I have to attend a lecture. You will do so on Saturday morning.’

  Close to Porto Cristo were the Coves del Drac, known for centuries before they were explored and developed by a man who bought the surrounding land to their entrance and therefore the right to them, however far they stretched underground. The port was where the Republicans had landed and attempted to win back the island. The sea swept into the curling fiord where, as in so many ports, fishing boats had largely been replaced by yachts and motor cruisers.

  The block of flats in Carrer Son Miguel had, unusually, been designed and built with an appreciation of the setting. The four-storey building stood back from and above the retaining stone wall of varying heights, at the base of which was a jumble of rocks.

  Alvarez stepped out of his car and, shielding his eyes from the sun, enjoyed the beauty of the scene (less than that of Llueso Bay). He climbed steps into the building’s entrance, pressed the call button for flat 8. The speaker buzzed.

  ‘Señora Nast?’

  ‘Yes.’

  The single word betrayed her as a foreigner. He switched to English. ‘Is your husband present?’ If he were, she would try to falsify her evidence.

  ‘You wish to speak to him?’

  ‘And you, señora.’

  ‘He is not here, but come on up.’

  There was a buzz from the door lock. He entered. A lift took him to the fourth floor. The small square, on either side of which was a flat, was bare and one of two lights was not working. Flat 8 was to his right. The door was opened by a woman of his height, in her late twenties yet still enjoying the bloom of youth; her hair was jet black, her eyes a deep blue, her lips were sensuous, her colourful dress both concealed and revealed.

  ‘I remind you of someone?’ she asked.

  She reminded him there were women who attracted without the intent. ‘I’m sorry, señora. It is a fact that you resemble a cousin of mine.’

  ‘I hope the memory is a pleasant one. Please come in.’

  The small entrance provided a sharp difference from the larger space outside. It welcomed rather than repelled. The carpet was Persian in design, the large bunch of flowers on the small table was a circle of colour, the framed, colour photos of an English countryside provided calm beauty.

  ‘We’ll go into the sitting room.’

  This was large, equally colourful, and through the picture window could be seen the fiord, the yachts and motor cruisers which represented a life of easy time and money he would never enjoy.

  ‘Would you like a drink?’ she asked.

  A woman with manners. ‘Thank you, señora.’

  ‘What will you have?’

  ‘A coñac with just ice, please.’

  ‘Sit down and I’ll get it.’

  He sat. Beyond the headlands was a cruise liner, its superstructure so massive that in a high wind and truly rough sea, she must surely be in danger of rolling over and foundering. Not for him.

  She returned with two glasses, handed him one. ‘I hope it’s right. But tell me if you’d like more brandy or more ice.’

  ‘I’m sure it will be fine.’

  ‘Then health, wealth and happiness.’ She drank. ‘I imagine you are here because of Keith’s very unfortunate death?’

  ‘Sadly, yes, señora.’

  ‘It came as a nasty shock to read in the Bulletin what had happened.’

  He judged her expression to be sadness rather than grief.

  ‘Is it true someone killed him?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And that’s why you’re here now?’

  ‘I am asking many people to tell me what they can.’

  ‘And you think I know something about his death?’

  ‘Not directly, señora. But you may be able to help me as I understand you were a friend of his.’

  She stared unseeingly at the wide window. ‘He had a sense of humour, knew how to flatter a woman, made life sparkle.’

  ‘You were a close friend of his?’

  ‘A polite way of asking if I had an affair with him? Yes, I did.’

  He was surprised by her immediate admission. To confirm his experience, she should have denied any impropriety until he explained he would have to question her in front of her husband and mention the evidence of the staff at Ca’n Mortex. Then he would have waited until she tearfully confessed.

  She had judged his thoughts correctly. ‘It’s not all that unusual, Inspector.’

  ‘I fear I must ask . . .’

  ‘If Basil was aware?’

  ‘He is your husband?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I do have to know.’

  ‘Because the knowledge might have so enraged him, he sought revenge?’

  ‘There always has to be such a possibility.’

  ‘Basil was well aware Keith and I were having an affair until I brought it to an end, just as I am aware he and Milly are presently enjoying one. We are adults and do not regard adultery to be of any account providing it does not distress one’s partner. Indeed, it has the benefit of adding variety and the pleasure of knowing one is breaking one of the Ten Commandments.’ She studied his face for a moment. ‘You look a little . . . What shall I say, condemnatory? Is that because of the adultery or the cause of the extra pleasure?’

  ‘Señora, you mistake criticism for . . .’ For what?

  ‘Jealousy?’ She laughed. ‘Drink up so I can refill both our glasses. Perhaps Basil will return before you have to leave and can confirm what I’ve said. I’d like you to meet him.’

  He was not certain he could reciprocate the wish ‘There are a couple more questions I must ask and you may prefer to answer them when he is not here.’

  ‘Obviously, you are still not at ease with our relationship.’

  ‘The staff at Ca’n Mortex have told me Señor Sterne was fond of you.’

  ‘As I was of him.’

  ‘When you went away . . .’

  ‘He shacked up with one of his tarts and she was careless enough for me to learn that. Would you have expected me to ignore such unfaithfulness?’ She waited. ‘“But answer came there none.”’

  Because he had no idea how to answer her.

  Dolores quartered a pear, skinned and removed the core of one quarter, ate. ‘Ana phoned.’

  ‘Someone else must pay her phone bills,’ Jaime said.

  She ignored him. ‘She wanted to know if Enrique liked castañas since she wanted the cook to make soufflé de castaña; I said she needn’t bother with a sweet since we seldom had one, but she wants Enrique to enjoy a really good meal.’

  ‘What about me?’ Jaime asked. ‘I’d prefer something else.’

  ‘Your wish is of no account in the circumstances.’

  ‘What circumstances?’ Alvarez demanded.

  ‘Still trying to make out you don’t know what’s going on?’ Jaime asked sarcastically.

  ‘As far as I am concerned, nothing is going on.’

  She finished the first quarter of pear, prepared another. ‘I wonder if either of you has ever realized what is the biggest difference between a man and a woman?’

  ‘I’ve a good idea,’ Jaime said.

  ‘A man lacks the courage willingly to admit to his past baseness, a woman possesses the magnanimity to forgive him.’

  ‘That’s all cock!’

  ‘There are times when it is very difficult for a woman to feel in the slightest degree magnanimous.’

  ELEVEN

  Alvarez had not asked Dolores to make certain he awoke early since he had to get to the post in good time. In consequence, he overslept and when he finally arrived, the telephone was ringing.

  ‘I expect my officers to be on duty at the correct time,’ Salas said.

  ‘Señor, had I . . .’

  ‘Do not waste my time with meaningless excuses. Did you question Señora Nast?’

  ‘Yes, very thoroughly.’

  ‘But it was too much trouble to report to me?’

  ‘You told me not to do so on my return to the post.’

  ‘When working as intensively as I do, one is occasionally guilty of an injudicious mistake.’

  ‘The señora freely admits she committed adultery with Señor Sterne until he betrayed her in her absence.’

  ‘In the circumstances, the use of the word “betrayed” becomes an undesirable lens into your mind.’

  ‘I am repeating what she said to me, señor. But I do agree with you . . .’

  ‘It is not welcome to know that.’

  ‘She was explaining how she views life. She was betraying her husband in one sense, but in another she wasn’t because . . .’

  ‘When a wife has congress with a man to whom she is not married, she is betraying her husband and no possible excuse can alter the fact.’

  ‘But he knew what was going on. And he was enjoying his own bit of fun.’

  ‘Your authority for so monstrous a possibility?’

  ‘She told me.’

  ‘And with your perverse interest aroused, you were unable to understand her lie was intended to make you dismiss her husband as a suspect.’

  ‘Her husband returned as I was leaving. He was quite open about knowing of her affair and of his enjoying the favours of another woman.’

  ‘A situation beyond civilized comprehension.’

  ‘Neither of them believes there is anything immoral in a fresh partner from time to time. She added she gained additional pleasure from the sense of guilt which accompanies the breaking of moral and biblical codes of conduct.’

  ‘The woman is evil.’

  ‘She does have a different viewpoint from most, but if, as she said, it does no harm . . .’

  ‘You seek an excuse on her behalf? Over the years I have become all too aware of your deplorable interest in matters which an upright man does not consider, yet I am utterly shocked to understand you can try to condone her behaviour.’

  ‘Not condone, but explain. If one does believe that love and sex can be completely separated . . .’

  ‘As you have previously and mistakenly attempted to suggest. In the past, the church would have faced you with the abominable heresy of your views. It is a pity it now has only moral strength with which to persuade conversion and repentance, instead of far sterner methods.’ He cut the connection.

  Alvarez braked as they approached the wooden name board on which was carved Son Cascall, turned on to the dirt track on which, over many years, small stones had been embedded to provide a surface that was solid and undisturbed by the heaviest rain. They passed an orange grove; the trees already carried recognizable oranges which evidenced good land. There was an extensive field in which was a large flock of recently shorn sheep and lambs, obviously healthy and well fed. There was a field – of at least nine hectares, he judged – in which grew tall, thick, dark green lucerne. This was farming on a scale only repeated once or twice on the island.

  They rounded a bend and came in sight of the house. Large, rock built, it dated from the time when the strength to withstand burning heat and driving rain was far more important than appearance. Two kilometres further back were mountainous outposts of the Serra de Tramuntana.

  ‘A palace!’ Jaime exclaimed.

  ‘A grand possessió.’ Even Dolores, in the back seat, was impressed.

  ‘Don Enrique!’ Jaime said mockingly.

  ‘A house that size is impractical,’ Alvarez said.

  Dolores immediately contradicted him. ‘Nothing of the sort.’

  ‘With rates having gone through the clouds, it must cost a fortune just to own it.’

  ‘Houses in the countryside pay less rates than those in the village.’

  ‘Not much less.’

  ‘A great deal less.’

  ‘It’s a long way from the shops.’

  ‘When have you done any shopping?’

  ‘If one needs a doctor . . .’

  ‘One drives to the medical centre or a doctor comes out if you are seriously ill.’

  He braked to a stop in front of the house. Originally, it would have been owned by a man of great position and power. The labourers would have received small wages and if they complained, would have been sacked. There would have been little or no work elsewhere. In the basement there was possibly a cell where a troublemaker could be held. The course of justice would have depended on the owner, not the state.

 

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