Rose McQuinn 7 - Deadly Legacy (16 page)

Mr Hayward shook his head sadly and continued. 'Sir Hedley never married, you know. One of those tragic love affairs that went wrong. Heartbroken, never looked at another woman, all that sort of thing. Lonely and bitter, in a rare moment of confidence, he once told me that he believed his lost love had borne his child.'

I was astonished. Such a romantic story would never have fitted our youthful conceptions of this scary old man with all his cats.

Mr Hayward accepted a second cup of tea, and I remembered guiltily that although Vince had attended Sir Hedley during his last days, he had found it quite revolting, having always detested the old man; he recalled heading to the local golf course in his student days and taking the short cut past the Tower, and how, to his embarrassment and his friends' teasing, that wild demented-looking creature would emerge from the front door and try to strike up a conversation with him.

Vince was furious. He used to shudder and tell us, 'It's as if he's always lying in wait for me. Oh, how I hate him!'

Mr Hayward had been looking at the family photographs on the dresser while I was preparing tea.

Touching one, he smiled, 'Your father, Mrs McQuinn? The legendary Chief Inspector Faro? Well, well.' The photograph was of Pappa and Vince taken at Balmoral Castle seated by the late Queen in her carriage.

I answered that in retirement my father spent a great deal of time abroad, fulfilling his dream of seeing the world at the end of a long and distinguished career with the Edinburgh City Police.

'A pity they don't make policemen of his calibre any more outside the pages of fiction,' said the historian. 'Just think what he could have achieved with all these advances in the science of crime detection unknown in the past century.' Pausing, he examined the photo closely. 'The elegant young man? Is he a member of the royal family?'

'No, that is my father's stepson Vince - the present owner of Solomon's Tower.'

'May I?' And rising from the table he took the photograph to the window and examined it in the better light. 'Remarkable,' he said, 'quite remarkable.'

He prepared to leave with promises to return the maps as soon as he could, the hope that his researches might uncover some important information.

Whatever his revelations, Jack would be delighted and I had an instinct that this was a man to be trusted, so as I handed him the two letters I realised that a further explanation was needed. 'As matter of fact, sir, I am a private investigator--'

His head jerked up and he chuckled. 'Well, bless my soul. I might have guessed that. Your father's daughter, eh? I beg your pardon, I interrupted you ...'

'These letters were included in the package with the map. The lady was a client and I believe they are of the same vintage as the map. Unfortunately, they are written in French, of which I have very little acquaintance.'

He studied them carefully and shook his head. 'The writing is fairly illegible and my French is also somewhat rusty these days. But I will be happy to have a look at them and perhaps find out if there is any possible connection.'

Leaving, he bowed. 'It has been a delight to make the acquaintance of such an illustrious member of the Faro family.'

Another bow. 'Please give my regards to Mr Macmerry, who I hope to meet on my next visit,' he added, either too polite or too disinterested in our connection for further comment. 'When is he likely to return?'

There was nothing else for it but to inform him that Mr Macmerry was in fact a detective inspector and at present in hospital following an accident while on duty.

He looked grave. 'Nothing of a serious nature, I trust.'

In return, I gave him the hearty assurance which I hoped was true and he smiled again. 'Then all is well. Excellent, excellent. And a detective? How interesting. I will look forward most eagerly to our meeting, since we have something in common. A lifetime of searching for clues, mine to the past and his to the present.'

And mine, I thought, to solving a mystery that had little concern with the Jacobites but all to do with the solution of a present-day murder just a mile away from where we stood.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Closing the door, I took out my bicycle and headed to the hospital, eager to tell Jack of the latest developments, not only regarding Meg, but also the possibility that the map from the secret room was part of the one in Mrs Lawers' legacy. That opportunity was to be nipped in the bud, for as I approached Jack's ward there were voices. Opening the door, I saw that he was sitting up in bed and he had a visitor.

I recognised that familiar voice and the familiar face that turned to greet me with a beaming smile.

Jack's father, farmer Andy Macmerry, jumped from his chair and gave me a great hug.

'Grand to see ye, lass. Got your letter this morning and his ma insisted that I come in and see the lad for ourselves. Jess is no' very great, a bit too frail for long travel these days.' And holding me at arm's length, 'Ye're looking just great, lass.'

Jack was watching all this, waiting for his turn in this exchange of greetings. I leant over, kissed him and he grinned.

'Good news, Rose. They're letting me out tomorrow if I behave myself. I'm so looking forward to seeing Meg. How is she?' he asked anxiously.

I said, 'She's fine, Jack. Such a lovely little girl, you'll be proud of her. And she's the very image of you.'

'That will do her no favours, poor lass.' A grimace, then he grinned and looked across at his father. 'I'll go and see her.'

'And I'll come with you, lad. I'm keen to meet this wee granddaughter I've heard so much about.'

I doubted that, looking at Jack, but I smiled anyway.

Andy put an arm around me. 'The lad's coming back home with me,' he said firmly. 'Just for a day or two - a wee rest. Get some good fresh Border air into his lungs, away from Auld Reekie. And some of his ma's cooking. He'll be right as rain in no time.'

Pausing to see how I was receiving all this, he patted my hand. 'I had a word with the surgeon mannie, and he says it's vital that the lad doesna' go rushing back to chasing criminals for a wee while.'

It took a little time for me to arrange my face at this news, and watching my expression, he added hastily, 'Why don't you come along. Just great to have you too, lass. You're always welcome and Jess is just longing to see you again. We both ken how busy ye are, what with one thing and another, but it's been a while now since your last visit ...'

That made me feel guilty - so often Jack went alone. But I knew the surgeon's recommendation was right, it was the best thing for him. If he came back to the Tower he would be restless at this forced inactivity, longing to get back on the job.

I had learnt through our years together that police business often sent him to Glasgow, Aberdeen or elsewhere. I could deal with that, but since his accident I realised how much I had missed him, longing to have him home again.

I looked at him sitting in that hospital bed and could not deny that the gunshot wound had taken a lot of his vitality - he certainly looked far from the strong detective inspector ready to deal with any emergency. He had lost weight; thin and worn, he certainly was not up to the rigours of Solomon's Tower with my indifferent cooking compared to his ma's sumptuous feasts.

'Why don't you come, Rose?' he asked.

'Aye, lass,' said Andy. 'And bring that great doggie with you. Thane! I well ken the last time you brought him. We got along like a house on fire.'

I thought of that 'doggie' and remembered that Andy had a local reputation for healing sick animals. Thane's injured leg had made a startling recovery. But memories of that visit were painful, of a wedding that never was, and Jack's mother would want to know as always why we weren't married yet. It bothered her, and Jack on his own would have to do some explaining to a woman whose upbringing had set down certain principles of respectable living, much simpler than ours. And that applied equally to Andy Macmerry, as both failed to understand why a couple who obviously loved each other chose to live together instead of tying the knot legally.

Andy was saying to Jack, 'I'll be back for you tomorrow. There's a sheep sale in Fife I'm mighty interested in - buying a new ram for my ewes. May as well take the chance of a gossip with some of the local farmers.'

A final resume of arrangements and it was agreed that there was no point in Jack returning to Solomon's Tower to wait for him there.

Andy took out his watch. 'There'll be a train on the hour. I'll check in at the local hotel overnight with my farming mates.'

Both men looked at me for approval and Jack said, 'You don't mind me going, Rose?'

'Of course not.' And to Andy, 'It makes sense - far easier to meet here with Waverley Station just down the road.'

'Aye, there's a local train passes through Eildon every hour. Maybe I'll leave that visit to your wee lass until next time, eh?'

Jack nodded vaguely while Andy, giving me another bear hug, said, 'I'll be on my way, then. Leave you two lovebirds together.' He was away, firm footsteps echoing down the corridor.

Jack took my hand. 'I feel badly about leaving you, Rose. And I did want to see Meg in her new home. But ...'

He stopped, shrugged. I was able to fill in what he was leaving unsaid. He didn't want to meet her alone, he wanted my support. And it would be much better for both of them if he waited until he was fully fit. If he went now, a possibly stressful emotional meeting would not be good for him and could cast a shadow on his future relationship with his young impressionable daughter.

'That's settled then. Pack a suitcase for me - you're good at that!' He grinned.

'I'll need time to do some laundry, Jack. Shirts to wash and iron and clothes to press,' I reminded him.

'In that case Wright can collect them.'

A bell had sounded. A nurse looked in and said, 'Time the patient had his rest. He's had an extended visiting time today,' she added reproachfully.

We kissed and Jack held my hand, looking anxious. 'Sure you'll be all right?'

'Of course,' I lied, feeling guilty again.

I should go with him, I knew. But I also knew that it was impossible. Everything in my life as a private investigator sternly demanded that I should remain in Edinburgh at this crucial time. There were too many things that Jack knew nothing about, too many unanswered questions that could not await delay and matters that had developed since his accident and that I must be on hand to deal with alone. I was glad now that he didn't know of my attack on that train journey, or of any of the stresses regarding the tracking down of Meg, and above all there was the investigation of the murder of one of my clients that was also of vital importance to me personally.

As I was leaving he said, 'Take the Jacobite file with you, I don't imagine I'll need it.'

'I had a visit from Mr Hayward - he brought back the map and had some very interesting observations.'

Jack smiled and stifled a yawn. He looked exhausted, his eyelids heavy. This wasn't the time to go into explanations about the possibility that the two maps were connected by a missing portion.

Besides, I hadn't finished with Duddingston. I wanted to have another talk with Jane Hinton.

Unexpected visitors weren't over for the day. I had hardly entered the kitchen when there was a knock at the door and Beth appeared, looking tearful and upset, no longer cheerful and radiant, a return to the Beth of our first meeting.

She came in and took a seat at the kitchen table, her shoulders dropped wearily. 'Oh Rose, I had to come and see you. You are my friend and I am sorry to be here without warning - perhaps it is inconvenient,' she added with a glance around, remembering her manners as a well-brought-up young person.

I shook my head. 'You're always welcome,' and taking her hand, 'tell me about it.'

She sat up straight, shivered and whispered, 'It's Adrian. He doesn't think we should get married after all. It's all Frederick's fault. He had called when I was out with some gifts, flowers and chocolates. Adrian was absolutely furious ...'

That, at least, was understandable, a poor young man rivalled by a wealthy suitor.

'He doesn't care that I'm not interested in Frederick, that he is only a kind old friend - told me that I'd be better off marrying him, if he would still have me, if he still wanted me.' Tears began to flow, a handkerchief dabbed. 'He said he was leaving anyway very shortly for that audition in London, the one he's been hoping for after the Portobello Players perform their Prince Charlie pageant at the Pleasance Theatre. The same old story, Rose,' she added with a sob. 'He can't hope to keep a wife and child in London, not until he gets big roles, makes a name for himself--'

I was less concerned with Adrian's ambitions than the fate of the baby. 'What about Lillie?' I interrupted.

'I knew I had to tell him the truth about what happened. But he doesn't care,' she wailed. 'Said it was a relief that Lillie wasn't his after all. He didn't need to feel he had any obligations to either of us. Then he laughed -
laughed
, Rose! - reminded me I should realise that in my class of society our affair would be regarded as a fellow sowing his wild oats. So cruel - I thought he loved me. How could he say such things!'

More tears, then, 'Oh Rose, I don't know what to do. He seemed so fond of Lillie, I cannot believe he doesn't care for her either.'

I didn't know what to say; I couldn't find the right words regarding Adrian's conduct that would not be a lie.

I put an arm around her shoulders. She dried her eyes and sighed. 'I'm so sorry to inflict all this on you, but you are such a comfort. Besides, it's no use talking to Nanny, she agrees with Adrian.' And taking a deep breath, 'She thinks I should let him go and marry Frederick.'

This was no surprise, as Nanny had said as much to me.

'Frederick knows all about Lillie. He has told Nanny - not me, of course - that we should get married.'

I could see further complications looming on that horizon. 'I gather he's well known, and then there is your family and their circle of friends. Surely you appearing as his wife with a tiny baby would be hard to explain away - a local scandal.'