Buried in the Past (20 page)

‘When you say Frankie was in love with the baby’s father, I assume you mean Ray Perry?’

Margaret looked at Nash, her expression one of mild surprise. ‘Of course, who else? I met him once and Frankie told me he’d been under a bad influence and had done some pretty wicked things. But to me he seemed a very nice bloke.’ She shrugged. ‘But I’m clearly not the best judge of men, given my track record. I don’t think either Frankie or I was particularly good in our choice.’

‘What about when Frankie failed to return?’

‘What could I do? I couldn’t go looking for her, not with two babies in tow. All I could do was wait and hope – and pray. I did a lot of praying, but I don’t think anyone was listening.’

‘What did you think had happened to her?’

‘I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know if she had decided to go on the run again from the people who were after her, or whether they had caught up with her, or if her heart had given out. The childbirth had taken a lot out of her and she was still very weak, but she was determined to finish what she’d started. I did all I could, which wasn’t very much. For a long time after she went, I listened to every news bulletin I could, read every paper from cover to cover trying to find some news of her. I didn’t see anything to tell me what had happened.’

‘I believe you might have been right on both your suspicions,’ Nash told her. ‘It’s only guesswork, but we think she might have fallen into the hands of the people who were looking for her and the trauma that would have caused could have brought on a heart attack.’

‘I don’t know, as I said, once she left I never heard from her again.’

‘Apart from the letter, perhaps,’ Nash suggested.

Margaret looked at him, startled. ‘How did you know? About the letter, I mean? I’ve never mentioned that to anyone, not even to Tina.’

‘Not in so many words, but you did tell her someone might come
to the cottage asking for something. That something had to be a letter,’ Nash paused, ‘or the diamonds.’

Margaret gasped. ‘Diamonds,’ she stammered. ‘You know….’

Nash smiled. ‘We know. It had to be a letter giving a clue as to where the diamonds were hidden. Either that or the diamonds themselves, but if she’d left them with you, I’m not sure you’d have been able to resist the temptation to sell all or some of them,
especially
with two youngsters to feed and a limited income at your disposal.’

Margaret looked revolted by the suggestion. ‘I would never have touched them.’ Both detectives could hear the anger in her tone. ‘Not once I learned where they came from. I knew about the wars that were fought because of them. I’d read about what the women who got caught up in those wars had suffered, brutality far worse than what I’d had to endure. It was the knowledge of what those diamonds represented that caused Ray and Frankie to take them. I would never have betrayed their trust.’

‘So a couple of years later, when you read about the woman’s body that was found in the woods near Bishops Cross, did you think that might have been Frankie?’ Clara asked.

‘I wondered if it might be, but I couldn’t go to the police with my suspicions, for obvious reasons.’

Nash stared at Margaret for a moment, his thoughts on the DNA link between Frankie Da Silva and Graham Nattrass. That, together with the striking likeness of Tina to Frankie prompted his next question. ‘How long was it after Frankie’s disappearance that you decided to switch babies? And how did you manage the
registration
? Was it difficult to give your son up for adoption and keep Frankie’s daughter?’

Margaret stared at Nash, her fear evident. ‘What makes you think Tina isn’t my daughter?’ she asked, her tone weak and defeated.

‘Sadly, I have to tell you that we are currently investigating the murder of a young man who was found battered to death in Helmsdale, a young man of about the same age as Tina. His DNA profile is a close familial match to that of the woman whose body was found in the woods. Close, but not that of mother and son.
Aunt and nephew would be nearer the mark, according to our forensic experts.’

The interview had to be suspended for a few minutes, as Margaret was too distressed to continue. She refused Nash’s offer of tea or coffee, but gratefully accepted a drink of water. When she was ready, Nash asked his question about the babies again.

‘Even without Tina to look after I wouldn’t have wanted anything to do with the boy. I didn’t even give him a name until I’d to register him. I couldn’t stand the sight of him, didn’t want him near me. My skin crawled even when I’d to touch him, to change him, bath or feed him. I know it isn’t logical, and I know it wasn’t his fault, but all I could see was that man’s face; all I could remember was the attack. To be honest, Inspector Nash, if I hadn’t given him up for adoption, I’m not sure that I’d have been able to resist the
temptation
to smother him.’

She paused and took a deep swig from the water. ‘It was easy. I had to register both the births. I had the documents, so as the attending midwife I was able to certify that Frankie’s child was a boy on the paperwork I wrote for her delivery. On mine I added “fe” in front of the word “male”. Having said that, I wouldn’t have wished him to come to any harm. Was he a good person, or did his death come as a result of his way of life?’

‘We know absolutely nothing bad about him,’ Nash reassured her, ‘but we do think the people who are searching for those diamonds believed him to be Frankie’s son. That’s because we suspect that they stole the adoption papers. He was tortured in a fairly horrible way, presumably to extract information from him; information he didn’t have.’

Despite Margaret’s statement about the loathing she had felt for the son she had given birth to, she was clearly shocked by the news of what had happened to him, and during the first part of the journey to Netherdale Hospital to see Tina, there was complete silence in the car. Nash had insisted that Clara accompany them. He felt Margaret would be far more comfortable with another woman present. He concentrated on the road ahead, his thoughts occupied with how easy it had been for Margaret to assume a new identity and live under that assumed name for years without questions being asked, and how easy it had been for her to claim her sister’s child as her own.

‘What will happen now? To me, I mean?’

Nash glanced in the rear-view mirror. Margaret was leaning forward, her question clearly addressed to him as much as to Mironova. ‘That’s a very good question. You’ve clearly broken some law or other, but I can’t be sure exactly what, or whether you’ll be prosecuted. It isn’t the sort of thing I come across every day.’

Margaret smiled fleetingly. ‘Will Tina have to know that she isn’t my daughter?’

‘I think she must. There are other people to consider in this, one in particular.’

‘How did you work out that Tina was Frankie’s child?’

‘She told us so – or as good as. She said her full name is Christina Evangeline Silver. Evangeline is the name of Ray Perry’s mother. Once we knew that, the rest was easy.’

‘Please, can I be the one who tells her?’

‘I think the least we can do is to allow that. And perhaps whilst
you are telling her, it might help if you explain both why you did it, and that in doing so you actually saved her life, saved her from what her cousin, your son Graham, had to suffer.’

Out of the corner of his eye Nash saw Clara wince, but knew this had to be said. ‘He died in place of Tina. She must be made aware of that. It might help her cope with the deception. And I have to say, you seem to have done a very good job of raising her. Tina is a very beautiful young woman.’

Mironova turned her head to look out of the window. That way neither of the others saw her smile.

‘In the meantime,’ Nash continued, ‘you can help us, and by doing that, you’ll help bring the people who killed your son and murdered your sister to justice.’

‘I’ll do whatever I can. For Frankie’s sake, and the boy I never gave a chance to.’

‘OK, do you know what was in the envelope Frankie sent to you?’

‘No, I always assumed it held the location where the diamonds had been hidden, but I never opened it.’

‘That’s a shame; it would have been very useful to know exactly what that envelope contained. And now the thieves have got it, and have a head start at getting the stones.’

‘The solicitor might know.’

‘Sorry, what solicitor?’

‘Frankie posted the envelope to me inside another one, and included a handwritten note, asking me to keep it safe, and only let it out of my possession if someone came along who could answer the password question, which she set in that note. The question was to give Tina’s full name. I knew that person would have to be either Ray or someone acting for him, because no one else could have answered the question correctly. Both the note and the outer envelope were on stationery with a solicitor’s name on them. It was a firm in Helmsdale. I see their offices every time I go down the market place. It’s a permanent reminder,’ – Margaret grimaced – ‘one I would rather be without sometimes.’

‘I know the firm you mean.’ Nash glanced at the clock display on his dashboard. ‘They’ll be open by now. I must speak to that solicitor – as a matter of extreme urgency.’

When they reached Netherdale General, Nash phoned Pearce and asked for the solicitor’s phone number. As he was waiting, he gestured towards the entrance. ‘You go in. I’ll join you when I’ve dealt with this.’

On the ward, Clara thought Tina looked subdued. She greeted her mother – or aunt, as she supposed she should now think of Margaret – but without much enthusiasm. Clara wondered if that was usual, or if relations between the two were strained – and if so, what would the revelation of Margaret’s deception do to that?

Clara thought Tina’s lacklustre and less than enthusiastic greeting might be a result of her ordeal or a side effect of the painkillers she had been given. Those, combined with jet lag, would have subdued even the bubbliest personality.

Her question was answered a few minutes later when Tina’s attitude changed markedly. She noticed Tina glance towards the door and saw her smile, so reminiscent of the photo of Frankie Da Silva. Nash was walking down the ward. If it had been his entrance that had caused the change in Tina’s expression – and if she smiled at Mike that way – Clara thought he would be as powerless to resist Tina, as an alcoholic would of refusing a free drink.

‘How did it go? Were you too late?’ Clara asked when Nash reached the bedside.

He turned from greeting Tina, smiling broadly. ‘No, I spoke to the solicitor’s secretary.’ He guided Clara out of earshot. ‘She did have a phone call this morning from a woman passing herself off as Frankie Da Silva’s sister. She’s booked her an interview for tomorrow morning, because the solicitor isn’t in the office today.’

‘That was a stroke of luck.’

Nash’s smile became a grin. ‘You don’t know how appropriate your choice of words is.’

‘I don’t suppose you found out where he is so we can contact him beforehand, did you?’

‘I certainly did. The stroke of luck is that he’s playing golf in something they call the Monthly Midweek Medal. We’re going there as soon as we leave here.’

‘I bet he’ll be really surprised when we turn up at the nineteenth hole.’

‘Not half as surprised as his partner will be. He’s partnered with Tom Pratt.’

Nash turned and looked at the patient, who was seated in the chair alongside the bed. Even in the unflattering gown supplied by the hospital she looked highly attractive. ‘Have you had word from the medics?’ he asked.

‘Yes, they came and did all sorts of tests, peering into my eyes and asking a lot of silly questions. The upshot is that they’re sure I haven’t got concussion and as they can’t keep me here against my will, I’ve decided to sign myself out. I quite understand that you don’t want us to return to the cottage in view of what’s happened there, but will you take us back to Helmsdale, or should I order a taxi?’

Nash smiled at her. ‘Don’t worry about that, we’ll get you back to your hotel, no problem.’ His gaze switched momentarily towards Margaret, who was watching him apprehensively. ‘Clara and I have to go and interview someone, which hopefully won’t take too long. Then we’ll come back here and collect you, if you’ll be ready by then. Say in about an hour and a half? In the meantime, I think your mother has something to tell you.’

As he and Mironova turned to leave, Clara saw panic flare in Margaret’s eyes. Once clear of the ward, Clara said, ‘You were pushing things a bit, weren’t you? With Margaret, I mean.’

‘I had to, because if I hadn’t, I reckon Margaret would have kept stalling. We’re so close, and it’s bound to come out soon. In which case, it would be far messier than telling the truth now. Anything that reduces the chances of a satisfactory outcome should be avoided, don’t you agree?’

‘Yes, I suppose so. What would you class as a totally satisfactory outcome, Mike?’’

‘Phil and Corinna behind bars serving life sentences for the murders they’ve committed, and justice for as many of their victims and those closest to them as possible would be a good start. That’s the only way that Tina and others can feel safe.’

‘Ah yes, and Tina’s safety is important to you, isn’t it?’

‘Of course it is. What’s wrong with that?’

‘Nothing, except that you seem to be taking a very personal interest in this young woman’s welfare. Very commendable – especially as she’s so plain and unattractive.’

‘Oh, very funny.’

‘Of course, the fact that her face lights up every time you walk into the room might have something to do with it, too.’

Nash thought of several ways he could answer the allegation, all of which he rejected. In the end, he opted for silence, which was probably wise.

Having talked to the solicitor in the presence of Tom Pratt, whose surprise had been as great as Nash had predicted, they headed back to the hospital. Before leaving the golf club, Nash asked Pratt to phone him at home that evening. ‘I’ve a job I want you to handle for me. All being well, I should have confirmation by tonight that it’s all going ahead the day after tomorrow.’

He explained to Mironova what he had in mind on the drive back to Netherdale General. ‘When we get back to Helmsdale, I’ll drop you at the station first. I’d like you to get hold of Sister Evangeline and make arrangements with her. Whilst you’ve got her, ask her another question.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Ask her if she ever met Phil Miller. If the answer’s no, ask Viv to try to contact our doctor friend in California. He should be back from his surfing by now.’

‘Is that still necessary?’

Nash thought about it. ‘No, I don’t suppose it is, really. But it will provide valuable confirmation – and we won’t have to wait. After that, phone the chief, if she’s available, and bring her up to speed with developments and warn HQ we’ll need an ARU to be on hand as backup. Oh, and get me the number of Dales Bank in Netherdale. I’ll phone their manager as soon as I get back from dropping Tina and Mrs Fawcett at the hotel.’

Tina and Margaret were waiting outside the hospital entrance when Nash pulled in. Clara noticed that both women looked upset and it was easy to tell that they had been crying. The journey to
Helmsdale was conducted in an uncomfortable silence. Mironova was relieved to be out of the car, clear of the oppressive atmosphere. Even Nash, who was normally able to lift the gloom, seemed to be affected by the tension between the two women.

Nash took Margaret’s case from the boot of the car and carried it inside, where she was already in the process of booking in. Tina had remained outside, watching the detective in silence. Nash might have been flattered by the attention, but he wasn’t deceived by it. Once Margaret had her room key, Nash escorted them upstairs, and as Margaret opened her door, he turned to leave, only to be detained by Tina, who put her hand on his arm.

‘Mike, I know how busy you are, and I know I’ve taken up a lot of your time and caused you a great deal of trouble, but I really need to talk to you. If you could spare me just a few minutes, I’d be really grateful.’

Nash guessed that Margaret might already have an inkling of what Tina wanted to talk about, because she closed the door after thanking him for his assistance. He followed Tina down the corridor towards her room, staring admiringly at the long shapely curve of her legs, her neat figure and lustrous black hair.

Tina struggled to open the door one-handed then stood aside to let him enter first. Once inside, she closed the door and leaned against it, preventing Nash from leaving – in the unlikely event that he wanted to. ‘My … Margaret told me the truth,’ Tina began falteringly. ‘About my parents, I mean. I don’t know why, but somehow it wasn’t as big a shock as she might have thought. The problem is, I don’t know what to think. Part of me wants to hate her for misleading me and part of me wants to thank her because if she hadn’t done that horrid thing, I would have been dead by now. I’ve always been uncomfortable with her because I’ve never felt as I ought to. I mean, I’ve never had the sort of love for her that a daughter should have. I thought perhaps that I was unnatural and cold.

‘I know this is sounding all mixed up, and you’ll probably think I’m overreacting, but I have no idea how to handle it. From what Margaret told me, I now have to brace myself for the fact that my real mother is dead, has been since soon after I was born, and my
father was a criminal. Is that right? Margaret said I should ask you.’

Nash took her hand and led her across to the bed, where he sat down on one edge, patting the duvet. ‘Sit here and I’ll tell you what I can.’

Tina did as she was asked, aware that Nash was still holding her hand.

‘If the facts we have uncovered prove to be true,’ he began, ‘then everything Margaret has told you did happen.’

‘I dread to think what Margaret must have gone through,’ Tina said.

‘I watched her as she told Clara about it, and it was clear that even speaking about it was a terrible ordeal.’ Nash paused and added, ‘The worst thing is, I feel pretty certain that even then she didn’t tell us all she’d suffered. There were parts of the story that she skimmed over. I’m not saying we ought to have heard them, but knowing what she endured helps to understand her. I hope you can forgive her. Look at it this way, she raised you when there was no one else around to do that, and kept you safe as you were growing up. Believe me, speaking as a father, that’s no easy thing to do, and the worry is constant. You may have lost your mother, but look what you’ve gained. I can’t say any more for the time being, but I assure you as soon as we have finished our inquiry you will understand.’

‘Thank you, Mike, you’ve put everything into perspective for me. Strangely, I feel closer to Margaret now and once again I’ve you to thank for that. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.’

Tina released her hand from his, leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek. Nash stood up. ‘I have to go,’ he told her. ‘I’m just glad what I’ve said has been a help.’

Clara confirmed she had spoken with Sister Evangeline. ‘She’s all set to come down as you asked. In the circumstances I had a word with Northumbria Police and they’ll make arrangements for the train journey, but we need someone to meet her at Netherdale. I thought it best to have a word with you before fixing anything, as we’re likely to be fairly busy.’

‘No problem, I’ve already warned Tom. He can take my car. Did Sister Evangeline say whether she’s met Phil Miller or not?’

‘She’s never set eyes on him, or so she said. She told me that after Max died and Frankie disappeared, she never even saw Corinna again. I got Viv to do the necessary, and we should hear back from California by tomorrow.’