Deathly Christmas (16 page)

“Interfering again,” Betty said, coming up to Eve.

The old Betty’s back, I see!  thought Eve.

“No she’s not,” David remarked immediately. “She didn’t want to go to the police, but I told her to. She overheard something that could be relevant to the case and it was her duty to inform the police.”

Betty looked peeved. It was turning out to be a particularly awful day for her. She was glad the year was at an end.

“Now everybody,” Ken shouted, banging on the bar. “Let’s all try and get back into the New Year’s Eve spirit. The band’s about to start playing, so everybody; get a drink and some food and have a dance. Let’s try and forget about the murder tonight.”

“I think that’s a very good idea,” Eve whispered to David.

David could hardly believe it. Eve had suggested forgetting about the murder. Could life get any better? Unfortunately it was destined to get worse before it was going to improve.   

A couple of days went by and things in the village settled down. No further progress was made in the case of Jennifer Anderson’s murder, or at least nobody heard that anything new had been discovered. There weren’t any more arrests and Eve wondered if the police had simply given up. Her faith in them was wavering again.

David was watching Eve like a hawk, and with Alison and Robert still staying with them, there wasn’t much she could do to seek out the murderer. Although she had more or less decided to let the police solve the case, boredom was setting in and she was beginning to change her mind about searching for the killer. Life as an amateur detective sounded glamorous again and she had conveniently forgotten about being poisoned. Of course she didn’t want to lose David, but Eve had become as complacent as before and thought he would find it impossible to live without her.

David will always return to me, whatever I do! she smiled to herself.

Robert had known Eve for a long time and could see she was getting restless. He was slightly concerned about what she might get up to after he and Alison returned to England on January 4
th
. Robert wasn’t quite as sure as Eve that David would stay with her through thick and thin. She had tried his patience to the limit this Christmas season, and if Paul hadn’t attacked her, they might never have reunited.

    The day before Alison and Robert were due to go home; they had taken their hosts out to Rethymnon for the day in an attempt to distract Eve from thoughts of Jennifer and her murder. After visiting the monastery of Arkadi, not many kilometers south of the town, they had gone into Rethymnon for a delicious lunch in an authentic taverna situated in the harbor.   

Eve had a great interest in history and thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Arkadi, fascinated that in 1866, the monastery of Arkadi had played a very important part in Cretan resistance against the Ottoman occupation. David was more than happy to see she was totally absorbed in something other than murder.

Surprisingly, this day of normality had almost brought Eve back to her senses. She was now simply relieved that David had come back to her. He had been right. She would have been stupid to carry on looking for the killer. 

“So what do you think, Eve?” Robert asked when they were all relaxing at home later that day having a drink.

“Sorry, what?”

“You were miles away,” David commented. “Not thinking about the murder, I hope.”

 “I was actually.”

David’s face fell, but she quickly reassured him.

“But don’t worry. I was thinking how right you were. I should keep well clear of this killer. He or she is ruthless.”

David breathed a sigh of relief.

“So what were you saying, Robert?” Eve asked.

“I was suggesting we all went on a tour together of some of the other Greek islands this summer.”

“What about Portia?” Eve asked, stroking her dog.

Portia was lying at her feet, happy as ever.

“I’m sure Annie will look after her, Eve.” David said.

“Okay,” Eve replied, slightly reluctantly.

She had left Portia with David while she had been in England, but she had still been concerned about her. For such a tough woman, she worried quite unnecessarily about her dog. Yes, Portia missed her, but as long as she was fed and had a cuddle, Portia would be content while Eve was away.

The doorbell went and everybody looked at Eve.

“I’m not expecting anyone. Will you get it, darling,” she asked, looking at David plaintively.

He nodded.  He knew he shouldn’t be at her beck and call this much, but she could be very persuasive when she was in such an agreeable mood. He still couldn’t believe she wasn’t interested in the murder anymore.

David went to answer the door, but his heart sank when he saw Paul standing there.

“Yes,” David said abruptly.

Paul was the last person he wanted to see. David was still angry about his attack on Eve, but for some reason she had forgiven him and he couldn’t understand why. Did she have a soft spot for him? He had never thought Paul was seriously interested in Eve and believed he was just teasing her when he flirted, but now he wasn’t so sure. Was Paul trying to lure Eve away from him? David knew he was being insecure, but he couldn’t help it. Eve was beautiful, confident and successful. She was a great catch. However, he didn’t realize that because he was also a particularly handsome man, he too was a much sought after partner.

“I’m sorry to disturb you,” Paul said nervously, knowing David’s opinion of him. “Do you mind if I have a word with you all?”

 “Fine. Come in,” David said, not intending to waste words on him.

Paul and David walked into the sitting room, surprising everyone. Eve was pleased Paul had popped in now that they were friends again, but she did wonder why he’d come and was concerned about David’s mood. He looked very grim, but she wasn’t going to be rude. She jumped up.

“Have a seat, Paul. And a drink?”

“Oh, I don’t want to put you out.”

“Don’t be silly.”

 “A whisky then?” Paul asked tentatively.

“David? And you might as well top up all our drinks.”

David gritted his teeth. Now he had to serve that man.  However, he couldn’t make a scene. He’d look stupid and jealous.

Once they were all seated with their drinks replenished, Paul began to speak.

“I wanted to apologize for my sister-in-law, Lucy. She does feel terrible about her behavior on New Year’s Eve.”

“Then why didn’t she come herself,” Robert asked.

“She’s a proud woman.”

“I suppose she’s still not happy about Eve going to the police?” David asked.

“Well, she says she’s innocent, so she’s naturally annoyed.”

“So she’s not really apologizing at all; it’s you, isn’t it? You just wanted an excuse to come here.”

David’s voice was tinged with anger.

“Why would I want an excuse?”

Eve was getting anxious. David was about to make a fool of himself and she had to do something, so she butted in quickly.

“Come on you two; don’t argue. Paul’s probably had an awful time with his brother and sister-in-law. I mean, Lucy was in an awful state when we last saw her. It must have taken her ages to calm down.”

Paul nodded vigorously.

“Yes, it took us the rest of the evening to get her back to normal.”

“I was in two minds about whether to go to the police, Paul, I really was. David, Alison and Robert persuaded me to tell them. I mean the evidence I had didn’t mean either Kevin or Lucy killed Jennifer. I think David was worried I might start snooping on my own if I didn’t tell the police what I knew.”

“I totally understand, Eve.” Paul agreed. “Neither Kevin or Lucy was arrested, so the police haven’t got the evidence to suspect either of them. Both of them have a tendency to overreact to everything.”

“You’re very different to your brother, Paul,” Eve remarked.

“Well, I was adopted, so it’s not surprising I suppose.”

“Really? You seem close though?”

“We are, well we were. Gradually over the years Lucy’s come between us.”

David was getting fed up. Eve and Paul seemed to be having a conversation between themselves, but he couldn’t think of anything to say to join in with them. He looked at Robert and made a face at him. He wanted him to say something to get rid of Paul.

“Well, we’ve had yet another exciting holiday,” Robert commented, not knowing what to say to help David. “Though the one consolation is that at least nobody tried to kill me this time!”

Everybody laughed and the ice was broken. David was relieved.

They chatted a little more about Alison and Robert’s holiday and then Paul decided to leave. He knew David didn’t want him there.

“Well, I’m glad he’s gone,” David said as soon as Paul had left.

“You weren’t very pleasant to him,” Eve replied.

“Well, he’s keen on you.”

“Nonsense. It’s your imagination.”

Alison and Robert looked at each other knowing that an argument was about to start.

“Come on you two,” Alison said severely. “We’ll have none of that. It’s time to get ready for our farewell dinner in Chania. We want to have a nice time on our last night here. Can you promise us that?”

Eve and David looked at each other, feeling well and truly told off. They nodded and headed upstairs to get ready.

Robert shook his head, wondering again what would happen when they left Crete.

* * * *

That same evening James went to answer his door at eight o’clock. Standing there was a slightly nervous Jane. She was wearing another of Eve’s dresses, not that she would tell James that it wasn’t hers. Eve had promised to take her into Chania to buy some new clothes in a couple of days’ time and she was looking forward to it. She could certainly afford a new and more glamorous wardrobe now that she had inherited all that money from her father.

My God, she looks stunning again, thought James. And to think, when I first met her I couldn’t imagine taking her to important business functions. Now she would fit in perfectly in any situation.

“You look beautiful again tonight, darling. Come in. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Jane was looking forward to the evening. James hadn’t cooked for her before and she had no idea if he had any culinary skills, but she imagined he was an excellent chef. James was proficient in everything he did; he was quite the perfect man.

As she entered the house, a wonderful aroma wafted over her and she was filled with anticipation.

“Dinner smells wonderful,” Jane commented.

“I hope you enjoy it. I absolutely love to cook… But let me take your coat first?”

Jane slipped off her coat while trying to look calm and collected, but she was shaking. However, James didn’t notice and could only see this beautiful young woman standing before him. She had on a light green sleeveless dress which fitted her perfectly. It was lucky that she was exactly the same size as Eve.

Jane had also brought a little black shiny cardigan with her in case it got cold later in the evening, but James always put the central heating on high after dark. He hated the cold. He was only wearing a shirt without a jacket this evening and Jane didn’t think she would have to use her cardigan either.

Jane had left her hair loose and James imagined running his fingers through it later that evening and slipping her dress off. He knew he had to stop thinking about what was going to happen in a few hours’ time. He had to concentrate on the present and couldn’t let dinner spoil. James was a great perfectionist and refused to let anything he did go wrong.

“Come into the lounge,” James said. “A drink before dinner?”

“Yes please. A gin and tonic, thanks.”

 “Of course.”

They sat together for a little while before James went back into the kitchen. He left some music on for Jane and she felt so happy that she almost got up and danced on her own.

A little later on, James called her into the dining room for the first course. Jane was impressed when she saw how beautifully the table had been laid. There was a pure white tablecloth on the table, and in the large, but delicate, wine glasses were white cloth napkins. James led Jane to the table and pulled out a chair for her.

“The first course is seafood crepes,” he said.

“They look absolutely delicious, James,” Jane replied.

James poured the wine, a Vouvray, a light French wine, and smiled.

“I hope you enjoy the crepes… and the wine. It goes very well with seafood.”

 Jane was already impressed with both his knowledge of wine and the presentation of the food.

They started eating and Jane couldn’t believe how tasty the crepes were. James was a talented man. Was there no end to his skills?

“These crepes are delicious. They could be so heavy and filling, but they’re not. They’re light and the seafood is perfectly cooked. You’re an excellent chef, James. “

“Thank you, darling.”

He looked pleased, but not surprised. James was a man who was used to being successful in everything he did.

He allowed a decent break in-between the first and main courses and poured them another glass of wine.

“Oh, I shall be getting tipsy,” Jane said, laughing.

“That’s alright. It doesn’t matter to let your hair down once in a while.”

James reached over and kissed her.  She felt herself trembling with desire. James was handsome and talented, not to mention, successful. She couldn’t believe her luck in meeting him, but then a cold shiver ran through her. Although the police had released him, he wasn’t totally off the hook for the murder of his aunt. There simply wasn’t enough evidence. He could still have killed her.

I’m just being silly, she thought. Why would he want to kill me? I don’t have that much money do I? James is rich in his own right so my money would be a drop in the ocean. It wouldn’t be worth the risk of going to jail, would it?

“What’s wrong, Jane?” James asked. “You seem miles away.”

“Nothing’s wrong, darling,” Jane replied, knowing she was lying. “I was just thinking how different this Christmas turned out to be. I was expecting to be alone and quite miserable, yet look what’s happened?”