The Grotto's Secret: A Historical Conspiracy Mystery Thriller (16 page)

57

Kelby accompanied the policemen to the lift. PC Gardenia asked to use the bathroom and Kelby waited for him in awkward silence with PC Pike.

After a moment, the police officer glanced over his shoulder and stepped closer to Kelby. ‘Listen, Miss Wade, I don’t believe Miss Piccoli’s accident is connected to you. I’m just doing my job.’

‘Like you did with Gary’s death?’ Kelby regretted the words as they spilled out of her mouth.

His voice dropped, ‘I know you’re still peeved about that. Between you and me, his death wasn’t properly investigated.’

Unsure if she should bellow at him or be thankful someone had believed her, she asked, ‘Can you do anything?’

‘What?’

‘Re-open the case. Dig deeper. Find out what happened.’

‘I’m not sure. I’ll have to ask my boss, see what the process is for such a thing to happen.’

‘But —’

They heard a mini jet roar of air from the loo hand blower. Pressing the lift button, PC Pike said in a low voice, ‘I’ll do what I can. If I find out anything, I’ll give you a call.’ He handed her his card. ‘In case you need to get hold of me.’

‘Thank you.’ A wave of guilt shot through Kelby for thinking the officer was conspiring against her.

PC Gardenia slapped Pike on the back, ‘Come on, lad, we’re done here.’ He stepped into the waiting lift without saying goodbye.

As PC Pike joined his colleague, he nodded his greeting but his eyes told Kelby he understood her anguish.

As Kelby entered her office her head felt lighter with the knowledge someone might be able to help her. With sudden inspiration, an idea bolted into her head. What if Gary had kept any notes about rizado at home? Maybe that would help Roy and Miranda. And possibly give more evidence against the person who killed Gary.

As soon as the doors closed, she yelled at Jimmy, ‘Did you get hold of Stacie?’

‘No answer.’

‘Try again.’

‘But —’

‘
Now
, please!’ She had to make things right with Stacie. And find Gary’s personal papers without Stacie getting suspicious.

Within minutes, Jimmy popped his head around the door, looking as though he was afraid it would be bitten off. ‘Can’t locate her.’

Kelby threw her head back on her mesh chair in exasperation. Keeping her feet still, she swung her knees from side to side. She had to do something.

‘Jimmy, cancel my meetings. I’m going out.’

‘What’s going on? Something’s eating at you today.’

Kelby shoved her laptop into her briefcase. ‘I have to see Stacie. Keep trying her. If you get hold of her, tell her I’m on my way over.’

‘Shall I get Hawk to come around to pick you up? He called to say he’s still busy at your place sussing out how someone could have broken in.’

She stopped dead in her tracks. Seeing Stacie was a personal matter. It wouldn’t be pleasant. Not something she wanted witnessed. ‘Don’t worry him, he’s busy finding out what happened at home. I’ll let him know where I am.’ She flew out of the office and darted to the lift with Jimmy on her tail.

‘Wait, I’ve gotta tell you about that stupid device on your car.’

‘Tell me later. I’m taking a cab.’ She pressed and held her finger on the elevator button.

Jimmy shook his head and mumbled, ‘How am I supposed to explain this?’

At last the lift hissed open and Kelby jumped inside. As it closed she shouted a reply, ‘You’ll think of something.’

On the quick descent Kelby’s temples throbbed. So much happening so fast. Too much to take in and no time to work out the tangled mess.

After the lift deposited her on the ground floor, she strode to the edge of the street and hailed a cab. As soon as he skidded up to her, she yanked open the door, hopped in and dumped her briefcase on her lap. She gave the cabbie an address in Kensington.

When the cab pulled up at her destination, Kelby paid the driver and rushed to Stacie’s office.

She knocked and waited.

Silence.

She hammered on the old-fashioned brass door knocker to announce her arrival.

The stench of cigar smoke wafted from around the side of the building. Poking her head around the corner, she spotted two workmen in paint-stained overalls. One puffed while the other belched over his Pepsi can.

Kelby called to them, ‘Hi there, is Stacie Wade in?’

‘No, darling, we’re renovating the office. The boss said she could work at home.’

Kelby bit her lip and thanked them. Damn, she’d have to fetch her car. It was still in the office car park from yesterday.

For a moment she thought of calling Hawk. But going to Stacie’s would only be a short trip.

She’d be back in no time at all.

58

Barker jumped to his feet and started pacing the room in front of Gorden’s desk. ‘I came here for results, not a lecture on how long-winded the process would be!’

Gorden held up his hands, ‘Listen, there’s good news. You bring it in. You’ll be more than handsomely rewarded.’

Barker had a choice to make.

He could go along with their ruling, and risk losing a personal fortune, as well as lose control. Or he could stay in the driving seat to take possession of the world’s providence.

Not only would he be in command of a large infinite revenue, he would be a global icon. Bill Gates had revolutionised the computing world, and Tim Berners-Lee the online world. Barker would revolutionise pharma.

Imagine, he’d be more than a hero. He’d be a god.

For a long time, he had been bored with making money. Of course, he’d rather be rich than poor, but he needed more. Something compelling only he could achieve. That’s why his plans for killing Teresina and Kelby had set him on fire again. Having anyone and anything at his disposal excited him. He could get rid of who he wanted when he wanted. Nothing would stop him. He’d never thought about being a world leader, but now it tempted him.

Barker was prepared to go to any lengths to get results. He had the money, but was running out of time. If Inter Mezzo wasn’t interested in bringing rizado to market, he’d do it himself.

In front of him, Gorden shrugged. ‘There’s nothing stopping you from being the next Eli Lilly or Glaxo Smith Kline.’ He gave Barker a caustic smile.

Barker returned it with a stony glare. ‘Let’s face it, it’s speculation so far. An old witch became famous for a journal about herbs.’

Gorden must have realised Barker’s fury because he prattled on. ‘Listen, this is confidential. We have done solid research.’

This time Barker reeled in shock. ‘With the rizado?’

‘I can’t divulge any more. We tested the rizado secretly, but we need more samples.’

‘Where did you get it?’

Gorden clamped up again. He shook his head. ‘I can’t tell you. But the person who brought it to us showed signs of a remarkable recovery.’

‘So rizado does work!’ Barker stopped pacing and flung his head back onto his neck. ‘Jesus. After all this time, the secret’s revealed. Rizado may be a life-saver!’

‘Calm down,’ Gorden rose to his feet. ‘Don’t shout, I don’t want anyone to hear about this.’

‘Why? You scared the news will leak?’

Gorden opened his mouth to speak, but Barker threw his hands in the air between them. ‘There’re people who would kill to get their hands on the stuff.’

Nodding his head slowly, Gorden whispered, ‘You’re right. I’m sure they would.’

59

By the time María reached Fernando’s house, dawn teased the horizon with a streaking silver aurora. She found Fernando and Madre outside kneeling beside a small mound of freshly turned over earth.

María glanced from Madre to Fernando.

He sobbed and banged his fists in the clods of soil while Madre patted his back to comfort him. María took a step forward, but a hand shot out behind her mother’s back commanding her to keep away.

María stood still and waited until her mother stood and shuffled over to her. She grabbed María by her elbow and led her away. María opened her mouth to speak, but her mother’s warning glance silenced her.

They were nearly home when Madre finally asked, ‘Did you feed the animals?’

‘Of course, Mama.’

‘Then why are you here so early?’

‘Because I have terrible news.’

‘My news is worse. The poor woman fought all night. She had been in childbirth for hours before Fernando came home and wasn’t able to get help.’

‘What happened, Mama?’

‘I tried to turn the
bebé
inside her, but she is a Portuguese woman with small hips. She is not one for raising children, too
frágil
. The
bebé
died before he was born.’

‘Oh, Mama, I am so sorry.’

‘Me too, Ana-María. Rarely do children die in my care.’

In the breaking dawn María saw her mother scrutinising her hands, turning them this way and that, as if to try to understand what they did wrong.

‘What is it, Ana-María?’

María dropped her gaze, feeling guilty for spying on her mother. ‘Nothing, Mama.’

‘You came so early to tell me nothing?’

‘Oh, no, I too have terrible news.’ María’s flustered words tangled themselves around her tongue. Her legs wanted to collapse beneath her as she stuttered, ‘Let me give you some hot stew. And then I will explain.’

The story of the still-born child chilled her to the bone. This could bear bad
problemas
for Madre. She wanted to get her mother inside and warm her up before she told her of Tío’s visit.

Things were getting worse.

60

After Barker left, with no fixed agreement between them, Gorden listened to his secretary’s heels clicking across the oak floors. He had asked her to call Inter Mezzo in Copenhagen, the Europa agency that evaluated new medicinal products.

As he waited to be connected, he stood at the window with his hands clasped behind his back.

Working within the opulence of one of the most famous streets in London had its advantages. Compared to ever-bustling Oxford Circus a moment away, Harley Street was pleasantly peaceful.

The earlier downpour had abated, leaving a steady drizzle, but that wouldn’t stop the tourists herding into the nearby fashion stores.

To his right, the balustrade balcony boasted an intricate pattern. It reminded him of one of Carbonela’s drawings of rizado’s frizzy leaves. What a mystery this plant had been. Years of speculation and failed attempts to find it, grow it and replicate it. The whole Wade saga had been a mess. Great that Gary had brought home the strange slime from Spain, but they didn’t buy his story about a young girl healing his arm. But he got suspicious about their questions and started nosing around. Finding the 42A lab had been the straw that broke the crippled athlete’s back.

Gorden’s phone buzzer echoed around the office. He stepped over and lifted the receiver.

A voice on the other end barked, ‘There’s more rumours about rizado. What’s going on over there?’

‘Barker’s close to finding it.’

‘Speak up.’ Lars Jurgen shouted.

‘But there’s a problem —.’

Jurgen interrupted, ‘Put Olaf on the case, he’ll find it before Barker does.’

Just hearing the name made a shiver spiral down Gorden’s spine. As a bouncer turned professional liquidator, Olaf the Dutchman specialised in blotting out snitches. He had already left a trail of rizado bodies. Thankfully, the cops had never smelt a rat.

‘Be careful, Jurgen, we can’t afford to lose another lead.’ Gorden fumed. Years ago Jurgen had decided Wade was trying to sell rizado on the black market. Before Gorden knew it, his new security analyst had topped it. He’d been pretty pissed off. ‘Wade was our only link. I’m not losing the trail again!’

‘Calm down Gordie!’

Gorden bit back his next remark. After they’d checked Wade’s training schedule in Spain, he’d sent his scientists to several possible sources, but they’d come back empty-handed.

‘You still on those blood pressure tablets?’

Gorden ignored Jurgen, and saw Barker emerge from their building. He watched him for a moment. Barker ran along the wet pavement trying to hail a cab. In amusement, Gorden saw him step into a puddle.

‘You there?’ Jurgen’s voice bellowed down the line.

Shaking off his irritation, Gorden said in a softer tone, ‘The results of the rizado tests have kept us waiting and hoping something would surface. Now Barker has a connection to it, we have to work with him to find it.’

Jurgen scoffed. ‘No doubt his source is Wade’s wife or sister. More likely the sister because of her connections on that stupid TV show.’

Gorden didn’t want to agree with Jurgen so he kept quiet.

The German’s harsh voice broke the silence, ‘Find the rizado. I’ll work out what to do with them.’

61

Almost two hours later, fuelled with caffeine, Kelby stepped on her beamer’s accelerator. She headed down the country lanes, heading towards St Adelaide’s Hospital. There was a chance Stacie was at the hospital with Annie.

A mist hung overhead, making the road barely visible. Kelby sipped her Costa coffee while her other hand rested on the top of the steering wheel. She hated that the new-car smell had long gone. It had been replaced with the scent of stale coffee, and Fat Cat’s pee from his last vet trip. Both odours still clung to the back seat fabric. She made a mental note to get Jimmy to book a car valet.

Her thoughts zipped to the magazine blackening out Teresina’s face. Then just as quickly, they fizzed to the police questioning. Her mind tried to connect the dots.

Someone must have killed Teresina and was after her.

Kelby veered up to the stop sign, but didn’t stop. Instead, she slowed down, her glance darting in both directions. No cars so she accelerated.

Keeping one eye on the road ahead, she tapped her phone and listened to the endless ringing in her bluetooth headset.

‘For God’s sake, Stacie, pick up!’

She tried again. No answer.

A faint squeak that sounded like something rubbing under the bonnet filtered into her thoughts. Twitching her nose, she caught a burning odour coming from the passenger side. It smelt as though a plastic grocery bag was stuck to her exhaust.

Kelby peered into her left wing mirror.

Nothing different.

The road had tight curves and high banks up the side. If she pulled over, there was a risk someone would ram her from behind.

As she slowed to look for a lay-by, a silver rusting sports car hurtled up behind her. She signalled him to help her. When she caught sight of the boy racer, with his Lonsdale cap sitting side-saddle on his head, and a fag hanging precariously from the side of his mouth, she knew he wasn’t the knight she needed. He revved his engine and gestured at her to move over.

Kelby gagged on the reek of burning rubber filling the car.

The boy racer pulled out in front of her. He held up his middle finger. His rusting bullet shot forward and disappeared around the corner.

‘Bloody idiot!’ she yelled at him.

At that moment the beamer hit an obstacle on the slick road.