A finer end by Deborah Crombie

Author:Deborah Crombie
Language: nl
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Detective
ISBN: 9780307789402
Published: 2011-05-05T09:47:12+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

So Glastonbury sank into the darkness of the Middle Ages, but Avalon lived on in the hearts of men and the Arthurian legends wove about her ancient history. Here came the knights who sought the Graal. They crossed the little River Brue by Pons Perilis, and watched all night in the little chapel at the foot of Wearyall Hill, overlooking the water, where dark temptations came to try the soul.

—DION FORTUNE,

FROM GLASTONBURY: AVALON OF THE HEART

THE YOUNG MAN looked as if he were a Greek sculpture come to life. Tall and slender, with square shoulders balancing a graceful neck, he had classically molded features and a perfectly shaped head covered with a tight cap of dark curls.

Gemma decided instantly that no one so beautiful could be entirely trustworthy. “Hullo,” she said. “You must be Nick.”

He nodded. “Who are you?”

“I’m Gemma. My … um, friend … is Jack’s cousin. We’ve come to help out.”

“Where’s Jack? I need to talk to him.” He pushed past her.

Following him into the kitchen, Gemma replied, “Gone to the hospital to see Winnie. He waited for you as long as he could.”

“Faith—”

“Upstairs. She’s just gone to sleep. Please don’t wake her.”

Nick had already turned towards the stairway corridor, but the firmness of her tone stopped him midstep. For the first time, he seemed to really look at her, and in doing so lost a little of his momentum.

“She’s had a very difficult morning, and she’s exhausted,” Gemma said, taking full advantage. “Why don’t you sit down?”

Reluctantly, he came back to the table and pulled out a chair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just that I’ve been frantic all day.”

“Faith was worried about you.”

“As soon as I could get away from work, I went looking for Garnet. I drove by the farm, but there was no sign of her van. Then I checked all round Glastonbury. I thought if I could tell Faith that Garnet was all right—”

“I’m afraid that’s not going to be possible,” Gemma said.

“What? Why not?”

“Garnet was found in her van this morning. She’s dead.”

Nick gaped at her. “But—I suppose she killed herself?”

That makes two, thought Gemma. “Why would you say that?” she asked quietly.

“Well, it seems obvious, doesn’t it? If she tried to kill Winnie, and then she felt guilty … or maybe she was afraid Faith would find out what she’d done.…”

“Would that have mattered to her so much?”

“She seems obsessed with Faith—”

“In a sexual way?”

“I—I don’t know. I don’t think so. But she is insanely jealous of her.” He scowled at Gemma, tapping his fingers on the table. “If you don’t mind me saying so, you ask a lot of questions.”

“Sorry. Bad habit.” He would find out soon enough that she was a copper, but until then she might as well make the most of her temporary anonymity. “Do I take it Garnet wasn’t fond of you?”

“Not particularly, no.” He didn’t seem eager to pursue the subject. “How did Faith take the news?”

“She was quite upset, but she’s doing better now.

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