Murder at Ashton Steeple: Heathcliff Lennox Investigates: A Cotswolds Country House murder mystery. by Menuhin Karen Baugh

Author:Menuhin, Karen Baugh [Menuhin, Karen Baugh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little Dog Publishing ltd
Published: 2023-07-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Fossett leapt to his feet and saluted stiffly to attention. Foggy sat up and gave a muffled woof; Tremayne paused at the sofa to rub the fur on his head and then advanced on us.

He held his hand out and we all shook in formal manner, then sat down again, apart from Fossett, who dithered. Swift told him to take notes, so he perched on a chair at the corner of the table as far from the intimidating lawyer as he could.

‘Two dead.’ Tremayne rested hands on his ebony stick. He must have been over seventy; Victorian in style and manner, white hair swept back in leonine fashion, hooked nose, cold, intelligent eyes and a face which could have been sculpted from stone. ‘Have you apprehended the culprit?’

‘Not yet,’ I answered.

He gazed from under thick white brows. ‘What facts have you ascertained?’ His speech was as Victorian as his appearance.

Swift told him in as few words as possible, omitting the more frivolous aspects, such as man-eating lions. He didn’t mention our theory about the arrow either, or Saunders and Smedley working in cahoots.

‘Marriott stands to benefit more,’ Tremayne surmised, then closed his lips in a tight line.

‘What’s Marriott’s background?’ I eyed the man, his haughty manner and cold demeanour spoke of an unflinching character with a misanthropic bent.

‘Manchester. One of Barnardo’s lost boys. They did their best, but he’s cold, calculating, and dangerous.’

‘How is he dangerous?’ I continued.

‘War hero. Army captain. Fearless,’ Tremayne explained. ‘Led his men into battle, too many killed but he won more fights than he lost. Not a congenial character, but effective. His ambition is to control the Royal Buckingham.’

Fossett wrote diligently with his arm wrapped around the notebook.

‘Lady Clementine inherits Devlin Saunders’ shares,’ Swift said. ‘I assume you are already aware of that.’

‘I am the lawyer, I facilitate the company’s legal requirements.’

I assumed that meant yes. ‘Does it allow her to control the company?’

‘Hypothetically, but Devlin Saunders had entered into a legally binding covenant wherein he committed to sell his shares to the highest bidder. No party has the power to overturn that order.’

‘But until they’re sold, Lady Clementine is the majority shareholder?’ Swift asked.

‘Probate has not been granted and the will may yet be challenged. She cannot control the company for a number of reasons, not least the one I have just stated,’ Tremayne intoned.

It was like drawing blood from a stone. ‘She probably wouldn’t realise that,’ I said. ‘Has she given you any orders in the meantime?’

‘She has, although I have informed her that she lacks the power, and therefore her demands are null and void,’ Tremayne replied.

‘What did she order you to do?’ Swift asked. ‘And I remind you that this is a murder enquiry and Lady Clementine is a suspect.’

A tic showed in Tremayne’s cheek. ‘She requested the annulment of all private loans held by the company. I informed her that I was unable to comply.’

That made my heart lurch. It would have settled all my debts in one stroke. Swift glanced at me; he would have realised it too.

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