Part 11 (1/2)
”Empty-handed. We've searched the place as thoroughly as we can short of lifting floorboards or climbing up the chimney. There's nothing there. Like I say, she had no need to hide the letters. n.o.body but me knew they even existed.”
”So what do you think? Did she destroy them?”
H A N D I N G L O V E.
65.
”Her dead brother's last letters? No. n.o.body would do that. Besides, she'd promised me she wouldn't. And she wasn't a lady to break her word.”
”Then what did she do with them?”
”I don't know. Unless-” He broke off and frowned thoughtfully.
”What is it?”
”Unless she was afraid they'd go astray. Be overlooked after her death. Trashed before anybody realized what they were. Is it possible she left them with somebody for safe-keeping? A friend, perhaps?”
”Of course it's possible. But why would she trust a friend with the letters if she wouldn't trust Maurice or me with them?”
”Because she might have wanted to use a neutral party-somebody outside the family. Not that I'm saying it's what happened.
I'm just trying to cover every eventuality. h.e.l.l, I don't even know if she had such a friend.”
”Oh, but she did!” Suddenly, Charlotte smiled. ”You're right. It's obvious. Her oldest friend of all. She was the neutral party. Lulu Harrington.”
They drove back to Tunbridge Wells, Charlotte having to restrain herself from exceeding all known speed limits, so impatient was she to put her theory to the test. Her first action on entering Ockham House was to seize the telephone and dial Lulu's number. Relief swept over her when it was answered in Lulu's familiar tone.
”Lulu? This is Charlotte Ladram.”
”Charlotte? What a delightful surprise. How are you?”
”Fine, but-”
”I really was so very sorry to miss Beatrix's funeral. I trust my wreath was safely delivered?”
”Yes. Yes, it was. Forgive me, but this call is rather urgent. I'm hoping you'll be able to help me.”
”I'll be happy to, if it lies within my power.”
”I think it may. Tell me, did Beatrix ever leave anything with you for safe-keeping? A parcel or packet of some kind?” She paused and waited for an answer, but there was none. ”Lulu?”
”Yes, my dear?”
”Did you hear what I said?”
”Yes. I heard. A parcel or packet. What makes you ask?”
”That's a little difficult to explain.”
66.
R O B E R T G O D D A R D.
”I see.” She sounded pensive, almost apprehensive.
”So what's the answer?”
”Are you phoning on somebody else's behalf ?”
”No.”
”Not perhaps on your sister-in-law's?”
”You mean Ursula?”
”She will have to accept I did not know what it contained. And that I was bound by a solemn promise. What else could I do?”
”Lulu, I don't know what you're talking about.”
”But you must.”
”You still haven't answered my question.”
”No. No, I haven't, have I?”
”Are you going to?”
There was no reply. Charlotte thought she could hear Lulu's slightly wheezy breathing at the other end and decided this time to let her choose when to break the silence. At last she said: ”I think we must meet, my dear. This matter has been preying upon my conscience. And I can think of no one better than you to confide in. There is no one else, indeed, in whom I could confide. So, let us meet. The sooner the better. I see now that I must make a clean breast of what I have done. Without further delay.”
CHAPTER.
THIRTEEN.