Jane was surprised. ‘What did he have to say about it?’
‘Apparently he wanted the original for evidential purposes,’ Hadley explained. But I had already taken the decision to burn it, which, needless to say, did not please him. However, I did assure him that I believed Helena’s confession about the death of the baby to be true, thus allowing him to close your investigation.’
‘Did he ask about the blackmail allegation?’ Jane asked.
Hadley sighed dismissively. ‘I assured him Helena had never said anything about it to me and that to my knowledge she had supported Beatrice and Jason financially simply because they were family. I also warned him that any public statement accusing Beatrice of blackmail, or questioning Jason’s parentage, would be regarded as libellous and Beatrice would sue.’
Jane now understood why the press reports only referred to Helena’s confession. It was clear Hadley had mysteriously changed his previous opinion of Beatrice, making Jane wonder if she was now blackmailing him in some way.
‘Is Mrs Thorpe challenging Helena’s will?’
‘No. We came to an amicable agreement and she agreed not to do so.’
‘Would that agreement involve helping her and Jason financially?’
Hadley didn’t answer the question. ‘I have a great deal of sympathy for Beatrice and her two sons. They have suffered greatly for many years and there comes a time to forgive and forget.’
Jane didn’t think he sounded very convincing. ‘Do you think Helena would have felt the same way?’
‘Helena is no longer with us. I loved her dearly, but I’d like to think she’d agree with my decision... as well as yours.’ He gave her a pointed look and walked away.
Jane realised Beatrice must have told Hadley what had happened at her house. She recalled Beatrice saying she was prepared to contest the will ‘but not necessarily in court’. Helena gave her money to ensure her silence. Had Beatrice used a similar threat with Hadley to reach an ‘amicable agreement’? If so, then ironically it had also saved Jane from being investigated for theft.
As Jane walked across the churchyard she noticed the flash of a camera aimed in her direction. The photographer approached her and took out his notebook.
‘Are you family?’
‘No, I am Detective Inspector Jane Tennison.’
‘Then you were involved in the investigation?’
‘Yes, I was. But I have nothing more to say.’
‘What about that old lady’s letter, and her admission about burying the baby?’ the journalist asked before she could turn away.
Jane stopped. ‘It was a terrible secret she kept for thirty years. However long it took, we were determined to get to the truth and have closure on the case. Thank you, I have no further comment.’
Jane walked back to her car and sat in it for a minute before starting the engine. She had just been given the perfect opportunity to explain how much she had been personally driving the investigation and how without her determination to uncover the truth about the dead child, it would have been quickly shelved. But she had finally realised that it no longer mattered. Helena Lanark had lived in torment and paid a terrible price to protect her father, one sister committing suicide and the other determined for revenge, but now it was over.
She started the engine. Every day was a learning curve, and she was more than ready to handle the other DCI Carters she knew she would come across in her career.
She was happy in her personal life, she had a newly refurbished house, and she had a feeling that the career she had feared was going nowhere was not going to stay that way for long.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Nigel Stoneman and Tory Macdonald, the team I work with at La Plante Global.
All the forensic scientists and members of the Met Police who help with my research. I could not write without their valuable input.
Cass Sutherland for his valuable advice on police procedures and forensics.
The entire team at my publisher, Bonnier Books UK, who work together to have my books edited, marketed, publicised and sold. A special thank you to Kate Parkin, Ben Willis and Bill Massey for their great editorial advice and guidance.
Blake Brooks, who has introduced me to the world of social media, my Facebook Live sessions have been so much fun. Nikki Mander who manages my PR and makes it so easy and enjoyable.
The audio team, Jon Watt and Laura Makela, for bringing my entire backlist to a new audience in audiobooks. Thanks also for giving me my first podcast series, Listening to the Dead, which can be downloaded globally.
Allen and Unwin in Australia and Jonathan Ball in South Africa — thank you for doing such fantastic work with my books.
All the reviewers, journalists, bloggers and broadcasters who interview me, write reviews and promote my books. Thank you for your time and work.