‘I don’t share your confidence in Inspector Colbeck. All that he has done so far is to “harvest information” and it has got him nowhere.’
‘On the contrary,’ said Colbeck, ‘it was because I took the trouble to gather all the facts before reaching a conclusion, that I was able to dismiss your ludicrous notion that this was a jape invented by George Vaughan. It may interest you to know that Sergeant Leeming has spoken to the young artist and repeated the accusation to him. George Vaughan felt that your claim was nothing short of slanderous.’
‘My nephew would never dare to harm his cousin,’ said Sir Marcus.
‘It was a natural mistake,’ argued Tunnadine, trying to shrug it off.
‘You are rather prone to making natural mistakes, sir,’ said Colbeck.
‘I’ll take no lectures from you, Inspector.’
‘I was not aware that I was giving you any.’
‘Let’s get back to the ransom demand,’ suggested Tallis, conscious that he’d lost control of the discussion. ‘We’ve agreed that the sensible course of action is to obey the kidnapper’s demands and to hand the money over, once we’ve established that the two ladies have been released. Inspector Colbeck will act on behalf of Sir Marcus and actually meet the kidnapper face to face.’
‘Why can’t I do that?’ said Tunnadine, tapping his chest.
‘It’s because you are too hot-headed, sir.’
‘I have a right to take on the role — Colbeck does not. We’re talking about my future wife. Who could have a better claim than her future husband?’
‘Listen to the superintendent, Clive,’ said Sir Marcus. You are not experienced in these matters. A trained detective is. The inspector has spent years dealing with desperate criminals. He will be cool and objective. Your impulsiveness could ruin everything.’
Tunnadine was shocked. ‘You wish to hand over this task to a complete stranger, Sir Marcus?’
‘Colbeck is the best man in a situation like this,’ said Tallis.
‘I dispute that, Superintendent.’
‘He’s highly experienced.’
‘I still believe that I have a prior claim,’ insisted Tunnadine.
‘The decision lies with me,’ declared Sir Marcus. ‘If I have to choose someone to impersonate me, then I elect the inspector to go in my stead. Superintendent Tallis is too old and you are too excitable. Let’s hear no more on the subject,’ he went on, stifling Tunnadine’s protest with a gesture. ‘The matter is closed.’
Colbeck took note of Tunnadine’s reaction. Silenced by Sir Marcus, the politician was burning with resentment and smarting from the rebuff. He was not accustomed to having his wishes overridden. Since he’d been quashed in front of the two detectives, he was even more livid. After bidding a token farewell, he marched out of the room with a face like thunder.
Tunnadine was a problem.
CHAPTER NINE
Dolly Wrenson was in a peevish mood. She stared sullenly at the nude portrait of her.
‘What about my missing arm?’ she asked.
‘It will have to wait, alas.’
‘You can’t just walk away and leave me like that.’
‘I’m needed elsewhere, Dolly,’ said George Vaughan. ‘Besides, you shouldn’t really have seen the portrait before it’s completed. I always think it bad luck if a model views a painting too soon in the creative process.’
‘I look ridiculous without an arm.’
‘Think how many Greek and Roman statues lack a limb of one kind or another. It adds character. In some cases, they don’t even have a head.’
‘I’m not a statue, George,’ she said, fiercely. ‘I’m a real woman and I want to be finished.’
‘And so you shall be — when I return from Oxford.’
‘But you said you never wanted to go there again.’
‘That was before I heard about Imogen’s disappearance.’
‘Oh, it’s her, is it?’ she said, jealously. ‘It’s that precious cousin of yours. Because she’s more important than me, I’m left in London with a missing arm.’
‘Don’t be absurd.’
‘You love her more than you love me. That’s what it amounts to, isn’t it?’
‘I love her as a cousin. When she’s in danger, I’m bound to worry about Imogen.’ He glanced across at the bed. ‘I love you in a very different way.’
It was not long after dawn and they were in his studio at the top of the house in Chelsea. After a restive night thinking about Imogen, he’d felt the urge to go back to his family. Having left under a cloud, he was not sure what kind of reception he’d get but nevertheless felt impelled to return to Oxford. Dolly looked upon the decision as a betrayal.
‘You said that I’d taught you the meaning of freedom,’ she recalled.
‘And I’m eternally grateful to you, Dolly.’
‘So why are you putting her before me?’
‘That’s not what I’m doing. In most things, you’ll always come first.’
‘Prove it,’ she challenged.
‘What do you mean?’
‘If you really love me, take me to Oxford with you.’
‘I can’t do that,’ he spluttered.
‘Exactly — you’re ashamed of me, George Vaughan.’
‘I’m prouder of you than of anyone else in my life. You’ve changed the way I look at the world, Dolly. Nobody else could have done that. Living and working with you has made me feel that I’m in paradise.’
‘Then stay here and give me a second arm.’ She moved in close to embrace him. ‘I’ll be extremely grateful,’ she purred. ‘You’ve no idea what treats I’d have in store for you. Why bother about your old life? Put it behind you for good.’ She caressed his hair. ‘Come to bed with me and talk it over.’
‘I’m sorry,’ he said, tempted by her blandishments but easing her gently away. ‘This is something that I have to do. I’m not leaving you, Dolly. I’ll be back before you know that I’ve gone.’
‘And will you tell your family about me?’
‘I … might do so.’
‘Will you say that I mean far more to you than your cousin?’
‘No — I’m simply going there to offer support in a fraught situation.’
‘In other words,’ she said, astringently, ‘Dolly Wrenson won’t even deserve a mention. She’ll cease to exist because she’ll be an embarrassment to you. Real freedom consists in being true to yourself, George. It’s showing the whole world what you believe in and care about. You can’t be a devil-may-care artist in Chelsea and a dutiful son in Oxford at one and the same time. You can’t live in sin and pretend to lead a virginal existence. It’s sheer hypocrisy.’
‘That’s enough!’ he yelled, banging the table. ‘There’s a crisis in my family and my place is with them. If you can’t appreciate that, then you’ve lowered yourself in my esteem. You must stop being so infernally selfish, Dolly. Someone else’s need is greater than yours. For heaven’s sake, learn to accept that.’ He picked up a battered valise and headed for the door. ‘We’ll discuss this in full when I get back.
Dolly folded her arms. ‘How do you know that I’ll still be here?’
At a time when his thoughts were concentrated solely on his daughter’s safety, what Sir Marcus Burnhope needed least was an attack by his sister-in-law. He’d returned home too late for her to ambush him that night so she bided her time and waited until he descended for breakfast. Before he could even enter the dining room, Cassandra Vaughan popped out from behind a suit of armour in the hall to accost him.
‘What’s going on, Marcus?’ she asked.
‘I’m having an early breakfast,’ he replied, astonished to see her. ‘What are you doing here, Cassandra?’
‘I came to look after my sister and to find out the facts. Paulina is in low spirits as it is. Why make her condition worse by concealing the truth from her? Do you wish your wife to expire from neglect and anxiety?’
‘Paulina has not been neglected. The doctor calls every day. As for her anxiety, I share it. I wish I was in a position to alleviate it.’