False Pretences Read Free Page B

and read his Bible. He was a man who tried to do the right thing in a world which didn’t much care about right and wrong any more. If it ever had done, which she thought unlikely.
    Bea laced her fingers and leaned her chin on them. ‘What do you want me to do?’
    â€˜I need backup, someone to come with me when I take this stuff back to his wife. I need an impartial observer. I understand that Lady Honoria shared her husband’s view of people of mixed race, and to be frank I’m not sure how much more racial abuse I can take. If she starts . . . No, I know it’s no good losing my temper with her. When I was first advised to grovel to her, I thought that I’d tell her to get lost. But I like the job, and I don’t see why she should be able to get me sacked for what I did. Then I thought that, if she tried to sack me, I’d say I’d go to an industrial tribunal and then all her husband’s little ways would come out into the open. She wouldn’t want that, would she? Oliver’s told me a lot about you and the problems you’ve solved for other people. I thought that if anyone could, you might be able to face her down, point out the law to her.’
    And he wasn’t averse to seeing Maggie again. Hmm.
    He said, ‘You don’t actually have to pretend to be a solicitor, but a hint of that might help?’ He produced a chequebook. ‘Your fee? I’m willing to pay in advance.’
    Bea swivelled round to look out of the window. If Zander was right, and she rather thought he was, then a large-scale fraud had been perpetrated – and possibly was still continuing – on the people at the Trust.
    Fatigue dragged her down. She simply hadn’t the energy to help him. In any case, what excuse could she make to accompany him to see the widow, and what difference could she make if she did?
    It was his own fault that he’d got himself into such a mess. Such naivety was asking for it.
    He exclaimed something, and she turned back to see a slow tide of red climbing up from his throat to his hairline.
    Ouch. Had she spoken her thoughts aloud? ‘Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—’
    â€˜Yes, you did. And you’re quite right. I always want to give people the benefit of the doubt until . . . No, you’re right. Forgive me. I shouldn’t have come.’
    Bea pressed her fingers to her eyelids. Her dear dead husband had always liked to look for the best in people, too. Although he’d often been disappointed, he’d always gone on hoping. But when he’d come across something nasty, he’d not hesitated to do something about it. So what would he have done in such a case?
    She had a sudden vision of Hamilton wrinkling his nose, saying, ‘I smell Roquefort!’
    Yes, she could smell strong cheese, too.
    She said, ‘It was a very timely death, wasn’t it? What were the circumstances?’
    â€˜I don’t know. I think he got home and just dropped dead. There’s to be a big funeral and then a memorial service.’
    She said, ‘I don’t fancy pretending to be a solicitor, although I do agree that it might be as well for you to have a witness when you see her. I suppose I could carry a briefcase and look professional, but—’
    â€˜That’s all I need. A witness with a cool head.’
    â€˜When do you have to visit her?’
    â€˜Tomorrow at eleven.’ He stood, smiling. ‘The only thing is, can you drive me? I haven’t a car.’
    Friday evening
    Honoria contained her rage with an effort. If only Denzil had been more careful! How often had she told him . . .! And now look where he’d landed her, having to do battle with the Trust to keep the manor going. Well, she could do it. Of course she could. Hadn’t she been the power behind his throne for ever?
    The worst of it was, she’d have to find a replacement for Corcorans. Sandy