Trouble Brewing Read Free Page B

he was glad to see I’d taken it in such a sporting manner, or words to that effect. Poor old Enid had come in for some heavy Victorian disapproval and been barred for years, as far as I can make out. It was only when her daughter died that she got accepted back into the family fold once more, bringing with her Mark and Patricia.’
    â€˜When did all this happen, Merry? Mr Hunt offering you the job, I mean.’
    â€˜Just over a month ago. Mark’s sliding off left an enormous gap in the firm, and H.R.H. wanted someone in the family to fill it. Fortunately I’ve always had a head for figures and although I’m only accidentally in the family, it was close enough to count. Between the three of us, I rather think H.R.H. had been upset by his sister’s will. You know she only died a few weeks ago? She left everything to Mark, and nothing to me. As I’d never heard of the woman before H.R.H. told me about her, I can’t say it bothered me much, but H.R.H. obviously thought she should have done something for Grandpa Smith’s family. Anyway, he offered me a job at a corking salary, so here we are.’
    Jack sat back and looked at Meredith reflectively. ‘You say Mr Hunt was keen to have someone in the family. Why? Is it just sentiment or is there another reason?’
    Smith gave an impatient little wriggle. ‘You do ask some damn searching questions, Jack. I don’t want to say too much, but I must say it had occurred to me, too.’ He paused. ‘Although we’re doing fine at the moment, it’s not where I would put my money, if you see what I mean.’
    Bill sat up sharply. ‘Why’s that?’
    Smith looked acutely uncomfortable. ‘I can’t tell you. I don’t mean I don’t want to, I mean I don’t know. However, I can’t help feeling
something’s
been going on that’s not right. There’s nothing I can put my finger on, but I do wonder if Mark was quite the shining light his family thought him.’
    â€˜And if you find out, with you being part of the family . . .’ said Jack.
    â€˜I’ll keep quiet. Yes. I have wondered if that’s the size of it. If there is anything dodgy, though, I’m sure H.R.H. isn’t in on it. He’s unhappy about the firm. He’s asked me a couple of times if everything’s as it should be and given me a sort of between-the-lines warning to keep my eyes peeled. The trouble is, if I do find anything amiss, I can’t keep quiet, family or no family. Even accountants have a rudimentary sense of ethics. I don’t want anything to go wrong because it’s such a nailing good job, but . . .’
    â€˜But if there’s dirty work at the crossroads you’ll have to come clean.’
    â€˜Unfortunately, yes.’ He sighed. ‘I wish I’d known Mark. It’s much easier to know if a man’s pukka if you’ve actually met him. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve taken up with Jaggard, his brother-in-law. Did you see him? I was talking to him earlier. I like the man for his own sake, but he knew Mark well. I haven’t spoken about this to anyone, as they all take the line that Mark is totally innocent of anything shady. I’m not so sure. Leaving aside the idea he’s wafting around in the fourth dimension somewhere, he’s either croaked or, seeing trouble looming, got out while the going was good.’
    Jack shook his head in a dissatisfied manner. ‘Perhaps. But you haven’t managed to find anything, have you? If there is something dodgy it must be damn well hidden and if it’s that well hidden, there’d be no reason for Helston to scoot.’ He rested his chin on his hands, staring sightlessly into the fire.
    â€˜Penny for them?’ prompted Bill.
    Jack shook himself. ‘Nothing,’ he said with a grin. ‘I need to look at that blessed file of yours before I start leaping to conclusions.