The Inspector Lynley Mysteries

Call Me Daddy

note: it was hard to resist so I didn't ;o)

-o-

PART 9

"Err…" Denton was standing just inches away from his armchair.

Buchanan had not heard him coming in. The taking care of two grown men's mess was definitely a bit too aristocratic for his own taste. He suspected this butler guy to be ghostly on purpose and it was making him nervous. Feeling like he had been offered a cameo role in some idiotic 'Haunted Mansion II', he would have favoured any day his cheap and functional room at the 'Royal Clarion' hotel over this unforeseen stay at Howenstow but he did not have a say.

He understood that being in Cornwall in his family house was certainly a bonus for Lynley and part of a bigger plan; with Havers who was to be found any minute now, it will be nice to have a substitute home for her before they go back to duty and dull real life. She will find solace in being here with her friends.

"Yes? Hum, Denton?" Buchanan said, resolved not to show his uneasiness. He pushed his files aside and locked his eyes on him.

"Good afternoon Sir," Denton said with a courteous nod. "I am awfully sorry to disturb you sir but we just received the most curious telephone call. I thought I should inform you immediately, his Lordship being unavailable at the moment."

"Very well, by all means Denton, what is it about?" said the American in a very poor impersonation of Lynley. What a bore, he thought, where is Lynley when you need him to deal with petty details?

Denton raised one eyebrow and his mouth imperceptibly twisted in discontent. Despite of the fact that Lord Asherton's world has been turned upside down, this American detective was behaving ever so lightly.

"I believe a physician from Carharrack succeeded in locating Detective Sergeant Havers," he said curtly.

Buchanan was on his feet.

"He found her? Do the police know? Where is she? Is she ok?"

Denton chose to answer the last two questions.

"I am afraid I was not given this information sir but Dr Morrow provided us with an address," said Denton, handing out a note. "He says that he is willing to meet with his Lordship at his earliest convenience."

"Give me that, for chrissakes," Buchanan exclaimed, ripping a scrap of paper off Denton's hand.

"Penhaligon? Where is it? Is it far from Howenstow?"

"I am afraid Penhaligon is not a place sir but the name of the man who haphazardly discovered Ms Havers in the woods yesterday."

"You just told me you knew nothing!" Denton is a better player at his game than I am, he thought.

"Exactly sir."

"And where do I find this Penhaligon guy?" sighed Buchanan in disbelief.

Clearly the guy's holding a grudge against me for some reason. Or maybe I just don't understand the way it works around here. Whatever. Barbara is alright…

"Mr Penhaligon is currently residing in Carharrack. Dr Morrow cancelled his appointments for the day in the event that Ms Havers should suffer a nervous breakdown."

… or not. His rough-edged, rock-solid Barbara having a breakdown? No way.

"Anything else Denton?" he said cautiously.

"I'm afraid not sir. His Lordship…"

"Ok Denton, I'm sure you'll manage to find Lynley. Just tell him I'm out of here. I'm going to get Barb right away. I'll be back before he knows it."

"Very well sir. I will keep his Lordship up to date."

"You do that," muttered Buchanan.

He was hurrying past the front door already. Soon his tyres screeched in the alley making gravels sprung out into the lawn. My GPS is friendlier that this broomstick, he breathed between his teeth.

-o-

Fists clenched deep inside the borrowed hand made purple cardigan, Havers was facing slopes of green and yellowish meadows. In the background, she could even catch a glimpse of the woods she mysteriously materialised from. Was it only yesterday?

Her back to the house, she waited for her unexpected sobbing to slowly recede. Not that she felt sad or distressed. She was not feeling anything. She probably merely needed a breath of fresh air to help her put things back into perspective. She exhaled deeply.

What did Morrow possibly expect achieving, for heaven's sake? She simply could not answer his questions. She would have been more than happy to comply, but her mind was blank and he knew first hand she was not familiar with anything for the time being. She did not recall being part of Scotland Yard, where the hell Howenstow was or why she was lost in Cornwall.

She was beginning to question her name at this point. Fully aware that she held odd preconceptions for a Lady, all the same she could not help being prejudiced against nobility. Hatred of the highborn was running so high in her blood that she suspected having very real working-class roots. That she had married a Lord was becoming more and more utterly surreal by the minute. Thus given, she could not be Lady Helen and Lynley being a Lord, he would not marry outside of his own class. Would he, she pondered.

Well, if she really was lost property, all she had to do was to wait for someone to find her.

She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and went back slowly to the house, hoping her face was not red and swollen from her crying.

-o-

The scent of horses, hay and manure was potent and when Lord Asherton entered the stables, he knew that even with a blinder on his eyes, he would have remembered every single inch of the place with the utmost accuracy. He felt great for the first time in weeks, even months.

His love for horses could have been his demise but his strict and moral upbringing along with some common sense had kept him away from the tracks before it was too late.

He inhaled deeply and memories flooded back to him immediately.

Maybe he could stay in Howenstow for good. Settle down. Have children. His mother would be so happy should he choose to return to the estate. At long last, they could live as a real family for the first time in years and forget old resentment.

Yes, that's exactly what he was in need of; a fresh start. Obviously Howenstow was paramount to his new scheme but only with Havers in the picture, he thought, knowing he had constantly turned a blind eye to his feelings while she was around.

He would not mind leaving the force on a whim and breed some Arabian colts instead, perhaps even produce a champion if he was clever enough in his selections. But would Barbara accept to ever leave London and her career? She was a very good cop, with enough ambition to go to the top if she put her energy into it.

It was either that or staying with the Met and working happily ever after with Havers, he chuckled, shrugging off his loony plans.

He walked in, mechanically looking for Alf Eterghale before he recalled that the one who had taught him everything he knew about cleaning and smartening a horse was long gone. The new groom was not even aware of Lynley's current staying in Cornwall and the last thing he wanted was to make Applegate uncomfortable with his presence.

He managed to saddle his favourite horse, a fine black silver American Morgan, whose height was way above standard with 16 hands and who was exhibiting the most extraordinary natural long mane. It had been loosely braid to prevent breaking and Tommy gently ran his fingers inside the braids to obtain a wavy appearance. He checked the hooves and teeth, set the bridle and walked him out of the stables.

Once outside, he hopped on and the horse instantly managed to trot in place. Lynley smiled, happy that his old friend could still recollect his training after all the years he'd been gone. He petted his head and the horse went at canter.

-o-

"Do you feel better dear? I made you a nice cup of tea. Would you like some biscuits?"

Havers nodded absently and took the tray to the living room. The television was off and Morrow out of sight.

"Excuse me, I have to wake up my husband," said Morveren. "He's going to be mad when he learns what's going on!"

"What's going on?" asked Havers.

"I told the doctor about Lady Helen being shot in the line of duty. And obviously, the doctor's seen your scar," she pointed a finger at her stomach. "He said it's a classic scar from a gun shot. So he called Howenstow. Lord Asherton is on his way," she giggled.

"A gun… How… why did he…"

"I thought it was best to call his Lordship first," interrupted Morrow.

He walked away from the door to let Morveren go upstairs to her husband.

"After all, he is a police officer and he will call the search off if you happen to be the missing detective. His butler took my message. I guess he won't be long now," he added, checking his watch. "I'm going to wait for him."

"His butler? Good heavens," said Havers, putting the tray down forcefully onto the coffee table. Some tea was spilled out and a cup nearly fell on the carpet.

She faced the doctor, spitting her rage with passion.

"You're kidding, right? 'His butler', 'his Lordship'? What are you trying to achieve? A recreation of Trollope or Hardy?"

"Don't be alarmed. I will be with you all the way."

"And it's supposed to be reassuring? Why would I want you all the way? All the way to what? Where is the part when you ask me if I agree with your brilliant plan?" she barked coming closer to the doctor.

"I only want your own good," he said flatly.

"Really? And you've known me, what? Five minutes? How would you know what is good for me? You're a joke!" she cried out, sensing she was losing it.

"Please calm down, or I will have to sedate you."

"Honestly, what would you do if you were not a doctor? Knock me out?"

"What are you two up to?" interrupted Jory.

He was half awake and not in a very good mood.

"Couldn't you be any louder, for crying out loud! I can't think of anyone left in Carharrack who can't hear you!"

"Sorry Penhaligon," said Morrow, "but Ms Lynley…"

"Ms Lynley doesn't want to be eaten alive by the lions without a fight, that's what!" shouted Havers.

"What's all the fuss about? Aren't you supposed to be married to the man?" said Jory in a strong voice, startling Havers. "For all I know, you should be happy to see Asherton again. You have all the time in the world to quarrel when this matter is settled. And I will have some peace in my own house. Now, I want my tea, woman!"

-o-

"Hello? Just a second… please hold!"

Buchanan slowed down, pulled over and picked up his phone.

"Lynley? Is that you? Sorry I did not wait for… Hello? I can barely hear you. Where are you?"

"… Denton rang… am 'round," said Lynley.

"Ok. Listen. I must confess I got lost a couple of times to get to Carharrack but I think this damn GPS has it right this time. Lynley? You still there?"

"… listening… right…"

"Ok, ok. Well to cut a long story short, I had to ask someone at the 'Knight and Hawk' pub for direction and I seem to be only half a mile from Penhaligon's."

"… know where… Penhaligon's cottage. Did… yet?"

"Lynley, the line's breaking up. I'm almost there. I should get to Barbara in less than five minutes."

"… can't hear… meeting you…"

"Lynley? Lynley?" he said louder before ringing off.

He threw the mobile into the glove compartment. Starting the engine, he checked his mirrors and speeded up.

"No sweat your Highness, I'm on it."

-o-

Boiling with rage, she slammed the door behind her and ran to the fence half visible under thick shrubs of ivy, roses and honeysuckle. Half an hour ago she was sobbing and now she couldn't stop her heart from pounding in her chest out of anger and frustration. What was the matter with her? She seemed unable to keep her emotions in check. She took a deep breath, in a useless effort to stop tears from welling up again in her eyes.

Morrow had done nothing wrong. He's probably only wanting to help, she thought, and more likely to get a good look at Asherton. Maybe a handshake with his Lordship on the front page of the local rag would boost his practice, she scoffed.

Her eyes strayed inadvertently from the house to the horizon and she watched helplessly a small sports car closing up. Typical, she thought, couldn't his Lordship choose any less conspicuous a car? How could he be here already anyway? She might have lost track of time or Howenstow was right the next corner.

The driver might have seen her in the distance or maybe he was in a cheerful mood in the prospect of meeting her because he honked joyfully and made the car blink in unison. He finally stopped in what seemed to be a never ending uncontrolled motion. Half hidden behind the flowers and fences, she watched the shadows on the windscreen smeared his face when he parked under the hazel tree on the other side of the road. What if he was the one she had been fantasizing about, the one she simply seemed unable to get out of her head? What if, against all odds, she was Lady Helen, happily married to Lord Asherton of Howenstow? Havers froze. Buchanan sprung out of the small car and ran to the wrought iron gate of the cottage. He pulled on the chain and the chirping sound of the bell made a flock of reddish birds fly away squawking.

Havers dipped her head with bitter disappointment to hide behind the bushes. Tall, handsome and blonde, he was not the man she expected to show up at the gate. Biting hard into her lower lip, she ran away, dismissing the fact that she could barely walk with her lent shoes. She had to put as distance between her and the house, the Lord at the gate, not to mention that stupid doctor. Half walking half running, unable to keep her balance, she soon left the vegetable garden behind her.

The purple sweater pressed firmly to her chest, she stumbled on. An unfitted orange blouse she was wearing underneath decided to get a life of its own. It twisted and tucked out of her pleated skirt. She tried to tuck it back inside, pushed away a lock of hair and tripped on a concealed dry stone wall. With a thump, she fell down heavily onto the dirt trail three feet below and cursed profusely.

"Barbara!"

She looked up to see a Jodhpur boot in a stirrup. A big dapple grey horse circled around her and reared up. A second later, Lynley was on his knees beside her and she was in his arms, skirt over head, with her tangled hair and her fierce glare, his perfect Havers.

"Are you alright?" he asked with concern in a low voice, his right hand over her bare stomach and his left stroking her hair.

"Who the hell are you for goodness' sake!" she yelled.

He tried to pull on the skirt to cover her legs. Apart from some scratches on the knees and dirt all over her face, she did not seem injured. He hugged her firmly, his smiling eyes never leaving hers.

"And what are you doing? Let go of me right this minute or you're in for a surprise mister!" she wailed.

Lynley laughed quietly and cuddled her fondly.

She realized she was struggling to free herself from his embrace and resisting the urge to hug him at the same time. Her knight in shining armour had finally come to rescue her and he was wearing Burberry.

-o-

Thanks to all of who sent a review! I can't even begin to tell you what it means to me that you are enjoying this story! I'll update asap ;)