Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me
Chapter 11
Finn confesses all to Veronica. The plot thickens on the Elizabeth Thomas front.
Veronica sat in the drawing room and closed her eyes. It had been two days since Jessi Challenger had been murdered by their former neighbor, Elizabeth Thomas. And Challenger's state of mind worried the young woman deeply.
Granted, Challenger was not the type to boo hoo over loss. He had been devastated when Summerlee disappeared, but soon rallied back to his old self. Challenger was doing that now. And Veronica didn't feel that it was natural to act that way over the loss of a wife.
Challenger was having Jessi's body shipped back to London. Veronica didn't feel he should go alone, but Ned was swamped at the Journal, what with Renata Hargrove's death and Jessi's, plus the revelation the prominent society matron, Elizabeth Thomas, was crazy, he just couldn't afford to leave the paper right now.
Also, Beatrice Krux, who had been dead to the world that night, after finishing off a bottle of vodka, was going to the Journal's competition, swearing to anyone that would listen, that the Inspector shot the ape killer right before she was going to kill her!
Veronica heard thunder and opened her eyes. She wondered for a moment, that if the ground had been dry that night, would Jessi have been able to outrun Elizabeth Thomas. She shook her head. None of that mattered anymore.
Elizabeth was in the loony bin, or Massachusetts State Mental Hospital. There would be no trial. She had confessed everything.
Veronica heard footsteps stomping down the stairs. She knew they belonged to Finn. She stood up. There were some things she had been wanting to say to her friend.
Finn, for her part, had just left Roxton and Marguerite. Marguerite had come to, hours later. A doctor had been called in and diagnosed her with a mild concussion. But, soon after, she had fallen into such a long slumber, that Roxton worried that something more was wrong. She had come around a couple of hours ago, apparently really asleep, and not unconscious.
Finn had told them of something the bereaved Challenger had confided to her. He wanted to go back to the plateau. Veronica apparently had told him of what Renata Hargrove had shared with her outside of that dress shop. That tourists were littering the place and killing off all of the wildlife. Challenger wanted to preserve what was left and maybe even get the people that were there, to show a more healthy respect for the remaining wildlife.
Roxton said outright that Challenger was running away from what happened. Marguerite didn't say much either. Finn got the feeling she was in some sort of shock at waking up, and finding out that Jessi had been murdered.
When Finn reached the bottom step, she could see Veronica in the drawing room. She was already facing her. Finn decided that she had to be waiting for her. She took a deep breath and walked in.
'Hey, Vee!'
Veronica didn't respond but gave her a cold smile.
'How's Marguerite? she asked.
'Doing better, though I think Jessi's death is just now hitting her.'
Veronica just nodded. She rubbed her hands together. Finn gave her a curious look, before continuing.
'We were actually talking about Challenger a minute ago...you know.. about how he wants to go back to the plateau?'
Veronica cleared her throat. 'Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.'
'Oh? What is it Vee, you look so strange.'
Veronica looked her dead in the eye. 'Challenger will probably return to the plateau. The work and research will be good for him...it'll keep him busy. When that time comes, I want you to go with him.'
Finn said nothing for a moment. Her face then broke in to a slow, uncertain smile.
'What?'
Veronica walked up to her.
'You heard me, Finn. I want you to go with Challenger. And when you return, I don't want you coming back here.'
Finn's mouth dropped open!
'Vee? You're kidding, right?'
Veronica began to lose her temper! Since the fatal dinner party, every fiber in her being told her that Ned Malone was the man Finn had supposedly been in love with! Worse yet, Marguerite really should have told her the whole story! For now, Veronica was positive that whatever had been going on between Finn and Jack Farrell, had more to do with Ned and her, than anything between the two of them!
'No, Finn. I'm not! Marguerite told me that she didn't believe anything was really going on between Jack Farrell and you. And you know, that bothered me, I mean it really nagged at me this whole time, even when we were trying to clear Challenger and Roxton. I never saw you together, you never went out with him, that I knew of! Finally, Marguerite tells me that you've been pining for someone unavailable to you, as she put it! That meant it had to be someone committed to someone else and ....'
'ALRIGHT!' Finn practically screeched. 'I'm sorry I lied! Jack told me to tell Marguerite that I slept with Ned! He said it was the only....'
Veronica suddenly shoved her! Finn fell back against a couch. She straightened up quickly, looking Veronica up and down. She was no longer a friend, but a competitor.
'Don't ever touch me again, Vee!'
'Don't call me 'Vee' ever again! So, you were in cahoots with Jack Farrell so...so what? Ned would look your way? What did Jack get out of this deal?'
Finn didn't like Veronica's tone. She smiled sweetly.
'Not much. Just some jungle rat his boss was engaged to!'
Veronica's mouth dropped open, and her eyes swept over Finn as if she were seeing her for the very first time. God! How could she have been so stupid?! She and Ned had offered Finn a place in their life when they left the plateau. And they did it because they knew she was from another time and place, and would have no one. This is how they're repaid: by becoming the focus of some sick plot!
'It would've failed anyway, Finn. I would've never given Jack the time a day.'
'No, but I wasn't concerned with that. Ned was all I cared about.'
Neither of the two women saw Roxton standing in the doorway, frowning deeply He had overheard enough to realize that these two women needed to be seperated...and quickly!
He walked over to them. Veronica turned to look at him. When she turned away from Finn, Finn pushed her hard, shoving her back against a chair! Roxton grabbed Finn's arm!
'Stop it! Stop it, the both of you! What kind of foolishness is this?! We lost someone the other night! Challenger is going to need us and what are you two doing?! Marguerite is trying to rest! Get yourselves together!'
Finn twisted away from Roxton! She then glared at Veronica, who was being held back by him.
'Last time I checked, MARGUERITE owned this estate. So, if she wants me to leave, then I'll leave. Otherwise, I'm not going anywhere!'
And with that, Finn turned and stalked out of the room. Veronica turned away, swiping at angry tears. Roxton gave her a sympathetic look and rested his hands on her shoulders.
'Easy there. Get ahold of yourself.'
Veronica turned around. 'Roxton, she's out to take Ned away from me! After all we did for her! Why didn't Marguerite warn me?'
'Now, now. I doubt Marguerite knew...and even if she did, she and everyone else here knows that Finn's infatuation with Ned is one-sided. He loves you.'
Veronica swiped at her eyes again. Roxton pulled her to him and held her. They did not see Marguerite on the stairs, watching them. She had witnessed the whole exchange, and decided that now would be a good time to talk to the other participant in that cat fight.
She knew Roxton wanted her to get her rest, but Marguerite couldn't help but feel partly responsible for what she had allowed to go on under her roof. For a brief moment, she had a flashback of something Veronica had said about Jessi. That Jessi had had an odd expression on her face when they brought up the idea of Finn and Jack being a couple. Marguerite remembered Jessi had said something like, 'Finn needs to find someone of her own'. Jessi had to have known as well.
Marguerite walked carefully down the stairs, as to not disturb Roxton and Veronica. She then walked off in the opposite direction. She found Finn in the sun room. She was sitting down with her arms folded, pouting.
Marguerite walked in and pulled up a chair. Finn jumped, as if she hadn't expected company. She looked at Marguerite, then looked away before she spoke.
'Are you here to tell me that my behavior was unlady like?'
Marguerite gave her a sympathetic look. 'You know, I wish I could tell you that I knew how you felt, but I don't. I have never wanted a man so badly, that I threw my dignity and self-respect out of the window. I've done it over precious stones and cash, but never a man.'
Finn looked over at her. 'What about Roxton?'
Marguerite shrugged. 'What about him? If Emma hadn't been dying, and Roxton had decided to stay with her, I would've never went crawling to him, you can be sure of that!'
Finn's mouth dropped open! 'Is that what you think I'm doing? Crawling...groveling...'
Marguerite put a hand on her arm.
'Finn, he doesn't love you. And God knows what he's going to think of you, when Veronica tells him what she learned. I mean, when did you get the idea that you could make Malone forget about Veronica?'
Finn looked Marguerite in the eye.
'I already told you, back on the plateau.'
'Oh God!'
Finn shifted in her chair, so that she was facing Marguerite.
'Hear me out, Marguerite. Vee can deny it all she wants, but she has never gotten used to civilization. I know she would love to go back to the plateau...where there are none of these silly rules about being important in society, and acting like a lady and having a good reputation and coming from a good family... all of that crap!'
Marguerite didn't respond, but looked at the young woman curiously.
'I'm telling you, Marguerite, I wouldn't give a marriage between those two a year...not unless THEY went back to live on the plateau. And there's no way Ned is going to give up the comforts of home for the hot, sweaty life of the lost world!'
'What are you getting at?' Marguerite asked. She hadn't observed any of these things Finn was talking about. Veronica seemed to be getting along fine. And neither one of them wanted to return to the plateau. 'I wasn't born in the jungle. I could live in Ned's world...a lot better than Vee ever could. That and Ned Malone has a kindness and purity of heart, that I won't ever find in another man. Not ever!'
'Finn! You have your whole life ahead of you! Of course you'll meet a man like that someday! I did.'
'I have too, Marguerite.' Finn stood up and looked down at her.
Marguerite stood up as well. The girl seemed so sure in her convictions. Personally, she didn't see Ned and Veronica ever being parted, but, if Finn was even slightly right about Veronica never becoming acclimated to this civilization, then that could be a problem. Especially if Veronica intended to be the wife of a newspaper publisher.
'Alright, Finn. Then this is what you do: nothing!'
'Oh, great advice!'
'No, Finn. I'm serious. If you really believe all of these differences between the two of them are so insurmountable, then that is what you let come between them. Not yourself.'
Finn looked down on the floor for a moment. She then looked at Marguerite again.
'So, just let nature take its course, hey?'
'Yes. I also think that maybe a nice trip would be in order.'
'Why?! Then I'll be far away from Ned!'
'Dear, you're leaving to let the anger die down. The anger that's coming from Veronica and just as likely to, from Malone.'
Marguerite touched her arm. 'If there is a hint of a spark here, Finn, between Malone and yourself, then you're going away for a little while won't make much difference, will it?'
Finn sighed, then shook her head.
'I guess not. Vee wants me to go with Challenger. Maybe look after him on the plateau. I do kind of miss the place.'
'Oh God, how? Never mind. I will get you packed and...'
'Well wait a minute! We're forgetting something: Challenger may not want any company.'
'Leave that to me dear.' Marguerite said assuringly. 'Now, keep away from Veronica...maybe go pack for your trip?'
Finn nodded, then walked away and out of the sunroom. Marguerite sat down again, gently rubbing the bruise on her head. What was the matter with her? Why hadn't she just told Finn that Malone was off limits, and that was that?
Because deep in her heart, Marguerite knew she would not have to. She had lived with those two in a treehouse for three years. The conditions they lived under, the closeness of quarters, the dangers they faced...Ned and Veronica belonged to each other and no one else. It was kind of like what she and Roxton had together.
Yet, it still bothered her that she had not told Finn just that. She had told the girl to hold out hope. Marguerite stood up, then realized she had done it too quickly, and sat back down again. She tried to push Jessi from her mind. Jessi dying while trying to protect Greta. Marguerite breathed in deeply.
****
Challenger returned from his walk of the grounds, only to find Inspector Wills waiting in the drive. He wondered what new bad news the Inspector had for him.
Wills got out of his car when he saw him. Challenger tentatively reached out and shook the man's hand.
'Inspector Wills, what brings you by?'
The Inspector cleared his throat. He hated to admit this, but he was secretly embarrassed with his shoddy police work. If the Yard had done a more thorough investigation, none of this would've had to be.
Challenger sensed the man's inner turmoil, and cocked a brow.
'Something on your mind, Inspector?'
The Inspector shook his head.
'I'll be forthright with you, Professor. I can't get the image of Renata Hargrove from my mind. I don't think in my many years of police work, I have ever killed a woman. Renata Hargrove, once she changed back to her regular form, looked like a defenseless little girl.'
'She was a victim of her father's madness, Inspector. William Hargrove is to blame.'
The Inspector looked him in the eye.
'And Mrs. Thomas's.'
Challenger tilted his head, eyeing the house. He thought he saw a curtain fall away.
'I don't understand, Mrs. Thomas was just a fluke...an unbelievable bit of bad luck I don't think anyone could've anticipated.'
Wills was a bit taken aback.
'It's good that you've made peace with her murder of your wife. But Professor, I'm here to tell you that it was more than bad luck.'
Challenger suddenly felt cold. What was the Inspector trying to say?
Wills cleared his throat again.
'As you know, Mrs. Thomas has been transferred to the Massachusetts State Mental Hospital. I visited her this morning. For a few moments, there seemed to be some clarity in her eyes, especially when she realized what she had done to your wife.'
Challenger was beginning to feel annoyed and angry at just the mention of that loathsome woman's name! He didn't know if it was hearing about that Thomas woman, or the fact that hearing Wills talk about her made him feel at all, something he had tried to keep from doing, since that fateful night Jessi had died.
Inspector Wills kept on talking.
'I am embarrassed to admit this, Professor, but I do feel that you are owed an explanation.'
Challenger realized he hadn't been listening to the last couple of sentences that came out of the Inspector's mouth. He shook himself out of his reverie.
'About what, Inspector?'
'Mrs. Thomas was Renata Hargrove's step-mother.'
Challenger blinked hard, then emitted a short laugh.
'That's impossible, Inspector. I knew Hargrove, his wife had died giving birth to his other deceased child. Then when that child died, he went mad, then escaped to the plateau...he did not have a wife!'
The Inspector shook his head in disagreement.
'I'm sorry Professor, but I'm afraid we verified her claim. Funny thing though. She had plenty of bad things to say about Marguerite Von Bubrik for not giving her her child. Yet, she never saw that she was really no different than Von Bubrik. A woman running away from her past.'
'I'm not following you, Inspector.' Challenger said,
'Mrs. Thomas was married to Hargrove before she married Edward Thomas. It was a secret marriage, one that never officially ended once he fled London. Hargrove informed his second daughter, the one of ape descent, of who Alice was, in case anything ever happened to him. Poor Renata was then used for vengeance against Alice's enemies.'
'That being Gladys and Edward?' Challenger asked, shocked that he never knew of this marriage.
The Inspector nodded. 'Alice and Renata were in London during the time of the murders. Alice Thomas then went on to admit that whatever Hargrove had done to Renata, at times, made her very uncontrollable. She thinks that Farrell chap's death was just pure bad luck.'
Challenger nodded slowly. 'Yes, but it would explain where the ape came from. If it was living over on the next property. God, this is unbelievable!'
The Inspector nodded as well.
'I thought you should know. There was no way you could've known any of this. But, with more careful police work, the Yard could've found all of this out, maybe came up with this angle for the murders.'
Challenger didn't respond because he agreed with the Inspector. They had failed, miserably. And now Jessi was dead.
The Inspector was uncomfortable with the silence.
'So, you'll be headed back to London soon?' he asked politely.
Challenger nodded. 'Uh, yes, we're going to have a memorial service for my wife there. London is where her friends and family were.'
'Any plans after?'
Challenger nodded again.
'I plan to return to the plateau.'
The Inspector's eyes widened.
'Good God man! You were lucky to escape that jungle after three years! Now you're planning on going back?'
Challenger gave the Inspector a cool look.
'Was that all?'
The Inspector was jarred by the hard look in the Professor's eyes. It was obvious that this return trip to that god forsaken place, was a way to blot out the pain of losing his wife.
'Yes. Good luck with your trip.'
The Inspector stuck out his hand. Challenger reluctantly returned the handshake, then walked towards the house. He did not look back, not even when he heard the Inspector get back into his vehicle and pull away from the house.
****
Roxton found Marguerite in the sunroom and frowned. Her eyes were closed and for a second, he wondered if she was still suffering the ill-effects of her concussion. But, when she heard his footsteps, Marguerite's eyes opened. She stood up slowly.
'Hi!' she said, kissing him. Roxton eyed her.
'What are you doing down here? You should be in bed.'
Marguerite held up a hand.
'Don't jump down my throat, John, I just...I overheard everything. I just got done talking with Finn.'
Roxton raised a brow.
'Marguerite, maybe we should stay out of it.'
Marguerite's eyes widened.
'How, John? God! I mean they're our friends! And all of this happened when they were living with me.'
Roxton put an arm around her. He then lifted her hair and kissed the back of her neck.
'I thought I remembered seeing a hint of something back on the plateau. Look, you need to concentrate on getting your strength back. We have a wedding to plan and George will need us.'
Marguerite pulled away from him and walked over to a window. Roxton followed her.
'I know Jessi's death was unsettling...'
Marguerite turned around.
'No, John, it's...I can't even think of a word to describe something so vile! How I could've lived next door to someone so unstable! I sent Jessi to her death!'
Roxton grabbed ahold of her shoulders.
'No! There is no way anyone of us could've known! You can't go blaming yourself!'
Marguerite looked away from him.
'She died trying to protect our little girl. I just wish there was some way we could make it up to Challenger.'
Roxton's expression faltered, for a brief second. Marguerite caught it and gave him a hard look in return.
'What? What was that look just now?'
Roxton tightened his grip on her shoulders.
'I was thinking once we were married, maybe, just maybe, we could take Greta and visit the plateau...you know... to see George. Maybe we could show our daughter where we met and fell in love. Kind of like a honeymoon.'
Marguerite slowly reached up and removed his hands off of her shoulders. She was feeling better by the second!
'I'm sorry, John. I didn't think I heard you correctly just now. Did you actually just suggest that we honeymoon on the plateau? You know, instead of Paris or some other lovely locale? And did you also suggest that we drag out daughter into those unsafe, not to mention unsanitary conditions?!'
'Now Marguerite, hear me out: Challenger said that the plateau has changed. It's more a tourist site than anything else. Most of the wildlife has been killed off! We'd hardly have to worry about a thing!'
Marguerite stared into his eyes. She was seeing Lord John Roxton, adventurous hunter, not the would be husband and father. Now that this ape business was over, Marguerite could've almost sworn that Roxton looked bored!
She was about to respond, when she looked around him. Challenger stood in the room.
Roxton turned around to see what she was staring at. He then gave Challenger a reassuring smile.
'George, how are you holding up?'
Challenger shrugged, but continued to stand there.
'Inspector Wills was here.'
Roxton nodded. 'Yes, Veronica said she saw you talking to him.'
'Yes, well, he came here to tell me that no thanks to their ignorance and shoddy police work, they failed to discover that Alice Thomas was Renata's step-mother!'
'God!' Marguerite uttered, looking from Challenger to Roxton. Roxton's mouth dropped open.
'What? You knew him before he left London, George, you did not know he had a wife?'
Challenger shook his head. Marguerite thought about Roxton and Emma. Another secret marriage? How quaint!
'Apparently poor Renata was used as a pawn by Alice Thomas. Look, I can't go on with the telling of this sordid tale. If you don't mind, I'm going upstairs to rest.'
Challenger turned abruptly and left the sunroom. Roxton and Marguerite looked at one another. Roxton then spoke.
'He is going to need his friends around him.' he noted.
But Marguerite's mind wasn't on Challenger at the moment.
'I'm not going back to that place, John.'
'Marguerite, you're acting as if you think we'll become stranded again! I told you it's not like that. Besides, I wouldn't mind some big game hunting. C'mon! After all we've been through, don't you think visiting the old homestead would be fun?'
Marguerite glanced away from him. If all of the wildlife was almost extinct, then there should be nothing for him to hunt.
'I'm tired. I think I'm going to go look in on Greta, then take a nap.'
Roxton tried to reach out and touch her, but she shirked away and left the room. As Marguerite walked up the stairs, she couldn't forget Jessi Challenger's unhappiness with being abandoned in the name of science. Marguerite was now convinced, that her earlier concerns about Roxton's need for excitement, were not misplaced.
Chapter 11
Finn confesses all to Veronica. The plot thickens on the Elizabeth Thomas front.
Veronica sat in the drawing room and closed her eyes. It had been two days since Jessi Challenger had been murdered by their former neighbor, Elizabeth Thomas. And Challenger's state of mind worried the young woman deeply.
Granted, Challenger was not the type to boo hoo over loss. He had been devastated when Summerlee disappeared, but soon rallied back to his old self. Challenger was doing that now. And Veronica didn't feel that it was natural to act that way over the loss of a wife.
Challenger was having Jessi's body shipped back to London. Veronica didn't feel he should go alone, but Ned was swamped at the Journal, what with Renata Hargrove's death and Jessi's, plus the revelation the prominent society matron, Elizabeth Thomas, was crazy, he just couldn't afford to leave the paper right now.
Also, Beatrice Krux, who had been dead to the world that night, after finishing off a bottle of vodka, was going to the Journal's competition, swearing to anyone that would listen, that the Inspector shot the ape killer right before she was going to kill her!
Veronica heard thunder and opened her eyes. She wondered for a moment, that if the ground had been dry that night, would Jessi have been able to outrun Elizabeth Thomas. She shook her head. None of that mattered anymore.
Elizabeth was in the loony bin, or Massachusetts State Mental Hospital. There would be no trial. She had confessed everything.
Veronica heard footsteps stomping down the stairs. She knew they belonged to Finn. She stood up. There were some things she had been wanting to say to her friend.
Finn, for her part, had just left Roxton and Marguerite. Marguerite had come to, hours later. A doctor had been called in and diagnosed her with a mild concussion. But, soon after, she had fallen into such a long slumber, that Roxton worried that something more was wrong. She had come around a couple of hours ago, apparently really asleep, and not unconscious.
Finn had told them of something the bereaved Challenger had confided to her. He wanted to go back to the plateau. Veronica apparently had told him of what Renata Hargrove had shared with her outside of that dress shop. That tourists were littering the place and killing off all of the wildlife. Challenger wanted to preserve what was left and maybe even get the people that were there, to show a more healthy respect for the remaining wildlife.
Roxton said outright that Challenger was running away from what happened. Marguerite didn't say much either. Finn got the feeling she was in some sort of shock at waking up, and finding out that Jessi had been murdered.
When Finn reached the bottom step, she could see Veronica in the drawing room. She was already facing her. Finn decided that she had to be waiting for her. She took a deep breath and walked in.
'Hey, Vee!'
Veronica didn't respond but gave her a cold smile.
'How's Marguerite? she asked.
'Doing better, though I think Jessi's death is just now hitting her.'
Veronica just nodded. She rubbed her hands together. Finn gave her a curious look, before continuing.
'We were actually talking about Challenger a minute ago...you know.. about how he wants to go back to the plateau?'
Veronica cleared her throat. 'Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.'
'Oh? What is it Vee, you look so strange.'
Veronica looked her dead in the eye. 'Challenger will probably return to the plateau. The work and research will be good for him...it'll keep him busy. When that time comes, I want you to go with him.'
Finn said nothing for a moment. Her face then broke in to a slow, uncertain smile.
'What?'
Veronica walked up to her.
'You heard me, Finn. I want you to go with Challenger. And when you return, I don't want you coming back here.'
Finn's mouth dropped open!
'Vee? You're kidding, right?'
Veronica began to lose her temper! Since the fatal dinner party, every fiber in her being told her that Ned Malone was the man Finn had supposedly been in love with! Worse yet, Marguerite really should have told her the whole story! For now, Veronica was positive that whatever had been going on between Finn and Jack Farrell, had more to do with Ned and her, than anything between the two of them!
'No, Finn. I'm not! Marguerite told me that she didn't believe anything was really going on between Jack Farrell and you. And you know, that bothered me, I mean it really nagged at me this whole time, even when we were trying to clear Challenger and Roxton. I never saw you together, you never went out with him, that I knew of! Finally, Marguerite tells me that you've been pining for someone unavailable to you, as she put it! That meant it had to be someone committed to someone else and ....'
'ALRIGHT!' Finn practically screeched. 'I'm sorry I lied! Jack told me to tell Marguerite that I slept with Ned! He said it was the only....'
Veronica suddenly shoved her! Finn fell back against a couch. She straightened up quickly, looking Veronica up and down. She was no longer a friend, but a competitor.
'Don't ever touch me again, Vee!'
'Don't call me 'Vee' ever again! So, you were in cahoots with Jack Farrell so...so what? Ned would look your way? What did Jack get out of this deal?'
Finn didn't like Veronica's tone. She smiled sweetly.
'Not much. Just some jungle rat his boss was engaged to!'
Veronica's mouth dropped open, and her eyes swept over Finn as if she were seeing her for the very first time. God! How could she have been so stupid?! She and Ned had offered Finn a place in their life when they left the plateau. And they did it because they knew she was from another time and place, and would have no one. This is how they're repaid: by becoming the focus of some sick plot!
'It would've failed anyway, Finn. I would've never given Jack the time a day.'
'No, but I wasn't concerned with that. Ned was all I cared about.'
Neither of the two women saw Roxton standing in the doorway, frowning deeply He had overheard enough to realize that these two women needed to be seperated...and quickly!
He walked over to them. Veronica turned to look at him. When she turned away from Finn, Finn pushed her hard, shoving her back against a chair! Roxton grabbed Finn's arm!
'Stop it! Stop it, the both of you! What kind of foolishness is this?! We lost someone the other night! Challenger is going to need us and what are you two doing?! Marguerite is trying to rest! Get yourselves together!'
Finn twisted away from Roxton! She then glared at Veronica, who was being held back by him.
'Last time I checked, MARGUERITE owned this estate. So, if she wants me to leave, then I'll leave. Otherwise, I'm not going anywhere!'
And with that, Finn turned and stalked out of the room. Veronica turned away, swiping at angry tears. Roxton gave her a sympathetic look and rested his hands on her shoulders.
'Easy there. Get ahold of yourself.'
Veronica turned around. 'Roxton, she's out to take Ned away from me! After all we did for her! Why didn't Marguerite warn me?'
'Now, now. I doubt Marguerite knew...and even if she did, she and everyone else here knows that Finn's infatuation with Ned is one-sided. He loves you.'
Veronica swiped at her eyes again. Roxton pulled her to him and held her. They did not see Marguerite on the stairs, watching them. She had witnessed the whole exchange, and decided that now would be a good time to talk to the other participant in that cat fight.
She knew Roxton wanted her to get her rest, but Marguerite couldn't help but feel partly responsible for what she had allowed to go on under her roof. For a brief moment, she had a flashback of something Veronica had said about Jessi. That Jessi had had an odd expression on her face when they brought up the idea of Finn and Jack being a couple. Marguerite remembered Jessi had said something like, 'Finn needs to find someone of her own'. Jessi had to have known as well.
Marguerite walked carefully down the stairs, as to not disturb Roxton and Veronica. She then walked off in the opposite direction. She found Finn in the sun room. She was sitting down with her arms folded, pouting.
Marguerite walked in and pulled up a chair. Finn jumped, as if she hadn't expected company. She looked at Marguerite, then looked away before she spoke.
'Are you here to tell me that my behavior was unlady like?'
Marguerite gave her a sympathetic look. 'You know, I wish I could tell you that I knew how you felt, but I don't. I have never wanted a man so badly, that I threw my dignity and self-respect out of the window. I've done it over precious stones and cash, but never a man.'
Finn looked over at her. 'What about Roxton?'
Marguerite shrugged. 'What about him? If Emma hadn't been dying, and Roxton had decided to stay with her, I would've never went crawling to him, you can be sure of that!'
Finn's mouth dropped open! 'Is that what you think I'm doing? Crawling...groveling...'
Marguerite put a hand on her arm.
'Finn, he doesn't love you. And God knows what he's going to think of you, when Veronica tells him what she learned. I mean, when did you get the idea that you could make Malone forget about Veronica?'
Finn looked Marguerite in the eye.
'I already told you, back on the plateau.'
'Oh God!'
Finn shifted in her chair, so that she was facing Marguerite.
'Hear me out, Marguerite. Vee can deny it all she wants, but she has never gotten used to civilization. I know she would love to go back to the plateau...where there are none of these silly rules about being important in society, and acting like a lady and having a good reputation and coming from a good family... all of that crap!'
Marguerite didn't respond, but looked at the young woman curiously.
'I'm telling you, Marguerite, I wouldn't give a marriage between those two a year...not unless THEY went back to live on the plateau. And there's no way Ned is going to give up the comforts of home for the hot, sweaty life of the lost world!'
'What are you getting at?' Marguerite asked. She hadn't observed any of these things Finn was talking about. Veronica seemed to be getting along fine. And neither one of them wanted to return to the plateau. 'I wasn't born in the jungle. I could live in Ned's world...a lot better than Vee ever could. That and Ned Malone has a kindness and purity of heart, that I won't ever find in another man. Not ever!'
'Finn! You have your whole life ahead of you! Of course you'll meet a man like that someday! I did.'
'I have too, Marguerite.' Finn stood up and looked down at her.
Marguerite stood up as well. The girl seemed so sure in her convictions. Personally, she didn't see Ned and Veronica ever being parted, but, if Finn was even slightly right about Veronica never becoming acclimated to this civilization, then that could be a problem. Especially if Veronica intended to be the wife of a newspaper publisher.
'Alright, Finn. Then this is what you do: nothing!'
'Oh, great advice!'
'No, Finn. I'm serious. If you really believe all of these differences between the two of them are so insurmountable, then that is what you let come between them. Not yourself.'
Finn looked down on the floor for a moment. She then looked at Marguerite again.
'So, just let nature take its course, hey?'
'Yes. I also think that maybe a nice trip would be in order.'
'Why?! Then I'll be far away from Ned!'
'Dear, you're leaving to let the anger die down. The anger that's coming from Veronica and just as likely to, from Malone.'
Marguerite touched her arm. 'If there is a hint of a spark here, Finn, between Malone and yourself, then you're going away for a little while won't make much difference, will it?'
Finn sighed, then shook her head.
'I guess not. Vee wants me to go with Challenger. Maybe look after him on the plateau. I do kind of miss the place.'
'Oh God, how? Never mind. I will get you packed and...'
'Well wait a minute! We're forgetting something: Challenger may not want any company.'
'Leave that to me dear.' Marguerite said assuringly. 'Now, keep away from Veronica...maybe go pack for your trip?'
Finn nodded, then walked away and out of the sunroom. Marguerite sat down again, gently rubbing the bruise on her head. What was the matter with her? Why hadn't she just told Finn that Malone was off limits, and that was that?
Because deep in her heart, Marguerite knew she would not have to. She had lived with those two in a treehouse for three years. The conditions they lived under, the closeness of quarters, the dangers they faced...Ned and Veronica belonged to each other and no one else. It was kind of like what she and Roxton had together.
Yet, it still bothered her that she had not told Finn just that. She had told the girl to hold out hope. Marguerite stood up, then realized she had done it too quickly, and sat back down again. She tried to push Jessi from her mind. Jessi dying while trying to protect Greta. Marguerite breathed in deeply.
****
Challenger returned from his walk of the grounds, only to find Inspector Wills waiting in the drive. He wondered what new bad news the Inspector had for him.
Wills got out of his car when he saw him. Challenger tentatively reached out and shook the man's hand.
'Inspector Wills, what brings you by?'
The Inspector cleared his throat. He hated to admit this, but he was secretly embarrassed with his shoddy police work. If the Yard had done a more thorough investigation, none of this would've had to be.
Challenger sensed the man's inner turmoil, and cocked a brow.
'Something on your mind, Inspector?'
The Inspector shook his head.
'I'll be forthright with you, Professor. I can't get the image of Renata Hargrove from my mind. I don't think in my many years of police work, I have ever killed a woman. Renata Hargrove, once she changed back to her regular form, looked like a defenseless little girl.'
'She was a victim of her father's madness, Inspector. William Hargrove is to blame.'
The Inspector looked him in the eye.
'And Mrs. Thomas's.'
Challenger tilted his head, eyeing the house. He thought he saw a curtain fall away.
'I don't understand, Mrs. Thomas was just a fluke...an unbelievable bit of bad luck I don't think anyone could've anticipated.'
Wills was a bit taken aback.
'It's good that you've made peace with her murder of your wife. But Professor, I'm here to tell you that it was more than bad luck.'
Challenger suddenly felt cold. What was the Inspector trying to say?
Wills cleared his throat again.
'As you know, Mrs. Thomas has been transferred to the Massachusetts State Mental Hospital. I visited her this morning. For a few moments, there seemed to be some clarity in her eyes, especially when she realized what she had done to your wife.'
Challenger was beginning to feel annoyed and angry at just the mention of that loathsome woman's name! He didn't know if it was hearing about that Thomas woman, or the fact that hearing Wills talk about her made him feel at all, something he had tried to keep from doing, since that fateful night Jessi had died.
Inspector Wills kept on talking.
'I am embarrassed to admit this, Professor, but I do feel that you are owed an explanation.'
Challenger realized he hadn't been listening to the last couple of sentences that came out of the Inspector's mouth. He shook himself out of his reverie.
'About what, Inspector?'
'Mrs. Thomas was Renata Hargrove's step-mother.'
Challenger blinked hard, then emitted a short laugh.
'That's impossible, Inspector. I knew Hargrove, his wife had died giving birth to his other deceased child. Then when that child died, he went mad, then escaped to the plateau...he did not have a wife!'
The Inspector shook his head in disagreement.
'I'm sorry Professor, but I'm afraid we verified her claim. Funny thing though. She had plenty of bad things to say about Marguerite Von Bubrik for not giving her her child. Yet, she never saw that she was really no different than Von Bubrik. A woman running away from her past.'
'I'm not following you, Inspector.' Challenger said,
'Mrs. Thomas was married to Hargrove before she married Edward Thomas. It was a secret marriage, one that never officially ended once he fled London. Hargrove informed his second daughter, the one of ape descent, of who Alice was, in case anything ever happened to him. Poor Renata was then used for vengeance against Alice's enemies.'
'That being Gladys and Edward?' Challenger asked, shocked that he never knew of this marriage.
The Inspector nodded. 'Alice and Renata were in London during the time of the murders. Alice Thomas then went on to admit that whatever Hargrove had done to Renata, at times, made her very uncontrollable. She thinks that Farrell chap's death was just pure bad luck.'
Challenger nodded slowly. 'Yes, but it would explain where the ape came from. If it was living over on the next property. God, this is unbelievable!'
The Inspector nodded as well.
'I thought you should know. There was no way you could've known any of this. But, with more careful police work, the Yard could've found all of this out, maybe came up with this angle for the murders.'
Challenger didn't respond because he agreed with the Inspector. They had failed, miserably. And now Jessi was dead.
The Inspector was uncomfortable with the silence.
'So, you'll be headed back to London soon?' he asked politely.
Challenger nodded. 'Uh, yes, we're going to have a memorial service for my wife there. London is where her friends and family were.'
'Any plans after?'
Challenger nodded again.
'I plan to return to the plateau.'
The Inspector's eyes widened.
'Good God man! You were lucky to escape that jungle after three years! Now you're planning on going back?'
Challenger gave the Inspector a cool look.
'Was that all?'
The Inspector was jarred by the hard look in the Professor's eyes. It was obvious that this return trip to that god forsaken place, was a way to blot out the pain of losing his wife.
'Yes. Good luck with your trip.'
The Inspector stuck out his hand. Challenger reluctantly returned the handshake, then walked towards the house. He did not look back, not even when he heard the Inspector get back into his vehicle and pull away from the house.
****
Roxton found Marguerite in the sunroom and frowned. Her eyes were closed and for a second, he wondered if she was still suffering the ill-effects of her concussion. But, when she heard his footsteps, Marguerite's eyes opened. She stood up slowly.
'Hi!' she said, kissing him. Roxton eyed her.
'What are you doing down here? You should be in bed.'
Marguerite held up a hand.
'Don't jump down my throat, John, I just...I overheard everything. I just got done talking with Finn.'
Roxton raised a brow.
'Marguerite, maybe we should stay out of it.'
Marguerite's eyes widened.
'How, John? God! I mean they're our friends! And all of this happened when they were living with me.'
Roxton put an arm around her. He then lifted her hair and kissed the back of her neck.
'I thought I remembered seeing a hint of something back on the plateau. Look, you need to concentrate on getting your strength back. We have a wedding to plan and George will need us.'
Marguerite pulled away from him and walked over to a window. Roxton followed her.
'I know Jessi's death was unsettling...'
Marguerite turned around.
'No, John, it's...I can't even think of a word to describe something so vile! How I could've lived next door to someone so unstable! I sent Jessi to her death!'
Roxton grabbed ahold of her shoulders.
'No! There is no way anyone of us could've known! You can't go blaming yourself!'
Marguerite looked away from him.
'She died trying to protect our little girl. I just wish there was some way we could make it up to Challenger.'
Roxton's expression faltered, for a brief second. Marguerite caught it and gave him a hard look in return.
'What? What was that look just now?'
Roxton tightened his grip on her shoulders.
'I was thinking once we were married, maybe, just maybe, we could take Greta and visit the plateau...you know... to see George. Maybe we could show our daughter where we met and fell in love. Kind of like a honeymoon.'
Marguerite slowly reached up and removed his hands off of her shoulders. She was feeling better by the second!
'I'm sorry, John. I didn't think I heard you correctly just now. Did you actually just suggest that we honeymoon on the plateau? You know, instead of Paris or some other lovely locale? And did you also suggest that we drag out daughter into those unsafe, not to mention unsanitary conditions?!'
'Now Marguerite, hear me out: Challenger said that the plateau has changed. It's more a tourist site than anything else. Most of the wildlife has been killed off! We'd hardly have to worry about a thing!'
Marguerite stared into his eyes. She was seeing Lord John Roxton, adventurous hunter, not the would be husband and father. Now that this ape business was over, Marguerite could've almost sworn that Roxton looked bored!
She was about to respond, when she looked around him. Challenger stood in the room.
Roxton turned around to see what she was staring at. He then gave Challenger a reassuring smile.
'George, how are you holding up?'
Challenger shrugged, but continued to stand there.
'Inspector Wills was here.'
Roxton nodded. 'Yes, Veronica said she saw you talking to him.'
'Yes, well, he came here to tell me that no thanks to their ignorance and shoddy police work, they failed to discover that Alice Thomas was Renata's step-mother!'
'God!' Marguerite uttered, looking from Challenger to Roxton. Roxton's mouth dropped open.
'What? You knew him before he left London, George, you did not know he had a wife?'
Challenger shook his head. Marguerite thought about Roxton and Emma. Another secret marriage? How quaint!
'Apparently poor Renata was used as a pawn by Alice Thomas. Look, I can't go on with the telling of this sordid tale. If you don't mind, I'm going upstairs to rest.'
Challenger turned abruptly and left the sunroom. Roxton and Marguerite looked at one another. Roxton then spoke.
'He is going to need his friends around him.' he noted.
But Marguerite's mind wasn't on Challenger at the moment.
'I'm not going back to that place, John.'
'Marguerite, you're acting as if you think we'll become stranded again! I told you it's not like that. Besides, I wouldn't mind some big game hunting. C'mon! After all we've been through, don't you think visiting the old homestead would be fun?'
Marguerite glanced away from him. If all of the wildlife was almost extinct, then there should be nothing for him to hunt.
'I'm tired. I think I'm going to go look in on Greta, then take a nap.'
Roxton tried to reach out and touch her, but she shirked away and left the room. As Marguerite walked up the stairs, she couldn't forget Jessi Challenger's unhappiness with being abandoned in the name of science. Marguerite was now convinced, that her earlier concerns about Roxton's need for excitement, were not misplaced.
