Brabinger knocked on the door of the study before entering. Richard was sat at his desk with Henry looking over his shoulder at some papers for the estate.
"Excuse me Sir but may I have a word with you"
Richard looked up "Of course Brabinger, What can I do for you?"
Seeing Brabinger pause Henry decided to give the man a chance to speak to Richard in private.
"I'll leave you to it Richard" Henry said walking towards the door.
Brabinger stepped forward stopping Henry's progress "Actually sir I believe your thoughts on this matter would be very helpful"
Richard looked puzzled and rose from his chair "What is it Brabinger?"
"Yesterday one of the cleaners was stopped by a strange man outside the manor. He asked about Miss Nicky Sir. She felt rather intimidated and told me about the incident. I had the cctv looked at and found the man, the farm manager produce a photograph. I thought you would like to see it"
Brabinger handed the photograph to Richard. Henry glanced down to take a look, a flash of recognition crossed his mind, it couldn't be he thought but it was.
"Richard I know this man"
Richard looked at Henry "Really, what's his name?"
"If it's the same man I'm thinking of his name is Thomas Martin but everyone called him by his middle name, Jack. He used to work for a rival company of ours. Horrible little man always out for what he could get"
"I wonder if he is Nickys father, we'll have to show Madeleine see if she recognises him. Thank you for bringing this to my attention Brabinger, you can leave it with me"
"Very good Sir"
After Brabinger had left the room Henry turned to Richard "I think you should phone your Managing Director at Cavendish, Nigel, he was the boss at the company Mr Martin worked for."
"I'll do that," seeing the pensive look on Henry's face he asked him "Henry is there something else?"
"I just want you to be careful Richard this Thomas Martin had some very unsavoury friends, I don't want you to get involved in something dangerous"
Richard rested his hand on Henry's shoulder "I'll be careful don't worry"
Audrey saw her husband from their bedroom window sitting on the bench in the gardens. Seeing the troubled look on his face she went out to see what was wrong.
As she approached she could see he was deep in thought and hadn't noticed her.
"Richard?"
He looked up to see his wife standing in front of him "Hello darling, I didn't see you there"
She sat down beside him taking his hand in hers "What's the matter Darling?"
Richard sighed "I've found something out about Nicky and her father and I'm not sure what to do"
Audrey nodded "I see, would it help to tell me?"
"Actually Audrey I was just going to come and find you to ask your advice"
Richard proceeded to tell her about the events of the previous day and what Henry had told him.
"So what did Nigel say?"
"He remembered him, apparently he was fired for embezzling company funds. Uncle Grevel was the chairman of the company and was going to get the police involved but then Thomas disappeared."
Seeing the look on her husbands face she knew there had to be more to it.
"There's something else?" She asked
He nodded "Nigel said he saw Thomas a few weeks ago in London with a young girl, maybe 11 or 12 going into a solicitors office"
Audrey leaned back on the bench "So you think that Nicky has met her father before and they are planning something"
"Well it does seem odd doesn't it. Maybe I've read to many mystery novels but what if Thomas is after Madeleine's money and is using Nicky to get it."
"I don't like to say it Richard but you could be right. Madeleine is a very rich woman and this Thomas sounds like a very unsavoury character. We need to tell her what we know"
Richard nodded "You're right of course"
Getting up from the bench Richard pulled Audrey up wrapping his arms around her waist " I don't know what I'd do without you darling"
Audrey rested her hands on his chest "Well you'll never have to find out, now kiss me"
Richard chuckled then kissed her tenderly, just as they were going to go and find Madeleine she came walking across the lawn towards them with a very familiar man in tow.
Audrey was shocked "That's..."
"The man in the photo...Thomas Martin" Richard finished
"What do we do?"
"Say nothing let's find out what his game is first"
They smiled as Madeleine approached
"Richard, Audrey, I'd like you to meet Jack or to give him his proper name, Thomas Martin He is Nicky's father"
Audrey held her hand out towards the man "How very nice to meet you Mr Martin"