Chapter Ten
By the time Dickie arrived at Merton House the police had already entered and were clearly making their presence felt. As Dickie approached the open front door, Mr Bolton stepped out.
"The police may have a warrant m'lord, but that doesn't change a thing" Mr Bolton announced.
A fresh faced constable appeared behind Mr Bolton and asked "Lord Merton? The Inspector would like your help in the study please. If you would follow me Sir"
As Dickie passed his old butler he could have sworn he heard a faint growl.
In the study there were a number of police doing a very thorough search. The Inspector greeted him with a handshake and a jolly "Did you have to have so many books? It'll take the boys ages to go through them all!" He grinned.
"I'll bear that in mind for my next house" Dickie stated dryly. "The search seems to be going well, to my untrained eye. I don't see what help I can be?"
"The same as at Cavenham please. Known locations of safes and strongboxes? Also, Sergeant Hicks should have copies of the documents from the insurers, if you wouldn't mind going through them with us?" the Inspector asked.
"Of course not. And there's something else you should be aware of too." Dickie motioned to the corner of the room where no one was working and he knew they couldn't be overheard by the household staff. "I was at Rosenberg & Smithson's bank this morning. I was informed I was a guarantor on a mortgage for this place. Turns out my signature on the documents is a forgery." He informed the Inspector quietly.
Inspector Money nodded "I see. Thank you for letting me know. I'll get the boys to get in touch with Rosenburg & Smithson's as well." He looked up at Dickie "It's not great news so far. The paperwork is all a bit of a mess and it's taking the experts a while to get through it, but it doesn't look good. It looks as though Greenall's may fail as a result of all that's missing. Do you happen to know if Mr Grey had any contacts in places like Switzerland or maybe South America?"
Dickie shook his head. "Larry and I have never been close, but I didn't think he had any interests overseas. As far as I know he doesn't even speak French. Is there any indication that Amelia was involved?"
"It appears they had quite the reputation in the City for holding lavish parties and being excellent hosts. She may not have been involved in whatever was going on at Greenall's, but I think she maybe helped - even unwittingly at the beginning - in gaining the introductions that Mr Grey needed. The fact she has left with him means she probably knew something. And she would have known that the household accounts were in trouble. The staff here haven't been paid either." Money looked up as a new person entered the room. "Ah! If you wouldn't mind m'lord?"
Dickie followed him over to the desk "This is Sergeant Hicks. He's been dealing with Rayner & Sons. If you wouldn't mind going through some things with him and then we can head upstairs. I'll just check how the boys are getting on" With that Inspector Money left them to it.
"Good Afternoon Sergeant. How can I help you?" Dickie asked.
Sergeant Hicks took off his glasses to polish them - using the end of his tie, Dickie noticed. His suit was shabby and looked like it needed cleaning, his shoes seemed to be held together by nothing but hope. "Veery in'erestin' c'llection you got Guv, veeery in'erestin'. Some fine bits, bes' I seen in years. Shoont have no trouble tracin' most of it, if it's abroad." Sergeant Hicks opened his battered briefcase and took out a sheaf of photographs "This is wot I got from them Rayner's insoorance chaps. Good qua-lit-y photos, makes my job easier, m'lud. Wot I'd like is if we go froo 'em an' you tell me if you know who has 'em, or any little stories abart 'em. That a'right Guv?"
Dickie smiled "Of course. Lay them out Sergeant and I'll help you as much as I can".
Over the next hour they looked at numerous pieces, some that Dickie had completely forgotten. The Sergeant may have looked shabby, but his eye for detail and appreciation for the quality of the items was expert. He probed about stories, slight defects, origins - even if just family rumours of where things had come from or gone to - anything that might be used to identify a piece beyond doubt. Dickie was surprised at how much he could remember, and also dismayed at how little of it was still in his possession.
"Tha's been right 'elpful Guv. Boss wan'ed me to take you upstairs wen we'd dun, 'ave a gander wha's still in the 'ouse. This way." Sergeant Hicks packed up the treasure trove of photos and led the way to the mistress' suite. Laid on the bed was every piece of jewellery that had been found. The sergeant cleaned his glasses again.
"Hmm, not much 'ere" He mumbled. He picked up one of the bigger pieces, fished a loupe out of his pocket and turned towards the window for the light. "Paste." He declared, and moved on to the next piece. By the time Inspector Money joined them, he had checked them all. "Couple of good bits 'ere Boss, but the bulk is missin'. You wan' me to arsk abart?" Hicks asked.
"Yes please Hicks. They may have been sold legitimately, especially these pieces that have been copied. If they were, an idea of what they were sold for would be good" the Inspector said.
"Right'o Boss. Guv." With that Hicks was gone.
The Inspector turned to Dickie "Unless there's anything else you think you can tell us m'lord, then I think that will be all for today. I've had Sergeant Bailey type up a formal statement for you and he will bring it to your hotel in the morning. If you'd read it and sign it for me, I'd be grateful."
"Of course Inspector." Dickie agreed. "I am hoping to travel home tomorrow, but I will wait until I've seen the Sergeant."
-TW- -TW- -TW-
Isobel stepped onto the platform at King's Cross and took in her surroundings. In some ways she enjoyed the bustle of the big city - there was always something going on and so much to see - but it was all so impersonal. A porter arrived to help with her luggage and she made her way to the taxi rank.
The Savoy really was rather grand. She knew it was modelled on the great American hotels and she smiled as she thought to herself It is rather Martha Levinson-esque! She momentarily missed Cousin Violet being there to make one of her cutting remarks, but her attention was soon taken up by signing in at the desk. A smooth lift ride to the 3rd floor and she was in Dickie's room. Taking off her coat, she wandered over to the window and watched some of the comings and going in Savoy Court.
"Isobel! Darling! What are you doing here?" Dickie exclaimed. He quickly crossed the room and took her in his arms. She hadn't even heard him come in.
"Stokes told me you weren't coming home today. I hated being without you last night, so I thought I'd be impulsive and chase you to London" She smiled up at him. "I hope you don't mind too much."
"Mind? I'm over the moon to see you!" He leant down to kiss her soundly "I've missed you so much. I can't believe it's only been a day. I felt so lonely."
"I know what you mean." Isobel placed her hand against his cheek and used her thumb to rub away the lipstick smeared across his lips. "How have you been? You look tired."
Dickie sighed heavily "I hadn't slept very well at home, then trying to sleep here without you was a lost cause too. Shall we have some tea and I can tell you about it?"
"That sounds wonderful. I got the train straight from lunch at Violet's." Isobel went to freshen up while Dickie called for room service.
Over tea and cake, Dickie told her about his visit to the bank and what the police had found at Merton House.
"I really don't think this is a business trip, do you?" Isobel asked.
"No, not at all. I'd suspected maybe it wasn't, but everything that's happened since the Inspector turned up leads me to believe they've gone for good." Dickie replied. "I was asked today if I knew whether Larry had any contacts in Switzerland or South America. I don't think the police expect them to surface either."
"Poor John." Isobel murmured. "To be left behind. I suppose Amelia thought he would have a better life with us rather than living as a fugitive in the world somewhere, but it was still a brave decision to leave him."
"After everything they have done to you, both of them, you can still have compassion for her? You really are an amazing woman" Dickie took her hand "I'm not sure I can feel that way, not yet. It looks like Larry has taken everything I ever worked for and destroyed it from the inside. There's no money left. Merton House is gone. Cavenham may still be standing, but it's a shell of what it was 2 years ago. And for what? Some grand parties and fine clothes?" Dickie stood and paced the room a few times, trying to contain his anger. "He's so selfish! What about the people who he employed? What about the tenant farmers whose whole families rely on the estate? His investors at least knew they were taking a risk of some sort, but those other folk just wanted a life. And what does he do when it all gets too difficult? He does what he always did as a boy. Runs away and hides." Dickie stood at the window clenching and unclenching his fists.
Isobel moved to stand behind him, holding him, trying to comfort him in some way.
"Tim's no better. I went to see him last night." Dickie turned to look at her. "Larry had spun him some tale about me leaving him without any funds to run the estate and London house. Called me a liar to my face" Isobel could see how upset Dicke was and held him tighter. "He knew about John all along. Apparently Larry had told him that we'd been invited to the christening and refused to attend." Dickie was quiet for a moment. "What did I ever do to deserve this?"
"Oh Dickie" Isobel laid her head on his chest. "They are grown men. This isn't about you, it's about decisions they have made for themselves. I know you to a be a wonderful loving and caring man, and nothing will ever change my opinion of you. I love you."
After a moment Dickie said "A Sergeant Bailey will visit in the morning with a formal statement for me to sign. Then I was hoping to speak with Mr Rattisbon, my solicitor, to discuss a couple of things with him. After that, I think we should be free to go home."
"Home sounds good." Isobel smiled up at him. "How about a short rest now, and then we can decide what to do about dinner?"
"Oh goodness! Dinner!" Dickie looked at Isobel apologetically "I ran into an old school chum this morning who invited me for dinner. I was going to call and cancel before coming home, but I forgot. I suppose it would be too late now?" He looked at his watch.
"It would really, unless there were some kind of emergency." Isobel agreed. "Never mind, I'll have some room service and look forward to you coming back" She tried to smile.
"Oh, he's expecting you too" Dickie chuckled "He was in an awful hurry and didn't give me time to explain I was here on my own. Please come"
"I don't know what Nancy has packed for me. I may not have anything suitable." Isobel prevaricated
"Darling, you could come in sackcloth and you'd put every other woman in the room to shame" Dickie flattered.
Isobel laughed "You charmer!" She kissed him "Let me have a look and see what I've got. I must admit, I'm a little nervous meeting your friends."
"You've met friends in Yorkshire, how is this so different?" Dickie asked.
"I knew most of them before we really knew each other, and definitely before we married" she reminded him. "Old school chums is really quite a different thing."
"I think you'll like Hugh. Most people seem to." Dickie mused "He's a bundle of energy, one of those people who goes through a room like a whirlwind. We were in School House together at Rugby. No doubt he will bring up some stories tonight: he's a fabulous story teller. I must think of some things to get back at him with" Dickie grinned.
Isobel returned his smile, pleased he seemed to have relaxed a little "I will be on my best behaviour and try to look suitably shocked."