Mistletoe Mansion (38 page)

Jess passed a hand over her stomach. ‘It could be nothing, but all I can find is a discrepancy in the name of the charities. On the red-slashed document, with Walter’s proper signature, they are called Bluebell Children’s Home and Wildlife Watch and exactly match the charities mentioned on the 1990 will. On the other document they read as Bluebell
s
Children’s Home and Wildlife Watch
UK.
’

‘Worth checking out,’ said Luke and pulled off the black wig a giggling Melissa had placed on his head. ‘Aren’t solicitors supposed to be meticulous about that sort of thing?’

‘You’d think so, for the amount they charge,’ said Melissa. ‘Jonny’s set his pre-nup out in minute detail – although it wasn’t exactly straightforward.’

‘Why?’ I asked.

‘After his first divorce, Jonny was wary, wanted to protect his assets. And who can blame him? Jeanie still puts in a claim every time he has a big win; says she supported him when he was just starting out, put her own career to one side, so deserves a cut of his winnings for life. I wasn’t bothered about what I got if we split up – I was never in this marriage for the money. But for fun, I suggested taking a leaf out of Catherine Zeta-Jones’s book; she receives a “bonus” if the marriage is ended by her husband cheating.’ She sighed. ‘Little did I know that if it actually happened, the last thing I’d want was money earned directly from him shagging another woman.’

Jess opened Walter’s laptop, which we’d smuggled out of Mistletoe Mansion, and Googled the charities and their different names.

‘Interesting,’ said Luke to her and she nodded.

‘There are four websites to go with the four charities,’ she said. The children’s homes ones look very similar, as do the wildlife ones – apart from the contact details.’

‘Which sites were created first?’ I said.

‘Yeah, can you find out when the websites were registered?’ said Luke.

Jess duly clicked the mouse several times, jumping to and fro between computer windows.

‘Now we’re getting somewhere,’ she said. ‘The website for Bluebell Children’s Home, mentioned on the 1990 will, was registered in 1996. Wildlife Watch’s site was registered in 2001. Whereas the two charities from this most recent will, with slightly different names and Walter’s funny signature, they were both registered… just under six months ago. No doubt soon after Walter died.’

We all looked at each other.

‘Where are their headquarters?’ I said. ‘Googlemap the addresses.’

Melissa fiddled with her coffee machine and got us all to select a disc beverage pod, whilst Jess and Luke searched the different locations.

‘Bingo,’ said Luke finally.

‘The earlier websites look kosher,’ said Jess. ‘But the ones registered this year… their contact addresses are the same and belong to a random burger bar in Luton.’

Melissa slid her mobile out of her pocket. ‘Let me dial those phone numbers,’ she said. ‘This is getting more and more weird.’

Ten minutes later we all sat in silence, drinking coffee. The charities mentioned in the 1990 will had answered professionally. The other two numbers linked to the random burger joint address never rang out; they didn’t exist. They were phoney.

‘Looks like someone has forged this will without the red biro, then – presumably the one considered kosher,’ I said, eventually, ‘with Mr Murphy still getting half of the estate but the other half going to fake charities. Do the websites give the names of the charities’ founders?’ I asked Jess.

She clicked the mouse a few times. ‘Yes – in dead tiny print at the bottom. Let’s see… Both the fake ones were set up by the same person – an E. Chapman. Of course!’

Luke let out a low whistle.

‘The solicitor. E for Eliza
beth
Chapman. But why would she risk her reputation like this?’ said Melissa. ‘It doesn’t make sense.’

‘She and Mr Murphy must be in on it together,’ said Jess. ‘But why would Walter’s nephew push to get even more money? He’s already due a decent share.’

Melissa went to one of the kitchen drawers, rummaged around and pulled out a card. ‘I thought so,’ she said. ‘Look at Beth’s business card and what she wrote on the back.’ She put it on the table and we read the message: “When you’ve decided ring me. Have a nice day. Best, Beth.”

‘The capital W’ said Luke. ‘Well spotted. You’re quite good at this detective lark.’

‘Thank you,’ said Melissa and her cheeks tinged pink. ‘See everyone, the top ends slightly curl in, like on Walter’s forged signature.’

‘Ms Chapman – Beth – is coming round to see Mr Murphy this afternoon,’ I said and jumped up. ‘Come on– we don’t want to miss her.

‘I’ll ring the police,’ said Luke and grinned at Melissa. ‘Keep that wig – if I ever need something investigating I know who to call on.’

Melissa giggled. My stomach pinched. I’d been in on it too. Why didn’t his moss green eyes twinkle at me?

‘I’ll keep the cameras hanging around,’ said Melissa. ‘If she – or Mike – denies everything, we can always threaten to go public.’

When we got back to Mistletoe Mansion, a sensible-looking, new, saloon car was parked outside. Jess and I let ourselves in. Mr Murphy had just come off the phone. I looked around. It was so sad to see Walter’s home stripped of many pieces of furniture. Even the little hallway desk was missing. But the paintings were still up. I cleared my throat as footsteps came into the hall.

‘Hello, girls,’ said Mr Murphy. ‘I’m just making my solicitor, Beth Chapman, a coffee. She’s waiting for me in the lounge.’ He smiled at us. ‘Actually, I’ve a favour to ask. Um… there’s quite a lot of personal stuff left. I couldn’t let the house clearers take it all.’ He fiddled with the end of his tie. ‘Would you two go through my uncle’s address book and invite round any friends to take an item they might like – you know, to remember him by. I’ve held onto Walter’s golf memorabilia, the ornaments, Lily’s jewellery and lot of books. There’s also a fur coat and some top-notch crockery and cooking equipment. It’s something I should have done before.’

‘Er, of course,’ said Jess.

Maybe he did have a heart after all. And yet that time in the Games Room, when Melissa was there and he’d been mouthing off about how close he’d been to Walter, my spooky friend made it clear that his nephew wasn’t telling the truth.

‘You must miss your uncle,’ I said, and eyed him closely.

At that moment, quick, abrupt footsteps entered the hallway. Ms Chapman appeared. She stopped dead. ‘Kimmy, isn’t it? Mrs Winsford’s Life Guide? You know Mike?’

‘Didn’t you know, Melissa Winsford lives next door?’ I ignored Mr Murphy’s puzzled expression. ‘We were just talking about Mr Carmichael. I’m sure he’d be pleased that his estate was finally being sorted out.’ A cold gust of wind blew around my shoulders.

‘What the hell is a Life Guide?’ asked Mr Murphy.

‘Um… it’s….’ I cleared my throat and turned my attention to Ms Chapman. ‘I’d like you to meet Jess,’ I said. ‘She’s a private detective. Like me, actually. We have reason to believe that the Carmichaels’ latest will has been forged.’

‘I am?’ said Jess. ‘I mean…Yes. We’ve just been examining the evidence.’

‘Private detectives?’ Mr Murphy snorted. ‘Yes, girlies, and I’m Donald Trump.’

I held out the two wills, hoping (probably too late) that I wouldn’t end up in jail for theft.

‘I wondered where they’d gone,’ said Ms Chapman and quickly reached out.

‘Not so fast,’ said Jess and pulled them away. ‘We’ve examined both documents. We know you’ve forged Walter’s signature on a second will and set up two bogus charities. The four hundred thousand pounds designated for Bluebell Children’s Home and Wildlife Watch is going to go straight to you.’

‘How dare you suggest such a thing!’ said Mr Murphy, purple in the face. ‘Beth Chapman is one of the most respected solicitors in Harpenden. This is slander.’

‘So you know nothing about it?’ I said to him. ‘The fake charity websites and contact details, set up in an E. Chapman’s name? A calligraphist we know has confirmed that Walter’s signature had been faked. We’re sure our… our contacts in the police will confirm the same…’

‘Why did you get Walter to change solicitors?’ said Jess to Mr Murphy.

‘To save him money. Not that it’s any business of yours. We became very close and…ow!’

He jumped, as if he’d been poked in the ribs. Naughty Walter!

‘Look…’ I said, quietly. ‘Don’t ask me how I know, but own up – you and Walter weren’t exactly best buddies. I’m not saying you didn’t become fond of him, but talk about going over the top… Why make all that stuff up?’

‘You can’t speak to me like that!’

‘Well, he hasn’t left you a single personal item,’ said Jess. ‘That’s dead odd. And you haven’t even put aside… I dunno, that painting of him for yourself.’

‘That proves nothing!’

‘Why did you get Walter to change solicitors?’ she repeated.

His face shone with beads of sweat. ‘All right… Look, we might not have been like father and son but I wanted the best for him. Beth is an old friend. I knew she’d give us a good deal on writing up the new will and selfishly, seeing as it was going to be me involved with sorting everything out after Uncle snuffed it, I wanted someone I knew was going to be easy to work with and professional. I’m a busy man.’ He shrugged. ‘And I’m not a total moron. I know what everyone thinks – that I’ve only been interested in Walter’s money. But that’s wrong. When he fell ill I felt kind of guilty that I’d not visited more often since Auntie Lily died – especially as they’d had no kids. And I think, in his own way, Walter appreciated it – even though I could tell I irritated him. We didn’t have a huge amount in common. But we got closer.’

‘So it was his idea to leave a good amount of his estate to you?’ asked Jess.

He nodded. ‘I asked him to think about it. I mean, sure, the money’s welcome but as my bank accounts would prove, I’m doing very well for myself, thank you. I don’t need Uncle Walter’s inheritance.’ He half-smiled. ‘Although it’ll be nice to book a dream-of-a-lifetime trip to the States… But it’s not like I’ve even got a shopaholic wife and sprogs to support. I think Walter was hoping that one day I’d settle down and have the kids he never could, even though I told him that was unlikely. Plus, as part of the deal, he made me promise to give regularly to my own charities.’ He pulled a face. ‘That was the hardest bit but I’ve looked around and there’s one up in Manchester I’m going to donate to, for professionals who end up homeless.’ He shuddered. ‘I can’t think of anything worse. Just imagine if…’

Whilst he was rambling, Ms Chapman’s eyes had glazed over. In fact, she’d been suspiciously quiet.

‘You said Beth was an old friend?’ I interrupted.

‘We used to… She’s an ex-girlfriend,’ he muttered and loosened his tie.

‘I was a bit more than that, Mikey,’ she said in a tight voice. ‘We almost put down roots together, at one point.’

‘Why didn’t you?’ I asked. They seemed well-matched and both were business people who clearly still got on.

‘Mike wasn’t ready to settle down – didn’t want to commit… But that was a long time ago,’ she said and forced a laugh.

‘How long?’ asked Jess.

‘Eight years,’ said Mike.

‘And five months,’ she snapped.

Wow. Talk about bitterness in her voice. Perhaps Mike had an affair…

‘No one else was involved,’ said Mike, as if he’d read my mind. ‘I just didn’t want the whole wedding and kids package – still don’t.’ He shrugged. ‘These things happen,’ said Mike. ‘I did us both a favour in the long run.’

‘You’ve not met anyone since?’ I asked her.

She sniffed. ‘No one wants a dried up career woman who can’t have kids.’

‘But we never wanted children!’ he said.

Her cheeks flushed purple. ‘You never were good at reading in between the lines. You were my last shot, Mikey,’ she hissed. ‘When we got engaged I could feel my body gearing up for the menopause. I thought if I told you how I really felt – that I was desperate for a baby – it would have put you off and I’d lose my last chance.’ She pulled off her glasses, yanked out a tissue from her trouser pocket and cleaned them until they shone.

‘Beth? The fake will… Do you know what these two are talking about? I thought the break-up was behind us – all these years, you’ve never mentioned it again.’ He shook his head. ‘What were you going to do if we’d stayed together? Accidentally get pregnant?’

‘I thought you’d come around to the idea.’

‘You always were good at winning arguments,’ he muttered. ‘These charities…the four hundred thousand… Why, Beth? Jess and Kimmy are right, aren’t they? I mean, you’re obsessive about detail, I remember how you used to check just your phone bill a dozen times. Any apparent “mistakes” on a document like that, drawn up by you, like charity names, that wouldn’t be accidental.’

We all jumped as the knocker rapped loudly on the front door. I went to open it. Luke and Melissa were there, her arm linked in his.

‘The police are on their way,’ said Luke.

‘You of all people should understand,’ said Beth in a small voice, to Melissa. ‘I bet you’ll take your husband to the cleaners, now he’s done the dirty on you.’

‘It was a long time ago,’ said Mr Murphy. ‘Beth – you need to move on.’

‘That’s precisely what I intended to do. Amongst other things, that money was going to pay for fertility treatment. I’ve spent all my savings and so far it’s failed. This is my only hope.’ She shook her fist.

Poor Beth – despite her sneering attitude, I felt sorry for her. At that moment the police arrived and a male officer hurried forwards and stood in between the former love birds.

‘Folks, let’s all calm down,’ he said.

‘Calm down?’ Beth screeched. ‘I’ve waited years to call in this debt. He ruined my life! Giving me a few measly grand is the least he can do.’

As a female officer steered Beth firmly into the lounge, I hurried into the kitchen, put on the kettle and glanced around… Thank goodness the baking utensils I needed were still left. I grabbed a mixing bowl and my silicone cupcake moulds. Sponge and chocolate, that’s what everyone needed, to induce a friendlier mood.

‘We did it, Walter,’ I whispered and tipped sugar onto the scales. ‘Everything will be in order soon. Now you’ll soon be at those Pearly Gates. Lily won’t have to wait anymore.’ My chest squeezed. The house would feel strange without him – although I had a busy week ahead. A week today was Monday the twenty-fifth. Apart from anything else, I had Christmas food to buy.