Murdered by Nature Read online

‘Why?’

  ‘She could never kill for any reason.’

  ‘A woman’s mind will find good reason to do anything.’

  ‘Her character . . .’

  ‘There is no need to repeat what you have said many times. However, I will repeat what I have said. Guilt is judged by facts, not emotional judgements.’

  ‘In her case . . .’

  ‘Alvarez, are you betraying your duty by allowing regrettable desire to deny fact?’

  ‘I’m not certain what you mean.’

  ‘Are you emotionally interested in Señora Ashton?’

  ‘When she is so newly widowed; so distressed? I admire her, that’s all.’

  ‘And the chance to enjoy her wealth?’

  ‘If that were so, I should not have tried to find out more about Kerr. Your comment is completely unjustified, señor.’

  ‘I decide what is justified. Have you asked the señora to explain why she has never identified Kerr as her true husband?’

  ‘No. As yet, there is no certainty that he was her husband. The two Christian names are similar; but individually they must be common, and together not uncommon but very unlikely to be unique. Both were nurses, but how many thousands of nurses will there be in Britain?’

  ‘That is reason not to question her?’

  ‘I think there has to be more evidence before I challenge her on so emotional a level.’

  ‘Her emotions are of no account.’

  ‘I’ll bet my life she could not murder anyone.’

  ‘A wager of minimum value. My friend, the learned psychologist, said when last we discussed the errant mind, and your name was mentioned, that an imagination which is blind to reality often denotes either a gambling or a criminal tendency. Do you gamble?’

  ‘Very seldom as I am a born loser. Yet, stupidly, I did buy a ticket in the Cuerpo lottery.’

  ‘What is that?’

  ‘A draw for the name of the next comisario.’

  ‘On such a subject, a regrettable and demeaning lottery.’

  ‘Very regrettable for me, señor. I did succeed in drawing a name, but he’s as likely to gain further promotion as a duck is to crow.’

  ‘What name did you draw?’

  ‘I would rather not say.’

  ‘Your judgement of any superior chief is, of course, of no consequence. However, there is one man who should never be considered for promotion since he owed his present rank to influence, not talent. Perhaps you drew Superior Chief M?’

  ‘No, señor.’

  ‘To suffer a severe rebuke, when fully justified, and the inability to command with the necessary respect for others, provide a considerable disadvantage. It is very likely it was Superior Chief T’s name you drew?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then . . . you are wasting your time, which is of little account, and my time, which is of much account.’ Salas accepted the remaining names had become too few for him to risk continuing. ‘Detail your intended movements in the investigation into the Kerr case.’

  ‘At the moment, things are so confused it’s difficult to know which way to turn.’

  ‘Standing still will not be an option. You will address the señora again, this time as the prime suspect. You will question her strongly, assiduously, without thought of emotional distress and without reliance on assumption or supposition.’

  ‘I just don’t believe she can be the prime suspect.’

  ‘Your belief is immaterial. Clearly, either you have failed to understand the significance of the information we have received, or you are trying to ignore it. Kerr blackmailed her once. It was obvious he would continue to blackmail her until she had nothing left with which to buy his silence. He had to die, and quickly, if her comfortable life was not to turn into hardship.’

  ‘One cannot ignore the other suspects.’

  ‘If one is prepared to accept your reports, there is none.’

  ‘Each of the servants benefited from the señor’s death. Browyer was, and is, deeply resentful . . .’

  ‘I need to remind you, once again, that you are investigating Kerr’s murder, not Señor Ashton’s natural death?’

  ‘Señor, I have explained why the smaller bequests in the señor’s will might be connected with Kerr’s murder.’

  ‘And you have assured me that they were not.’

  ‘I could have been wrong.’

  ‘A probability, not a possibility.’

  ‘If I have a word with each member of the staff . . .’

  ‘You will question Señora Ashton and make it clear that she is suspected.’

  SEVENTEEN

  Jaime emptied his glass, noticed Dolores might be about to enter the room, did not pick up the bottle of Ferrer and refill it. ‘Did you read how well we did against Llubi?’ he asked.

  Alvarez did not answer.

  Jaime repeated the question.

  ‘At what? Knocking down coconuts?’

  ‘Have you lost your marbles? At football.’

  She came in and put cutlery and plates on the table.

  ‘Enrique’s a thousand kilometres away,’ Jaime said. ‘Dreaming of the forty sweet young virgins awaiting him.’

  ‘How right my mother was when she said that after the third drink, silence is to be preferred, but seldom granted.’

  ‘I’ve only had one.’

  ‘How right she was.’ She returned into the kitchen.

  Jaime refilled his glass. He leaned across the table and snapped his fingers.

  Alvarez started.

  ‘We’ve been sitting here for a quarter of an hour and you haven’t said a word.’

  ‘I’m hellish worried.’

  ‘You’ve got a woman looking anxiously at the calendar? Or is it that one in Son Dragó again? You can’t persuade her she’s the attraction, not her money?’

  There was a call from the kitchen. ‘My grandmother used to say—’

  Jaime interrupted. ‘Your grandmother?’

  ‘That is what I said.’

  He lowered his voice. ‘Why bother with the grandmother when the mother is on every channel, all the time?’

  ‘What was that?’ Dolores called.

  ‘I was wondering what she might have said.’

  ‘That a man’s mind concentrates on one subject.’

  ‘Why not, when it’s so interesting?’

  ‘My grandmother would not have been surprised by your remark.’

  Jaime drank. He spoke quietly to Alvarez. ‘DNA has made it difficult for a man to wriggle out of things, but there are still one or two ways.’

  ‘It’s work that’s blacking my life, not women.’

  ‘Then your priorities are haywire.’

  ‘The superior chief is so certain she’s guilty, but she can’t be. She’s too genuine, straight, honest, and cares too much for others.’

  ‘I suppose you mean the Son Dragó woman? She doesn’t sound normal from what you’ve just said.’ Jaime thought for a moment. ‘Didn’t you say she had been a nurse? She ought to be able to give you some tips—’

  ‘On what?’ Dolores asked as she stepped through the bead curtain.

  ‘On persuading Salas he’s hopelessly wrong,’ Alvarez said hastily, to prevent Jaime from attempting to answer.

  ‘Have you not told him so?’ she asked.

  ‘He seldom listens to anything I say.’

  ‘Then he is even more stupid than it seems. You are a man to be listened to. Supper will be very soon so there is no need to drink any more.’ She returned into the kitchen, leaving the strands of the bead curtain knocking into each other with diminishing frequency.

  A compliment from Dolores was rare and to be savoured. But it offered no defence against the coming interview.

  He drove very slowly along Roca Nesca. The sun was shining, the bay was deep blue, the mountains friendly in appearance, and the wake of power boats and the sails of yachts and sailboards provided a cocktail of colour. The setting for a man who sought perfection, but a bitter contradi
ction for the man who dreaded the immediate future.

  Benavides met him at the front doorway. ‘If you want to speak to the señora, she left.’

  Had she realized disaster was close behind and fled to try to escape it, proving how wrong he had been in his judgements? ‘Have you a forwarding address?’

  ‘You misunderstand me, inspector. She was in great need of a break, having been greatly disturbed since your last visit. Since I blame myself, I discreetly suggested she went somewhere where she would not constantly be reminded of all that has happened.’

  ‘You know where she has gone?’

  ‘To stay with friends.’

  ‘You have their name and address?’

  ‘She did not think it necessary to tell me who they were or where they live.’

  ‘How long will she be away?’

  ‘Almost certainly not for as many days as she should be.’

  Alvarez’s relief at not yet having to name her a murderess might be cowardly, but was great. ‘Since I’m here, I’ll have another word with you and the others.’

  ‘With respect, I am certain we have told you all we can.’

  ‘That doesn’t stop me having to ask.’

  They went through the hall and into the staff sitting-room. As Alvarez sat, he said: ‘I want to go over all you have previously told me.’

  ‘May I ask why?’

  ‘In the hope of learning something, perhaps so minor that only now can I understand its significance, which will name someone with a stronger motive for murdering Kerr than the señora.’

  Benavides spoke angrily. ‘You can believe she is any way guilty of Kerr’s death?’

  ‘I am convinced she had no part in it. But innocence has to be based on fact, not emotion.’

  ‘Is it what you learned from me which makes you question her innocence?’

  ‘That is only in part responsible. Fresh evidence has turned up.’

  ‘What evidence?’

  ‘I will only say it makes the señora’s involvement in the death of Kerr appear more likely to some.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Those whose minds are closed by certainty. I have to prove them wrong, which is why I need to question you, and the others, further.’

  ‘Very well. I will do anything and everything possible to help you.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I do not understand.’

  ‘Why would you willingly incriminate someone?’

  ‘That is not obvious? I would as soon see Beatriz blamed for the sad, but natural death of the señor, for whom she, and the rest of us, had such respect, as for the señora to be thought guilty of Kerr’s murder.’

  ‘Have you any reason to modify what you told me about knowing nothing with regard to the contents of the señor’s will?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Were you incorrect when you denied ever having considered that the señor, being so generous a man, might leave you something by way of thanks for your years of service?’

  ‘Inspector, when there was so much suspicion, I was misled into thinking that the least said, the better.’

  ‘You had wondered?’

  ‘I fear so.’

  ‘Were you in debt when Kerr died?’

  ‘I have a savings account in which are already several thousand euros. Do you wish to know the account and its number in order to confirm I am not lying?’

  ‘I believe you.’

  ‘Occasionally?’

  Alvarez smiled. ‘We are expected to disbelieve. Did you in fact know where the señor kept the keys of the safe?’

  ‘“Occasionally” was the wrong word,’ Benavides said bitterly. ‘It should have been “never”. Do you once again wonder if I bribed Kerr to break into the safe and then murdered him to keep him quiet? The idea is so goddamn stupid that only a—’ He stopped abruptly, paused, said calmly: ‘I apologize, inspector.’

  ‘It’s nothing.’

  ‘I was disturbed that you could imagine . . . believe I could . . .’

  ‘As my boss would say, imagination seldom shakes hands with facts. I need to have another word with the others. Is Inés here?’

  ‘I’m not certain.’

  ‘Are you trying to shield her again?’

  ‘García has the mind of a peasant.’

  ‘Those of us from the island mostly do, but what has his mind to do with Inés?’

  ‘He learned why you knew Kerr had been to the house and stupidly told Inés what a fool she was, in language which exacerbated her feeling of guilt. She has not yet come back to work.’

  ‘Has anyone found out how she is?’

  ‘Beatriz went to where she lives. Inés was so disturbed, Beatriz spent a long time with her, and as a result, lunch was not ready when it should have been. I explained and apologized to the señora on Beatriz’s behalf.’

  ‘How did the señora respond?’

  ‘As one would expect. A doctor was to visit Inés at once and she was not to restart work until she felt fully able to do so.’

  ‘It’s good to know. I’ll have a word with Beatriz now.’

  ‘She is preparing lunch.’

  ‘Far more important than speaking to me! What’s the meal today?’

  ‘I cannot say.’

  ‘I expect it will be excellent. I do not need to speak to María or Raquel again right now, so that leaves García. I didn’t notice him when I arrived. Is he here today?’

  ‘Yes. Perhaps he was having his merienda in his garden shed when you drove up.’

  ‘I’ll find out.’

  After a seven minutes’ walk Alvarez came within sight of the large garden hut. As he approached, García stepped out of it and roughly asked: ‘You want something?’

  ‘Sorry to interrupt your merienda, but whilst you’re finishing it, we can have a chat.’

  ‘Better things to do.’

  ‘You’d rather we had it at the post?’

  ‘You think talk like that scares me?’

  ‘You’re not bothered about your own best interests?’

  García reluctantly returned into the hut, sat. ‘There’s nothing to drink.’

  ‘I wouldn’t expect there to be,’ Alvarez answered as he settled on the cane chair. ‘Do you remember telling me you hadn’t ever seen Kerr, didn’t know he’d been to Son Dragó?’

  ‘What of it?’

  ‘If that were true, why berate Inés in peasant language for telling me about Kerr’s visit?’

  García leaned over to a battered basket and brought out an unopened bottle of wine.

  ‘Nothing to drink? A man who tries not to offer a copa of wine to a visitor has to come from Mestara.’

  ‘I told you I was born in Estart.’

  ‘Almost as good an explanation.’

  ‘You reckon you’re smart?’

  ‘If I did, the weight of opinion would correct me.’

  García brought a corkscrew and one glass from the basket. ‘No good offering you any since it ain’t from Rioja but made at home.’

  ‘I choose home brew every time; it tastes of earth, which is the island’s gold.’

  ‘You ought to be in a nuthouse, not the Cuerpo.’

  ‘Some say it’s difficult to differentiate the two institutions.’

  ‘You want some wine?’

  ‘I’ll not refuse the kind offer.’

  García filled the glass, handed it to Alvarez. ‘Hope the earth bloody well chokes you.’ He brought a second glass out of the basket.

  They drank.

  Alvarez was the first to speak. ‘You told me that when there were ripe nuts on the bitter almond trees, there was always a notice warning people not to break ’em and eat the almonds.’

  García said nothing.

  ‘Did you never forget to set up the notice; never once wake up thick-headed after a prolonged merienda in this hut and wonder if you had remembered it?’

  ‘It’s easy to see how you work.’

  ‘I’m asking how you do since I’ve been t
old that the notice wasn’t always there. Was my informant lying? If so, I’ll have heavy words with him.’

  García drained his glass. ‘Maybe I ain’t saying there couldn’t have been a time when I wasn’t up to it, being sick.’

  ‘Navigating the negatives, you accept there have been times when the notice has not been on show because of too much wine?’

  ‘Once. On account of flu.’ He refilled his glass.

  Alvarez waited for his to be refilled, finally accepted it would not be. ‘You burned the nuts you knocked down from the bitter almond trees?’

  He drank.

  ‘Likely you could have forgotten to do that after a night out?’

  ‘I don’t do nights out.’

  ‘Then you’re married. It’s strange how wives don’t like husbands to have a little fun in a bar.’

  ‘So I never forgot to burn ’em, as you’re trying to say.’

  ‘You’ve never even left them overnight, to be cleared the next morning?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Did the señor ever talk to you about them?’

  ‘It was him made me put up the notice every day and burn the nuts I knocked down. Being a foreigner, he didn’t understand us islanders aren’t so bloody daft as to eat them.’

  ‘Some people gain pleasure from flirting with danger.’

  ‘You’re talking stupid.’

  ‘Do you smoke?’

  ‘What of it?’

  ‘Smoking and drinking are flirting with danger.’ Alvarez brought out from his pocket a pack of cigarettes, offered it.

  García withdrew a cigarette. ‘It’s what the lads are bringing into the coves now, then?’

  ‘This pack has a government seal.’

  ‘So does vodka at five euros a bottle. Only it wasn’t the government slapped on the seal.’

  ‘Who’s selling it at that price?’

  ‘Can’t say.’

  ‘Withholding information concerning a criminal offence is a serious crime.’

  ‘Can’t tell what I don’t know.’

  Since Alvarez did not like vodka, he saw no point in pursuing the subject. ‘Was the señora interested?’

  ‘What in?’

  ‘The bitter almonds.’

  ‘Once wanted to know how many was fatal. That’s all.’

  ‘What did you answer?’

  ‘Said no one what’s learned has ever been back to tell.’

  ‘Strange she should have asked you.’