Certainly not Beryl.
He spied his sister as she reentered the ballroom. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glittering with some unearthly fire. Close on her heels was the American, looking just as flushed and more than a little bothered. Ah, thought Jordan with a smile. A bit of hanky-panky in the garden, was it? Well, good for her. Poor Beryl could use some fresh romance in her life, anything to make her forget that chronically unfaithful surgeon.
Beryl whisked up a glass of champagne from a passing servant and headed Jordan s way. Having fun? she asked him.
Not as much as you, I suspect. He glanced across at Richard Wolf, whod just been waylaid by some American businessman. So, he whispered, did you wring a confession out of him?
Not a thing. She smiled over her champagne glass. Extremely tight-lipped.
Really?
But Ill have another go at him later. After I let him cool his heels for a while.
Lord, how beautiful his baby sister could be when she was happy, thought Jordan. Which, it seemed, wasnt very often lately. Too much passion in that heart of hers; it made her far more vulnerable than shed ever admit. For a year now shed been lying doggo, had dropped out entirely from the old mating game. Shed even given up her charity work at St. Lukes-a job shed dearly loved. It was too painful, always running into her ex-lover on the hospital grounds.
But tonight the old sparkle was back in her eyes and he was glad to see it. He noticed how it flared even more brightly as Richard Wolf glanced her way. All those flirtatious looks passing back and forth! He could almost feel the crackle of electricity flying between them.
a well-deserved honor, of course, but a bit late, dont you think, Jordan?
Jordan glanced in puzzlement at Reggie Vanes flushed face. The man had been drinking entirely too much. Excuse me, he said, Im afraid I wasnt following.
The Queens medal for Leo Sinclair. You remember Leo, dont you? Wonderful chap. Killed a year and a half ago. Or was it two years? He gave his head a little shake, as though to clear it. Anyway, theyre just getting round to giving the widow his medal. I think thats inexcusable.
Not everyone who was killed in the Gulf got a medal, Nina Sutherland cut in.
But Leo was Intelligence, said Reggie. He deserved some sort of honor, considering how hedied.
Not everyone who was killed in the Gulf got a medal, Nina Sutherland cut in.
But Leo was Intelligence, said Reggie. He deserved some sort of honor, considering how hedied.
Perhaps it was just an oversight, said Jordan. Papers getting mislaid, that sort of thing. MI6 does try to honor its dead, and Leo sort of fell through the cracks.
The way Mum and Dad did, said Beryl. They died in the line of duty. And they never got a medal.
Line of duty? said Reggie. Not exactly. He lifted the champagne glass unsteadily to his lips. Suddenly he paused, aware that the others were staring at him. The silence stretched on, broken only by the clatter of an oyster shell on someones plate.
What do you mean by not exactly? asked Beryl.
Reggie cleared his throat. SurelyHugh must have told you He looked around and his face blanched. Oh, no, he murmured, Ive put my foot in it this time.
Told us what, Reggie? Jordan persisted.
But it was public knowledge, said Reggie. It was in all the Paris newspapers
Reggie, Jordan said slowly. Deliberately. Our understanding was that my mother and father were shot in Paris. That it was murder. Is that not true?
Well, of course there was a murder involved-
A murder? Jordan cut in. As in singular?
Reggie glanced around, befuddled. Im not the only one here who knows about it. You were all in Paris when it happened!
For a few heartbeats, no one said a thing. Then Helena added, quietly, It was a very long time ago, Jordan. Twenty years. It hardly makes a difference now.
It makes a difference to us, Jordan insisted. What happened in Paris?
Helena sighed. I told Hugh he shouldve been honest with you, instead of trying to bury it.
Bury what? asked Beryl.
Helena s mouth drew tight.
It was Nina who finally spoke the truth. Brazen Nina, who had never bothered with subtleties. She said flatly, The police said it was a murder. Followed by a suicide.
Beryl stared at Nina. Saw the other womans gaze meet hers without flinching. No, she whispered.
Gently Helena touched her shoulder. You were just a child, Beryl. Both of you were. And Hugh didnt think it was appropriate-
Beryl said again, No, and pulled away from Helena s outstretched hand. Suddenly she whirled and fled in a rustle of blue silk across the ballroom.
Thank you. All of you, said Jordan coldly. For your most refreshing candor. Then he, too, turned and headed across the room in pursuit of his sister.
He caught up with her on the staircase. Beryl?
Its not true, she said. I dont believe it!
Of course its not true.
She halted on the stairs and looked down at him. Then why are they all saying it?
Ugly rumors. What else can it be?
Wheres Uncle Hugh?
Jordan shook his head. Hes not in the ballroom.
Beryl looked up toward the second floor. Come on, Jordie, she said, her voice tight with determination. Were going to set this thing straight.
Together they climbed the stairs.
Uncle Hugh was in his study; through the closed door, they could hear him speaking in urgent tones. Without knocking, they pushed inside and confronted him.
Uncle Hugh? said Beryl.
Hugh cut her off with a sharp motion for silence. He turned his back and said into the telephone, It is definite, Claude? Not a gas leak or anything like that?
Uncle Hugh!
Stubbornly he kept his back turned to her. Yes, yes, he said into the phone, Ill tell Philippe at once. God, this is horrid timing, but youre right, he has no choice. Hell have to fly back tonight. Looking stunned, Hugh hung up and stared at the telephone.
Did you tell us the truth? asked Beryl. About Mum and Dad?
Hugh turned and frowned at her in bewilderment. What? What are you talking about?
You told us they were killed in the line of duty, said Beryl. You never said anything about a suicide.
Who told you that? he snapped.
Nina Sutherland. But Reggie and Helena knew about it, too. In fact, the whole world seems to know! Everyone except us.
Blast that Sutherland woman! roared Hugh. She had no right.
Beryl and Jordan stared at him in shock. Softly Beryl said, It is a lie. Isnt it?
Abruptly Hugh started for the door. Well discuss it later, he said. I have to take care of this business-
Uncle Hugh! cried Beryl. Is it a lie?
Hugh stopped. Slowly he turned and looked at her. I never believed it, he said. Not for a second did I think Bernard would ever hurt her
What are you saying? asked Jordan. That it was Dad who killed her?
Their uncles silence was the only answer they needed. For a moment, Hugh lingered in the doorway. Quietly he said, Please, Jordan. Well talk about it later. After everyone leaves. Now I really must see to this phone call. He turned and left the room.
Beryl and Jordan looked at each other. They each saw, in the others eyes, the same shock of comprehension.
Dear God, Jordie, said Beryl. It must be true.
From across the ballroom, Richard saw Beryls hasty exit and then, seconds later, the equally rapid departure of a grim-faced Jordan. What the hell was going on? he wondered. He started to follow them out of the room, then spotted Helena, shaking her head as she moved toward him.
Its a disaster, she muttered. Too much bloody champagne flowing tonight.
What happened?
They just heard the truth. About Bernard and Madeline.
Who told them?
Nina. But it was Reggies fault, really. Hes so drunk he doesnt know what hes saying.
Richard looked at the doorway through which Jordan had just vanished. I should talk to them, tell them the whole story.
I think thats their uncles responsibility. Dont you? Hes the one who kept it from them all these years. Let him do the explaining.
After a pause, Richard nodded. Youre right. Of course youre right. Maybe Ill just go and strangle Nina Sutherland instead.
Strangle my husband while youre at it. You have my permission.
Richard turned and spotted Hugh Tavistock reentering the ballroom. Now what? he muttered as the man hurried toward them.
Wheres Philippe? snapped Hugh.
I believe he was headed out to the garden, said Helena. Is something wrong?
This whole evenings turned into a disaster, muttered Hugh. I just got a call from Paris. A bombs gone off in Philippes flat.
Richard and Helena stared at him in horror.
Oh, my God, whispered Helena. Is Marie-
Shes all right. A few minor injuries, but nothing serious. Shes in hospital now.
Assassination attempt? Richard queried.
Hugh nodded. So it would seem.
It was long past midnight when Jordan and Uncle Hugh finally found Beryl. She was in her mothers old room, huddled beside Madelines steamer trunk. The lid had been thrown open, and Madelines belongings were spilled out across the bed and the floor: silky summer dresses, flowery hats, a beaded evening purse. And there were silly things, too: a branch of sea coral, a pebble, a china frog-items of significance known only to Madeline. Beryl had removed all of these things from the trunk, and now she sat surrounded by them, trying to absorb, through these inanimate objects, the warmth and spirit that had once been Madeline Tavistock.
Uncle Hugh came into the bedroom and sat down in a chair beside her. Beryl, he said gently, its timeits time I told you the truth.
The time for the truth was years ago, she said, staring down at the china frog in her hand.
But you were both so very young. You were only eight, and Jordan was ten. You wouldnt have understood-
We couldve dealt with the facts! Instead you hid them from us!
The facts were painful. The French police concluded-
Dad would never have hurt her, said Beryl. She looked up at him with a ferocity that made Hugh draw back in surprise. Dont you remember how they were together, Uncle Hugh? How much in love they were? I remember!
So do I, said Jordan.
Uncle Hugh took off his spectacles and wearily rubbed his eyes. The truth, he said, is even worse than that.
Beryl stared at him incredulously. How could it be any worse than murder and suicide?
Perhapsperhaps you should see the file. He rose to his feet. Its upstairs. In my office.