“Manon’s baby was in line for a fortune,” said Jury. “According to Gabrielle Belrose, ‘she had it in writing.’ Manon, who was nobody’s fool, got Gerald Summerston to sign something about the baby’s being his; otherwise she’d have gone to his wife and laid the whole thing out. All he had to do was sign over a small fortune to this child which would be arranged as a pay off after his wife died. Something like that. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have allowed him to leave her in Paris, himself unfettered and with no obligation. And that’s a document Gabrielle has in her possession.”

“But any decent legal team could blow that out of the water,” said Melrose.

“I’m sure, but would Gerald have wanted Eleanor around to watch its being blown?”

“So that would show that Zillah is his daughter, but what about all the rest of this: there’s no evidence, Tom. How do we prove that Flora shot all these people? Where’s the evidence?”

“We’ll go and get some.” Tom rose. “Tomorrow morning. Too late tonight, so let’s have another.” He raised his pint. “Cheers.”

39

“Where are we going?” said Melrose the next morning as they left the Old Success.

“Watermeadows,” said Tom.

“That’ll take six hours to drive.” They were bundling themselves into Melrose’s car.

“We go to Exeter airport then to London City. M1 to Northampton takes less than two hours. That is, if you don’t mind leaving this car at the airport.”

Melrose started the Rolls. “I’ve got others.”

It took about an hour to get to London City Airport from Exeter.

Once they got their hired car onto the M1, Jury said, “How do we know she’s alone?”

“We don’t, but I’d bet she is. She doesn’t go out much,” said Melrose. “However—mobile, somebody?” When Jury pulled out his, Melrose said, “Call Ardry End.”

Ruthven answered and Jury said, “Lord Ardry wants a word, Ruthven.”

Melrose said into the mobile, “Is Gerrard there? I want to talk to him.”