The Celtic Dagger by Jill Paterson Read Free Book Online Page B

despondence.  ‘What did you want to talk to me about, Catherine?’
    ‘Oh, yes.  I’d almost forgotten.  I can’t seem to think straight lately.’  She reached into her handbag and brought out three envelopes.  ‘I’ve started going through the mail that’s been piling up over the past few days, and these letters were amongst them.  They’re from a bank and two finance companies.  They all claim Alexander took out loans.  It’s ridiculous, of course.  There must be some mistake.  As you know, your grandfather left the house to Alexander in his will.  We’ve never needed a mortgage.’
    Catherine handed James the letters.  As he read them, his expression became grave.  ‘Well, according to this letter from the bank, there is a mortgage on the house now, and these papers from the finance companies look genuine enough.  Didn’t Alex mention this to you?’
    ‘No, he took care of all the finances.  We never discussed such matters.’
    James frowned.  ‘So, you wouldn’t know if he was in financial difficulty?’
    ‘No, but I can’t imagine it can you?  He was always so careful with money.  You could even say stingy at times.’  Catherine smiled.  ‘Come on.  Don’t tell me that comes as a surprise.  You know as well as I do that Alexander liked to be in control.  As far as he was concerned, there was no reason to discuss finances with me.’  She shook her head.  ‘I know what you’re going to say.  I shouldn’t have let him get away with that sort of behaviour, but there you are.  I suppose it was easier for me to let it go.  Now, of course, it adds to my problems, but it’s my own fault.’
    James handed the letters back.
    Catherine said, ‘Tomorrow I’ll contact the bank and the finance companies and find out what’s going on.’
    ‘I’ll be happy to come with you.’
    ‘That’s kind, but I must start to do these things for myself.’  Catherine looked at the pile of papers on James’s desk.  ‘Look, I’m going to leave you in peace.  I can see you’re busy.'
    ‘I’ll walk out with you,' James replied.  'I’ve had enough for one day.’

 
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 9
     
    The next morning, James arrived at Vera’s office to find the door closed.  He knocked and waited before it opened.
    ‘Oh, James.  Thank goodness, it’s you.  Come in.’
    ‘Are you all right, Vera?  You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’
    ‘I’ve seen the torque,’ Vera whispered.
    ‘I beg your pardon?’
    ‘The torque.  One of the artefacts that’s still missing.’
    James glared at her.  ‘But how did you know...’
    Miles told me all about it last night after the police had finished speaking to him.’
    ‘Well, he shouldn’t have passed that information on.’
    ‘Oh, don’t worry, James, I won’t breathe a word.’
    Vera closed the door as James stepped into her office.
    Doubtful that would be the case, James sat down in the chair beside Vera’s desk.  ‘Where did you see it?’
    ‘In Tristan Harrow’s office.  It’s similar to this.’  Vera pointed to a photograph in a book open in front of her.  ‘I only saw it for a second or two because Tristan came into the room, but I’m certain that’s what it was.’  James looked down at the photograph of a gold torque displayed on a dark background.
    ‘I went to his office to retrieve a book I'd lent to him.  It's due back at the library this afternoon.  That’s why I looked through his desk.  He keeps books in the bottom drawer.  Anyway, when I opened it and took the book out, there was the torque at the back.’  Vera paused.  ‘Do you think the theft of the artefacts, has anything to do with, Professor Wearing’s, death?’
    James frowned.  ‘I don’t believe it’s been established they were stolen, Vera.’
    ‘Oh, I assumed... that is, with the police grilling Miles, I thought they must have been.’
    James got to his feet.  ‘I think we’d better contact the police.’
    ‘I did that