Part 40 (1/2)

I wasnt sure Francesca was hearing any of this. I could sympathise. I was having problems too.

'Jenny, I am sorry to say this to you, but your money is nearly gone. That is the one reason they let you marry Russell. Having done that, they sowed as many public seeds as they could your suspicious accidents, the rumour you were being abused by your husband. The mysterious food poisoning that affected no one else. Most of Rushford is convinced Russell is trying to kill you for your money. And Russell, of course, big idiot that he is, played right into their hands. Every time.

'Jenny, said Aunt Julia, with a huge effort. 'I dont know how you can listen to this. After everything weve done for you ...

'Oh, for G.o.ds sake, Julia, shouted Russell. 'Give it up. Youve done nothing for her. Youve isolated her, denied her a normal life, and frightened her with stupid stories about having to live in a ”special place”. Youve stolen from her, poisoned her, undermined her, your stupid son almost killed her it just goes on and on. So shut up about the benefits supposedly showered on her over the years, or Ill take that coil of wire and go straight to the police right now. And Mrs Crisp has Jennys gla.s.s, too. And the contents. After you tried to blame her for Jennys poisoning, she doesnt love you any more than I do.

Controlling trembling lips, Aunt Julia tried again. 'I think you forget, Russell, Francesca and I were in this very house yesterday when you tried to ...

'I told you, the tea was fine, he said with contempt. The whole thing was to frighten you into thinking that maybe I was trying to do away with your niece. That I did have designs on her money, after all. How scared were you then, Julia? Scared enough to go straight back to Richard and organise yourselves an invite to dinner tonight. So you could have another go. One last effort to get Jenny back and send me down.

'Youre a ruthless b.i.t.c.h, Julia. You dropped oil on the stairs for Jenny to slip on. And she nearly caught you. You had to turn around and pretend to be coming up the stairs. I give you credit for genuine shock afterwards. She came a right cropper, didnt she? Right in front of your eyes. All thanks to you. And so neatly mopped up afterwards, as you supposedly clutched your hankie in shock. Did you think I wouldnt recognise the smell of linseed oil? Clever of you to use something half Rushford knew Id bought the day before. Thanks to the very public scene you organised. From a woman famous for avoiding public unpleasantness? You really overdid it there, didnt you?

I couldnt help it. A stupid, dry sob forced itself up through my chest. Andrew took my hand again, saying quietly, 'Nearly done, Jenny, I promise you. Nearly done.

Tanya dumped her briefcase on the table, pulling out doc.u.ments.

'I will tell you now of the offer Russell will make to you. I will tell you this only once. If you refuse he we will go to the police with the gla.s.s, the contents, the wire, and certain financial statements which you will not wish made public.

'Youre bluffing, said Uncle Richard.

'I think, said Andrew, suddenly looking very like Russell, 'that when you admitted you and Miss Bauer were professionally acquainted, you a.s.sumed she was a solicitor, like yourself. Im afraid we allowed you to continue with that a.s.sumption. Actually, Miss Bauer is a forensic accountant. And shes good. Shes very, very good. Would you like to see the statements?

Uncle Richard made an abrupt gesture.

Tanya continued.

'This doc.u.ment transfers owners.h.i.+p of Christophers business to Jenny. After all, she has probably bought it many times over the years. The agreement covers the business, stock, and premises.

'Not the premises.

Most definitely the premises. The only reason you have been propping him up over the years. When the new shopping area happens ... she tailed away. 'Now. Sign.

Aunt Julia was distraught. 'Not Christophers business. Richard, you cant. What will he do?

Russell spoke with ma.s.sive restraint. 'Let me put this in terms you can understand, Richard. You will sign Christophers worthless business and the building, because that does have value over to Jenny, now, tonight, or Tanya hands the whole file over to her boss. The police are involved. Youre ruined and go to prison. Julia is ruined and goes to prison. Christopher is ruined and goes to prison. Francesca is just ruined. Your business, your reputation, everything will be gone by this time tomorrow. And Ill do it, Richard. Ill bring you down with more pleasure than anything Ive done in my entire life. So sign. Now.

'No, said Aunt Julia, shrilly. 'Its Christophers.

'Very well. I must admit sending you all to prison was always my first choice. Tanya ...

She began to put the papers away.

Uncle Richard said quietly, 'Ill do it.

She pa.s.sed him the doc.u.ment and he signed. Christopher signed. Kevin and Mrs Crisp witnessed.

'And now, said Russell, between his teeth, 'get that tosspot out of here before I break his neck.

Kevin yanked Christopher from his seat and hustled him out of the room. I remembered afterwards that hed never said a word the whole time. He rarely did, but Christopher had more impact on that evening than everyone else in the room.

Francesca dragged big, frightened eyes away from Russell to Daniel and said, 'Daniel. Yes.

'Good girl, he said, taking her hand.

Russell had more to say.

'Im not finished with you yet, Richard. You will retire. You have one year. One year to sell up practice, house, everything, and clear out of Rushford. You will sign over one half of the proceeds to Jenny as reparation and well let you leave quietly. Otherwise ...

I dont think Aunt Julia quite understood the implications. She turned angrily to Russell.

'But that would leave us with barely anything. Where would we go?

'Who cares?

'Jenny, you cant ...

'I told you. Leave her alone. Shes nothing to do with you any longer.

Uncle Richard said again, 'Shut up, Julia. One third, Russell. You take one third and we go quietly.

'Done. Sign here.

He did.

'Now get out.

Aunt Julia still hadnt given up. 'We never meant to kill anyone. We certainly never meant to kill Jenny. You must believe that. When Christopher ... well, we were horrified. If shed just lived quietly with us, she could have had a nice life. Secure, protected. We took her into our own home. We looked after her.

'Not a home a prison. Jenny, theres nothing wrong with you. I keep telling you, but youre so brainwashed ... You have a bit of a stutter and the self-esteem of a tea bag. Thats all. Theres absolutely no reason in the world why you cant live a normal life. This threat thats been held over your head is as I think I once told you utter b.o.l.l.o.c.ks. They used it to control you. And the longer you stayed, the less likely you were to leave. Or want to. And everyone just accepted it you, your school, everyone in Rushford. They all thought you were little Jenny Dove, not quite right, poor thing, who lives with her kind aunt and uncle. And if I hadnt come along I mean, I saw at a glance that ...

Andrew said, 'Russ ...

He stopped. Took a deep breath. Got control.

'Julia, get out. Before I become violent.

Her face changed. I would not have known her.

'You stupid, stupid girl. From the moment they dumped you on me I knew you were trouble. Never speaking. Always watching. And you had the money while my own bright, beautiful children ... Its not as if you ever needed it. You werent doing anything with your life. All you had to do was live with us. It wasnt so much to ask.

'Richard, shut her up.

'Who were you compared with us? Youre nothing. Thats how I always think of you. The nothing girl. I blame you, Russell. You cause trouble wherever you go. Your father killed his wife. Why shouldnt you have done the same?

Without warning, Uncle Richard wheeled on her. 'Julia. Be silent. I forbid you to say another word. Does it not occur to you they may be recording this?