Free Shades of Murder by Ann Granger

‘– found him Innocent. So, he was.’ He spoke the last words as simple fact, a matter of logic, which couldn’t be gainsaid.
    Alan would have something to say about the difference between being found Innocent and being innocent. But Meredith was momentarily shaken. Unconsciously, she’d accepted Geoff Painter’s claim that Oakley had been ‘lucky to get off’ and assumed Oakley’s guilt. At least she ought to finish working her way through Geoff’s notes before coming to a conclusion. In any case, she knew she’d be unwise to trespass further on a forbidden subject.
    She found herself saying weakly, ‘Well, this is quite a moment for you, then. I do understand that.’
    Privately, she was thinking, Perhaps
he
feels that way about it. I wonder how Damaris and Florence feel about
him?
    ‘Well, said Alan Markby, ‘that’s what you might term a turn-up for the books!’
    ‘Not half. I still can’t take it in.’
    He poured them both another glass of wine. ‘No wonder you came in declaring that I’d never guess whom you’d met and where you’d been. I certainly
couldn’t
have guessed. He’s genuine, I suppose?’
    ‘That’s what’s worrying me,’ Meredith confessed. ‘No one has ever mentioned any Polish Oakleys before. I admit I don’t know Damaris and Florence all that well, but I’ve always understood they were the last of the line. On Saturday evening at the Painters’ we were talking about them, about the family, for goodness sake! Geoff said then that the sisters would be the last Oakleys at Fourways, and Juliet, who has been seeing them recently, didn’t suddenly say, “Hang on, Geoff, there’s a Polish horse doctor and he’s hotfooting his way over here, about to land on the doorstep.” Yet this Jan told me he’d been in correspondence with them. He definitely reckons he’s expected. I just don’t see how it’s possible.’
    ‘Well, I’ve known them all my life and I’ve never heard of a Polish branch of the family,’ Alan agreed. ‘But that doesn’t mean the Oakley sisters have been unaware of it.’
    ‘And never said a word to
anyone?
’ Meredith sat back in her chair and pushed a hank of dark brown hair out of her eyes. ‘In all these years?’
    ‘Think about it from their point of view,’ Alan said. ‘Their father was Wicked William’s and Cora’s son. As they grew up, William’s name would never have been mentioned; it would’ve been the family skeleton-in-the-cupboard, a dreadful blot on their honour. Anything they later found out about him would have been veiled in the same secrecy. It was a scandal. Don’t underestimate the fear of scandal, especially in someone of that generation.’
    Meredith was mulling it over. ‘I suppose so,’ she said unwillingly. ‘This Jan’s an odd sort of chap. One minute he appears harmless and the next – oh, I don’t know! He was so excited when he saw the house, his face lit up, really shone. I found it unnerving. I kept thinking of those paintings of saints with their eyes fixed on glory. And then I thought how Lucifer means “light-bearer”, and I didn’t know whether I had a saint or a devil with me in the car.’ She looked embarrassed. ‘Sorry if I sound way over the top. He was just – different. We like to pigeon-hole new acquaintances, I suppose. But I couldn’t slot him under any heading.’
    Alan was looking thoughtful. ‘I think you might be right to feel some concern. The Oakleys are planning to sell up, move to a retirement flat, spend the rest of their days in peace and comfort. It’s such a big undertaking for them it must fill their minds every minute of the day. All the planning, even with Juliet’s help, must be a nightmare. I doubt they can really be doing with long-lost relatives at this time, even if he is completely harmless despite your fears. In fact, it’s the last thing they need. On the other hand, I don’t see what we can do about it. It’s a family matter, isn’t it?’
    ‘What