Changeling

I said: “I heard something about … was it The Devil’s Crown?”

“Yes … I was considering acquiring it. Gerson believes I already have. He does not know as much as he thinks he does. I can’t imagine how he has so much information about my affairs.”

A sudden memory came back to me.

I said: “Do you keep confidential papers in that locked room?”

“Yes,” he said.

“So it is not entirely a shrine. I thought you kept it as it was because …”

“I did,” he admitted. “Then it occurred to me that it was just the place to keep secret documents.”

I was surprised that at such a time I could feel a twinge of amusement. I supposed that was typical of him, that in the midst of his emotions he could think of such a thing. He had made that shrine to her memory and he could at the same time use it as a secret cache for important documents. I seemed to see my mother’s face smiling indulgently, whispering: “Yes, but that is Benedict.”

I said: “You kept private documents in there yet you let Oliver Gerson have access to them.”

He stared at me in amazement. “No. Never,” he said.

I went on: “He was here in that locked room.”

“When?”

“Not very long ago. I heard noises there and I made Mrs. Emery get her key. We went there and he was there with some papers before him … at the bureau. He said you had given him your key.”

He was incredulous. “He must have got hold of Mrs. Emery’s key.”

“No. She had hers. We had gone in with that and found him there. He had locked the door on the inside.”

“I can’t believe this. My key has never left the ring on which I keep it.”

“Well, it was not Mrs. Emery’s because she had hers.”

“I am astounded, Rebecca. I can’t imagine how this could happen. There are only two keys.”

“If one of them had been in his possession for a while couldn’t he have had another made?”

“That’s the answer. He must have stolen one of the keys at sometime.”

“It seems the only reasonable solution.”

“And he has been examining papers …”

“Does that make any difference to what he can bring against you?”

He shook his head. “You know so much now, so let me tell you this. The clubs which my grandfather started and owned for many years brought him great riches. He was a clever man who loved adventure. Life without risks would not have been exciting enough for him. He enjoyed what he did. Some would say he was a rogue … but many loved him. I have realized that we are different. I am not of his caliber. I have inherited some of his qualities … but not all. You know my ambitions are great. They mean more to me than that fortune which comes through questionable channels. For some time I have been working on disposing of the clubs and concentrating entirely on politics. As you know I made a fortune from the goldmine. I still have a small interest in that. Money is no problem. It was just the thought of more that tempted me. Now I am following the advice which she gave me … all those years ago. I shall dispose of my interests in the clubs. That is what Gerson does not know. He has worked for me for some time. He is ambitious. He plans to have a big share by acquiring a partnership … well, you’ve heard all that.”

“And this attempt to blackmail you, what harm could it do you?”

“This Devil’s Crown which I was considering adding to the others … is more than just a night club. There are activities going on there which are quite unsavory. I think it is possibly the haunt of drug traffickers. It was that which decided me that I wanted to get out.”

“So you are not caught up in anything of that sort yet?”

“Nor do I intend to be. I shall not be acquiring The Devil’s Crown, I think.”

“Then Oliver Gerson’s threats are groundless. He could bring nothing against you.”

“Well, he could always remind people of my connection with the clubs.”

“And that would harm you?”

“If I were in the Cabinet, perhaps.”

“So you think it wise to get out?”

“I should have listened to your mother long ago. But I am so pleased you are not involved with him.”

“There was never any intention on my part to marry him, but if there had been …”

“Oh yes,” he said with a faint smile, “you would have rejected my advice. I anticipated conflict so I am only too delighted that there is no need for it.”

“But if I did decide to marry …”

The smile deepened. “You would not be prepared to listen to me.”

“I should expect to make my own decision.”

“And if your choice had fallen on an unsuitable person such as Oliver Gerson, I should have done everything in my power to prevent the marriage because … well, I should feel it would be what your mother would have wanted. I wish …”

I looked at him waiting for him to go on.

“I wish,” he continued, “that I knew how Gerson got that key. I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you are not involved with him. That pleases me more than anything.”

He meant that. I was amazed.

It was a turning point in our relationship.

Missing Person

LEAH WAS IN THE garden with the children and I was just about to join them when a telegram arrived.