The Blue Rose

Graham stopped, and looked at her. ‘About what?’

‘This letter says, specifically, that “a certain rose bush grows in a corner of the Parsonage premises.” How would you or your lawyer have known that? How can you be so sure that the rose is growing in our garden?’

‘I’m sorry, I’m not answering any more questions,’ he said. ‘I must be going.’

Kate followed Graham to the front door. He left without saying another word.

Kate walked back into the living room, where Alex was seated on the couch rereading Stanhope’s letter. As he looked up at her she threw her head back and started laughing. ‘What’s so bloody funny?’ he asked.

‘Who said bad luck is bending over to pick up a four-leaf clover and being infected by poison ivy? What a turn-up for the books!’

‘I had a feeling all along that Graham was an opportunist, but why did he have to go to a lawyer, for Christ’s sake? Why didn’t he come to us first? What a weasel,’ he said, slapping the letter with the back of his hand.

‘In a way, I can see his point. It is his uncle’s creation. At least, as far as we know.’

‘Kate, I’m no expert on estate law but I’ve read any number of times that anything physically attached to a house or planted in the ground is considered part of the property when it’s sold. Who created the rose is irrelevant. The rose was planted on our land and it belongs to us. It’s as easy as that.’

Kate snapped her fingers. ‘That’s it,’ she said.

‘What?’

‘How Graham knew the rose was in our garden. He actually saw it.’

‘What?’

‘Yes. You remember he left the books on the porch, while we were gone. It would have been the easiest thing in the world for him to take his time poking round the garden. I’ll bet that’s just what he did.’

‘You’re right, Kate – the sly bugger.’

‘Well, what do we do now?’

‘Wait and see what Adell advises, I guess.’

Kate looked at her watch. ‘It’s a bit late to call him now.’

‘I’ll do it first thing tomorrow.’ He screwed up his face in distaste. ‘Losing the rose would be bad enough. But losing it to Graham – speaking for myself, that would be a really bitter pill.’

‘We haven’t lost it yet.’

‘That’s true.’

‘You know, Alex, it’s odd, when you think about it. Logically, one would expect Mrs Cooke to be the one to instigate such a claim. After all, it was her husband’s doing–’

‘– if we’re to believe Graham.’

‘Yes, but assuming that’s the case – Graham’s not even her son. I just wonder if he hasn’t talked her into all this.’

‘There’s only one way to find out, and that is to ask her.’

‘You know, I really think we should. If she’s unaware of what Graham is up to – and I grant you, that’s unlikely – it could change everything.’

‘Kate, she must have known. It would be almost impossible for Graham to pull this kind of stunt behind her back. It’s far too serious. Hiring a lawyer and everything.’

‘You’re right. We have to talk to her.’

‘Just her.’

‘Alex, I can hardly ask her to exclude Graham. But if I suggest a weekday meeting, say mid-afternoon, chances are he’ll be at work. We’ll just have to play it by ear.’

Alex sighed. ‘I think I’ll skip the champagne, Kate. A large scotch is what I need.’ He massaged his forehead. ‘I was thinking. Kingston’s going to be really miffed when we tell him that it’s all over. He was really getting into this code thing. I’ll call him first thing tomorrow.’

The phone rang.

‘Christ, what now?’ Alex said.

‘I’ll get it.’ Kate got up and walked over to the phone. ‘Kate Sheppard speaking.’

‘Hello, Kate, Lawrence here. I’ve got some interesting news.’

‘Really? As a matter of fact, we were just talking about you. We were about to sit down and have a drink. We both need it. We’ve just received some rather unsettling news.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps I should call you tomorrow.’

‘No, it’s fine, Lawrence.’

‘All right, then. I promise to make this quick. I was calling to let you know that I did manage to get Major Cooke’s journals translated. They’re exactly as we suspected – records of his hybridizing. But that’s not all. Guess what? Somebody else took the missing journal to the same place – Defence Intelligence and Security Centre at Chicksands – and had it translated, too. What’s more, for reasons I won’t go into, the Intelligence people couldn’t locate their file copies of the decrypted notes of the pages in question. All they could tell me for certain was that the journal did mention a blue rose. Want to take a guess who took the journal in?’

‘So it’s true, then?’

‘What is? What are you saying?’

‘We already know who it was.’

‘What do you mean, Kate?’

‘The person who had the missing journal decoded.’

‘How on earth would you know that?’

‘It was Graham Cooke. He was just here and told us all about it. What’s more he’s threatening to repossess The Parsonage. He wants us to hand over the blue rose. He left us a very nasty letter from his solicitor. He knows all about it. Everything.’

‘My God! That’s absurd. He certainly didn’t waste any time.’

‘I know, Lawrence. It’s been one hell of a shock. It hasn’t all started to sink in yet. Graham just left – literally minutes ago. As I mentioned, Alex and I were just about to sit down and discuss it over a large drink.’

‘I don’t know quite what to say – other than I’m sorry. With everything that’s happening, perhaps it’s time the three of us got together again – though it sounds like this business with Graham will have to be thrashed out by the lawyers.’

‘Alex is calling Adell first thing tomorrow and faxing him the lawyer’s letter.’

‘Good. Keep me posted. I’d like to know what Adell says.’

‘We will, Lawrence. I’ll ask Alex to call you later tomorrow.’

‘Whenever he can. Well, goodnight, Kate. I’m sure, with Adell’s help, you’ll be able to sort it all out.’

‘Let’s hope so,’ she said.

‘Oh, one last thing. Our American friend. From what Alex told me, it looks like he’s just a go-between. I’m not quite sure yet, but I think I may know who may be behind it, though. Give me a couple of more days to do a little more digging and I’ll fill you in.’

‘I’ll tell Alex,’ she said, wishing Kingston goodnight and hanging up.

Kate plopped down next to Alex and put her arm around his shoulder. ‘Well, we know one thing,’ she sighed.

‘What’s that, darling?’

‘Graham’s not lying about having had the notorious missing journal decoded.’

‘How’s that?’

‘Kingston was saying that he just got back from meeting with some government intelligence people at a place called Chicksands. They decoded the Major’s journals. They also admitted to having decoded the journal – for Graham.’

Alex’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Graham and Kingston went to the same place?’

‘It’s really not that much of a coincidence. According to Kingston it’s the only branch of intelligence remaining capable of doing it.’

Alex covered his face with his hands and let out a long sigh. ‘This is really getting out of hand. Next thing you know Kingston will be telling us that the American is working for the CIA. I mean, really.’

Kate chuckled. ‘Actually, he mentioned him – the American. Lawrence said that he’s pretty sure he knows