‘I’m only a few hours away.’
‘After the event, though. The boot is going to drop again. It is only a matter of time. Maybe on the next occasion, a professional may be able to see it coming. If not, see the link to the riddle.’
Trelawney frowned and leaned forward in his armchair, cupping his mug. ‘Am I being transferred?’
‘No. This is an offer, an opportunity, being extended to you, Thomas. You are under no obligation. Happy to hear me out?’
The inspector put down his tea and relaxed back, while looking intently at his friend. ‘Yes, of course.’
Five minutes later found Trelawney pacing around Mike’s sitting-room. He was awash with a heady mixture of excitement, perturbation, and oddly … joy. The latter set off a faint alarm bell for caution.
‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘You don’t have to say anything immediately,’ Hogarth laughed. ‘Take some time. Although the sooner you could start …’
‘So, I’d be answerable to Maxwell, even though he’s moving up?’
‘To some extent. Ultimately you’d continue to be accountable to someone far more intimidating.’
‘Good grief. The Home Secretary?’
‘Me,’ replied Mike, with a chuckle. ‘In short, business as usual, only with a different base for you.’
This somehow eased Thomas’s tension, and he sat down again.
‘All right. Tell me again how this would work.’
‘It would be Maxwell you’d send your official reports into. Carefully doctored, of course. His exact words were:
“We need Trelawney in there, Hogarth, dealing with this supernatural business and making sure I don’t have to. Or anyone else for that matter, except you. On paper, he’d work for the Met. Be on call for Barnet Hill station except when he’s investigating that wretched hamlet he seems to have successfully infiltrated. Can’t force him, but if you can convince him, the sooner it’s all off my plate and onto his the better.”’
Thomas could not help but chuckle at Mike’s accurate imitation of Maxwell’s bluff manner.
‘Hm … I suppose … I could … Parhayle?’
‘Parhayle still remains within your remit, if you want it,’ replied Mike.
‘My sergeant is extremely able. He and Nancarrow have certainly shown themselves equal to the task of day-to-day running. In fact, in my frequent absences, they have excelled themselves.’
‘But no one else can settle a long-running Parhayle feud like Inspector Trelawney.’
‘I suppose when it comes to homicides in the past year, Sunken Madley does rather outstrip my little town … Where would I be based exactly?’
‘We’d like you on-site.’
‘In the village?’
‘Preferably.’
Thomas thought for a few moments then shook his head. ‘I don’t know, Mike … it’s a big responsibility. This magical stuff … I’m only just dipping my toe into it … I ...’
‘In short,’ Hogarth responded, ‘you’ve done exceptionally well, but you’re not a professional.’
Thomas stopped and eyed his friend askance.
‘What are you saying …?’ he asked suspiciously.
‘What you need is a professional. A professional witch. What you need is … Amanda Cadabra.’
‘Hold on. How? She’s not a member of the police.’
‘No, she’s not. She could be a civilian consultant. If you so choose.’
Thomas did not reply. Instead, he stood up again, mug in hand, and asked,
‘More tea?’
‘Thank you lad,’ Mike said, handing over his cup. ‘There’s a Victoria sandwich in the fridge if you want to bring that in.’
It was a while before Thomas returned with the top-ups and cake. He put the tray on the table, as Hogarth observed,
‘On second thoughts, I think you could do with something stronger, lad.’
‘I think you’re right, Mike.’
Hogarth chortled sympathetically.
‘You know where the drinks are.’
Chapter 49
Concerns and Trust
‘Hello, you two,’ Miss Armstrong-Witworth entered the ballroom and approached Amanda and Mr Frumbling, standing surveying their handiwork.
‘Gwennie, come and look,’ he called to her.
‘Oh I say, you’ve both been working hard. It looks like it’ll be finished in time.’
‘Thanks to Mr Frumbling,’ responded Amanda.
‘And a very able student! Yes, we’ll be done by the ball. Just clocking off now,’ he added.
‘I’m sure you’ve both earned your tea.’
‘Well that’s very nice of you, Gwennie, but if you don’t mind, I’ll pop back to Pipkin for mine.’ A telltale blush infused his cheeks and brightened his blue eyes.
‘Really?’ Miss Armstrong-Witworth returned roguishly. ‘Is there something special happening there.’
‘Well, if you must know, we’ve had a new addition. Dulcie by name and just as sweet by nature. Oh, I know she’s only 79, and it’s a big age gap but … well … see how it goes!’
‘Indeed, Ronnie. Don’t let us keep you from your lady.’
A few minutes later, out of her overalls, Amanda sat with Gwendolen in the small salon. They were enjoying tea and Moffat’s own homemade gingernuts, baked especially for Amanda, when Miss Armstrong-Witworth observed,
‘So, it’s all over. The Cardiubarn case finally closes.’
‘Yes.’
‘Hm … and how does that feel?'’
‘I don’t know, to be honest.’ Amanda pondered. ‘So many different things.’
‘Have you given any thought to your inheritance?’
Amanda picked up a biscuit. ‘That’s not something I’ll have to deal with for ages, surely? Won’t it take something like … a year to get probate?’
‘You didn’t handle any of that with your grandparents, dear?’
‘No. Grandpa handled the will and probate for Granny, and then he set it all up so that for him, all I had to do was sign something.’
Miss Armstrong-Witworth sampled her own gingernut. ‘Hmmm, these are rather good, aren’t they? You know, I tend to think that the Cardiubarn estate is going to be rather more complicated.’
‘Won’t the family solicitors deal with that?’ asked Amanda confidently, and took a sip of tea.
‘Do you know who they are?’
Amanda shrugged. ‘Er … I expect there’ll be something among Granny’s papers.’
‘Hm. Have you thought about inheritance tax?’
‘I’d assumed that there must be assets to sell to cover that. No?’
‘There could be. What about the Hall itself?’
Amanda put down her cup and saucer and sighed.
‘To be honest, Gwendolen, I haven’t thought about it because I haven’t wanted to think about it. Oh, in the beginning, when the inspector kept visiting and asking questions, I just wanted the case solved so he … it would go away. And
