“So his mother went along with it.”
“He claims it was her idea, but I’m not buying it. That’s what happens when a parent shields her child from the consequences of bad behavior. The child never learns his lesson because he’s never held accountable for his actions. I think Colin was terribly spoiled as a child—partly, I suppose, because he was so beautiful. He must have grown up believing he was special, more important and deserving than other people. That idea was reinforced when Wallace Villiers took him under his wing. Or maybe he’s a sociopath—one of those people who never develop a conscience.”
“And the drugs? That shocks me. Nigel Oakley seemed like an honest man. Will they charge all three of them?”
“Right now it’s just a theory, Ivor. When I learn more, you’ll be the first to know.” I stood and dropped a kiss on Ivor’s head. “Now get some rest—and get better.”
I was fitting the lid on Vivian’s tin when he stopped me. “Kate, do you mind if I ask about your plans?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve already made arrangements to stay until you’re back on your feet.”
“It’s not that. It’s just … just—” He dithered a bit. “What I’m trying to say is, I don’t want you to leave at all. At least not for good. Having you to chat to about antiques has been the best thing in my life. I have no children, no close relatives. All my friends were born before the ark. When I fall off the perch, I want you to have the shop, Kate.”
“Ivor—you’re not dying.”
“Not yet. What I mean is I want you to be my business partner—co-owners. And one day—when my clock runs down—I want you to have it.”
I burst into tears.
The headquarters of the Suffolk Constabulary was a hive of activity. Tom’s investigators were gathering evidence more quickly than the crime scene manager could process it. Fortunately, they had enough to keep Colin Wardle, still recovering in the hospital, and the Oakleys in custody.
“Step this way, Mrs. Hamilton.” A middle-aged police sergeant named Janice ushered me through the waiting room and up the stairs toward the second floor of the building. “Inspector Mallory is with Chief Inspector Eacles. He’ll join you shortly.”
I found Lucy in one of the conference rooms. She and Tom had been released from the hospital early that morning with instructions to get some rest, take their pills, and call if any unusual symptoms cropped up. DC Weldon had driven her back to the Premier Inn so she could change into clean clothes.
“Oh, Lucy.” I teared up. “Come here.” I opened my arms, and she flew into them.
“I’m so sorry.” She clung to me. “If I hadn’t fallen for Colin’s lies, the whole thing wouldn’t have happened.”
“It wasn’t your fault. Colin knew what he was doing—and he was clever.”
“Clever enough to fool me twice. He convinced me his lack of affection was out of respect—and the eighteen years we’d been apart. He said we should take our time, get to know each other again.” I felt her shiver and pictured the way Colin had almost flinched when Lucy touched him. She’d been too deliriously happy to notice the body language.
We sat at the conference table, waiting for Tom to join us.
Lucy lowered her eyes. “I keep wondering how it would have turned out if you and Tom hadn’t shown up.”
“The house would have collapsed anyway.”
“I know that. I mean what would have happened with Colin. Would he have kept stringing me along until he got his hands on the art collection and then disappeared?”
Or murdered you. “We’ll never know—thankfully. What will you do now?”
“I’m going home to Belfast next week. Simon Crewe will send a salvage team to Hapthorn. Something will have survived.”
“I have some very good news—the húnpíng jar is safe.” Her eyes widened in surprise. “It is, truly. Remind me to tell you about it later.”
“The house is a complete loss.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’ve spent too much time in my life mourning over what I couldn’t have. I’m ready to start living.”
I smiled at her. “You know what I think? I think if your mother had lived, she would have contacted you. I’m just so sorry you never had that chance.”
“I’d like to think that. For all those years, I wasn’t able to draw a line under my past and move on. Now that the line has been drawn, what I feel isn’t regret. It’s relief. I’ve got the trust fund to keep me going the rest of my life as long as I’m not extravagant.”
“Will you quit your job?”
“Not right away. I like my work. My boss is great. My coworkers are like family. And there’s a bloke, one of our suppliers—I’ve never given him a chance because of Colin.”
“I hope we can keep in touch, Lucy. If there’s ever anything I can do, just ask.”
“Thank you. If any of the antiques have survived, I’ll have to decide what to do about them.”
“I have something for you.” I found the plastic photo sleeve in my purse and handed her a copy of the family photograph. “The police will return the original after the court case. You might be able to have the image restored.”
Lucy traced her father’s face with her forefinger. “He wasn’t ever going to win father of the year, but he did love me. He must have loved Colin too, and wanted to give him a start in life. His mistake was keeping Colin’s parentage a secret. He never imagined we’d fall in—” She broke off and started again. “Never imagined I would fall in love with him.”
“Colin didn’t know you shared a father until the night you’d planned to elope?”
“That’s what he says, and I believe him—on that point, anyway. He thought marrying me would
