Amanda Cadabra and The Hidden Depths by Holly Bell (good book recommendations TXT) 📗

had known about Senara’s instructions to her agent — whoever that might have been — to send the invitations to the van journey. Someone who may have overheard their conversation or seen the two of them meet and somehow made themselves privy to what was discussed.’

‘Seems reasonable,’ replied Kyt.

‘Any ideas?’ Thomas prompted.

‘Whatever solicitor Senara used, would be my first thought.’

‘She ruled him out.’

‘Hm ….’ Kyt thought. ‘What about Perran Cadabra?

‘Perran? He had no knowledge of the plan,’ stated Thomas.

‘How do you know?’

‘They both said so.’

‘Hm.’ Kyt took a sip of wine. ‘Well, I suppose … the Cadabras have always been on the side of the angels … Still ...’

‘I can’t believe he’d ever betray his wife,’ insisted Thomas.

‘Of course not, but maybe unintentionally?’ his father suggested.

‘No … No, surely not.’

‘All right well … have you considered .…’ Kyt began tentatively

‘Considered?’

‘I’m reluctant to suggest it.’

‘Why?’ asked Thomas, bemused.

‘Son, how detached have you remained from this case, these people? The Cadabras?’

‘What do you mean? I’ve done things by the book, such as it is for something involving magic and witches and goodness knows what.’

‘Senara Cadabra saved your life, and you’ve been spending a lot of time with Amanda,’ Kyt pointed out gently, ‘Do you think …?’

‘I do see what you mean,’ Thomas replied calmly. ‘But I assure you I’ve maintained a strictly professional relationship with … with all of the Cadabras. What is it that you think I’m missing, Dad?’

‘Have you considered the possibility that it was Senara herself who tipped off the Flamgoynes? What better way to ensure the demise of the Cardiubarns without actually pulling the plug herself?’

‘I ... no …. no surely …’

Was it possible? Thomas wondered. From the beginning, she had toyed with him … even now … how much could he trust what she’d said? Or hadn’t said.

‘Just think about it,’ urged his father temperately.

‘Yes … of course.’

Thomas fell silent while he ate. After a moment he looked up and smiled.

‘Meanwhile … I would like you to pursue an avenue for me.’

Kyt was interested. ‘Oh yes?’

‘Assuming neither Senara nor Perran gave the game way, the question is, who was in Parhayle on the same day that Senara Cadabra had her meeting with her agent?’

‘After thirty years, I doubt many people would remember, even if they’d seen Senara.’

‘But what about taking it from the other end?’

‘The Flamgoyne end?’

‘Yes, if we assume it was one of them.’

‘I wasn’t in the loop then, son. I couldn’t help you there.’

‘But there is someone who is still around who was. The one Flamgoyne we have access to now. I think there was little or nothing that went on at Flamgoyne that he didn’t have some knowledge of. He may have seen or heard something about a family member or retainer who may have met with someone connected with Senara Cadabra.’

‘Someone who knew about the letters sent to the members of the Cardiubarn clan and their planned van journey?’

‘Yes.’

‘You’re welcome to approach Pasco any time, Thomas.’

‘Not me. I won’t have any clout with him.’

‘Ah … I see. Yes, your association with Amanda Cadabra, who is the last remaining Cardiubarn we know of, would certainly win you no favour with Pasco.’

‘Quite. And I’m just the Young Master. But you, as Miss Cadabra phrased it, are Arlodh now.’

‘”Lord”? Good grief, how feudal!’ Kyt remarked. ‘But “lord” of very recent date. I’m not sure Pasco would switch loyalties that quickly … All right. I suppose, if he knows anything, my spurious title is the only reason he’d tell me. Very well.’

‘Thanks Dad.’

‘I agree that it could be a fruitful line of enquiry but, Thomas … you’ll think about …’

‘The alternatives? Yes.’

‘Well, at least one thing’s clear,’ offered Kyt, breaking the sombre mood that seemed to have fallen upon his son. ‘I know now why you splashed out on a bottle of the 2016!’

The following day, after breakfast, Trelawney left for Parhayle police station, where he took a few minutes, before commencing work, to invite himself to dinner at Hogarth’s. He felt in need of a second opinion.

***

‘Hm. Perran?’ former Chief Inspector Michael Hogarth pondered, over Lamb Rogan Josh and basmati rice. He stretched long, brown-corduroy-covered legs towards the fire. ‘No, he’s a true-hearted Cornishman through and through. I don’t believe that he knew of his wife’s plot. Senara … she’s a tricky one … I wouldn’t like to say for sure.’

‘My father seemed to think that because Senara saved my life, my judgement of her could be clouded.’

‘Is it?’

‘Perhaps it has been. A little. Without my realising it. All right. Senara Cadabra is on the suspect list.’

‘I hesitate to say this.’ Trelawney thought Mike sounded perilously like his father. He wondered what could be coming next. ‘I don’t want your loyalties to be divided.’

‘They’ve been divided since I was 12, and my parents divorced. I’m pretty good at keeping more than one loyalty plate spinning.’

‘Very well, Thomas. There was someone else who had links to both clans at the time of the incident.’

Thomas shook his head in mystification.

‘Someone,’ continued Hogarth, ‘connected to the Flamgoyne clan who knew Senara.’

Trelawney frowned. ‘You can’t be serious.’

‘If you’re going to be detached …’

‘He only went to Senara to protect me from the Flamgoynes! I can’t believe my father … Why would she tell him about the letters and her plan anyway?’

‘I can think of no reason,’ replied Hogarth frankly. ‘Simply that it is a connection.’

Trelawney moved his tray, loaded with Chicken Tikka Masala, got up, walked about the room, then sat down again. It always helped him to reset his mind. ‘All right. Let me look at this as if it were a new case. Who are the players? What are the facts? What do we know and how?’

‘Go on,’ his former boss encouraged him.

‘The Cardiubarns in the van that day on that road, here in Cornwall, were killed by toxic gas. Senara Cadabra, even though she was back in Sunken Madley, knew they would be on the road that day because she arranged it. We have