Read Online Murder at the Rocks by Jill Paterson - Free Book Online Page B

father’s letter and read it once again, its words still baffling him.  What had caused the rift between his father and Laurence, and what was the deterrent his father spoke of?  Furthermore, why make a secret of it?  Nicholas’s mind turned to his aunt, Julia Harford.  How long was it since he had seen her?  Thirty or so years.  They hardly knew each other.  Even so, she would be in a state of shock at the news of Laurence’s death.  With this in mind, he rose from the chair.  As he did so, his eyes fell on the green velvet case containing the locket.  Would his aunt recall the locket?  Picking the case up, he grabbed his jacket and made his way out to the garage where he climbed into his father’s Audi.  Moments later, he pulled out into the back laneway.
     
    Nicholas slowed the car as he turned onto Pacific Street in Watsons Bay before pulling over to the curb.  His eyes took in the house with its white, stone facade, bordered by tall wrought iron railings.  The last time he had been here was the day of his mother’s funeral, only months after he had been sent away to school in Melbourne.  A bleak winter’s day as he remembered, and a lifetime away.  Nicholas sighed and climbed out of the car.  At the gate, he pressed the intercom button and waited.
    ‘Can I help you?’
    ‘Yes.  I’m here to see Mrs Harford.  I’m her nephew, Nicholas Harford.’  A moments silence ensued before the gate released and Nicholas pushed it open to make his way through the garden toward the house.  The front door opened as he approached and a sombre looking man in his mid-fifties came into view, his face expressionless.
    ‘Please come in, sir.’  Nicholas stepped inside.  ‘If you’ll wait here, I’ll tell Madam of your arrival.’
    ‘Thank you…’
    ‘Mapsom, sir.’
    ‘Thanks, Mapsom.’
    When the butler left, Nicholas paced back and forth across the entrance hall until he heard Mapsom’s voice again.
    ‘Madam will see you now, sir.’
    Nicholas turned and followed the butler, his mind recalling the house with its twists and turns.  At the living room door, Mapsom gestured for him to enter.
    He had little recollection of Julia Harford, his only memory that of the day of his mother’s funeral when his aunt appeared dressed in black, her face covered by a veil that fell to her shoulders from a large brimmed hat.  A sense of surprise took hold as he saw her now standing at the mantelpiece on the opposite side of the room.
    ‘Aunt Julia.’
    A wide smile came to Julia Harford’s face her elegance unmistakable as she walked toward him.  ‘Nicholas.  It’s been a very long time.’  Dressed in black once again, her dark hair now flecked with wisps of grey, Julia looked past Nicholas toward the door.  ‘Mapsom, will you ask Phyllis to serve coffee, please.’
    ‘Yes, Madam.’
    ‘Come and sit down, Nicholas.’  Nicholas followed her across the room.  ‘I gather you’ve heard about Laurence.’
    ‘Yes.’  Nicholas paused, surprised by his Aunt’s composure.  ‘Is there anything I can do?’
    ‘Thank you, but no.’  Julia gestured for him to sit in one of the chairs opposite the sofa where she settled herself.  ‘You’ll have to excuse me.  I haven’t quite grasped what’s happened yet.’
    ‘It’s shock, Aunt Julia.  It’ll take a bit of time to pass.’
    Julia Harford smiled slightly.  ‘I think you misunderstand.  Your uncle and I weren’t close and I shan’t miss his presence in the least.  It’s just the manner in which he died.  Even he didn’t deserve that.’  She paused and glanced at Nicholas before continuing.  ‘I can see you’re shocked by what I’ve just said but I don’t apologise.  Laurence was a ruthless man even to his own flesh and blood.  He coveted your father’s wealth and he would have...’  She stopped speaking as the living room door opened and a middle-aged woman appeared carrying a tray.
    ‘Thank you, Phyllis.  You can