Murder at the Rocks Read Online Free PDF Page A

agree?’
    ‘Heavens, no.  I think I can see why my father detested the man.’  Nicholas paused.  ‘I’ve often wondered what happened between those two and now I think it must have been because Laurence is so impossible to deal with.’
    ‘Perhaps.  You may never find out for sure now your Dad’s gone.’
    ‘Unless he’s explained it all in here.’  Nicholas held up the letter.  ‘Would you mind?’
    ‘No, go right ahead.  I’ll get another drink.’
    ‘As Piers left the table, Nicholas opened the envelope and took out a single sheet of his father’s embossed writing paper.  He unfolded it and ran his eyes over his father’s familiar script before reading.
     
    Dear Nicholas,
    I am writing this letter in the event that we are unable to speak again before my death.  I want you to know that our estrangement has brought me much anguish and regret.  With this in mind, I wish to apologise for my unbending and oppressive ways of the past, and hope that you will forgive me.  All I can say in my defence is that I always wanted the best for you.
    This brings me to the second reason for writing.  As I have always planned, my entire estate is left to you including my controlling shares in Brayshaw’s.  In so doing, I realise the problems you are likely to face with respect to my brother, Laurence, and for this, I apologise.  I do have one request however - that you take over management of Brayshaw’s for one year.  If at the end of that time, you choose to sell your controlling interest, you have my full agreement.  I only ask that you do not sell to my brother, Laurence.
    Although we have never spoken of it, Nicholas, you are, I know, aware of the rift that exists between Laurence and me.  The reason for it, I am not at liberty to divulge.  I am also aware that my brother may choose to contest my will, and in the event of this happening, he has been made aware of the consequences.  I am confident that it will be enough to dissuade him.
    Finally, Nicholas, I want to wish you every success in your endeavours whatever they might be and only wish I had been wise enough to foster them while I had the chance.
    Every best wish and love,
    Edward
     
    Nicholas sat back in his chair as Piers LaSalle returned to the table.  ‘Any the wiser?’ he said, placing his glass on the table and sitting down.
    Stunned as well as pleased at his father’s openness, Nicholas hesitated for a moment before answering.  ‘No, although, I get the feeling from this letter that it wasn’t as simple as I thought.  Dad mentions their estrangement, but says he’s not at liberty to give the reason.’  Nicholas looked down at the letter.  ‘Then he goes on to say that he’s put a deterrent in place that, he believes, will discourage Laurence from contesting the will.  I wonder what it was because obviously, it didn’t work.’
     

CHAPTER 5
     
     
    Alistair Fitzjohn rose in the pre-dawn and made his way down the garden path to the greenhouse, his faded blue jumper and corduroy trousers no defence against the chill of the early hour.  Opening the glass door, he stepped inside to be met by row upon row of orchid plants standing like shadowy sentinels.  He flicked the light switch and at the same time turned on the CD player he kept on the shelf beside the door.  This morning, Nessun dorma, from the final act of Puccini’s opera, Turandot , filled the air.  The orchids, a legacy left by his late wife, Edith, and at first a burden, had since become a source of enjoyment to Fitzjohn.  Especially, since Edith’s membership in the North Sydney Orchid Society had passed to him, their monthly benching competitions sparking his competitive spirit.  It helped to still the memories.  But it did not stop his sister, Meg, with her consistent interference and her quest to help him through his grief.  Her last letter, in its usual pale green envelope, he had left unopened.
     
    By dawn, Detective Chief Inspector Alistair