‘Even though you must have suspected it was one of those directors who was responsible for his untimely death,’ said William pointedly.
‘We considered that possibility,’ said Flora. ‘But as Fraser’s personal physician had already signed the death certificate confirming he had died of a heart attack, the family, and Mrs Buchanan in particular, decided we should carry out his final wishes rather than face a long investigation by the police. One that would have given the press enough ammunition to cause irreparable damage to the company’s reputation – the last thing Fraser would have wanted.’
‘I would suggest the last thing he would have wanted was to see his son punished for the crime he had committed.’
‘I can understand how you must feel, Chief Inspector,’ said Flora. ‘So you may be interested to know that among the other decisions the board took was to sack Hamish as a director and cut him adrift.’
‘To somehow survive on a vast inheritance,’ said William bitterly.
‘Unfortunately not,’ said the chairman. ‘The only thing his father left him, as he will discover when the will is read later today, is a compass, a metaphor I’m sure you will appreciate.’
‘And the good doctor?’
‘Resigned before he could be sacked. I will also personally make sure he won’t be employed by anyone who asks us for a reference.’
As Flora turned to leave, William asked quietly, ‘When did you discover the truth?’
‘Young James is a great admirer of yours, Chief Inspector, as I’m sure you’re aware. However, after a little coaxing he couldn’t resist letting me know how you were able to prove that my brother didn’t die of a heart attack.’
William should have realized that, in the end, blood is always thicker than water. In this case, sea water.
‘Don’t blame the boy,’ said Flora. ‘We’ve all learnt a great deal about ourselves on this journey.’
‘What did you learn?’
‘That given time, James will make an outstanding chairman of the Pilgrim Line. Which is exactly what his grandfather, may he rest in peace, would have wanted.’
? ? ?
William returned to his cabin and crept back into bed, relieved to find Beth fast asleep. He was woken a few hours later by a light tap on the door.
Beth, who was already dressed, opened the door to be greeted by a young ensign. He saluted and said, ‘Good morning, ma’am. The commodore wondered if you and Chief Inspector Warwick would care to join him on the bridge at around ten o’clock, when we will be sailing into New York harbour.’
‘You bet,’ said Beth, unable to hide her excitement. ‘How kind of him.’
William sat up in bed, and was about to protest when he saw the look on Beth’s face.
? ? ?
‘You’re a shameless hussy,’ said William, as he came out of the bathroom to see his wife looking at herself in the mirror.
‘I know,’ said Beth, ‘but I couldn’t resist it.’
‘How much?’ asked William, who despite himself couldn’t help admiring the necklace he’d last seen displayed in the gift shop window.
‘Nine hundred and ninety-five pounds,’ said Beth without any suggestion of shame.
‘And what did I get with the five pounds left over? A Rolex Submariner perhaps, or an eighteen-carat-gold eternity ring?’
‘I’m afraid not. All they could manage was a pair of plastic collar stiffeners, top of the range, the sales assistant assured me. I considered the necklace a small compensation for a woman whose husband had deserted her during the day and then disappeared in the middle of the night,’ Beth said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
‘That doesn’t stop you being a shameless hussy.’
‘And where did you go in the middle of the night?’
‘To witness Fraser Buchanan’s burial at sea.’
‘But I thought—’
‘So did I.’
‘How clever of them,’ said Beth, as William pushed a collar stiffener into his shirt. ‘That way there’ll be no autopsy, no trial and no adverse publicity.’
‘And no justice,’ said William.
There was a knock on the door, and Beth opened it to find the young ensign had returned. ‘The commodore asked me to accompany you and your husband to the bridge, ma’am.’
‘Thank you,’ said Beth, as she linked arms with the ensign, leaving William to grab his jacket and close the door before catching up with them.