The Burlington Manor Affair

As the court dispersed Rex approached the prosecution barrister.

“Mr. Carruthers.” The barrister nodded at him as he put his file into a briefcase.

“I was under the impression that all three would be held?”

“The defense played on the youngest defendant’s lack of knowledge.” The barrister studied Rex as he spoke. “Do you think he’ll attempt to skip bail?”

“I’m more concerned that he’ll try to see through what his mother set in motion. How quickly can I get a restraining order in place?”

“You’re concerned for your safety?”

“Not mine. Carmen Shelby’s.”

The barrister nodded. “Of course. Let’s take this to one of the meeting rooms and I’ll advise you how to proceed.”

* * *

WHEN REX EVENTUALLY emerged from the courts, his mood hadn’t lightened. He needed Carmen’s agreement to proceed with a restraining order. He already had a reason to contact her, but he wanted that meeting to be kept as simple as possible. He couldn’t take any risks. The sooner the restraining order was in place, the better.

He made his way quickly to the nearby car park, reaching into his pocket for his keys as he walked through the entrance. As he did, a figure emerged from the shadows inside.

It was Jason.

Rex cursed audibly, then pressed on. “So the old guy sprung bail for you,” he stated as he strode past him. “Who is he, your grandfather?”

“My uncle.” Jason hastened behind. “Please, Rex, can I speak with you?”

Rex paused and ground his jaw, his mind working fast. He wanted to thump the guy and tell him to get lost, but he also knew he had to tread carefully. “Go ahead, talk. I’m happy for you to add ‘attempts to influence a witness’ to your case.”

“That’s not what I want to do.” Warily he met Rex’s stare. “I don’t blame you for thinking badly of me. I just wanted you to know that when I first went to Burlington Manor, there was no malicious intent.”

“Why should that even matter to me, given the end result?”

“I just want you to know, because it matters to me...what you think.”

Rex’s irritation grew. The lad was attempting to appeal to him, to gain sympathy. That wasn’t going to happen. He didn’t care what their individual motives were, but he bit his words back. The man was panicking; he might let something useful slip. “Convince me.”

“I wanted to see him again. That was all it was. He used to visit us. When we were kids he came once a week. We had a dad and we didn’t feel any different than the other kids. Then he stopped coming. I’m not sure of the timing.” The lad’s discomfort was tangible. “I’m told it was after he married his second wife.”

“That fits.” Rex was determined not to feel sympathy for the guy, but there was something there that he related to—being cut out when his father changed direction. “It’s no excuse for attempted murder.”

“I know that, and that wasn’t why I went there. I just wanted to know him again. I spent time in the village looking for work. Bill took some convincing because I wasn’t local, but then he gave me a chance. I enjoyed working with Bill, and I didn’t see much of Dad, but when I did, I felt sorry for him.”

“Why?”

“He was lonely.”

“He was surrounded by people, staff, whoever he wanted.”

Jason shook his head. “No. Not really. It was awful to see.” Jason eyeballed him briefly before looking away. “He was one lonely old man.”

“He made it that way,” Rex replied angrily.

“I know that. Even if I hadn’t experienced it firsthand, I know he abandoned people when they didn’t fit his master plan.”

It shook Rex, because it was a truth they shared.

“The staff said stuff,” Jason continued. “I couldn’t help hearing it. Bill Amery never stopped talking about what had gone on there in the past.”