Chapter 47
Chapter Forty-Seven
Mason glanced up at the assembled audience, who had fallen quiet again.
I spun around to look at Eliza beside me. Her eyes held a strange sort of contentment.
Mason took the opportunity to smirk at Alex. ‘He only ever robbed people associated with the Lapleys and the many acquaintances and dodgy associates of the family.’
‘And the money,’ called out a woman from the crowd in a sugar-pink chiffon scarf. ‘He donated that back to Port Starr?’
Another called out, ‘Aye, but he was a highwayman? Surely, he committed illegal acts?’
Mason lifted up Georgina’s diary, where all the robberies and money acquired were listed at the back.
‘It’s all carefully catalogued here in chronological order; dates, the individuals robbed, how much was taken from them and where it was donated.
He tried to support and help the poorer people of Port Starr.
The last thing Gideon wanted to do was punish or hurt them. That isn’t who he was.’
He scanned the donation list and began to speak again.
‘Gideon and Georgina made this money available to many of the very poor so they could learn the basics of reading and writing. They donated to the poorhouses in an attempt to provide the most vulnerable in our society with decent food and a comfortable bed to sleep in.’
I felt tears misting my eyes. It was a stunning turn of events. Georgina knew and even abetted her dashing lover.
Mason’s smile to the crowd carried admiration.
‘They even contributed to the local church, so that its leaky roof and damp could be attended to.’ He surveyed the faces staring up at him from the street.
‘Gideon Kelly and Georgina Lapley deserve our grateful thanks, not our scorn. I’m sure that those locals they helped over two hundred years ago would agree.
’ He raised the diary aloft and gave it a gentle wave.
‘This was Gideon’s way of exacting revenge on Augustus Lapley for his treatment of Georgina and Oscar. ’
There was a stunned silence, followed by gales of gasps and tinkles of shocked laughter. I stared up at the diary still held aloft in Mason’s hands.
The enquiring voice of David Telfer from Historic Heritage broke through my surprise. ‘So, is that blond man in the suit Alex Lapley?’
I nodded.
David’s lips pursed. He turned to me, his green eyes sparkling below thick, fair brows. ‘After I spoke to you that day on the phone, I did a bit of digging.’ He pointed to the microphone and spoke to Mason. ‘May I?’
Mason stepped to one side. ‘Be my guest.’
David, in a navy-blue shirt puffed out his chest and nervously introduced himself, before explaining about our discussion of the cottages attaining Listed Building status. He swivelled his attention to Alex. ‘I think I know why Mr Lapley here was so very keen to have Ms Summers’s business.’
Alex paled.
‘He put forward a proposal to turn the land the cottages are on into a highbrow museum.’
‘Whatever for?’ I puzzled.
David’s eyes bored into Alex as he squirmed on the spot. ‘He was spinning us at Historic Heritage a yarn or three that his ancestor Augustus was very active in the community and had donated a lot of money to worthy causes in the area – prior to his death.’
David frowned over at Alex as he spoke. ‘He said Augustus Lapley had all but been a local saint and that the Scarlet Highwayman had murdered him. He then suggested that as a tribute to what he had achieved – and the historical significance of the name here – we should invest not only in a museum dedicated to the family, but also in the Lapley estate – The Hawthorns, isn’t it?
’ David’s deep-set eyes glanced over at Eliza.
A bark of laughter escaped from me. ‘Oh, you are kidding!’
David’s frosty eyes narrowed. ‘From the information I’ve gathered so far, the Lapley finances are in an appalling state, thanks to dodgy deals and careless investments.’
‘So, this guy tried to make out the Augustus dude was some sort of do-gooder, in order to get cash?’ guffawed the taller of the two teenagers who continued to stare down Alex Lapley. ‘That’s low, mate.’
Mason let out a dry laugh. ‘No wonder he was so bloody fascinated with the whole story. He wanted to know all he could in order to pass off Augustus Lapley as the saviour of Port Starr’s poor and needy.’
Mason turned to the crowd. ‘That’s why he returned here. Alex Lapley and his father, Roger, are in dire financial straits. They must’ve been worried if they couldn’t continue contributing to McKerron Castle, Mrs Compton would then reveal the truth.’
I nodded in agreement. ‘And he didn’t care if it meant me losing my business, just so he could turn Port Starr into some sort of shrine to that crooked ancestor of his and pocket the proceeds.’
Eliza pinned Alex Lapley with a scornful glare.
Images of someone like Augustus being regarded as a dashing and moral hero made me fume.
David Telfer plucked a page of notes from his jacket pocket, his voice ringing out across the heads of the Port Starr locals. ‘You should pay more attention to the accreditation of so-called professionals, Mr Lapley.’
Alex set his shoulders in defiance. ‘What are you talking about? And who the hell are you, again?’
David introduced himself once more. ‘Our legal team at Historic Heritage have been looking into your affairs since Poppy flagged up her concerns to us.’
There were murmurings amongst the crowd.
‘And it transpires that Shadow Land Holdings was set up by your family solicitor, Richard Askew, is that right?’
Alex Lapley fidgeted with his tie. ‘Are you asking me or telling me?’
David Telfer looked triumphant. ‘I take it neither you nor the rest of the family knew that Mr Askew was struck off as a solicitor for harassment of a work colleague, around twenty years ago?’
I watched Alex’s chin jut further out from his face. ‘Yes, we did know about that unfortunate chain of events, but Richard was reinstated as a solicitor ten years ago.’
David shook his side-swept brown hair. ‘Did he tell you that, Mr Lapley? Because that isn’t true.’
There were excited gasps from the crowd. Mason and I stared at each other. David Telfer remained at the microphone just a few feet in front of us.
‘Mr Askew was never reinstated as a solicitor, because he never reapplied to have the decision re-examined.’
The two teenage boys who were keeping their wary eyes on Alex, gloated at him.
Alex’s face contorted into frustrated rage. ‘That’s a lie! That Summers lot have put you up to this.’
David regarded him with calm disdain. He glanced at Maisie, who gave him an encouraging nod and wide smile. He became more emboldened. ‘If you don’t believe me, I suggest you contact The Law Society for confirmation. I have a contact and telephone number I can give you.’
I watched with delight as David plucked a business card from the inside pocket of his jacket.
‘So this means that underhand clause you had put in the cottages contract years ago, the one stating that if any evidence were to come to light regarding the Scarlet Highwayman’s true identity or his innocence, you could lay claim again to the cottages—’ David grinned through a slash of white teeth ‘—well, it’s not legal, because Mr Askew was struck off at the time.
This was a renewal contract sent ten years ago.
’ He proceeded to fold his notes and stuff them back inside his jacket.
‘It isn’t worth the paper it’s written on – literally. ’
Alex erupted. ‘That sodding idiot! The conniving bastard! He took our money for nothing.’
My hands reached for Mason, and he furled his fingers around mine for a quick squeeze. It was over. The lies and deception that Alex Lapley had been involved in were unravelling around him.
I dashed towards David and planted a big kiss on his surprised cheek. ‘Thank you so much!’
David blushed and tried to brush off my gratitude. Then there was a commotion in the crowd.
Alex Lapley let out a hysterical moan, before making a desperate attempt to push past the two teenage boys. He elbowed the first lad to one side, but the other snatched his shoulder, restraining him in a vice-like grip.
Mason stepped down from the platform and approached a red-faced Alex. ‘Now you’ve got attempted fraud to add to your list of misdemeanours. I’m sure Augustus would be very proud.’
The two lads marched a wriggling Alex through the parting crowd until he was well away from the gathering to a chorus of juicy swear words and goading jeers.
‘Well, what now?’ breathed an elderly lady to her husband. ‘I don’t know if I can take any more excitement today.’
I watched the couple take off, deep in animated conversation, and then headed back towards Mason.
David Telfer was hovering close by and chose that moment to approach Maisie with a shy smile. ‘Is it always like this round here?’
Maisie afforded him a generous grin. ‘Why don’t I give you the Port Starr grand tour?’
‘Sounds very appealing,’ beamed David as they sauntered off together.
I was smiling at their retreating backs when there was a small tap on my shoulder.
It was Mason, his tie sexily askew.
I put on a serious expression. ‘Now that we’ve managed to rescue a man’s reputation, what else is left for us to do?’
Mason’s wicked grin was back. ‘Come with me, innocent Rapunzel, and let the Prince of Darkness show you.’
‘You really are a bit of a bad boy, aren’t you?’
‘It’s your challenge to find out.’
‘Sorry for interrupting,’ said Katie, cuddling up to Caleb. They looked at each other with soppy expressions. ‘But I just wanted to check that Aunty Poppy was okay after all that.’
It took a moment to process her words. ‘Aunty Poppy?’
Then I let out a squeal and hugged and kissed them both. Katie placed a protective hand across the slight curve of her tummy.
‘We’re expecting our own little Super Shark,’ beamed Caleb, who shook Mason’s outstretched hand and thanked him for his good wishes.
‘A new-year baby,’ glowed Katie, ‘and a new beginning for Port Starr, now that the truth’s finally out about the Scarlet Highwayman.’ She placed her hand on my shoulder. ‘Thanks to you two, that poor man’s good name has now been restored.’
Mason looked down at me, a soft expression in his silver eyes. ‘It’s Poppy who should be taking most of the credit. She never gave up on Gideon Kelly; not for one minute.’
I leaned into his solid shoulder and gazed up at the open expanse of sky that was now melting into patches of dappled sunlight.
I could finish my portrait of him now – finally; capture the dashing expression in his eyes and complete the sweep of his jaw.
Everything finally felt complete. At least both Gideon and Georgina could rest peacefully together, now that everyone knew the truth.
‘Let’s go and get you a sit-down and a cuppa for a few minutes,’ said Caleb to Katie.
I wished them congratulations again and watched them saunter off towards the deli. But then Caleb turned around and shouted, ‘Oh sis, it might come as no surprise to learn that Nanna Eve and Grandpa Oliver have decided to shorten their trip, so they can be home before the baby’s born in January.’
I snuggled into Mason and laughed. ‘That’s no surprise at all.’
As my brother and sister-in-law were swallowed up by other eager locals and tourists, keen for refreshments after the afternoon’s dramatic revelations, a thought sprang into my mind. ‘I wonder whatever happened to them all – Gideon, Georgina and Oscar – and what the future held for them?’
We too were about to wander off when Eliza Compton appeared.
‘Apologies, but I couldn’t help overhearing,’ she said. ‘If you’d like to know what became of them all, I think I might be able to help.’
Mason and I exchanged excited glances and drove her home as she requested.