Straw in the Wind by Janet Woods

returned, ‘Celia is just about to be taken on a conducted tour of the emporium by Marianne so there is no need to hurry.’
    The young man listened without interruption as Erasmus briefly outlined the problem. It was hard to find the right words. When he did, stating them left a raw, aching void in his stomach, as if he’d ripped flesh from flesh.
    â€˜So you want me to find out if the girl is alive or dead?’
    He shrugged. ‘Aye, that’s about it.’
    â€˜After all these years, why do you want this?’
    â€˜Marianne wants it. She’s convinced that her sister is alive.’
    There was a sceptical look in Adam’s grey eyes. ‘So, you’re doing it for Marianne. Trying to prove her wrong, perhaps?’
    â€˜Hell, no! I’m hoping she’ll be proved right and that George Honeyman . . . well, never mind.’
    Chapman didn’t seem to notice his slip. ‘Why then?’
    â€˜Damn it man, why do you bloody well think? I loved her mother. If the infant was my daughter and she’s still alive I might be able to do something for her.’
    They strolled down High Street, Adam apparently deep in thought. Then he said, ‘You mentioned George Honeyman?’
    â€˜Did I?’
    â€˜You know you did. If there’s anything further I need to know tell me, otherwise we’re both wasting our time.’
    Erasmus hesitated. ‘George was drunk at the time, and it would split the family apart if they found out.’
    â€˜You’ve trusted me with this story so far, and I must know that I have your absolute honesty before I decide whether or not to involve myself in this. I’m discreet, and your secret will be safe in my hands.’
    â€˜George told me that the infant had looked like a Thornton, and he’d smothered her with a pillow.’
    Breath hissed between Adam’s teeth.
    â€˜After he told me that I began to wonder, and I couldn’t get the thought out of my head . . . did he kill his wife, as well?’
    â€˜And you didn’t relate your suspicions to anyone in authority?’
    â€˜I’d already done George enough damage, and I’m not in the habit of kicking a dog when it’s down. I could have broken him entirely, but it wouldn’t have made me feel better about myself or bring Caroline back. Then, there were the girls. Who would have looked after them? George was a bully and an indifferent father, but he was better than nothing. I kept a roof over their heads for all those years when he was drinking himself to death.’
    â€˜You owned their house?’
    â€˜And the business. I won the deeds in a poker game. George was reckless and going downhill fast. Better me than someone who would have sold the place from under them.’
    â€˜If George told you he killed the infant, why do you believe differently now?’
    â€˜I have no strong belief that she is alive, but if she is then my fears will prove to be unfounded. George wouldn’t have killed Caroline and left the baby alive.’
    â€˜Therefore your reasoning is that if the child is still alive, Caroline Honeyman is more likely to have died a natural death giving birth to it.’
    â€˜That’s my drift.’
    Chapman frowned as his direct gaze engaged the brown eyes of Erasmus, and Erasmus found it hard to look away. His voice was quiet, but just as direct. ‘There’s something you’re not telling me.’
    Erasmus gave a faintly, self-mocking smile, yet the hairs on the nape of his neck raised when he admitted, ‘Only because I’m superstitious and because it would be of no use to you, Mr Chapman.’
    â€˜Allow me to decide that.’
    He hesitated for just a moment then he sighed. ‘Marianne heard a whisper in the wind coming off the heath, and it told her the girl’s name.’
    â€˜And you don’t believe it was a figment of her imagination.’
    â€˜I believe Marianne when she