A Murder Mystery Cruise (A Rachel Prince Mystery Book 8) by Dawn Brookes

Author:Dawn Brookes [Brookes, Dawn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oakwood Publishing
Published: 2021-01-30T22:00:00+00:00

16

Waverley remained convinced Leanne Bates was the perpetrator. She had both motive and opportunity.

“We just need to narrow it down to the means,” he said to Jason. “Her husband was into drugs, and she knew about it. Who’s to say she didn’t brush up on poisoning? It’s easy enough to do nowadays. She also had access to the script and would be familiar with her husband’s health problems. It’s got to be her, Goodridge. We have to focus on her for now.”

“What about Demos Benedict, sir? Lady Marjorie says he resented not getting the assistant manager’s job because Ms Slade went back on her word. He could have thought he’d be in with a chance of promotion again with Bates out of the way.”

“The trouble is, it’s a weak motive over some two-bit job opportunity that probably wouldn’t pay that well, isn’t it?”

“With him, it’s all about the kudos he’d be able to present to the world. Or more importantly, his female fan club.” Jason scowled, remembering what Krystal had told him about Benedict preying on rich women.

“Okay. Why don’t you meet up with the Brewer woman again and find out what else she can tell you about the man? As far as I can tell from what we’ve found out – and it appears Rachel and Lady Marjorie concur – none of the others are in the frame. It’s either Mrs Bates or Demos Benedict, until proven otherwise.”

Jason looked at the notes on his tablet. “I don’t remember you mentioning Nellie Hurst earlier, and neither Rachel nor Lady Marjorie got to speak to her.”

“Mm, hang on, let me check.” Waverley pulled a notebook from his pocket. He didn’t use tablets – didn’t trust them, he said – only a notebook or PC on his desk. “Ah yes. She’s Myra’s cousin. They’re not close, but she’s Myra’s next of kin on paper, although she’s older so unlikely to inherit.” He read from his notes. “Made no secret of disapproving of Dudley Bates’s relationship with Myra, but then, who would approve? I quite liked her: a straight talker, no messing, a bit harsh and doesn’t like Leanne, I’ve written here. I asked what she thought would happen to the business if Cody married her cousin and she laughed, saying his mother would see to it there was no marriage.”

“She could have been worried Myra might get back with Bates, though,” Jason postulated.

“Not likely, and even if she did, it wouldn’t affect her job. As I said, she’s older and is unlikely to inherit if things go according to the natural way of things. Nellie told me quite openly she didn’t really like Bates and the relationship had been a mistake. If it had been Myra who was killed, we’d be inundated with suspects, but it wasn’t. You’ve seen the background checks, I take it?”

“Yes, sir. Nothing comes up for Nellie. History of being a sought-after actress in her twenties, out of work when she hit fifty and working for her cousin since the Murder Mystery Creations started.

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