A Parisian Murder: A 1920s Historical Mystery (Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries Book 14) by Colette Clark

Author:Colette Clark [Clark, Colette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

With nothing more to glean from David, Basile escorted Penelope back down to the street. The sun was setting lower in the sky by then. It cast long shadows that seemed to taunt her, as though reminding her that the clock was ticking. She wondered if Richard was back at the hotel yet.

“I am sorry to hear about your fiancé,” Basile said, giving her a sympathetic look.

She flashed a brief smile. “It certainly isn’t your fault. I suppose it isn’t Davy’s either.” She hadn’t completely written him off. He had no alibi, after all.

Basile could easily read through her reassurances. “I do not think David did it. He does not have a killer’s heart.”

“And yet, he willingly went to war.”

“To escape, that is all. I suspect he was hoping….” A troubled look came to his eyes, and he didn’t finish that sentence.

“You think he had a death wish?”

“Death is never the answer. That includes causing it. I do hope it was not Richard who killed Freddy.”

“It wasn’t,” she said curtly but insistently.

“In which case, I do hope you find who did it.”

“I shall.” This was uttered with less confidence.

Basile took both her hands. Even though she could see his also had a bit of yellow paint on them, the way he gently squeezed hers was surprisingly comforting. Any bit of human touch was welcome at that point.

“I believe you will, then, Penelope.” He leaned in to kiss her on both cheeks, then he let go of her hands.

As he was turning to go inside, she thought of one last question she wished she had thought of earlier. “How did Freddy know about David and his, er, proclivities?”

Basile smiled in understanding, and then a cloud settled over his expression. “It was Christopher O’Brien.”

Penelope’s brow shot up in surprise. “He and David were⁠—?

Basile quickly shook his head. “It was terribly one-sided, I fear. David did not take his death very well.”

She tilted her head in thought. “I’ve been told that Freddy liked to tease Chris.”

“He liked to tease everyone. Chris was…how do you say it? Easy to target?”

“Vulnerable?”

“Oui, I suppose that is it. All artists are in the beginning. Christopher did not take the criticism of his first novel well.”

Penelope nodded. “Vera told me. I think she still feels guilty about it.”

“She was not the reason for Chris killing himself. She was just the start, I suppose? Christopher was handsome and very easy to like. That was another reason Freddy liked to tease him.”

“He was jealous?”

“Quite. More importantly, there were rumors that he and Celia had a relationship. That would have never ended well, of course. Cici is a siren with too many suitors. He was quite in love with her. I believe she liked his…simplicity? The combination of Vera, Arthur, Freddy, Cici, and the anguish writers seem to suffer so often….” He tilted his head as though the conclusion was obvious.

“So there are those who think Freddy was partially responsible?”

A small smile touched Basile’s lips. “Very many did. But why kill him now? Christopher has been dead many months.

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