A Shot From The Blue by EM Bolton

Author:EM Bolton [Bolton, EM]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“Now, you will find not all people are as accommodating of questioning as Dr Walsham and Mr Marchant,” Lady Marshcombe said as she led Cora down a short upstairs corridor to a narrow doorway set just beyond her own room. “And if the inspector has already got to this one before me, I suspect his already considerable defences will be further reinforced against any questioning from me.” She rapped the end of her cane against the top of the door. “So I shall have to try a different approach here.”

The door cracked open to reveal the dark features of Nico Costa, set in a firm scowl. “Yes,” he snapped. “Can I help you? I am a busy man.”

Lady Marshcombe pushed the door further ajar with her cane, stepping in before Nico could respond. “We are all busy, Mr Costa, but unfortunately murder does not clock in or out. I would have a moment of your time.”

Nico stepped back reluctantly to let her pass, Cora giving an apologetic nod as she moved in behind her. “I have given enough of my time to that inspector,” he said. “And he at least had some authority to ask it of me. Why should I talk to you?”

“You’re Italian,” Lady Marshcombe said, taking an uninvited seat on an embroidered armchair beside the window.

“Yes? What of it?” Nico said. “Is it a crime to be Italian?”

“No,” Lady Marshcombe said. “But it is a distinct disadvantage for you, in the present circumstance, that you are not English.”

“Explain yourself,” Nico snapped.

“If you have spoken to the inspector, and if you have any sense of a man’s measure, you might understand that his abilities run somewhat behind his own opinion of them. However, he is a man who gets results. Whatever results he feels are necessary.”

Nico shook his head. “I don’t understand what–”

“What I am saying, Mr Costa,” Lady Marshcombe cut in firmly, “is that this is a very high-profile case. Mr Goldhammer was a man of influence. It will not sit well with other men of influence if his killer is allowed to walk away without consequence. And Inspector Latimer is always conscious to give his superiors what they demand of him, however that is done.”

“You think he will try to pin this on me?”

Lady Marshcombe raised a single brow. “He will not try to pin it on a respectable Member of Parliament, nor a well-thought of doctor, nor the estimable Lady Pordon nor a charming young lady with connections to one of England’s great families. I should imagine he would be looking at the servants, first and foremost. Should none of those prove suitable, his gaze might swiftly move to a man with few friends and no family in this country. A man who would have no-one petitioning for his innocence, who few of the better people in this charming corner of England would shed a tear for, should he meet swift and final justice – merited or otherwise.”

Nico turned his lip in a snarl. “He wouldn’t dare.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.