A Silent Way to Die by N. R. Daws

Author:N. R. Daws [Daws, N. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Police Procedural
ISBN: 9781542031059
Google: OBaTzgEACAAJ
Publisher: THOMAS & MERCER
Published: 2022-04-26T06:11:18.501815+00:00

Sergeant Wright looked to see who had knocked on his office door and felt a warmth rise in his cheeks when he saw a woman in her mid-forties standing in the doorway.

‘Gladys,’ Wright said, surprised to see her. He knew they were alone but still he looked around in case. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘That’s a nice welcome,’ she said. ‘Aren’t you pleased to see me?’

Gladys Finch, who Wright thought had lost none of her teenage looks, stepped into the room. She undid the top button of her thick coat but left her crocheted cloche hat in place. Despite all public protestations to the contrary, Wright had been sweet on Gladys for over a year. Knowing his feelings had started to be reciprocated made it no easier for him to relax and he always felt awkward in her company.

‘I am. Of course, I am,’ Wright said, regaining some of his composure. ‘But I’m on duty.’

‘You’re a policeman, Dennis.’ She smiled. ‘You’re always on duty.’

‘Aye, true enou—’

Wright swallowed as Gladys took a step forward and he realised his desk was the furthest he could retreat to. She came close enough for him to smell her floral perfume.

‘Don’t look so scared, Dennis, I won’t eat you. I thought I’d bring you a little something.’ She took half a step away and held out a small package. ‘I know you love my bread pudding.’

Despite the waxed-paper wrapping, Wright fancied he could smell the spiced fruit and his stomach growled.

‘Ah, well,’ Wright managed. ‘Thank you.’

He reached for the package but Gladys put her other hand on his, trapping it there.

‘I’ve got to get on but I’ll see you this evening,’ she said. ‘In the Castle, perhaps?’

Wright felt his cheeks warming again.

‘I don’t know, Gladys. We’ve got a big case on at the moment and the inspector needs me.’

‘I’m sure he could spare you for one small drink.’

‘Cooee,’ came a call from the hallway and Wright pulled his hand away as if given an electric shock.

Ethel Garner appeared in the doorway and eyed them suspiciously, her jaw set and mouth pressed into a thin line as if she had recently chewed an unripe gooseberry.

‘Hello, Gladys. I thought I saw you come in here,’ Ethel said, clutching her shopping bag to her chest. ‘Something wrong?’

‘Not at all.’ Gladys smiled. ‘My Dennis needs to keep his strength up so I thought I’d bring him some of my bread pudding.’

‘Yes, well,’ Ethel said, with a curl of her lip. ‘When I saw the closed sign on your tea-shop door and you slinking in here, I thought I’d better see what’s what.’

‘And what is it?’ Gladys teased.

‘What? Oh – well, what you get up to, outside of work, is your own affair but I was wanting a piece myself.’

Gladys smirked.

‘Of bread pudding,’ Ethel emphasised, frowning indignantly. ‘Are you going to give him that then?’

Gladys handed Wright the waxed-paper package with a smile. ‘See you later, Dennis.’ She eased past Ethel and left with a goodbye flutter of her fingers. Wright sighed with relief and put the package in a drawer in his desk.

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