A Spook in the Dark at Alnchurch Park: An English Seaside Small Town Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Shiraz Jones Marine Rescue Mysteries Book 5) by Simon Michael Prior

Author:Simon Michael Prior [Prior, Simon Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Cozy Cabin Press
Published: 2024-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“If Jennings was pinching Lady Dulvington’s jewellery, she wouldn’t wear it to visit her, would she?” said Emily.

“No, but maybe she’s coercing her into giving it to her. It seems odd that Stokes said jewellery’s going missing, and Jennings has a fine antique brooch.”

“I’m sure there’s an innocent explanation,” said Emily. “Maybe her own grandmother gave it to her?”

“Possibly. I think Lady Dulvington’s very lucid. So I’ll add Stokes’ remarks under general clues until we can corroborate them. Stokes might bear a grudge for some reason. Anything else about Lady Dulvington?”

“She’s quite brusque with her butler, but thinks incredibly highly of her maid,” said Emily.

“Hmm. I’ll note that down, but I’m not sure what relevance it has to identifying who’s the ghost.”

“Is this the way you usually conduct your investigations?” asked Sean. “It seems very thorough, whatever you’re investigating.”

“As an ex-policeman,” said Oscar, “my approach has always been to note everything down, however unlikely it seems, and begin crossing things out later. And, unless I’m mistaken, we’ll come onto the more unlikely candidates shortly.”

“Yes,” I said. “Let’s complete the human ones first. What do we know about the butler?”

“He’s been with the family all his life, and he’s very serious,” said Emily.

“Is that it?”

“Mr Stokes doesn’t have a high opinion of him, and each accuses the other of stealing Lady Dulvington’s jewellery,” said Oscar. “I wonder if the jewellery thefts have been reported to the police? I must make inquiries.”

“Next, Zoe Jennings,” I said. “A university student employed by Lady Dulvington as a maid-cum-companion.”

“The word I’d use to describe her is ‘bookish’,” said Emily. “She said she was studying engineering, majoring in something. Electronics?”

“Mechatronics,” said Sean. “I’m fairly sure that means engineering machines to perform tasks usually done by humans.”

“Like car assembly plants?” I asked.

“I suppose so. I don’t know much about it.”

“Their relationship seems to be much closer than employer and employee,” said Oscar. “Just an observation.”

“Then Stokes is the last human suspect we met,” I said. “He’s employed by Lady Dulvington as a gardener, and he seems to also perform general maintenance tasks, such as taking her Land Rover for servicing.”

“He was pretty rude about her,” said Emily. “In fact, he was pretty rude about everyone. Barrowman, Jennings and Lady Dulvington’s son.”

“Yes, the son,” said Oscar. “I can’t help but think he may have a more important part to play in this than we believe.”

“Really?” I said. “We haven’t met him, so what gives you that impression?”

“What do we know about him? He’s an alcoholic, always asking his mother for money. Stokes told us he only comes to see her when he wants funds, and he doesn’t seem to care much for her otherwise. Could he have created the ghost to frighten her away from Alnchurch Park? Maybe he’s hoping she’ll flee the estate in terror, and he’ll be able to sell it to fund his addiction?”

“But he’s terrified of ghosts,” said Emily, “since his experience with the circling footsteps in the lane outside.”

“He says he’s terrified of ghosts.

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