A Murderous Christmas: A cosy twisting seasonal British murder mystery (Detective Tom Blake Book 6) by J. F. Burgess

Author:J. F. Burgess [Burgess, J. F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

Blake and Isabel entered the Warner Room to find a subdued Lord and Lady Bainbridge sitting opposite each other on the armchairs facing the roaring fire. Bainbridge had a cut-glass tumbler in his hand containing a three-finger slug of whisky. Edith sipped a large glass of red wine. Both were unnaturally quiet: the shock of their gardener’s death, no doubt.

‘Where’s Maria and Cook, Gerald?’ Blake asked pointedly.

Gripping his glass, Bainbridge said, ‘I sent them about their duties; we can't have staff hanging about doing nothing, especially at a time like this. Idle hands and all that?’

‘Do you have any news on Archie?’ Lady Bainbridge asked nervously.

Blake scrutinised the pair of them and then nodded to Isabel to sit on the Chesterfield opposite. He wanted every utterance recorded; even if it was done without their knowledge.

‘Archie is still missing, as you well know. Isabel and I have found evidence in his room which suggests to us he may have confronted you about your family secrets,’ Blake said, dropping the bomb.

Bainbridge made a sudden movement. ‘What the bloody hell are you banging on about, Inspector?’

Blake produced the letter, slipped his glasses on and read it out loud.

Lord Bainbridge’s complexion turned a ghostly white, and he exchanged a guarded look with his wife. There was dead silence for a minute. Both of them appeared in a state of shock.

Blake continued, ‘Cecil was your father and Hugo your older brother, Gerald?’

‘Surely you’re not implying that my husband’s father was party to this absurd charade, Inspector? I don't know where Archie acquired this poison pen letter from, but there isn't a semblance of truth in it.’

‘Bloody defamation and scandalous lies, the whole thing,’ Bainbridge said furiously.

‘If that's the case, please provide a credible explanation for Archie's actions. This Beatrice woman was pregnant with my uncle's unborn child and, within twenty-four hours of Archie arriving at Larkstone Manor, your gardener is dead and Archie is missing; clearly something is going on here, Gerald. You do realise, if we weren't stranded by the snow, I’d be formally interviewing everyone in this household under caution; do I make myself clear?’

Bainbridge gulped the rest of his whisky. ‘Bloody crystal clear,’ he said, proffering up his empty tumbler.

‘Good. Now I realise this happened a long time ago, but do you have any knowledge of the events that led up to Beatrice's letter? Because if you do, and don't disclose it, you could be charged with perverting the course of justice, which carries a hefty sentence,’ Blake warned him.

‘You don't have any proof these events took place and, besides, you are off duty, Inspector,’ Bainbridge said, cocksure of himself.

Lady Bainbridge interrupted. ‘My husband is right, we invite you into our home and you repay us with scandalous accusations. If the telephone was working, we'd be on to our lawyer, pronto,’ she said caustically.

‘I understand this has come as a shock, but surely it’s better you tell the truth now and save any scandal in the newspapers later down the line?’

Lord Bainbridge jumped out of his chair.

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