Death Plays a Part (Cornish Castle Mystery, Book 1) by Conroy Vivian

Author:Conroy, Vivian [Conroy, Vivian]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2017-07-07T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

When they came into the castle’s yard, angry voices were echoing off the high walls around them. Bolingbrooke stood on the steps in front of the castle’s entry door, looking down on LeFevre, who hovered at the foot of the steps like a peasant begging for a friendly hearing.

Bolingbrooke bellowed, ‘I gave you my statement last night. I have nothing to add.’

LeFevre countered, ‘Do you really want me to arrest you?’

‘That’s the only way I’m coming.’

Oliver approached quickly and said to his father, ‘Just go with the inspector. You don’t want to be dragged out of your own castle in handcuffs, do you? I’ll call a lawyer to come to the station, to meet you there. It can’t hurt to answer some more questions.’

‘You think so? It seems he’s tightening the net around me without looking at other possibilities.’

‘I did look at other possibilities,’ LeFevre said in an even tone. ‘I’ve examined whether it is possible to stab Haydock through the air hole. But it doesn’t fit. The post-mortem also confirmed that the stab wound was delivered from close proximity, probably while the attacker and the victim were face to face. The stab even had a slight upward slant as if the attacker held the knife beside him or her and then lashed out, pushing it into the victim’s body. Probably even while the victim was sitting on that chair. So it can’t have been done through the air hole.’

‘Then somebody managed to get into the cage after I left,’ Bolingbrooke said. ‘He might have tampered with the lock.’

‘Someone might be able to open it after you locked it, with some tool, yes, but how did he or she lock it again without access to the key? And you’re certain you had it on your person all of the time. You’re the prime suspect, and I can’t give you preferential treatment.’

‘Preferential treatment?’ Bolingbrooke roared. ‘Did I ask for any?’

‘No, but when I was at Haydock’s office this morning, the secretary asked me when you’d be arrested, suggesting we’re waiting because you own the castle. Because you have a title and are well known around these parts.’

‘The murder happened only the other day,’ Oliver said. ‘People must understand you need time to investigate.’

LeFevre shook his head. ‘If the evidence so clearly points in one direction – means, motive, opportunity all aligned – I have to act now. Besides, even if it’s just one person thinking that we’re waiting with the arrest because of a title or money, I mind. I want your father down at the station for questioning right this instant.’

‘Then he should come,’ Oliver said.

Bolingbrooke glared at him. ‘My own son! Delivering me into the hands of the police like I’m a common criminal.’

‘I want to prove your innocence,’ Oliver said. ‘I just said I’ll call a lawyer and …’

‘I can speak for myself.’

‘No, you’ll just make it worse.’

Bolingbrooke didn’t seem to be listening any more. He turned away. ‘I’ll get dressed. I want to look my best in case some journalist is around to snap a shot of me.

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