Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett

Author:Sara Rosett
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery, Cozy, Traditional Detectives, British Detectives, Thriller & Suspense, Amateur Sleuths
Publisher: Sara Rosett
Published: 2014-09-11T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“It’s a public place,” Alex said. “Nothing to be alarmed at.”

“I know, but there was something about the way the person moved. It was sneaky, as if they didn’t want to be seen.” I squinted into the shadows under the trees, but nothing moved.

“Probably a rambler,” Alex said.

“Then why aren’t they rambling? There’s definitely someone there—not moving. They’re hiding,” I said, my gaze caught on a patch of something shining red-gold in a narrow shaft of sunlight that had penetrated through the tree canopy. “We know you’re there. You can come out,” I called.

“Oh, all right.” It was a female voice with a British accent. Becca stepped from behind a tree trunk. “I always was rubbish at any sort of Girl Guide thing—anything to do with the outdoors, really.” As she moved up the little path to the clearing, Alex met her and extended his hand, pulling her up the last foot. “Thank you. Such strength.” She brushed her hand along Alex’s bicep.

Alex took a step back, but she moved with him, linking her fingers together around his arm. “So what are you two doing? Taking in a bit of the local scenery? Oh! Are you scouting this location? It would be wonderful for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy’s stroll, wouldn’t it?”

“No. We’re not,” I said. “Why are you here?” Normally, I’d go out of my way to keep the owner of a potential location happy, but I was tired of her affected manner, and I had that same feeling I’d had earlier in the day, that she was keeping something back.

“Oh, strolling. A, um, ramble, really.”

I crossed my arms. “You just said you don’t like the outdoors. I think the only touring of the countryside that you do is from the driver’s seat of your SUV.”

Becca didn’t seem to know what to do when flirting and/or teasing wasn’t the order of the day. She laughed, but it sounded forced. “What do you mean? I adore walks. I walk all the time. Just like dear Lizzy in Pride and Prejudice.”

“Interesting that you were ‘walking’ here in the exact spot where Kevin’s car went in the water. You know something about that day—something that you didn’t mention earlier, don’t you? You were going to say something when we told you about Kevin’s death, but you stopped yourself.”

“That’s absurd.”

“You’re overdoing the outraged tone,” I said. “Makes you seem even less believable.”

“Did you and Kevin talk about something else that you didn’t tell us about?”

She relaxed, and her voice sounded completely natural when she said, “No, of course not.”

“Did you see him again? Later?” Her eyes widened a touch, and I knew I was right. “That’s it. You saw him. It was here, right? It had to be here. Why else would you be here and not want anyone to see you? Why would you hide when we arrived?”

“Yes, I did see him again.” Becca’s voice was petulant. “He couldn’t drop Grove Cottage. I had to make him see that.”

I’d been so focused

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