Death on Clevedon Beach: An absolutely addictive English cozy mystery novel (A Sukey Reynolds Mystery Book 10) by Betty Rowlands

Author:Betty Rowlands [Rowlands, Betty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781838880859
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2019-09-16T16:00:00+00:00

When they reported for duty the following morning, Sukey and Vicky were greeted by a glum-looking DS Rathbone with the news that the surveillance team, put together at short notice and with some difficulty to observe fourteen Tyndale Gardens, reported that there had been no sign whatsoever of suspicious activity.

‘Either the villains have been scared off or somehow they’ve found out Mayhew’s dead,’ he said morosely. ‘I moved heaven and earth to get that team set up at short notice and they’ve had a wasted weekend – my name’ll be mud in certain quarters.’

In the hope of lightening his mood, Sukey took the opportunity of telling him about her conversation with Fergus, but his reaction was dismissive.

‘Sukey, you’re like a dog with a bone,’ he said. ‘Just drop it, will you?’

‘But surely it’s worth at least a quick check of the Oriental Garden employees,’ she pleaded. ‘It wouldn’t take long. After all, we haven’t got that many leads.’

‘Don’t remind me. All right, I’ll mention it to the SIO,’ he said grudgingly.

‘And what about this stuff about a computer programme to analyse behavioural patterns? Have you heard anything about it?’

He shook his head. ‘Can’t say I have. It might be interesting – get your son to let you have a copy of the article and I’ll show it to the SIO as well.’

‘Will do, Sarge.’ At least he hadn’t brushed that one aside.

‘By the way,’ he said, ‘we’ve just had an opinion from our tidal expert about the most likely area where the bits of Annie O were dumped. For various reasons he doesn’t agree with Ken Lowe’s “guesstimate”. Basing his calculations on the estimated time the killing took place and the movement of the tides that night, he thinks the most likely scenario is that the killer had access to a motorboat moored somewhere round Portishead – possibly in the marina – although it’s difficult to judge how far out he went or in what direction. It’s obvious that the bits would have been moved up and downstream by successive tides before they were finally washed ashore – it was pure chance that the head ended up at Clevedon in such a short time.’

‘So what’s the next move, Sarge?’

‘House-to-house enquiries among the residents near the marina, for a start,’ he said resignedly. ‘Some of them are only weekenders, so it’s going to take time.’

‘Do you want us to make a start this morning?’

‘No, we’ll get uniform on to that. We’re sweeping Mayhew’s house today and I want you and Vicky to go along and see what they come up with.’

‘OK, Sarge. What time are they starting?’

‘In half an hour, so get moving.’

On the way to Tyndale Gardens Sukey told Vicky about the ‘death’ character found on the arm of another dismembered victim. ‘DS Rathbone wouldn’t even consider checking with the personnel at the Oriental Garden,’ she complained.

Vicky chuckled. ‘I’m not surprised – you really have got a bee in your bonnet over the Chinese connection.’

‘Yes,’ said Sukey. ‘I’ve a good mind to do a bit of private snooping on my own.

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