Death by the Book by Deering Julianna

Author:Deering, Julianna [Deering, Julianna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Murder—Investigation—Fiction, England—Fiction
ISBN: 9781441263568
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2014-03-04T00:00:00+00:00

Ten

Given the generosity of his proposed financial terms, Mrs. Chapman was more than happy to agree to Drew’s plan to rent her cottage. He was still at the breakfast table, rereading the salacious article beneath the girl’s picture, when Nick returned from the cottage.

“Our charge has been safely delivered and warmly received. What next?”

“Any revelations along the way?” Drew asked.

Nick shrugged. “Nothing all that helpful. She comes from a little place in Derbyshire called Ault Hucknall. Moved to Winchester along with her mother three or four years ago when her father died and her mother took a position as nurse to an elderly relation of theirs. About two years ago, both mother and elderly relation were taken by the influenza, leaving our Miss Allen alone to make her way in the world as she was not provided for from elderly relation’s modest fortune. Has an aunt in America as she’s already told you. No one else in the world.”

“No young man?”

“She describes a rather tepid series of evenings out with a farrier some fifteen years her senior when she was still in Ault Hucknall. He did not approve of her staying in Winchester on her own when her mother died and wanted her to come back to be his wife.”

“I don’t suppose she’d care to go to him?”

“Apparently that would be a bit sticky at this point in time. It seems she rather firmly refused the man the last time they spoke and invited him to never call upon her again. Heated words were exchanged, ties severed. All in all, it wasn’t a conversation meant to engender future amicable relations.”

“But would she like to go to him now? Sometimes a bit of stability, even dullness, is quite welcome in uncertain times.”

Again Nick shrugged. “I had the distinct impression that making a fresh start in America was far more appealing to her. You don’t suppose he . . . ?”

“Made away with the man who had soiled his innocent darling? I shouldn’t think so. Yes, all right, perhaps he’d have a motive in the Montford murder, but what about the good doctor? What about Clarice?”

“Well, what would be the harm in letting the police know about him? They could take it from there, and we’ll have done our duty.”

Drew thought for a moment. “Did she mention the man’s name?”

“Called him Alfred. I didn’t like to press for a surname.”

“It’s a start, though. How many approximately thirty-seven-year-old farriers named Alfred could Ault Hucknall have?”

“Shall we go find out?”

“No, Nick, old man, I think you were right in the first place. No need to tear clear across the country. We’ll let the police investigate our would-be bridegroom.” Drew put down the newspaper and got to his feet. “I’ll ring up our beloved chief inspector once more.”

“Very good. Mr. Padgett and I have some estate affairs to see to anyway, so I don’t expect I’ll see you until this evening. No fair doing any sleuthing without me.”

Drew laughed. “Madeline said the same thing when she told me she’s taking Auntie up to London for some shopping.

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