Feted to Die by Roger Keevil

Author:Roger Keevil
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Roger Keevil, 9781780889474, Feted to Die
ISBN: 9781780889474
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd

Chapter 8

Back in the hall, Dave Copper turned to Andy Constable.

“What next, then, sir?”

“Who rather than what, I think, sergeant. We’re overdue for a chat with the vicar, if he’s back in the land of the living. So let’s find out where they’ve put him.” He knocked on the door of the drawing room and led the way in. Six faces turned to him expectantly.

Lady Lawdown rose and crossed the room briskly towards the detectives. “Dear inspector, I do hope you aren’t going to keep us penned up in here all day. Have you managed to sort out this horrible business yet?”

Andy Constable smiled. “I’m sorry, your ladyship, but I’m afraid these things take a little longer than that. But I think we’re making progress. In the meantime, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask everyone to stay put for a little longer, if you don’t mind. I know Miss Cook has managed to keep you supplied with provisions, and I’m sure you’re not too uncomfortable in here. At least it’s a lot cosier than the police station.”

Lady Lawdown looked shocked. “The police station?” she echoed. “Do you mean … Are you seriously telling me that we are suspects? For heaven’s sake, man, look at us!”

Five pairs of eyes declined to meet the inspector’s.

“I’m saying exactly that, I’m afraid, your ladyship, unless and until I have better information which rules some or all of you out.”

“But that’s ludicrous!” retorted Lady Lawdown. “Why on earth would any of us have the slightest reason to murder Horace Cope? It’s far more likely to have been some hooligan from one of the other villages. I have them up in front of me all the time in the magistrates court. That’s it – it’s some sort of mugging or robbery, and someone’s got carried away.”

“That, I think, is one motive we can rule out,” replied Constable. “As for others … well, we shall just have to continue to investigate. Which leads me to my next question – can you tell me where the Vicar is? I need to find out what he can tell us.”

Lady Lawdown seemed to calm down a little. “Of course, inspector. Poor dear man, I hope he’s feeling up to speaking to you.”

“You worry too much, Sandra,” interposed Seymour Cummings. “The old boy’s been in the village for donkey’s years. I should think there isn’t much he hasn’t seen. He’s a tough old bird, inspector. I think you’ll be surprised.”

Lady Lawdown looked unconvinced. “If you say so, Seymour. Laura, I think he’s in the Chinese Bedroom, isn’t he, darling. Show the gentlemen the way, would you. It seems the rest of us had better stay here, as the inspector insists. I think I need to make a telephone call.”

“If you’d just lead on, miss,” said Constable, standing aside for Laura. He paused at the door. “By the way, your ladyship, if it’s not too much of an inconvenience, I’d be glad if you didn’t make any telephone calls just for the moment.

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