Lessons in Loving thy Murderous Neighbour: A Cambridge Fellows Mystery novella (Cambridge Fellows Mysteries) by Charlie Cochrane

Author:Charlie Cochrane [Cochrane, Charlie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Right Chair Press
Published: 2017-08-13T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Jonty didn’t know Owens well, and hadn’t had any call in the past to take much notice of the man’s welfare, but he was immediately struck by how weary the master of Assumption appeared as he was brought, by a burly constable, into the little room at the police station. Presumably this was the same room in which Owens had previously faced Orlando and Dr. Sheridan, so perhaps he had good reason to dread the place. Jonty thrust out a hand to shake, then gestured towards the chair located the other side of the table.

“Sit, please do. You must be tired.”

“I’m exhausted, to tell the truth, although I’ve done little the last few days other than sit and think. And answer questions from St. Bride’s men,” Owens added, with a spark of the old spirit.

“You’ll no doubt be sick of the sight of us. Although I assure you we’re trying to act in your best interests. Nobody wants to see a man accused of something he didn’t do. And this case appears to be much more complex than some people might give it credit for.” Jonty raised his voice and aimed his comments in the direction of the constable, who remained unperturbed. “Of course, yours and Seymour’s are not the only fingerprints on that weapon.”

A slight flinch from the police officer showed that not only had he registered what Jonty had said, but he might be wondering how such an important fact had leaked out. Assuming he wasn’t simply surprised to discover something that a man of his rank wouldn’t necessarily be told.

“I believe you handled it in self defence?”

Owens nodded. “I did.”

“Did you take off your gloves so to do? Or were they already off?”

“Gloves?” The question had clearly wrong footed him. “How am I supposed to remember if I wore gloves?”

“It was only two days ago, not a month. If you recall, the weather was inclement, and I have a clear recollection of what leaving home without my umbrella meant. Did you carry yours?”

Owens, evidently made ill at ease by the line of questioning, squirmed in his chair. “No, I forgot mine. What is this all about?”

“I’m trying to sort out some little puzzles. Details that may or may not accord with the whole. I’ll come back to that.” No matter how much Orlando had tried to drum it into his head that enquiries should be done in a logical manner, Jonty’s brain couldn’t help skipping hither and yon; it was his own special logic, he insisted, and too advanced for mere mathematicians. “We know that Seymour was fond of sending offensive letters. He sent one to you.”

“I don’t know whether to be impressed or angry that you’ve found that out so easily.” Owens drummed on the table, then withdrew his hands sharply at a “tut” from the constable. “Yes. After that there was no going back.”

“What did the letter say?”

Owens paused, evidently torn between candour and privacy. Eventually he confided, “It made noxious comments about my aunt.

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