Mrs. Jeffries Delivers the Goods by Emily Brightwell

Author:Emily Brightwell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2019-03-12T04:00:00+00:00

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Nicholas Parr lived in the top flat of a four-story redbrick town house in Marylebone. Barnes reached for the shiny brass door knocker just as the door flew open and a middle-aged woman wielding a shopping basket and wearing a checked cloak stepped out.

Surprised, she gaped at them. “Oh dear, you’re the police. You’re here bright and early today.”

“Yes, ma’am, and we’re here to speak to—”

“You’re here to see Mr. Parr,” she interrupted. “Mr. Parr told me to send you up. He’s right at the top. Go on, then, he’s been expecting you.”

They entered the foyer and started up the carpeted staircase. By the time they reached the final landing, both men were out of breath. Barnes waited till they’d stopped panting before he knocked. A dark-haired man who appeared to be in his early thirties wearing navy blue trousers and a white shirt opened the door. “Excellent, you’re here at last. Did Mrs. Guthrie let you in?” He waved them inside.

“Yes, she was just going out to do her shopping,” Barnes explained as he and the inspector stepped across the threshold. The sitting room was furnished with an overstuffed green and gold chesterfield sofa, a matching chair, two end tables, and three bookcases filled with books.

“I’m Nicholas Parr.” He motioned them toward the sofa. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”

Witherspoon made the introductions as they sat down. “Mr. Parr, you obviously know why we’re here.”

“Of course. It was a dreadful business, Inspector.” Parr sat down across from them. “I’ve seen death before, but that was my first time witnessing a murder.”

“It’s never an easy thing to see, sir,” Witherspoon said. “Mr. Parr, I understand you are on the board of Pierce and Son?”

“That’s correct, that’s why I was at the Lighterman’s Ball.”

“How long have you known Mr. Pierce?”

“Several years,” Parr replied. “We’ve been in partnership with Pierce and Son since James took over after his father died. My family’s company, Parr Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders, is in New York; we’re agents for Pierce and Son. I met James when he came to New York to find a firm to handle his business interests.”

“And that’s your company?” Barnes said.

“Correct. When James found out I was moving to London, he invited me to be on his board. My company is hoping to expand into Europe, and England is a very good place to start.”

“Thank you, sir,” Witherspoon said. “Background information is always helpful to us. Was this your first time at the Lighterman’s Ball?”

“Yes. I’ve been to London several times, but this was the first time I’d been invited to the ball.”

“Did you see or hear anything unusual when the lights went out that night?”

“Nothing, Inspector. I was blinded when the room went dark.”

“What about hearing something?” Barnes added.

“I heard plenty, but there was nothing that sounded unusual or out of place. It was what one would expect to hear; chairs scraping, people coughing, someone dropped some silverware, that sort of thing.”

“Can you recall if you saw anyone

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