Murder On Mustique by Glenconner Anne

Author:Glenconner Anne [Anne, Glenconner]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Published: 2020-11-11T16:00:00+00:00

25

NILE STARES AT his computer screen while he awaits his visitors. He has compiled a list of every Mustique inhabitant who could have abducted the young heirs to the Fortini and Rothmore fortunes. Logic tells him that the killer is a robust male, fit enough to tackle Tommy Rothmore.

‘Let me out, you bastard!’ Lyron yells through the door that divides the station from the cells.

Nile doesn’t bother to reply. His disappointment with his brother is still so intense, he’s not ready for another conversation, even though he’s established his innocence. Lyron’s manager at Basil’s has confirmed that he was working when the Fortinis’ villa burned, but he’s still got lessons to learn. They did everything together in the old days, but now Lyron is more likely to sail to St Vincent, looking for mischief.

Nile scans his list of salient features from the case. The coral found at each crime scene and in the homes of victims must have a meaning; it’s the killer’s only direct form of dialogue. DI Black may be correct that the case is a straightforward crime of passion: Tommy Rothmore could have killed his ex-girlfriend, then cast her body into the sea, only committing suicide when his guilt grew unbearable, yet the theory makes him uneasy. Lily Calder’s boat has been daubed with the same message as before: ‘Leave Mustique or die like the coral.’ There was the break-in at Keith Belmont’s house, with coral left there too. If the killer is already dead, who is still harassing members of the island’s elite?

When Nile looks out of his window again, Lady Vee is stepping out of her buggy, bearing a lump of coral in her hands, and Lily is heading for the building. He can’t afford to be distracted by her looks, but he’s only human. Her shorts reveal legs that go on forever, yet she seems to be without vanity; if she’s noticed the effect she has on him, there’s no outward sign. The two women are just entering the station when Lyron shouts for his freedom again from the holding cells. It’s easier to stare down at the pieces of coral he collected from Amanda Fortini’s home, and Keith Belmont’s villa, lying on his desk.

‘Have you arrested someone?’ Lady Vee asks.

He hesitates before replying. ‘My brother, Lyron. I’m sure now he’s not involved, but I won’t let him go home tonight. He needs to cool down first.’

‘That can’t be easy for either of you.’ Lily’s calm gaze falls on him.

‘Don’t let it distract you. Show me that coral please, Lady Vee.’

She passes it to him. ‘I found this on Sunday morning, outside Lily’s room.’

‘It’s different from the one at Keith Belmont’s house.’ Nile stares at the three carved patterns: a spider’s web, crossed arrows and an upturned cup, or U. ‘I know they’re Obeah symbols, but I’m not certain what they mean.’

‘I still don’t understand why the killer’s leaving pieces of coral,’ Lily murmurs. ‘It’s at crisis point. Once it’s bleached, it’s gone forever, unless human intervention kick-starts the growth cycle again.

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