Murder at Monterey by Ellen Read

Author:Ellen Read [Read, Ellen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Easy Read Publishing
Published: 2024-06-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Morning tea was served on the back terrace overlooking the garden for people to take as they felt the need for a cup of tea and cake.

Alexandra thought how forlorn the garden appeared after yesterday’s tea when guests mingled, laughed and enjoyed themselves. Even the sunshine didn’t bring any cheer. Nor did it penetrate inside the house that seemed dark and cold with the pall of death hanging over it. Neither Prudence nor Mrs Carmichael had made an appearance but every so often a wailing cry could be heard, sometimes followed by the sound of something being smashed and then an agonised moan. It reached them out here in the garden. Alexandra assumed what they heard was evidence of Pru’s grief.

Grace whimpered, and Ruth lifted the child from her pram.

‘I’ll take her, Ruth, thank you,’ Alexandra said. ‘It’s all right, darling. Mummy has you.’ After what had happened last night, and what with Pru carrying on this morning, Alexandra, nor Benedict, wanted to leave Grace upstairs, so far away from them, even though Ruth would be with her.

‘I’ll take her,’ Benedict said. ‘Come to Daddy.’

Grace snuggled into her father’s chest.

Winifred and Harry stepped out onto the veranda while Alexandra and Benedict, Thomas, and Edith and James, still stood at the tea table. The young couple gave the barest of nods. Winnie kept chattering to Harry. She seemed much too cheerful for someone whose sister’s fiancé had been killed on the previous evening. Into the bargain, the emerald necklace that was a family heirloom had been stolen. The necklace that had been promised to Winnie. The emeralds that Winnie and Harry had threatened to steal. But would they resort to murder?

Alexandra nudged Edith as the pair moved on. ‘What do you make of that, Edie?’

‘Golly,’ Edith whispered. ‘Do you think they might have stolen the necklace?’

‘They seem very pleased about something. Not only doesn’t Winnie appear at all devastated that the emerald necklace has gone, or her future brother-in-law possibly murdered.’

‘Winifred wouldn’t kill Bertram,’ her father said. ‘Why would she?’

‘Perhaps Mr Goodfellow was in the wrong place. He might have seen them with the necklace. Perhaps leaving Pru’s room with it?’

‘By Jove,’ her father said.

‘We’d better keep an eye on them,’ Alexandra added.

‘What we’ll do, Alexandra,’ her father said. She knew stern words would follow. He only ever called her by her full name at such times. ‘Is to inform the chief inspector of our suspicions.’

‘Yes, Daddy,’ Alexandra said, and kissed his cheek.

‘I don’t want you or Edie getting involved,’ he added. ‘Benedict and James, I charge you to watch them.’

‘Very well, sir, but it could be an impossible task,’ Benedict said.

James shook his head in agreement.

‘Stop it, the pair of you. Of course, we won’t get involved.’ Alexandra winked at Edith as she turned to lift her cup and saucer from the table.

They took their teacups and plate of cakes out onto the lawn, where Alexandra found the table at which they had sat with Ruby on the previous afternoon.

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