Murder at the Hunting Lodge by Sonia Parin

Author:Sonia Parin [Parin, Sonia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-06-02T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“Are we all present and accounted for?” Tom asked as they settled into the roadster.

“We most certainly are. I doubt Holmes would forgive me if I left him behind again. Drive on, please.”

Detective Evans had been surprised by their departure. More so since he had now been put in charge of the investigation until further notice. She supposed he’d expected them to linger and push their way in but Evie felt they needed to step back and let him do his job. Besides, she had her family squabbles to deal with…

In reality, Evie felt she had already failed since she had tried to address Alice Brown’s concerns and had found nothing wrong. Certainly nothing to suggest Lord Bertram’s life had been in danger.

Evie suspected the detective had been glad of the opportunity to take over the investigation since it delayed his arrival at the hunting lodge. Despite giving the impression he hadn’t understood what she’d been alluding to, Evie felt sure he knew she still had a bone to pick with him.

Losing herself in her thoughts, she wondered if she should encourage Caro to visit her family who lived nearby. Of course, it would mean having to rely on Millicent but Evie would happily sacrifice her sanity to keep Caro happy and distracted while she dealt with the detective.

Tom leaned toward her. “You’re plotting.”

“How can you tell?”

“Your eyebrows are set into a scowl and your lips are puckered up.”

“I had no idea I had a plotting expression. In any case, I realize the detective will be preoccupied with the case so I will simply have to bide my time.”

“I see your mood hasn’t mellowed.”

“No. This matter has to be faced head on and the issue addressed before Caro’s heart is broken.”

Once again, Tom tried to convince her they couldn’t and shouldn’t jump to conclusions.

Evie looked into Holmes’ eyes and took comfort in the feeling of unconditional love. “Poor Alice. I hope Nigel Bowles keeps her on. Otherwise, she’ll have to find another place of employment.”

“Nigel Bowles?” Tom’s eyebrows drew down. “I assumed he had made his way into your list of suspects.”

“I don’t have one of those and… Why do you think he’s a person of interest?” Evie gasped. “Oh, when Lord Bertram fell to his death, he’d been upstairs.”

“That’s right.”

Had his reaction to Lord Bertram’s death been an act? “Did you hear him say anything suspicious?”

Tom gave it some thought. “Too soon. Yes, I’m sure I heard him say that when he bent over the body.”

Had he been referring to Lord Bertram’s age or to something else? Evie remembered Alice saying Lord Bertram hadn’t had any children so the heir, Nigel Bowles, was a distant relative. Perhaps he’d only now started to become better acquainted with Lord Bertram.

“Oh, heavens. What if Nigel Bowles had something to do with the death? Alice will definitely lose her position.”

Tom glanced at her and smiled. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

They arrived at the hunting lodge just as the others were walking inside.

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