Murder at the Mill: A Redmond and Haze Mystery Book 3 (Redmond and Haze Mysteries) by Irina Shapiro

Author:Irina Shapiro [Shapiro, Irina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Merlin Press LLC
Published: 2020-10-06T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

It was nearly an hour later that Sergeant Flint came to get Daniel at the Three Bells. He looked irritable and tired, and no doubt wanted nothing more than to finally go home for the night, but Daniel cared little for his mood. He’d never boxed, not even at a gymnasium, but at the moment, he felt like a boxer getting ready for a match, jumping from foot to foot, throwing practice punches in the air and weighing his opponent with a narrowed gaze to gauge if he might be intimidated. This was his first big case as an inspector, and it would make or break his reputation for the future. Rested and well fed, he was ready to face his opponent.

Detective Inspector Coleridge was just coming out of his office when Daniel returned to the station. He was wearing his hat and coat, the rich fur collar totally at odds with the dimly lit corridor and the faint smell of carbolic that had been used to wash the floor.

“Are you leaving, sir?” Daniel asked, surprised to see him dressed for the outside.

“If I’m not home in time to dine with the family, my wife will be serving my head for our Christmas dinner tomorrow,” Detective Inspector Coleridge said good-naturedly. “I have every faith in you, Inspector Haze. Follow your gut. If you believe the men are guilty, charge them and lock ’em in the cells. They can cool their heels until Boxing Day, when we’ll offer them the opportunity to seek legal counsel.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” Daniel added, buoyed by the inspector’s faith in him.

“Happy Christmas, Daniel,” Detective Inspector Coleridge said as he lifted his walking stick from the stand.

“Happy Christmas, sir.”

Daniel returned to the front desk. “Did you put the suspects in separate rooms?” he asked the desk sergeant.

“Of course, sir.”

“Did they resist arrest?”

“The younger man was frightened, but his employer was calm as you please and told the lad they’d be home in time to attend the midnight service.”

“I doubt that, but I admire his optimism,” Daniel said. “What’s the apprentice’s name?”

“Silas Pike, sir. Aged seventeen.”

“I’ll speak to him first and let Mr. Gordon stew for a bit,” Daniel said. “Constable Pullman, I’d like you to be present for the interview.”

“Yes, sir,” Pullman replied eagerly.

Flint nodded, looking intrigued despite his usual sneer. “Good luck, sir,” he called after Daniel as he approached the first interview room.

It was a small, dingy room with a small barred window, in case the suspect decided to try to escape. Silas Pike sat behind the narrow desk, looking as if he’d just sucked on a lemon. Daniel hoped he wasn’t going to be sick all over the floor. Constable Pullman must have had the same thought because he disappeared for a moment and returned with a bucket, which he set under the desk. He then took up a position by the door.

Daniel sat down across from the young man and pinned him with a piercing stare. “State your name, age, and occupation,” he said once he felt the boy was sufficiently rattled.

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