Murder at the Observatory : A 1920's Historical Cozy Mystery (A Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne Mystery Book 5) by Oliva Rose

Author:Oliva Rose [Rose, Oliva]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2025-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Rain streaked the bedroom windows at Ingleby Lodge, blurring the pewter sky beyond. The suicide note had continued to trouble Elizabeth since their return from the observatory – its sudden appearance defied explanation. She and Cybil would never have overlooked it, not in such a prominent position.

The observatory had only one entrance, and she and Cybil had been mere feet away on the observation deck. Any visitor would have tracked mud or water across the flagstones, or crossed paths with Captain Bennett on his return to the observatory.

Could Bennett have done it? She considered the possibility. Had he seen them on the deck and taken the opportunity to slip inside and leave the note? Surely Bennett’s military training would never permit such carelessness as allowing a door to slam and risk discovery. The pristine floor presented another puzzle. Even if he’d removed his mud-caked shoes, the fleeting moments between the door’s slam and their descent allowed no time for such manoeuvres.

And why wait until she and Cybil were there? Bennett could have easily returned when they’d gone back to Ingleby Lodge for Cybil’s camera. The journey would have proved no trouble for a man of his fitness – perhaps while they’d stopped for a fortifying cup of tea?

“Bennett’s abrupt reversal makes no sense.” Elizabeth turned from the window. “One moment he was examining evidence of murder, the next he was dismissing it as suicide.”

Cybil pressed her powder puff to her nose, her gaze meeting Elizabeth’s in the dresser mirror. “Do you think Ingleby influenced his decision?”

“Money and status have silenced many an inconvenient investigation. Though I’d thought Bennett above such influence.”

“Perhaps it was Lady Edith, rather than Lord Ingleby, who wielded the influence.” Cybil set down her powder puff. “A man’s heart can blind his judgment.”

“And Bennett’s devotion to her is clear.” Elizabeth hesitated, the memory of Edith trapped against the kitchen counter, Whitaker looming over her, her palm striking his cheek. “Even the most honourable of men might falter where love is concerned.”

“What if Bennett knows of Lady Edith and Whitaker’s past attachment?” Cybil turned from the mirror. “If he believes she played a part in Whitaker’s death…”

“You suspect he’s shielding her?”

“His eagerness to accept that suicide note, despite the evidence to the contrary, certainly suggests as much.”

Elizabeth’s thoughts shifted to Whitaker’s notebook lying open on her bed. “If only we’d thought to keep that note – comparing the handwriting from memory alone leaves much to chance.”

“We have the photograph.”

“Indeed, it’s just a shame we must wait until returning to the mainland before developing it.”

“Perhaps not.” Cybil’s dark eyes glinted. “There are development chemicals in the observatory alcove – Whitaker’s darkroom for his astronomical photography, I assume.”

“I wouldn’t know where to begin with such things.”

“Then fortunately for you, Lady Elizabeth, I’ve picked up a few darkroom tricks during my career.”

“How fortunate indeed.” Elizabeth quirked a brow, her expression brightening at this unexpected solution.

Cybil swept back a honey-brown curl, securing it with a silver clip. “There is, of course, the small matter of the key.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.