Murder in the Belltower: An utterly gripping historical cozy mystery (A Miss Underhay Mystery Book 5) by Helena Dixon

Author:Helena Dixon [Dixon, Helena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781800190580
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2021-01-31T16:00:00+00:00

Matt wrapped up warmly in his leather greatcoat and cloth flat cap and went to assess the progress of the men clearing the drive nearest to the house and in front of the garages. He intended to lend his services for an hour. Count Vanderstrafen accompanied him.

The men had made good progress and there were a few signs of a thaw commencing thanks to the weak wintery sun. He watched the inspector making his weary way back up the drive towards the house as he assisted Mr Golightly.

He wondered how the inspector had faired with Reverend Crabtree. He had no doubt that Kitty would do her best to try and winkle information from him.

‘This cold is quite the contrast from the heat and dust of Egypt, is it not, Captain Bryant?’ The count paused for a moment, leaning on his spade as he too watched Inspector Greville’s progress.

‘And yet there are some things still in common,’ Matt said.

‘An unexpected death?’ Victor suggested. His lips twisted as he spoke. ‘You surely do not think I am responsible for the death of Miss Plenderleith?’

‘Not at all.’ Matt’s jaw tightened. Unlike Alexandria when he had been certain that Victor had definitely had a hand in the events there.

‘I am relieved to hear it,’ Victor said. ‘I would not wish to have ill feeling between us. My sister still has nightmares about what happened in Egypt.’

Matt could understand that. Juliet had been the one who had found the body. It had been horrific; the official verdict at the time had been suicide, a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The local inquest had cited financial worries. Yet there had been no note and Matt had known Charles Whitworth well enough to be certain that he would have left a note. He also knew that Charles had loved Juliet.

‘I’m sorry to hear that. It was a terrible thing.’ Matt had been elsewhere when it had happened. Business on behalf of the embassy had seen him gone from the city for the day. When he had returned in the evening it had been too late. His friend was dead.

He knew Victor had not approved of Charles’ relationship with Juliet. He disliked anyone who became too close to his sister. Victor had hidden his dislike well enough, but Matt had noticed it, even if Charles had not. Despite that though he could, very possibly, have reluctantly accepted the suicide verdict, but for two things.

One, he knew Charles to be the most happy-go-lucky carefree man he had ever known, despite his lack of money. The second was Victor himself. On the surface he had been tender towards his sister and seemingly upset at Charles’ death. Then he had let the mask slip.

Victor had thought no one was observing him when he had been reading the order of service for Charles’ funeral. Matt had thought at first that he had imagined the expression on Victor’s face. It had been so fleeting, but it had been there. Triumph.

Inspector Greville raised his hand in greeting as he neared the front door of the Hall before entering.

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