Murder in the Family: A Golden Age Mystery by G.G. Vandagriff & David P. Vandagriff

Author:G.G. Vandagriff & David P. Vandagriff [Vandagriff, G.G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Golden-Age Mysteries, British Mysteries, Female Sleuths, Oxford Mysteries
Publisher: OW Press
Published: 2022-08-08T16:00:00+00:00

AT FIVE O’CLOCK IN the afternoon while Catherine was in the middle of getting her mother settled, there came a frantic telephone call from Fox.

His voice was low and furtive as though he wanted to make certain he wasn’t overheard. “There is a lady here,” he hissed. “She says she knows where the DaVinci sketch is. I know I should call the police, but I’m wondering, do I need a lawyer? What if the seller tries to put blame on me and says that I sold the sketch? What if they combine to accuse me? I’ve been worried about this. I am nobody, but I have the feeling the man who stole the sketch is someone important. Like Mr. Baxter.”

Catherine’s thoughts flew. She realized what Fox was worried about and after half a moment’s thought, she realized he was probably right to worry.

“Harry and I will be there as soon as we can get a cab. Don’t let her get away!”

When she explained the situation to Harry, he agreed they needed to go to Notting Hill with all speed. Cherry had rung for a taxi, and it was there when they arrived downstairs.

“Poor Fox is in agony. He is certain he is going to be blamed. Did you ever think he might have stolen it?” asked Catherine.

“It never crossed my mind, but servants are always vulnerable in a situation like this. They are terrified of the police,” said Harry as the taxi inched its way through the Friday afternoon traffic. “I never expected the sketch to surface again.”

Fox answered the door before they even rang the bell. “Thank you for coming. Follow me. We’re in the office.”

The lady whom Fox introduced as Lady Jane Mowbray stood when they entered. She looked to be in her fifties with a roman nose and high cheekbones. She was dressed in tweeds and pearls with her shoulders and arms appearing unusually muscular for a lady, as though she trained horses. “Lady Jane, will do,” the woman said. “That is who I was before I was married, and I continue to be.”

Harry introduced Catherine and himself. “The sketch you are inquiring about was stolen from my uncle, Jonathan Haverford.”

“Yes, that is why I came here. It was in the newspaper. But the name rings a bell. Is it possible that he’s the fellow who was found dead in Cornwall?” Lady Jane asked.

“Yes. Why don’t we all sit down,” suggested Catherine. “Mr. Fox has such a nice fire going.”

Harry said, “You are correct. My uncle was murdered. We don’t know if it has anything to do with this sketch or not.” Turning to his uncle’s valet, Harry said, “Fox, do you have a photograph of the da Vinci?”

The former servant seemed relieved to have a task. “Yes, Dr. Bascombe. It’s in the file.”

There was a moment of silence while Fox looked through the file drawer of his employer’s desk. He took out an 8 x 10 glossy photo and handed it to Harry who said, “Can you tell us if this is the sketch you saw, Lady Jane?”

The lady studied it carefully.

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