Murder on the Oceanic by Edward Marston

Author:Edward Marston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2022-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

EIGHT

Since she was not due to meet Oskar Halberg until three o’clock that afternoon, Genevieve Masefield decided to interview one of the other victims of theft beforehand. Immediately after luncheon, therefore, she went to the cabin occupied by Florence and Vane Stiller. When she knocked on their door, however, the person who opened it was Edith Hurst. The stewardess was surprised to see her.

‘Oh – Miss Masefield!’

‘Hello, Edith.’

‘I didn’t expect to see you here.’

‘I wanted to speak to Miss Stiller.’

‘Which one?’ asked Edith. ‘There are two of them.’

‘Miss Florence Stiller. Have you any idea where she might be?’

‘Both ladies are in the library.’

‘Thank you.’ Genevieve remembered something. ‘How are you getting on with Mrs Farrant?’

‘She’s worse than ever.’

‘I hope that she’s still not accusing you of the crime.’

‘No, but I feel guilty nonetheless,’ said Edith. ‘Whenever I go anywhere near that cabin, I get this prickly sensation all over.’

‘It will pass. What are you doing here?’

‘Making the beds.’

‘This late?’

‘I usually do it when they’ve gone to breakfast but they didn’t stir out of their cabin until well after noon. This is the first chance I’ve had to get in here. It’s upset my routine.’

‘Then I won’t detain you any longer.’

‘Goodbye, Miss Masefield.’

‘Goodbye – and good luck with Mrs Farrant!’

Genevieve went back down the corridor and up the main staircase. She reached the library in minutes. It was a well-stocked room of medium size with leather sofas and matching armchairs. At one end was a long table with a number of chairs around it. Hundreds of books lined the walls. Florence and Vane Stiller were the only people there. Seated at the table, Florence was writing a letter. Her sister was reading a book. Genevieve introduced herself and saw at once that she would have a more comfortable time than Hilda Farrant had given her. Unlike Mrs Farrant, the two sisters were pleased that a female detective was handling the case. Indeed, she aroused their curiosity.

‘How long have you been doing this sort of work?’ asked Florence.

‘Some years now,’ replied Genevieve.

‘Do you enjoy it?’

‘When I achieve a measure of success.’

‘Isn’t it dangerous, Miss Masefield?’

‘Occasionally.’

‘How did you get drawn into this profession in the first place?’ said Vane. ‘I can scent a story here. I don’t suppose that you’d let us feature you in an article, would you?’

‘No, Miss Stiller,’ said Genevieve firmly. ‘Ships’ detectives work most effectively if they’re invisible. If you put my photograph in your magazine, it would be difficult for me to find employment.’

‘Oh dear! We can’t have that.’

‘In any case, Vane,’ said her sister, ‘Miss Masefield has come to ask the questions, not to answer them. We must cooperate.’

‘I’ll do anything to get your jewellery box back, Florence.’

‘Perhaps we could start with a description of its contents,’ said Genevieve, taking her notebook from her bag. ‘Some idea of cost would also be useful.’

‘I’ve already prepared a list.’ Florence handed it over to her. ‘There’s nothing terribly valuable there but I’ve had some of those items for over thirty years.

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