Murder by Magic by Bruce Beckham

Author:Bruce Beckham [Beckham, Bruce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lucius
Published: 2015-05-27T06:00:00+00:00

14. LIFT OFF

‘Now we’re sitting comfortably, shall I begin with Wolfstein or Pavlenko?’

DS Leyton glances apprehensively from one to the other of his colleagues. They are ensconced in Skelgill’s office, suitably provisioned with hot drinks and – predictably in Skelgill’s case – a bacon roll from the canteen. The energetic spring song of a blackbird drifts in through the open window, carried on the cool, fresh morning air. In contrast, Skelgill and DS Jones both appear less than lively – Skelgill is yawning periodically, and the normally immaculate DS Jones has perhaps overslept, and arrived in a hurry in yesterday’s clothes and make-up unevenly applied at traffic lights. She has her slender fingers wrapped around an Americano.

Skelgill sighs and shakes his head.

‘Can’t believe we’re sitting here talking about folk with names from a Bond film. Where are good old Burke and Hare these days?’

DS Leyton seems surprised by his superior’s nostalgia.

‘That’s the EU for you, Guv – what is it now, half a billion people?’

DS Jones nods in accord with her fellow sergeant, her expression thoughtful.

‘Potentially another forty-five million if Ukraine eventually joins – then there’s Turkey.’

DS Leyton grins and taps his chest with the fingers of one hand.

‘Won’t be long before you have to consider me as a local, Guv.’

Over the rim of his mug of tea Skelgill raises his eyebrows, as if that is no more than a distant possibility.

‘Start with Wolfstein.’

DS Leyton opens his case file and begins to thumb through its contents. Skelgill looks at DS Jones – she senses his attention and returns his gaze, but he only stares absently and she averts her eyes.

‘Here we go, Guv – it’s not a lot so far – but it might explain what he’s doing here.’ DS Leyton extracts a single sheet of paper. ‘Article in February last year from the Westmorland Gazette – property section – shall I read it out?’

Skelgill, now chewing, nods.

DS Leyton moves the page back and forth like a trombone player, until he finds his focal length.

‘The title says, “Blackbeck Castle sells to overseas buyer.” Then there’s the rest. “The six-thousand acre Blackbeck estate in the Langdale area has been bought in its entirety for an undisclosed sum by a buyer from the Czech Republic. On the market for almost three years, the spectacular Victorian property is believed to require considerable renovation. Originally the domain of a Whitehaven shipping heiress, the castle has a chequered past, with previous occupants including a reclusive American industrialist during the early part of the twentieth century, the War Office between 1939 and 1964, and a New Age religious sect in the 1970s. Most recently it has been operated as a country house hotel, offering rough shooting and quad biking, together with rock climbing and cave exploration in the abandoned Blackbeck mines, which are situated on the estate. It is believed that the isolated location, and stiff competition from Lakeland’s burgeoning outdoor activity businesses and gourmet hotels, were the main factors contributing to the closure and sale.

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