Mydworth Mysteries - A Shot in the Dark (A Cosy Historical Mystery Series Book 1) by Matthew Costello & Neil Richards

Author:Matthew Costello & Neil Richards [Costello, Matthew & Richards, Neil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783732569533
Publisher: Bastei Entertainment
Published: 2019-07-30T23:00:00+00:00

10. Secrets Revealed

Harry held the Webley revolver – the weapon heavy in his hand.

Heavy too with memories.

Every time he’d taken off over the fields of Flanders back in ‘17, he’d carried this same weapon in his holster. Ready to defend himself if he crash-landed.

Or worse – take his own life if he was going down in flames.

Every pilot’s nightmare.

“You served near the end, hmm, didn’t you?” said Reggie.

Harry nodded. “RAF.”

“Heard you had a pretty good war, my boy,” continued Reggie, patting him on the shoulder. “You survived. Like me. Well done.”

A good war? That wasn’t how Harry remembered it. Six months of terrifying action – then another six months recuperating from his injuries after being shot down.

And then the call to work in Army Intelligence, leaving all his pals to carry on the work at the sharp end while he sat behind a desk sifting information, interrogating captured officers.

He released the catch on the revolver to check the rounds – knowing already from the feel that the chambers were full.

“Always keep it loaded?” he asked.

“Better safe than sorry, right?” said Reggie.

Harry wrapped the gun in cloth again and handed it to Reggie, who went over to the bedside cabinet, placed it in the top drawer.

“Would you mind – just curious really – showing me where you were when you fired?” said Harry. “You must have acted fast.”

Maybe Reggie’s vanity would open him up?

And Harry watched as Reggie went to the door that connected the bedroom to the dressing room.

“Well – right. I could hear Claudia was in trouble,” said Reggie, opening the door. “So, I stepped through smartish.”

Harry followed him.

“Had my gun up already, of course. Chap number one was already at the window, then – gone in a flash. I knew I couldn’t get a decent shot off – still trying to get the gist of what was going on, you see.”

Harry turned to Claudia. “Where were you, Claudia?”

He saw her hesitate. “Oh. I’m not sure. It was all so frightening. Perhaps – right here?”

She pointed to one side of the room, then looked to Reggie.

“That’s it,” said Reggie. “I saw her, right down there. Coates, you see, had pushed her. I think she fell. Dazed, of course. Then Coates ran to the window.”

Harry was silent, trying to form the picture. He knew how difficult it was for witnesses to remember details.

“But you saw the jewels?” asked Harry.

“Damned right I did! Fellow had a proper fistful. Pockets overflowing, too.”

“So, is that when you shouted a warning?” asked Harry.

“Yes! Damn fool ignored me, even with a gun in my hand. Climbed up on the window… Turned…”

“And you shot him.”

“Aimed plumb between the eyes,” said Reggie. “Had to – damned thief!”

Harry mentally calculated the distance. Twenty feet.

“From, right about here?” said Harry.

Reggie nodded. “Fine shot, eh?”

“Extremely,” said Harry.

Then he turned to Claudia.

“And where were the jewels kept, Claudia?”

He watched her walk over to a small chest, which was just visible under a tall wardrobe. She slid the chest out and opened it.

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