Of Vines and Victims (A Travelling Celebrant Mystery Book 4) by Phillipa Nefri Clark

Author:Phillipa Nefri Clark [Clark, Phillipa Nefri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Published: 2026-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

Constable Woodcroft tapped away on her keyboard, nodding every so often to let Daphne know she was listening. She was a pleasant young woman, specific with her questions, and patient when Daphne wanted a moment to think.

‘Not much more to cover, Daphne. But it is a hard part, I’m sorry. Are you okay to keep going and talk about you finding Mr Goffin?’

‘Yes, I’d rather keep going.’

‘Good stuff. Let me just see where we’re at… Mr Jones had returned to the restaurant to get assistance and you descended the stairs and followed the track. Did you have a torch?’

‘Just the flashlight on my phone.’

‘And what happened next?’

‘I heard a moan and called to him, with no response. As I walked, I came across what looked like blood on the ground.’

‘Do you have any medical training? Any qualification in forensics? For the record.’

‘I’ve completed an advanced first aid course. But no.’

The constable added the information.

‘Go on.’

‘I noticed a shoe and as I got closer, saw Mr Goffin. At that point my skirt snagged on a bush and it took a bit of tugging to free myself. I’m sure I left half the skirt behind.’

I’m not about to admit I was just back at the scene and know your police markers are everywhere.

‘Do you still have the skirt? If so, we can get a sample in order to compare to what we found.’

‘Of course. I’ll pop back with it later.’

‘On finding Mr Goffin, what did you do?’

‘Actually, before my dress caught, I’d phoned John and told him where I was, that Mr Goffin was injured, and to call an ambulance. Then I approached Mr Goffin and spoke to him.’

Constable Woodcroft’s eyes shot to Daphne’s.

‘You spoke to him?’

‘I told Jeremy this. Senior Constable Karlson. When he arrived a few minutes later.’

The officer looked genuinely puzzled. Just what had Jeremy kept to himself?

‘He actually grabbed my hand. Poor man.’

‘And do you recall what you said to him?’

‘Yes. It’s all very clear in my mind. I told him my name and that an ambulance was coming.’

‘I don’t suppose… did he respond in any way?’ The constable’s hands were off the keyboard, her gaze steady.

‘He did. I asked where he was injured. I hadn’t seen the wounds at that point although there was blood everywhere. That’s when he pulled me closer to his face.’

‘Did he get any words out?’

If I lie to the police I’m no better than whoever killed him. I promised him I’d find that person but please, please don’t let it be anyone Belle loves.

‘He asked me to tell Susan something.’

‘Wait… Susan Goffin?’

Daphne nodded.

‘Tell her what?’

‘I’m not certain I heard him correctly.’

‘Mrs Jones?’

‘He said “knife”. His exact words were, “Tell Susan… knife”.’

After staring at Daphne for what seemed like minutes, Constable Woodcroft typed rapidly, muttering something under her breath. Then she dropped her hands.

‘Did you hear the argument between Godfrey and Susan in the restaurant? After he’d posted the fake review?’

Oh dear.

‘We weren’t really close enough to hear everything.’

‘I’ve taken quite a few

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