Rise to the Fly by Cheryl Rees-Price

Author:Cheryl Rees-Price [Rees-Price, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

The dairy was a modern structure which was attached to what Meadows guessed to be the original building. Quintin’s office was inside the newer part and reached by a set of metal steps. It overlooked what appeared to be a small factory. Large stainless-steel drums dominated the room and storage units were fitted across one wall and steel worktops ran along the other length.

‘What goes on down there?’ Edris asked looking out of the window to the floor where figures in white coats and wearing hairnets moved around.

‘Cheesemaking,’ Quintin said. ‘We started producing our own cheese about five years ago. Those are cheese kettles.’ He pointed to the stainless-steel drums. ‘State of the art. I have the lists for you and have highlighted the day that we had to disqualify an angler. There’s also the list of farm workers. I hope you’re not going to interrogate everyone. There’s work to be done and now we have a shortage of fish to contend with.’

Unlike the rest of the farm workers, Quintin was dressed in a pair of jeans with a shirt and jacket. On his wrist he wore a heavy-looking gold watch. Meadows guessed that like his sister, Pippa, he was used to getting his own way and liked to feel in charge.

‘Given the circumstances I doubt anyone will mind a few questions,’ Meadows said.

‘Right, well, if there’s nothing else then I need to get on with work.’ Quintin sat down behind his desk.

‘While we’re here we’d like to ask you a few questions,’ Meadows said.

‘Can’t it wait?’

‘No.’ Meadows plonked down in a chair and Edris followed.

‘We need to go over your movements last weekend,’ Edris said. ‘Starting on Friday.’

‘That’s easy enough, I was here,’ Quintin said.

‘Friday evening the family got together for a few drinks after the funeral,’ Edris said. ‘What time did you leave?’

‘I didn’t leave. I live here,’ Quintin said.

‘What time did you go into the house?’

‘Sometime after nine.’

‘With Kitty?’ Meadows asked.

‘Yes, we had a cup of tea and went to bed.’

Edris flicked through his notebook. ‘Kitty said she went into the house with Lottie, then went to bed after she left. She was under the impression that you were still outside with the others at that time.’

‘Oh yes, Friday night I slept in the cottage. I wasn’t in the mood for Lottie.’

Meadows sat back in his chair, his hands resting on his knees as he watched the exchange with interest. He’s lying, he thought. Why? Did he go and see Madog to make arrangements for Saturday morning?

‘What about early Saturday morning?’ Edris asked.

‘I was here. I would have arrived about six-thirty.’

‘Did you see anyone?’

‘Luke was down on the floor.’

‘Did you speak to him?’

‘No. I was already in when he got here. I saw him through the window.’

‘Did he see you?’

‘The light was on so, yes, he would’ve known I was here.’

Not the same thing, Meadows thought.

‘What about Saturday evening?’ Edris asked.

‘Dinner at home with the family at about seven. I had a lot to catch up on because of the time I had to take out for the funeral.

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