Sidney Chambers and The Shadow of Death (The Grantchester Mysteries) by Runcie James

Author:Runcie, James [Runcie, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury UK
Published: 2012-05-09T22:00:00+00:00

The day did not pass well. Dickens, for that was the name Sidney decided upon, wet the kitchen floor immediately Mrs Maguire had cleaned it, the church roof had sprung a leak under the weight of the melting snow and Sidney forgot his shepherd’s pie in the oven. As he ate the burnt remains with his curate, Leonard advised Sidney that he really should see the coroner once more. They needed to know whether Mrs Livingstone’s cremation could take place, if her daughter’s marriage could proceed and if not, what Inspector Keating was going to do about it.

Sidney found all the demands on his time even more irritating than usual. He knew that he didn’t actually like Derek Jarvis. But now he decided he was not too keen on Dr Michael Robinson either. Or Mrs Maguire. Or his curate. Or his dog. Or even Amanda. In fact the monastic life suddenly seemed far more appealing than ever before.

Later that afternoon, Sidney rang the bell of the coroner’s office and was shown through to a small waiting room. Derek Jarvis was efficiently polite. ‘You’re taking quite an interest in this case, I see . . .’

‘Apparently there is some considerable disquiet in the town. People have stopped going to see Dr Robinson.’

‘There are other doctors.’

‘We can’t hound a man out of town because of an unfounded rumour.’

Derek Jarvis sighed. ‘I can assure you, Canon Chambers, that I have been professional throughout this investigation and will continue to be so.’

‘I cannot believe that Dr Robinson is a murderer.’

‘Well,’ Derek Jarvis concluded. ‘So far, despite all the anxiety, it appears that he is not.’

‘Morphine?’

‘A high level but nothing more . . .’

‘You sound disappointed.’

‘I am not disappointed. I am wary. As I said, a high level of morphine.’

‘But within acceptable limits.’

‘Just.’

‘Then you will release Mrs Livingstone’s body?’

‘I will. However, as I am sure you are aware, other sudden elderly deaths have occurred.’

‘Anthony Bryant . . .’

‘Indeed.’

Sidney could not let the situation finish like this. He knew that he should act in a more priestly manner. ‘I know it is hard to act in good faith with someone you may not like. As a Christian . . .’

‘Please, Canon Chambers, do not make such assumptions or jump to conclusions.’

‘I was merely suggesting . . .’

‘My work is scientific and objective. My personal feelings are kept in abeyance.’

‘Very well,’ Sidney answered. ‘When will you have completed your examination of the second body?’

‘All in good time.’

Sidney looked at the coroner and wondered whether there was ever such a thing as ‘good time’. It was going to be a long wait.

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