The Brewery Murders (A Yorkshire Murder Mystery) by J. R. Ellis

Author:J. R. Ellis [Ellis, J. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2023-09-27T16:00:00+00:00

The spring evening was clear and rather chilly, with a nearly full moon appearing in the sky. The interior of the Wensley Arms was warm and bustling with people and some were eating in the restaurant section. Philip Welbeck sat on a stool at the bar talking to Bill Lawrence. There were some members of the cricket team sitting around and others were playing darts.

‘No cricket practice tonight, then, Phil?’ asked the barman.

‘No, we didn’t think it was right after what happened to Barry. Mark of respect, you know. He was part of the club for so long and a good player. He was brilliant behind those stumps. And to think I was mad with him for not turning up last night.’ He shook his head and took a drink of beer. ‘I feel terrible now.’

‘You weren’t to know what was going on,’ said Lawrence, as he pulled a pint for a customer. ‘Are you going to cancel Saturday’s match?’

‘We’ve thought about it, but I don’t think it’s what Barry would have wanted. He would rather we beat North Tanfield. They’ve been our closest rivals over the years. We’re going to try our best to do it. We’re going to have a practice tomorrow night.’

‘Good. I think you’re right. Barry would have hated to think that he was stopping cricket being played. He loved the game.’

‘He did,’ said Welbeck with a sigh. ‘He’ll be hard to replace.’

‘What do you think about all this business at the women’s brewery?’ asked Lawrence.

‘I think it’s disgusting,’ replied Welbeck, finishing his pint. ‘Another one, Bill, please.’ He handed his glass over. ‘That chief inspector was in the works today, and I told him what I think about it.’

‘Have you got any idea who did it?’ asked Bill.

Welbeck glanced around before answering. ‘I think it was that bloke Handley. You know, big man, works in transport for us. It’s round the works that people saw him there by the gates.’

‘Yes, I wouldn’t be surprised. He comes in here sometimes, throwing his weight about.’

‘Exactly. He’s a bit of an oddball; comes out with some crap stuff, you know. Racist nonsense, and things about gay people. He’s got some weird tattoos. I think the boss has put the police on to him. So it seems he’s got to be a suspect given all that.’

‘Right.’

Welbeck lowered his voice. ‘To be honest, I think it was a person like him behind these murders. You never know with someone like that. They think and do some weird stuff.’

‘Did he know Scholes?’

‘Highly likely in this small town.’

There was a great roar at the far end of the room where the dartboard was located. ‘Sounds like that game’s ended,’ continued Welbeck. ‘I’d better go over and see. I’m on soon. Cheers, Bill.’ He picked up his replenished glass and went to join the darts players, leaving Lawrence to think about their conversation.

Suddenly the door was flung open, and Tony Handley strode into the bar. His face, normally reddish from beer drinking, was a darker tone than usual due to his anger.

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