Time of Daph by Phillipa Nefri Clark

Author:Phillipa Nefri Clark [Clark, Phillipa Nefri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Phillipa Nefri Clark

Chapter 9

“Now just wait on one minute!”

Both men turned to Daphne with such surprise that she almost laughed. But laughter was the last thing on her mind. “My John is not a killer! Your broken watch theory is all very well but you don’t know how that watch was damaged. Do you?”

“Not yet. But most likely there was a struggle.”

“Most likely? Did you see evidence of a struggle? Anything knocked over? Because I didn’t and I was the person who discovered poor Gerry.”

John took her hand but she pulled it away because she needed both arms free to make her points.

“First of all, Sergeant…Captain—what are you anyway?”

With a small smile, Russ said, “Senior Constable.”

“Right. First of all, Senior Constable Robbins, before accusing an innocent man, why are you not securing the area? The killer could be anywhere!” Her arms spread wide. “Apart from you having a quick look, there’s been no actual search organised.”

“There are three of us, Daphne. Not enough to search and manage what’s going on here.”

“Fine. But at least round everyone up and keep us all in one place. At the moment you have several couples back in their caravans or whatnots, a bunch of young people sitting in a stream, and others able to wander around at will.” Her hands went on her hips. “There’s a killer somewhere. Shouldn’t we be keeping everyone together?”

For at least a minute…well, it felt that long, Russ stared at Daphne. He was probably trying to work out how to share his one pair of handcuffs (assuming he had any with him) between her and John.

But then he dialled a number on his mobile phone. “Wright? Do me a favour and tap on the doors of the people we sent off to their accommodation. Yeah, some might be asleep. But get them to return to the marquee. And get Poulter to stop the caterers leaving. Ta.”

Daphne reached for John’s hand and gripped it.

“Anything else?” Russ asked.

“Yes. The knife.”

She could have sworn Russ rolled his eyes but it was dark, so she gave him the benefit of the doubt and explained. “When I found Gerry there was a huge knife stuck in his neck.”

“But. How the…what?”

Hm. Got your attention, did I?

His phone rang. “Sorry.” He turned away to answer. “What’s wrong, Poulter?”

“Sorry, John. I couldn’t let him just arrest you,” Daphne whispered. “Not on my watch.”

He kissed her cheek.

Russ shook his head as he spoke on the phone. “I need them to stay in the marquee. Yeah, just stand your ground. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He hung up and faced them again. “I really feel for her. Constable Poulter. Been on the job for three months and she’s trying hard.”

Yup. Trying to find a killer in all the wrong places.

“She wanted to take John’s shirt. The one that Gerry spilled beer over. And you are welcome to it, of course because it will prove John did nothing wrong. His only crime is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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