Trouble in the Churchyard by Emily Organ

Author:Emily Organ
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2020-06-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Inspector Mappin strode into Churchill and Pemberley’s office that afternoon. “Right then, let’s see it.” He removed his hat, tucked it under his arm and stood in the centre of the room officiously.

“And a good afternoon to you, too, Inspector,” replied Churchill. “What brings you here, then?”

“The ring. Let’s see it.”

“The handsome ring?”

“The gentleman’s gold ring you placed a ‘found’ notice for in the classifieds.”

“Oh, then the newspaper has finally published it. Jolly good. Does it belong to you?”

“No.”

“Ah, well we’re waiting for the rightful owner to turn up, you see.”

“Any such finds should be handed in at the police station.”

“We didn’t think you’d want to be bothered with it, Inspector. You have such a lot on your plate, as you so often remind us.”

“Finds must be handed in to me so that the relevant persons can enquire at the police station and be reunited with them. This is especially important when it comes to items of value. We have a safe down at the station. Do you have a safe, Mrs Churchill?”

“The drawer in my desk is quite adequate, Inspector.”

He snorted in reply.

“And it’s filled almost to the brim with women’s bits and pieces, so any man would be quite put off if he started rummaging about in there.”

“That’s your security system, is it, Mrs Churchill? Women’s bits and pieces?”

“Absolutely, and judging by the flushed appearance of your face I’m guessing you’d be put off rummaging in there yourself, Inspector.”

“But a thief wouldn’t. They have totally different standards, you see.” The inspector hitched up his trousers and sat down at Churchill’s desk. “I’m rather interested in the location where this ring was found,” he continued. “Crunkle Lane, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, the scene of the murder. Do you think the ring could have been involved somehow?”

“I’m quite sure you had already made the connection, Mrs Churchill. And your discovery of the ring suggests you’ve been sniffing around the area. I need you to hand over the ring, not only because I can keep it in the safe until it’s claimed, but also because it could be an important piece of evidence.”

“But we put in the notice that it needs to be collected from this detective agency. I shouldn’t think the owner will be happy when I tell him he has to head down to see you instead. And besides, he might be afraid to ask you for the ring.”

“Why so?”

“Because he could be the murderer, and the last thing he’ll want to do is start fraternising with the law. Besides, Miss Pemberley and I have hatched a little plan.”

The inspector groaned.

“Shall we tell him about our plan, Miss Pemberley?”

“I suppose we’ll have to.”

“Indeed. Our plan, Inspector, is to wait and see who arrives to collect the ring, and then we’ll have ourselves a murder suspect!”

“Just because someone lost his ring on that lane doesn’t mean he committed the murder, Mrs Churchill.”

“No of course not, which is why he’d only be a suspect. And this particular ring suggests the suspect could be a Freemason!”

He raised an eyebrow.

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