Welcome to Oakhaven by Sullatober Dalton

Author:Sullatober Dalton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Humourous, Village life, Uplifting, Relationships, Renewing Life, Adapting at 50, Family Values, Rivalries, Gentile, Village Events, Comforting, Holiday Read, Chill Out, Sunny, Light Reading, Companionship, Country Life, Children
ISBN: 9781783338979
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2014
Published: 2016-03-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

‘The butcher?’ Mrs Jackson asked the policeman.

‘It was a sudden death, Ma’am, and we have to conduct an inquiry. Purely routine.’

Elaine looked keenly at the policeman.

‘Just routine?’

‘Just routine, unless you have information that indicates there was some kind of foul play, Ma’am.’

Elaine shook her head.

‘No, no nothing like that, I really don’t know anything about what happened at all. I understand there was some kind of car crash.’ His neck was broken, she remembered.

‘That’s correct, Ma’am. The coroner will be holding an inquest before officially issuing a verdict.’

‘So what do you want to know from me, Sergeant?’

‘Someone suggested you might know something about the man’s state of mind.’

‘The butcher’s state of mind, Sergeant?’

‘The butcher’s state of mind, Ma’am,’ the sergeant repeated, smiling

It was the colonel’s state of mind she remembered. The intensity. The threat to kill.

‘He came here a few weeks back and tried to...well, he thought I would...’ She strengthened her voice...‘would welcome his advances. How he got that impression, I have no idea.’

‘And what happened?’

‘Someone came and that was that, Sergeant.’

She hoped he would not ask who had come.

‘So it went no further?’

‘No.’

There was no need to mention Gordon’s threat. It had been a car crash, hadn’t it?

‘Did you see him afterwards?’

‘I stopped using his shop and haven’t seen him since.’

‘Thank you, Mrs Jackson. I’ve had one or two other reports of his misbehaving but you will appreciate, we have to investigate all possibilities.’

‘And accusations, Sergeant.’ Elaine said smiling.

The sergeant grinned ruefully, ‘And accusations, Mrs Jackson. Thank you for your time.’

‘I’m sorry, I haven’t offered you tea, Sergeant.’

‘Not to worry, but thanks for thinking of it, Mrs Jackson. I’ll leave you in peace.’

Elaine was about to ask when the inquest would be but checked herself from showing too much interest. Gordon wasn’t involved, of course, but someone had already mentioned her own name and it was better to let sleeping dogs lie.

After watching the police car drive away, Elaine made tea. The cup rattled in the saucer. Just as well the sergeant had refused.

She sipped the tea, burning her mouth. This wouldn’t do. She put down the cup, got her jacket and marched purposefully to the Gordon’s house.

Knowing she’d have to ask immediately or lose her nerve, as he opened the door, she confronted him. ‘I’ve just had a policeman making enquiries about the butcher’s death.’

‘About the butcher’s death?’ Gordon asked. ‘Whatever for?’

Scamp came and Elaine had to pat him, then looked up at Gordon. ‘Sudden death needs an inquest and someone suggested I might know something about the dead man’s state of mind.’

‘But it is weeks since he came to your place, Elaine.’

‘Exactly! But the man had a broken neck and soldiers are taught...’

‘To kill, Mrs Jackson?’ The change to her formal name hurt Elaine and she frowned. ‘To kill suddenly and leave no trace,’ Gordon added.

Scamp looked from one to the other before nuzzling Elaine’s hand.

‘I was only worried, Colonel... Gordon... you threatened to kill him.’

‘And made it appear certain I would, is that it?’

‘Well...’

The colonel stiffened.

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