Windswept by Patricia Twomey Ryan

Author:Patricia Twomey Ryan [Patricia Ryan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House
Published: 2014-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

The house was much busier when Emily and Inspector Moller got back to it. Lights blazed in every room downstairs, there was a police crew putting in some kind of phone line and half-a-dozen people were seated around the living room.

‘Glad you’re back, Thomas,’ Martin said as they came in. ‘There are some questions about how you want to do this. Most of the people on your list are here. Those staying at the Bluffs, anyway. We reached Sarah in town. She was going to pick up Jon. They should be here soon.’

‘Thank you, Martin. I know how difficult this must be. I can see the resort is full. Who’s taking care of the guests?’

‘Nelson and Penny are both over there. You know, between the two of them, they can probably run the place as well as I can.’

‘Well, maybe for a short while … I see my men are here.’

‘Yes, they’ve been setting things up inside. I’ve ordered some food from the kitchen. Most of these folks haven’t eaten anything and even though no one feels particularly hungry, I think it’s best. What about your men, Thomas?’

‘No, no, don’t worry about us. It’s a good idea for the others, though. Actually, I’d like to take a few minutes to meet with my men. Perhaps in the large study. Oh, and did Mrs Stirhew … what’s her first name again … Jessica? Did she wake up?’

‘A few minutes ago. She still seems pretty shaken, though. She’s upstairs with Annie. We wanted to give her as much privacy as we could. Just let me know when you want to talk to her.’

‘OK. Why don’t you see to those people getting something to eat and by then we should be ready to start.’

There was a buffet set out in the dining room and Martin encouraged everyone to take a plate. Although they all protested at first, the smell of the food soon lured them. Emily took a small plate and, wanting to be alone, she headed out to the patio where she sat quietly in the shadows. But her privacy was short-lived as she saw Marietta and Nora heading for a small table nearby.

Marietta seemed to be holding up well but Nora still looked distraught; her face drawn and pale, her eyes red and swollen. Emily could sense Marietta’s intensity as she overheard her speaking as they walked. ‘We always knew someone could find out, Nora. It was a risk we were willing to take. I was lost before you came along. You know that, Nora. Parties every other night, “doing lunch” as they say, cocktails before dinner – they all added up to fodder for my column and disaster for my liver. I was headed down the same road as Roger if it hadn’t been for you.’

‘Oh, Marietta, I was nothing, you had everything,’ Nora practically moaned. ‘So witty and smart, entry into the best homes, invitations to the most elegant parties.’

‘Nora, you know those invitations weren’t for me, not really; they were for what I offered.

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