A Long Shadow by H L Marsay

Author:H L Marsay
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Mystery
ISBN: 9781952560842
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2021-07-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Down 2 (10 letters)

By going through the narrow passage, the lackey wins his prize

Susie Slater was perched on the reception desk, wearing a pretty floral sundress when Shadow arrived. She was waiting for him with a bright smile and a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

“Hello, Chief Inspector, goodness what a day you must be having. I thought you might be in need of caffeine?”

She patted him affectionately on the shoulder, as she handed the coffee over.

“You knew I was coming?” asked Shadow in surprise, feeling himself blush slightly.

“Thanks to the all-seeing eye!” Susie pointed to the monitor behind the desk. It showed a grainy, black-and-white image from the front door.

“I don’t suppose it records as well does it?” asked Shadow, thinking back to the night Fay left.

“I’m afraid not. It’s a bit of an antique. I suppose with everything that’s happened we should really get it upgraded.”

“I take it you’ve heard about the two deaths that occurred last night?”

“Yes, it’s so awful. I was only talking to poor old Norman at the soup kitchen last night. It’s such a shame. I know most people thought he was a lost cause, but he was sweet in his own way.” She sighed heavily. “Although, to be quite honest with you, Chief Inspector, as sorry as I am about what happened to Norman and the other lady, I’m more upset to hear you’ve finally found Emma.”

“Who told you?” Shadow asked, although he was certain he already knew the answer.

“Oliver. He phoned us in such a state that we both dashed over to his office. He’s still with Luke now. Those two are really struggling with the news. Even after all these years, I think they both still hoped there was a chance she might come back. Oliver, I know, has always felt guilty.”

“Why should Oliver feel guilty?”

“He and Emma had always been close, but before Em disappeared he’d been quite unkind to her. Emma was really upset about it. I think it was just a bit of sibling rivalry. I’m an only child, so I wouldn’t know, but Ollie’s exam results weren’t all he’d hoped for and their parents were so excited about Em applying to Oxford. It was all their dad could talk about and I…well I just think it got to Ollie.”

Susie paused and took a breath, her eyes bright with tears. “I simply can’t understand it. How did Emma get in the tunnel? Could the current have carried her there? When the river was high, during the floods perhaps?”

Shadow smiled politely but didn’t say that they doubted Emma’s body had ever entered the water. He was more interested in her reaction to recent events.

“I saw Luke earlier. He’s hurt his hand.”

Susie glanced away briefly. For once, she didn’t seem to know what to say. When she turned back to Shadow her usually bright eyes looked tired and dull.

“Yes, did you speak to him?”

“No, he was on the other side of the road, leaving the pharmacy when I saw him,” Shadow explained, and Susie smiled and seemed to relax again.

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