A Mysterious Murder by Fiona Grace

Author:Fiona Grace [Grace, Fiona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Creeping cautiously back down the corridor, Mary hoped that her first day of investigation, which had got off to an unpromising start, would improve. But as she neared the main passage, something even worse happened.

From ahead, brisk, officious footsteps sounded, and a voice she recognized spoke out. It was coming from near the front door and was heading her way.

“It’s early I know, Mrs. Devon, but we do need to speak to all these guests and get their clearest impressions of the events of yesterday.”

It was Constable Philpott. With Mrs. Devon alongside?

There was no way she could allow him to find her in this corridor. Especially after Mrs. Devon’s stern warning for her to stay in her room, this would be disastrous. She might be taken into the police station and kept there to await her arrest.

She was lucky not to have been, but her luck was about to run out.

Now, Mary urgently needed to get out of sight – but where? Was there any door in this corridor that didn’t lead to a bedroom? Even a broom cupboard would work. Anything!

There was a door that didn’t belong to a bedroom – and Mary breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it, small and humble and tucked away near a corner. Different from the bedroom doors with their tall, wide frames and ornate brass handles.

Mary pushed it open, slipped through, and closed it again behind her just as the footsteps rounded the corner. This wasn’t a broom cupboard. It was a narrow corridor that must be a service route of some description, and there was a shaft of light coming through the keyhole at the far end of it. How strange. This lodge really was crammed full of unexpected nooks and crannies.

“So, we’ll need to get versions from all the guests,” Philpott said.

Mary’s heart rate jumped even higher as the other voice spoke, even closer now.

“Absolutely, Constable.” Mrs. Devon’s tone was firm. “The sooner we can get this unfortunately murderous young woman into police custody, with a strong case against her, the better.”

Tucked away in her narrow passage, Mary fumed. Mrs. Devon was accepting the false, unfounded version that she was the killer, without even questioning it? Why wasn't the housekeeper siding with her as an employee? Weren't they in this together, a united team of household staff?

Clearly not, she thought, as a hard rapping noise made her jump.

“Police!” Philpott said in commanding tones. “Open up, please, madam. I need to speak to you.”

He was knocking on the door right next to this passage. She’d almost let out a horrified gasp. If she had done, he would have heard her for sure. Now, from her hiding place, she needed to keep a careful ear out to see who was where.

Were those Mrs. Devon’s footsteps retreating back down the corridor? Yes, they definitely were. The housekeeper was not staying with Philpott. Her job had been to show him where the rooms were situated.

Then she heard the click of the

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