Asylum Lane: from the Victorian Carriage mystery series by Alan M. Petrillo

Author:Alan M. Petrillo [Petrillo, Alan M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: August Words Publishing
Published: 2015-01-19T05:00:00+00:00

•••••••

The sound of the heavy door knocker had hardly drifted away when the housekeeper swung the vicarage door open. “Oh, it’s you gentlemen from the police. I expect you’ll want the reverend.”

“Indeed we do,” Round Freddy said, fingering the brim of the hat in his hands. “May we come in?”

“Please take a seat in the sitting room there.” The housekeeper indicated an arrangement of overstuffed, flower furniture in a room off the entry hall.

Round Freddy stood as Reverend Elsworth entered the room.

“What is it now, detective?”

“I think that you might want to sit down, sir. I have distressing news.”

The reverend stiffened, but did not move.

“We found a body in the river. We believe it to be your niece.” Round Freddy pulled a damp bag from his pocket and handed it to the reverend. “This also was in the bag.” He held out the wrinkled and stained calling card.

The reverend looked at the card, but did not touch it. “That’s her card. And this is her bag,” he said, turning the bag over and over in his hands.

Round Freddy studied the reverend’s face, but couldn’t decide if it was shock or unconcern that registered there. He gently took the bag back from the reverend.

“I’m sure you understand. This is a police investigation and these items are evidence. We shall be sure to return them to you as soon as possible.”

The reverend nodded, then lowered his gaze to the floor.

“Did she drown?”

“It seems so, although the doctor has not finished with the body yet. We shall know more presently.”

“Then that’s it,” the reverend said, slapping his thighs and standing abruptly. “She’s killed herself.“

“We don’t know that is what transpired, sir. The only thing we know now is that she was found floating in the river. How she came to be there or how she met her end are still questions to be answered.”

“I shall have to make arrangements for her burial.”

“Yes, of course. We will have the body released to you as soon as the doctor is finished with his examination. I’ll have constable Andrews advise you personally.”

The reverend nodded absently. “That would be fine.”

Round Freddy glanced at Andrews and cocked his head toward the door. Neither of them said anything as they left the house.

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