Christmas with Death by M.A. Lee

Author:M.A. Lee
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: country house mystery, country manor mystery, post World War I, murder mystery
Publisher: M.A. Lee
Published: 2021-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Thompson gave his dourest look when Madoc asked to use the telephone.

“The only device in the house is in Sir Reginald’s study, Mr. Tarrant. You must request permission from his lordship.”

“Has Sir Reginald returned from hunting?”

“He has retired to his chamber to prepare for the day. He will be available before noon, as is his habit.”

“Then you’ll have to lead me to his study, Thompson. I need to call the local constable and then Scotland Yard.”

The starch wilted from the butler. “Sir? Scotland Yard?”

“We’ve had a murder. Mr. Gresham is dead.”

“Yes, sir. Come this way, sir.”

Madoc had changed his mind about letting Isabella go upstairs, for he towed her behind him as they followed Thompson down the paneled hall and past the blue sitting room and conservatory.

The butler recovered his starch before he admitted them to the study. “Mr. Tarrant, Sir Reginald will not be pleased when he finds you here. His study is sacrosanct. Not even his daughters enter without permission.”

“I will explain to him immediately. And Thompson, my brother needs two men to relieve him. He is maintaining the murder scene alone. We need two men who can be trusted to stand guard and not interfere with the scene in any way until the police relieve them. Which should be when your local constable can be here. Will you attend to that? As well as something to cover the body.”

He flinched at the word but stoically said, “Yes, sir. May I suggest you ring Dr. Venture? Sir Reginald began to use his services when he returned from the war. Dr. Bixby might be—indisposed. When the family hears the news, Dr. Venture may be able to help them.”

Isabella marveled at his understatement. With Tori Malvaise’s flair for the dramatic, she might treat them all to exhausting histrionics.

She stood beside Madoc as he rang the Exchange and asked to be connected to Scotland Yard in London.

“London? The Scotland Yard?” the woman queried, excitement crackling over the line.

“Will you connect us?”

“Of course, sir. You are ringing from Emberley?” When he confirmed it and gave his name as well as Sir Reginald’s, Exchange said the connection would necessarily be delayed. He asked for the local constable then waited as she rang the man’s home then the local post office then the pub.

Finally, they heard the constable speaking. “Constable Billings. How may I help you?”

“This is Madoc Tarrant, a guest of Sir Reginald’s. We need you to come up to Emberley. Immediately, please.”

“Well, now, if Sir Reginald needs me, he knows he only has to ring.”

“Which is what we are doing. How long until you are here?”

“Quarter-hour on m’bicycle, more or less.”

“Excellent.” Madoc rang off then rang Exchange again. “I need to speak with Dr. Venture, Miss. How is the connection to Scotland Yard coming?”

“It’s coming. You’ve had excitement at Emberley, I’d say. Local police and London police and now the doctor. Hello, Mrs. Venture. I have someone from Emberley ringing for the doctor? Is he available?”

“Just a moment,” a woman said.

Isabella tugged Madoc’s sleeve.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.