Mirabelle Bevan Mystery Collection by Sheridan Sara;

Author:Sheridan, Sara; [Sheridan, Sara;]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Birlinn
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

An ill thought leaves a trail like a serpent.

Mirabelle composed herself and formulated a plan as she powdered her nose. If Harry was somehow involved in Rose’s disappearance she needed proof, but her instincts told her she should keep as far away as she could for as long as possible. She wanted to observe him until she had the measure of the boy. Potentially he was very dangerous, like a cocked gun brandished by a four-year-old.

Where had he gone to get his drink? Leaving her jacket in the Sitting Room, she checked the hallway before venturing out. Keeping out of sight, she peeked into the Coffee Room. Two elderly gentlemen sat, in silence, eating cheese and drinking port. The old duffers had probably known each other all their lives, she thought, yet they still sat at different tables. Mirabelle tiptoed further up the hallway until she came to the Library. Without opening the door she could hear voices. She listened, and relaxed slightly as she recognised Harry’s clipped tones – at least now she knew where he was. Inside, the boy was holding forth. Female laughter punctuated his anecdote of an acquaintance who had a boxing blue which had served him well out of the ring. It was a tale of bravado to make a teenage boy feel good.

‘“There’s three of them. This might keep me a little busy,” he said. We were on the bridge and there was no one else around, so I got my jacket off and thought I’d lend a hand. Took us a couple of minutes but we got there. Landed one of them in the drink, too. Cheek of it! Saying that about Lolly’s mother! Quite a giggle, really.’

One of the girls clearly had a brain. ‘It’s awfully brave of you to be amusing us like this, Harry,’ she said. ‘However, are you keeping your spirits up? I mean, Rose is missing and you’re just soldiering on. It must be so vexing. What do you think has happened to her? Is there absolutely no news?’

There was only a moment’s hesitation.

‘The police have been marvellous,’ Harry enthused convincingly. ‘They’ll bring her back, I’m sure of it.’

A second female voice cut in. ‘For heaven’s sake, Lucy! Must you be so ghoulish? We all hope poor Rose is all right but best not dwell on the thing. There’s nothing any of us can do and it doesn’t do Harry any good at all. Does it, Harry?’

‘Here, here.’ Glasses clinked.

‘What are you planning for the break?’ Harry asked.

‘Harry! Hilary term has only just started!’

‘Paris,’ said the second female voice. ‘We always go to France for Easter – I have an uncle there. I can’t wait. Paris is so charming, n’est-ce pas?’

Satisfied the female company would keep Harry busy for a while – at least until he’d had another drink or two – Mirabelle decided to investigate his territory further.

Feeling more confident, she picked up her jacket from the Sitting Room, and walked back through the hallway and

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.