Murder at Farrington Hall (A Dodo Dorchester Mystery Book 1) by Ann Sutton

Author:Ann Sutton [Sutton, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Poppy Publishing
Published: 2020-09-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Charlie, athletic and tanned, appeared uncharacteristically ill at ease, fingering his collar and pulling his jacket close around him. Dodo had never seen him this way. In fact, he was the kind of person one might envy as always being confident and in control. Did he have something to hide?

The chief inspector was guiding him through the general questions he had asked everyone, and Charlie was answering in a flat, monotone.

“Did you come back to the house during the game? I believe Miss Anderson was your partner.” Charlie’s eyes darted around the room several times and then he seemed to get a grip on himself. “No, I don’t think I did.”

“You don’t think so?” said the chief inspector with a hint of accusation in his tone. Charlie slid back in his seat. “I mean, I did not.”

“Did your partner, Miss Anderson, come back to the house at any time during the game?” Charlie stroked his chin with his hand, thinking. “No,” he finally said.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, yes, completely sure. We had lots of lemonade as it was thirsty work but neither of us left the game. I’m quite certain.”

“Do you know anything about the theft of the emeralds?”

Charlie looked as shocked as if the chief inspector had slapped him. The change of subject was so sudden. “No, of course not. I know nothing about jewels. They could have been paste for all I know.” The chief inspector looked up quickly as if struck by something and then scribbled in the notebook.

“And you did not know the maid, Agnes Brown?”

“No. I visited this house a few times when I was at Eton, but Agnes was not here then. Before this weekend I had never met her.”

“Did you ‘meet’ her this time?”

“Chief Inspector!” blurted out Dodo aghast.

“That is not what I meant,” said Charlie, smiling weakly at Dodo. “To be honest, I hadn’t even noticed her and couldn’t describe her now if you asked me to.” This was said with more energy than anything else he had yet said, and Dodo was sure he was being honest.

“Did you know the emeralds would be here this weekend?”

“I have never met the Alexanders before and did not know they were coming. So, no. I did not.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chadwick. I will probably need to question you again but that is all for now.”

While Chief Inspector Blood wrote, Charlie caught Dodo’s eye and dragged a finger across his throat. She smiled with sympathy as he headed for the door.

The chief inspector swung forcibly towards Dodo once Charlie was gone. “I have warned you about interrupting me!” he cried. “One more outburst like that and you will be gone!”

“Well, I found that question most inappropriate,” she declared, holding her ground.

“An interrogation does not concern itself with what is deemed appropriate, Lady Dorothea. We are seeking the truth.”

He was right, but she hated to see her friends painted into corners.

“Of course,” she said by way of apology.

After a minute, the chief inspector continued. “How well do

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