Mydworth Mysteries--Deadly Cargo by Matthew Costello & Neil Richards

Author:Matthew Costello & Neil Richards [Costello, Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-3-7325-6957-1
Publisher: Bastei Entertainment
Published: 2020-01-14T16:00:00+00:00

10. Checking the Facts

By the time Harry finally got home to the Dower House, Kat had had her long bath, dressed, got the late supper all set, and had a cursory read through all the files that had been delivered from Excelsior.

One look at him and she could see that Harry felt as exhausted as she did.

All those pints probably didn’t help either.

They sat together in the small dining room, sharing their stories of the day’s events and steadily working their way through a bottle of Berry Brothers’ claret.

“So, according to Mr MacCulloch, Reggie Drew’s a card-carrying Communist, intent on fomenting revolution?” said Kat, after Harry had told her about the incident in the alley.

“And not just Drew,” said Harry. “It seems our scientist friend, Arbuthnot, is a sympathiser too. Part of a radical group up in Cambridge.”

“Gosh. Two of them in one factory. Better summon the nearest army battalion.”

“Still though, don’t you think… two of them… can’t be a coincidence, can it?” said Harry. “Far as I could tell, Drew just wants to start up a union, but, you know, these chaps in Intelligence, they’re always on the lookout for Bolshevists.” Harry leaned forward. “They can run a tad paranoid.”

Kat nodded. “But down here in Mydworth? I mean, what could he and Arbuthnot possibly be up to? Organising the dairy farmers?”

“The cows too, I imagine!”

They both laughed.

She watched Harry top up their glasses.

“Well, here’s the thing, Kat. In the war, Excelsior did supply the army with radio kits. And – it’s all a bit top secret, you know – but it seems they still have a contract with the War Office.”

“So MI5 – and you – think that the robberies really might have a security connection?” said Kat.

“Not sure. But very possible,” said Harry. “Which, coming full circle, makes your sighting of Arbuthnot even more important. Question is, who was driving that van?”

“Well – we know it wasn’t Drew – you were knocking back pints with him.”

“Only a couple.”

“And some…”

“All in the line of duty, my dear.”

“Clearly,” said Kat, finishing her meal and sliding her plate away. “You think Fowler could be in league with Arbuthnot – stealing equipment? For some big Communist plot?”

“Does sound a tad unlikely, doesn’t it? But still possible,” said Harry. “However, how does that connect to the robberies? Or does it?”

“Right. Could be unconnected.”

“Which wouldn’t help us at all.”

They both stood up, collected the plates and bowls, went into the kitchen.

“I tell you, this investigation has me going round in circles,” said Kat.

“Me too. Especially tonight. Post pub, and all that.”

“But Harry, one thing I do want to find out…”

“Go on.”

“How come Fowler was so useless when he arrived at Excelsior – when his references were so excellent?”

“Good question,” said Harry. “Right now, I think he’s our top suspect – don’t you?”

“Feels that way,” said Kat. “Though we don’t have a whiff of an idea who he might be working with. Okay then, let’s make him our priority in the morning.”

“Good idea. And also – we’ll get the maps out, see what we can find out about Brooke Farm.

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.