Sketch a Murder by Lily Ashton

Author:Lily Ashton [Ashton, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Crime, cozy crime, art, Murder, amateur detective
Publisher: Magenta Lily Publishing
Published: 2020-05-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Roddy was sitting on a low brick wall outside the church hall. He wandered over as Alice took the last free space in the car park and killed the Defender’s engine. She was still half-inside the car when she asked, “What happened?”

“Paul McBride is dead is what happened.”

“I know that. But how?”

“That I don’t know. I only know about it because Stanley’s neighbour told us that she saw Paul’s body being loaded into an ambulance.”

Alice slammed the car door. “Did she see anything else?”

“Nothing I’d bother repeating. Anyway, you can confirm it by asking Nathan Salisbury.”

Alice dialled the detective’s number but only reached his voicemail. She left a message asking him to call her.

“There’s the vicar waving to us, Alice. We’d better go over.”

Layla Brown was already inside the hall, filling empty yoghurt pots with water. “I didn’t know whether today’s class would go ahead exactly as planned, but I’ve brought along some paint and brushes in case it does.”

“That’s thoughtful of you, Layla.” The vicar pulled out a chair. “Let’s all sit down.”

Alice and Layla each clasped their hands together on the table, looked at each other and then at the vicar. “Thank you all for coming,” he said. “I had thought that we could discuss a suitable tribute to Gloria Bailey, but I’m sorry to say that must take a back seat for the moment.” He pulled his chair closer to the table. “I have some distressing news.”

Alice gripped her hands tighter. Beverly must have been charged with Gloria’s murder.

“Paul McBride has died. He—”

“How did you know that?” The words came out louder than Alice had intended.

“DI Salisbury called me. He usually tells me when these things occur, to warn me that pastoral help will be required.”

“What did he say about Paul?”

The vicar turned to face Alice. “He told me that Paul had died and that the circumstances were suspicious. Unofficially, and I want to stress that, he said that Paul had been murdered. That’s all he could say at this time.”

Layla screeched, like a cat with its tail on fire. She reached for a tissue and mopped her face. “I’m sorry, Vicar David. But Paul? Dead! I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Nobody was, Layla. It’s a dreadful shock for us all.” The vicar put a hand over Layla’s. “I’m as shocked as you are. Perhaps you’d like some alone time. You could go into the kitchen for a few minutes?”

Layla nodded. “I won’t be long.” She almost ran for the kitchen, shoving the swing door so it slammed against the wall.

The vicar looked from Alice to Roddy. “While I’ve still got both of you, we can talk about the exhibition opening. I mentioned to Alice that I wanted to stream the event live. How do you feel about that, Roddy?”

“I think it’s an excellent idea. As you know already, I’m only too happy to contribute to projects that introduce art to new audiences. And a worldwide audience? That’s not something I’m going to turn down.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re both on board.

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