02 Blue Murder by Emma Jameson Read Free Book Online

unintentionally.
    “ Well. You prefer to take
that sort of attitude, do you?” Oliphant withdrew his hand. “I
suppose you think I have no business here. Very well, take it up
with your subordinates; they were so busy collaring the party
guests who fled, they did a poor job securing the rest of the
house. I realize it must be a great disappointment for New Scotland
Yard, to barge in and find these frightened children protected by
legal counsel.” Oliphant’s tone grew colder. “However, at least in
Ms. Wardle’s case, that’s exactly what you face. I won’t stand for
intimidation tactics from you or anyone else, chief superintendent.
My client will answer questions for ten more minutes. Then
we’ll—”
    “ I won’t! I know my rights!”
Emmeline leapt up. Oliphant’s borrowed overcoat tangled beneath her
feet, tripping Emmeline and sending her reeling into Hetheridge’s
instinctive grasp.
    “ Get off!”
    Pulling herself away from him, Emmeline tore
off the gray wool coat and tossed it aside. As expected, she wore
lingerie underneath—a white camisole and tap pants, lacy stockings
and four-inch heels. Crushed against her back were two pieces of
cardboard pasted with white feathers. It took Hetheridge a moment
to realize they were meant to be wings.
    “ Emmy, calm down.” Oliphant
tried to place a restraining hand on her shoulder, but she shook
him off with surprising strength. Without the coat, Hetheridge saw
that Emmeline had an unexpectedly robust built, particularly
through the upper arms and shoulders.
    “ Don’t call me Emmy! No one
calls me Emmy anymore! And I’m done answering
questions!”
    “ Look, love, I know you’re
knackered, but there’s a difference between being firm with these
people and behaving like an unreasonable little brat,” Oliphant
said. Something in his expression—narrowly contained fury—and use
of the diminutive “Emmy” made Hetheridge suspect Oliphant was not
only her barrister, but a family friend or relative.
    “ You’d do well to heed your
counsel, Ms. Wardle,” Hetheridge said, putting all his authority
into his voice. “‘These people,’ as your counsel so elegantly
termed New Scotland Yard, have the time, patience and resources to
pursue you as long as necessary, and to the fullest extent of the
law. We can make your life very unpleasant if you refuse to assist
us with our inquiries.”
    Emmeline uttered a short, incredulous laugh.
“Old man. Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m not some dozy
donkey afraid of the cops. My father can buy and sell you. Tomorrow
you’ll be begging me for your job back. He’ll pull a few strings
and you’ll find yourself in the dole queue!”
    “ Emmy.” Oliphant closed his
eyes.
    “ Are you threatening me?”
Hetheridge asked Emmeline.
    “ You better believe I’m
threatening you.”
    “ Then you’re under arrest.”
Hetheridge gestured to the uniformed PCs watching, expressionless,
from the area just outside the formal parlor.
    Shrieking in disbelief, Emmeline tried to
bolt. The male PC seized her forearms, spinning her around.
Planting her feet, Emmeline managed to free herself briefly, only
to shriek again as the female officer snapped cuffs around her
wrists. Immobilized, Emmeline started calling for Oliphant,
pleading until her voice shredded, but the lawyer merely stepped
aside, giving the PCs ample room to perform their duties.
    “ You do not have to say
anything,” the woman PC recited over Emmeline’s halting sobs, “but
it may harm your defense if you do not mention when questioned
something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may
be given in evidence …”
    Hetheridge waited silently until Emmeline
Wardle had almost been maneuvered out of the room. Just as the PCs
hauled her over the threshold he called, “Ms. Wardle! One final
question. Do you know who lives next door to you? At number
16?”
    “ If Sir Duncan did this, it
isn’t my fault!” Emmeline cried, voice