Ann Granger by That Way Murder Lies Read Free Book Online

that’s what’s led to this situation, isn’t it? If everyone knew, no one could threaten me now.’
    ‘We can talk about it in private, if you wish,’ Markby said.
    She shook her head. ‘No, the family members here have been told. When Jeremy found out about the letters, Alan, we discussed it. I said Fiona and Toby must be told because it seemed likely now it would all come out about the trial. I didn’t want either or them to learn about it from newspapers. When we told Toby, he said at once he’d ask Meredith to speak to you. I know that wasn’t correct procedure. It’s probably put you on the spot and you’re privately cursing us. I don’t blame you. But we are desperate. One clutches at straws. Meredith should hear all the details because she’s the one Toby asked to approach you. You, of course, have to know. I was accused of the murder of my great-aunt, Freda Kemp.’

    She paused and heaved a sigh. ‘It’s hard to know where to begin. You need some background facts if it’s to make sense. My parents were in the Diplomatic Service, as you were, Meredith. They lived in various parts of the globe and I was sent home to school. My guardian for practical purposes in this country was Aunt Freda. She was a single woman who ran a successful business finding nannies and domestic staff for people. By the time of the – the events which led to the trial, I was twenty-three. My parents had retired to St Lucia to spend the rest of their lives in the sun. Aunt Freda was long retired herself but she was still my remaining family link in this country. I used to go and see her when I could, though it wasn’t easy. She lived in Cornwall, rather off the beaten track, near Rock on the Camel estuary.’
    ‘I know it,’ Markby nodded. ‘A beautiful spot.’
    ‘Yes,’ Alison agreed. ‘I always loved it there. Aunt Freda had had a holiday cottage there for years when she lived and ran her firm in London. When she retired, she chose to make the cottage her permanent home. It had a large garden and she loved that particularly.’
    ‘That,’ Alan said, ‘I can certainly understand!’ He smiled. Alison didn’t return the smile. ‘Moving to the cottage was, if you like to use the expression, her undoing.’ She paused and they waited. As they did a shadow passed the window which gave on to the front of the house.
    Both Markby and Meredith turned their heads and Meredith had a fleeting impression of a tall ungainly shape.
    ‘Harry Stebbings,’ said Jenner briefly. ‘The gardener.’
    They sat and listened as Stebbings’ footsteps crunched away heavily across the gravel.
    ‘He maintains the grounds alone?’ Markby asked.
    ‘He’s got the help of his son in holiday times. A gormless youth by the name of Darren whom his parents hope will benefit from attending the local college of further education. I doubt it. I gather he’s studying photography!’ Jenner snorted.

    Fiona giggled. ‘He wants to be a snapper of the stars, that’s what he told me, in those words. You know, part of the paparazzi pack.’
    ‘He’ll find that a cut-throat world,’ Markby observed.
    ‘Oh, he hasn’t got a clue,’ Fiona said carelessly. ‘He’s got one of those little digital cameras and he thinks he’s going to do it all with that. He’s never heard of any of the famous photographers and he’s got no artistic or dramatic sense. He thinks as long as you have the figures dead centre in the middle of the picture, that’s it.’
    ‘I’d be happy,’ Meredith observed, ‘if I could get the subject in the middle of the snap. When I take a photo, the subject always comes out on the bottom right-hand side.’
    Markby gave her a brief conspiratorial grin before he turned back to Alison who continued her story.
    ‘I wish I could have visited Aunt Freda more often. She was getting frail. She was, after all, my mother’s aunt and my great-aunt. She was eighty when – when the tragedy happened. Perhaps I should say the