Boomerang by Sydney J. Bounds Read Free Book Online Page B

possibility.”
    Reid nodded. “A distinct possibility. Later on, take a stroll down to the village. See what the locals have to say.”
    * * * *
    Miss Eaton moved a chair into the hall and sat opposite the door of the interview room. Sherry jumped onto her lap and settled down, purring happily as Miss Eaton stroked her silky coat.
    Together, they watched the faces of the suspects as they were called. Their expressions changed between going in and coming out.
    On the way in they were mostly apprehensive. Probably none of them had been interviewed before by the police on a serious matter.
    Hilda Keller came out smiling and there was almost a spring in her step.
    Sammy Jacobi went directly to the payphone and made a call. Long distance, Miss Eaton judged, as he waited to get through. He seemed nervous. Worried? She wondered if he were calling his solicitor.
    Fletcher, the Australian, looked thoughtful as if he were meditating on the fact that it was his killing stick that had been used.
    Val’s face was pale and strained and she came straight to Miss Eaton and said, “I’m sure the Inspector believes that I murdered Bullard. He was asking why I invited you here. What should I do, Belle?”
    “Relax,” Miss Eaton advised. “I’m not worried, and I’m just as sure you didn’t murder anyone.”
    Reggie looked gloomier than before as he joined Val and they went off together.
    Keith Parry wore an expression of triumph, as if he’d done battle and come out the victor.
    Then Linda went in.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    WHICH ONE?
    Detective Comstable Frank Trewin watched Reid from the corner of his eye. The big man in the shiny blue suit had already sabotaged his image of a Scotland Yard man. And being called ‘constable’ all the time irritated him.
    Of course, the London man was showing the local boy how to run a murder enquiry...well, he wouldn’t be in charge for ever. Reid was close to retirement age.
    When Linda Snow made her entrance, Trewin took his gaze away from the Inspector.
    The blonde girl paused in the doorway of the interview room, looking from one man to the other. She made a tentative smile. She stood in profile, wearing a thin teeshirt, and took a deep breath.
    Trewin enjoyed the view. She was about twenty, he guessed, and knew what she was doing. She was trying it on.
    “Please sit down, Miss Snow,” Reid said in a hearty manner.
    She closed the door, sauntered into the room and sat opposite the Inspector. She darted a sideways glance at Trewin.
    “I don’t suppose you liked Bullard any more than the others,” Reid said.
    Linda’s eyes flashed,
    “He was a dirty old man!” Her tone registered indignation. “Asking me to pose in the nude, at his age. Of course I wouldn’t. I’m really shy.”
    “I’m sure,” Reid said dryly. “Last night. Did you see him at any time?”
    “Last night I was out with Duke, my boyfriend. We went to a roadhouse—I don’t know the name—it’s on the way to Penzance.”
    “And after that?”
    “After that?” Linda looked down demurely. “I was with Duke.”
    “So Bullard didn’t worry you much?”
    “What d’you think? I’ve been asked to take my clothes off before.”
    “Quite likely. Your boyfriend now, is he the jealous type?” Reid’s voice was deceptively casual.
    Linda smiled with satisfaction. “I can make Duke jealous any time I want...he hit George.”
    “We’ll see what he has to say about that himself. All right, Miss Snow, you can go.”
    Trewin watched her leave the room, and eased his collar. “A sexy piece,” he commented.
    “Yes, and she likes to make her boyfriend jealous. Suppose she encouraged Bullard to go too far, and Duke blew up?”
    “It’s possible, I suppose,” Trewin admitted grudgingly. “The boyfriend next?”
    “I’ll save him up. Mr. Keller interests me.”
    Wilfred Keller walked briskly into the room and sat down. He was neatly dressed in quality clothes and looked a bit of a dandy.
    “D’you mind if I smoke,