Death of a Policeman by M. C. Beaton Read Free Book Online Page A

up.”
    â€œCome along, Brenda,” said the man. “Another false lead.”
    When they had left, Hamish followed them out and watched until their car had disappeared out of the village. He went back indoors and collected Sooty and returned her to Angela.
    â€œYou can’t keep Sonsie hidden forever,” said Angela. “Have you thought of returning her to the wild?”
    â€œThere was no reason afore with the beast being happy wi’ me.”
    â€œDo you think I should wear a wig?”
    â€œWhat!”
    â€œFor the awards.” Angela tugged fretfully at her wispy hair.
    â€œWhy don’t you just go as yourself?” said Hamish. “Nothing up with you.”
    â€œI’d like to shine, just once.”
    â€œGet your hair done, then.”
    â€œI’ll think about it.”
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    Hamish returned to the police station, collected his dog, and drove up to the Tommel Castle Hotel. He was just getting down from the Land Rover when he saw a familiar blonde head in the gift shop and his heart gave a lurch.
    He walked to the shop and opened the door. Priscilla Halburton-Smythe was arranging goods on the shelves. “Back again,” said Hamish.
    She swung round, and her face lit up when she saw him. “I’ve got some holiday due to me and the woman who works here is off sick so I’m filling in. Are you working on that policeman’s murder?”
    â€œTrying to.”
    â€œI’m closing up for lunch,” said Priscilla. “Why don’t you join me and tell me all about it?”
    â€œThat’ll be grand. I’ve just got to find Dick. He’s hiding out in the hotel with Sonsie.”
    â€œI heard about the scientists. How did you get on?”
    Hamish told her as she locked up and they walked together into the hotel. The manager, Mr. Johnson, told Hamish that Dick was in the kitchen. “I’ll meet you in the dining room,” said Priscilla.
    In the kitchen, Hamish bent down and stroked Sonsie’s soft fur. “I’m having lunch with Priscilla,” he told Dick. “You can join us if you like.”
    â€œI’m on a diet,” said Dick.
    â€œSince when?”
    â€œSince today,” said Dick. “I’ll take the beasts back to the station and phone you if Jimmy turns up.”
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    In the dining room, Priscilla listened as Hamish told her all about Cyril. When he had finished, she asked, “This Murdo Bentley? What did you make of him?”
    â€œIt’s hard to know,” said Hamish. “It was an odd sort of house. There’s building going on all around but his study was so quiet. Probably soundproofed or triple glazing. I would have expected a successful businessman like him to have a house in the country.”
    â€œMaybe he has,” said Priscilla. “Or a flat at the restaurant. It’s a big place. There’s a restaurant, a brasserie, and suites that are used for wedding receptions and conventions. I tell you what, let’s have dinner in the brasserie tonight.”
    â€œAll right,” said Hamish. “What time?”
    â€œPick me up at seven thirty and I’ll book a table for eight.”
    â€œIt’s that phone number that puzzles me. I told Jimmy it had been found on Archie Maclean’s boat but I found it in one of Cyril’s trainers. Now, why would he keep that number if Murdo was only just a man he had interviewed?”
    â€œWe’ll get a feel of the place anyway,” said Priscilla.
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    Hamish returned to the police station followed by Dick, to be confronted by an angry Jimmy Anderson. “Where the hell have you been?” he demanded.
    â€œI was finding out a bit more about Murdo Bentley,” said Hamish.
    â€œWell, forget it,” snapped Jimmy. “The pair of you get back up to the location of Sandybeach. I want every man combing the whole area.”
    Hamish and Dick set off in the Land Rover with