Move Your Blooming Corpse by D. E. Ireland Read Free Book Online Page A

white mustache. His pinstripe trousers, gray morning coat, and brushed top hat were nearly an exact copy of Pickering’s formal wear at Ascot. “And you, sir? I have been told that you are Senior Steward of the Jockey Club.”
    â€œYes, I am Sir Walter Fairweather.” The older man straightened in his chair. “Prior to the Gold Cup, I oversaw the weighing-in procedure at the stable. And during the race, I was investigating a complaint on the track.”
    Higgins detected a hint of East Anglian dialect in Fairweather’s cultured speech. Although Higgins had first met the distinguished gentleman this morning, Fairweather was an old acquaintance of Colonel Pickering. A former professor at the University of Edinburgh, Fairweather had retired early to conduct botanical research at his manor house in Essex; that research led to a knighthood six years ago.
    Jack waited for someone else to speak. “Lord Saxton,” he said finally. “Where were you and your wife leading up to the Gold Cup?”
    Higgins took his first good look at Saxton since discovering Diana’s body. By Jupiter, the man looked worse than Longhurst. His pallor was chalk white, and his eyes red and swollen.
    â€œI was ill,” Saxton said in a hoarse voice.
    â€œHe threw up,” Turnbull sneered. “We all saw how much he had been drinking. But that’s what Saxton does best. He drinks. The epitome of being drunk as a lord.”
    Higgins prepared himself for an ugly scene between the two men.
    Lady Saxton didn’t bat an eyelash, however. If anything, she looked amused. Saxton surprised Higgins by nodding his head.
    â€œIt’s true. I drank too much champagne.” He took a ragged breath. “If I hadn’t—if I’d gone with her as she asked—Diana would be alive. Diana would be alive!” A sob escaped him, and he buried his face in his hands.
    Lady Saxton seemed mortified. “Maitland, take hold of yourself. You shame us all with this maudlin display.”
    Saxton pushed back his chair. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry—I’m going to be ill again.” He rushed from the conference room, followed by one of the detectives.
    Jack crossed his arms. “And where were you, Lady Saxton? Tending to your sick husband?”
    She shot him a scornful look. “Anyone who was at the parade ring can attest I was in no mood to do any such thing.”
    â€œWhy was that?”
    â€œInspector, this has already been a long, distasteful day. If you persist feigning ignorance of Maitland’s very public affair with Diana Price, it shall grow far more tedious.”
    Eliza leaned closer to her cousin. “It’s true, Jack,” she said in a stage whisper. “When Miss Price arrived, they had a proper row.”
    â€œSo where were you, Lady Saxton?” he asked.
    â€œOnce the unfortunate Miss Price made her entrance, I left. I was in a bad temper, as you can imagine, and went off into the crowd. I didn’t even watch the Gold Cup.” She sniffed. “Not that I cared a whit about it anyway.”
    â€œThen you had a reason to want Miss Price dead?”
    â€œA banal observation.”
    Jack bristled. “You had a motive and no alibi during the time of the murder. How is that for a banal observation?”
    Lady Saxton narrowed her eyes. “It may be banal, but it’s also incorrect.” She sat back with a weary air. “My husband has been indiscreet with a number of women since I married him. If I was the jealous murderess you imagine, I would have done away with five ladies by now. Although none deserves to be called a lady.”
    Higgins fought back a grin. The woman had brass enough to stare down the Kaiser.
    Jack seemed a bit flustered by Lady Saxton. “Regardless, madam, you had no reason to wish the victim well.”
    â€œI am not the only woman in this room humiliated by her husband’s liaison with Miss