Murder Dancing by Lesley Cookman Read Free Book Online

Peter was occasionally jealous.
    â€˜Not a word. Why?’
    â€˜I just wondered. Presumably he was a dancer himself. Or maybe still is.’ Libby absently picked up a tea towel.
    â€˜Don’t do that!’ snapped Harry.
    â€˜Do what?’
    â€˜Dry these dishes. They have to air dry.’
    â€˜Why didn’t you do them in the dishwasher then?’
    Harry sighed. ‘Have a look at them, dearie.’
    â€˜Oh,’ said Libby. ‘They’re a bit old, aren’t they?’
    â€˜Just a bit, petal. My mum Millie’s best china.’
    Millicent was Hetty’s younger sister and Peter’s mother, now residing in a very expensive home for the bewildered.
    â€˜Oh, OK. Why did you use them for the dancers?’
    â€˜Because I didn’t want to use the caff’s stuff. Looks a bit you know – what’s the word?’
    â€˜Utilitarian?’
    â€˜If you so say so. Now. Glass of wine before you go? Or are you going to be good?’
    â€˜I’m going to be good and have a glass of wine,’ said Libby.
    Harry brought a bottle of red into the sofa corner and sat down with a sigh.
    â€˜Did you get anything out of them at lunchtime?’ he asked.
    â€˜No, did you?’
    â€˜Too early,’ said Harry. ‘They were all a bit flirty, you know?’
    â€˜Peter and I saw,’ said Libby, accepting a glass.
    â€˜Oh, bugger. Was he jealous?’
    â€˜No, he seemed fine. Did any of them chat?’
    â€˜Oh, yes. All very complimentary about the digs and the theatre. And the food of course. I picked up a little bit of gossip among themselves, though.’
    â€˜Oh?’
    â€˜Who’s Stan? He’s the stage manager, isn’t he?’
    â€˜Stage and company manager, I think.’
    â€˜I thought Max was the company manager?’
    Libby shook her head. ‘No, he’s the director. And choreographer. The company manager does all the mundane stuff.’
    â€˜That explains it,’ said Harry. ‘They were grousing about him trying to make trouble regarding the Manor.’
    â€˜He what?’ gasped Libby.
    â€˜He was complaining, apparently. Saying it should have been left to him.’
    â€˜Well, theoretically, it should,’ said Libby, ‘but Max arranged this as a package through Andrew. Doesn’t he realise that?’
    â€˜Don’t ask me, petal. I’m just reporting what they were saying. I don’t think they like him much.’
    â€˜No,’ said Libby thoughtfully. ‘You don’t think he would sabotage the production, do you?’
    â€˜Me? I don’t know the bloke, do I? And why the hell should he? It pays his wages, doesn’t it?’
    â€˜I suppose so. I don’t know much about the set-up, really.’ Libby gazed into her wine glass. ‘I think I’d better try and find out a bit more. I expect there’s a website.’
    â€˜Do you think it might be to do with the company rather than the dancers?’ asked Harry.
    â€˜It could be, couldn’t it? One of the boys suggested someone who had been turned down at audition.’
    â€˜And so upset he left a dead cockerel in a locker? Nah. Besides, it has to be someone who knows the rehearsal rooms and the whole set-up, doesn’t it?’
    â€˜That’s what I said to Max. He did say it could be someone who was close to one of the company, though.’
    â€˜And did he make any suggestions?’
    â€˜No, I think it was just a random thought.’ Libby drained her glass. ‘Oh, well. I’ll go home and do some research, then I’ll pop up and mingle a bit more when they’ve finished for the day.’
    â€˜What about Fran? When’s she coming up?’
    â€˜I don’t know. I expect she’ll ring.’
    But she didn’t. She arrived.

Chapter Six
    â€˜I didn’t know what you were planning to do, so I thought I ought to come and find out.’ Fran