Murder Out of Tune - A Libby Sarjeant Murder Mystery by Lesley Cookman Read Free Book Online Page A

mate.’
    Most of the other members of the group had also now gone, and Sir Andrew came towards them while Peter went to close up the bar.
    ‘So we go on,’ he said, and turned to Mike. ‘Sorry –?’
    ‘This is Mike Farthing, Andrew,’ said Libby. ‘Mike, Sir Andrew McColl.’
    ‘Pleased to meet you,’ said Mike as they shook hands. ‘Very decent of you to let us be part of your concert.’
    Sir Andrew smiled. ‘Well, we really did need some kind of local connection, rather than just trotting out my professional mates, and I have to say that having Lewis Osbourne-Walker and Ron Stewart was a draw. I just hope it hasn’t all backfired.’
    ‘Look it’s early, yet,’ said Ben. ‘Why don’t we adjourn to the pub. Mike – will you join us?’
    Mike Farthing’s face brightened. ‘I’d love to, thank you.’ He smiled at Cassandra, and Libby was secretly pleased to see faint colour come into her cousin’s cheeks. Oho, she thought. Perhaps I won’t have to do much more persuading to get her to move down here.
    Sir Andrew was staying at the pub, as he usually did, despite Libby and Ben’s attempts to get him to stay at the Manor, and Peter and Harry’s standing invitation to stay with them. He always maintained he didn’t want to be a nuisance. Now, he walked up to the bar and insisted he buy the first round.
    ‘My concert,’ he told them. ‘My fault, in a way, that this has happened.’
    ‘Oh, hardly,’ said Ben. ‘The group were already in existence. It could have happened any time.’
    ‘I just wish it hadn’t happened at a rehearsal,’ said Mike. ‘And away from our usual haunt. That really narrows it down to members of our group.’ He sighed.
    ‘On the other hand,’ said Libby, ‘it could be the other way round. That someone here recognised him.’
    ‘But he hadn’t been seen in the village,’ said Mike. ‘We parked at the church, went into the hall and that was it. None of us have gone into the village at all.’
    ‘Now,’ said Sir Andrew, as he returned to the table accompanied by the barman with a tray, ‘let’s not talk any more about the murder. It’s depressing enough as it is, and good though you are at solving mysteries, Libby dear, let’s forget it for the moment.’
    ‘Are you?’ said Mike, looking interested. ‘Good at mysteries?’
    ‘Oh, she’s well known locally,’ said Cassandra, with a grin. ‘The local Miss Marple.’
    Libby shifted uncomfortably. ‘I’m not.’
    ‘She’s nosy,’ said Peter. ‘Our favourite nosy old trout. She and her friend Fran have a habit of getting involved in anything vaguely unsavoury around here.’
    Cassandra darted a look at her cousin. ‘I’ll bring Fran and Libby over to see you tomorrow,’ she said. ‘I’m dying to see the nursery for myself.’
    Mike smiled at her. ‘I’d like that. I’m always there, so0 anytime.’
    Shortly after that, the party broke up. Mike refused another drink, saying that the road to Shott was bad enough sober, and Cassandra saying she was tired. As they stood to leave, she said in Libby’s ear, ‘I thought you probably wanted to ask him more questions. Did I do right?’
    Libby beamed and kissed her cheek. ‘My favourite cousin!’ she said.
    Asked the following morning if she wanted to join Libby and Cassandra on a trip to Farthing’s Plants, Fran declined, saying she did have a life, you know, and had Libby realised it wasn’t long until Christmas.
    ‘It’s not like her,’ said Libby, as she manoeuvred Ben’s four-by-four out of Allhallow’s Lane. ‘I mean, she’s always trying to stop me getting involved with things, but she usually gives in and gets as interested as I do.’
    ‘She’s right, though, Lib,’ said Cassandra. ‘After all, this isn’t a job, is it? And Fran does help Guy with the gallery and shop, so she has other things to do.’
    Libby sighed. ‘I know she’s right. And I know that I’m simply incurably nosy.’ She brightened. ‘But sometimes