Murders in the Blitz by Julia Underwood Read Free Book Online Page A

pleasant surprise.’
    ‘Good morning, Major Parkes. Don’t worry, George,’ she said to the Sergeant, ‘I’ll explain to the Major.’
    Eve drew Parkes to the bench against the wall. He sat down carefully, easing his stiff leg and leaning his walking stick beside the seat.
    ‘I’m waiting to see Inspector Reed now,’ said Eve. ‘There was an incident at the factory yesterday and the pathologist was too busy to do the PM on the murdered girl. I’ve been waiting for ages to see what’s happening today and no-one’s even noticed me yet.’
    ‘I need to know what’s going on,’ said the major. ‘It’s causing disruption at the Centre. The girls are in hysterics half the time and the men aren’t much better. There’s still no sign of Zoya, so I suppose we must presume that the body is hers. But we need to get it confirmed before morale goes completely to pieces.’
    Eve could see that Major Parkes had become seriously perturbed and she had sympathy with him. His relaxed demeanour had been replaced by urgency and dismay. Perhaps this was finally some-one who cared as much about the murdered girl as she did.
    She tried to reassure him. ‘We’ll know what’s happening soon. Someone is bound to come and talk to us.’
    They sat together and waited. It was another half an hour before a constable came to speak to them.
    ‘Inspector sends his apologies, Miss. He says the pathologist will be doing the post mortem some time before lunch. And can you take someone to identify the body this afternoon,’ the man consulted his notebook, ‘around two thirty.’
    ‘Thank you, Constable. I’ll arrange that.’ Eve prepared to leave the police station with Major Parkes limping in her wake.
    When they were on the pavement the major consulted his watch.
    ‘It’s nearly eleven; they’ll be open soon. Let’s get a quick drink and try to think about something other than this bloody murder.’
    Eve agreed and they were soon in the cosy snug of a pub that she was unfamiliar with. A good sight posher than the Bush, this bar had padded chairs and polished tables, and a relatively clean carpet.
    ‘Thank you, Major,’ Eve said as he deposited her half of shandy on the table.
    ‘For goodness sake, call me Simon. It looks as if we may be spending a fair amount of time together. I don’t do that formal stuff.’
    He settled into his seat and sipped; it looked like a pink gin. A bit strong for a morning tipple, thought Eve. But he probably needs a boost. A houseful of hysterical foreign women must put a strain on the poor man.
    Simon drew a silver cigarette case from his pocket and offered it to Eve. She accepted one gratefully. She wasn’t much of a smoker, unlike Charlie and Pete, a couple of chimneys, but she did enjoy one with a drink.
    ‘Thanks,’ she said, inhaling the soothing fumes, and relaxed. Simon had put the cigarette case on the table. She took it and idly turned it over. Engraved on the rear was an emblem she had not seen before. A majestic eagle with upswept wings flew with an elaborately decorated staff held in its talons above the initials - P.J.
    ‘P.J.? Those aren’t your initials. You naughty man, you haven’t pinched it have you?’
    Simon snatched the case from her and, with a frown, put it back in his pocket. Instantly the urbane smile returned to his handsome features. ‘No, it’s to do with a club I belong to.’
    ‘Oh, what’s that?’
    ‘Nothing interesting. A sort of sporting club.’
    He clearly didn’t want Eve to pursue the subject so she left it. But curiosity was bubbling in her head. What was the lovely major hiding and what was this club that he belonged to? She was determined to find out.
     
    Simon had to return to work and Eve accompanied him to arrange for someone to come and view the body after lunch. Simon disappeared into his office and Eve was left with Rachel.
    ‘Please could you ask a couple of them to come and identify the body, Miss Archer? There should be two, for