Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering Read Free Book Online Page B

aren’t actually too clear on which it is, so perhaps you’d best have one of each. Just to be certain.”
    “Anything for our Miss Parker,” Nick agreed. “Still, it seems a shame. We could solve the thing and then see if Father Knox would approve of our methods.”
    “We’re more likely to break all of his fusty ten commandments,” Drew said, “and that will make him so cross he’ll never let you read another of his stories again.”
    “What shall I tell your guests, sir?” Dennison asked after he had given both young men a stern look.
    Mason shook his head. “Nothing yet. No need to spoil everyone’s good time, so long as no one tries to leave. If anyone does, ask him to step into my study, and I’ll have a word with him myself.”
    “I shall have the staff keep watch.”
    “And post Peterson outside the greenhouse, if you would, please,” Mason said. “Just to be certain.”
    “Very good, sir.”
    As it turned out, none of the guests, save the guilty party, realized anything was amiss. The drinking and dancing proceeded uninterrupted, Mrs. Devon came into the kitchen to fuss over Madeline, and soon there was a discreet tapping on the kitchen door.
    Drew answered it himself.
    “Evening, sir,” said Police Constable Applegate. “I understand there’s been a bit of trouble.”
    Drew peered into the darkness behind the constable’s gawkyframe in disbelief. “They didn’t send anyone down from Winchester?”
    Applegate’s freckled face flushed red. “Chief Inspector Birdsong’s gone up to Skegness, sir. On holiday.”
    “So you’re, ummm . . . it.”
    “Well, Hodges had to stay back at the station,” Applegate said defensively. “But the chief inspector’s been wired. He’ll be down on the first train tomorrow.”
    Nick only partially concealed a chuckle, and Applegate lifted his chin.
    “I am a fully qualified police constable, you know.”
    “Yes, yes, of course,” Drew soothed. “Come in. It’s just we rather thought the chief inspector would come for this sort of thing. We don’t have much in the way of homicide round these parts, do we?”
    “No, sir. I thought we’d never—”
    Mason cleared his throat, and Applegate made his expression suitably solemn.
    “Evening, Mr. Parker. I’m sorry to hear there’s been an unfortunate incident.” Applegate took out his official notebook and pencil. “I understand a Mr. Lincoln was the victim. Your houseguest, was he, sir?”
    “That’s right,” Mason said. “And he was part owner at Farlinford. His father was one of my partners until he passed on.”
    Applegate made the appropriate notations. “I see, sir. And Mr. Drew found the body?”
    Mason nodded. “That’s right.”
    Drew went to Madeline’s side. “Miss Parker and I.”
    “Miss Parker is my niece,” Mason added.
    “And the scene of the murder?” Applegate asked.
    “The greenhouse.” Mason gestured toward the kitchen door. “This way.”
    “If you’ll come along, sir.” Applegate motioned to Drew and then to Madeline. “And you, miss.”
    “I should say not!” Mrs. Devon kept her arm around her charge’s damp shoulders. “And I will thank you, Jimmy Applegate, to ask the poor girl your questions straightaway so I can get her into some dry things and a warm bed. I fancy your mum would like to hear how you do your job without a thought for a young girl’s sensibilities.”
    “It’s all right, Mrs. Devon,” Madeline said. “If they need me to—”
    “Is it absolutely necessary for her to go back out there?” Mason asked.
    The constable glanced at the uncooperative faces surrounding him. Mrs. Devon was positively bristling.
    “No, I don’t suppose so, sir,” he conceded. “Perhaps just a few questions and then I don’t suppose there would be any harm in just you and Mr. Drew going out with me. Has someone been watching the greenhouse to see it’s not tampered with?”
    “Our gardener,” Mason said.
    “That’s all right then. Now,