The Body in the Basement by Katherine Hall Page Read Free Book Online Page B

tray was on the front porch and her mother was waiting. The family took as many meals outside as the weather and time of day permitted. None of the Rowes liked to be indoors when they could be enjoying the view and the air up close.
    â€œIt must have been terribly upsetting for you, darling,” Ursula said, taking Pix’s hand in both of her own.
    â€œIt was.” Pix sat down in one of the wicker chairs that they had never thought to cushion. The latticework that appeared on the back of one’s legs when one was wearing shorts was a kind of badge of authenticity. “I was mostly worried about Samantha. But she seems to be all right, even a little excited. None of her friends have ever found a body,” Pix added with a slight grimace.
    â€œA dubious distinction at best, but I’m glad she is not upset. The whole thing is puzzling, though. Who on earth would want to kill Mitchell? He was always a complete gentleman when he was here, although I know others have not been so fortunate in their dealings with him. He did a beautiful job removing all that dry rot in the back addition. I’d hoped he would be able to repair the latticework on the porches this summer. I suppose it’s too late now.”
    â€œMuch too late, Mother. The man is dead.”
    â€œI know, dear. I told you, remember.”
    Pix did.
    â€œI hope the Fairchilds weren’t too disturbed by all this. It’s not the way one likes to start a new house.”
    â€œI haven’t reached them yet.” Pix skirted the truth. “But I don’t think they’ll be too upset. It just happened to be their
basement. It could have been anybody’s—and they didn’t know him.”
    â€œThis business of wrapping him in a quilt … such an odd thing to do. What was the pattern?”
    Pix was amazed there was something her mother didn’t know.
    â€œIt was a red-and-white Drunkard’s Path—very nicely done, tiny hand stitching. It looked old. Although, I couldn’t see much of it.” And there were those bloodstains obscuring the work. Pix gagged on her tea and her mother had to pound her vigorously on the back before she stopped coughing.
    â€œWell, whoever did kill him must be an exceptionally nasty person.”
    â€œI think we can assume that,” Pix said.
    â€œNo, besides being evil. Drunkard’s Path—it’s just plain nasty to call attention to Mitchell’s drinking problem. He’s been fighting it for years.”
    Ursula must have grown very close to Mitchell over the dry rot, Pix speculated. There didn’t appear to be much she didn’t know about the man. No reason not to take advantage of Mother’s winning ways.
    â€œDid he have a family? I never heard that he was married.”
    â€œNo, he never married. I don’t think he was really very interested in women—or men. Just things. He definitely liked things, especially beautiful and valuable things. Of course he must have had a mother and father, but he never spoke of them—or any brothers or sisters. He did mention that he grew up in Rhode Island, though.”
    â€œWe should tell Earl that. It might be a lead.”
    â€œI will, or you can tell him. Mitchell knew a great many people on the island, but not many people knew him. He minded his own business.”
    And probably for very good reasons as far as Mitchell was concerned, Pix thought.
    â€œSeth knew him best, I’d say.”

    â€œSeth!”
    â€œYes, when he was a teenager, he worked for Mitchell. I’ve often heard Seth say he learned everything he knows about building and restoring houses from Mitch. They were very close for a time. You know the way boys that age look up to someone a little older who seems to know everything. I think Mitchell even lived with the Marshalls one winter. Maybe Seth can repair the latticework. I hadn’t thought of him.”
    â€œNot until he finishes the