The Celtic Dagger by Jill Paterson Read Free Book Online

life.
    ‘I’m sorry.  Here am I going on and he’s your brother after all.  If there’s anything I can do...’
    ‘There is actually.  I need to contact Ashley Manning.  Do you have a phone number for her?’
    ‘Yes, in fact, I got it out earlier this morning to give to that young police officer.’  Vera glanced at James.  ‘I imagine they want to ask her when she last spoke to Professor Wearing.  Of course, they could have asked me.  It was the afternoon before he died.  At about two o’clock.  Not her scheduled time slot, I might add.  Professor Wearing set aside specific hours in the day to see students.  But then that young woman never did keep to the rules.’  Vera flicked through her address index.
    ‘Her husband came, too, late that same afternoon,' she added.
    ‘Oh?  I was under the impression Ashley and her husband separated some time ago.’
    Vera’s eyebrows rose.  ‘Well, I can’t say I know anything about her marital arrangements, but I do know Robert Manning works for Professor Wearing’s publisher.’
    James nodded, surprised at the details Vera knew about people.  ‘I had no idea.’
    ‘I imagine he came about that second edition Professor Wearing was working on.’  Vera handed James a small card.  'Here it is, her address and telephone number.  Of course, you could try the museum.  She’ll be there until early this afternoon.’
    ‘Right, I might do that.’  James put the card in his coat pocket.  ‘Do you remember anyone else who came to see Alex before he died?’
    Vera thought for a moment.  ‘He spoke to Dr. Harrow after lunch that day.  I saw them together in the corridor.  Oh, and Mr Rhodes came at about three.  He passed my door on his way.’
    ‘Simon Rhodes?’
    ‘Yes.  Very nice man.  Do you know him?’
    ‘Yes.  He was a student here many years ago.’
    ‘Oh.  I had no idea.  That must be why he and Professor Wearing were such good friends.’
    James frowned.  ‘Did he come to see Alex often?’
    ‘He has of late.’
    ‘Did you tell the police?’
    ‘Of course.’  Vera frowned.  ‘Is there a problem, James?’
    ‘No, Vera.  I’m just surprised to see Simon back in Sydney after so many years.’

 
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 8
     
    James left Vera’s office, puzzled at her assertion that Simon Rhodes and Alex had been friends.  His recollection of their relationship in their student days was one of aversion.  Still, with time, perhaps they had patched up their differences.
    James walked the ten minutes to Redfern Station and caught the train to Museum Station.  It was as he made his way along College Street that he saw Ashley Manning, a tall, elegant figure, her dark brown shoulder-length hair flying back from her face in the breeze.  As she crossed the street, James started to follow, then hesitated, still puzzled over her cool manner toward him the last time they had met.  Undecided, he waited for a moment before he continued.
    Unsmiling, her face pale and anxious, she gave him a sideways glance as he fell into step beside her.
    'Dr Wearing.'
    'Hello, Ashley.  I wanted to catch you before you started work.  I need to ask you something.'
    Ashley adjusted the scarf around her neck and started to hurry along the street.  ‘I’m sorry about your brother, Dr Wearing.  I shall miss him.’  James could hear the quiver in her voice.
    ‘Thanks.  I think we all will.’  They walked on in silence for a moment.  ‘As a matter of fact, it’s Alex I want to talk to you about.’
    ‘Oh?’
    ‘Yes.  You might not be aware but, recently, the department borrowed artefacts through the Australian Museum for the open day.’
    ‘Yes, I know.  I liaised with Miles Bennett on behalf of the Museum.  Is there a problem?’
    ‘They went missing on the day Alex died.'
    Ashley stopped short.  'What!'
    ‘The dagger and ring have since been found, however.’
    ‘And the torque?’
    James shook his head.
    Ashley pushed her hair