The Celtic Dagger by Jill Paterson Read Free Book Online Page A

back as it blew across her face with the wind.  ‘What’s this got to do with Professor Wearing?’
    ‘I believe Alex removed the artefacts from Miles Bennett’s office and hadn’t returned them before events took over.’
    ‘You can’t think he stole them.’
    ‘No, I don’t, and that’s why I wanted to speak to you.  I wondered whether he’d said anything to you.  Given a reason perhaps.’  James could feel Ashley Manning’s unease.  She started to walk again and increased her stride.
    ‘Ashley, if you know something...’
    Ashley Manning flew around.  ‘What makes you think Professor Wearing would say anything to me?  He was only my supervisor after all.’
    Stunned by her sudden outburst, James hesitated.  ‘I just thought...’
    ‘Well you thought wrong.’  Ashley turned and ran up the museum steps.
    ‘It doesn’t do to argue with a beautiful woman, James.’  James turned to see Edward Sommersby at his side.
    ‘Hello, Ed.’  They both watched Ashley disappear through the main doors into the museum.  ‘I just wondered whether Alex had said anything to her about the artefacts.’
    ‘Didn’t sound like she appreciated the question.’
    ‘She didn’t.’
    ‘Anymore word on the investigation?’
    ‘Yes.  The police have identified the weapon that killed Alex.  It’s the Celtic dagger.’
    Edward took a step back, his face grave.  ‘Found on your desk.’
    ‘Yes.
     
     
     
    In his office later that day, James sat back in his chair, unable to concentrate any longer on the pile of essays he was working on.  With the dagger found to be the murder weapon, the police would think his involvement in Alex's death even more plausible.  He turned his desk lamp off and gathered the essays together.  As he did so, he heard a knock on the door.  It opened and Catherine appeared.
    ‘I’m sorry to arrive at this hour, James, but I need to speak to you.’
    James got up and walked over to her.  ‘Don’t be.  I’m glad you’re here.’  He put his hands on the upper part of her arms and looked into her blue eyes.  ‘Are you feeling any better?’
    ‘A little.  I took a tour group through the museum today.  I’m so glad of that job now.  It’s a good distraction.’  Catherine took off her scarf and black woollen coat, handed them to him and looked over the room.  ‘I don’t know how you work in here, James.  It’s no bigger than a cupboard.  Why don’t you put in a request to be moved to a larger office?’
    James laughed.  ‘There’s not much chance of that with Tristan Harrow at the helm.’
    Catherine wheeled around.  ‘You’re not serious.’
    His eyebrows rose and he smiled.  ‘I am.’
    ‘Well, all I can say is, he didn’t waste much time.  Always did covet whatever Alexander did.’
    Catherine sat down on one of the two chairs in front of James’s desk and put her handbag on the other.  ‘The police came to see me again. They said they’d found the weapon that killed Alexander.  That dagger you spoke of.’  She paused.  ‘Did they speak to you about it?’
    ‘Yes, last night.’
    Catherine nodded.  ‘They didn’t tell me where they found it and I didn’t ask.’
    Aware of Catherine’s unease, James wondered whether to tell her, but then decided against it.  What purpose would it serve for her to know the police suspected him?  ‘I imagine they keep those details confidential during the investigation.’
    ‘I suppose you’re right.’  Catherine smoothed her skirt.  ‘They also wanted to look through the house.  I didn’t object.  After all, I did find the ring in Alexander’s study.  I suppose they were looking for that other artefact you mentioned.  What was it?’
    ‘A torque.  A type of necklace.’
    Catherine nodded.  ‘Well, they didn’t find anything, of course, but I suppose it’s all part of their investigation.’  She shook her head.  ‘Where will this all end?’
    James sensed Catherine’s