The Death of Marco Styles by J.J. Campbell Read Free Book Online Page B

time online and I managed to find a picture of the supposedly late Dr Adams, and while you’d done a pretty good job of altering your appearance, it was not quite enough. I was then certain and so arranged this meeting.’
    â€˜You’re very clever, Mr de Lacy, but why go to so much trouble? What do you gain? And why didn’t you go straight to the police?’
    â€˜Call it pride. I had hoped to work with another officer, a Sergeant McIntyre. She’s ambitious, and a trifle unscrupulous, but she expected to manipulate me. As to what I gain, in large part it is the satisfaction of having worked out the truth, while I do feel some obligation to Marco Styles, too, for all his faults. I also like to see justice done, but in this case I have to admit that I’m not entirely sure where true justice lies. You have taken a man’s life, Dr Adams.’
    â€˜I’ve told you why, but never mind, I don’t suppose you can even begin to understand what I’ve been through, or how badly I wanted to get revenge for my mother.’
    â€˜No, I can’t. Mine has been rather a privileged life, but my father knew Marco Styles in his youth. Styles was an egotist, a megalomaniac even; a young man supremely devoted to his own needs and indifferent to those of others. He also had a cruel streak, although it was more mischievous than sadistic. Time had mellowed him, but he was heedless of his actions and the effect they had on others. So yes, I have some sympathy with your mother’s plight, and your own.’
    â€˜My mother is dead.’
    De Lacy made to answer, stopped and shrugged.
    â€˜So be it. In precisely one week’s time I will lay my reasoning before the police, although whether they act on it or not is another matter. As far as I am concerned, this meeting never took place and I know nothing of your plans for the future. Now go … unless you’d enjoy another glass of Champagne, and perhaps some of this excellent duck liver paté with ceps and Sauternes?’

Published by Accent Press Ltd 2013
    ISBN 9781783754786
    Copyright © J.J. Campbell 2013
    The right of J.J. Campbell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
    The story contained within this book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
    All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publishers: Accent Press Ltd, Ty Cynon House, Navigation Park, Abercynon, CF45 4SN