The Evil That Men Do.(Inspector Faro Mystery No.11) by Alanna Knight Read Free Book Online

you.’
    It did not satisfy Faro at all, but presumably Theodore was now aware that in the event of a murder enquiry - should he, as the prime suspect, be accused of his brother’s murder - then such information and more, much more, painful information must be laid bare.
    Theodore left his desk and indicating that the interview was over, held open the door for them. ‘I leave to your imagination the embarrassment to say nothing of the distress your somewhat over-conscientious behaviour has caused this family in their time of sorrow and bereavement’
    Oh, Barbara, Faro thought. If only I could spare you the humiliation, the grief of all that is to follow. Not only Barbara, but Grace too. And Vince.
    For although Theodore’s remark applied to both men, his resentful glance sliding off Vince held this impulsive young doctor his niece was to marry directly responsible for this dread blight on the Langweil name.
    ‘There are a lot of things that require explanation,’ said Faro as they walked homewards, breaking the long silence between them, for Vince wrapped in his own despair had not yet given thought to the shortcomings in Theodore’s statement.
    ‘First of all, what I still fail to understand is why Adrian did not warn you of Cedric’s condition.’
    ‘Loyalty to the family and all that, I suppose. You must remember, Stepfather, that he wasn’t expecting Cedric’s end to be by poisoning either.’
    ‘What about this prescription Adrian gave him?’
    ‘For indigestion, you mean?’
    ‘Yes, how often would he take a dose of it?’
    ‘Whenever he had an attack. I imagine. Or if attacks were persistent, then last thing at night.’
    ‘Then doubtless he took at least one dose during or after the dinner party.’
    ‘I should imagine he would have done that, yes. Hold on, Stepfather,’ Vince laughed uneasily. ‘You’re not suggesting that Adrian’s simple mixture—’
    ‘I’m only suggesting from the facts known to us that the poison was administered sometime before Cedric retired at three o’clock. Either in a glass of wine or in a spoonful of medicine.’
    ‘Meaning that the chief suspects are now Theodore and Adrian. Is that what you are suggesting?’
    ‘Or Maud. Or one of the staff. Oh, I don’t know, lad. All I’m indicating is that we are only at the beginning and we need to know a lot more about those critical last hours Cedric spent at Priorsfield. Did he really believe he was dying, or did someone persuade him that he was a doomed man?’
    ‘Our only hope is Dr Wiseman. We’ve met on the golf course, let’s hope he’ll be able to throw some light on this wretched business.’
    Outside his house, Dr Wiseman was paying off the carriage which had brought him and his travelling bag from the railway station.
    Faro’s first impression was of a younger man than the affluent middle-aged consultant he had expected to meet. Or perhaps, he thought wryly, like policemen, doctors gave the illusion that as one got older, they got younger.
    His confidence in the interview was also blighted by realisation that their arrival was most inopportune. Wiseman appeared very put out and agitated, especially when he learned the nature of Dr Laurie’s visit and that he was accompanied by a police detective.
    ‘Yes, indeed, I read about Mr Cedric Langweil’s death in the London newspapers when I got back from Ireland.’
    When they showed no signs of departing he invited them into the house with certain reluctance, watching the maid carrying his luggage upstairs. Finally he ushered them into what appeared as a bleak and inhospitable consulting room.
    ‘Please take a seat, gentlemen. What can I do for you?’
    ‘We need some information about your patient, Doctor,’ said Faro.
    Dr Wiseman was trying hard not to tremble. ‘What kind of information?’
    ‘Dr Langweil has given us to understand that his brother consulted you.’
    Dr Wiseman frowned. ‘Yes, I believe so,’ he said vaguely.
    ‘Then perhaps you