by J New
“Oh, for goodness sake you nosy little witch! I’ll tell you what happened, but you’ll never prove it and I’ll deny ever having said anything. You think you’re so clever don’t you, but there’s no witnesses here. Myrtle deserved to die, she had it coming. Making her out to be a saint doesn’t wash with me. I’m only sorry I couldn’t do it sooner, but I had to wait until Daniel died.”
“Why?”
“He would have recognised me when I came back, of course! Myrtle and I only ever met in passing when we were young, and barely spoke. I emigrated not long after she got together with Daniel, and I dare say she never gave me another thought. That’s why, when I asked her to meet me, she had no reason to be suspicious. I waited in the village near the shops until I saw her that afternoon and told her I had some information about that Mr Staines fellow, and not to tell anyone in case he found out it was me who told her.”
A shiver washed over Penny despite the winter sunshine and her warm coat. Of course, she knew the ending of the story already, but that didn’t make hearing the details any easier. There was no sign of remorse from Mrs Nelson, just bitterness.
“She met me as arranged, half way around the pond, close to the waters edge so we were out of sight. I asked her then if she remembered who I was, and she was shocked when I told her. Even more so, when I explained how much I hated her, and what my intentions were. Of course, she begged me not to, and said we could be friends. The cheek of her!”
“I’m sure she meant it,” Penny murmured. “She was a very nice lady.”
“Rubbish! I had the stone already picked out and waiting. Not too big to lift, but heavy enough to pack a punch. She fell exactly where I wanted her, straight into the water; it was then just a small matter of turning her face down and holding her head under to make sure. She was such a little thing, light as a feather. I knew the pub quiz wouldn’t be over for a while and no one was likely to find her till then, not that it mattered an awful lot. Doesn’t take long to drown, you see. My first husband was gone in about a minute.”
There was a growl from behind the tree, and Fischer appeared, followed by Inspector Monroe swinging a pair of handcuffs.
“I’ll take it from here, Penny. Thank you.”
Sixteen
A week later Susie handed Penny the latest issue of the Winstoke Gazette with a proud grin. “Hot off the press. Susie Hughes lands the front-page scoop, yet again, thanks to you.” She pulled out a chair at Penny’s kitchen table and sat down. “It’s the biggest scandal to hit the Downs in years. Dawn Nelson, serial killer, who would have thought? I hope they lock her up and throw away the key.”
Penny scanned the front page, even though she knew the story inside out. Dawn was being held in custody awaiting trial, and the South African authorities also wanted to question her again. “Somehow, I don’t think she’ll be going anywhere for a long time.”
“Did they ever find out who the man in the waxed jacket was by the way?” Susie asked.
“The one who met Myrtle the night she died, you mean? Yes, apparently he called in at the police station and gave a statement a couple of days after it happened. He wasn’t a local, just someone staying with friends for a few days. You know what Myrtle was like, always a kind and friendly word for everyone. Any word yet on what’s to become of the manor?”
Milo Montague, as well as the rest of the community, had been shocked to learn he had not inherited his mother’s property as expected. After learning the probable reason from Celia, Penny understood why, although it was not common knowledge.
According to Celia, Milo received the entire proceeds of the land Mrs Montague sold to Nick Staines after her husband died, to pay off his substantial debts. Mrs Montague had no wish to throw good money after bad and had warned her son at the time to clean up his act, which had not happened. As a result, the house and gardens had been left in trust for the benefit of the six hamlets and villages comprising Hampsworthy Downs.
Celia, meanwhile, had been given a choice of the furniture and gifted a sum of money to buy herself a house, she was looking for something in Thistle Grange.
As for the reason Mrs Montague left her library card in the envelope for Penny, she had drawn a blank. It had likely been a fortuitous but absent-minded mistake.
“There’s talk of it being turned into some sort of private home for the elderly,” Susie replied, “but it’s too early to say for sure. I’ve also heard a rumour that might interest you.”
“Oh?”
“Word on the grapevine is that Nick Staines is looking to sell up. Apparently just the idea of a load of geriatrics living next door is too much. I expect he envisages a constant barrage of complaints at his loud music and sordid lifestyle.”
“Quite right too,” Penny said. “The man’s a menace and a bully. Well that’s some good news at least. Let’s hope the next owners are more respectable.”
“Changing the subject, can I ask you something else?”
“Of course.”
“Now you’ve finished categorising the books up at the manor, would you consider doing a regular Book Review column for the paper? I’ve spoken to Archie about it, and he’s happy to take it off my plate and pay you to do it instead. Nothing too highbrow, mind you.”
“That sounds like fun, I’ll definitely think about it.”
Susie’s eyes narrowed. “Great. Listen, you’re not pining for Edward, are you? Because I’d hate to think you’re putting on a brave face about it and moping around behind closed doors. I know it’s not easy going through a break-up, even if things weren’t perfect before.”
“I promise, I’m not. Fischer’s been looking after me, haven’t you, Fish Face?” Fischer, never far away, jumped up onto her lap and she bowed her head to rub her nose against his. “If anything I’m feeling relieved it’s all over. It hadn’t been a good relationship for some time, but after so many years together we’d fallen into a rut, and routine had taken over, it’s just we hadn’t been able to see it. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future will bring, and have lots of ideas for things I want to do. There’s no need to worry about me, Susie, I really am fine, and if I’m not you’ll be the first to know.”
“Well we can be free and single together. Now I must dash, and don’t forget to give me the scoop on your next case.”
“I doubt there’ll be another one, Susie,” Penny said laughing.
“Don’t be too sure, you seem to be a magnet for mysteries. I wouldn’t be surprised if your next case is just around the corner.”
“Woof!” Fischer, it seemed, agreed with Susie.
Finch & Fischer will return in – Battered to Death
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Contents
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
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