Murder By Suspects: The Novella Range

by Ian Shimwell

  THE NOVELLA RANGE

  www.thearmchairdetective.moonfruit.com

  Murder

  By

  Suspects

  Ian Shimwell

  Murder By Suspects Copyright Ian Shimwell © 2013, 2014.

  ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE NOVELLA RANGE:

  Legacy of the Musketeers

  Fuhrerbunker

  The Prime

  The Novella Range Collection

  The Gift of Christmas

  AND AVAILABLE IN NOVELLA AUDIOBOOKS:

  Legacy of the Musketeers

  The Prime

  The Gift of Christmas

  CONTENTS

  ONE: Extract from Susanna Saunderson’s Diary

  TWO: Extract from Captain John Williams’ Journal

  THREE: Extract from Roger Lloyd’s Correspondence

  FOUR: Extract from Inspector Mackenzie’s Report

  ONE

  Extract from Susanna Saunderson’s Diary

  May 20th

  Without hesitation, I opened the long, velvet curtains and welcomed in the dazzling sunshine. I smiled. This was going to be a glorious day. My fiancé John was on leave from his Regiment again and that devilish cad, a Mr Roger Lloyd whom is presently courting my younger sister, are having a late Spring break here at Three Sisters. The four of us, yes just the four of us. We are going to have such fun.

  I washed and dressed. I would first enter my sister, Louisa’s bedroom and catch up on any gossip from yester-night. After John had retired to his bedroom, predictably at eleven o’clock, and myself at a respectful time afterwards. We had left my not-so-innocent sister and the unpredictable Roger alone – together. I must know if anything happened between them, I simply must.

  I knocked on Louisa’s door, more out of a show of politeness to our guests even though no-one else was there, so I opened the door anyway. Louisa was sleeping peacefully on her bed. For a moment she looked serenely beautiful like our other sister, Serena. If only she was staying here too but she was probably entertaining Royalty or something with that handsome Lord she so luckily married. Oh, if Serena was here than all would be perfect. Alas she was not and John had suggested we go shooting today so it was time to wake Louisa.

  I gently rubbed her shoulder but strangely there was no response. I started to shake her and her face swung round to stare at me. Her mouth was open. Her eyes were blank and horrifyingly lifeless. There was awful red marks upon her supple neck. I screamed and screamed until I too blacked out.

  May 21st

  Most of the next day was a blur to me. It was late afternoon when I found myself still sobbing in the arms of my John in the drawing room.

  “There, there my sweet.” He always called me that, it was usually annoying but now it was reassuringly familiar. “Stiff upper lip. You must keep your pecker up and all that. The Inspector will want to talk to us shortly.”

  I remember saying: “I know John, I know – but I simply don’t understand.”

  John put his protective arms around me again. I truly didn’t understand. The shock of Louisa’s death still hadn’t fully reached me yet. Somehow I must tell Serena. She has to know. She won’t make the long journey here. I fully understand and accept that. It would, of course, be socially unacceptable for her. My mind inevitably drifted back to poor Louisa.

  The door opened and the Inspector and his Constable walked in. In a matter-of-fact way, the Inspector introduced himself as Inspector Mackenzie and the policeman as Constable Reginald Smith. John rose and made an attempt at social etiquette which seemed absurd in the circumstances.

  “Where’s Roger?” I said surprising myself.

  “We’ve finished with him for the moment. I believe he is presently in the study, Miss Saunderson.” The Inspector raised his unfashionable Trilby and attempted a smile beneath his greying moustache.

  “Oh,” I simply said. For the life I don’t know why I really asked.

  The Inspector continued. “It would be an understatement to suggest this is a distressing time for you Miss, but as you probably suspect, your sister was murdered by strangulation.”

  Even though I knew it, the conformation took my breath away.

  Inspector Mackenzie cleared his throat. “As much as this pains me Miss, I have to ask where you were in the early hours of yesterday morning.”

  John looked angry but I managed to sob, “Asleep in my bedroom of course.” I noticed that the Constable was studiously taking notes all the time.

  “When you discovered the body, did you move anything?”

  “I don’t know, I don’t know.” It was only then my emotions got the better of me again and I collapsed in a flood of tears.

  “That will be all for now Miss.” I think I heard the Inspector say as they withdrew from the room.

  After an early-evening nap, I ventured downstairs. The Constable had kindly made everyone sandwiches. The servants had all been given an impromptu extension to their annual Spring holiday to afford the four of us some privacy. I almost smiled, it seems ironic now. The sandwiches had been left in the conservatory overlooking the splendid Weeping Willow trees that adorned the gardens.

  John and Roger were quietly chatting away. They seemed astounded when I breezed past them. I thought a faint hint of a smile had reached Roger’s eye which somehow disturbed me. I chose a few sandwiches. I think John and Roger were about to come over to me but the Inspector beat them both to it.

  “I do apologise if I upset you earlier, Miss.” The Inspector offered me a plate of neatly-cut cucumber sandwiches. “Old Reginald makes a lovely spread when he puts his mind to it.”

  I smiled and out of courtesy picked one of the offered edibles.

  “Have you spoken yet to one of the farm labourers from the nearby village?”

  Munching thoughtfully, the Inspector swallowed and said, “Should I?”

  I stared at him determinedly. “Is it not natural to assume that one of the local riff-raff broke into Three Sisters…?”

  “Three Sisters?” enquired the Inspector.

  “An old family name for our home.” I was drifting again which was annoying and frustrating. “As I was saying, one of them… villagers must have broken in here to steal the family silver or something like that and obviously were disturbed by Louisa.”

  The Inspector placed his empty plate on to one of the ornate tables. “I’m afraid not, Miss Saunderson.”

  I could detect an edge of authority in his voice.

  “There is no sign of a break-in whatsoever. Constable Smith has made a thorough search of the grounds which uncovered no fresh footprints. In fact, there is no evidence to suggest that there was an intruder of any sort.” The Inspector held onto my arm gently yet firmly. “Which brings me to the ugly but inescapable truth - that the murderer of your poor sister is one of the three people currently residing here.”

  I shrugged off the Inspector’s arm. “I don’t believe it, I can’t believe it. What about the servants?” I asked desperately.

  The sight of the Constable clearing the plates up more than answered my question. The Inspector along with the Constable took their leave, just leaving John and Roger who were gazing at the gardens through the conservatory window.

  John broke off, walked towards me and said, “I’m going for a walk. A spot of fresh air may clear my head. Care to join me, my sweet?”

  “I think not, not now.” John placed his hand on mine and left through the hallway.

  This, of course, left Roger and me alone. His dark eyes widened as he stepped towards me.

  “I venture this is a shocking business, Susanna.” His voice was full of suppressed power.

  I picked up my fan at this poi
nt and attempted to flutter it gracefully. I was becoming quite hot.

  Roger’s hand encompassed the room in an extravagant gesture. “I really must congratulate Reginald Smith, the Constable. His cold collation was simply magnificent.” There was an arch of mischief sculptured on one of his eyebrows.

  I nearly smiled despite myself. “May I suggest that your manner is inappropriate.” I said, moving my fan even faster.

  He suddenly held my hand unnervingly firmly. “May I suggest that your manner was inappropriate two nights ago.”

  He, of course, was referring to the brief encounter we experienced a couple of moons ago. Louisa had retired early, suffering from a headache and John was out on one of his infernal walks. Roger had offered me a sweet sherry and began flirting outrageously. I had always found Roger amusing whilst knowing he was an absolute cad. I would wager that his dodgy dealings in business more than matched his busy and dishonourable private life. Maybe that was part of his attraction… He had certainly charmed Louisa – whom was so innocent or at least appeared to be. Of course Serena wouldn’t have given him a second glance. She was gloriously above that sort of man.

  “No, you may not,” I replied.

  “Do you think the Inspector’s all there?” suggested Roger, typically changing tact.

  “I’m sure I know not what you mean.”

  “The Mackenzie fellow suggested that Louisa was murdered by one of us three.” Roger brushed his neat black hair back with his hand. “Utterly preposterous, if you ask me.”

  “You were the last person to be alone with her, Roger. Did you put her to bed?” This was an outrageous suggestion but I had to ask.

  “Maybe I did.” Roger said suspiciously. His eyes, quite suddenly, appeared to become darker. His hands slivered gracefully towards my neck. I shivered as they touched, but more out of excitement than fright. They enclosed but then caressed. Before I could take another breath, or think about how dull John really was; I found myself in his arms. Our lips touched first tentatively but then passionately. I was in that dangerous yet enticing world of forbidden desire and spellbinding danger.

  The door opened. I disentangled myself from Roger will ill-mannered haste. The Inspector marched in.

  “I hope I’m not disturbing anything.” I was sure his moustache quivered ever-so-slightly.

  I cleared my throat as politely as I could manage. “Roger was just comforting me.”

  “Yes, I could see that.” The Inspector turned away and spoke to Roger. “Mr Lloyd, would you mind if I spoke with Miss Saunderson alone for a moment?”

  “Not at all, prey excuse me,” Roger declared and swept out of the room.

  The Inspector then looked at me with trepidation and concern – and a hint of what I would suggest as suspicion. “You are obviously in shock, Miss. You may experience wildly conflicting emotions for a while. May I be bold enough to suggest that you choose your friends very carefully at this difficult and vulnerable time?”

  I wasn’t sure I liked the authorative tone in the Inspector’s message. “I understand that you wanted to speak with me alone. What is it you wish to know?”

  “Very well then,” the Inspector said, “I will come straight to the point.” His hand gestured towards to the ornate table and chairs by the conservatory window, indicating that we should sit there. Once sat, the Inspector continued, “This is terribly remiss of me, but I have neglected to enquire about the rest of your family. I must, of course, contact them with the utmost urgency.”

  “I’m afraid our parents are both dead. My mother died in childbirth, delivering Louisa, and dear Daddy passed away ten years later of a heart-attack.” I felt my eyes becoming watery. “I would say he died of a broken heart.”

  The Inspector kindly offered me his handkerchief and I gently dabbed my tears.

  “Brothers..?”

  I stared into space; my mind knew what was coming.

  “…sisters?” With my thoughts elsewhere, I was not responding. The Inspector shook me gently but firmly.

  All I could think of was the beautiful and majestic Serena who lived in a glorious world of Dukes and Princesses. If only Serena was here, then I knew, everything would somehow be all right.

  “Do you have any other sisters?” the Inspector slowly repeated.

  “No, no,” I eventually said. “There has only ever been Louisa and myself.”

  TWO

  Extract from Captain John William’s Journal

  Late Spring at The Three Sisters

  Without hesitation, I strode out of the house, closing the solid oak door behind me. As I breathed in a grateful intake of crisp fresh air, I also breathed in a huge sigh of relief. It felt so good to be away from the house. The atmosphere was stifling. As a Captain of military distinction, I was only really happy when out in the Field.

  My boots must have crunched the front pathway just a touch too loudly because a startled Starling fluttered bad-temperedly away from the sycamore tree. Damn bird, if I’d had my rifle with me, I would have shot the blighter down.

  Lost in my own business, I wandered along the side of the house to the spacious and frankly delightful rear garden. Yes, sometime here should clear my thoughts. I’ll be away from my sweet Susanna’s swinging moods – although understandable in these circumstances. Away from the scheming Roger. And away from the suspicious Inspector and his thinly disguised accusations. The idea that one of us three did that to Louisa is too disturbing to think about. There must be another explanation. Louisa was a sweet innocent child, much too refined for a fiend like Roger. As I lowered my back to walk under one of the weeping willow trees, I couldn’t help but wish that my fiancé was more like Louisa…

  I brushed the enclosing branches aside and could now clearly see the conservatory. My stare hardened as I saw Susanna in an undignified embrace with Roger. Angrily, I thrust the tree’s trailing tentacles away from me and marched nearer to make certain that my eyes were not deceiving me. I then stopped. A third person had entered the fray – the good Inspector.

  Another sigh, this time frustration escaped my lips. I was willing to give my sweet the benefit of the doubt but I would be having words with Roger.

  I then left the Saunderson grounds and became pleasantly lost in the sweeping countryside. I noted with familiarity the swinging gate to a rolling meadow. The creaking ceased as my hand stopped its swing. The damn fool of the farmer had still not replaced its missing parts. The creaking continued as I walked into the meadow. This was near where the hunt had ended several short days ago. I had followed Roger and Susanna in here whom had galloped on ahead chasing frenzied bloodhounds. I remember stopping for a moment to catch my breath and steady my horse. Louisa had halted too, for the briefest of moments. We had momentarily looked at each other. I remember being disturbed by seeing the sheer bloodlust in those hitherto innocuous eyes…

  I blinked which brought me back to the here and now. I turned to go back to the house. Dusk was beginning to fall. Darkness was gathering. No one loved the thrill of the hunt more than me. But when the wily fox is finally cornered… I closed my eyes and my hand covered my mouth. I could even bear to think about it.

  Shutting the blackness out, I entered the house that my Susanna refers to as Three Sisters. I walked into the front parlour. The Constable was helpfully tending to an open coal fire, unearthing hidden flames. As I turned around, I nearly caught my breath as I saw a brooding, darkened figure silhouetted against the glass double-doors that led to the conservatory.

  “Good evening Captain,” said the Inspector.

  I exchanged pleasantries with the man and his faithful Constable. “Where is my Susanna?” I enquired.

  “She retired some time ago,” the Inspector replied.

  “And Roger?”

  “Just this minute gone up.”

  “I want a word with him before this night has fallen.” I swung round to leave but with surprising speed, the Inspector had moved to block my passage. He even had the nerve to put a restrain
ing hand on my shoulder. My military training held my temper in check despite this civilian behaving in such a way to a servant of the Crown. So instead I swept my wavy hair back, releasing it through my fingers.

  “Your chat with Roger had better wait until the morning.” His hand indicated that I should sit down. In the spirit of cooperation I obliged. The Mackenzie fellow was now by the sherry decanter. “Drink?” he offered, which was so damned generous because it was not his to offer.

  “A large one,” I replied as I sank into the armchair.

  A short while later, the Constable had left us and I had a feeling that the Inspector was beginning to get down to business.

  “I know this is awfully tiresome to such a distinguished captain as yourself,” he ventured, “but remind me of your whereabouts between the hours of say, two and four on the morning of Louisa’s murder.”

  I placed my empty glass of sherry on a side table. “Surprising as this may sound I was asleep and alone in my bedroom. Awfully boring I’m afraid.”

  “Yes, and like your fiancé’s and Mr Lloyd’s responses, utterly unhelpful.”

  “So, Roger was sound asleep too then?”

  The Inspector nodded in confirmation.

  “And you believe him..?”

  A wry smile formed on his lips. “Is there any reason I should not?”

  My fingers folded across each other’s and my shoulder’s hunched slightly as I declared, “Well it’s blindingly obvious, is it not?” Mackenzie raised a doubting eyebrow so I continued, “I can vouch for my own integrity and that of my Susanna’s. So if we are to believe your theory of no outside interference, that only leaves one suspect left. I wager that conniving scoundrel was found out by Louisa, whom he then killed in a fit of rage.”

  Quite insultingly, I thought, the Inspector clapped his hands in a mock pretence of applause. “Very good, Captain. Very good. Bravo, in fact.”