by Holly Bell
Chapter 15
Inspector Trelawney Takes the Helm
Detective Sergeant Baker of Barnet Hill Police Station looked at the screen of his ringing phone, and turned down the corners of his mouth comically, as he answered it.
‘Afternoon, Miss Cadabra. And where is it this time?’
‘It?’ asked Amanda, momentarily distracted from her mission.
‘Or are there two?’
‘Erm?’
‘Body. I assume you’ve found another one. It’s been weeks, after all.’
‘Er yes, sergeant.’ Amanda was used to his manner. She took a breath. ‘I’m calling from the basement of Sunken Madley Library. There’s been an accident, that is … I think … I can’t tell …’
‘The Body in the Library. How literary,’ he said drily. ‘Make sure it isn’t touched.’
‘Of course. And I haven’t told anyone. There’s a party going on upstairs.’
‘All right.’ The sergeant’s voice warmed. ‘Where are you? Are you safe?’
‘Yes, I’m at the top of the stairs just inside the door to the stacks. It’s the green metal one behind the counter.’
‘I know. Thank you, Miss Cadabra. Stay where you are. I’ll be right there.’ Baker said reassuringly
Amanda descended to the lower stairs and surveyed the wreckage. Shelves, she pondered, perhaps they’d been top-heavy. Reluctant to penetrate further and risk disturbing the crime scene more than she had done already, she returned to the topmost stair just inside the door.
Standing there, she felt again the urge she had had that day, last year. It was the urge to run, to put as much distance between herself and that … space below. That strange atmosphere.
On the other hand, she didn’t want to be spotted by Mrs Entwhistle either. Fortunately, the door was sufficiently ajar to allow in light and sound but not enough to reveal Amanda’s presence.
She sat, going over what she had seen, rubbing her arms against the chill that seemed to rise from the stacks. Suddenly … she sensed something was coming up the stairs … Amanda sat stock-still. At once, she let out an explosive breath of relief as Tempest padded into view, looking up at her questioningly.
‘Oh, for goodness sake!’ she exclaimed. ‘Have you been down there all along? I thought … oh, never mind.’
Amanda’s familiar obligingly occupied her lap, providing her with some much-needed warmth. She cuddled him, drawing comfort from his self-assured presence. Soon, she heard the welcome sound of cars arriving, doors shutting, and then Baker’s voice … calmly …
‘Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention, please.’ The hubbub subsided. ‘I regret to inform you that there has been an accident.’ A murmur of enquiry, mingled with curiosity and a hint of apprehension went up from the guests. ‘Consequently, I must ask you all to remain within the library for the time being. Apologies to John and Mrs Pagely. Thank you for your co-operation. We will keep you informed.’
Amanda heard footsteps approaching. The door opened wider.
‘Miss Cadabra.’ Tempest slid away into the shadows. Baker reached down a hand to help Amanda to her feet, observing her pallor and short breath.
‘Sergeant Baker. Thank you.’ She pointed. ‘Down there …’ He led the way, and she followed.
He took in the scene.
‘This is how you found it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Exactly? You haven’t touched anything?’ Baker checked.
‘Just felt for a pulse. I may have disturbed the position of some of the books, trying to get to, erm ...’
Baker cautiously approached the body.
A light patter on the stairs above resolved itself into the pleasant sight of Detective Constable Nikolaides. Her friendly face, framed by neat dark hair, broke into a smile at seeing Amanda.
'Hello, Miss Cadabra.'
'Hello, Constable.'
‘Coroner?’ Baker asked of his second.
‘On her way, sir. You are sure it’s a fatality, Serg? You know how upset she gets when they turn out to be alive.’
‘I have confirmed. But I trust Miss Cadabra’s word. She knows a dead body when she sees one … by now,’ he added with lugubrious emphasis, looking at Amanda with a gleam. ‘All right. You can wait upstairs, if you would, Miss.’
Amanda was happy to comply, and found a seat with a good view of the entrance to the library. From there, she watched the photographer and forensic investigator arrive and disappear through the green door. Presently came the coroner whom she recognised from a previous unfortunate occasion.
Meanwhile, Mrs Pagely prepared a corner of the library in the reference reading section for the use of the police team. One by one, the guests were invited over there to give what information they could to DC Nikolaides.
Amanda wandered to the front of the library and saw that it was cordoned off with crime scene tape. They were, in effect, on lockdown. Anyone who showed a desire to leave was politely persuaded to remain, until they were released.
One, two hours passed as the witnesses grew weary. Joan and Jim had kept the tea urn brewing, but food was running low, as was patience.
It must have been after three hours had elapsed that a familiar car drew up outside and the tall, fit, grey-suited frame of Detective Inspector Thomas Trelawney emerged from it. He showed his badge to the uniformed constable on the door and was respectfully admitted.
With the team busy interviewing and inspecting the crime scene, Amanda was the first person he spotted.
‘Miss Cadabra, are you all right?’
‘Inspector, yes, thank you. Just a little tired.’
‘Of course. Where’s Baker?’
‘Erm, with …. the, er … deceased.’
‘Can you bring me up to speed? How did you come to find the body?
‘It was very busy — the party, that is — more than anticipated, and Mrs Pagely and Jonathan were occupied. Mrs Entwhistle asked me if I’d go into the stacks and find a book for her.’
‘Why you in particular?’
‘Because she couldn’t find the librarians and knew I’d helped out behind the counter in the past and … I didn’t really want to go because, frankly, I don’t like it down there but … she’s a widow and a keen twitcher, and it was an obscure work that she particularly wanted. I just didn't feel I could say no. Sorry, I’m rambling.’
‘That’s quite all right. We’ll get to the details later. Was the door open?’
‘No, but I know where the key is kept.’
‘Which is where?’
‘I can show you.’ She led him to behind the counter and took out the cash box.
‘That isn’t kept locked?’ Trelawney confirmed.
‘No.’
‘Where is the key now?’
‘Oh … it’s … I must still have it.’ Amanda rooted in her pockets and soon produced the desired item.
‘Thank you. May I?'
‘Of course.’ She handed it over.
‘Who else has keys or knows where this is kept?’
‘I don’t know… I mean, apart from Mrs Pagely and Jonathan … as far as I know … just me …. Oh dear. That looks bad.’
‘Don’t worry, Miss Cadabra. I’m just gathering information. Please go on. You got the key …?’
‘And opened the door. I switched on the lights inside then went down the stairs. I didn’t see her — Miss Gibbs — at first; just the chaos of the books and fallen shelves.’
‘You went to have a look at it?’
‘I thought the book I was looking for might be amongst the ones on the floor. It isn’t well-lit down there. Then I saw her boot and then more and more of her. I felt for a pulse, but it was too late.’
‘You didn’t call Mrs Pagely?’
‘I was about to, but then I thought, what if it wasn’t an accident? So I called the sergeant.’
‘Yes, and he called me, asking me to get here A.S.A.P.’
‘And you did,’ she marvelled.
‘Thanks to the siren.’
‘What now?’ asked Amanda.
‘You go home and rest. I’ll come and see you later. I’ll give Baker and Nikolaides a hand with the statements so these good people can go home. Ah …’ The sergeant was approaching.
‘Baker.’ They shook hands.
‘Sir. Thank you for getting here so fast.’
‘Not at all. How can I help? Where are we? Flash and dabs been and gone?’
‘Yes, we’ll have the results soon.’
‘Coroner?’
‘Came and went. I asked for the body to be left in situ until you’d inspected the crime scene.’
‘Thank you. I’ll have a look-see then give you a hand with finishing the interviews. All right if Miss Cadabra goes home?’
‘Of course. Thank you, Miss. Well done making the call to me. Good judgement.’
She smiled at so rare an accolade from the sergeant.
It was a relief to be back in the comfort of her home. Amanda made herself some toast and marmalade and a cup of hot sweet tea. Soon she was fast asleep on the sofa with Tempest draped over her, exhausted by his duties as guardian.
Chapter 16
Tea and Fire
Amanda was awakened by the bell. Tempest raised his head imperiously, affronted by the interruption to his repose. She heaved him aside and went to open the door.
‘Inspector. Please come in.’
‘Thank you.’
The logs in the hearth had burnt low. ‘Let me get some tea,’ Amanda suggested.
Trelawney put down his bag. ‘I’d like that. I’ll see to the fire.’ Noticing her bleary eyes, he apologised, ‘You were asleep. I’m sorry to have disturbed you.’
‘It’s quite all right, I’m refreshed. Erm ... the library basement key…? Am I a suspect?’
‘Mrs Pagely and Mr Jonathan Sheppard said anyone could have known about the hiding place, taken it and replaced it at some point. People remember the door being open at times when Mrs Pagely and Mr Sheppard were going up and down, bringing up extra chairs and tables and so on, and being closed at others.’
‘That’s a relief.’ Amanda went off to the kitchen while, under the unnerving gaze of Tempest, Trelawney encouraged the fire into renewed vigour. She returned presently with the tea tray.
‘Thank you, Miss Cadabra. Yes, as you say, people were mingling. No one can testify with certainty to anyone’s whereabouts throughout the entire afternoon. Can you?’
Amanda became very still as a memory played out. Observing her, Trelawney asked,
‘What? Miss Cadabra? Have you recalled something?’
‘Yes … there was a moment … I felt something … a sort of tremor … I think that must have been the moment when the shelves fell in the stacks.’
‘And at that moment whom do remember seeing?’
‘Only Jonathan Sheppard. Yes … and then Amir … then, as he and I walked toward the children’s section, Amir’s grandmother … then I found John.’
‘But that was a few minutes later?’
‘Yes … then Ryan waved to me … then I wandered off towards a space behind the counter just to recover a bit and have some quiet. And that was when Mrs Entwhistle came up.’
‘And when you looked around for the staff to help her?’
‘I don’t remember whom I saw only that I didn’t see either Mrs Pagely or Jonathan.’
‘Hm …’ Trelawney lapsed into silence.
‘Sorry,’ Amanda offered.
‘Hm? No, it’s fine. You’ve done very well.’
He got out his laptop.
‘If Jonathan corroborates your story about the “tremor” — if that was the moment of death — then it means that you both have an alibi. However, that depends on whether that precise moment of death can be pinpointed.’
‘I understand.’
‘So if we discount you, Jonathan and, er Amir, of course. Bright as he is, I doubt he could have got the key, opened the door and pulled a shelf down.’
Amanda laughed.
‘Indeed. Any idea as to cause of death?’
‘A preliminary offering by the coroner is repeated blows to the head, although no defensive wounds, which makes it immediately suspicious. I presume the blows were from the books. Naturally she refused to speculate. The next stop is to interview the residents across the street from the library to see if anyone that looked suspicious was observed coming in or out.’
‘Of course.’
He put aside his laptop and took out his notebook.
‘Samantha Gibbs. Was she a regular visitor to the library?’
‘Samantha? I’d certainly never seen her there before. I can’t imagine her borrowing a book, or indeed re—’ Amanda stopped herself. As Grandpa always advised her, ‘If you can’t say something good about someone, best not to say anything at all.’ ‘That is to say,’ Amanda continued diplomatically, ‘she’s more the sort who would buy a book. And of course, she’s not a resident of Sunken Madley, so I can’t imagine why she’d come there except for a smart party.’
‘Hm. The question then is … what was Samantha Gibbs doing in the stacks?’ He waited for her response. ‘Any thoughts, Miss Cadabra?’
Amanda had been gazing absent-mindedly at the fire, considering the perplexing mystery.
‘Well,’ she said slowly. ‘I can’t imagine that she would have been looking for anything that’s kept down there. So maybe she was having an assignation. That would be consistent with what I know of her.’
‘Who are the candidates, in your opinion, for such a rendezvous?’
‘The eligible men … and not necessarily available ones but … I think she did rather like Ryan … and I expect … John? Erm … the tutor she came down here with, Simon Lawley. But why not just see him at The Grange, where they were both staying?’
Trelawney was checking off a list in his police notebook.
‘Anyone else?’
‘You mean any other single attractive or reasonably attractive men in the vicinity? Yes?’
‘Please.’
‘Hm … There’s Dale Hilland, the florist, and Ashlyn Seedwell, the captain of our cricket team. You know him, of course.’
‘Yes.’ Trelawney had been recruited as an honorary member during the winter.
Amanda was mentally running through the personable gentlemen of Sunken Madley.
‘Dilip Patel, the son of the doctors’ but Samantha wouldn’t stand a chance with him. He’s devoted to his wife and Amir … Erm … there’s the fiancé of Penny, the doctor’s receptionist, but he’s away at the moment. There’s Erik, the solicitor … though I’m not sure if he was there. No. That’s it. That’s everyone I can think of.’
He closed his book but kept it handy, and commented,
‘On the other hand, it might not be a man at all.’
‘You mean, it could have been a jealous admirer of one these men?’
‘For example?’
‘I wish I could suggest one, but I don’t know who fancies whom. It’s not the sort of thing I … Although …’
‘Yes?’
‘I suppose … yes … it doesn’t seem fair to mention her … but … Pamela, erm, Hillers and Humpy’s granddaughter. She did seem rather smitten with Simon Lawley.’
‘Hillers and Humpy? Ah, the delightful duo are back, are they?’
Amanda chuckled. ‘Large as life, yes. Up at The Grange.’
‘So … we have Pamela. Anyone else?’
Amanda wracked her brains.
‘Who are the single women in the village who were present at the party?’ Trelawney prompted gently. ‘That you can remember?’
‘Madeleine Fleetfoot. She’s on the team, as you know. Penny, the receptionist at the doctors’ but she’s engaged, as I say. I think Penny brought a friend but she’s not Village. Most people would have been at work on a Thursday aftern
oon, you see. One or two of the school children came later. Ruth Reiser and Kieran …’
‘Ah yes, I know, the solicitor’s son. Please continue.’
‘Of course, there’s Esta Reiser, Ruth’s mother. She’s single and … Claire.’
‘Ah yes, how is Claire? She left early?’
‘Oh she’s very well, bubbly as ever. Yes, she had a phone call and left. But I can’t imagine she’d have any interest in most of the men I’ve listed. She calls men under 35 —’ Amanda stopped abruptly, reluctant to relate something her friend had said in private, which may not have redounded to her credit with the inspector.
‘Do go on, Miss Cadabra.’
‘I’d better not.’
‘In the interests of the investigation,’ he suggested persuasively.
‘Oh dear! Well … she calls men under 35 “a light snack’.”
He threw his head back and laughed aloud.
‘Does she indeed! Wonderful. Well, you’ve made your point. Still, for the sake of completeness, I must add her name to the list.’
He read through his notes and finished his tea.
‘I’ll leave you to your rest now, Miss Cadabra. I’m sure you’ve had a long and trying day. Well done for bearing up with your usual resilience and level-headedness.’
‘Thank you.’ She rose with him. ‘If I think of anything else ...’
‘Call me at any time. I shall have to return to Cornwall for a day or so,’ he added. He was mindful of his meeting with the anonymous ‘Well-wisher’ who promised information regarding the Flamgoynes visiting Parhayle around the time of the cliff incident. ‘But I shall be available on the phone.’
‘Will do.’
They shook hands at the door and Amanda waved him off.
Should she have told him, she wondered, about her strange and alarming experience in the stacks all those months ago? When she’d had that sensation of being pursued and the vision of the shelves tumbling around her? Surely it wasn’t relevant … was it?
Chapter 17
Trelawney Interviews
Thank you for seeing me, John,’ said the inspector, as they shook hands.
