This is a continuation of a story I wrote some time ago.
If you would like to read it from the beginning, here is the link
The Investigation Begins
Having agreed to enter into a partnership to solve two murders that had recently taken place, Audrey Patterson got down to business with her new partner, Sir Alfred Thorpe, the former Commissioner of the Metropolitan police.
In her elegantly decorated drawing-room, they sat and discussed tactics.
“So which of the two murders shall we tackle first, my dear?” Asked Alfred Thorpe, taking out his pipe and filling it.
“Personally I’d rather tackle the murder of my maid, Elsie, first. I take it personally that someone should want to murder my maid. She was only a young girl and, in a way, I was as responsible for her as a Mother. Even more so since she didn’t have one. She was a poor orphaned girl and only just turned twenty-one. She’d only been with me a few months, six at the most, but she had nice manners and my Cook liked her, which is saying something” responded Audrey.
“I think you will struggle, the police have combed the area the body was found and they asked around the community and couldn’t find any witnesses at all. You’d be better off tackling the other murder. That was personal in a way too. She was last seen at your party after all” He took out a match and puffing away at it, lit the contents, then realised he wasn’t in his home. “Oh, sorry, I forgot to ask if you mind my smoking? It helps me think.”
“No, not at all. I rather like the smell of Pipe tobacco, much more than cigarettes. Must we linger on the fact Claudia Halifax died after coming to my party, it does make me feel rather squeamish.”
“Come, come, my dear. You’ve got to have a stronger stomach than that if you’re serious about undertaking our own investigation.”
“Yes, you are quite right. I mustn’t be all weak and feeble. I need to toughen up. Firstly, I am going to do something I should have done first thing. I am going to speak to my Cook. She’ll be able to tell us something about Elsie, whether she had any boyfriends or anything like that. Then I am going to see Lord Halifax and talk to him about his wife, or actually, you might be better off doing that. He might discuss things with you about his true feelings about his wife that he mightn’t tell me. I was her friend, after all.”
“OK, you speak to your Cook and I’ll speak to Lord Halifax. We are members of the same club after all. Not that we move in the same circles. He is rather an ultra-conservative, you know, the hunting, shooting, fishing brigade.”
“You’re not into hunting are you?” Audrey asked, a look of concern in her china-blue eyes.
“No, That’s never been my cup of tea at all. Unless you count hunting criminals that is” He replied jokingly. They were becoming closer, he could feel it. He had never quite forgotten her. Even twenty years ago when he was looking into the murder of that scientist, he remembered one of the first things she’d said to him, ‘Was it Strychnine?’, and she was right too, it had been strychnine. Yes, Audrey Patterson was one of those women who’s memory would linger long after they’d left the room.
He stood up and pulled the bell pull to summon the maid.
The new maid, Alice, came in and bobbed a curtsey to her mistress.
“Yes Mam,” She said, in time-honoured fashion.
“Can you ask Mrs Buscombe if she could come and see me for a minute please Alice?”
“I’ll ask her Mam, but she’s up to her elbows in flour at the moment and she doesn’t like being disturbed mid-baking.”
“No, indeed, that’s quite so. Ask her if she’ll come and see me when she’s finished. Thank you, Alice.
Looking at his watch, It was half-past two in the afternoon, Alfred said “I’ll just go to my Club now. Lord Halifax is often there this time of day and I can tackle him about his wife.”
Having taken those first steps, the investigation had begun.
The End
https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2018/08/08/investigation/
https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2018/08/08/rdp-69-community/
https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2018/08/08/your-daily-word-prompt-linger-august-8th-2018/
Copyright: Kristian Fogarty 08/August/2018
I love mysteries. I must have over 100 on my Kindle to read., mostly British mysteries. There is something about the label Detective Inspector and Chief Detective Inspector that I just cannot resist, with their wonderful Detective Sergeants. I love the interaction. Britain is awash in great detective crews.
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🙂 I tried my hand at writing a murder mystery, in the style of Agatha Christie. It’s called ‘Death of a Notable’ and I serialised it on my blog. Agatha Christie is my favourite. 🙂
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Is it available? I will take time out of Inspector Thanet and read yours.
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https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/death-of-a-notable-a-murder-mystery/
Here is the first instalment, Now it was my first attempt at a murder mystery so I don’t expect it to compare with Inspector Thanet, but I’d be really pleased to hear what you think of it. 🙂 All the best.
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Thanks
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I am so wondering who is the killer. I cannot figure out who has a motive or knew him. I enjoyed what I read.
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Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading my story. 🙂
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Oh it’s good to see my old favorites back in the saddle!! (Don’t tell Rory I said that lol)
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Ha ha Lol. 🙂
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As always I am entertained.
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Excellent. I will be writing more, I have a rough idea of where the story is going to go… 🙂
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I am eagerly waiting for the next chapters!! Somehow I am reminded of Miss Marple!
Your conversations are marvellous. Oh! How we love the British way of life 🙂
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Thank you. That is just what I am going for. It is an old british way of life, I like writing nostalgically about past times. I think the way people spoke then was much better than today. I have more of the story up my sleeve. 🙂
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Cannot wait to read the following chapters and find who is the murderer. You should create a series 🙂
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I may well do one day. Thank you. The next instalment is out now. 🙂
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Looking forward to the next. ☺️
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A wonderful read Kristian, and not to diminish your achievement, but just to encourage, I felt a connection to Poirot and one of our Australian series Miss Fisher, a great read.
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That’s excellent, I’m glad you felt a connection. I am a huge Agatha Christie fan and I am consciously trying to inject a bit of Poirot or Miss Marple into the story. I have heard of Miss Fisher, I will have a look at that. I am glad you liked the story. I intend to write some more soon. 🙂
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Glad to hear there’ll be more, yes Christie was/is wonderful.
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