Read Online A Quiet Kill by Janet Brons - Free Book Online

as a freshly minted sergeant, he had been badly misquoted by a reporter, resulting in a serious reprimand from his commanding officer. During his career he had seen many a promising young officer embarrassed, if not compromised, by genuine attempts to be informative and helpful to the press. Of course the dealings between CID and the press had now become extremely formalized and regularized. It was unlikely that any young officer might be put in a vulnerable position again, but Hay’s loathing of the “gentlemen of the press” endured.
    It annoyed him that there was as yet no suspect in custody. Of course it was early days, but lately he had become accustomed to cases that almost solved themselves. He often found himself wondering if the criminal classes were in fact becoming stupider.
    Inspector Liz Forsyth bounded in from her morning’s ride. Like a Labrador puppy, he thought ungenerously. She certainly looked better for it, though, younger even. Not so plain. What was she anyway—late thirties, early forties? Anyhow, a couple of hours on horseback with the colonel had rendered her a new woman. She probably hadn’t given a moment’s thought to the case, he thought, and said, a bit stiffly, “Good morning, Forsyth. You enjoyed Hyde Park?”
    â€œWonderful. I’ll tell you something, though—Guévin must have been a fine horsewoman. That mare is quite a handful, and I’m no amateur myself. She’s not at all spooky. She’s bold enough but strong and a bit opinionated.” Liz stopped, thinking she detected signs of boredom. “Do you ride, Hay?”
    â€œGood Lord, no.”
    She shook her head, “With a name like that, too.” He didn’t laugh. With a little sigh, Liz sat. Like pulling teeth this morning.
    Hay inquired politely, “And how is the dashing colonel today?”
    â€œSeems alright. I’ve found something out, though, that could be important.”
    â€œYou Canadians conducting a parallel investigation again, are you?”
    Liz looked quickly at Hay and saw he wasn’t joking. “Of course not.” She felt her shoulders stiffen slightly. “It was just something Lahaie said yesterday that I thought might usefully be followed up. As it happened, I got the answer without the colonel’s help. This is it, if you’re at all interested.” She slid a crumpled piece of paper in front of him.
    Liz watched Hay as he read the note. Had she stepped on some toes here? It had only been a hunch, after all. Not her fault if it had paid off.
    Natalie my love,
    You’re wrong, you know. And to prove it, I’ve told her. She will give me a divorce, but only once we’re all out of here; she doesn’t want a public scandal. We can wait that long, surely? You must know by this how I feel. See me tonight, please. You know where.
    No date, no signature. “Where did you find this?”
    â€œIn the tack locker at the stables. Underneath a pair of breeches.”
    â€œPlain View?” inquired Hay dryly.
    â€œPlain View,” replied Liz.
    â€œIf you say so,” said Hay. “Did you mention it to Lahaie?”
    â€œNo. I thought if we were to follow up with him we could bring him back here for questioning.”
    He noticed the deliberate use of the word we and regarded her steadily. “So what was this famous hunch of yours?”
    â€œRemember yesterday when Lahaie said there had been rumors about Guévin and him? He said his wife had laughed, found it amusing. I would suggest that no matter how much a woman trusts her husband, she finds nothing remotely funny about people thinking he’s having an affair. At least, I never did.” She flushed slightly, then continued, “Unless, of course, the wife knows for a fact that the alleged other woman is very seriously involved with someone else.”
    Hay nodded. This was all becoming very interesting.
    â€œI had thought I would