Read Online Agatha Raisin and the Perfect Paragon by M. C. Beaton - Free Book Online

He’s really cut up about everything.”
    “So did she tell him anything about anyone? Anyone she was frightened of?”
    Bill shook his head. “Haviland said they were waiting until she finished school and then they were going to announce their engagement.”
    “I’d like a word with him. What’s his address?”
    “I’m not supposed to give you information like that, Agatha.”
    “You know I can find it. No one needs to know you told me.”
    “Oh, all right. He lives at number ten Bascombe Way in Mircester out on that council estate.”
    “All roads seem to lead to Smedleys Electronics,” said Agatha. She told Bill about spotting Smedley with a woman in Bath and ended by saying, “Maybe all that stuff about his wife is guff. Maybe he wanted his wife to find out to throw her off the scent.”
    “If Smedley spotted you following him, he’ll be in the office tomorrow to cancel your investigation.”
    Not only Robert Smedley turned up in Agatha’s office the following morning but his wife, Mabel, as well.

FIVE

    THEY came in, holding hands, and beaming all around. Agatha wished in that moment that Harry Beam was out. The young man was slumped on the sofa with a can of Diet Coke in his hand. He was wearing a denim jacket and jeans torn at the knees.
    “I have happy news,” said Smedley. “I no longer need your services. It was all a mistake. I am afraid I am so in love with Mabel that I am inclined to be stupidly jealous.”
    As if he saw, hovering on Agatha’s lips, the question, “What were you doing in Bath with a young lady?” he added quickly, “Of course, I wouldn’t dream of asking you for a refund and please bill me for any expenses.”
    “Thank you,” said Agatha, wondering whether to bill him for expenses for a trip to Bath and then rejecting the idea. He had already paid a great deal of money. She was supposed to have been spying on Mrs. Smedley, not Mr. Then she wondered why he was not asking for any of his money back.
    “I am very pleased that things have worked out for you, Mr. and Mrs. Smedley. May I offer you some coffee?”
    “No, we must be off,” he said jovially.
    Harry Beam appeared to rouse himself from some sort of torpor. “That’s a nasty bruise you’ve got on your arm, Mrs. Smedley.”
    She was carrying a light jacket and immediately put it on. For one moment, something unpleasant flicked at the back of Smedley’s eyes as he surveyed Harry.
    “And who are you, might I ask?”
    “Harry Beam, detective. I’m on undercover work.”
    “From your appearance, it must be something really unsavoury. Come, Mabel.”
    When they had left, Agatha asked, “Was there really a bruise? I wasn’t looking.”
    “A whopping great one, as if someone had grabbed her arm and twisted it.”
    “If he’s hurting her, she should go to the police.” Patrick came in and Agatha told him the Smedley case was over. He was followed by Phil, who said he had good photos of Trixie and Fairy.
    “Right, Phil,” said Agatha. “We’ll get down to the mall. Patrick, the latest is that Jessica was not raped but it was made to look that way. This boyfriend appears to have a clear alibi, but go and see if you can talk to him. He might have something interesting to say about Jessica that he’s forgotten.”
    “This murder looks like the work of an amateur,” said Patrick. ‘These days most people would know that with DNA they’d soon find out she hadn’t been raped.”
    “Maybe not. They might assume the police would think a condom had been used. Whoever did it didn’t know she was a virgin.”
    “What about me?” asked Harry.
    “There are two outstanding divorce cases, both well-to-do people, so you’ll need to blend in. Different clothes and no studs.”
    She expected him to protest, but he gave a laconic “Okay.”
    “Mrs. Freedman will give you the files.”
    “You’ve got the photographer,” said Harry. “You want me to take a camera?”
    Agatha was reluctant to surrender Phil.