Read Online Death Comes to Kurland Hall by Catherine Lloyd - Free Book Online

would make the day difficult, but it would give her an opportunity to study the other wedding guests to see if any of them had red marks on their necks or admitted to losing a piece of jewelry.
    Major Kurland would probably tell her to curb her imagination and stick to the facts. In her experience, getting involved in investigating a murder often led to the murderer having designs on oneself. She really ought to learn to let things be.
    As she undressed, she rediscovered the battered locket and placed it beside her bed. If the locket didn’t exist, she might be more willing to listen to the major’s advice. But someone owned it, and she’d wager a hundred pounds that it wasn’t Mrs. Chingford.

Chapter 5
    â€œG ood afternoon, Miss Harrington, Major Kurland. Do come in.”
    Dr. Fletcher opened the door to his house himself and ushered them inside. Instead of steering them toward the front parlor, he indicated that they should follow him to the back of the house, where, Lucy knew, there was a separate entrance to his medical practice.
    The faint smell of chemicals and harsh cleaning agents made her fumble for her handkerchief and press it to her nose. The last time she’d been in a scientific laboratory, someone had died horribly.
    â€œYou don’t have to go in there, Miss Harrington,” Major Kurland said quietly. “You can wait for us in the kitchen.”
    Lucy stiffened her spine. “I’m quite all right, Major.”
    He looked down at her and then stepped aside. “Stubborn as ever, I see.”
    She ignored him and swept past him, all too aware of the still figure laid out on the cold marble slab in the center of the room. Gathering her courage, she approached Dr. Fletcher, who was writing a note in a large book.
    â€œDid you discover the cause of Mrs. Chingford’s death?”
    He looked over the book at her. “Her neck was broken.”
    â€œBy the fall?”
    â€œI’m not sure.” He put the book down and approached the dead woman, then pulled the sheet down slightly to expose her throat. “Her throat is very bruised. That could be because of the way the bones broke, pushing outward and into the flesh or . . .”
    â€œIt could be because someone strangled her,” Major Kurland said.
    Lucy looked around, startled at his blunt words. “Why do you say that?”
    His mouth twisted in distaste. “I’ve seen such injuries before. I dealt with several unpleasant and unexplained deaths in the army. At least three of them involved soldiers strangling women.”
    Lucy’s fingers crept to her own throat. “If she was strangled, then one must assume that someone wanted her dead.”
    â€œYes.” Major Kurland turned to the doctor, who was following their conversation intently. “Is it possible?”
    â€œThat she was strangled? I was an army surgeon. I’ve seen the same sights as you have, Major.” He shrugged. “Those marks could easily be fingers. The thing is, she might have died just from the fall itself. It is impossible to tell.”
    â€œPerhaps someone wanted to make sure that she was dead,” Lucy commented.
    â€œWell, they certainly succeeded.” Major Kurland moved away from the body, and Dr. Fletcher covered it with the sheet. “I have a favor to ask of you, Doctor.”
    â€œAnd what would that be?”
    â€œI’d appreciate it if you kept this information to yourself. I’d prefer the wedding guests and villagers to assume Mrs. Chingford died from a tragic accident.”
    Dr. Fletcher’s green eyes narrowed. “I won’t lie for you.”
    â€œI understand that. But if Miss Harrington and I are going to catch a murderer, we will require your discretion.”
    â€œThat I can manage. If anyone asks me directly how she died, I will simply say that she broke her neck. That covers all eventualities.” Dr. Fletcher went to the door and held it