Read Online Death in Albert Park by Leo Bruce - Free Book Online Page A

fact. That’s why we lived there.”
    â€œYou say ‘old’ Scatton. How old is he?”
    â€œOh, not decrepit. Sixtyish, I should say.”
    â€œDid your sister see much of him?”
    â€œMmm. Fair amount.”
    â€œDo you know whether he had ever proposed to her?”
    â€œOh yes. Often in the old days. I think once, years ago, they nearly got married, but it all blew over. Hester was a great one for what she called her freedom.”
    â€œOne other thing, Mr. Starkey. I hope you won’t think me impertinent but I am trying to work on this thing in my own way. What were your sister’s financial circumstances?”
    â€œShe had none. Just her salary. Munshall has money, I believe, and of course old Scatton’s a rich man. But Hester didn’t worry about money.”
    â€œHad she, any expectations?”
    â€œIf you could call it that. There’s an old great-auntdown at Bournemouth with a good deal of money. We were about the only relatives she had. But we didn’t count on anything. It will probably all go to a dog’s home.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œI think you’re wasting your time,” observed Eamon. “I don’t mind answering questions but I can’t see the point in them. Poor Hester was just a chance victim. How does it help you to know all this about her?”
    â€œPerhaps not at all. On the other hand …”
    â€œBetter if you could find out who the murderer is before he can do any more damage.”
    â€œYes. Much better,” agreed Carolus seriously. “I must really see what I can do about it. Are you still living at Blackheath?”
    â€œI’ve still got the flat there. I nearly always stay with a friend in town while I’m working.”
    â€œYes. Must be a long way out. How do you travel when you do go?”
    â€œI have a motor-bike. Surprising, isn’t it, for an actor? Like those nuns you see on motor-bikes in France. But I got a taste for the things during the war and really rather enjoy it.”
    â€œI can quite understand that. If you tell me you’re enjoying working as Index Eleven I should find it more baffling.”
    â€œWell, it’s work. There’s money behind the Crucible.”
    â€œHow long has your present show been running?”
    â€œOh, months. It had such a press, you see. Ken Tynan raved. But it’s coming off now.”
    â€œDid your sister see it?”
    â€œYes. Came to the first night. She didn’t say much but I think she was rather impressed. She came with Munshall.”
    â€œI’m most grateful for all your information, Mr. Starkey.”
    â€œNot Mr. Starkey here,” said Hester’s brother smiling, “Earn Star.”
    â€œAnyway, thank you. I think there are some … Indexes behind you who seem to expect you to join them so I’ll run along.”

Six

    W HILE Carolus was at the Crucible Theatre that evening there was a violent quarrel between Mrs. Whitehill and her niece Viola at number 10 Crabtree Avenue, a quarrel which led to yet another public incident.
    Viola was twenty-seven, a moderately nice-looking girl, a little too eager in manner and lacking natural charm. She wanted a husband and had been disappointed several times, till a discontented droop began to appear at the lips of her mouth and her eyes had a look of anxiety and strain which made her less attractive. Her parents had been killed in a plane crash when she was fifteen and the Whitehills had adopted her in a businesslike way as though moved by conscience rather than inclination. Stella Whitehill had a temper, but only once or twice during the twelve years of Viola’s stay with them had shown any impatience with the girl.
    But it was not an altogether happy situation. Viola was useful to her aunt in the house and so had not been encouraged to seek employment, but not so useful thatStella Whitehill wanted to keep her from marriage. On the