Read Online Late of This Parish by Marjorie Eccles - Free Book Online Page B

That was the time he almost invariably arrived, in order to spend some time in prayer before the service. I came in myself at six-twenty and found him dead, so I dare say she was the last person to see him alive. Except, of course ... Yes, well ...’ The pause lengthened as he hesitated to say what he was thinking. Or had he just realized that any person who found a murdered body might naturally be the first suspect? Probably not.
    â€˜That should make it possible to establish the time of his death fairly precisely, then. I take it she saw no one else?’
    â€˜She was in the bedroom at the time, getting ready to go out, and happened to see him through the window – the Rectory is just opposite – but she’d no reason to stand there watching. Mr Willard going into the church was hardly an occasion for surprise. I still feel he must have disturbed or interrupted someone ...’
    â€˜Possibly.’ It was something that would be borne in mind, though as a theory it had its drawbacks, the chief being the method used to silence Willard. Far more likely, from the sort of yobs who set out to steal church silver, would have been a hefty bash on the head. ‘Is the church ever left unlocked accidentally?’
    â€˜Not often. But I have to say that not everyone is as careful as they might be locking up before they leave so it does happen occasionally.’
    â€˜Who would’ve had reason to come in here today?’
    â€˜Various people may have been in and out. I’ve popped in myself several times. And of course, it’s Saturday, when fresh flowers are put in the vases. Let me see, who’s on the flower rota this week?’ The Rector threw a quick glance towards the graceful twin arrangements set on pedestals either side of the altar. Wine-red tulips, white lilac and some frothy greenish flowers Mayo couldn’t recognize. He said immediately, ‘No need to look, it will be Mrs Holden, the headmaster’s wife at the boys’ school, she always does them so beautifully. The school’s just down the hill, Uplands House.’
    â€˜Yes, we passed it on the way here.’
    â€˜She would have arranged them this afternoon – but the key was dropped back at the Rectory, so she’s unlikely to have left the door unlocked.’
    â€˜What about Mr Willard’s family? You mentioned a daughter, I think?’
    â€˜Laura, yes. There’s only Laura. A dear girl, a saint, really.’ Mayo felt this could be a comment which perhaps told him more about Willard’s character – and maybe Oliver’s judgement – than it did about the daughter. ‘What I mean is,’ Oliver qualified, ‘she has devoted these last few years quite unstintingly to looking after her father. She’s always put him first. She was his secretary at the school before he left and continued the job under the present headmaster. They say she knows the routine inside out, which will be useful for the new, incoming Head when he takes over in September, whoever he may be.’ He stared thoughtfully in the direction of the altar. ‘Unless she gets married.’
    â€˜Is she likely to?’
    The Rector said vaguely that he’d heard rumours, but couldn’t be specific. Mayo closed his notebook and thanked the Rector for his help. ‘Perhaps now I could see your wife, Rector.’
    But it appeared she wasn’t available, having disappeared before the arrival of the police to attend some meeting apparently deemed too important to cancel, even in the circumstances.
    Then the saintly Laura Willard had better be the next person he spoke to, Mayo decided, never mind Dr Hameed’s warning. She would undoubtedly be distressed, but that couldn’t be helped. Regardless of the fact that she might well be responsible for her father’s death, despite the Rector’s eulogy on her character, she would in any case have questions to answer. He must have