Read Online Murder at the Mikado by Julianna Deering - Free Book Online Page B

Monday before he was killed.”
    “What exactly did she say?”
    Birdsong shuffled through his papers until he lighted on the one he wanted. “ ‘You don’t want to do that, Johnnie, I swear you don’t,’ or very nearly that.”
    “That’s not much of a threat. What does she say about it?”
    The chief inspector shrugged. “Says they were discussing a new production and how Ravenswood’s wife wants to do Shakespeare. Mrs. Landis claims it would be a flop if they did. I suppose it could have been that.”
    “Could be. It’s not much to go on.”
    “Well, Benton’s convinced at any rate. He recognized her cloak and just . . . how she was. He says in no uncertain terms that it was Mrs. Landis.”
    “Any other suspects?” Nick asked.
    “Just the usual. Wife. Business manager. Other members of the troupe. Crime of passion like that? Anyone could have done it.”
    “Are you sure it wasn’t premeditated?”
    “Bash a fellow with a bottle that way?” Birdsong scoffed. “No fear.”
    Drew sighed. “I suppose you’re right.”
    “Anyway, we’re looking into all of them. Not enough evidence as yet to arrest anyone. Of course, we’re doing our best to watch anyone we have reason to suspect.”
    Drew glanced at Nick and then gave the chief inspector a guileless smile. “And of course it’s early days yet.”
    “It is, in fact, Mr. Farthering, thank you very much. So, did you come to let me know I would be receiving your help in this case?”
    Drew grinned. “You appreciated my help the last time, Chief Inspector. Admit it.”
    “You did have an idea or two,” the chief inspector allowed. “When you weren’t putting yourself in danger of getting killed.”
    “He’s certainly not going to do that again,” Nick said sternly. “Not for a lark anyway.”
    “I’ve had that lecture from Madeline and from our dear chief inspector as well, Nick,” Drew said. “No need to go over it all again.”
    Chief Inspector Birdsong narrowed his eyes at him. “Well, since you’ve been duly cautioned by all parties, I suppose there’s little more to be said.” He shook a thick index finger in Drew’s face. “Do all the nosing about you please, but do not put yourself or anyone else in danger, and do keep us apprised of anything you happen to dig up, eh?”
    “Certainly. But you needn’t worry, Chief Inspector. I don’t have much time for this sort of thing at the moment. I’m about to be a married man. My carefree days of bachelorhood are coming to an end, and I am not my own. Besides, if I get murdered now, Madeline will certainly kill me.”
    “And well she ought. Now go along, both of you. Stay out of the way of any officers doing their duty, do not trespass upon private property, and leave that pistol of your stepfather’s locked up where it ought to be. Am I understood?”
    “Will do, Chief Inspector.” Drew stood. “Come on, Nick. We’d best get back to Farthering Place before we’re caught being truant.”
    “You know, Detective Farthering,” Birdsong drawled before they reached his office door, “I have been married a good many years myself. I haven’t kept a happy wife by putting myself in harm’s way unnecessarily.”
    “I will certainly bear that in mind, Chief Inspector.”
    “He’s right, you know,” Nick said once they turned on the road that led south back to Farthering Place. “Madeline might be all for the two of you investigating cases and helping the poor and innocent masses, but she’s going to want you home nights and in reasonably good order.”
    “You don’t think I want the same?”
    “Oh, no doubt,” Nick assured him. “But you don’t always remind yourself of that when you’re on the hunt.”
    “Well, I’m not really on the hunt this time, old man. I’ll just see what I can see.”
    “I don’t know how you’ll have time with the wedding coming up. You’ve got to see your tailor on Wednesday, and aren’t you and Madeline supposed to motor up to