Read Online Spanish Inquisition by Elizabeth Darrell - Free Book Online Page A

wouldn’t believe a single word that came out of her mouth. Lives in a fantasy world. One in which she’s entitled to public worship.’ He turned to hand over a mug of tea. ‘Mind you, she could sing as well as act. Had a voice to put a tingle up a man’s spine.’
    â€˜Yours, too?’
    â€˜Hey, hey! My wife’s a ballet teacher, and we’re both considerably involved with the Arts,’ he said robustly. ‘Don’t group me with youngsters who’re only considerably involved with
sex
. I gave that opinion as a member of the local municipal choir. I know a good mezzo when I hear one.’
    Tom raised his eyebrows. ‘What is it with all these soldiers who’re suddenly bursting into song?’
    Jensen grinned at him over his mug. ‘Come on, Tom, troops have through the ages expressed their feelings with a lusty sing-song. Don’t tell me you’ve never bellowed a vulgar chorus to Colonel Bogey.’
    â€˜I sure as hell didn’t send tingles up men’s spines.’ He sipped the scalding tea. ‘Tell me what happened prior to locking up on Saturday, Bill. What you
actually
saw and heard.’
    Jensen sat on a scruffy swivel chair, putting his mug on the bench beside him. ‘I spent as much as fifteen minutes persuading loiterers to leave. The celebrations were well and truly over an hour after midnight, but a couple of lads with what looked like schoolgirls done up to seem ten years older were still hanging around by the front row. I told them twice to get going, but they just moved several rows back.’
    â€˜Where was Carmen at this time?’
    â€˜Still soaking up flattery and red wine up on the stage, with a trio of guys all of whom looked typical likely lads. Your man was hanging around in the wings, waiting for them to go. Both he and La Norton were still in their stage costumes, so I decided enough was enough and called out that I would be locking the place in fifteen minutes flat, so they’d better get changed pdq.’
    â€˜Then what?’
    â€˜Norton kissed each of her admirers and pushed them provocatively towards the steps leading down to the auditorium. She then left the stage by the rear steps to reach her dressing room. When I glanced in the wings Piercey was no longer there, so I assumed they were both obeying my instruction to get into their own clothes.’
    â€˜But they didn’t.’
    â€˜No. Anyway, I again chivvied the guys with the schoolgirls. Their response was the typical “Yeah, yeah,” and I heard one of the girls suggest going to her place because her dad was away and her mum got lonely. It was at that point that I moved to the back of the auditorium intending to check that no one was using other areas for a bit of nookie. That’s when I heard Norton shouting and screaming rape. She was clinging to one of the guys and creating merry hell.’
    He sighed heavily. ‘Time I got down to where she was making the melodramatic most of the situation, the guys were arguing about giving Phil Piercey what for. I saw that her dress was torn, and she kept insisting that he tried to strip her. I headed for the dressing rooms, but there was no one there. I guessed he’d skipped out through the stage door, which only opens from inside. I was glad of that. Last thing I wanted was a heavy set-to. Men fighting over a woman. Fool’s game, that.’
    Tom nodded his agreement. He had seen it happen often enough to know it rarely solved anything, and often brought misery.
    â€˜Well, when I arrived back out front Carmen was alone and looking perfectly composed. I heard the others out in the corridor, making for the exit, so I suggested she grabbed her things and got going too, telling her she should bring the torn costume back in the morning, because I intended to lock up right away. She went backstage saying she must just make a quick call before leaving.’
    He shook his head in a