Read Online STRANGE BODIES (a gripping crime thriller) by Antonia Marlowe - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Antonia Marlowe
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were murdered after Miss Browne announced they were to be guests on her show, is that correct? Probably just coincidence but worth checking. Yes, Donna?’
‘I usually watch it, sir. The format is the usual chat stuff with three or four guests. They often have a book or movie to flog or they’ve done something interesting. She’s very good at this and can make even the most boring people sound fascinating. Even politicians.
‘Then there’s usually a singer or group and they have a live orchestra on the show to back them. No expense spared.’ She rubbed a finger and thumb together. ‘The set is fabulous, real antiques, I’ve heard. And her clothes!
‘Then it changes and gets serious in the second part which usually runs for about ten minutes or so. They turn a spotlight on one of the guests usually to pretty devastating effect. But, sir, you really should watch it. Look, I’ll bring up a pic of Adelaide Browne.’ She pressed a few keys and within seconds the image appeared, slightly smaller than life-size on the wall screen.
Inevitably all the men sighed.
‘I have met her, I remember now. It was months ago, April or May. One of those social events I was invited to as soon as I arrived.’ Adams managed to suppress a smile at the memory—hers was one of the subtler invitations he’d received at that time, subtle but unmistakeable.
He spoke to Mrs Halifax. ‘If you’re having trouble, try mentioning my name. I think Ms Browne will remember me.’
He turned back as Donna Price said, ‘You met her and you can sit there and tell us you’ve never watched the show.’ She shook her head in disbelief.’
Adams looked at him and said, ‘I think we need to find out who does the research for the show. I have a few contacts who might help,’ he said, thinking of Sir Marcus Havington, owner of the Mercury Comm Group.
Mrs Halifax buzzed through. ‘You have an appointment with Miss Browne at six o’clock tomorrow at her house. I spoke to her secretary, her name’s Lightfoot, said she was fairly sure it would be okay but she’ll get back to us to confirm once she’s spoken to Miss Browne. She wasn’t sure about Verity Burne, but she’ll probably be available as she lives next door. Tell Sergeant Fraser Ms Lightfoot has a Scottish accent very much like his own. Glasgow, isn’t it?’
‘That’s interesting … there is a connection between those two women,’ said Adams
‘And Holly Vaughan is on the line, sir. I’ll put her up on screen three.’
‘Yes, thank you, Mrs Halifax.’
DI Jacobsen introduced them to Holly then settled back to listen to her comments.
‘I didn’t get much new out of him, but I’ll run through it if you think it might help,’ she said.
Detective Holly Vaughan knocked on the door of Jim Lawrence’s house at eight o’clock the next morning. The street was empty except for local vehicles and so she was pleased to see the press hadn’t yet got wind of Jim Lawrence’s involvement in the case. The long drive to the big old house held only one vehicle.
Forster opened the door and looked at her for a few seconds as she held up her ID. He was holding a piece of toast in one hand and had a smear of egg on his chin.
She said, ‘Morning, Forster. How’s our witness this morning? Did he get any sleep?’
‘Yes, but I don’t think he slept well. I heard him yell out a couple of times. He’s had two pots of tea so far and he’s just put the kettle on again, for you probably.’
She grimaced. ‘I don’t drink tea. Well, get your stuff together, you can go now. I’ll relieve you till someone else turns up.’
‘Jim’s in the kitchen—come on.’
She walked into the big, bright kitchen with its large wooden table and six chairs, and the adjoining family room with a couple of old armchairs, a large comfortable couch, a huge wall screen and dozens of framed photographs scattered around on every possible surface. A beautiful old dresser held a collection of blue
‘I usually watch it, sir. The format is the usual chat stuff with three or four guests. They often have a book or movie to flog or they’ve done something interesting. She’s very good at this and can make even the most boring people sound fascinating. Even politicians.
‘Then there’s usually a singer or group and they have a live orchestra on the show to back them. No expense spared.’ She rubbed a finger and thumb together. ‘The set is fabulous, real antiques, I’ve heard. And her clothes!
‘Then it changes and gets serious in the second part which usually runs for about ten minutes or so. They turn a spotlight on one of the guests usually to pretty devastating effect. But, sir, you really should watch it. Look, I’ll bring up a pic of Adelaide Browne.’ She pressed a few keys and within seconds the image appeared, slightly smaller than life-size on the wall screen.
Inevitably all the men sighed.
‘I have met her, I remember now. It was months ago, April or May. One of those social events I was invited to as soon as I arrived.’ Adams managed to suppress a smile at the memory—hers was one of the subtler invitations he’d received at that time, subtle but unmistakeable.
He spoke to Mrs Halifax. ‘If you’re having trouble, try mentioning my name. I think Ms Browne will remember me.’
He turned back as Donna Price said, ‘You met her and you can sit there and tell us you’ve never watched the show.’ She shook her head in disbelief.’
Adams looked at him and said, ‘I think we need to find out who does the research for the show. I have a few contacts who might help,’ he said, thinking of Sir Marcus Havington, owner of the Mercury Comm Group.
Mrs Halifax buzzed through. ‘You have an appointment with Miss Browne at six o’clock tomorrow at her house. I spoke to her secretary, her name’s Lightfoot, said she was fairly sure it would be okay but she’ll get back to us to confirm once she’s spoken to Miss Browne. She wasn’t sure about Verity Burne, but she’ll probably be available as she lives next door. Tell Sergeant Fraser Ms Lightfoot has a Scottish accent very much like his own. Glasgow, isn’t it?’
‘That’s interesting … there is a connection between those two women,’ said Adams
‘And Holly Vaughan is on the line, sir. I’ll put her up on screen three.’
‘Yes, thank you, Mrs Halifax.’
DI Jacobsen introduced them to Holly then settled back to listen to her comments.
‘I didn’t get much new out of him, but I’ll run through it if you think it might help,’ she said.
Detective Holly Vaughan knocked on the door of Jim Lawrence’s house at eight o’clock the next morning. The street was empty except for local vehicles and so she was pleased to see the press hadn’t yet got wind of Jim Lawrence’s involvement in the case. The long drive to the big old house held only one vehicle.
Forster opened the door and looked at her for a few seconds as she held up her ID. He was holding a piece of toast in one hand and had a smear of egg on his chin.
She said, ‘Morning, Forster. How’s our witness this morning? Did he get any sleep?’
‘Yes, but I don’t think he slept well. I heard him yell out a couple of times. He’s had two pots of tea so far and he’s just put the kettle on again, for you probably.’
She grimaced. ‘I don’t drink tea. Well, get your stuff together, you can go now. I’ll relieve you till someone else turns up.’
‘Jim’s in the kitchen—come on.’
She walked into the big, bright kitchen with its large wooden table and six chairs, and the adjoining family room with a couple of old armchairs, a large comfortable couch, a huge wall screen and dozens of framed photographs scattered around on every possible surface. A beautiful old dresser held a collection of blue
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