Read Online The Blood of an Englishman by M. C. Beaton - Free Book Online Page A

Interest in the gruesome murder of Bert Simple had been reanimated and she knew Winter Parva would be full of the media.
    She settled down at her desk to read the newspaper reports. Gwen Simple was reported as being too distressed to make a statement. Other members of the cast were threatening to sue George for causing them post-traumatic stress.
    Agatha turned to Patrick. “See if any of your police contacts can let you know if George has been charged.”
    Patrick put on his coat and left the office. Agatha looked out of the window. The snow was coming down thicker. If she did not make a move soon, she would not get to Winter Parva.
    But if she did go to try to see if George had been released and returned home, the press would all be waiting outside the gift shop.
    Mrs. Freedman was patiently answering the phone and reading from a typed statement.
    â€œAgatha Raisin was at the performance and witnessed the whole thing. George Southern begged to replace John Hale for one performance only. Mrs. Raisin does not know why he decided on such a horrible trick. Goodbye.”
    The calls grew less and finally ceased.
    Toni appeared and said it looked as if most of the roads were going to be impassable. She was soon followed by Simon and Phil, complaining about the same thing.
    They all sat, drinking coffee, and watching the white world outside the windows. Patrick appeared at last, shaking snow from his heavy overcoat. “George has been kept in overnight,” he said, “and they’re going to be interviewing him again today. Evidently Wilkes thinks that someone who could go to the lengths of performing such a macabre joke probably killed Bert.”
    â€œI believe members of the cast are threatening to sue him for causing post-traumatic stress,” said Agatha.
    â€œThe actual charge,” said Patrick, “would be nervous shock and they would need to pay a psychiatrist to back up the claim. Is there anything else I can do?”
    â€œI don’t think there’s anything any one of us can do until they get the gritters out,” said Agatha. “You can all go.”
    â€œI don’t think I’ll make it to Carsely,” said Phil.
    There was a knock at the office door and a familiar voice called, “Agatha!”
    Agatha rushed to open the door. James Lacey, her former husband, stood there, smiling at her.
    â€œHow did you get here?” asked Agatha. “Let me take your coat.”
    â€œI’ve invested in a Land Rover with snow tyres,” said James. “I’ve been reading all about the Winter Parva case and wondered if you needed any help.”
    â€œOh, that would be great,” said Agatha. She studied James. He was as handsome as ever. Then she remembered how difficult their marriage had been. And James had been furious when Agatha had insisted on keeping the name Raisin, that of her first husband, for business. Then her racing mind thought, I must get rid of him by next Saturday. I don’t want anyone messing up my date with John.
    Aloud, she said, “We could drop Phil back off in Carsely and go on to Winter Parva from there. Toni, Simon, you’ve both got digs close by so you can go now.”
    Young Toni blushed slightly as she passed James, remembering when she had once had a crush on him.
    Simon hurried after her. James sat down next to Agatha at her desk.
    â€œI’ve been looking at my notes,” said Agatha, “and I’ve just remembered something. Gareth Craven, the producer of the pantomime who’s hired me to investigate, well, he told me he wanted to marry Gwen Simple but that he was married at the time.
    â€œBut Bessie Burdock was the one who told us that Gareth had rushed off to get married after Gwen got married. It’s a small lie, but it’s a lie all the same.”
    â€œMaybe he was just trying to save face,” said James. “But I’d like to meet this Gareth Craven.”
    â€œWe’ll go