Read Online The Celtic Dagger by Jill Paterson - Free Book Online Page A

grabbed James’s arm. ‘On your desk?’
    ‘Yes.’  James paused.  ‘The fact is, the weapon is one of three artefacts that went missing, the day Alex died.  They’d been on loan through the Australian Museum for an open day.
    ‘What were they?’ asked Emily Wearing, her voice just a whisper.
    ‘A gold torque, a ring and a Celtic dagger.’
    She gasped.  ‘Oh dear.  The dagger was on your desk.’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘They can’t think that you had anything to do with Alex’s death.  Surely.’  Silence fell on the room.
    Harold Wearing frowned.  ‘What about the other two artefacts?  Have they been found?’
    ‘Yes, and therein lies another problem.’
    ‘What do you mean, dear?’ asked Emily.
    ‘Catherine found the ring in Alex’s study at home.’
    Harold Wearing sat forward in his chair.  ‘What was it doing there?’
    ‘I don’t know, Dad.’
    ‘What about the torque?’
    ‘It was found in Tristan Harrow’s office.  He’s a colleague.’
    Harold nodded.  ‘Yes, we’ve met on occasion.  A bit of an obnoxious fellow, as I remember.’  He paused.  ‘Do you think he had anything to do with Alex’s death?'
    James hesitated.  ‘The thought did cross my mind but, no, I don’t think Tristan would be capable of such an act.’
    ‘What do the police say about all this?’
    ‘So far very little.’
     
     
     
    Eve Lawrence greeted them when they arrived at Catherine’s the next morning.  A softly spoken woman in her late sixties, she had been housekeeper to Catherine and Alex for twenty years.  She rarely spoke of her earlier life.  Except for a sister in Mittagong, the only information Catherine had managed to glean was that Eve’s husband had died a few months prior to her arrival.
    ‘Mr and Mrs Wearing, I’m so pleased to see you.  Come in.  It’s been a long time since you’ve been to Sydney, hasn’t it?  Here, let me take your coats.’
    At that same moment, Catherine came down the stairs, dressed in a calf length black woollen dress, her blonde hair pulled back from her face and tied at the nape of her neck.  She smiled when she saw them.  ‘Emily.  Harold.’
    ‘It’s been too long, Catherine.’  Emily Wearing put her arms around her daughter-in-law and kissed her on both cheeks.  ‘I’m so sorry about this, my dear.  You’ll have to be strong.’  Catherine nodded.  ‘I want you to come and stay with us.  You shouldn’t be alone at a time like this.’
    Catherine glanced at James before looking back at Emily.  ‘Thanks, Emily, that’s very kind and I will do, but there are matters I must attend to first, I’m afraid.’  She smiled at Emily and put her arm around her.  ‘Come into the living room and make yourselves at home.’  Looking around at Eve, she asked, ‘Can you make coffee for us please, Eve?’
    An hour later, when the cars arrived, they stepped out into the bleak morning and made their way to the memorial service and then on to the cemetery.
     
     
     
    A sombre atmosphere hung over those assembled at the graveside.  There were many unfamiliar faces amongst the familiar.  James realised then how far-flung Alex’s reputation must have been.  Beside him, Catherine stood rigid, her eyes cast down at the casket, oblivious to the cold breeze that swept through their midst.  Moments later, the sky darkened and the first drops of rain fell.  James raised his umbrella while others followed; all huddled under a mass of black.  His gaze travelled to the edge of the gathering and fell upon Ashley Manning.  Their eyes met and James reflected on their last encounter and her annoyance at his questions.  Moments passed before Ashley turned her head and moved away from the graveside.
    As the service ended, the gathering dispersed and they walked to the waiting cars.  Emily and Harold Wearing walked ahead with Eve Lawrence, his mother sobbing quietly, his father silent.  James glanced at Catherine at his side; tears rolling down her