Read Online To Kill a Queen by Alanna Knight - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Alanna Knight
Tags: Historical fiction, Historical, Literature & Fiction, Crime, Genre Fiction, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Crime Fiction, Thrillers & Suspense
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gate.
'Ah,' said Purdie, 'I see you have a visitor.'
Faro shook his head. 'Someone enquiring after my aunt, I expect.'
'We're on our way to Bush Farm. Brown's place.' Purdie paused significantly. 'Bush Farm is very close to where the girl's body was found.'
And as Faro stepped down, he continued, 'I was hoping I might persuade you to accompany us. Take part in a little private investigation, if it would amuse you.'
Faro was tempted but his conscience prevailed. He thought about the Queen's dogs. That was his most urgent priority.
'Perhaps tomorrow, then?'
Inside the cottage was the last person he had expected to see: Superintendent McIntosh patiently awaiting Detective Inspector Faro's arrival.
His presence spelled out one word.
Trouble.
Chapter Five
Superintendent McIntosh dominated the tiny parlour where his huge bulk was being viewed with polite anxiety by Tibbie as he settled uncomfortably, overflowing from one of Bella's diminutive armchairs.
Greeting Faro's entrance with relief, she bobbed a curtsey and hurried into the kitchen with promises of a pot of tea and some fresh pancakes.
Watching the door close, McIntosh said sternly, 'I am here incognito. Faro. This is strictly off the record.' And glancing round the walls nervously as if they might conceal a listener, 'I travelled by carriage from Aberdeen immediately after the wedding—'
A chronicle of trials and tribulations followed, sufficient to convince the uninitiated that in the manner of bees to honey, Superintendent McIntosh attracted disaster.
As for the incognito, Faro thought cynically that a closed carriage outside Bella's cottage would have already become an urgent topic of conversation in every kitchen in Crathie and surrounding areas. The entire populace would now be exchanging theories and speculation about who might be calling on Mistress MacVae. And her away in the hospital.
'I thought it wise not to use the telegraph on this occasion.'
Faro was again grateful for his thoughtfulness, seeing that private messages were an impossibility. All communications were avidly read and their contents subject to endless discussion long before fourth- or fifth-hand they reached their destination. Only those to the Castle under the Queen's personal code were necessarily treated with any reverence.
'It must be something very serious to bring you out of your way, sir.'
McIntosh smiled grimly. 'It is indeed. The wedding made that awful train journey a little easier to bear. The sooner they get that damned Tay Bridge built the better.' He sighed. 'I found myself having to kill two birds with one stone. If you will forgive the inappropriate simile, since it is my most urgent desire to prevent a second bird falling to the gun. A disaster that would be. A national disaster.'
McIntosh was addicted to his mixed metaphors and all Faro could do was listen patiently.
'Do I take it your visit concerns Balmoral and a member of the Royal Family?'
McIntosh seemed astonished that Faro should have made such an obvious deduction. 'Indeed, yes. Her Majesty, Faro, no less. We have just heard from sources at Scotland Yard that there is to be an attempt on her life. Here, before she leaves at the end of the week.'
Faro had a sinking feeling that his intuition had been right. That there was more involved in the servant girl's murder than a jealous lover. It also explained the real reason for the presence of a detective from Scotland Yard.
Two deaths, both conveniently buried and accounted for. Two of the Queen's pet dogs shot. Faro thought rapidly. Could all four put together in the right order add up to the Queen's life in danger?
'About this girl who was murdered. Is there a connection?'
'Highly unlikely.' McIntosh shook his head. 'You're to stay out of that, Faro. I've warned you. They've got Scotland Yard on the case. We must be careful not to create any ill-feeling,' he added nervously.
'I have just made Inspector Purdie's acquaintance.'
'Have you indeed?
'Ah,' said Purdie, 'I see you have a visitor.'
Faro shook his head. 'Someone enquiring after my aunt, I expect.'
'We're on our way to Bush Farm. Brown's place.' Purdie paused significantly. 'Bush Farm is very close to where the girl's body was found.'
And as Faro stepped down, he continued, 'I was hoping I might persuade you to accompany us. Take part in a little private investigation, if it would amuse you.'
Faro was tempted but his conscience prevailed. He thought about the Queen's dogs. That was his most urgent priority.
'Perhaps tomorrow, then?'
Inside the cottage was the last person he had expected to see: Superintendent McIntosh patiently awaiting Detective Inspector Faro's arrival.
His presence spelled out one word.
Trouble.
Chapter Five
Superintendent McIntosh dominated the tiny parlour where his huge bulk was being viewed with polite anxiety by Tibbie as he settled uncomfortably, overflowing from one of Bella's diminutive armchairs.
Greeting Faro's entrance with relief, she bobbed a curtsey and hurried into the kitchen with promises of a pot of tea and some fresh pancakes.
Watching the door close, McIntosh said sternly, 'I am here incognito. Faro. This is strictly off the record.' And glancing round the walls nervously as if they might conceal a listener, 'I travelled by carriage from Aberdeen immediately after the wedding—'
A chronicle of trials and tribulations followed, sufficient to convince the uninitiated that in the manner of bees to honey, Superintendent McIntosh attracted disaster.
As for the incognito, Faro thought cynically that a closed carriage outside Bella's cottage would have already become an urgent topic of conversation in every kitchen in Crathie and surrounding areas. The entire populace would now be exchanging theories and speculation about who might be calling on Mistress MacVae. And her away in the hospital.
'I thought it wise not to use the telegraph on this occasion.'
Faro was again grateful for his thoughtfulness, seeing that private messages were an impossibility. All communications were avidly read and their contents subject to endless discussion long before fourth- or fifth-hand they reached their destination. Only those to the Castle under the Queen's personal code were necessarily treated with any reverence.
'It must be something very serious to bring you out of your way, sir.'
McIntosh smiled grimly. 'It is indeed. The wedding made that awful train journey a little easier to bear. The sooner they get that damned Tay Bridge built the better.' He sighed. 'I found myself having to kill two birds with one stone. If you will forgive the inappropriate simile, since it is my most urgent desire to prevent a second bird falling to the gun. A disaster that would be. A national disaster.'
McIntosh was addicted to his mixed metaphors and all Faro could do was listen patiently.
'Do I take it your visit concerns Balmoral and a member of the Royal Family?'
McIntosh seemed astonished that Faro should have made such an obvious deduction. 'Indeed, yes. Her Majesty, Faro, no less. We have just heard from sources at Scotland Yard that there is to be an attempt on her life. Here, before she leaves at the end of the week.'
Faro had a sinking feeling that his intuition had been right. That there was more involved in the servant girl's murder than a jealous lover. It also explained the real reason for the presence of a detective from Scotland Yard.
Two deaths, both conveniently buried and accounted for. Two of the Queen's pet dogs shot. Faro thought rapidly. Could all four put together in the right order add up to the Queen's life in danger?
'About this girl who was murdered. Is there a connection?'
'Highly unlikely.' McIntosh shook his head. 'You're to stay out of that, Faro. I've warned you. They've got Scotland Yard on the case. We must be careful not to create any ill-feeling,' he added nervously.
'I have just made Inspector Purdie's acquaintance.'
'Have you indeed?
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