Read Online The Spirit Murder Mystery by Robin Forsythe - Free Book Online

But let’s go in for lunch and you can sample a Suffolk haslet. Over it we can discuss this affair at Cobbler’s Corner.”
    The two men entered the inn, and when lunch had been served and they were alone, Heather at once brought the conversation to the business on which they were both engaged.
    â€œNow, Mr. Vereker, you’ve been here from the commencement of this affair. What d’you know?”
    â€œNothing much so far, but I’ll tell you all about it, ab ovo .”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œYou must ask them at Hendon. But to proceed. Some days ago, I believe it was on a Friday night, a man called Clarry Martin, who was on holiday in the village, disappeared. He belonged to Yarham, but lived and worked in London. Something to do with the motor business. Started as a mechanic and soon owned a large garage, show rooms, repair shop, etc. He was his own boss, and often came to Yarham to see his parents.”
    â€œYou mean his best girl,” interrupted Heather. “Parents are seldom good for more than one visit a year nowadays.”
    â€œPerhaps you’re right. There’s a best girl in the case anyway. Her name is Dawn Garford.”
    â€œDawn, eh? A real daughter of Eve, of course.”
    â€œPossibly so. I’m glad to see you’re in form, Heather, and as chirpy as ever. Well, Martin was very much in love with the young lady, and whether she returned his affection or not, I’m unable to say. But she encouraged him. However, he wasn’t the only suitor she encouraged. There were several others, it village gossip is to be believed.”
    â€œStrange world, Mr. Vereker,” commented Heather, lighting his pipe; “there’s never enough of a good thing to go all round. So Mr. Martin got his back up with the lady and there was a row.”
    â€œExactly; and Mr. Martin disappeared. One of the other suitors was Mr John Thurlow, and rumour says that prior to his death it looked as if he were going to draw the prize in the sweep. He was a retired Indian merchant and reputed to be wealthy. He was much older than the lady, but his wealth probably discounted that item. Last Monday night he also disappeared from his place, Old Hall Farm. On Wednesday morning, both the missing men were discovered, as you know, at Cobbler’s Corner. They were dead.”
    â€œThurlow with his head smashed in, and Martin shot through the shoulder. I’ll see the local police inspector this afternoon and get his full report on the case. Was there anything that particularly struck you, apart from what you’ve told me?”
    â€œI’ve left the most exciting bit till the last, Heather. On Monday night, Miss Thurlow and her uncle, both spiritualists, held a little séance in Mr. Thurlow’s study. It was an experiment as far as Thurlow was concerned. They extinguished the lights, and, according to the niece’s story, after a short period of silence, the room was suddenly filled with the strains of ghostly music. Thurlow was so astonished that he switched on the light. The music continued for a while and then died away. Miss Thurlow left her uncle in the study. She says she went into the garden to try and collect her thoughts before going to bed. Her trance state had upset her, and she feels that she was a bit distrait. So much so, that she doesn’t remember how long she stayed outside. She thinks about an hour. Eventually, however, she came to her full senses and found herself in bed. She says she never heard her uncle come upstairs to his room, and finally she fell asleep. Next morning, the servant discovered the electric light in the study still burning and the window wide open. All the doors of the house were shut and locked. She went upstairs to her master’s bedroom with his morning tea. The room was empty and the bed had not been slept in.”
    A frown had gathered on Inspector Heather’s brow, and he began to rub his chin