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Heirs of the Body(79)



“We could send Bel and the twins home with Mrs. Gilpin. But what about Derek? Vi really isn’t well enough to handle him. And more to the point, what about Ben? He’s a target, if anyone is. We can’t leave him here on his own.”

“Nor send him with the others. He’d carry the risk, if any, along with him. To tell the truth, I have a ‘hunch,’ as the Americans say, that he’s safe here, and the others as well. If that damn butterfly net had been intended to kill, it would have been placed at the top of the stairs, not so near the foot. It was a feint, and I don’t know why. I just can’t work out what’s going on.”

“It is strange. The butterfly net is the only actual clue, and Edgar was always leaving it all over the place. Anyone could have got it. He’s already sent for a new one, by the way. His old spare is full of holes. Bigger holes than it’s supposed to have.”

“Moth holes?”

Daisy laughed. “Holes big enough for moths to get through, at least.”

“Just like this case. If there is one.”





TWENTY-FOUR





“Ahoy there!” From behind them came the voice of a sailor used to hailing nearby ships through the roar of wind and wave.

Daisy and Alec swung round. Down the hill, his tread jaunty yet as firm as if beneath his feet was an ever shifting deck, strode a hatless man in a blue jacket, duck trousers, and seaman’s boots. His hair was dark gold and curly, on the long side, dishevelled by the breeze. Over his shoulder, he carried a large kit bag.

“Martha’s Sammy, I presume,” said Daisy, waving.

“Who but?”

They waited for him to catch up.

“This is Fairacres? I’m Samuel Dalrymple, out of Kingston, Jamaica,” he introduced himself. He spoke with only a slight trace of the melodic Jamaican accent, smoothed by constant contact with the people of many lands, no doubt.

“How do you do.” Daisy shook hands. “I’m Daisy Fletcher, née Dalrymple. You and I are some sort of cousins. And this is my husband.…” She glanced at Alec, who gave a slight nod. Anyone who didn’t know yet who he was soon would. “Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher.”

Samuel took the announcement without a blink. Alec shook hands, which he generally avoided with suspects, but as yet he had little reason for suspicion. Besides, it was impossible not to respond to that cheerful grin and the twinkle in the blue eyes.

He turned back to Daisy. “Martha’s here? My wife?”

“She came down with us. I’ve grown very fond of her. She stayed with us in London for several weeks.”

“With you? Mr. Pearson told me a relative of mine had taken her in. I can’t thank you enough, Mrs. Fletcher. Who could have guessed that my quiet little sweetheart would embark on such an adventure? You can’t imagine how I felt when I got home and found she’d left for England! But I’m proud of her.”

“She must have caught the spirit of adventure from her husband,” Alec said drily.

“Ah, you’ve heard about my latest voyage, Mr. Policeman.” Samuel grinned. “I’m glad you’re not an American cop. It got a bit exciting at times, but I don’t regret it. If this business hadn’t come up—” His expansive gesture took in the mansion and all its surroundings “—I’d still have enough to be able to provide a decent living for my family without being away so much of the time.”

“Well done,” said Daisy, who had no moral objection to a little lawbreaking in a good cause. “Did you manage to see your daughters on your way here from America?”

“Yes. I wish I could have brought them with me, but I worked my way over. No sense in wasting good money. I’ll go fetch ’em when everything’s settled. In the meantime, there’ll be a little brother or sister for them, as you’ll surely have noticed by now. I can’t thank you enough for taking care of my Martha. How is she doing, Mrs. Fletcher?”

“Very well, apart from a bit of indigestion. Come in and I’ll take you to see her before we go through all the introductions. By the way, we’re all rather on christian name terms here, as there are swarms of Dalrymples staying here.”

“You’re welcome to call me Sam.”

The front door stood open to the afternoon warmth. Nonetheless, as they stepped into the hall, Ernest appeared.

“Footman,” Daisy explained in an undertone. “Ernest, this is Mr. Samuel.”

Ernest bowed slightly, and Samuel nodded, to the manner born. “The carrier will be delivering my chest, if it hasn’t yet arrived.”

“Not to my knowledge, sir. I shall enquire.”