An Unmentionable Murder Read Online Free PDF Page B

there!”
    â€œThen stop screaming at me and get in the sidecar!” Elizabeth yelled back.
    Just then Sid came rushing up to them, holding a paper bag bulging with Bessie’s pastries. “What’s the blinking fuss about?” he cried, waving the bag in the air.
    â€œWhat’s happened? Where are you going? You haven’t had your grub yet.”
    George looked longingly at the bag, then back at Elizabeth. “Go and get my helmet, Sid,” he ordered. “I’m going for a ride with her ladyship.”
    Seething with impatience, her heart sick with dread, Elizabeth waited for the constable to fit his bulky body into the sidecar.
    Sid rushed out and thrust the helmet at his partner, who took it and crammed it on his head.
    â€œIf I don’t come back,” George told him grimly, “don’t make a pig of yourself with them pastries. And read that note I left for you. It’s important.”
    Sid had no time to answer as Elizabeth released the brake and they were off, careening up the street at a pace that brought a shout of protest tinged with fear from George.
    She ignored him, intent on getting to the factory ruins as soon as possible. Part of her refused to believe that Martin could be lying dead up there. That was the part she clung to, despite the knowledge that the coincidence was troubling.
    It seemed an eternity until they reached the demolition site. Having last seen the burned-out factory at close quarters, it seemed strange to Elizabeth to see nothing but piles of rubble lying where the building once stood.
    There had been talk of rebuilding it, until public protests had persuaded the city council to abandon the idea. Personally Elizabeth applauded their decision, though she felt sad that the prospect of a richer economy had been so quickly destroyed. Sitting Marsh was losing its young people at an alarming rate. The factory might have kept some of them there, had it lived up to its promise.
    She brought her motorcycle to a halt amidst curious stares from the small crowd of workers huddled together at one end of the crushed building. One of them apparently recognized her and there followed a chorus of greetings which she acknowledged with a graceful wave of her hand.
    She climbed from her saddle and held the machine steady while George attempted to extract his body from the sidecar. Meanwhile one man detached himself and hurried toward her. She recognized the snow-white beard and sea captain’s hat immediately.
    â€œGood morning, Captain Carbunkle!” she called out as he approached. “I’ve been meaning to pay you and Priscilla a visit. I trust you enjoyed your honeymoon in the Highlands?”
    The captain halted in front of her and swept off his cap with a little bow. “I did indeed, madam. I’m sure Prissy would enjoy telling you all about it.” Cramming his cap back on his head, Carbunkle nodded at George, who was too busy struggling to escape the cramped innards of the sidecar to pay attention to him. Giving up, the captain turned back to Elizabeth. “Got a mess over there, I’d say. I just happened to stop by to watch them take the old wreck apart, seeing as how I was taking care of the place the night it blew up. Wanted to watch the old girl go down and pay my respects. I never expected something like this, though.”
    â€œOf course not,” Elizabeth said, her gaze straying to the heap of rubble. “What a dreadful way to end such a noble endeavor.”
    In spite of the warmth of the June sun, Carbunkle rubbed his hands together as if he were cold. “Must have been a shock for the crew, finding a stiff ’un like that.”
    â€œDid you recognize him?” Elizabeth asked quickly.
    The captain shook his head. “They wouldn’t let me get close enough. Thought I’d hang around a bit, though. Might get a look at him later on. Bit of excitement does the old heart good, you know.” He turned