Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin Read Online Free PDF

the private hospital room. It would be a heart-wrenching mission to survey the meager possessions of a woman who’d brought such richness to my life, but I would do it, because it was the only thing left I could do for her.
    On a brighter note, I told myself, a visit to Miss Beacham’s flat might help me to discover the identity of the mysterious Hamish, who’d meant so much to her. I might even discover a clue to her brother’s whereabouts. If I did, I added grimly, I’d hunt him down like the dog he was and tell him in no uncertain terms exactly what I thought of someone who’d let his sister go to her grave without—
    The telephone’s jarring ring interrupted my rapidly overheating meditations. I answered it and heard the familiar voice of Julian Bright, the priest who ran St. Benedict’s, on the other end of the line. I returned his greeting, then leaned back in my chair.
    “I know why you’ve called,” I said. “Lucinda Willoughby ordered you to check up on me, right?”
    “Nurse Willoughby told me that you didn’t wish to speak with anyone,” Julian informed me. “But I had to call. The most amazing thing has happened. It’s nothing short of miraculous. You won’t believe it.”
    “At the moment, I’ll believe almost anything,” I said, fingering the parking permit. “Fire away.”
    “A courier arrived here not fifteen minutes ago,” Julian explained excitedly. “He delivered a letter to me from a Mr. Moss—the solicitor representing the woman you visited at the Radcliffe, the woman who died this morning.”
    I sat upright. “Miss Beacham’s solicitor sent a letter to you? ”
    “That’s right,” said Julian. “According to Mr. Moss, Miss Beacham’s left twenty thousand pounds to St. Benedict’s! Twenty thousand pounds! ”
    My jaw dropped. “You’re joking.”
    “Would I joke about a donation to St. Benedict’s?” Julian paused to catch his breath. “It’ll take some time to go through the probate process, but Mr. Moss has given me to understand that the amount of the bequest will not change. Lori! Do you realize how many hungry mouths we’ll be able to feed with twenty thousand pounds? What did you say to Miss Beacham? How did you inspire her to present us with such a generous gift?”
    “I . . . I didn’t say anything special,” I stammered, bewildered. “I just told her some funny stories about Big Al and Limping Leslie and the rest of the guys.”
    “Perhaps we should put you on the lecture circuit. In fact—” Julian broke off suddenly and gasped in dismay. “Good Lord, what am I saying? Forgive me, Lori. Flippancy is entirely out of place at a time like this. I do apologize.”
    “There’s no need,” I said. “Miss Beacham would be delighted to hear you bubbling over.”
    “I must confess that I find it difficult to do anything else. I feel quite giddy.” Julian heaved a sigh. “I wish I’d had a chance to meet our benefactress.”
    “You would have liked her,” I said.
    “I’m sure I would have,” Julian agreed. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
    “Will you be shorthanded?” I asked in return.
    “Not at all,” he replied. “As you know very well, volunteers have been lining up since we moved into the new building.”
    “In that case, I’m going to play hooky,” I said. “Something’s come up, and I’d like to take care of it tomorrow. It’s to do with Miss Beacham. I’ll explain when we have more time.”
    “Not a problem. Come when you can. You’re always welcome.” Julian’s jubilant laughter resumed as he rang off.
    I hung up the phone and looked over my shoulder at Reginald.
    “Twenty thousand pounds?” I said incredulously. “Where on earth did Miss Beacham get that kind of money?”
    Reginald was still formulating a reply when the telephone rang again. This time it was Nurse Willoughby.
    “I’m sorry to bother you, Lori,” she said, in a breathless tone of voice that reminded me strangely of Julian Bright’s. “But I had