Death Is in the Air Read Online Free PDF

answer.”
    George’s eyes slid sideways. “Oh, yes, well, we just got back, Sid and I. Had a bit of business to take care of in town.”
    “That business wouldn’t have anything to do with a young lady from the Macclesby farm, by any chance?”
    George’s gaze snapped back to her face, and he drew a hand across the shiny bald dome of his head. “Ah, well, I’m not at liberty to say, m’m.”
    Elizabeth crossed her ankles and folded her hands in her lap. “Now, George, you know perfectly well that you can’t keep anything a secret in this village. I heard that the body of a land girl has been found in the woods. Am I correct?”
    “I’d like very much to know how you found out about that, m’m, if you don’t mind me asking?”
    So it was true. Elizabeth’s heart sank. “I found out the same way one finds out about everything going on in Sitting Marsh.” She fixed a stern eye on George’s worried face. “You might as well stop worrying about giving me information, George. The local grapevine is only a half step behind you.”
    “That may well be, m’m, but I’d be breaking the rules if I told you anything about the investigation at this point.”
    Elizabeth sighed. She had played this game so often. She’d have to pry the information out of him. Fortunately that wasn’t as difficult as George would have her believe. “So you do admit there is an investigation going on, then?”
    George lifted his face to the ceiling. “I think we can safely say that.”
    “And the dead body of a land girl was found in the woods?”
    “I’m not denying that.”
    “From the Macclesby farm?”
    “I believe that might be so.”
    “Do you know her name?”
    “I believe we do.”
    “Can you at least give me her first name?”
    George laced his fingers across his chest. “She had a hankie with her initials embroidered on it. First two letters of the alphabet.”
    “AB?”
    He nodded.
    “Do you have any suspects?”
    He lowered his chin. “If I did, m’m, it might be a little difficult bringing him to justice. Since he’s disappeared, if you get my meaning.”
    Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. “Are you talking about the German pilot who escaped yesterday?”
    “Seems that way.”
    “What makes you think he’s the killer?”
    He shrugged. “Right place at the wrong time, mostly. Can’t be too many dangerous criminals running around Hawthorn Woods.”
    “So you have no real proof.”
    George looked uncomfortable. “Who else would want to cut open a young girl’s head with an axe? Only someone who didn’t want to be taken prisoner, that’s who. She was killed some time last night. The same day a German pilot lands in the village and escapes into the woods. Too much of a coincidence if you ask me.”
    Elizabeth thought about the young man standing shivering on the village green. “You found the axe?”
    “No, m’m. Not yet. We reckon he buried it in the woods. We’re asking the army blokes to help us find it. They’re already looking for him, so it’ll just be a matterof time—” He broke off and slapped a hand over his mouth. “You didn’t hear me say any of that.”
    “I heard you bloody say all of that,” Sid’s deep voice said from the back room.
    Elizabeth rose. “Don’t worry, George. I won’t pass any of it on. Has anyone been out to the farm to inform Sheila Macclesby?”
    “Not yet, m’m. The next of kin have to be informed first. Then we have to make arrangements to recover the body.”
    “Well, why don’t you do that, and I’ll run over and let Sheila know. If she doesn’t know already.”
    George looked doubtful, and Elizabeth forestalled any objections he might raise.
    “I’m going out that way, anyway,” she said firmly as she crossed the room to the door. “I’ll save you the trip. I’ll tell Sheila you’ll be out to ask her some questions later.”
    “Well, I don’t know as if that’s a good idea—”
    “I think you should get on the phone right away and ring