Hardcastle's Frustration Read Online Free PDF Page B

Holland?’ Daisy Benson emitted a girlish giggle. ‘Why on earth would he have wanted to go to Holland? It sounds a very dangerous thing to do, what with the war and everything. But no, he never said anything about going to Holland.’
    â€˜We spoke to Mrs Parker less than an hour ago, and that’s what she told us,’ said Hardcastle. ‘She said something about Mr Parker having been interviewed by a medical tribunal recently and that he apparently feared being called up for the army.’
    â€˜That’s nonsense. He’s not fit. He told me that he felt quite confident that they would reject him. He wasn’t in the least worried about it. In fact, they said they would write to him with the results, but he was fairly certain that it would be all right.’
    â€˜You knew where he worked, I suppose.’
    â€˜Of course. He was with the gas company in Horse Fair. That’s how I’m able to have a decent fire. Ronnie was able to wangle me some extra coal from time to time.’ Mrs Benson smiled guiltily.
    â€˜How did you manage to arrange your meetings?’ asked Marriott. ‘Mr Parker was working six days a week, and Mrs Parker is a day worker at Sopwiths.’
    â€˜Once a fortnight Ronnie would have a Saturday afternoon off, but Mavis would be working, of course. So we’d meet then. Mavis would even work on a Sunday occasionally, especially if they were particularly busy at the factory, and Ronnie would skip church and come to see me.’ Parker’s paramour was quite blatant about their arrangements.
    â€˜Weren’t you afraid that the neighbours might talk?’ Hardcastle did not really care what they thought, but had posed the question out of idle curiosity.
    â€˜I let rooms to commercial gentlemen,’ said Daisy. ‘The neighbours are quite used to seeing different men coming and going all the time.’
    â€˜I see.’ Hardcastle had already formed an opinion about Mrs Benson’s commercial enterprise, but it differed from that which the woman was attempting to convey.
    â€˜D’you think that Mrs Parker knew about your affair, Mrs Benson?’ asked Marriott.
    â€˜Crikey, I should hope not.’ Daisy emitted another giggle. ‘I don’t think she’d’ve been too happy about it.’
    â€˜I don’t suppose she would,’ commented Hardcastle drily. ‘But wasn’t there a danger that Mrs Parker might’ve seen the letter you wrote?’
    â€˜I doubt it,’ said Daisy. ‘Ronnie told me that he always picked up the letters from the doormat.’
    â€˜When did you last see Mr Parker?’ enquired Marriott.
    â€˜A week ago last Saturday,’ said Daisy promptly. ‘It was one of those Saturdays when Ronnie had the afternoon off. And Mavis, of course, was at work painting her aeroplanes.’
    â€˜Did Mr Parker seem to be in good spirits?’
    â€˜Very much so.’ Daisy gave a coy smile. ‘You wouldn’t’ve thought that he was unfit for active service,’ she added, and giggled again.
    â€˜But you had made an arrangement to meet again?’
    â€˜He sort of suggested he might have an extra Saturday afternoon off which is why I wrote what I did in the letter. That was the day before yesterday, but he didn’t arrive and I assumed he’d had to work.’
    â€˜Thank you, Mrs Benson,’ said Hardcastle, as he and Marriott stood up. ‘We may have to see you again. I presume you’re here most of the time.’
    â€˜Yes, I am.’ Daisy Benson briefly touched the back of her hair. ‘How did Ronnie die? Was he drowned?’
    â€˜No, Mrs Benson,’ said Hardcastle. ‘We believe him to have been murdered.’
    Daisy Benson’s mouth opened in shock. ‘Murdered? But why should anyone want to kill poor Ronnie?’
    â€˜That is something I’m trying to find out, Mrs Benson.’

THREE
    â€˜I t seems that