Mulled Murder (Pennyfoot Holiday Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page B

chance to attack him.” Northcott scribbled furiously in his notebook. “Did he say which hotel he was staying in before he came here?”
    “I don’t think so, but Philip, my reception manager, might know.”
    He turned to Phoebe, who sat rocking back and forth, her hands clasped together as if in prayer. “Now, Mrs. Fortescue, per’aps you can tell me what you saw on the beach.”
    Phoebe answered in a quivering voice that was barely audible. “I saw what appeared to be a bundle of clothing. When I got closer, I saw it was a man.” She visibly shuddered. “A dead man.”
    “Did you touch ’im?”
    Phoebe sat up straight. “Are you completely insane? Why on earth would I touch that . . .
thing
. I took one look and fainted dead away. I don’t remember anything else until I came to here in the lobby.”
    “What about the colonel, m’m? Did he touch anything?”
    Phoebe’s voice was getting stronger by the minute. “My good man.” She struggled to her feet. “The
second
I fell, my husband scooped me up in his arms and carried me all the way to the Pennyfoot. I can assure you of that. No, he did not touch anything.”
    Northcott had backed up a step. He cleared his throat one more time. “Just had to make sure, m’m.” He snapped his notebook shut and shoved it in his pocket. “That’s all for now, then. I’d like to take a look at that guest book, and then I’ll go down to the kitchen.” He gave Cecily a meaningful look that she interpreted at once.
    “While you’re there, Sam, tell Mrs. Chubb that I offered you a taste of her mince pies.”
    The constable beamed as he reached for his helmet. “Thank you kindly, m’m. Much obliged, I’m sure.”
    “Not at all, Sam.”
    He hesitated, and she waited, wary of what he’d say next.
    “There’s just one more thing. If it’s all right with you, m’m, I’d like to take a look at Mr. Evans’s room. The h’inspector likes us to be thorough in our investigations.”
    It was the last thing Cecily wanted, but she could see no way to refuse. “Of course.” She turned to Kevin. “Would you find Colonel Fortescue and ask him to come to the library, please? I think Phoebe should go home and rest. She’s had quite a traumatic experience.”
    Phoebe raised a hand in protest. “But Cecily, dear, we haven’t fully discussed the pantomime. I wanted to go over the entire production with you and hear your comments and suggestions before I make my preparations.”
    Knowing that all Phoebe really wanted was approval, Cecily clasped her friend’s hand. “My dear Phoebe, I have complete faith in you. Your presentations are always impeccable in taste and highly entertaining. I’m quite sure that this year’s pantomime will be no exception. Now, I’m sorry, but I must accompany P.C. Northcott to Mr. Evans’s room. Go home and get some rest, and by tomorrow you will have all the energy and spirit you need.
    Looking somewhat mollified, Phoebe nodded. “Oh, very well.” She glanced at Kevin. “Please do not trouble yourself on my account, Dr. Prestwick. I know exactly where to find my husband and he will leave far more promptly if I’m there to drag him away from the bar.”
    Kevin’s mouth twitched, but he looked perfectly serious when he answered. “Are you quite sure, Mrs. Fortescue? It’s no trouble, I assure you.”
    “Quite sure, thank you.” Phoebe reached for her umbrella. “Besides, I believe your wife is around somewhere, hoping you will take her home. She was decorating the tree in the lobby the last time I saw her.”
    “Then I shall go there to see if she is waiting for me. Thank you, Mrs. Fortescue.”
    Obviously dazzled by his smile, Phoebe dipped her head and scurried off to the door, calling over her shoulder, “Good-bye for now, Cecily. I hope you find out where that poor man lives. There must be someone waiting for him to come home.”
    “We’ll do our best,” Cecily promised. She looked at Northcott as the door closed