Murder at Locke Abbey Read Online Free PDF Page B

this is just another mystery to be solved but to everyone else here, the dead people were their friends.”
    “But they believe he was killed by a demon! Surely proving that it was not satanic will provide comfort.”
    “Not necessarily. Some faiths even prohibit autopsy and many believe that the body should be left to ‘rest in peace’.”
    “But-”
    “No, Thea, no buts. You will need the cooperation of these people if we are to solve this riddle and appearing cold and heartless will not help our cause.”
    “How can you say such a thing?” Her eyes felt scratchy and she blinked rapidly to hold her tears back. “I’m not cold! Or heartless!”
    He put his arms around her shoulders and drew her to him. “I know that,” he kissed her forehead. “Unfortunately , most of Society has rigid expectations of women and if you defy those, they will make things difficult for you. I’m merely asking you to pick your battles wisely. As it stands, you have a rational explanation for everything that happened to Mr Lanning, and that has to be enough for now.”
    “Very well,” she answered. “I won’t press for this. But I will suggest it to the doctor. Once he has done some research, perhaps that will be the official verdict of the inquest.”
    “Good idea.” He kissed her forehead again and released her. “Are you all right?”
    She nodded and stepped away. As they walked back to Cole, who seemed to have been watching them avidly, she felt shame. Not for pushing for the autopsy, she still believed that was the best way to get answers; rather she felt embarrassed at having been chastised by her father, as if it had undermined her intelligence.
    She knew her father meant well but seeing her chastised would make it easier for Cole to dismiss her, and that thought upset her more than she would like.
    “I’m sorry if I appeared thoughtless before, I can get carried away by my desire to uncover the truth sometimes, although that is no excuse.”
    “It’s quite all right. I understand the frustration.” He smiled. “Let’s go and see Mrs Lanning, then I’ll show you to your room.”
    “No, she has enough to worry about. Besides, I belie ve this mystery is solved, confirmation would just be the icing on the cake, so to speak.”
    “In that case, I’m sure she would like the peace of mind knowing that her husband wasn’t possessed.”
    “Then please, tell her.”
    “I’m sure it would be better coming from you. I can't even remember what you called the episode.”
    “An apoplectic seizure.”
    “Besides, didn’t you want to ask her about other seizures?”
    Thea looked from Cole to her father, who gave no sign of stepping in to save her.
    “Very well but I should warn you, although I doubt it’s necessary, but I’m not good with people. I won’t try to offend her but equally, I can't promise that I won’t.”
    “Come, she should be sitting vigil with her husband and the Smiths.”
    As she followed him from the room, she wondered if he had faith in her, or if he was hoping she would fall flat on her face. She hoped it was the former, but experience told her to expect the latter.

Chapter Three
    Cole wasn’t sure what to make of the woman, Athena. Such an odd name but fitting for such an odd woman. He admired her spirit and intelligence, he just wasn’t quite sure how to handle it.
    A woman who wanted to look inside a dead man’s brain and who saw nothing wrong with possibly grieving his widow?
    He had been ready to argue, thinking her cold and callous, until her father had stepped in. He had been unable to hear their words as they spoke but he could see her demeanour, which became markedly more relaxed after a few moments, he might even call her vulnerable.
    He had his first insight into her character. Her efficient and business-like behaviour were a defence.
    He could well imagine how some treated her, with condescension, scorn and when they were forced to admit her gifts, resentment. He had