Sidney Chambers and The Problem of Evil (The Grantchester Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page A

careful in your dealings with her.’
    ‘I am.’
    ‘It doesn’t look like it.’
    ‘Perhaps not. It’s only that, well, to be honest, there are times when I must confess that I do need a bit of cheering up.’
    ‘I thought that was my job.’
    ‘Of course it is. But female company does have its charms, Sidney, as you well know. I get so discouraged these days. It’s just one thing after another and then, when I go home, it’s more of the same. Noise, arguments, nagging; children wanting things all the time; there’s no peace. Family life is more exhausting than work.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘You’ll find out about all that soon enough. I just think I need a bit of a treat from time to time; a little holiday from everything that’s going on in my life. And Helena’s very easy on the eye, Sidney. I bet you’ve spotted that.’
    ‘I only have eyes for my wife.’
    ‘Give it a year or two and you may change your tune.’
    ‘I very much doubt it.’
    ‘Then I look forward to seeing whether you’re proved right or not.’
     
    Sidney was not in the best of spirits when he returned home. He told Hildegard that Geordie had undermined his confidence and that he had felt like a gooseberry in Helena’s presence.
    His wife did not understand the term and so he tried to explain. ‘I think the phrase originated in the nineteenth century when a chaperone accompanied two lovers into the garden and was supposed to pick gooseberries while the couple did whatever they had to do; in France the best man had to “ tenir la chandelle ”, to light the way for newlyweds. I wonder if there is a German equivalent.’
    ‘Yes, there is something like that: “ drittes rad am wagen ,”’ Hildegard answered. ‘It’s like being the extra wheel on a cart. It’s not needed. You felt like that when you were with them? Is Inspector Keating keen on this woman? I can’t understand what he sees in her.’
    ‘Youth. Attention.’
    ‘Is that what most men want?’
    ‘I wouldn’t know, Hildegard. My only contentment is with you.’
    ‘That is a good answer. We don’t have any need for gooseberries in this house.’
    The telephone rang. It was Keating. They had gone to the taxidermist’s but Jimmy Benson had fled. Someone had evidently tipped him off, Geordie was certain. ‘Could it have been you, Sidney?’ he asked.
    ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
    ‘I was just checking that the comfort you give to the afflicted does not involve helping them resist arrest.’
    ‘You were going to arrest him?’
    ‘We were going to call him in for questioning. Now his behaviour is even more suspicious. He’s a fugitive.’
    ‘Perhaps he is frightened.’
    ‘How do you think he knew we were coming?’
    ‘His brother probably advised him to leave pretty quickly. He knows how easily loners and outsiders get blamed for things they have not done.’
    ‘Only if there’s a good reason. Strong evidence.’
    ‘That is not always the case. Sometimes they’re made scapegoats. We can’t be at all sure Jimmy Benson has anything to do with the Agnew murder. You can’t assume a man is guilty just because he likes jazz and lives the life of a drifter.’
    ‘What did he say to you? Did he ask you for money?’
    ‘He knows he’s unlikely to get much off a priest.’
    ‘You lot are a soft touch, though. And there’s always a bit of silver in the church.’
    ‘It’s mainly plate.’
    ‘He might not know that.’
    ‘I don’t think he’s our man.’
    ‘But you can’t know that, can you, Sidney? Miss Randall is convinced we should follow it up.’
    ‘And does she have any expertise in criminal investigation?’
    ‘No more than you.’
    ‘I’m not sure that’s true.’
    ‘She wants to be a crime reporter. I’ve already said she can follow the case, as you know.’
    ‘I’m sure she’ll be glad of your company.’
    ‘That is none of your business.’
    ‘It’s never quite clear what’s my business and what is not,’ Sidney