Stone Barrington 36 - Scandalous Behavior Read Online Free PDF

asked as they drove past.
    “It appears to be a crime scene,” Stone replied, “very likely a homicide.”

7

    S tone drove around the house to the courtyard at the rear, which contained the stables and garages, and drove into an open bay. As they got out of the Porsche, the butler, Geoffrey, in his daytime apron and shirtsleeves, came out of the house and picked up as many of Stone’s bags as he could carry, while Stone collected the rest. Geoffrey led them into the house through the mudroom, which Stone figured would get plenty of use today.
    “What’s happened out front of the house?” he asked the butler, once they were inside.
    “A neighbor has been found, deceased, in the meadow, and the police have questioned all of the staff, one by one.”
    “Who is the neighbor?”
    “Sir Richard Curtis, who lives at the adjoining property tothe south,” Geoffrey replied. “He was a very close friend of Sir Charles.”
    “Has Sir Charles returned from London yet?”
    “No, but he’s expected in the early afternoon.”
    “Have you spoken with him about what’s happened?”
    “No, his mobile doesn’t answer. Shall I put your things in the master suite?”
    “Yes, please, in the dressing room—the old one, not the new one. Another car will be delivered this afternoon, and please see that it’s parked in the garage and that Ms. Blackburn’s bags are collected from the boot.”
    “Please put them in the Lilac Room,” Susan said quickly, before Geoffrey could ask.
    “Yes, madam,” Geoffrey replied. “Would you and Ms. Blackburn like lunch?” he asked. “We’ve some hot soup and sandwiches.”
    “Yes, thank you. Perhaps in the library? Susan, is it fit for lunching?”
    “I believe so,” she said.
    Geoffrey put Stone’s things in the elevator and went upstairs.
    “Do you know Sir Richard Curtis?” Stone asked Susan.
    “No, I’ve never met him—never heard of him, for that matter. It was inconsiderate of him, though, to die on your front lawn.”
    “From what we’re hearing, it sounds as if he had help.”
    They went into the library, which seemed in good order, but dark. Susan opened the curtains on both sides of the fireplaceand let in the gray light. “The room is missing only the Constable and the Turner, and those will be among the first items unloaded.”
    A woman came in with a tray and set a mahogany card table for lunch.
    “Thank you, Elsie,” Susan said. She lit the fire that had been laid, and in a moment a cheerful blaze was going. “It’s nice to have a fire on a cold, rainy day,” she said, backing up to it.
    Stone came and warmed his hands. A moment later Elsie returned with a tray bearing a tureen and china and set the table further. “Luncheon is served, Mr. Barrington,” she said. “Would you like wine?”
    “A bottle of white burgundy would be good,” Stone said, holding a chair for Susan, and Elsie disappeared.
    He sat down and tried the soup. “Perfect,” he said.
    “Oh, Mrs. Whittle, Geoffrey’s wife, has a reputation as the best cook in the county,” Susan said. “Have you met her?”
    “No, I have some catching up to do, in that regard.” They finished their soup, and Elsie returned with their sandwiches and the wine. She uncorked it and gave Stone some to taste. “Excellent,” he said, looking at the label. “A Batard-Montrachet,” he said.
    “Charles has an excellent cellar. Was it on the list of items conveyed with the house?”
    “There was an item saying, ‘the contents of the wine cellar, save two dozen bottles to be chosen by Sir Charles.’ I thought that fair enough.”
    “I’ve noticed,” Susan said, “that you speak English with an American accent, but with English phrasing. Is that deliberate?”
    “No, I have an imitative ear, so I tend to speak my own language as the locals do, wherever I am. I came away from a week in Germany once, speaking broken English.”
    “That’s a handy gift. It will make the locals here more comfortable