The Body In the Belfry Read Online Free PDF Page B

right.” He roused himself, got out of bed, and struggled into his robe. Faith followed him downstairs, hovering anxiously.
    â€œBe sure to ask who it is, Tom,” she cautioned as she moved toward the poker by the fireplace.
    â€œFaith, murderers usually don’t ring the doorbell,” Tom said. Like Benjamin, he was a slow waker and apt to sound snappish. “But if you like, I’ll ask.” Feeling slightly foolish, he addressed the solid oak door. “Who is it?”
    â€œIt’s me, Dave. Dave Svenson.” Tom quickly opened the door. “I hope I didn’t wake you folks, but I thought with the baby, you’d probably be up by now and anyway I was getting tired of waiting.”
    It turned out that Dave had spent most of the night crouched under the large willows in the backyard, and he looked it. There were deep circles under his eyes and his normally ruddy Nordic complexion was pale and wan. Tom led him straight into the kitchen for some sustenance, wondering what was going on besides what was going on.
    â€œDave,” he said soberly and with as much dignity as an old plaid Pendleton bathrobe could lend, “know how you must be grieving. It is difficult to lose someone you love whatever the circumstances, but to have it happen in this cruel and senseless way tests all our belief. It is not much comfort now, but time will help and I hope you will come and talk with me whenever you feel like it.”
    Dave was looking at him in some bewilderment and
Tom wondered if he was in shock or if the bathrobe was simply too incongruous.
    â€œThat’s very kind of you, sir,” he said as Faith entered the kitchen. She had hastily thrown on a pair of jeans and a shirt and grabbed Benjamin, hoping not to miss anything. She hadn’t.
    Dave opened his mouth and a garbled bunch of words came tumbling out.
    â€œThe cops are looking for me everywhere and they may be here soon. They think I did it and they’re right. I mean,” he amended hastily after seeing the looks of horror and disbelief on Faith and Tom’s faces, horror for Tom, disbelief for Faith, “they’re right that I wanted to kill her. I didn’t actually do it, but I could have. I really think I would have done it if somebody hadn’t beaten me to it.”
    â€œBut Dave, if you didn’t do it, why are you avoiding the police?” Tom asked.
    â€œIt’s a long story,” he answered, looking out the window anxiously as if he expected MacIsaac to be peering in.
    Faith took his arm and led him to the table.
    â€œSit down. I’ll get us something to eat and you can tell us about it,” she offered.
    She put Ben in his playpen and stuck some plastic keys in his hand. He smiled benevolently at her. She was not deceived. She just hoped his fascination with the toy lasted long enough for Dave to tell his story.
    She took some of her sour cream waffles from the freezer, put them in the microwave, and started the coffee. A lot of coffee. She had visited the Svensons and the house always smelled like freshly baked bread and Maxwell House. It was unusual to see one of the Svenson family without a mug in hand. Dave had started to talk again; he grasped the cup she put in front of him as it was a lifeline.

    â€œWednesday night Cindy and I had a wicked big fight. I had finally told her I couldn’t marry her. I know I shouldn’t have waited this long, but every time I tried I just couldn’t tell her. We’d been together so many years and—well, she could be very nice at times.”
    Faith had a pretty good idea of what being nice meant and gave a small knowing nod toward Tom.
    â€œcame home and told my parents and I planned to tell the Moores on Thursday, but I didn’t want to see Cindy. I knew if I stayed away from her for a while I could stick to it. We’ve broken up before, but I always went back when she called. You don’t know how much I’ve