Amanda Cadabra and The Hidden Depths by Holly Bell (best love novels of all time txt) 📕

‘This is how you found it?’

‘Yes.’

‘Exactly? You haven’t touched anything?’ Baker checked.

‘Just felt for a pulse. I may have disturbed the position of some of the books, trying to get to, erm ...’

Baker cautiously approached the body.

A light patter on the stairs above resolved itself into the pleasant sight of Detective Constable Nikolaides. Her friendly face, framed by neat dark hair, broke into a smile at seeing Amanda.

'Hello, Miss Cadabra.'

'Hello, Constable.'

‘Coroner?’ Baker asked of his second.

‘On her way, sir. You are sure it’s a fatality, Serg? You know how upset she gets when they turn out to be alive.’

‘I have confirmed. But I trust Miss Cadabra’s word. She knows a dead body when she sees one … by now,’ he added with lugubrious emphasis, looking at Amanda with a gleam. ‘All right. You can wait upstairs, if you would, Miss.’

Amanda was happy to comply, and found a seat with a good view of the entrance to the library. From there, she watched the photographer and forensic investigator arrive and disappear through the green door. Presently came the coroner whom she recognised from a previous unfortunate occasion.

Meanwhile, Mrs Pagely prepared a corner of the library in the reference reading section for the use of the police team. One by one, the guests were invited over there to give what information they could to DC Nikolaides.

Amanda wandered to the front of the library and saw that it was cordoned off with crime scene tape. They were, in effect, on lockdown. Anyone who showed a desire to leave was politely persuaded to remain, until they were released.

One, two hours passed as the witnesses grew weary. Joan and Jim had kept the tea urn brewing, but food was running low, as was patience.

It must have been after three hours had elapsed that a familiar car drew up outside and the tall, fit, grey-suited frame of Detective Inspector Thomas Trelawney emerged from it. He showed his badge to the uniformed constable on the door and was respectfully admitted.

With the team busy interviewing and inspecting the crime scene, Amanda was the first person he spotted.

‘Miss Cadabra, are you all right?’

‘Inspector, yes, thank you. Just a little tired.’

‘Of course. Where’s Baker?’

‘Erm, with …. the, er … deceased.’

‘Can you bring me up to speed? How did you come to find the body?

‘It was very busy — the party, that is — more than anticipated, and Mrs Pagely and Jonathan were occupied. Mrs Entwhistle asked me if I’d go into the stacks and find a book for her.’

‘Why you in particular?’

‘Because she couldn’t find the librarians and knew I’d helped out behind the counter in the past and … I didn’t really want to go because, frankly, I don’t like it down there but … she’s a widow and a keen twitcher, and it was an obscure work that she particularly wanted. I just didn't feel I could say no. Sorry, I’m rambling.’

‘That’s quite all right. We’ll get to the details later. Was the door open?’

‘No, but I know where the key is kept.’

‘Which is where?’

‘I can show you.’ She led him to behind the counter and took out the cash box.

‘That isn’t kept locked?’ Trelawney confirmed.

‘No.’

‘Where is the key now?’

‘Oh … it’s … I must still have it.’ Amanda rooted in her pockets and soon produced the desired item.

‘Thank you. May I?'

‘Of course.’ She handed it over.

‘Who else has keys or knows where this is kept?’

‘I don’t know… I mean, apart from Mrs Pagely and Jonathan … as far as I know … just me …. Oh dear. That looks bad.’

‘Don’t worry, Miss Cadabra. I’m just gathering information. Please go on. You got the key …?’

‘And opened the door. I switched on the lights inside then went down the stairs. I didn’t see her — Miss Gibbs — at first; just the chaos of the books and fallen shelves.’

‘You went to have a look at it?’

‘I thought the book I was looking for might be amongst the ones on the floor. It isn’t well-lit down there. Then I saw her boot and then more and more of her. I felt for a pulse, but it was too late.’

‘You didn’t call Mrs Pagely?’

‘I was about to, but then I thought, what if it wasn’t an accident? So I called the sergeant.’

‘Yes, and he called me, asking me to get here A.S.A.P.’

‘And you did,’ she marvelled.

‘Thanks to the siren.’

‘What now?’ asked Amanda.

‘You go home and rest. I’ll come and see you later. I’ll give Baker and Nikolaides a hand with the statements so these good people can go home. Ah …’ The sergeant was approaching.

‘Baker.’ They shook hands.

‘Sir. Thank you for getting here so fast.’

‘Not at all. How can I help? Where are we? Flash and dabs been and gone?’

‘Yes, we’ll have the results soon.’

‘Coroner?’

‘Came and went. I asked for the body to be left in situ until you’d inspected the crime scene.’

‘Thank you. I’ll have a look-see then give you a hand with finishing the interviews. All right if Miss Cadabra goes home?’

‘Of course. Thank you, Miss. Well done making the call to me. Good judgement.’

She smiled at so rare an accolade from the sergeant.

It was a relief to be back in the comfort of her home. Amanda made herself some toast and marmalade and a cup of hot sweet tea. Soon she was fast asleep on the sofa with Tempest draped over her, exhausted by his duties as guardian.

Chapter 16

Tea and Fire

Amanda was awakened by the bell. Tempest raised his head imperiously, affronted by the interruption to his repose. She heaved him aside and went to open the door.

‘Inspector. Please come in.’

‘Thank you.’

The logs in the hearth had burnt low. ‘Let me get some tea,’ Amanda suggested.

Trelawney put down his bag. ‘I’d like that. I’ll see to the fire.’ Noticing her bleary eyes, he apologised, ‘You were asleep. I’m sorry to have disturbed you.’

‘It’s quite all right, I’m refreshed. Erm ... the library basement key…? Am I a suspect?’

‘Mrs Pagely and