Beatrice: An Alarming Tale of British Murder and Woe by Tedd Hawks (the reading list book .TXT) 📕

August’s face was red with rage. A vein throbbed on theside of his neck. “Tell me why you thought I would make an end to the old manand go after the herring for dessert.”

            “Aherring treacle!” Kordelia laughed heartily. “It would probably serve well withthe ghost biscuits.”

            “Notnow, Kordelia!” For the first time, Crockett noted a prominent vein in JuneWinterbourne’s neck that matched her husband’s.

            “Andvat vould be my reason for killing my dear cousin?” Robert Edward said in ahigh-pitched voice. “Hoo are ze prime suspects?”

            Corinthianapicked up the charger and began to fan herself. Beads of sweat were runningdown her white, doughy face.

            “IfI may…” Petrarch stood up and laced his fingers together, placing them on hisprotruding belly.

            Allturned to the old solicitor, most with expressions of rage and disgust.

            “IfI may,” Petrarch went on with more purpose, “I would like to state that we haveonly had brief conjecture about the death of Bixby Hawsfeffer. I know thatdespite rumors and gossip in the surrounding area, he was dearly beloved by allof you here. August,” he said looking directly at the Winterbourne patriarch,still the color of a plum, “he put a roof over your head and provided a warmhome for your two beautiful daughters.”

            “Quiteright,” August said standing. “He was dearly beloved by me and my family.”

            “AndMay,” Petrarch said turning, “despite your estrangement, you are a lady of thechurch. It’s known you don’t come here often. When could you do such a thing?”

            “Ihated him,” May said flatly, “but I would never hurt him. Or mother's fish.”

            Crockettkept his eyes on May as Petrarch turned slowly to Robert Edward.

            “AndRobert Edward, your appearance is the most suspect. Can I ask that you speakfor yourself on the question at hand?”

            Acollective gasp escaped from the party, as if a gas stove had just sputtered tolife. Crockett’s attention immediately shifted to Petrarch, who he regardedwith wonder. Was the old man stating his prime suspect?

            RobertEdward looked as if he expected the accusation. He stood, throwing back hisblack cape with a flick of his wrist.

            “Isee zat ze xenophobic reputation of England is correct. I shall speak my pieceand clear my good name once and for all!” Dramatically his finger shot into theair. He sniffed loudly and opened his mouth in preparation for a long speechwhen Brontë interjected.

            “It’snot him,” she said quickly. “Not that I care anything for my cousin, but I’mmore concerned with us laboring to understand his stumbling, continental accentfor the next quarter hour.”

            “Xenophobic!”Robert yelled again.

            “CousinRobert was here for a brief time before Grandfather died,” Brontë continued,“but he went to London on business right before the disappearance and returnedjust after. Trust me,” she said sharply, “he was the first one I suspected.Grandmother told me where he was. Mother corroborated. She was the one who rodewith him to the train station.”

            “So!”Petrarch smiled broadly. “We have ample suspects, but no reason to doubt any ofthem. I think it’s best to resume planning the funeral as soon as possible andput this whole mess behind us. As the only one here active in the law, I see noreason to believe anyone here is capable of the murder of Bixby Hawsfeffer orBeatrice.”

            Withthese words, the anger in the room dispelled completely. Even May’s sour faceshowed a hint of a smile.

            “Thaaatis aaall well and goood,” Corinthiana said warmly, “but there is still no keeey!”

            “Oh!”Petrarch smiled jovially. “But there is!” He reached into his pocket andremoved a large, brass key.

            Crockett’seyes flew around to all those gathered; he conducted quick studies of everyindividual seated around the table. He hoped someone would show some emotion,some slip in their stable constitution at this revelation.

August looked the mostsurprised, his heavy jowls shaking in shock—May’s smile dropped, her eyesgrowing into wide, black pools. Robert Edward looked the least interested, hisgaze following Crockett’s to Corinthiana, who had leapt up (the quickest actionCrockett had seen from her during their entire stay) from the table, clappingher hands. Kordelia kept her dreamy, indifferent stare, while June simplysmiled, probably delighted the long burial purgatory had ended. Brontë’s eyeswere locked on Crockett; a deep hurt registered in them.

            “Youknew?” she mouthed quietly from across the table, pointing to the key.

            Crockettleaned forward, ready to speak, but was interrupted by Petrarch.

            “Ihope you will excuse the theatrics,” the old man said, “but I thought it wasbest to clear the air before I spoke of the find.”

            “Aaandwhere waaas it?” Corinthiana giggled happily.

            “Believeit or not,” Petrarch said, “this evening I returned to my files from BixbyHawsfeffer and found this buried beneath papers. Bixby must have left a copyyears ago when he came to visit.”

            “ByGeorge!” August’s mustache shook happily. “Well, what an immense relief!”

            Petrarchlooked quickly at Crockett, an illegible expression on his face.

            Corinthiana’slook of joy faded for a moment. She nervously bit her nail. “Perhaaaps weeeshooould waaait just twooo or threee more daaays beeefore theee burial.”

            Thefeeling of victory in the room immediately dissipated. All eyes flew to thematriarch.

            “Butvy?” Robert asked petulantly.

Everyone nodded inagreement with their cousin, perhaps the first time since his arrival that themajority feeling toward him was not one of contempt.

            Atense expression crossed Corinthiana’s features. It looked as if she was being tornin two, some great philosophical battle raging behind her eyes. The momentpassed like a bolt of lightning, however, and a smile returned to her face.

            “No,no reeeason,” she said brightly. “I just waaanted everyone tooo beee emotionaaallyready.” She stood and turned toward the kitchen, her large bosom jiggling asshe yelled, “Maaarthaaa! Bring out theee maaain course! Weee haaave reeeason tooocelebraaate!”

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            Theplans for the entombment developed rapidly. June wasted no time in calling thevicar even before eating; although he had commitments the next morning, heagreed to meet June the following afternoon to plan the final arrangements. Alightness filled the house for the first time since Crockett and Petrarcharrived. Kordelia, May, Petrarch, and June all played whist together, whileAugust and Robert Edward chatted near the patio discussing politics.Corinthiana sat on the main sofa; mostly she