It's Murder, On a Galapagos Cruise: An Amateur Female Sleuth Historical Cozy Mystery (Miss Riddell C by P.C. James (easy novels to read txt) 📕

“We met at dinner last night,” Pauline said coldly but accepted the detective’s outstretched hand and shook it. The detective’s expression suggested he was also not pleased, though his handshake was firm enough.

The captain continued, “As you know, if you’ve read the literature in your cabin or been listening to me over the ship’s public address system, I’m Bill Ferguson, captain of this fine vessel, MS Orillia. Now, please take a seat both of you while I fill you in on what the company would like of you.”

When his two guests were comfortable, he continued, “We will be in Puerto Ayora in another hour and I’ve already made the Ecuadorean police aware of what has occurred. With the information that is available from the witnesses and the ship’s doctor, I’ve told the police it was an accident.” He looked at Pauline to see if she was going to object.

Pauline, though she believed it wasn’t a simple accident, wasn’t prepared to challenge this decision.

“If the police accept this as an accident, though I’m sure they will also investigate,” the captain said, “we anticipate that the cruise will be allowed to continue without serious interruption. Perhaps we will be a few more hours in Puerto Ayora than we would normally stay, but we can catch the time up overnight.” He paused for comments. When there were none, he continued, “Miss Riddell, however, noticed a cut under the dead man’s chin that might suggest it wasn’t a simple accident.” He paused again.

Pauline said, “You said cut, Captain. Am I to understand there was only a superficial injury there?”

“That’s correct, Miss Riddell. Doctor Parkinson examined this wound carefully and assures me it is shallow and had no part in the victim’s death.”

“Not directly, perhaps,” Pauline said, frowning. She’d been sure it was more serious.

“Which brings me to the point of this meeting,” the captain said. “We are going to present everything we have to the authorities along with our belief it was an accident. The company, however, would like you both, individually or together, to investigate further during the rest of the cruise, if we’re allowed to proceed.”

“Why?” the detective asked. “It can only make people unhappy and create trouble. If you believe it’s an accident say so and stick with that.”

“We appreciate that, Detective, but the company feels it would be better for us to find any anomalies rather than being surprised if the police do. Are either of you, or better yet, both of you, interested in taking on this challenge?”

“I’m here on vacation, Captain, with my recently widowed sister,” Pauline said. “If Detective Somerville is happy to take it on, that will be good enough for me. I do, however, applaud the company in wanting to get to the bottom of this. That cut under the victim’s chin is unlikely to have been from a fall.”

“Tell me more about this cut,” Somerville said.

“Miss Riddell found a cut under the man’s chin, which she feels in some way contributed to his death,” Captain Ferguson said. “It was such a minor cut that hardly seems possible, but it has raised doubts in my mind, which is why I persuaded the company to have you both investigate properly. I hope, Miss Riddell, you will look into this, if only as a favor to me.”

The detective looked puzzled. “I think Miss Riddell should do as she suggested and enjoy her cruise. You’ll have better acceptance of your case, whatever I find, if it comes from a professional.”

“Miss Riddell is a professional detective,” the Captain said.

“Not a qualified one. Not even a qualified private investigator, as I understand it.”

The captain looked at Pauline for confirmation.

“Detective Somerville is correct, Captain. As I don’t work for the police or practice as a Private Investigator, I’ve never seen any need to study for the private investigator qualification nor the police qualifications.” Pauline had already heard enough from Detective Somerville to know they couldn’t work together. “All I do is what any other citizen can do at any time, which is think, analyze and provide my conclusions to the police.”

“Nevertheless, Miss Riddell, you have a considerable reputation in these matters over many years, I implore you to look into this for me.”

“We could each do our own investigation, Captain,” Somerville said. “We can report to you regularly and when we’re complete, I expect we’ll have found the same result. That will be even further reassurance for your company, I think.”

Captain Ferguson again looked to Pauline for her assent.

“As it is you asking, Captain, and not the company’s Board of Directors, I will give the event some of my time but I repeat, I’m here to support my sister at a difficult time for her, not investigate a suspicious death.”

“Then please, both of you, proceed in your own way,” the captain said. “I shall invite you both to my office each evening after dinner to hear your progress.”

Somerville practically leapt from his chair and took a hurried leave of them both. “I must see the body and speak to the doctor,” he said, “before the police come aboard.”

“A very precipitate young man,” Pauline said.

“Isn’t he just,” Ferguson replied. “Nevertheless, his energy and passion will bring rewards, I’m sure.”

“And you, Captain,” Pauline asked, “did your energy and passion bring you rewards?”

“You mean what’s a man of my age and experience doing shuttling tourists from the mainland to the Galapagos Islands, so far from home?”

“More or less,” Pauline said. “We’re from the same part of the world and one of my brothers is a captain too, so I’m interested.”

“I know your brother Matt. We’ve sailed together as officers over the years, which is why I know of you, Miss Riddell. He’s very proud of you,” Ferguson added, grinning.

Pauline flushed pink. “Matt is one of my biggest fans,” she said, “and, I fear, like all fans, he may overrate my abilities and achievements.”

“And you may underrate them,