Agatha Raisin: Hiss and Hers Read Online Free

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    Gradually the dead body of George was revealed, but with a bag tied round his head. Agatha had one mad hope that it might not be George’s body but then realized that she did not know anyone else with a prosthetic leg. Agatha felt for a pulse and found none. She wanted to tear off the bag from his head, but a cold voice of common sense invaded her panic, telling her to leave it to the police. She stood up, cursing that she had left her phone in her evening bag at the hall, and tore off her shoes and began to run, fleeing through the moonlit streets, past the brooding thatch of the cottages, over the cobbles, until she reached the village hall.
    The band had just finished playing a number when Agatha Raisin erupted into the hall. She went straight to Bill Wong, who was standing with James. ‘George Marston has been murdered,’ she said.
    â€˜Show me,’ said Bill.
    â€˜I’ll come with you,’ said James.
    â€˜No,’ said Agatha. ‘Stay here. Keep them all here. Go on with the raffle. Don’t tell anyone.’
    She hurried off with Bill. ‘Let’s go,’ said Toni, who had witnessed the exchange. ‘Something awful’s happened. Agatha’s as white as a sheet and her dress is ruined.’ Toni, followed by Phil, Simon and Patrick, hurried after Bill and Agatha.
    At George’s cottage, Bill, who had collected his forensic suit from his car, said, ‘Agatha, come with me, and just point to where the body is.’
    Toni, Simon, Patrick and Phil waited anxiously until Agatha rejoined them. Charles came hurrying up. ‘What’s happened?’
    â€˜It’s George!’ wailed Agatha. ‘I think it’s George. He’s dead. He’s got a bag tied over his head.’
    Police cars, marked and unmarked, swept up to the cottage. Police began to tape off the area. Inspector Wilkes approached them. ‘Mrs Raisin, Wong says you found the body.’
    â€˜It’s in the back garden,’ said Agatha hoarsely.
    â€˜Constable Peterson will take a preliminary statement. Wait there.’
    Alice Peterson was a pretty young woman with dark curly hair and blue eyes. ‘Would you like to sit in the car, Mrs Raisin? You’ve had a bad shock.’
    â€˜I’ll wait here,’ said Agatha. ‘I couldn’t see the head. It may not be him.’
    â€˜I believe Mr Marston had a false leg. Did you notice one?’
    â€˜Yes, his trouser leg was pulled up,’ said Agatha. She was wearing scarlet lipstick and it stood out garishly on her white face.
    â€˜Just tell me what you know,’ said Alice.
    Agatha swayed slightly and Charles came forward and put an arm around her shoulders. As she told the little she knew, Agatha felt the whole thing was unreal and that the voice issuing from her mouth belonged to someone else.
    When she had finished, Charles said, ‘I went away and got my car. I think you should sit in it, Agatha. Toni, you too. When they get the bag off his head, someone’s got to identify him.’
    They waited in silence.
    No other villagers joined them. Amazingly, the news had not reached the village hall, and, through the night air, they could hear the faint sounds of the dance band.
    Toni was surprised that Mrs Bloxby had not come to find out what had happened to her friend. But Mrs Bloxby, who had organized a raffle for the ball, was holding her post. She thought that Agatha had gone off hunting for George. She had not seen her leave with Bill. She assumed her staff and friends had gone to bring her back.
    The night dragged on. At last Wilkes came out. ‘We’ve got the bag off. Someone will need to identify him.’
    â€˜I’ll go,’ said Agatha, getting out of the car. There were loud protests from her friends.
    â€˜No, I’ve got to see for myself that it is George,’ she said.
    How she was to regret that decision.
    In the garden, a tent had been erected over the body.