Smile and be a Villain Read Online Free

toiling up the hill.
    Alan stood. ‘We’re very glad to see you, sir.’
    â€˜You’re the chap who reported the accident?’
    â€˜Yes. Alan Nesbitt, late of the Belleshire Constabulary. I’m happy to assist you in any way I can, but is it possible that someone could help my wife to get back to our B & B? She doesn’t especially care for heights, and this matter has distressed her somewhat.’
    â€˜That shouldn’t be a problem. The rescue squad can help her get down.’
    â€˜I don’t think I can go down,’ I said. ‘I’m sorry, but the very thought makes me dizzy.’
    â€˜Not to worry, madam. These chaps are quite competent. They’ll not let you fall.’ He made a quick call, and then turned back to me. ‘American, are you?’
    â€˜Expat. I’ve lived in England for quite some time, but I never seem to have lost the accent.’
    â€˜Ah. And I imagine this is your hat?’
    â€˜Yes, it fell off when Alan stopped suddenly and I bumped into him. Thank you. That sun’s getting hot.’
    He handed it back to me with a courteous little half-bow. ‘And you, sir, you say you were with the police?’
    â€˜Retired for a few years, now, but yes.’
    I piped up. ‘He won’t tell you, so I will: Alan was chief constable of Belleshire.’
    The policeman said, ‘Ah,’ again, but with a different tone in his voice. Alan and I both recognized it. Since he’s retired, he’s often met with a somewhat bemused attitude when dealing with other police officers, an unspoken blend of ‘I do hope you’re not going to interfere’ with ‘I wonder if we could use your expertise.’
    Before this man could make up his mind about his reaction, Alan said, ‘I do assure you, I have no desire to become involved in this matter, except to help you in any way I can.’
    â€˜Yes, sir, quite. Do you have any reason to believe there is a “matter” to become involved in?’
    â€˜Only in the sense that any accidental death must be investigated to some extent – as of course you know. I’ve seen nothing to indicate that this was not an accident. It looks to me as though the man may have been coming down this path, somewhat unwisely, I’d have thought, and tripped and fell. Fractured skull and loss of blood, wouldn’t you say?’
    â€˜Looks that way. You’ve seen no one else in the area?’
    We both shook our heads. ‘Nobody in particular. There were a few people climbing up the Zig-Zag as we were going down.’
    â€˜Yes, a lot of walkers like that path, especially on a fine day. Well, the rescue squad will tell us more about the cause of death, I imagine. I believe I hear them up top. As soon as they get here, ma’am, one of them will escort you down. I requested a man for just that purpose, and frankly, I’ll be happy to have a little more room for them to work here.’
    â€˜I’ll get out of the way, too,’ said Alan, ‘unless you’d like me to stay.’
    â€˜I don’t think we need you at this point, sir, though we may need to speak with you later. Would you also like some help getting down the hill?’
    â€˜I think I can make it.’
    Going down was, in a word, terrifying. Alan went first, to catch me if I fell, but even with him there I couldn’t possibly have done it without the policeman’s help. Where the path was very steep, I had to turn around and face it, feeling for footholds. All the time there was a strong arm to support me and encouragement to keep me going.
    I was a wreck by the time we got to the bottom, hot, sweating, covered in dust and burrs, and trembling.
    A police car was standing by the side of the road. Alan addressed the policeman who had helped us. ‘Do you think, Mr … I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.’
    â€˜Gering, sir. PC John Gering,’
    â€˜Mr