The Scent of Death--A Sukey Reyholds British police procedural Read Online Free

nothing untoward.’
    â€˜Well, thank you, Mr Freeman. Vicky and Sukey, I take it you’ve been noting all this?’ After they obediently said, ‘Yes, Guv,’ Rathbone turned to Chapman. ‘When did you learn of the accident to Mr Rainbird, sir?’
    â€˜It was around nine o’clock when Rosie – she works with our receptionist, Maxine – came rushing into the hotel in a state of near hysterics. I left her with Maxine and called Ben, one of my staff who has had first-aid training, and we hurried down to the lake.’ Chapman went on to recount the sequence of events that Vicky and Sukey had learned of during their initial enquiries.
    â€˜What do you know about the victim?’
    â€˜He’s stayed here with Mr Freeman’s group on a number of occasions, but I know nothing about him personally.’
    â€˜Has he ever caused any kind of trouble or upset any of your staff?’
    â€˜Not that I’m aware of – he’s certainly never complained to me or my wife, and no member of the staff has complained about him to me.’
    â€˜I see. Well, thank you for your time gentlemen. I propose to leave it there for tonight. We’ll have to get statements from everyone tomorrow. A small team of uniformed officers will be on duty all night and I’d appreciate it if you’d allow them to use the hotel facilities when necessary.’
    â€˜Of course. Maybe they’d welcome a hot drink or snack?’
    â€˜I’m sure they would. Thank you – and thank you for the coffee.’
    As the detectives returned to their respective cars, Rathbone said, ‘I’ll see you at eight thirty sharp in my office tomorrow. Yes, I’m prepared for it to turn out to be an accidental death,’ he went on without allowing Vicky or Sukey an opportunity to speak, ‘but I’m not taking any chances.’ He got into his car, slammed the door and drove off, leaving the two exchanging resigned glances.
    â€˜You know what,’ said Vicky as she buckled on her seat belt, ‘I reckon he’d like it to be a really tricky murder case so that when he gets a result he’ll notch up a whole rack of Brownie points.’
    â€˜Don’t you mean when
we
get a result?’ said Sukey.
    For the first time that evening, Vicky gave a spontaneous laugh. ‘You could well be right. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles it.’
    Â 
    When Sukey reached home she found a message on her answering service. It was from Harry Matthews, whom Vicky referred to as her partner but Sukey always said, ‘I prefer “significant other” – it sounds less permanent.’ She knew almost by heart before she opened it what he would say: ‘Are you OK? You were supposed to be home by half past ten and it’s gone eleven thirty. Your mobile’s switched off. What’s going on? Call me as soon as you get this, never mind how late. Love you.’
    Sukey pressed the answer button. ‘Sorry, love, I should have warned you,’ she said as soon as he came on the line. ‘Vicky and I were ordered to respond to a request for police presence at an unexpected death at a hotel about twenty miles away.’
    â€˜Ordered by the uppity DI Rathbone, I suppose. No chance of
him
attending of course.’
    Despite her weariness, Sukey could not restrain a chuckle. ‘He had to turn out in the end – what appeared to be an accidental death might turn out to be suspicious.’
    â€˜Sounds interesting!’ Harry was the senior crime reporter for the local newspaper and she could visualize his expression becoming suddenly alert. ‘You’ll keep me posted, won’t you – subject to the usual restrictions, of course.’
    She decided to ignore the last remark. ‘He wants us on duty at eight thirty
sharp
tomorrow morning.’
    â€˜But tomorrow’s Sunday,’ Harry protested.
    â€˜I know, but it happens