The Thread of Evidence Read Online Free Page A

a twinkle in your old man’s eye then. Listen, I knew Mavis Hewitt better than most around here. I know what went on up at Bryn Glas all right!’
    Jenkin’s leathery face wrinkled as he sniggered evilly. ‘You knew her all right, Ceri – you were half the cause of the trouble between her and old Roland, I reckon.’
    Far from being offended, the fat landlord actually preened himself.
    â€˜Well, I’m not denying that I had a way with the girls when I was a bit younger – before I grew this.’ He patted his great stomach affectionately.
    The bus driver gulped his beer impatiently and slapped it down for a refill. ‘You still haven’t said what the connection is between this bone business and old Hewitt.’
    â€˜Are you daft, man?’ demanded Ceri, as he drew another pint. ‘Roland did his wife in, back in twenty-nine – hid the body up on the cliff and hopped it abroad. Plain as the nose on your face, it is!’
    Gareth Hughes made a rude noise. ‘Get away, man! What would he want to come back here for, after all those years?’
    Ceri gazed at him pityingly. ‘Haven’t you ever heard that murderers always come back to the scene of their crime – always?’
    The bus driver sneered. ‘You old geezers love making mountains out of molehills, don’t you? If I were you, I’d watch what you say. Hewitt could have the law on you for slander. And, if the police knew that that old crow in the post office was listening to their secrets, they’d lock her up.’ He poured the rest of his beer straight down his throat and walked out of the bar.
    The red-faced farmer glared after him indignantly. ‘Think they know it all, these young chaps. I remember Mavis Hewitt well enough myself – pretty little thing, she was. Red hair and a lovely pair of ankles on her.’ Long-forgotten lust shone in his bleary eyes for a brief moment. Ceri licked his fleshy lips at memories of his own.
    â€˜The only lively bit of goods we ever had in this damn village. The women used to hate her, just because she used to turn all their husbands’ heads in the road.’ He paused and slowly rolled his eternal cigarette butt from one corner of his mouth to the other.
    â€˜Yes, quite a piece, was Mavis – younger than old Hewitt by a good few years. Only been married about eighteen months when she disappeared.’
    â€˜How old do you reckon she’d be then?’ asked the farmer.
    Ceri scratched the stubble on his vast chin.
    â€˜Let’s see. She was two years younger than me – that would make her born in nineteen oh-three, so she’d be twenty-six.’
    Leather-face came back into the conversation. ‘In gentleman’s service, she was, as far as I remember.’
    â€˜Yes, a parlourmaid until Hewitt got hold of her. English girl originally, from Liverpool.’
    The red-cheeked farmer contemplated the froth on his bitter.
    â€˜As far as I recall it, Hewitt said that she had walked out on him after a row. I never did see why there was all that fuss and commotion. Nothing so unusual in a wife leaving her old man, is there?’
    Lloyd answered with the assurance of one with inside information.
    â€˜That’s not the half of it – and them fights they had, well, the poor girl was left black and blue. She showed me some of the bruises herself,’ he added archly.
    Battered Hat leered at him over the pumps.
    â€˜I’ll bet she did! I know you were pretty thick with her, Ceri – even after they were married, eh?’
    The landlord winked lewdly at him.
    â€˜Aye, quite a girl was Mavis. Damn, I was upset when she vanished. I missed my little bit of fun of an afternoon. I was that mad, I accused Roland to his face. He’s never spoken to me from that day to this. Hates my guts, I reckon.’
    Jenkin nodded agreement.
    â€˜Queer chap. Keeps himself to himself. Civil enough to me, I’ll