The White Gallows Read Online Free

exited the car, climbed the steps to the front door and clunked down the large, brass knocker.
    A few seconds later it was opened by a flustered looking man in his late twenties. ‘Yes?’
    ‘Detective Superintendent McEvoy. I believe you’re expecting me?’
    ‘What? Yes, yes, join the party!’ the man said sarcastically, standing to one side and ushering McEvoy into a cold, wood-panelled hallway. A broad staircase rose on the right-hand side, a narrow, stain-glass window on the landing above letting in weak light.
    ‘I really don’t think all this attention is necessary,’ the man said to McEvoy’s back. ‘The doctor said he died of heart failure.’
    ‘Who is it?’ a shrill female voice asked from an adjoining room.
    ‘Another guard,’ the man answered as if McEvoy wasn’t there.
    ‘Can’t you get rid of him? I thought we’d got this awful mess sorted out?’
    McEvoy headed towards the woman’s voice, pushed open the door and entered a simply decorated living room. It was occupied by a woman and man sitting together on a mid-blue sofa. They appeared to be in their late fifties and dressed smartly: the woman in casual, tan trousers with a pale blue cashmere cardigan over a white blouse; the man in dark blue suit over a cream shirt with gold cuff-links and no tie. The woman’s shoulder-length hair was dyed blonde, though her grey roots were just starting to show, and her make-up was subtly applied. A fire was blazing in the grate, warming the chill air.
    ‘I’m afraid the answer to that is no,’ McEvoy stated flatly. ‘I’m Detective Superintendent McEvoy. I’m in charge of the case, if there is a case. First, let me offer my condolences on the death of Mr Koch. He was…?’ He let the question hang.
    ‘My father. He was my father.’ The woman raised a white cotton handkerchief to her left eye, but left the impression of crying crocodile tears. ‘I’m sorry, superintendent, but I think you might have had a wasted trip. The doctor says he died of natural causes.’
    ‘Look… er… You have my deepest sympathy, Mrs… Koch?’
    ‘D’Arcy.’
    ‘Mrs D’Arcy. And I’m sure the last thing you need right now is the guards intruding at such a difficult moment, but one of the officers who responded to the emergency call feels there might be more to it.’
    ‘And your officers are qualified doctors, are they?’ Mrs D’Arcy asked facetiously.
    ‘No, but they’re trained to observe for signs that might indicate foul play. The state pathologist is presently in Trim and since she’s so close, if I agree with the officer, I’ll be asking her to come and take a look to clear up any misunderstanding.’
    ‘I don’t think that’s necessary,’ the man stated. ‘He was an old man; in his nineties. He died in his sleep.’
    ‘And you are?’ McEvoy asked curtly.
    ‘James Kinneally,’ the man replied rising to his feet. ‘I’m the CEO of Ostara Industries, the company Dr Koch founded.’ He held out his hand which McEvoy shook firmly.
    ‘With all due respect, Mr Kinneally, we have to investigate all suspicious deaths even if that suspicion turns out to be groundless.’
    ‘But the only person that has that suspicion is one of your officers,’ Kinneally protested.
    ‘Look, I know you’re both upset by the death of Dr Koch, but it will only take a minute to verify if there’s anything worth investigating. If there isn’t, we’ll be out of your hair shortly and you can get on with your arrangements. If there is, then I’m sure you will want to bring the perpetrator to justice.’
    ‘This is ridiculous,’ Marion D’Arcy muttered to no one in particular.
    * * *
     
    McEvoy and the local sergeant, Tom McManus, were standing next to the double bed on which lay the body of Albert Koch. The cadaver was covered by a pure white duvet, only his head showing, propped up on a pillow. His face was gaunt, the skin pulled tight to the bones, a full head of grey hair messily arranged.
    The man who