Steve moved restlessly next to Diana on the settee. Her body was pressed hard against his thigh as if she never wanted them to be parted. Again, Havershall House had been the scene of death. Once Russell had fallen to the ground below the roof, everyone froze for one brief moment of shock before rushing forward to see over the side of the wall. Lying far below, Russell’s crumpled and bloody body was spread-eagled on the stone patio. Already there was a steady flow of blood pooling beneath him.
A disembodied voice called to them over a loudhailer, and once the roof-top occupants recognised who it was, they began to walk stiffly down the stairs. Within a minute, Diana was engulfed in Steve’s arms while Adam stood by with a concerned look in his eyes. A medic dressed Diana’s cuts and wasn’t happy when she waved him away saying she was quite all right. She was bruised, aching and still trembling but utterly relieved, knowing it was all over. It didn’t take long before Adam took charge and ushered everyone back into the house.
An hour later, when everyone was fortified with a round or two of alcoholic drinks, Adam cross-examined them, while Barbara took down notes. There were one or two further surprises for Adam. Diana had managed to relay most of her suspicions to him earlier, further embellished later by Sebastian, but she didn’t tell him everything.
Diana was told Sebastian had gone straight to Clare’s house after leaving Cheltenham and once there, met Adam, Clare, and Steve. He was shown the bottle of offending weedkiller and swore he hadn’t bought it but was certain his father had purchased something similar a few years previously. With his answers, everything else slotted into place. Showing an unusual display of gentleness, Adam asked Diana how she came to be one-hundred-per-cent sure Russell was their murderer.
Holding a hand to her sore throat, she related everything she knew. “Russell planned everything right from first introducing Isabelle to Andrew. He’d known Andrew for some time, and Isabelle was easily flattered. It must have been a bonus when they began an affair because it meant Russell was able to include Andrew in his murderous scheme. Russell owed the photographer, Barry, a huge favour. In obtaining the photo-shoot contract, he laid plans to get Sebastian involved. It would have been easy to slip some of the weedkiller into Barry’s Chinese takeaway the night he ate with Russell and Sebastian. With him sick and immobile, Russell easily persuaded Barry to let Sebastian take his place. Likewise, Russell needed Andrew powerless the morning he was going to meet Isabelle in the maze—he didn’t want her lover showing up uninvited. It was simple to add a touch of the liquid to Andrew’s last whisky of the night.”
Diana paused, coughed hoarsely and winced. She then took a sip of her drink before continuing. “Russell had a hand in everything from the costumes through to making sure Isabelle sabotaged the boat and not him. When Steve and I first found the boat and met Russell on our return to the house, he was most adamant about involving the police. He knew he stood a chance of not being caught if everyone was questioned as soon as possible before they left. He wanted the police to have many suspects to interview. He thought he covered his tracks by using Seb’s gloves and not his. Sorry Seb, but because he didn’t love you, he was willing to sacrifice you to save himself. Your gloves, your DNA, I expect will be found around Isabelle’s neck. Russell was lucky to have Sebastian as an unknowing stooge because Seb told Russell about having the costumes during the shoot. Russell must have rubbed his hands with glee when Isabelle came to him to borrow some from the shop he partly owned. All the time we were questioned, Russell was throwing accusations about everyone else’s character, especially Duncan whom he hated. He thought in his warped mind that Duncan had ruined Emily and then discarded her. It was a chance to get even. I—I think you know the rest.”
***
Duncan and Francine saw their guests to the door, and everyone climbed wearily into their cars. They said ‘goodnight’, and while Steve turned the car round, Diana and Adam had a final word.
“Well done, Diana. I’m sorry, but we’ll have to go over this again tomorrow. My only regret is he was shot before we had a chance to question him for ourselves. But thankfully, it wasn’t you pushing him over the wall that caused his death. They’re all technicalities perhaps, but even so with the laws these days…” Adam’s voiced trailed away as he gazed at her. “Are you really all right, darling girl?”
Diana looked up at her one-time lover and fiancé. Had he failed her all those years ago when she was attacked as Duncan had claimed?
“There’s something I’ve not told you. I’ve not told anyone, actually. But I know who attacked me all those years ago. I know who your Cheltenham Throttler is.”
“What?” Adam looked at her with an incredulous expression on his face. “Who the hell is it?”
“I always remembered a smell of sweets, of pear drops…and—”
“My God! You don’t mean…?”
She nodded.
“Camera…Action…Murder!” by Faith Mortimer
Please Tweet/Facebook, “Camera…Action…Murder!” once you’ve finished and pass the word on.
If you have enjoyed this novel why not read these other
Faith Mortimer books:
“The Bamboo Mirror” – An Anthology of short mysteries
(All available in eBook and Paperback).
“The Seeds of Time – Book 1 of The Crossing”
“Harvest – Book 2 of The Crossing”
These intensely romantic yet realistic novels span two generations and the unimaginable gulf between the Second World War and the present.
This is a story of deep romance, bravery, survival, heartbreak and happiness, blended with non-stop action, intriguing locations, and appealing characters.
And soon to be published
“A Very French Affair”
A Tale of Romance, Heartache and True Love
Find out more about Faith Mortimer and her books at:
www.faithmortimerauthor.com
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http://twitter.com/FaithMortimer
Happy reading and a huge thank you for buying one of my books. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it and if you have a moment to spare please add a few words as a review on Amazon – Thank you!
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