“Wilson, I suspect. Higher rank means weight of authority. They might find a subtle suggestion from a sergeant beneath their notice. They’ll know that they’re under suspicion.” Orlando drained his glass. “Are all the loose ends now tied to your satisfaction?”
“Certainly tied, although that propelling pencil business is annoying. I was hoping for a more exciting explanation behind that snapping noise. Still, I can now explain Scarrett’s rather odd change in behaviour towards me.”
“How so?”
“On Sunday, when he was speaking about going home for his roast beef and how he yearned for his own family, he stopped himself, as though he’d said too much already. He’s been rather brusque and business like since then, perhaps afraid that I would induce him into saying more if we got into conversation.” Jonty finished his drink, then laid the glass on the little table Orlando had put by his side. “I bet Langer knows, or at least suspects, more than he’s told me. He wrestles with his conscience and is desperate to do the right thing.”
“He has in this instance.” Orlando left his seat, came over and placed himself gingerly on the end of the settee. “I’m so pleased you’re home.”
“I am too.”
“It’s been rather like it was when first I knew you. In the middle of a lecture I’ve given, instead of considering complex numbers my mind would fill with thoughts of you and me, in bed. I thought I’d got those salacious thoughts under control, but clearly not.” He gently patted Jonty’s leg—the good one. “The sight of you sitting here feels like all my Christmasses and birthdays rolled into one.”
“Daft beggar. Come and sit here.” Jonty made room for Orlando to place his backside next to Jonty’s, so that they could hold hands. “You’ve never liked your routine interrupted, have you? The last few days have made me realise how set in my ways I am now. Life has to include you, no matter how vexatious you can be at times.”
“I love you too. I'm so very glad that you managed to keep that boot out of your phizzog,” Orlando said, sealing the assertion with a kiss.
“That’s more like it. I’ve also spent many a moment the last few days indulging in fantasies concerning my favourite mathematician and just what can be done with him while my leg isn’t quite as it should be.”
“I’m sure if we put our combined brains to it, we can find a proper solution.”
“Hmmm,” Jonty said dreamily, after another kiss. “That’s the sort of challenge that’s even more pleasing in prospect than a baffling investigation. And always comes to a better finale.”
About the author:
Because Charlie Cochrane couldn't be trusted to do any of her jobs of choice—like managing a rugby team—she writes. Her mystery novels include the Edwardian era Cambridge Fellows series, and the contemporary Lindenshaw Mysteries. Multi-published, she has titles with Carina, Riptide, Lume and Bold Strokes, among others.
A member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Mystery People and International Thriller Writers Inc, Charlie regularly appears at literary festivals and at reader and author conferences.
Where to find her:
Website: https://charliecochrane.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlie.cochrane.18
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charliecochrane
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2727135.Charlie_Cochrane
Also by the author:
Novels:
Best Corpse for the Job
Jury of One
Two Feet Under
Old Sins
A Carriage of Misjustice (coming soon)
Lessons in Love
Lessons in Desire
Lessons in Discovery
Lessons in Power
Lessons in Temptation
Lessons in Seduction
Lessons in Trust
All Lessons Learned
Lessons for Survivors
Lessons for Idle Tongues
Lessons for Sleeping Dogs
Broke Deep
Count the Shells
Novellas:
Lessons in Loving thy Murderous Neighbour
Lessons in Chasing the Wild Goose
Lessons in Cracking the Deadly Code
Lessons in Playing a Murderous Tune
Collected novellas:
An Act of Detection
Pack Up Your Troubles
Love in Every Season
In the Spotlight
Standalone novellas and short stories:
Second Helpings
Awfully Glad
Don’t Kiss the Vicar
Promises Made Under Fire
Anthologies (contributing author)
A Call to Arms
Pride of Poppies
Capital Crimes
Lashings of Sauce
Tea and Crumpet
British Flash
Summer’s Day
Lessons in Following a Poisonous Trail: A Cambridge Fellows Mystery novella (Cambridge Fellows Mysteries) Page 13