An Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy Collection - ABC

by Diana Xarissa

  “From what you’ve said, no matter what time we arrived, it was after the poor man was dead,” Stanley said. “Come on, Florence, we’re leaving. I won’t waste another minute of my day talking about a crime I couldn’t possibly have committed.”

  He got to his feet and pulled Florence out of her chair. “I did want to help,” she protested as he marched her across the room.

  “We can’t possibly help, as we had nothing to do with it,” Stanley said. “We arrived far too late to have been involved. The police have it all wrong if they think someone from one of the other cabins had anything to do with the murder. Captain Howard is just hoping to pin it on one of us so that his crew is in the clear.”

  “I most certainly am not,” the captain snapped. Stanley ignored him, and he and Florence swept out of the room.

  “I’m not,” Captain Howard said insistently to the men and women who remained behind. “I do think one of my crew let Mr. Grosso on board, and maybe he or she let the killer on as well. I’ve been doing everything I can to find that person and get them to tell me what they know.”

  “And the police,” Fenella suggested.

  “Oh, yes, of course, and the police,” the man agreed. “But thus far, no one has stepped forward to admit their involvement.”

  “So maybe Mr. Grosso snuck on board and his killer did the same,” Nick Proper suggested.

  The captain frowned. “I’d like to think our security is better than that,” he said. “But that may be possible, I suppose.”

  They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Captain Howard crossed the room and pulled the door open.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you, sir.” It was the girl who had escorted Fenella and the others from customer service to the conference room. “But Inspector Robinson from the police is here. He said he must speak with you immediately.”

  The man glanced around the room and then sighed. “I suppose he found out about our little meeting,” he said. “Bring him back here.”

  The woman nodded and then walked away. A moment later, she was back with Daniel Robinson on her heels.

  “I should have let you know about our internal investigation,” the captain said as soon as Daniel reached him. “But I didn’t think it was relevant to anything.”

  “We can discuss this gathering later,” Daniel said. “For now, we need to talk about another murder.”

  10

  Several people, including Fenella, gasped. Nick started to get to his feet and then sat back down quickly. Charlotte was the first to speak.

  “Who has been murdered?” she demanded loudly.

  Daniel shook his head. “I’m glad you’re all here,” he said. “It will save me a great deal of driving around. I’ll speak to you each in turn, after I’ve talked with Captain Howard.”

  “Mr. and Mrs. March left a few minutes ago,” the captain told Daniel.

  “I actually saw them in the car park,” Daniel said. “They’re giving a statement to one of my constables now.”

  “If you’ve come to see me, it must be one of my crew that’s been killed,” Captain Howard said.

  Daniel held up a hand. “Let’s have this conversation in private,” he said. He glanced around the room. Fenella thought he smiled at her briefly as their eyes met, but she wasn’t sure. “I’m going to leave a constable in here with you. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves, though.”

  “That’s hardly likely,” Charlotte said. “Not if we’re being listened to.”

  “I would hope that you don’t have any secrets from the police, at least in terms of the two murders,” Daniel said.

  “Of course I don’t,” Charlotte snapped. “But that doesn’t mean I want the police listening to my conversations, either.”

  Daniel smiled stiffly and then turned back to Captain Howard. “If you’re ready,” he said.

  “I’m not, but we may as well get it over with anyway,” the captain said in reply.

  Fenella felt herself let out a long breath as the pair left the room. A moment later the door opened again and a young uniformed constable walked in. She glanced around the room and then stood with her back to the door watching everyone. For the next several minutes, the silence in the room was almost unbearable.

  “Hi,” Justin Newmarket finally spoke. “I’m Justin.”

  The woman gave him a cool look. “I’m Constable Richards,” she replied.

  “Oh, come on,” Justin said. “What’s your Christian name?”

  “You can call me Constable,” the woman told him.

  Sherry Hampton laughed. “She’s immune to your questionable charms,” she called to Justin. “But do continue trying. It’s incredibly entertaining for the rest of us.”

  “I was just being friendly,” Justin protested. “It was too quiet in here. It was uncomfortable.”

  “I was enjoying the quiet,” Charlotte said. “I don’t understand why people can’t simply sit back and enjoy silence.”

  As Charlotte had been the one who’d insisted on everyone talking the first time they’d all been together, Fenella found her complaint odd. Before the uncomfortable silence could descend again, Brenda Proper spoke up.

  “But who’s dead?” she asked. “The police inspector seemed to think that there’s some connection between this murder and what happened to poor Robert, but I don’t understand how that’s possible.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t possibly comment,” Constable Richards told her.

  “Whoever it is, the inspector came to see Captain Howard about it,” Sarah said. “I think it was someone from the ferry crew.”

  Fenella was watching the constable’s face and she was sure she saw a flicker of something flash across it at Sarah’s words.

  “That’s a very clever idea,” Fenella told Sarah. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re right.”

  “It must have been whoever let the killer board the ferry early,” Charlotte said. “Let’s just hope he or she was killed while we were all here, having this pointless meeting.”

  Fenella doubted that it would be that easy, but she didn’t say anything. For a few moments everyone went silent again.

  “Are you single?” Justin tried again.

  Sherry burst out laughing as the constable frowned at the man. “I’m not,” she said eventually.

  Justin nodded. “I didn’t think so,” he said. “You’re too pretty to be single.”

  The woman stared at him for a moment and then shifted her gaze to look around the room. Sherry was still chuckling to herself as the door opened behind the constable.

  “I’d like to speak to Charlotte Masters first, please,” Daniel said in the doorway.

  The constable whispered something to him and he nodded. They left the room together before Charlotte had even stood up. A moment later they were back.

  “Ms. Masters?” Daniel said.

  Charlotte picked up her handbag and walked out of the room with her head held high. The constable shut the door behind her and resumed her post.

  “Can’t you tell us anything now that we’ve worked out most of it?” Nick asked after a moment.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but I’m not able to answer any questions,” the woman said.

  “What does your boyfriend do?” Justin asked after another silent minute.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m not able to answer any questions,” the constable said again.

  Shelly laughed loudly. “I’m going to try that the next time I’m out and someone tries to chat me up,” she said.

  “You can just tell them you’re married,” Harry reminded her, giving her hand a pat.

  “Oh, yes, of course,” Sherry said, frowning.

  “I can’t imagine where you’d be that I wouldn’t be with you, though,” Harry continued.

  “No, no, of course not,” Sherry muttered.

  It was Justin’s turn to laugh. “Nothing like spending time with a happily married couple to remind you of the joys of being single,” he said.

  Daniel was
back a moment later, and Fenella wasn’t sorry when he took Justin away this time. Without him or Charlotte in the room, she thought she might have a very quiet wait for her turn.

  “You can stop that any time,” Sherry said sharply.

  Fenella looked at Harry, who blushed. “I’m sorry,” he said, removing his hand from where he’d rested it on hers. “I thought you might be worried about talking to the police, that’s all.”

  “I have nothing to hide,” Sherry replied. “You seem incredibly nervous, though.”

  “Not at all,” Harry said. “Why would I be nervous?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe you’re involved in smuggling or something,” Sherry said with a yawn.

  “I don’t think that’s at all funny,” Harry snapped. “And you shouldn’t suggest such things about your own husband.”

  “Well, you do have an awful lot of money,” Sherry said. “How am I supposed to know where you got it all?”

  “I earned it,” Harry said tightly. “My first wife and I both worked very hard for a great many years. And we were very frugal as well. We never took lavish holidays or bought brand new cars. We saved up for a comfortable retirement.”

  “And then she went and died and never got to enjoy life,” Sherry said.

  “She enjoyed her life a great deal,” Harry argued. “It is unfortunate that she never got to enjoy retirement, but no one is promised tomorrow.”

  “Well, I intend to have holidays and new cars,” Sherry told the man. “You can afford it, and you want to keep me happy, don’t you?”

  Harry studied her silently for a moment. Fenella watched as Sherry realized the man’s answer wasn’t immediate.

  “Harry? Darling?” she simpered. “You do want me to be happy, don’t you?” She leaned over and whispered something in his ear that made him blush.

  “Yes, dear, of course I want you to be happy,” he said softly, patting her hand.

  Sherry smiled faintly and then suddenly stood up. “I need to stretch my legs,” she said, glancing around the room. She’d only take a handful of steps when the door swung open again.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Proper, if I could talk to you next, please?” Daniel said from the doorway.

  Nick and Brenda exchanged glances and then got up wordlessly and followed Daniel out into the corridor. Sarah looked over at Fenella and shrugged.

  “I wish I knew if it was better to be left for last or not,” she said.

  “As we haven’t a choice, it might be better not to think about it,” Fenella suggested.

  “The inspector’s awfully good-looking,” Sherry said. “If I weren’t happily married, I’d be trying to get myself arrested.”

  Sarah smiled at her. “He is rather handsome,” she agreed. “I didn’t notice the other day. I was too worried about Robert, and then once I was told that he was dead, I was too upset to pay any attention to anything. But you’re right, the inspector is quite handsome.”

  Fenella felt a pang of jealousy, which she knew was totally misplaced. Sarah was a new widow and certainly not looking to replace her husband so quickly, and Sherry was married. Neither of the women were a threat to her relationship with Daniel, which was only a friendship anyway. She had no business being jealous no matter what. She was just done reminding herself of all of that when the door opened again and Sherry and Harry left for their turn with the inspector.

  “That just leaves us,” Sarah said to Fenella.

  “Yes, perhaps he’s simply saved the best for last,” Fenella suggested.

  Sarah smiled. “I cried so much when he tried to interview me last time, I suspect he’s left me until he can get in a supply of tissues.”

  “You had every reason to be upset,” Fenella told her.

  Sarah nodded. “Robert and I weren’t always the happiest couple on the planet, but we were bumping along, doing our best.” She got up from her seat and sat down next to Fenella.

  “Do you think he might have been involved in something criminal?” she asked in a whisper.

  “He was your husband,” Fenella said, surprised by the question. “Surely you’d be in a position to know.”

  “He was paid well,” Sarah said, almost talking to herself. “Maybe too well for what he did, or what he told me he did. And he worked a lot of odd hours, late nights and early mornings and whatnot. I never thought anything of it. I work all sorts of hours myself. That’s nursing for you. I keep wondering about this holiday we’d won, though.”

  “What about it?” Fenella asked.

  “I don’t know, it was just odd,” Sarah said. “I never win anything, for one thing. And we only just found out about it last week and had to go right away. That isn’t much good as a prize. What if I couldn’t have found someone to cover all my shifts? Robert kept insisting it was all wonderful, but I thought it was strange.”

  “It does sound a little odd,” Fenella agreed. “Did you talk to Inspector Robinson about it?”

  “He was going to talk to Robert’s supervisor,” Sarah replied. “But I don’t know what he found out. I don’t imagine he’ll tell me, either. The police never want to share anything.”

  She glanced at the constable by the door and then blushed. “I mean, I know they mustn’t talk out of turn, but I feel as if I have a right to know if my husband was doing something illegal, don’t I?”

  “Maybe once they’ve arrested someone for the murder, they’ll be able to tell you more,” Fenella said.

  “I certainly hope so,” Sarah replied.

  A moment later, it was Sarah’s turn to leave with Daniel. Fenella was left alone with the police constable.

  “Am I allowed to use my phone?” she asked the woman.

  “I’d rather you didn’t,” the constable told her. “I wouldn’t want you to accidently see something in the news that the inspector doesn’t want you to know.”

  Fenella nodded. “I was just going to play a game,” she said.

  “I’m awfully sorry,” the constable said.

  “So, do you like being a police constable?” she asked the woman.

  When Daniel came back into the room several minutes later, Fenella and the constable were sitting together and chatting about cats.

  “I moved her food dish twenty-five times before I found the perfect spot for it,” the constable was saying as the door swung open.

  “I haven’t had that problem with my kitten,” Fenella told her. “She seems happy with her dish wherever I put it.”

  “You were smart, getting a kitten,” the woman replied. “When you adopt older cats, you get all of their quirks.”

  “I hate to interrupt,” Daniel said. “But I really do need to question this witness.”

  Constable Richards blushed. “I’m sorry, sir,” she said, standing up straight.

  “It’s not a problem,” he said easily. “I know Fenella is easy to talk to.”

  Fenella found herself blushing as the constable gave her an appraising look.

  “You can let the woman at customer service know that I’m done on-site,” Daniel told the constable. “I’ll talk to Ms. Woods at her flat, as I’m more than ready to get away from the Sea Terminal.”

  “Yes, sir,” the woman said.

  “Are your ready?” he asked Fenella.

  “Definitely,” she said quickly. After picking up her handbag, she followed Daniel out of the room and then through the building.

  An unmarked car was parked in the “no parking” zone right in front of it. Daniel smiled ruefully as he pulled the parking ticket out from under his windshield wiper. “I forgot to put my police card in the window,” he told Fenella as they both buckled their seatbelts.

  “Will you have to pay the fine?” she asked.

  “No, but I’ll have to make a dozen phone calls,” he told her. “It would probably be easier to just pay the fine, but that brings up its own set of problems.”

  Fenella thought about asking, but decided against it. Daniel seemed distracted, and she wanted to let him focus on dri
ving them the short distance to her apartment building. He pulled up in front of the building and sighed. “I’ll probably get a ticket here, too,” he said.

  “Can you park in the underground lot?” she asked.

  “Not without a resident’s card,” he told her.

  “Would mine work?” she wondered.

  He grinned at her. “We could try,” he said.

  He put the car back in gear and drove to the entrance to the parking garage. When he put his window down, Fenella handed him her keycard. He waved it in front of the black box by the gate, and after a moment, the gate slowly opened.

  “Will I have to come back to let you out?” she asked him as he pulled into a parking space that was marked “visitors.”

  “No, there’s a button to push on the inside,” he told her. “I know someone who rented a flat here for a few months. He got into some trouble because he used to have parties and invite several dozen friends. He’d stand at the gate and let them all in on his card.”

  “How many visitors’ spots are there?” Fenella asked.

  “Not enough,” Daniel chuckled. “That’s why he got into trouble. His friends usually just parked wherever they found a space, and then when the residents who owned the spaces came home, they weren’t able to park. I believe owners are limited to a single guest parking space at a time now, thanks to my friend.”

  Fenella smiled. “That won’t be a problem for me,” she said. “Nearly all of my friends live in the building.”

  When the elevator opened on the sixth floor, Fenella led the man down the corridor to her door. “Merow, merowwww, mmmmeerrrooowwww,” greeted them as Fenella pushed the door open.

  “Katie?” Fenella called. “Where are you?”

  A round of unhappy sounds followed. Fenella stood very still in the center of her living room and tried to work out where the sounds were coming from.

  “I think she’s in the bedroom,” Daniel said after yet another loud cry.

  Fenella crossed to the master bedroom and pushed the partly shut door open. She took one look at the mess on her floor and briefly considered not looking for her pet. As Katie had been unable to get into the bathroom, she’d obviously amused herself today by helping herself to every tissue in the box that was next to Fenella’s bed. There were tissues everywhere, most of them shredded into tiny pieces.