Murder Is Come Again by Joan Smith Page B

the house. I don’t know how she knew that, but she might of seen me and Mary about town. We were up and down the main street a few times that afternoon.”
    Luten considered this a moment. If that was how it happened, then the deal had been made after Coffen left Mary at the Albermarle. That was possible. He said, “It would make more sense if they’d found what they were looking for and were fighting over sharing it. You don’t think they did find it, Black?”
    “I’m pretty sure they didn’t. Flora all but asked me if we’d found it, whatever it is. Mr. Pattle says Mary’s bonnet and reticule are missing. She had ten pounds with her, so that could account for the missing reticule. The bonnet might be about the house somewhere, though I didn’t see it.”
    “If it was money they were after, why take the reticule?” Corinne said. “Flora couldn’t use it in case it was recognized, and it would be dangerous to have it found in her house.”
    “It might be still in the bedroom,” Black said. “Under the coverlet, or under the bed.”
    “I’ll have a look at the house before we call in the police,” Luten said. “No need for anyone to go with me. Who has the key?” Black handed it to him. “I shan’t be long.”
    After he had left Corinne served wine and they continued discussing the matter. When the first shock and rush of sympathy for Coffen had worn off, it occurred to her that their nice holiday was at an end. Murder had found them again.
    Black said, “I keep thinking how they got in without breaking a window or lock. I had new locks put on and checked that everything was locked up right and tight when I left.” He turned to Coffen. “Did you mention you took Mary back to the house after dinner, Mr. Pattle?”
    “I did, but I locked up when we left and she didn’t ask me for the key. She was so excited about being able to bring the kiddies here she wanted to go back and look about the place to see how her belongings would fit in.”
    “Were you with here all the time?” Corinne asked.
    “I got a bit tired of scurrying about. After a while I sat in the drawing room and waited for her.”
    Corinne and Black exchanged a meaningful look. “While she went to the kitchen, perhaps?” she suggested.
    “She did, yes. She wanted a look at the stove. Mary is — was interested in cooking.”
    “That’s when she took the lock off the back door so she could get back in after you left,” she said. “Well, there’s nothing we can do until Luten returns.”
     

Chapter Nine
     
    While they were awaiting Luten’s return, Prance was shown in. “Well, strangers,” he said with a jaunty bow. “Why are you all sitting indoors like Patience on a monument on a fine day like this? I thought you’d be out terrifying the town with that team of grays, Coffen. I made sure that was why the constable was looking for you at our hotel.” He was amazed when the three of them turned and stared at him as if he’d announced the sky was falling. “What is it?” he demanded. “What’s happened?”
    “Mrs. Filmore’s dead,” Coffen said. “Murdered.”
    “What!” Prance’s face didn’t pale as he’d been walking in the sunlight, but he was visibly shaken.
    “Why was the constable looking for him?” Black barked.
    “I assumed it was something to do with his driving. He seemed very anxious to find him.” He bit his lips and added, “I’m afraid I mentioned that he might find you here, Coffen.”
    “Oh why did you say that, Reg?” Corinne moaned.
    “I didn’t know anything about this Filmore person being murdered. What has her murder to do with Coffen anyway?”
    “She’s not Mrs. Filmore, she’s Mary Scraggs,” Corinne said, and explained the situation. Prance just sat dumbfounded.
    He was never silent for long, however, and soon said, “We can never escape murder, can we? We left London to get away from it, and it followed us here, like a shadow.”
    “I hope Luten gets back before the