Read Christmas at Draycott Abbey for Free Online Page B

drive.
    The doorbell rang.
    Ian didn’t move.
    The inspector’s eyes narrowed. “Are you in a habit of expecting company this late, Mr. Woods?”
    “It’s an old friend from London. He was due quite a while ago. I suppose the storm delayed him.” Ian shuffled past and leaned against the door for a moment, puffing loudly. When he opened the door, he blocked the view with his body and made a quick movement of warning with his fingers.
    Izzy Teague stared at him and then nodded.
    “About time you got here. I expected you hours ago, Harris.”
    “Traffic from London was a nightmare.” Izzy gave a booming laugh. “I hope you have some of that vintage Draycott port waiting for me.”
    “None better. But there’s been a spot of a problem. Some kind of criminal has escaped. The inspector from Hastings came to alert residents in the area.” Ian turned, holding the door as if he was about to lose his balance. He gave another embarrassed laugh. “Enough sherry for me, I’d say.”
    He moved back and waved Izzy Teague inside. The man’s chiseled mahogany features were damp with rain as he studied the two men in the foyer. “Police, is it? What’s going on?”
    The inspector glanced outside at Izzy’s car. “A dangerous criminal has escaped. She’s still somewhere in the area. If you see anything unusual, contact me immediately. Don’t try to handle her yourself. She’s more dangerous than you can imagine.”
    “I came to England to relax, not get swept up in one of your devious mysteries. And since I’m half frozen myself, perhaps you’ll excuse me. I’m going to warm up at the fire.”
    “I didn’t catch your name.”
    “Ty Harris.” Izzy shrugged out of his leather coat. “Specialty furniture importer. Offices in London and on Peachtree Road. Atlanta, Georgia.” Izzy flashed a grin and held out a business card. “Call me if you’re interested in some excellent reproduction Georgian furniture, Inspector.”
    The policeman studied the card carefully and slid it into his pocket. “I’ll keep that in mind, Mr. Harris.”
    His lips flattened as he saw Ian leaning against the wall, looking more drunk than ever. “Best to stay indoors tonight. The rain will be turning to ice before morning. Dangerous conditions for walking—or anything else.”
    Ian nodded and smoothed his rumpled shirt. “No problem there. No intention of going out tonight, Inspector.”
    At the door, the inspector turned. “By the way, there was no record of the name Woods listed as owner of this property. The house and grounds belong to the Viscount Draycott and his family, do they not?”
    “So they do. Nicholas Draycott has gone off on holiday. I think he’d had enough of all the Christmas bustle and folderol. He asked me to pop around and keep an eye on things in his absence.”
    The inspector nodded slowly. “I see. Then I will leave, with another reminder that you stay indoors tonight. You can reach me at that number on my card should you need me.”
    Ian gave a leering laugh. “That I will, should anything turn up. Or if anyone turns up.” He clicked his tongue. “A female murderer. Beautiful, too. Gad, what is the world coming to, I ask you?”

     
    But the man standing in the library ten minutes later looked anything but casual or inebriated. Ian’s face was grim as he watched Izzy set up a high-tech laptop computer and connect it to a freestanding hard drive.
    “When she said the woman’s name, she told me that they had killed her. Maybe you’ll find a record of a crime in your database. But I warn you that she wasn’t making much sense. Given the rain and the cold, along with her wound, I’d say she was in shock.” Ian paced impatiently. “As soon as you get your search running here, I want you to have a look at her. She seems stable, but I’m taking no chances. If she needs to be seen at a hospital, I’m driving her there tonight.”
    “Not possible. The conditions were bad when I came down, and they have