Read Fire When Ready (Manor House Mystery) for Free Online Page A

her hands, her expression grim but resolved. Remembering that the housemaid had once been bombed out of her home in London, Elizabeth could only imagine what was going through her mind. Over in the corner, the two dogs lay watching everyone, obviously confused at being woken up at such an abysmal hour.
    Elizabeth sat down at the table. "I can't believe we didn't hear the planes. Did the siren go off? Why didn't we hear it?"
    "I don't think anyone spotted them." George glanced at Martin, as if waiting for him to sit down first. "I'll have to have a word with our night watchmen. I don't know who's turn it is tonight, but he must have been asleep on the job, that's all I can say."
    "That's what I said," Violet muttered.
    "When exactly did this happen?" Elizabeth demanded. "Is it just the factory? How bad is it? Was anybody hurt?"
    Without saying a word, Martin began the process of reseating himself.
    George followed suit, and she could tell by his expression that the news wasn't good. "I came straight from the factory to tell you, m'm. The firemen were putting out the fire when I left." He fiddled with the handle of his cup, avoiding looking at her. "We reckon the bomb were dropped somewhere around eleven o'clock this evening. It took out the east end of the building and set fire to the rest." He rattled the teaspoon in his saucer. "They found two people in there, m'm. Locked inside the office, they were."
    Elizabeth caught her breath. "Who were they?"
    "Mr. McNally was one of them. He was working late, it seems." George sighed. "Jessie Bandini was the other one. She cleans the office and the canteen in the evenings. She must have been just about ready to go home when it hit." He passed a hand over his balding head. "Poor Jessie. Her daughter's going to miss her, that's for sure."
    "She's dead?" Elizabeth leaned forward, her heart thumping in anxiety. "And Mr. McNally? He's all right, isn't he?"
    George shook his head. "I'm afraid he bought it, too, m'm. I'm right sorry to have to tell you this, but I thought you'd want to know."
    Elizabeth sat back, stunned by the news. That energetic Scotsman, so full of life and vigor, gone. Just like that. She just couldn't believe it.
    "Your ladyship?" Sadie placed a cup and saucer in front of her. "Drink this. I put a shot of brandy in it."
    "Thank you, Sadie." Elizabeth reached for the cup, her hand unsteady, and Sadie moved around the table to pat Martin's shoulder with an unusual show of concern.
    "Are you all right, me old luv? Drink your tea, then, there's a good boy."
    For once, Martin showed no offense at being spoken to in such a familiar manner. Obediently he picked up his cup and brought it shakily to his lips.
    "He's a bit upset, m'm," Sadie explained unnecessarily. "He thinks he's in a bomb shelter and that the manor's been bombed."
    "I knew it would happen," Martin said, his voice wobbling. "I told everyone they'd drop those dratted bombs on us one day."
    George gave him a pitying look. "They only bombed the factory, Martin, that's all. They've gone now, haven't they. That was all they was after. The factory. Now that's gone, they won't bother us again."
    "Douglas McNally," Elizabeth said, putting down the cup. "I still can't believe it." She'd taken a hefty sip of tea and the brandy was still stinging its way down her throat. "We'll have to let his family in Scotland know. Did he have a wife? Children?"
    "Not as far as we know, but we'll be looking into it." George drained his cup. "If you'll pardon me, m'm, I'd best be getting off. I'll have to be up early in the morning. The head office will be wanting a full report."
    "Yes, of course." Elizabeth got slowly to her feet. "Thank you for letting us know. "I'll stop by in the morning to see if there's anything I can do."
    "Appreciate that, your ladyship." George pulled on his policeman's helmet and straightened it. "Not that there's much any of us can do for the poor buggers now, though."
    "I suppose not. Goodnight,