Read Murder by Magic for Free Online Page B

do to detain him – even should they
have more questions.  His responses have been perfectly adequate, if
economical.
    ‘I
didn’t catch your name, sir?’
    The
man has already begun to move off.  He hesitates, and then turns back to
face the two officers.  He contrives a perfunctory smile.
    ‘It is
Wolfstein – Doctor.’
     
    *
     
    ‘I was
surprised you didn’t ask him about the girl, Guv.’
    Skelgill
holds up his pint against the light of the pub window.
    ‘Aye
– I didn’t feel inclined for some reason.’  He takes a sup of the golden
ale.  ‘He was as tight-lipped as the gamekeeper.’
    DS
Jones swirls the cubes of ice and sliver of lemon around her glass of mineral
water.
    ‘It
seemed a bit of a coincidence that he was just coming out as we arrived.’
    Skelgill
nods over the rim of his glass.
    ‘Certainly
saved us a trip inside.’
    ‘That
guy Tarr could have tipped him off that we were on our way, Guv.’
    Now
Skelgill shrugs.
    ‘We
shouldn’t make too much of a conspiracy out of this – it’s only because
we’re quiet at the moment that we’ve followed it up this far.’
    ‘Is
there something wrong, sir?’
    Skelgill
and DS Jones turn simultaneously towards the bar.  The landlord, a portly
chap in his mid forties, has raised the serving hatch and is lumbering across
the stone-flagged floor of the old inn.
    ‘I’m
sorry?’
    ‘I
noticed you were checking the beer, sir – I wondered if it were
cloudy?  Would you prefer something else – the guest IPA’s pulling
well?  I’m afraid Eva the new barmaid hasn’t quite got the hang of the
cask ales yet.’
    Skelgill
looks wide-eyed – that the landlord has been so attentive.  He takes
another swig and holds up the now half-empty glass.
    ‘The
only thing wrong with this is that I can probably only have two pints.’
    The
landlord glances at DS Jones’s water.
    ‘You
seem to have a driver, sir?’
    Skelgill
grins.
    ‘Unfortunately
Sergeant Jones here will be taking me back to my car later.’
    Skelgill
flashes his ID in a non-threatening sort of way.
    ‘Ooh.’ 
The landlord holds up his hands in apology.  ‘To what do we owe the
honour?’
    Skelgill
shakes his head.
    ‘Just
thirsty after a bit of a hike, sir – although you may be able to help
us.’
    The
man rather awkwardly straddles the stool at the head of their table.
    ‘I’d
be pleased to make your acquaintance, er – Inspector.  I’m new
around here myself – as you can probably guess from my accent.’
    Skelgill
nods.  The Langdale Arms is a favourite watering hole, though
occasional given its distance from his regular North Lakes stamping
ground.  It is one he patronises more often on foot than by road. 
However, since his last visit the previous autumn, the long-standing elderly
local couple who ran the place appear to have moved on, and the tenancy to have
been taken up by the self-confessed ‘offcomer’ – who sounds like he hails
from the Black Country, pronouncing you as yow and your as yower . 
Skelgill indicates to DS Jones that she should go ahead and show him the
photographs.
    ‘We
believe this man has gone missing – he could have been in the vicinity
within the last twenty-four hours.’
    The
landlord leans over, breathing wheezily as he examines the picture.  DS
Jones slides the photograph of the girl beside it.
    ‘He
may have some connection to this girl.’
    Now
the man glances from one to the other.  Then he shakes his head and puffs
out his cheeks.
    ‘We
were dead quiet last night – closed early – what with it being a
Sunday and the holidays coming late this year – and today we’ve just had
three or four elderly couples in for lunch.’
    DS
Jones nods.
    ‘Were
you here in the bar the whole time?’
    The
man seems a little worried by this question, as if he is unwilling to admit
that he abandoned his post at any point.
    ‘Well
– I’ve got Eva, you see?’
    ‘Perhaps
we could ask her, sir?’
    Rather
reluctantly he rises