Murder on the Moor - C. S. Challinor [37]
“Rex, how terribly sweet!” Estelle bleated. “I never suspected you had a sentimental side to you!” She planted an enthusiastic kiss on his cheek. “I’m sure Helen will be thrilled!”
“You won’t tell?”
“Cross my heart, hope to die. When are you going to give it to her?”
“Estelle! Where the hell is that woman?” Hamish’s voice boomed rudely from downstairs.
“Oh, drat,” she whispered to Rex. “I said I would help the Allerdice women do the dishes. Hamish is such a tyrant. But I suppose Flora and Shona have been bearing the brunt of the work with Helen.” In a loud voice, she added, “Well, you’re quite right, Rex. It is dismal weather we’re having.”
With a conspiratorial wink, she galumphed back down the carpeted steps, her shadow magnified against the wall by the lamp hanging from the ceiling in the windowless stairwell. The closer the object to the light source, the larger the shadow, Rex remembered from a school project. If Estelle had been wearing her curlers last night, it would fit Flora’s description of the grotesque apparition.
Mrs. Farquharson had not batted an eyelid when he mentioned the coal shed. Was she innocent or else adept at concealing her guilt? In any case, Rex realized he would have to be more careful as he pursued his investigation. “‘Softly, softly catchee monkey,’” he chanted under his breath.
Or was it a question of catching the sheep?
“A sheep?” Helen asked incredulously, cornering Rex in the dining room after his quick lunch. “You mean a cuddly toy? Urgh. Tell me you didn’t.”
“To help you count sheep so you fall asleep quicker.”
“I’ll think of Estelle and get nightmares. What are you up to, Rex?” She cocked her head at him with a look of amused curiosity.
“I canna tell you just yet. Though it is interesting to note that Estelle is incapable of holding a secret for long.”
“She confided in Shona, who came to whisper the surprise to me and tell me not to say anything to you.”
“Women!” Rex rolled his eyes, at a complete loss as to what went on in their brains sometimes.
“Well, as soon as I heard the cuddly lamb part, I knew something was amiss, so I just tried to act delighted, as was expected of me. Couldn’t you have given me a diamond or something?”
“A diamond?” he repeated. Did she mean a ring? An engagement ring?
Helen shrugged in despair. “Oh, just anything, I suppose—but not a cutesy toy!”
“It’s verra realistic looking. Woolly grey hair, wee brown eyes, a long snout.” He was describing Estelle down to a tee, and Helen chuckled.
“You are so wicked, Rex! Oh, well, I know better than to waste my time trying to pry your little scheme out of you, but I’m glad you’re onto something.”
“Well, mebbe.” Rex fingered his ginger whiskers. He had not taken the time to shave or shower that morning and did not have time now. “I should talk to the guests in turn.” He glanced at the cleared table. “Here would be fine.”
“Shall I leave the water jug and glasses?”
“Aye. I’ll start with the Allerdices since they’re in the greatest hurry to leave.”
“I’ll send Hamish in while Shona helps me in the kitchen.”
“Good idea. I want to ask him who took a peek at Moira’s body while she lay dead in the stable.” And why he had found coal dust on Hamish’s shoes when he went back to examine the boots in the hall.
“He’s such a creep,” Helen remarked with a shudder.
A few minutes later, Hamish entered the dining room and shut the door behind him.
“Come and sit down, Hamish,” Rex said from the oak table. “I just want to ask everybody a few questions before they leave.”
“Why are you starting with me?” Allerdice asked in a belligerent tone, the spidery veins lacing his bulbous nose reddening sharply.
“Because I’m sure you need to get back to the hotel. The Farquharsons and Mr. Frazer planned to stay until tomorrow anyway.”
Hamish visibly relaxed. “Well, you can talk to Shona and Flora next. The lad went off somewhere with the