Free A Whisper of Danger by Catherine Palmer Page B

considering the nature of his illness. He was a very sick man, and yet he was determined to work in his studio each day. While attempting to walk from his bedroom to the library, the professor fell down the steps. Or so the report read.”
    “Who gave the report?”
    “The man who discovered the body. I believe his given name is Solomon Mazrui.”
    “Solomon! The chauffeur? The gardener?”
    “I believe that would be the man.”
    “When did he say this?”
    Mr. Patel took the document away from Jess and flipped to the second page. “That particular statement was taken down by the police after they determined that the body bore injuries commensurate with a fall. When Solomon Mazrui was questioned, he confirmed that he had found his employer at the bottom of the stairwell.”
    “So what’s all this about murder?”
    “Subsequent to the coroner’s report, an autopsy was performed. The results arrived this morning. Apparently, Dr. bin Yusuf ’s skull was crushed by a heavy blunt object of unknown origin. According to the pathologist, such an injury could not have been sustained during a fall. It is believed that someone struck Dr. bin Yusuf in the head, and following that tragic event, he fell down the stairs and died.”
    Jess sank onto her chair. “Who did it?”
    “A most appropriate question. Not an hour before I left town, the Zanzibar police located Solomon Mazrui and took him to their headquarters. He is being held there for questioning, as I’m certain you can understand.”
    “Surely they don’t think Solomon did it.”
    “He reported the discovery of the body, which was lying on a settee here in this living room when the police arrived. Mr. Mazrui failed to tell the police about his employer’s accident on the staircase until he was questioned directly. Instead, he allowed the police to make an initial report that he had discovered the artist dead on the settee.”
    “But why would Solomon kill Dr. bin Yusuf?” Nettie Cameron asked. “The man had worked here for years. He helped restore this house.”
    “It is not at all certain that Mr. Mazrui is responsible for the crime. In fact, I am certain the police will question everyone who had contact with Dr. bin Yusuf. Even you, Ms. Thornton.”
    “But I was in London!”
    “Of course. Yet you stood to gain a great deal by his death.”
    “That’s crazy. I didn’t have any idea I was in Dr. bin Yusuf ’s will. Until you contacted me about the house, I didn’t even know he had died.”
    “And of this I will give testimony. I am sure you have nothing to fear.” Mr. Patel pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose. “All the same, this turn of events may affect you in some way. The police will search the house, of course. And they will wish to interview you and everyone who was employed by Dr. bin Yusuf. Everything you can do to cooperate will be appreciated.”
    “Of course.” Jess rubbed her temples. “Whatever they want.”
    “What about the house, Mr. Patel?” Nettie asked. “Does the estate go back into probate?”
    “The house belongs to Ms. Thornton. Dr. bin Yusuf ’s will was very specific in that matter.”
    Jess stared down at her knees. She couldn’t believe this. Murdered. How could her beloved professor have been murdered? Who would have done such a thing? And why?
    “Splinter!” The image of her son at the mercy of a killer broke through the numbness in her brain. “Splinter’s on the beach! I have to—”
    “Spencer and Hannah are digging clams.” The male voice came from the door. “I just saw him. He’s fine.”
    Jess lifted her head to find Rick McTaggart standing inside the living room. One shoulder propped against the door frame, he was staring at her with those blue eyes.
    “Jessie, are you all right?”
    She squelched a moan and waved faintly in his direction. “Would everyone please leave me alone? Mr. Patel, thank you. I’ll . . . I’ll do what I can to help with the investigation. Nettie . .