Free Murder in Abbot's Folly by Amy Myers Page B

they knew how the investigation was going, but decided that it wasn’t tactful to ask.
    Peter had no such reservations, however. ‘The Stourdens’ plans might be relevant to Laura’s murder,’ he pointed out. ‘And your involvement also. The police will naturally be following that up.’
    â€˜Ours?’ Dora went white with terror. ‘But we had nothing to do with her horrible death.’
    Peter explained. ‘I know how the police work. They have to consider every angle just in case. One possible avenue, unlikely though it seems, is the coincidence that Robert Luckhurst was a collector of Jane Austen memorabilia, and Laura Fettis was killed on the day of a Jane Austen gala. On the face of it, it might seem as though someone didn’t want some facts about Jane Austen to come out. That’s the reason,’ he added, looking very innocent, ‘that both we and the police need to hear the story about the plans for Stourdens – if only for your own security.’
    Gerald understood immediately. ‘You mean this murdering devil might have a potshot at us?’
    It took Dora longer, but then the message came through loud and clear. ‘ Us ?’ she shrieked. ‘You mean someone might try to murder us just because of our modest contribution to the story?’
    â€˜It’s not impossible,’ Peter said gravely.
    Oh, how unfair, Georgia fumed, to use this kind of pressure. Surely Peter did not really think Laura was killed for that reason? It wouldn’t make sense, as other members of the family would carry on where she left off. Or was Peter in earnest? It was a sobering thought, if so.
    â€˜Gerald,’ Dora announced firmly, ‘we can explain more about the Assembly Rooms and their connection to The Watsons . Jennifer and Roy wouldn’t mind that.’
    â€˜All right, Dollybird,’ Gerald said affectionately, putting his arm round her. ‘We’ll do just that. And I’ll have a word with Roy about the rest.’
    The rest? Just what did it consist of? Peter did not comment, however, as they went into the corridor leading past the kitchens. The kitchens were on their left, although the one in use might be vastly changed from how it must have been in Jane Austen’s time. The fireplace, however, was original, except that it now sported a fine array of copperware rather than a fire and spitjack.
    Gerald ignored the passageway leading to the right, which would have taken them back to the drawing room, and continued straight ahead until he came to an old but quite narrow wooden staircase. ‘This takes us up to the first floor and through to the Assembly Rooms on the other side of the house,’ he explained.
    She saw Peter’s face drop. No way was his wheelchair going up there. Dora too had seen his expression. ‘Don’t worry,’ she said. ‘We have a lift. Gerald’s mother lived here for some years and insisted on installing it. The staircase at the other end of this wing wasn’t suitable for a stairlift, and nor was this one.’
    â€˜The lift creaks a bit,’ Gerald said cheerfully, ‘but it’s regularly serviced.’
    â€˜Thank you,’ Peter replied gravely.
    The stairs brought Georgia and Dora up to the first-floor landing where Peter and Gerald joined them – and then to a passageway leading along the wing. It was enclosed now, but Gerald explained it was once open, looking down to the courtyard beneath. At the end of the wing, it turned right into a small room which would, Georgia worked out, clearly eventually link up with the east wing, at least at this level. Under it must be the archway at the rear of the courtyard.
    â€˜This is one of the former Assembly Rooms,’ Dora announced with pride as they went into it. ‘It was the tea room, hence the stairs to the kitchens.’
    â€˜It’s been used for all sorts of things since then, although not in