Free The Droitwich Deceivers by Kerry Tombs Page A

with your superior,’ threatened Chilton banging a fist down on the desk before him. ‘We will ask someone else to take over the case.’
    ‘I am sorry, Sir Charles. I have no desire to cause any members of your family any more distress. As I said, I heard crying, and thought it my duty to investigate. The cries might have originated from your daughter, whom I thought might be trapped inside one of the rooms. I did not know at the time that it was your wife who was on the other side of the door. I can assure you that once I had exchanged a few words with Lady Chilton, and had satisfied myself that the cries had not come from your daughter, I left your wife’s room as soon as I could. Of course you are free to have words with my superior if you still consider my conduct to have been a breach of etiquette. That is your prerogative,’ said Ravenscroft seeking to placate his accuser.
    ‘Yes, yes,’ interrupted Chilton in an irritable tone of voice. ‘I would be obliged, sir, in the future, if you would kindly ask my permission before you speak to my wife again.’
    ‘Of course sir,’ replied Ravenscroft, grateful that the other’s anger had subsided.
    ‘I hear you have been to see Russell. Why?’
    ‘Yes sir, because I understand that you and Mr Russell have had a recent falling out,’ said Ravenscroft, noting Brockway’s unease in the corner of the room.
    ‘The man is a time waster and philanderer,’ stated Chilton.
    ‘I believe that you wished to purchase some land from Mr Russell, but that he was not inclined to sell?’
    ‘Wanted too much for it. I told him I was buying the land because I believed there was salt beneath it, not gold. You think Russell has my daughter?’
    ‘I have no evidence to suggest that is the case.’
    ‘You searched his buildings?’
    ‘No sir.’
    ‘Well don’t you think you should have?’ demanded Chilton, staring hard at Ravenscroft.
    ‘As I said sir, I have no cause to think that Mr Russell has taken your daughter,’ said Ravenscroft, wishing that his interview with Sir Charles would come to a swift conclusion.
    ‘Would have thought a search was imperative.’
    ‘I do not believe that Mr Russell has your daughter.’
    ‘Suppose you know what you are doing,’ grumbled Chilton looking down at his papers.
    ‘I will keep you fully informed, sir,’ said Ravenscroft.
    ‘Yes, yes.’
    ‘Oh, one more thing, Sir Charles. How did you come to employ Miss Petterson, your daughter’s governess?’
    ‘Miss Petterson?’
    ‘Yes sir, did she come recommended to you?’
    ‘I don’t know. My wife deals with all that kind of thing.’
    ‘And have you been pleased with Miss Petterson’s conduct?’ asked Ravenscroft.
    ‘Look, I don’t know where all this is leading Ravenscroft. My wife and I have had no cause for complaint against Miss Petterson, and Mildred I believe is quite fond of her. Don’t see that any of this has any relevance. I suggest that you get on and find my daughter, Ravenscroft. Now I have business to attend to.’
    Ravenscroft and Crabb made a hasty exit from the study, closing the door after them.
    ‘Prickly character,’ muttered Crabb.
    ‘Yes indeed. He certainly did not approve of my questioning his wife. I wonder whether her condition has something to do with his overbearing manner? Don’t you also find it strange that when we arrived here this afternoon, we were kept waiting for a full ten minutes before Brockway admitted us to the study? If it had been my child who had been abducted in such a fashion I would have wanted to hear the latest news as soon as possible, yet it appears that Sir Charles is more interested in his business affairs than the recovery of his own child.’
    ‘What next sir?’ asked Crabb.
    ‘We need to speak to the governess again; I feel that she may be the solution to this mystery.’
    ‘Where might she be?’ asked Crabb.
    ‘We could try the schoolroom. I believe it is located on the top floor.’
    The two men made