Free Screaming Yellow by Rachel Green Page A

Robert were lying bleeding to death in his bed? ”
    It took several minutes for lights to come on and the door to be opened. Amanda was pulling a red silk kimono closed. “Father Brande? Did you forget something?”
    “What?” Simon tried to look behind her. “You phoned me about the murder.”
    “No, I didn’t. I was in bed.” Amanda rubbed sleep from her eyes. “What murder?”
    “Robert Markhew, your employer. You phoned me a few minutes ago.”
    Amanda shook her head, a few locks of hair falling from her tight braid. “I assure you I did no such thing, Father. As far as I know, Mr. Markhew is perfectly fine.”
    “Someone’s playing a joke on you, Simon.” Jennifer pulled at her brother’s sleeve. “Let’s leave these good people to their beds.”
    “No. I must insist upon speaking to Robert.” Simon looked from Jennifer to the maid, wide eyes reflecting the light from the hallway. “ Someone phoned me and I can’t take the risk that Robert is lying dead or injured somewhere. Wake him up, please, if he really is asleep. If I am just the victim of a cruel prank I will happily apologize afterward.”
    “Best do as he says.” Jennifer pressed Amanda’s arm. “There’s no dissuading him when he gets like this.”
    Amanda shrugged and opened the door wider, standing to one side to allow them passage. There was none of the activity one would associate with a murder evident.
    “Amanda? What’s going on?” Nicole Fielding stood at the top of the stairs, frowning at the unexpected activity. For such an attractive woman during the day, Jennifer thought, she made up for it at night with her hair in curlers and a dressing gown that looked to be a hand-me-down from her grandmother.
    “It’s Father Brande.” Amanda closed the door and went to the bottom of the stairs. “He reckons Mr. Markhew’s been murdered and won’t leave until he sees him.”
    “Nonsense.” Nicole did up the cord of her dressing gown. “Come back in the morning.”
    “I must insist on seeing him forthwith.” Simon glared up the stairs. “Good God, woman, this is a matter of life and death. Would you wake him, please?”
    Nicole grimaced. “Very well but I shall blame you for the inconvenience. Sir Robert doesn’t take kindly to interruptions.”
    “Please do.” Simon looked back at Jennifer, who nodded encouragement.
    She guided Amanda to one of the high-backed chairs. “Let’s get all this sorted out and get back to bed.” Amanda said nothing, merely covering her mouth with her hand to yawn.
    “He’s not in his room or his studio.” Nicole returned to the landing. “Why isn’t he there?”
    “How should I know?” Amanda asked. “He was in the study, the last I heard.”
    “Then let us check.” Simon stepped to the door and rapped on the old wood. “Robert? Are you in there?” When there was no reply he tried the handle. “It’s locked.”
    “Break it down,” Nicole urged, having come downstairs at last. “If something’s happened to him…”
    Simon threw himself against the door but the oak didn’t budge. He tried again with the same result.
    “This is ridiculous,” Nicole said. “Amanda? Go and fetch Peter.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Amanda hurried off.
    “Peter Numan?” Simon rattled the doorknob one last time and stepped away. “I didn’t know he was here as well.”
    “Yes, he looks after the cars and the grounds.” Nicole bit her lip as she looked toward the kitchen. “Mr. Markhew took him on when he left school. He was a good friend of Richard’s at the time and didn’t have the qualifications for university. It seemed an apt solution.”
    “I see.” Simon nodded.
    “I told you all this at the time.” Jennifer took the seat vacated by Amanda. “Head like a sieve, you. That’s what Mum always used to say. I don’t know how you passed your exams.”
    They looked up at the sound of footsteps. Amanda returned with the young Peter Numan, clad only in his jeans.
    “Father.”