Free A Case Of Murder (Kendall Book 6) by John Holt Page A

afraid.”
    “The box,” said Kendall puzzled.
    “The television,” the man explained.
    “Oh, I see,” said Kendall. “So I suppose the body on the beach was a bit of local excitement.”
    “Ah, I suppose it was, for a little while at least,” replied Lynch. “’tis a sorry state of affairs though when the only entertainment we get is someone being murdered.”
    Kendall had to admit that it was hardly the entertainment he would prefer. “Did anyone know the man?” he asked. “The one who was murdered.”
    No one answered.
    Kendall looked around. “I just wondered if anyone knew anything about the man.”
    O’Rourke looked up and shook his head. “I’d never seen him before,” he said. “What about you Mallory?”
    Mallory looked up, and quickly shook his head. “No I never knew him,” he replied. “Never saw him before, not until his picture appeared in the newspaper.”
    “If the truth be known it wasn’t that interesting,” said O’Rourke. “Never knew the victim.”
    “What about Brian Charters?” Kendall asked. “Did anyone know him?”
    Once again there was silence. Then O’Rourke spoke. “He was a bit of a loner by all accounts,” he explained. “Never came in here that much.”
    “You hardly ever saw him,” added Lynch. “Not very sociable. He’d say hello, and that but would never stop for a conversation.”
    “What about the football club?” Kendall asked. “I understand that there is one here in Killmacud. You’re a member aren’t you Mr. Lynch?”
    Lynch nodded. “I am, this is the badge,” he replied pointing to an enamel badge in his lapel. “I have to admit that it isn’t much of a club, not like it used to be. But I can tell you Charters wasn’t in the least interested in it, or anything else locally, come to that. He kept himself to himself.”
    “But I understood that Charters spent a lot of time at your yard,” said Kendall.
    Lynch looked surprised, and shook his head.
    “Was he interested in boats?” Kendall continued. “Or was he into the fishing?”
    Lynch shook his head, and smiled. “I don’t know where you heard that Mr. Kendall, but as far as I can recall he was never at my yard.”
    “Are you sure?” asked Kendall. “I was told that he was there quite often.”
    Lynch shook his head once again. “I’m sorry but you are mistaken, I tell you he was never there.”
    Kendall heaved a sigh. “I don’t understand it, they were so definite,” he replied. “I must admit though that I did find it strange.”
    “Who told you?” asked O’Rourke.
    Kendall smiled and shook his head. “I’d rather not say, and if it’s not true, as it sounds, there’s no pint. They were just mistaken I guess.”
    “Or deliberately misleading you,” suggested Mallory.
    Kendall considered the point for a few moments. “That’s possible,” he agreed. So far the locals had been anything but helpful. Perhaps it was a deliberate attempt to confuse him.
    “But why would anyone do that?” Kendall asked. “Unless, of course, they had something to hide.”
    “Ah now, that’s nonsense,” said O’Rourke. “What would anyone have to hide?”
    What indeed, thought Kendall. After all it was only a murder after all. “So it probably didn’t surprise anyone when Charters was charged with the murder,” he said.
    Mallory went to say something, but changed his mind.
    “No surprise at all,” said O’Rourke. “What do they say, you have to watch the quiet ones.”
    Kendall knew the saying.
    “Hardly a reason for accusing someone of murder, though,” said Mollie.
    “You may be right there Missy,” said Lynch. “But when you look at the evidence it all ….”
    “Another drink, Mr. Kendall,” came a voice to Kendall’s left. It was Mallory. “And you Miss Adams.”
    “That’s very kind of you Mr. Mallory,” replied Kendall. “Same again, thank you.”
    “Same again,” Mallory instructed. “And a gin and tonic for me.”
    O’Rourke started to pour