Excerpt from the book called The Frisby Waterless Murders
“I think her father was a colonel in the same regiment as her husband. One of the guards regiments I believe.”
“Steeped in tradition like a strong cup of grandma’s morning tea,” said Knowles wondering whether he could have a drink of tea.
“Indeed, Inspector Knowles.”
“What happened next after you phoned the police?”
“Well, we covered up the body with a large table cloth as we don’t really have a place for bodies to rest and then I asked Eddie to contact the driver and get him to reverse us back up the line to Little Flixton.”
“And what was everyone doing on the return journey?”
“Well, we were all subdued, but Madge Williams was a bit upset that someone had stolen her thunder, as it were, by dying. Apparently the actors take it in turn to die and so she won’t get another chance for a month now.”
“Hit her badly, did it, not dying? That is unbelievably petty, wait until I speak to her. Was there anything unusual said? Did anyone seem happy or did any individual avoid eye contact with the others?”
“I was more concerned with looking after Mrs Harkness than monitoring the other passengers. However, I could tell Mr Johnson in Seat 5, who would have had a clear view down the length of the carriage from his seat, was quite perplexed at what had happened.”
“Thank you, Gerald, that is useful I will have to ask him what was troubling him. Anyway, I think I have kept you enough, you must have a superior to report this incident to, I know I do.”
“Thank you, Inspector Knowles, I do have to let my boss know. We have another run tomorrow and I am guessing we will need another train?”
“Little Toby is probably going to be off limits for the rest of the week until we’ve searched everything and stripped this carriage to its bare bones.”
“Thought as much, we shall have to bring Sir Isaac Newton out of the shed and get him ready.”
“I am pleased you appreciate the gravity of the situation,” quipped Knowles, “and have a suitable substitute. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction don’t forget.”
“Well, I hope you’re right about that,” said Gerald and shook Knowles by the hand before vacating the carriage.
“Don’t forget to give a statement before leaving the station,” shouted Knowles. Gerald Kennedy gave Knowles a thumbs-up and left closing the door behind him.
Julian Worker Fiction Writing 