Percy sat uncomfortably across from the empty desk, trying to imagine why the police wanted to interview him. He had done nothing that he was aware of to be suspected of anything.
"Aah, Mister Whiteside. Sorry for being tardy, can I offer you tea or anything?" Nigel blew into the office, setting his mug on the desk and collapsing into his chair.
"No thank you, Inspector--"
"Sergeant. Just Sergeant, perhaps one day." His smile was unanswered.
"I would like to know why I am here."
"Certainly. There's nothing amiss, we just wanted to have a small chat."
"About what? I've only been in Merryvale a few weeks."
"Right." Nigel tasted his tea and tried another smile, probing Percy for more information; his purpose in Merryvale, where he was staying and for how long. Had he known Miss Agatha Mills previously? Percy answered them all but began to feel uncomfortably like a suspect in something.
"Am I not welcome?"
"Mister Whiteside, please . . . let me provide a little background."
Nigel proceeded to relate the history of Gwen Campbell's concerns and the reason for the interview, emphasizing there was no reason for Percy to feel suspected in any way. The interview was a routine follow-up in response to a resident's request.
"And she believes I sent this letter?"
Nigel gave a sympathetic shrug. "You just happened to be a stranger here and you said you were a murder mystery novelist . . . that and the letter she received she felt was too coincidental."
"Well nothing could be further from the truth." Percy turned his neck, stretching it as if to underline his annoyance.
"Which truth, sir, your occupation or sending the letter?"
"Both! . . . I mean . . . I never sent any letter, Sergeant."
"And the occupation?"
"I'm a freelance journalist as I told you and I came here to write about the Kleinham murders. When it turned out the Mrs. was going to an institution the story lost its drama. Papers want something that shocks and stimulates the beast inside not vanilla outcomes."
Nigel drank his tea, smiling behind the mug.
"Vanilla outcomes . . . so then why are you still here, Mister Whiteside?"
"It occurred to me that perhaps I could write a fiction mystery in a small village setting and my trip would not have been wasted after all. It had nothing to do with this woman . . . although it might work as a plot line." His smile terminated Nigel's.
"I believe I mentioned that this was an ongoing enquiry, Mr. Whiteside; I would be disappointed if I found you . . . involving yourself."
"I have already received a rather extensive education about your village from my landlady."
"All the gossip."
"I am writing fiction, Sergeant."
"Indeed. Very well, Mister Whiteside thank you for your co-operation in this and I hope you enjoy your stay with us. Of course you will apprise us of any information you may discover about our enquiries and will not be too unkind in your characterizations of our residents.
Percy stood and shook the proffered hand.
"I'll try. Every murder requires a victim and a killer though."
YOU ARE READING
A Village Mystery
Mystery / Thriller'I know the truth about Henry.' That single sentence in the mysterious letter delivered by hand, tilted Gwen Campbell's world and changed the lives of the residents of Merryvale Village.
