Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist (26 page)

"What a gossip that frump is! I only told her because she called round to ask me to get her some water from the spring and said, more or less, that I had nothing else to do. She made me feel as if I were already on the scrap-heap."

"It could be dangerous for you if you asked too many questions."

"If it's murder, it will probably be quickly solved. One of the Fors didn't want Struthers to block it or one of the Againsts thought he was going to break up village life and pollute the environment."

"I don't think that can be the case. You don't know the parish council; I do. Certainly this issue has made them very heated, but they are stable, ordinary members of the community. Shall you and James be investigating it? You have both had a lot of success in the past."

"He has been very rude to me and snubbed me," said Agatha. "No, I shall not go near him."

When Mrs. Bloxby left, Agatha got ready for bed. The old cottage creaked as it usually did when it settled down for the night and various wildlife rustled in the thatch. But every little noise made her jump and she wished she had not pretended to be so brave and had asked the vicar's wife to stay the night. Then there was James, just next door, who must have heard of the murder by now. He should be here with her to protect and comfort her. A tear rolled down Agatha's nose and she fell into an uneasy sleep.

Another fine spring day did much to banish the horrors of the night before, and Bill Wong called, accompanied by a policewoman, to go over her statement.

James Lacey had seen the police car arrive, knew all about the murder and that it was Agatha who had found the body. He had assumed she would call him, for he was eager for details, but finally Bill Wong left and his phone did not ring.

Agatha phoned Roy Silver. "I've decided to take that freelance job with the water company," she said gruffly. Roy longed for the power to tell her to get lost, but the fact that his boss would look on the getting of Agatha as a great coup stopped him.

"Great," he said coldly. "I'll set up a meeting for you tomorrow with the directors."

"I suppose you've seen the papers," said Agatha.

"What about?"

"The chairman of Ancombe Parish Council was found dead last night--by me."

"Never! You're quite a little vulture, Aggie. They'll need you more than ever to counteract the bad publicity. Is it murder?"

"Could be, but he was very old and maybe just fell over and struck his head on the stone basin."

"Anyway, I'll get back to you, sweetie, and give you the time you're to see them."

"Who will I be dealing with?"

"Co-directors, Guy and Peter Freemont, brothers."

"What their pedigree?"

"City businessmen, wheeler-dealers, you know the kind."

"All right, let me know."

Agatha looked at the clock. Nearly lunchtime. She decided to go along to the Red Lion, the local pub, and see what gossip she could glean. Perhaps James might be there... forget it!

Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death
Now available from St. Martin's Paperbacks!

Table of Contents

Cover

Other Books By This Author

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8