Deadly Clementine

Cameron studied his daughter and reluctantly nodded. “I do agree that cancelling it is going to give the four deaths unnecessary importance.” He lifted a hand and threw a rueful look at the vicar. “Maybe ‘importance’ is the wrong word. I think people will ask why the fair has to be cancelled and will contemplate the truth behind the four deaths they might otherwise just accept as something brought about by natural circumstance.”

“Mrs Riverton and Sally Walcott would want the fair to go on,” Clementine added. “Don’t you think you owe it to them and their hard work to ensure that the fair is a success this year?”

“I think I need to escort you everywhere you go,” Cameron announced, swiftly changing the subject before an argument could begin.

“No. I don’t need you to,” Clementine argued.

“For my peace of mind, I want to know you are safe. Because of that, you are not to leave this house without a chaperone,” her father announced firmly.

Clementine groaned and shook her head at him but didn’t argue with him because she knew she would feel considerably safer walking through the country lanes if she had her father beside her.

“None of us can go out after dark,” Clementine added. “Nor you for that matter, Reverend Ormstone. Is Mr Smalley still working with you?”

The vicar nodded.

“Well, don’t leave the house without him. I am sure he is going to be happy to accompany you, and it won’t appear odd to the locals should he visit someone’s house with you. Until the fair has taken place, we all need to take extra precautions as we go about our business, don’t you think?” Cameron asked.

“You have a point, and I shall do just that.” The vicar began to gather up his cloak and stood up. “Well, I have to go and see some more of my parishioners, and my church ladies.”

Cameron eased out of his seat and escorted the vicar to the door leaving Clementine to put the teacups into the bucket beside the door. When she had finished, she ambled through the house to join the men.

“Let’s hope you don’t hear of any other unexpected deaths, eh?” Cameron sighed with a frown.

“I shall have to pray for this village to find the strength to get through the fair,” the vicar replied. “Maybe I should focus my Sunday sermon on the vices?”

With that, Reverend Ormstone made his way out of the gate at the end of their garden, waved his hand in farewell, and ambled off down the road.

Cameron closed the door and turned to look at Clementine.

“I have no intention of going to Sunday service,” he announced flatly.

Clementine’s lips twitched. “Me neither, but I have to go to the committee meeting tonight. Can you come with me?”

Cameron opened his mouth and contemplated advising Clementine to try to cancel the fair again. However, the more he considered the deaths the more he realised that he couldn’t do it. He was therefore a little defiant when he smiled at her.

“I think that is necessary, don’t you?” he murmured. “I think I should like to meet your committee while they are all together.”

“But you already know who they are.”

“I should like to go and speak to the remaining members anyway. I think it might be best to try to find out what they have heard about the recent deaths. People must be talking.”

Clementine lifted her brows at him. “I hope you are not going to contemplate investigating these deaths yourself.”

“What time do you need to be there?”

Clementine rolled her eyes and knew he was going to do just that, so didn’t argue with him. Instead, she went in search of her basket.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Moss slammed out of the tavern and stood on the pavement for a moment while he studied the village green before him. The large rectangular space was lined with a variety of houses of various sizes, together with several businesses, one of which was the tavern. Very few people were out on the street, which was unsurprising seeing as it was dusk. He listened to the silence broken only by the muted murmur of distance voices coming from within the drinking establishment behind him.

“I hate villages,” he hissed with a heavy sigh.

Even so, Moss ambled through this village toward Clementine’s house. He knew exactly where it was, although would never admit to how he knew.

“Ah, there you are,” a deep voice suddenly called.

Moss beamed at the rather resplendent gentleman bedecked in a naval uniform, even though they were in the centre of the country with the sea many miles away.