Murder Most Royal — читать онлайн бесплатно полностью

’

‘Around that time, a packet of drugs went missing from the bag that washed up. The police know, because of the way the bag was packed. You’ve probably heard about it because I understand they’ve been trying to track it down.’

‘. . . But it was early in the morning, so perhaps they didn’t. Anyway, whoever found the bag acted rashly, on the spur of the moment. They made a very stupid choice. Perhaps they were coerced.’

‘I don’t know what you’re—’

Arthur’s mobile face was a picture of panic. If he was seeking to go into a life of crime, he was singularly ill-equipped for it.

‘On Sunday, I’ll be attending the eleven o’clock service at Flitcham. My protection officers always sweep it very thoroughly before I arrive. If something were to be left there anonymously, it would be found. I think it belongs with the rest of the contents of that bag, in police custody, out of harm’s way,’ she rounded up. ‘Don’t you?’

‘I like to give people second chances, but not third ones. I’m glad we’ve had this little chat, Arthur.

He stared at her wordlessly, before accidentally curtseying and bolting for the yard.

‘Will he do it?’ Rozie asked.

They were supposed to be discussing the Queen’s calendar. Rozie had noticed some interesting potential issues with the schedule. However, as so often during this visit, they had got sidetracked.

‘We shall see. I might have got the wrong end of the stick,’ the Queen said. ‘He couldn’t have been looking at me like that out of politeness. But I think so.

‘I just can’t believe . . .’

Rozie said it as respectfully as she could, but she still couldn’t finish the sentence. The Queen could tell she didn’t believe one might suspect someone had stolen a packet of drugs, and was giving them a get-out clause.

‘If I’m right about him, and the packet were to be discovered, his career will be quite over before it’s begun. He’s a promising groom and a hopeless criminal. I really don’t think it was his idea.’

‘If it was someone else’s,’ Rozie said, ‘won’t they mind when the drugs are handed in?’

The Queen had considered this.

‘No, ma’am. I see that.’

‘I do hope he has the good sense to wipe his fingerprints off the packet. Anyway, enough of that. How have you got on?’

‘Katie has some good news,’ Rozie said.