Back

Preparations for the shooting party were well underway as Gino slipped through the narrow arched gateway piercing a high wall at the back of the estate. His prescribed route traversed winding woodland pathways to a summer house, well hidden among rhododendrons. He knew about the estate's sporting plans for the day, but he had little interest in them, and had not been invited. His love of animals and hatred of blood sports was well reported. His fictional crimes could be vicious and violent - and his stories were full of technical detail about weapons - but his persona was gentle and peaceful. Shooting was Manfred's kind of amusement, but it was not for Gino - nor, evidently, for the publisher's wife. He picked his way carefully among the trees, following the narrow pathway described in the Lady's instructions. It was a long path, winding up a slope, over a ridge and down towards the back of the lake. As he approached the water's edge, a dog barked from among the reeds on the other side of the lake and a flock of ducks lurched into the air - just before the guns sounded.

The body was a sorry sight. The once handsome face had been blown half away and the tailored jacket, immaculate when he left home, was shredded at the shoulder and drenched in blood and brains. "Such a terrible accident. How ghastly that it should happen on our estate". On the following Friday, the coroner confirmed Lady Hawtrey's judgement - "A terrible accident." The murderous plan was undetected. The police failed to notice fine adjustments that had been made to Manfred's gun. Nor did they deviate from their first impression that they were attending the scene of an accident. The plot had been laid with such skill that no detective could unravel it. On the other hand, Gino never discovered Manfred's plan, which might have made his body the focus of the Coroner's enquiries.

Gino was prominent among the mourners. He had, after all, worked with Manfred for the past seven years and they shared the honour of being the publishing house's most prolific writers. Manfred's works would sell faster for a while, boosted by news of his dramatic death. But Gino would soon enjoy the place of honour by himself.

Manfred's murder was not original, but Gino's thorough knowledge of police methods and forensics ensured that the crime was pretty near perfect.

©Derrick Phillips
2002