Cat Sitter Among the Pigeons

Chapter 8

MURDER

On night duty in Hurst St. Cyprian Police Station, Sergeant Green yawned. The telephone rang and he picked up the receiver. A moment later his manner had changed completely. He began scribbling rapidly on a pad.

“Yes? Meadowbank? Yes - and the name? Spell it, please. S-P-R-I-N-G - for greengage? - E-R. Springer. Yes. Yes, please see that nothing is disturbed. Someone'll be with you very shortly.”

Rapidly and methodically he then proceeded to put into motion the various procedures indicated.

“Meadowbank?” said Detective Inspector Kelsey when his turn came. “That's the girls' school, isn't it? Who is it who's been murdered?”

“Seems to be Miss Springer, the games mistress.”

“Death of a games mistress,” said Kelsey, thoughtfully. “Sounds like the title of a thriller on a railway bookstall.”

“Who's likely to have done her in, d'you think?” said the Sergeant. “Seems unnatural.”

“Even games mistresses may have their love lives,” said Detective Inspector Kelsey. “Where did they say the body was found?”

“In the Sports Pavilion. I suppose that's a fancy name for the gymnasium.”

“Could be,” said Kelsey. “Death of a Games Mistress in the Gymnasium. Sounds a highly athletic crime, doesn't it? Did you say she was shot?”

“Yes.”

“They find the pistol?”

“No.”

“Interesting,” said Detective Inspector Kelsey, and having assembled his retinue, he departed to carry out his duties.