Murder in the Monastery (Libby Sarjeant Murder Mystery series) Read Free

Eldreda’s death in 712 so they felt it was appropriate.’
    ‘But what’s it going to be about? She wasn’t murdered, was she?’
    ‘There actually was a suggestion that she was. And then the chapel burnt down –’
    ‘Patti mentioned that.’
    ‘And it was thought to be a deliberate act to destroy the relics.’
    ‘Good job they were moved, then. So who dunnit?’
    ‘That was never proved. I’ve undertaken to provide some alternative theories for the sisters and they can decide which is most –’ Peter frowned and drummed his fingers on the table.
    ‘Seemly?’ suggested Libby. ‘Well. It all sounds terribly complicated. What about the reliquary?’
    ‘That will come into it. I may even be able to work it that Eldreda’s Welsh family had something to do with the burning of the chapel in order to steal the relics.’
    ‘You can’t malign people like that!’ Libby was shocked. ‘You’ll have to invent someone.’
    ‘That’s why I’ve got to put it before the sisters, in case I’ve stepped on someone’s toes.’ Peter grinned and lifted his wine glass.
    Harry appeared with two plates of soup.
    ‘No Donna?’ asked Libby.
    Harry pulled a face. ‘She’s gone part-time.’
    ‘Well, she is seven months pregnant,’ said Libby. ‘I don’t suppose the standing does her much good.’
    ‘She’s doing the books and admin at home though,’ said Peter. ‘Just as you suggested.’
    ‘So all you need is a new waitress? Shouldn’t be too difficult. Have you still got that lad you bullied?’
    ‘He bullies them all. Likes to pretend he’s a chef off the telly,’ said Peter.
    ‘Jacob?’ said Harry. ‘Yes, but he’s part-time, too, and can’t work during the week. He’s good at prepping in the kitchen at weekends, though. I think he prefers that.’
    ‘He used to look terrified out here,’ said Libby. ‘Poor child.’
    ‘So,’ she continued, when Harry had gone back to the kitchen, ‘what did you want my help on?’
    Peter looked surprised. ‘Well, everything. The script, the characters, the story …’
    ‘Oh.’ Libby looked alarmed. ‘But I don’t want to get into research. I’m supposed to be looking into this reliquary thingy.’
    ‘But that will help, won’t it?’ said Peter. ‘Can’t you get in touch with the sale rooms and ask if you can see it, and if they have any information on its background for the play in the actual place it came from? I bet they’d let you see it, and they might part with a bit more info than they would to the nuns.’
    ‘Maybe …’ Libby thought for a moment, sipping her soup. ‘Perhaps I could. I’ll have to ask Patti which sale rooms it is. What else?’
    ‘I don’t know whether to use St Eldreda as a character or if the sisters would see that as – oh, I don’t know – blasphemous in some way.’
    ‘You could set it immediately after her death and concentrate on the investigation,’ suggested Libby.
    ‘That’s what I thought. So it becomes a proper murder mystery.’
    Libby looked at him sharply. ‘Don’t forget what happened last time you recreated a real-life murder.’
    ‘I know, I know, but the murder wasn’t even connected in the end, was it?’
    ‘Everybody connects the two,’ said Libby. ‘Anyway, go on.’
    When they’d finished their soup, Harry brought them cheese and joined them while they thrashed out a few more points on the story.
    ‘When do you want to perform it?’ he asked.
    ‘It will have to be in the summer because of the weather,’ said Peter.
    ‘That doesn’t give you long, it’s April now,’ said Libby. ‘You’ve got to write it, get it passed by the sisters, cast and rehearse it.’
    ‘Three months if we aim for July,’ said Peter. ‘Should be able to do it.’
    ‘After all,’ said Harry, standing up, ‘it only took God a week to create the world.’
    Peter frowned at his departing back. ‘Sarcasm doesn’t suit him.’
    ‘It’s true, though, Pete. And think of all the early