A story to strangle for, p.1
A Story to Strangle For, page 1
A STORY TO STRANGLE FOR
A HOPGOOD HALL MYSTERY
E.V. HUNTER
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
More From E.V. Hunter
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by E.V. Hunter
Poison & Pens
About Boldwood Books
1
‘It’s a pleasure to welcome you all to Hopgood Hall and our inaugural journalistic awareness course. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Alexi Ellis, and I was until a year ago an investigative journalist on the Sentinel.’
Alexi had never had a problem with public speaking, or with poking her nose into places where it wasn’t always welcome. Self-assurance was a necessary requirement in her chosen profession, along with a thick skin and a determination to get to the story ahead of the opposition, no matter what impediments were placed in her path. Today though, in a situation that she ought to be able to handle with her eyes closed, she felt inexplicably nervous.
And there was a good reason for that. She was laying her reputation on the line in an effort to make the course a resounding success. She had called in favours from her old colleagues to make it so, especially from her former boss and ex-lover, Patrick Vaughan. If all went according to plan then the publicity would go a long way to cementing the reputation of the boutique hotel in Lambourn in which Alexi held a minority shareholding. In the wake of the questionable publicity the establishment had garnered following recent unfortunate events, it had to be.
Seated round an oval table in Hopgood Hall’s annex, a table covered with a crisp white cloth bearing refreshments that no one had yet touched, the six faces of her delegates stared back at her with friendly curiosity. The people who had gained places on a course that could have been filled ten times over were an eclectic mix of ages and backgrounds. Deliberately so. They all looked at Alexi with rapt attention, hanging on her every word, putting her in mind of a bunch of students on the first day of term, nervous but keen to impress. Their ages ranged from mid-twenties to mid-seventies and as far as Alexi was aware, none of them had met before.
They all had note-taking equipment in front of them. One of the older people had a tablet and hit the keypad with agile fingers; the youngest had an old-fashioned pen and paper. So much for stereotyping, Alexi thought with an ironic twist of her lips.
‘We’d all be sorry excuses for amateur journalists if we didn’t recognise you,’ a voice said. Alexi glanced at her notes. He was Peter Foreman, a civil servant with rugged features, piercing blue eyes and a thick thatch of salt-and-pepper hair. He oozed confidence and clearly looked upon himself as a leader. He also, Alexi knew, had her firmly in his sights. He’d been coming on to her at every opportunity, even though they’d only just met, and seemed to think that she’d be grateful for his attention.
Pompous arse!
‘Thanks.’ Alexi inclined her head in recognition of the compliment. ‘As you’re aware, you are here for five days because, as Peter just pointed out, you all have an interest in the journalistic process. We’ll be covering the manner in which the profession has had to adapt in order to survive in the light of the social media explosion, instant news and trial by public opinion, made possible by the aforementioned social media.’
‘You must know all there is to know,’ a woman said, nodding as though Alexi’s words were gospel.
‘If I thought that then I wouldn’t have lasted five minutes,’ Alexi replied, watching the woman’s face fall. She was Emily Bairstow, forty something, Alexi reminded herself by checking her notes. A divorcee with grown children who wanted to make a fresh start now that she had the freedom to please herself. Alexi could write the book on fresh starts and took an instinctive liking to the woman, who had intelligent, expressive eyes and understated style. ‘I did promise that I wouldn’t sugar coat,’ Alexi added, smiling at Emily, ‘and if anyone thinks that being a journalist is glamorous then I’m afraid you’re in for a rude awakening.’
‘Nothing glamorous about standing outside in all weathers, waiting for some minor celebrity that no one’s heard of or cares about to emerge from a night club. Take it from one who knows.’
A thickset younger man said his piece and then crossed massive arms over his chest, as though defying anyone to repute his words. His application had intrigued Alexi. A bouncer from the east end of London was the last person she’d have expected to show an interest in her course, which was one of the reasons why he’d made the shortlist.
‘Thanks, Archie,’ Alexi said. ‘Your comment brings me nicely on to the number one golden rule for this course. What is that golden rule in the world of journalism?’ she asked. ‘Can anyone tell me?’
A young Indian girl’s hand shot up. ‘Get the story before the opposition does,’ she said.
‘That’s important, Ranya, but not quite what I was after. Anyone else?’
Several more suggestions were made. Alexi reminded herself that none of these people, as far as she was aware, seriously wanted a career in journalism. They were taking a layman’s interest for a variety of reasons. Some wanted to write short stories; others wanted to contribute articles to local papers and magazines; one wanted to write an investigative novel about an unsolved crime; several, like Emily, the divorcee, were simply interested.
As the ice was broken and the residents exchanged more or more unlikely suggestions between themselves, Alexi let them run on. But when she raised a hand, she was immediately rewarded with silence.
‘The story,’ she said simply. ‘Nothing is more important than the story. And getting the facts straight. What Mrs Housewife at number seven said about the man who regularly knocked his wife about until he killed her simply won’t wash. If, on the other hand, a witness actually saw the man behaving violently towards his nearest-and-dearest, that’s another matter. The witness has to be able to back up his assertion with evidence, otherwise you’ll be reduced to using the words allegedly and accused of and so forth, which isn’t news at all. It’s merely repeating what’s already in the public domain and is likely to bore your readers rigid.’
‘That’s what the reporters on TV do all the time,’ a woman called Grace Western remarked. ‘They simply repeat what the anchor’s already said.’
‘Very true.’ Alexi replied, nodding. Grace – she with the tablet computer – was the oldest person on the course. In her early seventies, she looked at least ten years younger. Her hair was shoulder length, without any grey to give her age away, and her face was surprisingly wrinkle-free. She was tall, with a figure that women half her age would likely give their right arms to possess, and there was a natural elegance about her that Alexi admired. ‘And one of the reasons why I became an investigative journalist rather than one of the pack reporting on breaking news. As Archie pointed out just now, standing about for hours waiting for a soundbite becomes… well, restrictive.’
‘But in-depth investigation enables you to triple check facts and brings its own rewards,’ Peter said, nodding as though he knew what he was talking about. Alexi didn’t like the voracious civil servant, nor did she like the way he undressed her with his eyes, but she tried not to let it show. It was early days, everyone was nervous. She would withhold judgement.
For now.
‘The purpose of this course is for you to flex your own investigative muscles,’ Alexi said. ‘For the next five days, you are encouraged to search Lambourn for an interesting story that can be expanded into a public interest piece for the Newbury Post. The editor, Bill Naylor, will be here to meet you all at dinner time and has promised to publish at least a part of the most promising contributions.’
A mutter of excitement rippled through the room. Alexi hadn’t told them that their purple prose might see the light of publication, mainly because she’d only just managed to twist the editor’s arm.
‘Think outside the box,’ she added, ‘and remember the second rule of good journalism, which I referred to a moment ago.’ She allowed a significant pause, confident of her audience’s complete attention. ‘Thou shalt not bore thy reader. For instance, Mrs Potts winning the best in show for her runner beans three years in succession is hardly ground-breaking journalism. What’s her secret? How does she eclipse fierce opposition to win the coveted prize year after year? Does she read her veg bedtime stories? Readers love quirky things like that.’
Peter sniffed. ‘Hardly Booker Prize stuff,’ he said.
‘Where in a local paper, not known for its world-wide coverage, would the piece be published?’ Alexi asked. ‘Who would be your target readership?’
‘The gardening section,’ Grace responded, sharing a collusive smile with Alexi. ‘Horticulturalists would actively seek it out. Locals are the readers, obviously.’
Alexi nodded. ‘Think big but start small and get recognised.’
There was a pause as Diana Horton, a middle-aged, frumpy travel agent who’d taken an active interest but had yet to speak a word, reached for the coffee pot and voluntee
‘We don’t have to write about vegetables, do we?’ he asked, dunking a biscuit in his coffee.
‘Absolutely not. Use your imagination. Wander about the village, visit local businesses and wait for inspiration to strike.’
Please patronise local businesses, she silently pleaded. Alexi had visited pubs and shops, promising that her aspiring journalists would raise their profile. She was attempting to manage the damage done to the village’s reputation in general and Hopgood Hall’s in particular following three murders that had occurred in the past year, all with connections to Alexi and the hotel.
‘Well, it’s obvious what’s of interest,’ Peter said. ‘The murders.’
‘Already done.’ Alexi fixed him with a challenging look. She had expected the question and wasn’t surprised that Peter had been the one to voice it. Best to get the elephant in the room – the bait that had probably attracted at least some of her attendees – out in the open. ‘By me. Of course, if you think you can find a different angle then feel free to give it your best shot.’
‘One imagines that the village wants to play the murders down so the local paper is hardly likely to print anything about them.’
Alexi flashed a grateful smile towards Grace, impressed by her insight.
‘Cosmo then,’ Peter said, folding his arms defensively.
He was referring to the feral cat that Alexi had come across beneath Waterloo arches when she’d once visited the area to do a piece about the people living rough there. For reasons she had never understood, the wild cat had decided to adopt Alexi. Taciturn, and sometimes downright aggressive if he took a dislike to a person, he’d proven to be a surprisingly good judge of character. He’d also stolen the show by posing for Alexi’s former colleagues during recent murder investigations.
Alexi laughed, on safer ground now. ‘You’ll have the dubious pleasure of meeting Cosmo later, Peter, so I’ll make a deal with you. If he lets you approach him, then write what you like about him, if you can think of an angle that hasn’t already been done to death. My cat does not shy away from publicity.’
Alexi would bet her bank balance on Cosmo taking a dislike against Peter.
‘Deal,’ Peter replied, rubbing his hands together and winking at her.
‘I would suggest delving into the cases that come before the local magistrates, if any of you have a desire to report on crime. The verdicts will have been handed down but perhaps there will be an opportunity to speak to the person who’s been convicted. Find out what made them do it, especially if the person was of previous good character.’
Several heads nodded and notes were scribbled.
‘This is, of course, horse country and local trainers’ successes are widely reported. But how about the grooms who care for the pampered equines and seldom get to share in the glory? What are their stories? What got them into the horsy world?’ Alexi spread her hands. ‘Think local interest.’
Ranya tugged a long plait over her shoulder. ‘Horses petrify me,’ she said. ‘I think I’ll steer well clear of them.’
‘Then you, Ranya, might turn your thoughts to the time of year. We’re coming up to Halloween, which is now a big deal for adults and kids alike in this country, but never used to be. What’s changed? Is it a US trend that’s made its way across the pond? Is there any foundation in the spiritual myth of Samhain?’
‘That’s not local stuff,’ Peter objected.
‘What, people don’t celebrate Halloween in Lambourn?’ Archie asked before Alexi could.
‘A quicker path to national fame, if one can explode the myth,’ Grace pointed out with quiet dignity.
‘What did I miss?’
All heads turned as the door opened and Jack Maddox strolled through it, looking like he’d just stepped off the cover of a gent’s magazine. Although he and Alexi were an item and cohabiting, her heart still stalled when she saw him unexpectedly. And even when she didn’t. He appeared to have caught the attention of every woman in the room, who undoubtedly appreciated his physical attributes as much as Alexi did. Predictably, Peter scowled at him. The civil servant seemed to have an inflated opinion of his own attractiveness and didn’t appreciate the competition from a man who had nothing to prove in that regard.
‘This is Jack Maddox,’ Alexi said. ‘Ex Met police, now local private investigator.’
‘Hi,’ Jack said, giving the gathering a little wave as he took a seat beside Alexi. ‘And welcome one and all.’
‘Jack will be on hand to offer help and advice on any police procedural queries you might have before writing your piece. Or pieces. You have five days and can write as many as you like in that period. I will be here to offer guidance, if you want me to. If you’d prefer to keep it to yourself until the final full stop then feel free.’
‘You’ve given us a lot of scope and a plenty of food for thought,’ Diana remarked, helping herself to the last biscuit.
‘You forget to mention Patrick Vaughan’s involvement,’ Peter said. ‘That’s why I’m here. The local rag is all very well but I’m confident that I’ll be able to interest Patrick in my style. Think big, that’s what I say.’
Alexi shot a glance at Jack. They had argued over Patrick’s participation, such as it was. He would appear at the final night’s party and cast a quick eye over the participants’ efforts ‒ the carrot and stick approach. Alexi was pretty sure that he wouldn’t be taking on any of her wannabes any time soon, but his name was nonetheless a draw. Jack had argued that he’d only offered his services because it was a way to keep close to Alexi. Whilst that might well be the case, Jack failed to accept that he had nothing to worry about in that regard. She found such a self-assured man’s uncertainty about her commitment to their relationship mostly endearing, occasionally frustrating.
She most emphatically did not need his protection.
‘Exactly.’ Alexi smiled. ‘I shall be interested to see what you come up with. But for now, I shall leave you all to settle into your rooms. The annex and its facilities are for your exclusive use this week but, of course, you are free to use the public parts of the main hotel as well. Get to know one another, exchange ideas, work together if you have similar ideas. There are no rules. Lunch will be served in an hour.’
‘By your handsome chef?’ Emily asked with a mischievous smile. ‘Perhaps he’ll be dish of the day.’
Everyone laughed.
‘Don’t encourage Marcel,’ Alexi advised, laughing along with them as she and Jack stood up. Marcel, their temperamental chef, was a lady’s man through and through but the only abiding love of his life was his creative food, about which he was passionate. ‘If you’re thinking of interviewing him, I’d advise against it. He received more than his share of publicity when he was briefly suspected of murdering a contestant in the cookery contest staged here,’ she added, thinking it better to get that one out in the open too, ‘and now only talks to journalists about his food.’
‘Shame.’ Grace smiled. ‘You’re not making this easy for us, are you?’
Alexi returned her smile as she headed for the door. ‘Where would be the fun in that?’ she asked.
‘Well done,’ Jack said, taking her hand as they strolled across the courtyard towards the main part of the hotel. There was a strong wind gusting and rain threatened. Again. They’d had more than their fair share of it recently.
‘I haven’t done anything yet,’ she replied, ‘other than to give in to pressure and host this course. Still can’t decide why I did.’
‘You know why,’ Jack replied, squeezing her hand.
