Mystery At Potter's Lodge: The 23rd Murray Barber P I Case

By Julie Burns-Sweeney

Murray is a private investigator with a difference, he can hear the dead speak! Along with his friend Jeff from C.I.D. and the 'late' Jake, Murray solves a number of cases.
Life turns darker when Murray tries Letter Boxing on Dartmoor. Potter's Lodge, quaint B & B or haunted murder hotel? Disappearing people, threatening letters, an old Mini and Jake's endless sarcasm... can Murray survive again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781326746117

Book preview

Mystery At Potter's Lodge: The 23rd Murray Barber P I Case

MYSTERY AT

POTTER'S LODGE

The 23rd

Murray Barber P.I.

Case

by

Julie Burns Sweeney

ISBN: 978-1-326-74611-7

Copyright 2016

Published by Lulu.com

CHAPTER ONE

Are you sure we’re in the right place? Murray asked as he shoved his hands deep into his jacket pockets. He turned to see Chloe re-reading the clue written in the handbook.

Well…. That’s the only Tor around here…. and we’ve walked all the way around it near enough…. And these are the only things that we’ve found that resemble steps? It must be here…. She clasped the paper map under her arm and read aloud the ‘Letter Boxing’ clue. Steps away. Face the Tor. LH Water source. RH Gateway. Lay beneath slate chippings amongst a rockery. She stared back at him with raised eyebrows.

No gateway. No rockery. He stated with a shrug. Are you hungry? I’m starved. How long have we been at this?

Too long I take it! She laughed as she climbed the rugged rocks that vaguely resembled steps and peered over at the view of Dartmoor. Oh look! Is that a B & B? Wonder if they do lunches? How do you fancy a cream tea? She glanced back at him as he joined her on the ridge.

Bit of a hike down there. I’ll need more than a cream tea.

They eventually reached the front garden area of the Bed and Breakfast. Two cars were parked in the parking bays and on the other side of the double-door entrance was a neat lawn with a number of picnic benches. The dark green sign post had the name ‘Potter’s Lodge’ painted ornately in silver and the plaque on the wall told them that it had been built in 1682. A menu was displayed in the window. Murray spotted it and in no time had decided upon the steak and kidney pie.

It says they’re open for lunches, cream teas, evening meals and rooms at reasonable prices. Chloe nodded at another sign and pushed open the front door. The two of them stepped into the low- ceiling lobby, a small bell chiming as the door closed behind them. To the left was an arched doorway into a dining area where they could see wooden tables and chairs decorated with white linen table clothes and green gingham napkins. A young man appeared from a door to the right of the lobby. He smiled at them and said a cheery ‘Good day’.

What can I do for you? He continued.

We’d love some lunch if it’s not too late please? Chloe peered in to the dining room where another man sat by the window tucking into what looked like a Ploughman’s Lunch.

Oh of course! Take a seat I’ll grab you a menu. The blonde haired man followed them through the archway and handed them a laminated menu from a serving table. They sat at the other window and browsed the menu, casting amused glances over the tops at each other. Murray’s attention was briefly taken by the large wooden framed mirror on the wall next to what he assumed was the kitchen door. He could see the dining room in it but not his own reflection? He stared for a moment but then their host introduced himself and the mirror was forgotten.

My name is Ken. Have you been out on the moor? It’s a bit windy out there today! Murray placed the curly haired man at around thirty years old, he was slightly stocky and wearing a green gingham apron to match the napkins.

We’ve been attempting to ‘Letter Box’! Chloe offered. Not very successfully I’m afraid.

Oh is that where you have to hunt out a box hidden by another ‘Letter-Boxer’ and collect the stamps that they’ve hidden? It was the other guest that spoke, laying down his cutlery onto his empty plate and taking a sip from a glass of cider. They can have double meanings sometimes you know! He grinned.

We thought we had picked an easy one! I think hunger was affecting our brainwork in the end. We’re both starving!

I’ll have the steak and kidney pie and chips please… and if that’s a local scrumpy cider I’ll have one of those too! Murray nodded at the other guy’s glass.

It’s good! He raised his glass. I’m David. Are you local? I’m trying to pick up an accent?

Yeah, we’re just on a day trip. I think I’ll have the vegetable quiche please and a glass of diet cola. She smiled at Ken and handed him back the menu.

I’ll be right back! He disappeared through the kitchen door. Glancing back over at David, Murray asked,

You passing through?

I’m on a mission! Research for a book. I was made redundant last year and I’ve decided it’s time to start my Bucket List!

Murray looked surprised. The man couldn’t be much more than early to mid-thirties?

Bugger me, you’re a bit young for a Bucket List surely?

Never know if there’s something terminal on the horizon. Grab life by the horns and all that. Murray smiled but thought better of pursuing the topic any further, he didn’t want to pry. Ken returned with their drinks and turned to David to remove his empty plate.

Anything else for you sir? he asked cheerfully.

No, that will do me for now.

He says he is researching. What are you researching? Chloe asked with genuine interest. The empty plate rattled in Ken’s hand. Murray noted how his hand shook momentarily as he returned to the kitchen to collect their food. He was again taken by the mirror. Maybe it was a joke mirror? Or maybe a special effect from some local playhouse or something? It was still a little un-nerving, like he was a vampire unable to see his own reflection?

The food arrived and was followed by a second glass of scrumpy. David was researching some local history having traced some family members back through his tree to the nearby village of Postbridge. As they sat and chatted the second glass became a third and Murray decided that maybe they should take one of the ‘reasonably priced rooms’ for the night and make a trip of it.

David, who was shorter and lighter-built than Ken with dark, almost black hair, was also staying overnight at the B & B. As Murray and Chloe asked about a room for the night, David highly recommended Ken’s hospitality. Ken in return offered to show them upstairs to one of the three rooms he rented out.

Feeling slightly woozy from the scrumpy, Murray followed Chloe and Ken up the old creaky wooden staircase and onto the narrow landing. The place certainly matched its age with thick plastered walls and low ceilings with painted wooden beams. He glanced back over the banister at the row of portraits that lined the wall up the staircase.

Bugger! Don’t that one look like your mate Butthead! He joked about one of the framed pictures.

Yeah, it does! Chloe laughed as they