My Aunt. Chapter 19.
Date: 12/18/2015,
Categories:
First Time
Author: Annamagique, Source: LushStories
... could not quite think what, but something. “Well, we must be on our way, come along, Dear,” he said, taking his wife by the hand. “Please tell your Aunt to let me know about the arrangements when she is ready.” “Arrangements?” I frowned. “The interment,” he replied. “Ah, the funeral, of course.” I understood now. “Yes, Reverend, I will.” They walked quickly away, the Reverend almost dragging his wife behind him in his haste. I watched them for a few minutes as they went in the direction of the gates then bent down to pick up my book, still laying where it had fallen. I had taken no more than a few steps when I heard the sound of hobnail boots scrunching rhythmically on the gravel behind me and I turned and saw the two military policemen marching smartly towards me, arms swinging in time with their steps up to shoulder height. The Sergeant still had his pace stick tucked under his right arm and a grim look on his face. I was horrified to see they had Charlie between them. “Charlie!” I called out, but no answer was forthcoming as they marched swiftly around the corner of the house towards the main entrance. I looked on in astonishment as, with a sharp order of command from the Sergeant, they smartly halted, bringing their right knees up to waist height and stamping their feet sharply down. Then, upon the words, 'liiiift tahn', they all three turned sharply to the left and once again stamped their right feet onto the ground then walked quickly up the steps of the portico and ...
... disappeared inside. I was baffled as to why they had taken Charlie into the main house. I thought that if they were arresting him they would have taken him 'straight to Colchester', as he had said, to the military prison there. Once in the garden, I sat on the bench and tried to concentrate on my book but it just wasn't possible. I found myself reading the same lines over and again, without ever once knowing what was written in them. Finally, I gave up, snapped the book shut and closed my eyes. I must have drifted off to sleep for a few minutes for I awoke with a start at the sound of shouted orders. I jumped up and ran to the archway and, shielding my eyes against the glare of the now low sun, I caught a glimpse of the two MP's and their charge as they climbed into an army truck and drove away. "Damn it!" I thought. "They can't take him away!" I ran as fast as I possibly could back to the East Wing, hoping against hope that Sergeant Morgan was still there. I should have taken more care but all I could think of was that if Private Manston was taken to Colchester then It would be even harder to find the real murderer. The huge rug behind the front door slipped and I went over sideways onto the floor, my book flying out of my hand once again! I screamed as I felt my wrist snap back against the hard wooden floor as I put my arm out to protect myself. Moments later, the dining room door flew open almost at the same time as the study door further down the hallway. Bethany came ...