Fast Fiction: An Old Murder
So how do the locals react when a well-known national newspaper reporter arrives in their village to investigate a murder of long ago? Read Richard Mallinson's short story, which reveals something of the character of the folk in Birton Biltmore.
Rick Frankly drove to Birton Biltmore.
‘Hullo, Rick.’ a white-bearded old man with a walking stick called to him from across the only street.
Frankly twitched. Who the hell would be likely to greet him by name in this creepy little place miles from anywhere?
The man walked unsteadily across and said, ‘You are Rick Frankly of the Daily Blare in London, aren’t you? And I am Ted Ocking, resident of this village. I believe that you are here about a murder of long ago.’
‘That’s right,’ said Frankly, ‘but how did you - ?’
‘Ah, never you mind, we have our sources.’
They walked on towards the Weepy Cow.
The man said, ‘Let me buy you a drink and introduce you to some of the others. Then we can put you right on certain matters, I’m sure.’
It was dark inside the Weepy Cow and gnarled hands reached out and gripped Frankly, who was soon on his way back to London.
*
TV REPORTER: With me in this quiet village of Birton Biltmore is Mr Ted Ocking, who has lived here for many years. I understand, Mr Ocking, that very little disturbs the peace of this remote place and you receive few visitors, if any. Is that, broadly speaking, an accurate -
TED OCKING: Chap fro Lunnon cum last yer an sed ee ad eard moider tuk pliss forwarty yer ugo an ee wontd te writ bar tit fer newspap cud us tell im ditals o moider an we sed bug of afor we moider yee an yo shud a sin im scarup…
TV REPORTER: And now back to Marjorie in the studio.
